Starting as a cowherd, he sought a way to cultivate immortality.

The fact that County Magistrate Chen returned from reporting to Youzhou Prefecture was just a minor matter in Changqing County.

However, the fact that County Magistrate Chen brought back a beautiful and charming woman from Youzhou Prefecture was enough to cause a sensation in Changqing County.

Since Zhou Meiniang moved into the Qin family mansion, the servants have worked much harder, all in an effort to attract her attention.

Under such circumstances, some dissolute young men from wealthy families in the county town came to visit Chen Chi, hoping to catch a glimpse of Zhou Meiniang's legendary captivating beauty.

But Chen Chi ruthlessly rejected all their visits.

Then news spread throughout Changqing County that County Magistrate Chen was so infatuated with the woman that after returning to Changqing County, he stayed in his mansion every night, indulging in revelry, and never even went to the county office.

This rumor naturally made Wang Hao, who was sitting opposite Chen Chi in the county government office, burst into laughter.

"Chen Chi, just how beautiful is this woman that you're so infatuated with her and partying every night?"

Your reputation has spread so far that even my most unsophisticated maid has heard of you.

Chen Chi's face darkened.

If given the chance, he would definitely teach those dissolute young masters in Changqing County a lesson and make them remember the price of messing with him.

"Magistrate Wang, please don't make fun of me," Chen Chi said in an unfriendly tone.

Wang Hao wisely stopped laughing and instead said in a serious tone:

"It's only natural for people to love beauty, I didn't mean to make fun of you."

Did your trip to Youzhou Prefecture for your official duties go smoothly?

Chen Chi picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and then looked at Wang Hao without saying a word.

Wang Hao felt uneasy under Chen Chi's gaze and moved slightly away from him.

"What happened?"

Chen Chi's lips curled into a smile, and he suddenly asked:

"Magistrate Wang, do you have any valuable treasures in your home?"

Give it to me, and I can save your life.

Magistrate Wang was shocked and stood up abruptly.

"Chen Chi, what nonsense are you spouting?!"

Chen Chi picked up his teacup again and looked up at Wang Hao.

"Magistrate Wang, has Chen ever lied to you?"

Wang Hao's face turned pale.

Recalling Chen Chi's trip to Youzhou Prefecture to report on his duties and his strange words just now, a rumor circulating among the people of Yan came to mind.

Yang Jin, the governor of Youzhou, is plotting a rebellion!

Wang Hao slumped into the chair, feeling his whole body trembling.

"Chen Chi, could it be Chief Steward Yang?"

Chen Chi glanced at Wang Hao sideways and couldn't help but praise him:

"As expected of Magistrate Wang, I only said a few words and you guessed what was about to happen."

After Chen Chi confirmed his guess, Wang Hao completely gave up on maintaining the last shred of dignity as the county head. He took off his official hat and scratched his hair in frustration.

In Youzhou, no one could stop Yang Jin's advance.

If Yang Jin really wanted to rebel, after the army arrived in Changqing County, he, as the magistrate of Changqing County, would most likely be executed by Yang Jin.

"When will Steward Yang arrive?" Wang Hao still held a sliver of hope.

"I don't know," Chen Chi smiled slightly. "It could be tomorrow, or it could be half a month from now."

Wang Hao seemed deflated, his gaze fixed on the roof beams above, lost in thought.

After a long while, Wang Hao suddenly turned his gaze and landed on Chen Chi.

"My family has a jade pendant that has been passed down through generations. It is called the Green Bamboo Pendant and is said to have been left by our ancestor. Wearing it can make one's mind clear."

"Oh?" Chen Chi's face showed interest. "I didn't expect Magistrate Wang to have such a good thing. I'll reluctantly accept it."

……

In the county military camp's parade ground, Zhou Meiniang stood beside Chen Chi, her face veiled.

The soldiers from the county garrison opposite had naturally heard the recent rumors about Chen Chi in Changqing County.

Now that they saw Zhou Meiniang with her graceful figure and half-concealed face, they believed the rumor even more.

"If I had such a beauty in my home, I would stay home every day and never go out," many people thought to themselves.

Chen Chi could guess what everyone was thinking just by looking at the meaningful expressions on their faces.

"From this day forward, everyone must be on high alert and ready to deal with any enemy attack."

Upon hearing Chen Chi's order, the soldiers couldn't help but murmur amongst themselves.

Although County Magistrate Chen had beautiful women by his side, it made his soldiers even more exhausted before the end of the year.

"County Commandant Chen, it seems your soldiers are not convinced by you." Zhou Meiniang deliberately raised her voice so that the soldiers could hear her.

Chen Chi's cold gaze swept over the crowd in the parade ground, causing the soldiers to lower their heads.

Chen Chi snorted coldly.

"Those who disobey orders will be expelled from the county camp!"

This time, no discontent appeared on the soldiers' faces.

Zhou Meiniang then smiled brightly and moved closer to Chen Chi.

"With Magistrate Chen here, Changqing County will surely be as solid as a rock."

Chen Chi could naturally hear the sarcasm in Zhou Meiniang's voice.

"Whether it's a golden broth or not, we'll only know when the time comes," Chen Chi said in a deep voice.

……

At the beginning of the month before the end of the year, Yang Jin, the governor of Youzhou, under the pretext of "purging the court of corrupt officials," sent troops south from Youzhou city, claiming that he wanted to get rid of the treacherous minister An Degui around Emperor Jinglong.

The 150,000-strong army marched straight down, and most of the cities in Youzhou surrendered at the mere mention of their name.

Four days after the uprising, Yang Jin's vanguard troops had arrived in Changqing County and set up camp outside the city.

The vanguard general was an old acquaintance, Meng Chang, the commander of the vanguard.

After some "negotiations" between Chen Chi and Meng Chang, Chen Chi agreed to surrender to Meng Chang's army, but demanded that Meng Chang not harm the civilians of Changqing County.

"General Meng, I have another request." Chen Chi clasped his hands in a salute, the green bamboo pendant at his waist swaying slightly.

"The magistrate of Changqing County, Wang Hao, is a close friend of mine. I beg the general to show leniency."

Meng Chang chuckled and immediately agreed to Chen Chi's request.

Thus, Changqing County also surrendered to Yang Jin, and the Youzhou army encountered no obstacles on its way south.

After Yang Jin arrived in Changqing County, Zhou Meiniang completed her mission of monitoring Chen Chi and returned to Yang Jin's side.

Yang Jin decided to leave the county garrison soldiers in Changqing County to guard the area, while he himself led the main army and Chen Chi on the road.

Chen Chi looked troubled and said to Yang Jin:

"This humble officer is incompetent in military strategy and will likely be of little use on the battlefield."

Yang Jin laughed heartily:

"I, the steward, will make arrangements for you people."

Left with no other choice, Chen Chi could only arrange the affairs of the manor and tell Fang Yong not to panic.

Over the next month, the Youzhou army continued its southward march, advancing with overwhelming force, directly threatening the capital of Yunzhou.

Upon learning of Yang Jin's uprising, the capital city of Lin'an was thrown into turmoil.

The elderly Emperor Jinglong rarely attended court, but he discussed countermeasures with his ministers.

In front of everyone, Chancellor An Degui said that he had long ago warned that Yang Jin was plotting a rebellion, but Emperor Jinglong did not listen and thus allowed Yang Jin to grow powerful.

Although Emperor Jinglong regretted his actions, he remained calm and composed, confidently addressing the court officials:

"Yang Jin's troops are not a cause for concern."

Then, Emperor Jinglong issued an imperial edict, ordering troops from all over Yan to come and quell the rebellion, and those who presented Yang Jin's head would be granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households.

In the spring of the new year, Ding Nanshan, the governor of Yunzhou, went out of the city to meet the enemy, but was defeated by Yang Jin in one fell swoop.

Amidst the chaos of battle, Ding Nanshan attempted to escape back to Luoyun Pass, but was blocked from behind by Chen Chi and other Qi Sensing Realm warriors.

Chen Chi glanced at Ding Nanshan, who was begging for mercy after being captured, and remained silent.

If Ding Nanshan had held firm in Yunzhou, Yang Jin would never have been able to conquer Yunzhou so easily.

Three days later, Yang Jin ordered Ding Nanshan to be beheaded and his head displayed to the public.

At this point, only Luoyun Pass remained as a formidable barrier between Yang Jin's army and the capital, Lin'an.