After the announcement, Chongwu Institute's guard, Ding Hong, received Bai Xiaowen and Bai Xiaowen.
Beside Ding Hong, there was a middle-aged scholar in a green robe. He was flipping through the Chongwu Institute's roster.
When Bai Xiaowen introduced himself, he said that the two of them were Daoist disciples. They were traveling outside and saw the Wokou pirates, so they came to help the Imperial Court.
Before making up this lie, Bai Xiaowen had already learned from the scholar Xie Sheng that the Ming Dynasty of the Jiajing World valued Daoists.
During the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang summoned the founder of the Zhengyi Sect, Zhang Zhengfan, and gave him the title of "Zhengyi Sect Spiritual Master". He gave him a silver seal, which was equivalent to the rank of a second-rank official. After several generations of emperors, Mount Longhu was the orthodox Daoist sect.
The current Jiajing Emperor was a firm believer in Daoism. He gave many Daoists the titles of "Junior Protector" and "Minister of Rites". He even participated in the Imperial Court.
Sure enough, when he heard that Bai Xiaowen and Bai Xiaowen were Daoist disciples, Chongwu Institute's guard Ding Hong's expression became serious. He nodded and said, "You two are Daoist disciples. Can you let me see the credentials of Mount Longhu's Spiritual Master?"
Bai Xiaowen shook his head and said, "We are from the Xuanzong Sect and have always been in seclusion. We don't belong to Mount Longhu, so we don't have any credentials."
Chongwu Institute's guard Ding Hong's expression relaxed. He said indifferently, "Since you don't have any credentials, how can you prove your identity? What if you are spies sent by the Wokou pirates? Won't you be in danger? Please forgive me for not being able to receive you. "
Bai Xiaowen shook his head and said, "Lord Ding, we don't have any credentials. However, we can prove our innocence."
He then took out the "Chen Duyan's Token" and showed it to Ding Hong, "This is the proof that we killed the leader of the Wokou pirates, Chen Duyan. Please check it."
As soon as he said this, the middle-aged scholar behind the document raised his head and said in surprise, "Chen Duyan? Which Chen Duyan? Could it be Chen Bao, one of Pockmarked Ye's subordinates? "
Bai Xiaowen replied, "I don't know this person's real name, but I do know that he is a general under the command of the Wokou leader, Pockmarked Ye. That much is certain."
The middle-aged scholar stood up and said cheerfully, "Chen Bao is exceptionally ferocious. A few days ago, he plundered the Quanzhou Prefecture and destroyed the Quanzhou Prefecture City. Many gentry and common people have suffered greatly from his actions. If the two of you really manage to kill Chen Bao, I will definitely report this merit to the Governor. "
The garrison officer, Ding Hong, hurriedly introduced him to Bai Xiaowen. "This is Private Advisor Wang, the Governor's aide."
The middle-aged scholar nodded and smiled. "I am Wang Quan."
Bai Xiaowen felt relieved and handed the token to Wang Quan. He didn't know what method Wang Quan used, but after he had identified the item, he was overjoyed and said, "This is indeed the Wokou pirate Chen Du Yan's token. The two of you have done well, and there is nothing false about it. With the two of you joining us, the chaos in the Southeast can be quelled. "
Prompt information:
"You have received the approval of the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, Imperial Censor Zuo Qian, and the aide of the Governor of Zhejiang, Hu Zongxian."
"You have joined the Anti-Japanese Army."
"Your reputation within the Anti-Japanese Army has increased greatly. Your current reputation level is: Friendly."
"Your reputation within the Wokou Wu Ping's camp has decreased. Your current reputation level is: Indifferent."
"Your reputation within the Wokou Zhang Lian's camp has decreased. Your current reputation level is: Indifferent."
"Your reputation within the Wokou Song Pu Long Xin's camp has decreased. Your current reputation level is: Indifferent."
…
There was a long string of prompts, and there were dozens of them. Each one represented a different faction of Wokou pirates. This was the effect of joining the Anti-Japanese Army.
Of course, these "indifferent" Wokou pirates did not include "Pockmarked Ye" and "Xu Hai". Because they had killed Chen Duyan and forced their escape, Bai Xiaowen's reputation within the Pockmarked Ye's camp was already 'Hatred', while the reputation within the Xu Hai's camp was' Hostile '.
It was worth mentioning that most of the leaders of these Wokou pirates had the surname Hua Xia. The only real Japanese names were Matsuura Takanobu, Shin Jiurang, Fourth Assistant, and a few others.
After joining the Anti-Japanese Army, Bai Xiaowen took the opportunity to ask, "If I may ask, when will we be able to meet the Governor?"
Obviously, Wang Quan had taken Bai Xiaowen and Zhang Wuji to be extraordinary people with certain specialties. As the saying went, if one learned both civil and martial arts and sold them to the imperial family, it would be normal for them to want to find a place to live.
Wang Quan nodded and smiled, "There's no hurry. The Governor is in Quanzhou Prefecture. This time, I was ordered by the Governor to investigate the Quanzhou Prefecture's First Guard and Third Guard. This Chongwu Guard is the second one. When I'm done, I'll take you back to Quanzhou Prefecture to meet the Governor and report your achievements. "
Bai Xiaowen didn't have the time to wait for Wang Quan to check the military roster. The Ming Dynasty's government was inefficient. By the time Wang Quan finished, it would be several days later.
Bai Xiaowen also couldn't leave Wang Quan and go to Quanzhou Prefecture alone. If he wanted to meet the powerful Governor, he and Li Shuyi definitely couldn't do it alone. They needed Wang Quan to introduce them. In addition, Wang Quan also wanted to introduce them to Hu Zongxian. This could improve his position in the Governor's heart.
"Advisor, I heard that the Governor is in Quanzhou Prefecture. Is it going well?" Bai Xiaowen asked.
Wang Quan shook his head, "How could it be going well? Quanzhou Prefecture was attacked by the Wokou pirates. Almost all of the wealthy families are in mourning. The gold, silver, and other valuables that they have accumulated over the years have all been plundered … You don't know these wealthy families, but they have made friends with many of the officials in the capital. Even the governor has to be careful. "
Bai Xiaowen understood that Hu Zongxian was the Governor of Zhejiang and the general of the anti-Woming army. Although he had power, he also had a lot of responsibilities. Now that Quanzhou Prefecture was attacked, he would definitely be impeached.
"Don't worry, Advisor Wang. I can share the Governor's burden …" Bai Xiaowen smiled and said, "Please take a look at what this is."
Bai Xiaowen took out the items one by one. There were antiques, calligraphy and paintings, as well as gold, silver, and jade. They were all treasures taken from Chen Duyan's cargo hold.
"This is … Zhao Qianli's Later Red Cliff Painting? The bronze tripod from the first year of the Yellow Dragon? Han Changli's Collection? … "
Wang Quan's eyes widened.
Guard Ding Hong was slightly stunned and said, "Immortal Bai Xiao is a Taoist disciple. How could he have so many treasures?"
Wang Quan calmed down and said, "Immortal Bai Xiao, these things should have been rescued from Chen Duyan's cabin, right?"
Seeing Bai Xiaowen's ability to "take out items from the storage space", Ding Hong and Wang Quan's attitude towards him became much more respectful, and they began to address him as "Immortal" when talking to him. However, Bai Xiaowen looked too young and was very different from the grey-haired Taoist in their impression. Therefore, they added the word "Xiao" in front of his name.
Bai Xiaowen smiled and said, "Advisor Wang has sharp eyes. You saved me the trouble of explaining."
Wang Quan said, "How can I not see it? Zhao Qianli's Later Red Cliff Painting was included in the list of looted items given to the Governor by the big families in Quanzhou Prefecture … "
Bai Xiaowen nodded and said, "Advisor Wang, after I killed Chen Duyan, I even took his ship. I haven't had time to dispose of the treasures in the cabin. I think that if we give these treasures to the Governor, he should have a smoother time pacifying the people. "
Ding Hong nodded and said, "Of course."
"Then please take us to Quanzhou Prefecture as soon as possible and pay a visit to the Governor." Bai Xiaowen said.
Advisor Wang frowned and said, "That's true, but I still have a duty to fulfill …"
Bai Xiaowen gave Wang Quan the 'Han Changli Collection' along with a jade brush washer. Then, he pushed two gold items to Chongwu Garrison Officer Ding Hong and said with a smile, "Private Advisor Wang, these are some gifts. Please accept them."
Advisor Wang was slightly surprised. Then his face turned red and he forced himself to say, "Who do you think I am? These … "
"Although I managed to snatch back some treasures from the Wokou pirate Chen Duoyan, I still lost a lot of things. Among them are this' Han Changli Collection ', this Song Dynasty brush washer, and these gold wares …" Bai Xiaowen pretended to sigh, "I've already tried my best, but unfortunately, I'm not that strong."
Ding Hong smiled and said, "Yes, it is already rare that Daoist Bai Xiaowen was able to save some treasures. As for the other items that were lost, it can only be said that the owners were unlucky."
"Advisor Wang, what do you think?" Bai Xiaowen saw the hesitation on Wang Quan's face and asked.
Wang Quan coughed and said with some embarrassment, "That's … right. The treasures that were stolen by the Wokou pirates, it is already lucky to be able to recover some of them. I don't think those big families can ask for more. "
"Advisor is wise." Bai Xiaowen smiled.
Wang Quan said, "That … Daoist Bai Xiaowen, this Later Red Cliff painting should also be among the items that were lost, right?"
Bai Xiaowen paused for a moment, then laughed and stuffed the famous painting of Zhao Boju into Wang Quan's hands. "That is correct."
Li Shuyi silently curled his lips. The Great Ming Dynasty's bureaucracy was corrupt. Even a small advisor would be greedy whenever he had the chance.
As the saying goes, it is easy to get things done with money. Wang Quan immediately decided to stop patrolling Guard One and Three and take Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi to Quanzhou Prefectural City in a carriage.
… …
That night, Bai Xiaowen met with Hu Zongxian.
With Wang Quan's introduction and explanation, Hu Zongxian firmly believed in Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi's identities and treated them well. As a dignified governor and a high-ranking official of the border, his actions could be said to be courteous to the wise.
This was because Bai Xiaowen had killed Chen Duyan and brought back a ship of goods. This had resolved a difficult problem for Hu Zongxian.
Bai Xiaowen didn't care what happened to this ship of goods. He simply handed it over to Hu Zongxian. Whether Hu Zongxian wanted to keep the goods or return them to Jin was his own business.
This was Hu Zongxian's favorite method. He was able to become the governor of Zhejiang under the influence of Yan Song and his son. Of course, his character couldn't be compared to an honest official like Hai Rui. For example, Hu Zongxian was definitely going to keep the majority of this ship of goods …
However, Bai Xiaowen still believed that Hu Zongxian was a better official than Hai Rui. The reason was simple: Hu Zongxian had the ability to quell the Japanese rebellion in history. As for Hai Rui … apart from being honest and cursing the emperor, they didn't have any outstanding achievements.
Of course, 'not having any outstanding achievements' was only relative to Hu Zongxian's achievements in quelling the Japanese rebellion. It didn't mean that Hai Rui was a mediocre official.
Regardless, after Bai Xiaowen handed over the ship of goods and Chen Duyan's token, Hu Zongxian was naturally 'overjoyed'. Bai Xiaowen received further information about the spirit realm on the spot. Not only did he receive 1000 achievement points as a reward, his relationship with Hu Zongxian had also reached the level of 'acquaintance'.
Since he was already familiar with Hu Zongxian, Bai Xiaowen took the opportunity to ask Hu Zongxian about his plans for suppressing the pirates.
"Lord Hu, this time, us two killed Chen Duyan because we witnessed the atrocities of the Japanese pirates and were enraged. I would like to ask, when does the governor plan to send troops to eliminate these pirates? We are willing to be the vanguard! "
Hu Zongxian waved his hand and smiled. Beside him, Wang Quan quickly explained, "Master Bai, you may not know this, but the Japanese pirates come and go like the wind. They don't have a fixed location and are very difficult to deal with. If you want to succeed in a single battle, it would be impossible. You would have to plan slowly. "
Bai Xiaowen had bribed a ship of goods not to listen to such excuses. He then said to Hu Zongxian, "Since that's the case, I would like to ask the governor to send me a soldier who can fight. I am willing to go out to sea and eliminate the pirates!"
Hu Zongxian shook his head and smiled, "Master Bai, that is impossible. You don't have a military position. How can the imperial army be handed over to someone who doesn't have a military position? If word of this gets out, I will be impeached. "
After pausing for a while, Hu Zongxian continued, "If Master Bai is willing, you can join my army. With your contributions, not to mention a sentry, you can even become a general."
A sentry of the Ming Dynasty had three squads, which was nine 'shs', for a total of ninety people. Five sentry posts were a 'general', for a total of four hundred and fifty people. If Bai Xiaowen could command four hundred and fifty soldiers who could fight, he would have the courage to face the Japanese pirates head on.
Previously, when he was chased by Xu Hai's subordinates, the leader of the pirates, Xu Hong, why didn't Bai Xiaowen dare to face him head-on? Why did he only shoot at the other party's sails to escape? The reason was because he couldn't beat them.
If he was only facing the leader, Xu Hong, then there wouldn't be a problem. However, when he was attacking Xu Hong, the hundreds of pirates under his command wouldn't just stand by and watch. There were at least a hundred elite pirates among them. Even if Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi were one or two ranks higher, they still wouldn't be able to defeat them.
In the past, when Bai Xiaowen killed a leader, he would always make arrangements beforehand. He would either cut off the other party's wings first, or take advantage of the fact that the other party didn't have time to gather to attack. Then, he would recruit a group of soldiers and horses. Soldier against soldier, general against general, he would let his subordinates delay the other party and create a situation where he and Li Shuyi were fighting the other party's leader. To kill a high ranking leader in front of a group of elite pirates? That wasn't realistic.
However, Bai Xiaowen couldn't really join the army. He casually came up with an excuse, "My sect has taught me that cultivators cannot become officials."
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