"Seal the mountain!"
The same voice reverberated throughout the different villages.
Village Chief Zhang Yangping led over a hundred villagers to the square of the Northern Mountain Village. In front of the square, there were close to a hundred armoured soldiers.
Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian were also standing in the crowd. Every villager had a look of confusion and helplessness on their faces.
"Sir, we can't seal the mountain. If we seal the mountain, what will we eat?" After hearing the words of the commander, Village Chief Zhang Yangping walked up to him with a pleading look on his face.
"You are the village chief of the Northern Mountain Village?" The commander looked at Zhang Yangping.
"Yes, I am the village chief. Sir, look at the villagers at the foot of the mountain. We rely on hunting for a living. If we seal the mountain, we will not be able to hunt in the mountains. The hundred families in the village will not be able to survive."
"I heard that there is a Hall of Dao in your village?" The commander did not answer Zhang Yangping's question.
"Yes, yes, this Hall of Dao was moved here from the Southern Mountain Village. It was personally set up by the Divine Constabulary's Missus. If you do not believe me, you can ask the teachers in the Hall of Dao." Zhang Yangping felt a glimmer of hope when he heard the commander's words.
"Mm, the road from Huai An County to here has been sealed off. If your village has any difficulties and wants to go to the county to procure something, it is best to take a detour. However, there are many ferocious beasts on the mountain, so you will need a few more people to travel together. Take this token, and the soldiers on the mountain will naturally let you pass." After speaking, the commander took out a black metal token and handed it to Zhang Yangping.
"Sir, then... should the mountain be sealed?" Zhang Yangping took the token carefully, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Sealing the mountain is a military order!"
"This... sealing the mountain... but... sir, sir, someone from our village participated in this year's Law of Dao examinations and even passed the provincial examinations, furthermore..."
"I know. Huai An County's Li Xiantai has already informed me. If it wasn't for this reason, you wouldn't have gone to the county. If not for this reason, it would not be so easy for you to go to the county! "The commander waved his hand impatiently and interrupted Zhang Yangping.
"Sir..."
"Alright, say no more. I have been travelling at night for a few days. Everyone is a little tired. Have you moved out of your rooms yet? "
"Everything is ready."
"Alright, I will be stationed here with the soldiers for the next few days. Although it will be a bit of a hassle, I have given you some convenience. The other villages do not have the same treatment as the Northern Mountain Village. As such, you have to prepare better food and wine, understand? "The commander instructed.
"Yes, yes. Don't worry, General!" Zhang Yangping wanted to say something, but he swallowed his words in the end. It was for the safety of more than a hundred families in the village. That was all he could do.
After all, this was a military order from the dynasty, and no one dared to defy it.
Even though he knew that Fang Zhengzhi had already passed the Provincial Examinations and was in the Flame Capital City for the Imperial Examinations, he did not want Fang Zhengzhi to incur the wrath of the army.
This was also his way of protecting Fang Zhengzhi. As a senior, he shouldered all the troubles on his own, hoping that the younger generation would have a bright future.
"Hmph. Didn't he just pass the Provincial Examinations? We don't even know the results of the Imperial Examination. Do you think a commoner from a mountain village would dare to go against a military order? "The military leader snorted coldly as he looked at Zhang Yangping's indignant expression. Then, he began to call out, "Everyone, eat and drink well tonight. Keep your spirits up tomorrow. This is a major event. Whoever causes trouble will be executed immediately!"
"Yes!" Nearly a hundred soldiers immediately responded in unison.
The commander nodded his head in satisfaction. Then, he nodded. He looked at the dilapidated Northern Mountain Village and frowned. "That Li Xiantai told me that kid's name was Fang something? I was too anxious and did not hear it clearly. Forget it, there is no one important in this village. Participate in the Imperial Examinations? The Imperial Examinations are not so easy to pass. Furthermore, I am now under military orders. Not to mention a commoner who is still in the Imperial Examinations, even the mountains of the River of Trust Province's Governor will be sealed! "
Zhang Yangping frowned as he watched the commander leave. He did not say anything else. He looked at the sky and sighed.
Fang Houde saw Zhang Yangping's desolate expression and quickly walked to his side.
"Brother Yangping, how is it?"
"Sealing the mountain is a military order. It cannot be changed. If not for Li Xiantai's warning, we would not even be able to leave the village, much less go to the county." Zhang Yangping said helplessly.
"Since it is a military order, there is nothing we can do. Brother Yangping, don't worry too much. There must be some beasts in the mountain. It will be fine after a while. Zhengzhi left behind some money when he left. I will get Xuelian to take it out later. We should be able to hold on for a while." Fang Houde consoled him.
"Aish … I just hope that this will end soon." Zhang Yangping sighed again.
…
On the river between Yan Capital City and Huai An County.
A pleasure boat was drawing two ripples in the river at an incredible speed. In the sky, a large eagle-like bird swooped down and landed on a horizontal wooden pole in front of the boat.
Very soon, a girl in a green dress walked over and took a bamboo tube from the claw of the big bird. Then, she poured out a letter from it and opened it. The girl in the green dress hurriedly walked to the door of the cabin.
"Young master, there is news from Yan Capital City!"
"Speak." A calm voice came from the cabin.
"The Vice Domain Chief died in the combat examinations. It was Fang Zhengzhi who killed him, and …"
"Continue."
"Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi obtained the sword of Sagely Battle God Meng Tian. Furthermore, he is now the Sword Envoy, a rank four official."
"Mm, got it. How long more to Huai An County?"
"17 days at the earliest."
"Get there within 15 days."
"Roger!"
The lady in the green dress left.
Inside the cabin, Yun Qingwu sat on a chair in a plain white dress. Her face was covered with a handkerchief and she held a pen in her hand.
In front of her was a purplish-red desk. On the desk was a huge piece of white paper. The white paper was densely packed with countless circles and lines. It was extremely complicated.
Yun Qingwu frowned slightly. Then, she began to write. She had to think about every stroke carefully. It seemed to take a lot of effort.
This continued for 15 minutes. She had only finished five strokes on the paper.
Looking at the sky outside the cabin, Yun Qingwu slowly put down the pen in her hand. Her eyes glimmered. "I can't believe that I didn't stop him from becoming an official even after sacrificing a Vice Domain Chief? He is a rank four Sword Envoy … according to the customs of the Great Xia Dynasty, he should be returning to his hometown to visit his relatives. If this is destiny, how are you going to break out of this hopeless situation? "
…
In Yan Capital City, Fang Zhengzhi was bidding farewell to Yan Xiu at the entrance of an inn.
According to the customs of the Great Xia Dynasty, after he was made an official, he had to return to the village to visit his relatives. Then, he had to kowtow to the heavens with his parents. This was etiquette.
Fang Zhengzhi did not place much emphasis on etiquette. However, there were still a few months until the retake of the combat examinations and the court examinations. Furthermore, it was almost his birthday.
Sixteen years old was considered an adult in this era, and one had to wear a crown.
As such, it would be best if he could spend his birthday in the village. After being away from home for so many months, it was impossible for him not to miss his family.
Of course, another reason was that Yan Xiu had received a letter from Western Liang. He had to return to Western Liang. As such, he had nothing to do in Yan Capital.
He might as well make a trip back to the village and explore the outside world with the Traceless Sword.
Staying in the same city for the rest of his life …
How boring.
The world was so big, he had to see it!
"When we meet again in the court examinations, I will defeat you!" Yan Xiu looked at Fang Zhengzhi as he waved the Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan in his hand. His expression was one of confidence.
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