The Dragon Crossing the River, the Great Vortex

The Duke of Liang intervened, and the two sides clearly had a bad relationship.

Xu Yuelong and Yang Dongxiong addressed each other as uncle and nephew. As Yang Dongxiong's Personal Disciple, Liang Qu was naturally labeled as a member of the Duke of Wei's lineage, a label that could not be washed away no matter what.

However, Liang Qu didn't care.

There are gains and losses; at least within the River Conservancy Office, he was able to gain a foothold.

Many people never even have the chance to perform on stage in their entire lives; whether they sing well or poorly, nobody cares.

The float sank slightly, Xu Yuelong gently jerked the rod, and then nothing more happened.

The fish didn't bite.

Xu Yuelong, seemingly unfazed, continued, "Did you think it was just a simple feud between the chief and deputy chief?"

"More than?"

"Not only that." Xu Yuelong shook his head. "Do you know how your Master's second son died?"

"Have no idea."

"Back when the Western Army was on its northern expedition to the desert, my father and Wei Jianpeng, the son of the Duke of Liang, discovered the tracks of a barbarian detachment, numbering about eight thousand. They each deployed five thousand Black Armor Guard to encircle and annihilate the enemy."

With 10,000 men fighting 8,000, and with a surprise attack, it should have been a sure thing. But three days later, my father did catch up with the barbarian detachment, but Wei Jianpeng's troops were nowhere to be seen.

My father was not a greedy or reckless person. Even if it was a surprise attack, it was too risky for five thousand to fight eight thousand. Just as he was about to retreat, the barbarians launched a counter-ambush.

Fortunately, my father commanded well, turning the ambush into a protracted battle, ultimately resulting in a Pyrrhic victory. Less than half of the soldiers survived, and it was during that time that Uncle Yang's second son was killed.

Liang Qu remained silent.

"Afterwards, my father questioned Wei Jianpeng about why the support was not timely, but he said that he had gotten lost in the desert."

My father didn't believe it. Wei Jianpeng was a veteran general who had never made such a frivolous excuse to delay the battle. But there was no evidence, and in the end, Wei Jianpeng was only dismissed from his post.

Why the rescue wasn't timely back then is now a complete mystery; nobody knows the truth anymore.

The float sank slightly for the second time, and Xu Yuelong lifted his wrist and jerked the rod again.

Ripples spread across the water.

Still no luck.

An awkward atmosphere broke the silence.

Liang Qu suddenly realized that Xu Yuelong's fishing skills seemed rather ordinary.

Logically, this shouldn't be the case. Xu Yuelong is at least Martial Artist at the Wolf Smoke Realm, and might even be Hunting Tiger.

Although Great Martial Master of this level do not possess the same underwater perception abilities as I do, they can still sense the presence of fish within a certain range. At a depth of seven or eight meters, they can see fish with perfect clarity.

Xu Yuelong made a point of explaining, "When you're fishing, you're catching fish, but the actual process is about cultivating your character. Playing those tricks is pointless. I always block out my senses, so the ups and downs are normal."

"Lord Xu has a refined and elegant character! I admire him."

Xu Yuelong was happy, so he chatted a bit more. "Actually, this time Ping Yang Town has become Ping Yang County, and it is even more likely to become Pingyang Prefecture. This is the only time since the founding of the Da Shun Dynasty that such a thing has happened. Many people are eyeing this piece of fat meat."

The River Conservancy Office has two grandfathers, Wei Zixiu and I, and they have brought many trusted followers, each with a powerful background.

The Demon Subduing Division is no slouch either; they have quite a few powerful and ruthless individuals. And guess who the County Magistrate, who won't arrive for another two days, is?

"How would I know?" Liang Qu shook his head.

"It is Jian Zhongyi from the Jian Family of Qingzhou. He became the second-highest Second Place in the Hunting Tiger examination at the age of twenty-one. He is excellent at writing poetry and prose, and his martial arts talent is even more amazing. He swallowed the Dragon Python Great Pill when he was young, and his strength is terrifying. He entered the Tiger Hunting Realm at the age of thirty-four Jian Family's Heavenly Origin Head-Holding Skill is a combination of offense and defense, and he is hard to beat."

Liang Qu was taken aback. "So capable that you'd become a County Magistrate?"

It's not uncommon for the top scholar (状元) to become a county magistrate, and the second-place scholar (榜眼) to do so as well.

But since they are a prominent Aristocratic Clan and they are Hunting Tiger, it seems unlikely!

That doesn't make sense.

"The Drunkard's Intention Is Not In The Wine." Xu Yuelong shook his head. "If Ping Yang County really becomes Pingyang Prefecture, who will be the Prefect? Where will the original County Magistrate go? Logically speaking, the transformation from county to prefecture is inseparable from the County Magistrate's efforts."

This is an opportunity! So many people want it but can't have it. As long as Jian Zhongyi has some talent and develops steadily, with his qualifications, background, and strength, the position of Prefect will surely be his in the future. He can jump directly from Subordinate Seventh Rank County Magistrate to a third-rank official, without having to struggle to accumulate experience.

So many Dragon Crossing the River! Liang Qu exclaimed in astonishment.

His Master used to be the most powerful local strongman in Ping Yang Town, and even in the surrounding counties, but now that things have changed, he seems to be weak.

In such a small county, there are no fewer than six Hunting Tiger Martial Artist! "However, just as you said, in general, we are going to win the campaign against the Ghost Mother Sect, but in specifics, it may not be so."

The Jianghuai Marshlands is like a giant whirlpool, spinning wildly, and it's impossible to predict who will rise to the top or sink to the bottom.

I heard your Fate Standard is that of the Long Jiaos Crossing the River? A natural water element, is that true?

"Yes, Master Yang tested me."

Xu Yuelong nodded. "Therefore, there are many opportunities. You just need to wait quietly. With such a great Fate Standard, I am very optimistic about your development. However, whether you become a dragon or a worm depends on your own efforts."

Liang Qu bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Xu."

Xu Yuelong's words were full of valuable information; he revealed the background of key figures in just a few sentences.

This was a genuine attempt to win him over, a heartfelt gesture. Would any other River Earl expect a reminder or guidance? Liang Qu then sat with Xu Yuelong for over half an hour.

Something's not right. Liang Qu glanced at the sky and felt a tingling sensation in his buttocks.

More than an hour passed without a single fish catching a fish. Was this some kind of refined art? After waiting another quarter of an hour, Liang Qu communicated with the Fat Catfish through their Mental Link, then sat quietly to the side, his expression unchanged.

A moment later, the float began to shake violently.

Xu Yuelong's spirits lifted, and he quickly lifted the rod. A magnificent white fish leaped out of the water, splashing water droplets in the sunlight.

Pouty lips!

It has a pouty mouth that's half the length of a person and weighs at least twelve or thirteen pounds!

Xu Yuelong was overjoyed. He reeled in the fish, held the whole big mandarin fish in his arms, and gently weighed it. "Eleven pounds and six ounces!"

"Congratulations, Lord Xu!" Liang Qu offered his congratulations at the opportune moment.

"Haha, Liang Qu, you're such a lucky star! I used to fish for two or three days and not catch a fish, but I never expected to catch such a big mandarin fish in less than an hour with you! It must be your Fate Standard that's working!"

You might not catch anything in two or three days? Yet you're still so enthusiastic?

Liang Qu raised an eyebrow. He seemed to know why Xu Yuelong had chosen to come to the River Conservancy Office. It turned out that he dealt with the river every day, making it convenient for fishing.

"That was awesome, so awesome!" Xu Yuelong put the mandarin fish into his basket and put away his fishing rod. "Let's call it a day. The fleet has probably already docked. Let's hurry back and you can take me to visit Uncle Yang."