Rather Than Be the Chief, Be a General

He surveyed the area above and below Liang Qu.

The Eye Consciousness Method did not detect any malice.

However, since the River Conservancy Office needed to agree, Liu Shiqin, as the local magistrate, would have to submit a petition for approval.

"Did Magistrate Liu finish writing the official document early this morning?"

"Indeed, since you, sir, are on good terms with the White Ape, whether the deal goes well or not, you will naturally have to see it first. Therefore, without your consent, I have not reported it." Liu Shiqin called over a maid, "Bring the first official document on the left side of the desk in the study for Lord Liang."

"Yes."

Before long, the maidservant came out quickly and handed over the official document.

Liang Qu opened the book and stroked the paper.

The ink has dried, so it's definitely written but not posted.

Overall, the handwriting is neat and the wording, while not particularly elegant, is much better than the vernacular document Liang Qu himself wrote, and the cause and effect are clear at a glance.

The gist of the story is that the Snake Demon had been causing trouble since before the Spring Festival, and the people had long harbored resentment.

Under the watchful eyes of the White Ape slayed the wicked serpent, restoring order to the world. After leaving the corpse exposed for several days, the people's emotions were released, and after a period of suppression, they rose to their peak.

Moreover, the White Ape's slaying of the demon was not a fight between wild beasts, but an act carried out under orders. Therefore, setting up a statue of the deity is a move that aligns with the will of the people and will be of great benefit.

Liang Qu savored the meaning from the content of the documents.

No wonder the old guy was so enthusiastic.

Want to leave behind a political achievement?

When Li Shoufu arrived, he mentioned that Liu Shiqin, the magistrate of Fragrant Town County, was about to be promoted and was worried that this would cause public resentment, so he sent a letter seeking help.

If I were about to be promoted, I would definitely try my best to follow public opinion, since I wouldn't have to spend my own money.

If he does well, he might even be able to claim a "Umbrella of Ten Thousand People" upon leaving office, which would be a great topic of conversation.

Based on the feedback from the Eye Consciousness Method, the credibility of someone simply trying to gain fame is quite high.

Liang Qu's eyes flashed, and he closed the document. "Who was originally worshipped at the Fragrant Town River God Temple?"

"Jianghuai Dragon King".

"Dragon King? What's the story behind that?"

"The story goes that Fragrant Township County has been worshipping the Wang Chao a century. When the previous dynasty retreated from north to south, many documents were burned along the way. Very few records remain in the local Fragrant Township County, and most of the information is passed down orally."

In the years since I took office, I haven't heard many legends of the Dragon King manifesting himself. However, some elders say that there used to be Merfolk near Fragrant Town. If that's true, the stories were probably spread by the Merfolk, and as the stories became more widespread, the local people began to worship the Jianghuai Dragon King.

Well-reasoned and supported by evidence.

Liang Qu rubbed the teacup.

He wasn't very interested in going into the temple to be a stone, but he was quite interested in the Favorability upon him by the Great Marsh.

Sacrifices to the Jianghuai are Favorability, but are there Water God Temple? Sacrifices can only be made a limited number of times a year, but Water God Temple are open every day, every year.

So far, Liang Qu has received four Favorability: twice in Yi Xing Town and twice in Hua Zhu County. Only once did it attract the attention of the Flood Dragon, while the other three times were uneventful.

Small amounts, multiple times —the Flood Dragon might not notice? But if the sky were to fall, the tallest person would be hit first, and Liang Qu didn't want to be one of those people who get hit first.

Those who are restless are like clouds, lightning, wind, and lamps; those who crave solitude are like dead ashes and withered wood; only when one is still as clouds and water, and there is the spirit of birds flying and fish leaping, can one possess the mind and spirit of the Way.

Is there a way to have both...?

a long time.

Liang Qu spoke up, "Magistrate Liu, how about this, instead of being the leader, let him be the general."

"Not as the leader, but as the general?"

What is the layout of the River God Temple?

Liu Shiqin gathered his sleeves, picked up the teacup, poured out a small ball of tea, and with his index finger drew a trail of water from the swaying, plump ball of water, drawing out a divine dragon dressed in a wide robe, holding a tablet, sitting upright on the brown table. The surrounding area was made of vertical lines as walls and horizontal lines as a platform.

Liang Qu raised his hand and drew water from the water mass. In a few strokes, he drew White Ape about two-thirds the height of the Dragon King to the left of the Dragon King.

Liu Shiqin suddenly realized. "Is it difficult to modify or add?"

"That's exactly right."

Who says River God Temple can only enshrine one person? Doesn't the River God have subordinates? Everyone knows the River Master Emperor, but who knows the names of the Six Friends of Meishan?

They secretly added a small White Ape statue next to the Dragon King, just to see if they could gain any benefits, while at the same time greatly reducing the perceived presence of the Dragon King in terms of legal authority.

If any unexpected troubles arise in the future, the Dragon King will be the first to be affected, and the impact on those below will not be too great.

I will never be the tallest.

"How should we explain the relationship between those two statues, one large and one small, to the people?"

"Magistrate Liu can make the decision himself."

"Make the decision themselves?" Liu Shiqin stroked his beard hesitantly. "Won't the White Ape have any objections?"

"I agree on its behalf."

Liang Qu and the White Ape have a better relationship than I imagined.

Liu Shiqin thought to himself.

After a moment's thought, Liu Shiqin said, "In that case, I will write another letter requesting that the White Ape be appointed as an official under the Dragon King and added to the River God Temple. What do you think, Water Boy?"

"Good!"

Having received permission, Liu Shiqin immediately had someone bring him pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, intending to write the document on the spot.

The Divine Transformation adds subordinate officials.

Major issues along the river suddenly became minor ones. Not only did the people have an outlet for their emotions, but the matters River Conservancy Office also became simpler. They didn't even need to consult Xu Yuelong; Zuo Ling Ran Zhongshi had the authority to make decisions.

"Does the magistrate have any more exciting stories to tell?"

Liu Shiqin shook his head. "These are the only three major events in the past few days."

"I have something to tell you."

"Lord Liang, please speak freely."

"It's nothing major, I just want to sell some things to Magistrate Liu."

Liang Qu pulled a white cloth from his pocket, spread it on the table, and then took out a transparent jewel.

The jewelry is tiny, shimmering in the sunlight, its reflection shimmering on the fabric, creating a sense of tranquility and peace.

Liu Shiqin didn't know why Liang Qu wanted to sell him jewelry, but he found the items to be unusual.

"Can I get my hands on it and take a look?"

"There is nothing wrong with that."

Liu Shiqin picked up a teardrop and held it up to the sunlight to examine it. The more he looked at it, the more transparent the jewel seemed, resembling a teardrop.

Even if you're not a jewelry appraiser, considering Liang Qu's disappearance for several days and the legend of the Merfolk in Fragrant Township County that I mentioned earlier...

Liu Shiqin's pupils contracted.

"Could this be Mermaid Tear?"

"Good."

Wow! The rumors that the villagers are spreading are actually true?

The ability is so great.

Having served as the magistrate of Fragrant Township County for seven years, I had no idea whether it was true or not, while the other party had only been there for half a month.

Gathering his thoughts, Liu Shiqin asked without hesitation, "Since you're selling, what price are you planning to offer, Lord Liang?"

"Three." Liang Qu pulled out two more. "Fifteen thousand taels! No bargaining!"

The courtyard fell silent.

The maidservant in the distance was secretly astonished. What kind of little thing costs five thousand taels? You should know that this price is two thousand taels more than the three thousand taels Liang Qu sold it for at the Celestial Ship Merchant Guild back then! Even if you like it, you won't buy it if you don't take the profits of the Celestial Ship Merchant Guild. But Liang Qu was confident.

Liu Shiqin remained silent for a long time.

"Hold on."

afternoon.

After confirming that the documents were correct, Liang Qu stamped them with his seal, and with 15,000 taels of Silver Note tucked into his pocket, he left with the gatekeeper's help, mounted Red Mountain, and vanished like a gust of wind.

Enjoying oneself to the fullest.

Become an official.

Especially for civil servants, if they have enough political achievements and no connections, they will inevitably have to bribe their way up and down the ranks if they want to get promoted.

Liu Shiqin was over forty years old and said he had connections in higher positions, but Liang Qu didn't believe him.

You need to make arrangements...

Tuck fifty copper coins into the gatekeeper's pocket and he might not accept it, but a packet of smoked pig's head worth thirty-odd coins and a thin opium pipe stuffed with tobacco would most likely do the trick.