The Taste of Power and Privilege

At Huazhu Wharf, boats come and go.

The porters, shoveling sacks under the scorching sun, sweat rolled down their chins, splashing onto the gray stone slabs, evaporating with each breath.

"Why hasn't Liang Water Envoy from Pingyang Prefecture arrived yet? We sent a letter from the post station a few days ago, but he hasn't shown up for two days. He's caused us messengers a lot of trouble.

Two Prefectural Office officials, one fat and one thin, sat in a teahouse waiting, sweating profusely, their black robes stained with visible sweat, fanning themselves in frustration.

"Words can be dangerous." The thin clerk finished his tea. "The prefectural city is a big place. The bluestone roads are wide enough for three carriages to travel side by side, and the buildings are so tall that you can't see the sky."

The Hengshui Envoy, Subordinate Sixth Rank official, is a level higher than our Magistrate in terms of rank alone! So young, yet holding such a high position and so much power—who knows how arrogant he is; he could blow us away with a single breath."

The fat official retorted stubbornly, "So what if he's from the River Conservancy Office? Our area hasn't experienced any Flood Calamity, so what right does he have to interfere?"

"Heh, who can say for sure? Didn't someone come to inspect the river embankment a couple of months ago? They might find something wrong with you, and then it'll be their problem."

"Even if we don't say that Liang Water Envoy is Lord Chi reincarnated? He does so many good deeds in a single day, he's such a capable person, why would he make things difficult for us lowly officials?"

"Having ability means having a good temper? In my opinion, the greater the ability, the greater the temper. They're all stubborn and opinionated!"

The fat official was listless.

"Hey, when will we be able to become officials? Not much, just the ninth rank would be fine, so we can experience being a master, farm a dozen acres of paddy fields, find a virtuous wife, take a beautiful concubine, and have a few sons and daughters..."

The skinny official scoffed, "Forget it. The reason a fat man like you can become an official is probably because the county has an important matter and urgently needs to borrow someone."

Despite being constantly mocked, the fat official remained unperturbed.

Having known each other for many years, the two had long been accustomed to teasing and would silently drink tea and wait.

The tea server suddenly draped a towel over his arm and approached to pour the tea.

"Gentlemen, a Fujianese ship has arrived on the river. We haven't seen it on the dock before; it looks quite unfamiliar. Could you two sharp-eyed men take a closer look and see if it's the person we're waiting for?"

Upon hearing the news, the two officials, one fat and one thin, looked up and were overjoyed to see the large banner with the waves in it.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"They're here! They're here! Quickly, inform the County Magistrate! Quickly, inform the County Magistrate!"

The Fujian-style ship docked, but its iron anchor sank.

"Welcome with smiles and fragrance, I am delighted that you have returned to this familiar place. I have long heard of Lord Liang and noble character. Meeting you today, I can see that seeing is believing, and even more so!"

"Lord Liu, you are too kind. If it weren't for your kind invitation, how could I, Liang, have stolen a few days of leisure on official business?"

Huazhu Wharf was mostly cleared out, and the porters who used to come and go stood aside.

Liu Wennian, the newly appointed County Magistrate of Hua Zhu County, stepped out of his carriage, laughing and bowing.

The former County Magistrate of Hua Zhu County was Yu Dayi. After the flood control efforts, County Magistrate Yu, who had neglected his duties, was naturally dismissed.

Liang Qu paid no attention to his situation; he was either demoted or dismissed.

They exchanged a few pleasantries.

The Dragonfolk disembarked, and at the back of the procession, Long Pinghe carried a half-dead water bandit.

Liu Wennian looked surprised and pointed at the bandits. "In the brave warrior's hand... this..."

"We encountered a bandit ambush on the Black Water River. We seized the leader and used the Prefectural Office jail to lock him up for a few days."

Liu Wennian was ashamed. "I have failed in my duties, and the bandits have dared to offend you, sir."

"Last year, the dike collapsed, severely damaging Hua Zhu County and displacing its people. The county had not yet recovered, and in such a chaotic situation, it was inevitable that some bad apples would appear."

Liang Qu wasn't there to hold anyone accountable. Subordinate Sixth Rank Hengshui Envoy like him can't overpower a local County Magistrate, so there's no need to create an awkward situation.

The banks of the Black Water River are covered with mountains and forests, and given its high value as a waterway, banditry was a persistent problem.

Understanding the meaning, Liu Wennian felt slightly relieved, stepped aside, and personally led Liang Qu and his group toward the inner city.

"Lord Liang has come all this way, I have already sent people to prepare a feast..."

The groom handed over the reins, sat down, and cracked the whip.

Wooden wheels rolled over the stone slabs and drove away one by one.

The dockworkers watched as the Dragon Girl gathered her skirts, lowered the curtain, and wiped the sweat from her neck, feeling a sense of loss.

Such a beautiful woman, it would be a lifelong regret not to take a second look at her face and inhale her fragrance.

"Hote."

The old phlegm fell to the ground.

"Damn it, now that's what it means to live like a human being! Young and promising, with beautiful women by his side, and the county magistrate welcoming him. We, on the other hand, live like dogs!"

"I'd be willing to work myself to death to find a wife like this!"

"Worked to death? How exactly would you be worked to death?"

The men started to jeer.

"What are you saying? What are you saying? Open your eyes! Don't let your minds be clouded. Do you think you can look at Lord Liang's women? Didn't you receive any favors from Lord Liang when he helped with the disaster last year? Be careful not to get your eyes gouged out!"

The two officials, one fat and one thin, who were stuck at the wharf, shouted and brandished their whips to intimidate people, and the entire wharf gradually returned to normal.

The dockworkers are mostly strong and capable men.

Once you've eaten and drunk your fill, that's about it.

Too lazy to argue, the two officials, one fat and one thin, straightened their clothes and walked to the side of the Fujian boat, intending to use the yamen money to treat the boatmen to drinks.

To everyone's surprise, after calling out several times, no one appeared, only a black hairy head emerged.

The two officials were greatly alarmed and instinctively gripped their short whips tightly. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that it was a River Otter.

etc.

River Otter?

The Ta Ta Kai to the railing, peered out, hissed twice, and then swaggered off the boat with its domestic otter. It weighed the heavy yellow pouch at its waist, preparing to exchange it for some food.

The two officials, one fat and one thin, had never seen anything like this before, and stared at each other in disbelief.

Liang Water Envoy's pet? On the boat... there's no boatman? Hesitatingly...

Ta Ta Kai had already brought Otter to the Small Restaurant. As soon as they appeared, there was a commotion and the bench fell over.

"Jiang Lang! It's Jiang Lang!"

Run! Run!

"It's so big, it's practically sentient!"

Crackle, crackle.

The diners dropped their chopsticks and fled.

In the blink of an eye, all the customers at the Small Restaurant had vanished, leaving only the old Shopkeeper, who, though he could run away, couldn't escape his fate. He picked up the pot lid, trembling with fear.

Ta Ta Kai head and curled his lip in disdain.

Uncultured country bumpkins.

He opened the cloth bag and took out two coins' worth of silver.

Ta Ta Kai pointed to a table of food, ordered a few dishes, and waited with his arms crossed.

Clang!

The old Shopkeeper accidentally dropped the pot.

The winding path leads to a secluded spot, where cicadas sing incessantly.

The monk in yellow robes stepped onto the stone steps, weaving through the shade of the trees, and led the Liang Qu people up the mountain, introducing the small hill and the tower one by one.

The River God Sacrifice is the day after tomorrow. Liu Wennian needs to arrange his own accommodation during the festival, which is located in the back mountain of Spirit Valley Temple in Hua Zhu County.

Lush greenery cools the oppressive heat.

Long Yao and Long Li looked around.

Being their first time visiting a temple, they were quite curious and tugged at Liang Qu's sleeve, asking in a low voice.

"My lord, why did County Magistrate Liu arrange for us to stay in a temple?"

Liang Qu: "Many temples also serve as inns. With a little money for incense offerings, men and women can stay, and even stay for a long time. They just need to pay a monthly rent, which is no different from renting a house. They can stay as long as they want."

Many students preparing for exams liked the quiet of temples, which made it easier for them to study. They would often stay there for two or three years until they passed the exam.

Ordinary officials passing through also preferred to stay at temples, as temples were often better equipped than post stations and safer than the mixed and often chaotic inns. Therefore, many high-ranking officials and great poets were often accompanied by several monk friends.

"Are you eating?"

"The restaurant staff should be arranged to deliver food boxes up the mountain every day. It won't all be vegetarian. Magistrate Liu must have made arrangements," Liang Qu guessed.

"Does Lord Liang know of a peculiar sight that appears at Spirit Valley Temple every summer?" the young monk leading the way asked.

Liang Qu thought for a moment, "Flowing Light Sea?"

"Your Excellency possesses vast knowledge and experience." The junior monk clasped his hands together in prayer.

Long Yao asked, "My lord, what is the Flowing Light Sea?"

"Every summer, as long as it doesn't rain and the humidity isn't too high, a large number of fireflies will emerge in the valley of Spirit Valley Temple in Hua Zhu County, forming a spectacular green sea of fluorescent light, hence the name ' Flowing Light Sea,' which is quite famous." Liang Qu

He knew this because Xiang Fangsu had visited last year.

The group visited all the famous scenic spots in the surrounding counties of Pingyang Prefecture, Eighteen Waterfalls in Jiangling County, Flowing Light Sea in Hua Zhu County, and Blue Lake in Haiyan County. They especially enjoyed Flowing Light Sea, which they talked about for days afterward, as it left a deep impression on them.

The Dragon Girl's eyes lit up, and she looked forward to staying overnight.

The young monk said, "The best spot to appreciate the Night Shining Lights after sunset is at the Zhìgōng Hall."

The small bridge in front of the hall and the grassy areas further in were where Night Shining Lights first gathered. The Bao Gong Pagoda behind the Zhìgōng Hall is also quite nice, though it's less crowded there.

However, in the past two days, Magistrate Liu has been entertaining distinguished guests and has specially sent people to clear out the back mountain, so it doesn't matter how many people there are.

"If Lord Liang wants to inspect the area at night, it would be best to walk the route before dawn to familiarize himself with it, so as not to be lost in the dark and 'scare away' the Night Shining Lights- shining light."

Liu Wennian made good arrangements.

In Pingyang Prefecture Subordinate Sixth Rank is nothing special; there are plenty of them.

If this were placed in a county town, it would be a huge deal; it would be practically the top priority, even more powerful than the County Magistrate, and thus would have to be taken seriously.

A single mountain blocks the view, offering a solitary view for all to enjoy.

Liang Qu truly experienced the taste of power and wealth.

Hmm.

Unbeknownst to them, the negative influences of society blew in, causing them to fall into a cesspool of corruption.

Corruption!

"Lord Liang, we have arrived at your residence."

The monk leading the way stopped and pointed to three rows of houses and a small courtyard.

The Dragon Girl, carrying large and small bags, happily checked in.