Eating the Melon

The efforts to reorganize Qing Shui County and provide disaster relief were proceeding in orderly fashion.

Mr. Kong had mobilized manpower and supplies from all around, doing everything possible to save Qing Shui County.

Although no particularly severe man-made disaster seemed to have occurred on the surface, there were indeed countless dead spirits, and the demonic spirits had unleashed their power, affecting some people.

Magistrate Li Jixu placated several Lineages and reorganized the six groups of constables. He had even made sure not to spare the Green Gang at the docks outside the city.

On the third day, he even held a small victory banquet in the yamen's rear garden.

Many prominent figures from the surrounding area were invited to attend.

Ming Shu could naturally freeload food and drink. He had been staying here recently, after all, and had watched the entire process of organizing it.

Several small Lineages from inside and outside the city sent gifts over first thing in the morning, and the heads of those households arrived before noon, showing great respect.

They were merely peripheral figures at the banquet, no different from Ming Shu.

By afternoon, representatives of some larger powers and the heads of various Lineages arrived one after another.

The entire rear garden of the yamen had been arranged as a venue. Seats for resting had been placed along the covered walkways, while drinks and fruit were laid out everywhere.

Everyone gathered in small groups to chat.

Ming Shu stayed alone inside a room, observing through the window. Old Zhao and Little Zhao had followed Chong Li into the city to help.

As night had just fallen, Magistrate Li was hosting the banquet. The honored guests were Mr. Kong of Qi Lu Academy and the County Lieutenant, Zheng Kuangping, who had arrived from the commandery that very day. Everyone was enjoying themselves.

Although the Immortal Dynasty's rewards had not yet been issued, judging from the various bits of news circulating, this should count as a great achievement. The specific rewards were still under discussion.

That did not stop everyone from celebrating first.

With scholars gathered together, a literary gathering was inevitable.

Magistrate Li, Mr. Kong, and County Lieutenant Zheng Kuangping had also invited the most famous young talents in the commandery to take the stage.

The great talent Xia Qirui took the stage first and offered his congratulations. "Greetings, gentlemen. This student will make a fool of himself. When I first heard about what happened in the county, my heart trembled. The barbarians have gone too far in bullying us."

"Faced with their invasion, we must rise and fight. We must seize our own future..."

He delivered a passionate speech, expressed his feelings, shared his insights, and once again offered his lofty thanks to the several gentlemen who had saved more than a hundred thousand people.

The several gentlemen each gave a few brief words of encouragement to the students, while Magistrate Li also represented all the city's common people in thanking the various Lineages for lending a hand and joining in the relief efforts.

Next came the pleasant exchange segment. The great talent Xia Qirui said, "I'm extremely curious. After hearing the young people's thoughts, what do you gentlemen have to say?"

Mr. Kong said gently, "Some people live in books, some people live in poetry, some people live in stories, and some people live in places you cannot see."

Magistrate Li pondered for a moment before saying, "It is not what we want to say to the young people, but what they want to say to us."

Magistrate Li naturally knew that many young people were deeply dissatisfied that they had failed to keep the Daoist from the northern barbarians, as well as the demonic spirits.

Many people had been shouting that they wanted to fight their way back.

County Lieutenant Zheng Kuangping spoke up. "First, I do not believe you can represent the young people. Second, I dislike being labeled an old man, so do not forcibly divide us into old and young. Who among us has never been young?"

"Third, I dislike grandiose words. Your sentimental essay just now had no practical use beyond its emotion. It was grand but hollow. You must keep your feet on the ground."

"Finally, young people have many advantages in this great age. We have traveled many roads and inevitably carry some burdens on our backs. But you have vitality, curiosity, fighting spirit, and ardor. You can go out and make your way in the world."

Xia Qirui could not help interrupting him. "Aren't those words more or less the same as mine? Curiosity? Striving? Aspiration? What difference is there? This student spent a long time preparing his speech!"

"I think being young is a state of mind!" Magistrate Li hurriedly added, trying to interrupt Xia Qirui.

He suddenly regretted getting carried away and arranging a celebratory banquet at a time like this.

"Are you saying our people died for nothing? Can't young people even think about fighting back? Don't they dare think about it? The barbarians have bullied their way into the city!" Xia Qirui could not hold back any longer and shouted furiously.

County Lieutenant Zheng Kuangping said, "Whether to fight the barbarians is His Majesty's decision. How to fight is for the Ministry of War officials to plan and the generals at the front to adapt to. It is not something for you and me to argue over here."

"Besides, Magistrate Li and Mr. Kong are holding this banquet today to gather everyone's strength, provide relief inside and outside the city, eliminate hidden dangers, restore production, and safeguard the people's livelihoods. Did you come here to contribute, or to cause trouble?"

After being harshly rebuked by County Lieutenant Zheng, Xia Qirui covered his face and withdrew. The gathering ended on an unpleasant note.

Magistrate Li could only step forward to placate everyone, and the banquet continued.

But the atmosphere was clearly no longer as good as before.

What a hotheaded young fool.

Ming Shu hid behind the others and ate his melon, watching with great enjoyment. It was his first time witnessing such a scene and attending such a banquet, and he had gained a new understanding of the community of scholars.

A very profound understanding.

The banquet had originally been planned to last until dawn, but now it ended in the dead of night. Magistrate Li and County Lieutenant Zheng, however, still reached several agreements with the various parties.

Some matters that the county office had previously found difficult to handle were quickly resolved once people from the commandery arrived.

There were still many rules.

As for Mr. Kong, although he had held the situation in check, he actually held no official authority within the bureaucracy. He was merely powerful, with senior standing and long experience.

The County Lieutenant had been rushing about all day and hurried back to rest, while Mr. Kong also left early.

After Magistrate Li saw off the other guests, he carried a wine jug and came to Ming Shu's room.

"You're still not asleep?"

"Magistrate!" Ming Shu immediately rose and paid his respects. His current status was merely that of a commoner, so he had to keep his manner humble.

"I never expected you to come out of the Cold Palace." Magistrate Li sighed and took a drink on his own. "Now you're the only guest left. Keep me company and chat for a few words."

"I await your instruction, Magistrate."

"Don't imitate that brat. All he does is spout rubbish and never does anything useful."

Ming Shu naturally knew who he meant. A young great talent from the commandery had ruined the banquet he had organized.

The Magistrate was certainly furious. It was his face that had been lost.

"You must be very curious, right? Actually, he is a student of Qing Yang Academy. That academy isn't particularly large, and he is merely its top student."

"Having been lifted onto everyone's shoulders, he naturally became arrogant and conceited. Do you really think no one instructed him from behind the scenes? Is this person genuinely stupid, or simply evil?"

"I don't know. I can't tell. A great talent, someone gifted with exceptional intelligence, shouldn't have been used as someone else's weapon." Ming Shu spoke cautiously.

"Then he did it deliberately. The largest power in this region is Qi Lu Academy, an established force. Even I had to specially obtain a student identity there before I could become an official in this area."

"However, Kong Sansanshi sincerely sought to eliminate demons and defend the Way. He truly hurried here to save people. You need not doubt that."