Warning

Fang Ming chatted with He Yuqing for a few more sentences. Hearing that He Yuqing only spoke of local customs and did not mention recruiting him, Fang Ming knew that the Patriarch of such Great Clans possessed pride and found it difficult to back down, hence his resistance. However, how could he let such talent slip away? Besides, since there was no outright refusal, there was still hope. Fang Ming made up his mind to invite him back and learn from him day and night, believing he would eventually change his mind.

Immediately, he ordered the group to set off again. This time, things were much more harmonious. Everyone had become one of them, and even Xie Jin's face showed a hint of warmth.

Halfway along the road, Fang Ming suddenly sensed that Li Dazhuang, the Temple Keeper of Qingyu Village, was using the Divine Strike Technique. His heart leaped, but he still sent out his divine power, ordering them to speed up.

As soon as he returned to the entrance of Qingyu Village, a figure rushed towards him, crying out, "Lord! You're finally back. Your subordinate has been waiting anxiously!"

Seeing that it was He Dong, Fang Ming asked in confusion, "This venerable one has only been in the mountains for a little over half a day. What major event has happened?"

He Dong, with tears streaming down his face, bowed and said, "...Shortly after Lord left this morning, people from the Zhang Family, a prominent family in Qingxi Township, came. Their family is a Landlord and owns over a hundred mu of land in Qingyu Village, with more than a dozen Tenant Farmers. The wheat harvest was abundant, and it was reasonable for them to collect rent. However, they drastically increased the rent, demanding eighty percent, which almost led to the Tenant Farmers' Family Ruin. They then said that if the villagers could persuade the village to destroy the Earth God Temple, they would reduce the rent to fifty percent. Otherwise, all future rents would follow this new rule..." The time returned to last night.

The Zhang surname was a common surname in Qingxi Township, but when referring to the Zhang Family, it specifically meant the family of Zhang Huaizheng, the wealthy landowner. Zhang Huaizheng was the clan leader of the Zhang Family and the Township Chief of Qingxi Township. Zhang Qingyun, the Ancestral Spirit of Qingxi Township, was his great-grandfather.

Zhang Qingyun had served as a Ninth-Rank Official and managed to accumulate some wealth to pass down to his descendants. He also managed to secure the position of Township Chief of Qingxi Township for his descendants, allowing the family to prosper. After his death, he was worshipped as an Ancestral Spirit, protecting Qingxi Township. Naturally, he favored his own lineage, bestowing ample Protective Aura upon them. The descendants of the Zhang Family were also diligent, managing their family business very successfully. In Qingxi Township alone, they owned five hundred mu of land, making them a prominent family.

That night, Zhang Huaizheng was restless. Even his newly acquired fourth concubine did not interest him. He had spent a considerable amount of silver to redeem her from the Flower Viewing Pavilion in the county town. She was skilled in all arts, from music to singing, and her service was exceptional. He usually spent his nights with her. The concubine, relying on her favor, became increasingly demanding. Zhang Huaizheng, losing his temper, slapped her, finally quieting her down.

At this moment, the steward, who had been observing his master's mood, stepped forward and asked, "Master, would you like a bowl of lotus seed tea? It's very effective for clearing heat and calming the fire."

This steward had been with him for decades. If nothing unexpected happened, his son would also become the steward of the Zhang Family. Zhang Huaizheng suppressed his anger slightly and said, "I am feeling uneasy tonight. I have a strange feeling that something is about to happen." The steward's eyes darted around. "It's harvest season, and you need to go down to the village to collect rent. Master, are you worried about the safety of the small villages below? After all, Qingyu Village was almost wiped out last time. Master, you have the protection of your ancestors, so you will surely be fine. However, a wise person does not stand under a dangerous wall. Master can send someone down instead."

Although the Zhang Family was a prominent family, the land rent was of utmost importance. In previous years, Zhang Huaizheng had to personally go down to the villages to oversee the rent collection. The steward's words had a selfish motive. If the master did not go, and subordinates were sent to collect rent, they could naturally skim off more profit. He, the steward, would also get a share.

Zhang Huaizheng narrowed his eyes, sensing something, and said, "What did you just say? Say it again!"

The old steward's eyes lit up. This matter seemed promising. "This old servant asked if you would send someone else down to the village to collect rent."

"Not that sentence, the one before it."

The old steward was truly confused now. He said, "...Master, you have the protection of your ancestors, so you will surely be fine..."

Zhang Huaizheng clapped his hands. "It's this sentence! I've been uneasy tonight, fearing that my ancestors are warning me!"

Disregarding the steward's expression, he ordered, "Quickly prepare the lanterns. I need to go to the Ancestral Hall!" The steward was bewildered but still respectfully obeyed the order and went to prepare.

The village's Ancestral Hall was built with funds from the Zhang Family and was located in the center of the township, occupying a considerable area with three rooms, giving it a grand appearance. Zhang Huaizheng, preoccupied with his thoughts, moved quickly, almost too fast for the servant holding the lantern to keep up.

He strode into the main hall of the Ancestral Hall. This building was made of brick and tile, extremely sturdy, and the floor was very clean. However, he paid no attention to it at this moment. Only when he saw that the densely packed Ancestral Tablets in the center were all undisturbed, especially the one of Zhang Qingyun in the very center, did he heave a sigh of relief.

Just then, someone entered. It was Zhang San, a household servant of the Zhang Family, specifically responsible for the Ancestral Hall. He lived in the side room at night. Hearing his master arrive late at night, he quickly put on his clothes and came to serve, asking, "Does Master wish to light incense?"

Zhang Huaizheng nodded. Seeing that the Ancestral Hall was clean and tidy, the offerings on the altar were abundant and nothing was missing, and incense smoke curled upwards, he smiled and said, "Zhang San, you have done a good job. Go to the accounts tomorrow and collect your reward money... Since I am here, of course, I must offer incense to my ancestors!"

Zhang San's face showed joy, and he quickly prepared the incense and offerings, which he brought over moments later.

Zhang Huaizheng picked up the incense, bowed respectfully three times to the ancestral tablets, and silently prayed, "Ancestors above, if there is something, please inform me!" He inserted the incense and said to Zhang San, "I will sleep in the Ancestral Hall tonight. Go and tidy up." He then instructed the servant holding the lantern to return and report.

"...Yes!" Zhang San quickly tidied up his room for his master to stay in, leaving himself to make do in the storage room for the night. The Ancestral Hall had only three rooms: the main hall, the largest, where the ancestors were worshipped; the left side was Zhang San's living quarters; and the right side was the storage room.

During the night, Zhang Huaizheng tossed and turned, unable to sleep. After such a restless night, he finally fell asleep just before dawn.

In his dream, Zhang San saw a figure, vague and indistinct, seemingly his great-grandfather Zhang Qingyun. Just as he was about to bow and speak, he found his body immobile, and his mouth likewise. Even with a thousand words, he could not utter a single one.

At this moment, the figure walked up to him. Without speaking, he used his finger to write a few words on the ground. It seemed extremely difficult, the handwriting was blurry and unclear, and he wrote very slowly.

Zhang Huaizheng's eyes widened. He finally vaguely saw the words "Qingyu... Earth God... danger." He wanted to look closer, but then he heard a rooster crow and opened his eyes. It was already morning.

He knew some secrets and understood that Ancestral Spirits had the ability to warn people, but there were many restrictions, and it consumed a great deal. For his ancestors to give him five words was already quite good. Even so, it greatly depleted their fortune, and they would not be able to send dream warnings for another ten years.

With such a cost, they would only do it for something extremely important. Without further ado, he returned home, repeatedly mulling over these five words.

Upon returning home, he saw Madam Zhang preparing breakfast. She smiled and said, "I was just about to send someone to invite you, Master. I didn't expect you to return. Let's eat together."

Zhang Huaizheng waved his hand and said, "You all eat first. I'm going to the study. Go and call Old Zhang. I have something to ask him."

Without regard for his wife's surprised expression, he went to the study. A short while later, the steward Old Zhang arrived. He bowed and said, "Master, you were looking for me?"

Zhang Huaizheng grunted and asked, "You are well-informed. Do you know if anything has happened in Qingyu Village recently related to the land?"

The steward thought for a moment and replied, "If you're talking about major events, it must be the Ghost Attack on the Village over a month ago. Nearly half the people died. Master had planned to buy some land then, but the new village chief, Old Man Su, refused."

"It's not that. Is there anything else?" Zhang Huaizheng thought for a moment and asked again.

The steward's eyes lit up. "Yes, Qingyu Village has an Ancestral Spirit called the Earth God. It's very famous and said to be very effective. It has spread throughout the four villages. They even changed the Altar into a temple. But they don't know that Ancestral Spirits can only guard one place. These ignorant villagers... Master, isn't it ridiculous?"

Zhang Huaizheng slapped his thigh. "It's this matter!" He thought for a moment and asked, "Are there any believers in our township?"

"At first, no one believed. Later, when they heard it could bless people with children and ensure a good harvest, a few households believed and carved wooden statues to worship at home!"

"Nonsense!" Zhang Huaizheng's face turned red with anger. "They don't worship their own ancestors but instead worship this kind of unknown entity." His tone made the steward flinch, knowing that his master was truly furious.

At this moment, Zhang Huaizheng actually laughed out of anger. "It can bless people with children and ensure a good harvest? Haha... I am acquainted with prominent county families and have visited their residences, but I have never heard of any Ancestral Spirit having such power. The Earth God, heh heh..."

He continued, "Go and spread the word. Prohibit the worship of the Earth God. If I find any of my Qingxi Township villagers doing so, they will face family law!" These words were almost spat out through gritted teeth, sending a chill down one's spine. He had figured it out. His ancestors' warning was about this matter. This Earth God was stealing the incense and fire of his family's ancestors, making it an immediate mortal enemy.

The steward's face turned pale, and he repeatedly agreed. He knew that if the Ancestral Hall were opened and family law invoked, people could be beaten to death, and the county generally wouldn't interfere.

Just as he was about to retreat, he heard Zhang Huaizheng say, "Didn't you want to go to Qingyu Village to collect rent? Go! Take several Estate Guards with you and collect eighty percent of the rent. Tell them that if they still want to farm the Zhang Family's land, they must tear down that Earth God Temple!"

The steward's body trembled. He wanted to kneel and pledge his loyalty to his master, saying he had no such intentions. He also wanted to say that this matter was against the rules. At this moment, he saw his master's cold, piercing eyes and felt a chill in his heart. He swallowed all his words. He kowtowed and said, "Yes, this old servant will handle this matter properly!" He bowed halfway and cautiously backed out.

Steward Old Zhang left the room. He thought long and hard but could not figure out the details. However, it was definitely related to last night. Connecting the dots, he began to get a grasp of the situation and made up his mind. First, he ordered his subordinates to spread the news. Then, he gathered the Estate Guards and headed towards Qingyu Village.

The countryside was not peaceful at this time. Prominent families all had Estate Guards, and the Zhang Family's were no exception. They did not farm themselves but were housed and cared for by the Zhang Family, receiving excellent treatment. They only patrolled the estate, practicing martial arts daily. Their meals were also of the best quality. Zhang Huaizheng had even specifically hired a Martial Master from the county to train them for a month. Now, they were indeed exceptionally strong and imposing, radiating a fearsome aura.

Looking at them, people did not think they were there to collect rent but rather to stir up trouble.

Upon arriving at Qingyu Village, they summoned the Tenant Farmers. There were over a dozen households, accounting for almost half of Qingyu Village. Of course, it was the poorest half. After all, those who had enough land to eat would not become Tenant Farmers.

The Zhang Family owned one-third of the total three hundred mu of land surrounding Qingyu Village, giving them considerable influence within the village. When their intentions were revealed, the Tenant Farmers erupted in an uproar.

Qi Da, also a Tenant Farmer for the Zhang Family, timidly stepped forward at this point. He knelt and kowtowed, pleading, "Great Lord, have mercy! You've always taken fifty percent in the past. We still have to pay the imperial taxes; we truly cannot bear any more. Please, grant us a way to live!"

The steward sneered, saying, "Since this land belongs to the Zhang Family, whatever the Great Lord says is what you'll pay. However, if you wish for things to remain as they were in previous years, that's also possible. The Great Lord has decreed that if you destroy that Earth God Temple, the rent will be restored to fifty percent."

Immediately, someone shouted, "How can that be? The Earth God Temple protects our lives..."

The steward smiled faintly, saying, "You managed just fine using the Altar before, didn't you? As long as the Earth God Temple is destroyed, the Altar can remain, and it will still protect you!"

Qi Da glanced at the Estate Guards behind the steward and, shrinking his neck, whispered, "But we're so few. The other villagers won't agree..."

The steward's eyes lit up. He knew this man was weak-willed and would be useful as a guide. If he could force Qi Da to take the lead in destroying the Earth God Temple, it would be seen as an internal affair of Qingyu Village. This way, he could complete his task brilliantly and distance himself from the main responsibility. After all, he had heard the Earth God was quite potent, and he felt a little uneasy himself.

He immediately put on a stern face and said, "You are also a villager of Qingyu Village. Go and destroy the Earth God Temple for me. Don't worry, you won't be shortchanged on your reward!"

With a meaningful glance, the Estate Guards understood. They grabbed Qi Da and headed in the direction of the village's Earth God Temple.