Clerk

At the edge of the fields in Qingyu Village, Fang Ming formed a hand seal. "Fertile Land Divine Art!" White Divine Power surged forth, seeping into the soil in fine strands and lending fertility to the land.

This was not merely to grant the villagers their wish. Fang Ming was taking the initiative, like a business investing the money it had earned. As long as the harvest from this land increased, word would surely spread and bring him more believers. After weighing the gains and losses, Fang Ming decided it was worth doing.

Still, he held something back. He did not go all out and increase the yield by half. He merely made the soil somewhat more fertile, enough to raise the harvest by ten or five percent. It was not that he begrudged the Divine Power, but that he had his own difficulties.

The Great Qian Empire was an agrarian empire and attached the utmost importance to farmland. An increase of ten or five percent would still fall within the range of growth expected in a good year. It would merely make the neighboring villages envious and spread faith in Fang Ming.

But if the harvest suddenly rose by fifty percent, it would be an auspicious omen sent down from Heaven. No matter how tightly it was covered up, the news would spread to the prefecture, perhaps even reach the imperial ears. Then capable men and strange folk would come flooding in wave after wave, turning Qingyu Village upside down. Would that leave any room for a god to live?

Though it would not necessarily be a bad thing, fortune and misfortune came intertwined. Fang Ming, who considered gods immortal and time limitless, saw no need to chase quick success and immediate gain, placing himself in danger. Thus, he only lightly fertilized the land, letting its yield rise by ten percent at most. When he returned to the Land God Temple, an armored soldier stood beside the gate. Seeing Fang Ming, he immediately saluted. "My lord!"

Fang Ming gave a slight nod. Wang Liulang had governed the Yin Soldiers with military discipline, and it had produced some results. "Is Wang Liulang here?"

"Reporting to my lord, the squad leader is out on patrol and has not yet returned."

Fang Ming gave a quiet grunt and entered the hall, silently circulating his Divine Power to inspect the incense offerings.

Last time, he had gained six Yin Soldiers. Since they lived within the Divine Domain, they consumed only three strands of Divine Power a day. His daily net income was twenty-five wisps, fully enough to support them. Divine might belonged to the god himself. Fang Ming alone was now at least the equal of two hundred-man units of elite Yin Soldiers, and as his Divine Power grew, his might would only increase. Thus, he did not fear Wang Liulang entertaining any thoughts of his own, and entrusted him with full authority over the Yin Soldiers. Wang Liulang had not disappointed him either, managing the squad of soldiers in perfect order.

Now, all he lacked was a clerk. Only then did Fang Ming recall that in the myths of his former life, gods always had several civil officials at their side. There truly was good reason for it. He only managed one village now, and he kept the accounts in his head. Thanks to the sharp ears and keen eyes he had gained after becoming a god, he could still manage. But if a clerk skilled in documents could help him handle affairs, it would lessen his burden and leave him more energy to conquer neighboring villages. At this thought, he could not help thinking, If Wang Liulang still cannot find a suitable candidate, I will have to go out myself. I possess the Qi-Reading Divine Art. If I search carefully, I will find one sooner or later. What a pity about Old Master Wu. I wonder how his youngest daughter is doing.

With that thought in mind, he immediately followed a thread of faith and saw image after image.

Old Master Wu's youngest daughter was named Wu Xinling. She was only fourteen or fifteen this year. Since she had been born to him late in life, she was greatly cherished. During the last ghost attack on the village, Fang Ming had secretly watched over them, so the Wu Family had come through unharmed. She now lived with her elder brother and sister-in-law, who treated her quite well. At present, she was helping with the housework.

When Fang Ming looked more closely, she seemed to sense something. Her bright, watery eyes blinked as she looked around. Finding no one, she wore a puzzled expression. A Spirit-Linking Constitution. Fang Ming's heart stirred. Wu Xinling was excellent material for a temple attendant, and he immediately decided to pay her more attention in the future.

The so-called Spirit-Linking Constitution referred to people whose minds were nimble and who could easily sense gods. In his former life, they would mostly have been spirit mediums, temple attendants, shamans, or holy maidens. In Fang Ming's understanding, they were high-grade radios: their reception was excellent, they could easily tune in to Fang Ming's frequency, and the consumption of Divine Power when transmitting information between them was minimal.

However, all Fang Ming had now was a tiny temple that could barely fit a person inside. Even if he had a temple attendant, it would be useless. Still, he could prepare in advance. Once he reached the township or county and built a large temple, she could be put to use.

Just as he was considering how to cultivate Wu Xinling, Wang Liulang returned.

Wang Liulang saluted. "This subordinate has searched for several days and finally found two men. I have brought them to see you, my lord!"

"Oh!" Fang Ming's heart leaped with joy. "Where are they?"

"They are waiting outside the temple."

"Bring them in at once!"

"Yes!"

He then led the two men inside. One was around twenty or thirty, dressed as a scholar. He was slender and had an extraordinary bearing. Yet when he saw Fang Ming, he said nothing. His dark eyes carefully surveyed the surroundings. The other man startled Fang Ming. He was a wretched-looking little old man, yet he wore the official robes of a district magistrate's clerk. The moment he saw Fang Ming, he dropped to his knees and repeatedly kowtowed. "This lowly one greets Your Excellency! May Your Excellency be blessed!"

The two each had their own distinguishing traits, but both their forms were scattered and unstable. It seemed they did not have long to live.

Fang Ming lifted the teacup from the table and took a light sip. "State your names, places of origin, and causes of death one by one. I am in need of clerks. Those who are suitable may stay and enjoy long existence. Those who are unsuitable will be driven from the village and left to fend for themselves."

The little old man's eyes lit up at once. He kowtowed again. "This lowly one is named He Dong. I was a clerk in Anchang County and died of illness two days ago. I have considerable experience with documents from every office, and I will certainly satisfy you, my lord!" Above his head was a thread of Life-Bound White Qi, and he possessed some Fortune as well. A district clerk had no official rank. In theory, one with Life-Bound White Qi could rise to Principal Ninth Rank. Any higher, and his own capacity would have difficulty bearing it.

Fang Ming asked, "Can you keep accounts?"

"Most of the county's tax accounts were prepared by this lowly one!"

Fang Ming nodded. "Are you willing to serve as my clerk?"

"This lowly one is willing! Many thanks, my lord!" He performed another grand bow.

Fang Ming pointed a finger, and a wisp of white light shot into the little old man. White radiance flickered. When it faded, the old man's body had become much more solid, and the robes of a district clerk upon him had changed into the robes of an administrative clerk.

Though he had been demoted by two ranks, the little old man was still beaming as though he had been promoted and struck rich. His face shone with delight. He first thanked Fang Ming, then exchanged greetings with Wang Liulang.

Fang Ming then looked toward the scholar. The man wore a dazed expression mixed with some surprise. Seeing Fang Ming look at him, he bowed deeply. "This student is Zhou Qing. Greetings, revered spirit!"

Above his head was a Life-Bound Qi strand that was white tinged with red, comparable to Wang Liulang's and He Song's.

Fang Ming sneered. He knew this man was one of the so-called gentry: educated men from prominent households. Most came from aristocratic clans or poor scholar families, and they enjoyed certain privileges. For instance, even as commoners, they need not bow before officials below the Ninth Rank. Fang Ming casually asked, "Where does your family live, and how did you die?"

Zhou Qing clenched his teeth. "This student belongs to the Zhou Family of Anchang County. While enjoying the spring scenery outside the county, I accidentally fell from a cliff and died. I did not expect to become a ghost, then be harassed by Evil Ghosts. Fortunately, your subordinates saved me. I ask that you send this student back into my body, revered spirit. There will surely be a generous reward!"

The Zhou Family was one of the great households of the county. Along with the Wu Family, Zheng Family, and Wang Family, it was known as one of the Four Great Families of Anchang. Each family had Ancestral Spirits that had received worship for hundreds or even thousands of years, guarding them. Their Fortune stretched long, and the protective aura of their ancestors was abundant. As long as they did not encounter an assault by a large horde of Ferocious Ghosts, they would be safe. Thus, they could still venture out to enjoy the spring scenery.

But now that he had become a ghost, he still wished to return to his Lineage? Leaving aside the official aura and military aura guarding the county seat, which prevented ghosts from approaching, even if Fang Ming sent him back to his clan, he would most likely meet no good end. Fang Ming sneered. After gathering information from many sources over the past days, he had gained some understanding of the Ancestral Spirits of great clans.

During worship, the target had to be clearly defined, preferably with a name and title. Only then could the true spirit of the Ancestral Spirit be kept from falling apart. Moreover, divided power grew weak, and too many Ancestral Spirits could not be worshipped, or else they would be unable to maintain themselves and would dissipate. Even great households could support no more than three Ancestral Spirits.

Yet a clan's dead numbered in the thousands upon thousands. Their fate was this: those who died within the county were directly destroyed by the official aura and military aura, reduced to ashes, unable even to remain ghosts for seven days. Those who died outside the county could not enter it and could only become wandering souls and wild ghosts.

The truly knowledgeable eminent clans built their family foundations in the outskirts of cities. Ordinary newly dead ghosts would receive a little Fortune for protection before being driven from the family, each left to seek opportunity according to fate. Ghosts of great fame and great Fortune would be handled according to circumstances. Either their branch would be moved out of the main line to become a separate branch, receiving worship; or they would fight the main line for a place and forcibly seize one. Though they were one family, since people were in charge, there would naturally be those close and those distant. The open and hidden struggles within needed no elaboration.

Zhou Qing was clearly ignorant of such matters. He still believed the underworld was no different from the world of the living. Without further thought, Fang Ming said, "Guards, drive this man out of Qingyu Village!"

At once, two soldiers stepped forward, lifted Zhou Qing by the arms, and dragged him away. Zhou Qing's face flushed red. He did not know what was happening, but he could not withstand the soldiers' strength and was forcibly hauled outside.

Such gentry buried their heads in all manner of classics, studying bitterly, occasionally discussing mysticism, and looking down on the petty officials' learning of the Classic of Clear Calculation. They might be capable of writing poems and essays, but asking them to keep accounts was out of the question. They might even consider it an insult to their refinement. Better to drive him out directly. Judging by Zhou Qing's form and Fortune, his body and soul would perish completely in an instant. There was no need to fear him leaking secrets after leaving the village.

Ignoring him, Fang Ming looked to one side and asked, "He Dong, why were you here after your death?"

He Dong explained everything one by one. It turned out that he had served as a district clerk for decades and had been on good terms with Daoist Lingzhu of the Ghost-Banishing Office, so he knew some secrets. After falling seriously ill, he had returned directly to his hometown to recuperate. After dying, he was able to linger on as a ghost for seven days. He was driven out of the township by the Village Spirits and sought his own opportunity.

Once an altar had someone presiding over it, it could become much more responsive. Yet it mostly had only two functions: granting people protection and guarding the land. At most, it could adjust Fortune, giving more or less. Ancestral Spirits could do little for the ghosts of their own township and did not care for them much. They could neither allow the ghosts to remain in the township, lest trouble arise, nor directly destroy them, which would damage their virtue in the underworld. They could only drive them out to prevent trouble.

He Dong had not held much hope. It was simply that the older he grew, the more he feared death. He thought that living one day longer was one day gained.

Yet outside was unimaginably dangerous. He encountered several waves of Ferocious Ghosts in succession. The Fortune protecting his body was exhausted, his origin was damaged, and he nearly vanished into nothingness. Fortunately, he ran into Wang Liulang and obtained this opportunity.

Fang Ming nodded and said, "Since you are now my clerk, as long as you diligently fulfill your duties, you may endure for a long time."

He Dong was so grateful that tears streamed down his face. He kowtowed in thanks again and again.

Fang Ming then instructed He Dong to follow the earlier plan and register the villagers household by household. He Dong had originally been a district clerk and was thoroughly practiced at such work. Taking the documents, brush, and ink Fang Ming casually formed with Divine Power, he began working.

Looking at his subordinates, Fang Ming found that he now had both civil and military personnel. He could not help feeling deeply gratified. He knew that a small system had already been established, saving him much trouble. Next, it was time to spread his faith to other villages and strive to advance.

P.S. Many thanks to Little Kid 2 for this book's first reward. I am immensely grateful!