After leaving Shiqiao Village, Xiao Mo took up his post in Beihai Prefecture.
Beihai Prefecture lay near the North Sea, which was how it got its name.
Whenever he had free time over the years, Xiao Mo had pored over local gazetteers and compared them with Great Qi's Map of Mountains and Rivers, planning to create a River Journey Map.
Once Ruxue awoke, if she wanted to travel the rivers,
the best route would be to start at Ganyue Lake, enter Siming Lake, follow Chun Song River, then pass through Luo River and Yun Ya River before finally reaching the North Sea.
From the documents Xiao Mo had consulted over the years, he understood that the farther one traveled along the rivers, the more difficult it became. So he would have to survey this final stretch, Yun Ya River, especially carefully, and make preparations for Ruxue.
Three months later, Xiao Mo arrived in Beihai.
Zhang Qianzhi had served as governor of Beihai Prefecture for several years, earning considerable prestige.
And Xiao Mo was Zhang Qianzhi's student. To say nothing of the fact that Xiao Mo's reputation had long since spread throughout Qi Kingdom.
So the aristocratic clans and officials of Beihai Prefecture were very cooperative about Xiao Mo coming to serve as governor.
But in the second year after Xiao Mo arrived in Beihai Prefecture, he received a letter.
Old Mr. Zhang felt that he did not have much longer to live. He called Xiao Mo over, hoping to see Xiao Mo and Fang Ling one last time.
Xiao Mo traveled day and night, reaching Zhang Residence within half a month.
When Xiao Mo stepped into Old Mr. Zhang's residence, every face was etched with grief.
At the old gentleman's door, his descendants, servants, and maids were quietly wiping away