In October, the rice harvest is complete, and the season swiftly transitions from late autumn to early winter.
The area outside Linhe District is particularly bustling today, with the Prefect from Jinmen Prefecture, various officials from Linhe, and nearby county officials gathered at the city gate.
There were rumors since the beginning of the Linhe city construction that the Imperial Court intended to promote Linhe District to a county seat, designating Linhe Wharf as a new port district. However, due to unstable national fortune over the past two years and the untimely demise of Emperor Longping, the ascension of the new Emperor put this matter on hold.
It wasn't until after the autumn examinations this year that Emperor Jingxing suddenly issued a decree to elevate two areas to county seats: one being Linhe District, the other the long-silent Wanshou Village.
Although Wanshou Village is geographically convenient, sitting south of Whiteshore and north leading to the capital suburbs, its population is far less than a county's. The only noteworthy feature is the high prevalence of long-lived individuals in Wanshou Village.
In jest, some say that the combined number of centenarians in the twenty-four counties of Jinmen Prefecture pales in comparison to Wanshou Village's.
Common sense would dictate that with only this feature, Wanshou Village doesn't warrant exceptional promotion to a county seat. But Emperor Jingxing insisted despite opposition, claiming the area was visited by the late Emperor during his tours and is a flowing site of Earth Qi and Dragon Vein, thus deserving elevation for its prosperity and development.
People believed as truth, yet Xu Qing remained skeptical.
This wretched emperor must be feeling his luck is dwindling, thinking all his past wrongdoings have piled too high, and now is trying to fill his inner void with these trivial matters.
After all, the tomb of the former Crown Prince Zhao You is still standing in Wanshou Village.
A once revered Crown Prince, the current Emperor's elder brother, yet buried in a 'rural' locale; the cursed emperor, haunted by midnight dreams, might be met by his elder brother seeking justice.
At present, yesterday's Linhe District, now outside Linjiang County.
Various officials, wealthy gentry are eagerly awaiting at the city gate to receive the new county official.
At this moment, not far from the gate, sudden crackling of firecrackers draws the crowd's attention. By the bulletin board stands a fair-faced young man, who having finished setting off firecrackers, shouts—
"Underground Street's Xu Family Shop congratulates Linhe District on its elevation!"
Xu Qing knows the occasion well, understanding it's inappropriate to loudly declare his shop's name now. Instead, he just set off firecrackers, mentioning Xu Family Shop, which locals familiar with the backstory understood, while high-ranking officials didn't catch the cryptic advertisement.
Visiting officials from other counties unaware of the inside story felt local citizens were truly enthusiastic; some uninformed ones even gave Xu Qing a smile.
Only the local officials knowledgeable about Underground Street had peculiar expressions. Among them, County Captain Dong who recognized Xu Qing had a drastic change in demeanor, thinking it was a joyous day and pleading not to wreak havoc.
County Captain Dong waved frantically at Zhao Zhonghe, the latter helplessly darting towards the bulletin board.
"Chief Zhao, congratulations, congratulations; henceforth the Patrol Office will be at the County Government Office, and Chief Zhao will be the lead constable in the county!"
Not daring to trouble a cheerful face, Zhao Zhonghe, initially wanting to scowl, raised his brows intrigued, eventually murmured, "Brother Xu, let's be in good spirits and not fool around. On this grand day, if you're truly happy, just stand aside and watch, but please refrain from flaunting your funeral shop!"
"Absolutely not! I know better, Chief Zhao, rest assured. I'll just stand aside quietly without uttering a word!" Xu Qing promised earnestly.
Once Zhao Zhonghe turned to leave, Xu Qing chuckled lightly and slipped away into the crowd, vanishing without a trace.
It was three-quarters into the hour when the new County official was still on the way to Linjiang.
In a secluded corner not far from the city gate, Xu Qing rides a Five-Colored Steed, with the Armor Horse Talisman already affixed on the horse's leg atop rising white clouds.
"Old Gu, now is the optimal time to deal with the relief grain; we must seize this opportunity!"
Gu Zixu, with whiskers trembling in excitement, has been contemplating revenge ever since the Gray Immortal Hall fell victim to official schemes.
The time for vengeance has come, and how could it hold back?
"Rest assured, Sect Leader! In recent days I've moved the relief warehouse grain to the old residence; the relief warehouse is now filled with chaff and straw from this autumn's harvest."
Xu Qing glanced at Gu Zixu, saying, "Mount up, today we must tidy up everything before the new county official arrives!"
The odd duo—one stiff, one rat—mounted the Five-Colored Armored Horse, and within minutes arrived outside the grain storage warehouse.
Gu Zixu paved the way with spells, Xu Qing followed closely; after half an incense stick worth of time, thick smoke suddenly rose from the relief warehouse, followed by a mighty fiery dragon ascending from warehouse head to tail. The custodians of the grain called out for water, but the fire had already taken hold, making efforts to extinguish it futile.
...
In Linjiang County, Xu Qing repeatedly returns to Underground Street.
Within the excavation under the funeral shop lies countless grains stored.
Xu Qing retrieved the Mountain and River Map; originally, the vibrant green mountain and river map had somehow transformed into a radiant gold, resembling a mound of harvested grain in golden autumn.
However, the space within the Mountain and River Map is limited, allowing Xu Qing to transfer only twenty percent of the grain at a time, and this time marks the final transfer.
...
Early in the hour of Si, outside the city gate.
In the distance on the official road, official constables holding signs and staves are clearing the path. Among the procession, signs faintly display 'Avoid' and 'Silence'.