Her Celestial Masters and Handsome Men League - Vol. 1 Chapter 9

“Nonsense! This poet doesn’t believe in such things!” The flamboyant scholar waved his sleeve and stood up, “Your tricks won’t scare me, great poet as I am.”

“Wu the Poet, Peony isn’t lying to you.” Fu Rong’s expression turned serious as well, “We all heard it, the girls at Water Street know about it. Moreover, it wasn’t just one peddler saying it, people coming from Pingshan are saying the same thing. Sir, you should send people to investigate. If this rumor spreads tomorrow, the whole city’s populace will be anxious.”

Lord Wang’s plump face darkened. For an official, the thing he feared the most was civil unrest. Once the people were in turmoil, at best there would be rampant gossip and unease among the people. At worst, there would be rioting and violence. His position as a state official wouldn’t hold up under such circumstances.

“They really said that?” Lord Wang confirmed once again.

The girls at the table all nodded.

Lord Wang’s brows furrowed even more.

Although they were courtesans, they were a gathering point for various pieces of information. Even when government officials investigated cases, they would sometimes come to the courtesans for information. So, given what the girls were saying, Lord Wang did take it seriously and treated it accordingly.

“Lord Wang,” Master Zhang Lidong from the capital spoke up at this moment.

Upon hearing him speak, Lord Wang’s demeanor turned slightly respectful, “Master Zhang.”

Zhang Lidong’s expression turned solemn as he signaled towards a folding screen in the cabin. Lord Wang understood the gesture and both of them left their seats, walking behind the folding screen.

The others were quite tactful, resuming their mutual toasts, drinking, eating, touching the girls, discussing lewd poems, and indulging in the carefree affairs of men.

Behind the folding screen, Zhang Lidong’s expression was serious as he spoke earnestly to Lord Wang, “The spread of rumors about demons can be a big issue or a small one. You need to investigate thoroughly and provide an explanation before these rumors spread further. The funds from above are coming soon, and if, at this moment, rumors of demons start circulating in Qin Prefecture, it might not be farewell for you.”

After listening, Lord Wang’s plump face tightened another notch.

He pondered for a moment and said, “But who would be best to send for this demon investigation? This matter is neither big nor small. If we take it too seriously, people might think that I, as a state official, am afraid of demons. Moreover, where in this world are there demons? It would seem like an overreaction. Furthermore, if I officially dispatch someone from the government to investigate, the common folk will truly believe that something major has occurred. They might actually believe there are demons. In that case, people’s fears will escalate.”

Zhang Lidong smoothed his goatee and a trace of cunning crossed his triangular eyes, “Send Wei Chi Feng!”

Lord Wang narrowed his eyes slightly. Speaking of that city defense commander Wei Chi Feng, he really couldn’t stand him.

“Wei Chi Feng is the third son of Marshal Wei Chi, a prominent figure in the capital. That old Wei Chi is not only stubborn but also has a foul temper. He’s been a longstanding enemy of Left Prime Minister Fu’s faction. Unfortunately, he’s an old marshal of three generations, so I can’t directly confront him face-to-face. This time…” Zhang Lidong’s smile became slightly sinister, and he looked at Lord Wang with meaningful eyes, “It’s the perfect opportunity for you to make a name for yourself. If Wei Chi Feng can’t find anything after this investigation, it’ll be a great chance to demote him on the spot and transfer him away from Qin Prefecture!”

Upon hearing this, Lord Wang felt a wave of joy rise within him. He thought to himself that Sir Zhang Lidong was indeed a man from the central government, a disciple of the Left Prime Minister, and was far-sighted. He nodded admiringly, “Wei Chi Feng’s temper is just as hard and obnoxious as a stone in a latrine. He’s always interfering in my affairs and it’s quite bothersome. But… what if Wei Chi Feng does find something about these demons?”

Zhang Lidong stroked his chin and smiled, “Then you promote his position. Liang Prefecture needs an official. Just transfer him there.”

Lord Wang’s small eyes widened. What an ingenious way to promote and demote at the same time!

Liang Prefecture was no good place. The name alone said it all: Liangzhou… Liangzhou… Liang… Liang…, so desolate and cold.

No central government official wanted to go to Liangzhou. Because it was remote, nestled in the mountains, almost like a series of valleys. People didn’t want to go for one simple reason: it was poor. No roads naturally meant poverty.

Therefore, anyone going to Liangzhou was just like being banished, being promoted in title but demoted in practice.

“Hahaha—” Lord Wang burst into laughter, his eyes narrowed to slits. He admired Zhang Lidong and gave him a respectful nod. The matter was settled happily in this way.

On the rooftop, Lin Tingjun listened carefully. He didn’t care about the scheming that occurred in the officialdom, but when it came to demons, he had to care.

He got up and raised his robe again. “Huh?” He suddenly froze. 

“Wait a moment, where was that Pingshan?” He furrowed his brows slightly, looking around. He was about to approach the people on the riverbank and ask for directions when he hesitated. He gazed at the surroundings; “where was the mountain range?” 

He pursed his thin lips and contemplated. He was about to head over when he suddenly thought, never mind, too lazy to ask.

He lay back down in the same spot, forming another big character. He could follow this plump man; there would be someone to guide him.

The General Zhang was referring to was Wei Chi Gong Shan. He joined the imperial ancestors in conquering the land at the age of sixteen, making him a veteran of three generations, a founding hero of the dynasty. He had six sons, all of whom held positions as commanders guarding important military fortresses across the country.

The one stationed in Qin Prefecture was the third son of the old marshal, Wei Chi Feng, around forty years old, with a wife and a daughter. Although he had a residence in the city, he disliked the flower-filled streets and alleys, and the methods of action of Lord Wang. So, he moved with his wife and daughter to a military camp on the outskirts.

That night, Wei Chi Feng was teaching his thirteen-year-old daughter, Wei Chi Xiao Jing, how to wield a sword in the courtyard. His subordinate, Guo De, hurriedly arrived with a constable in tow.

“General Wei Chi! Confidential orders from Lord Wang!” The constable handed the sealed order to Wei Chi Feng and hurriedly left.

Seeing this, Wei Chi’s wife led their daughter away from the courtyard. The 13-year-old girl had trained in martial arts from a young age and was naturally not as gentle and refined as other girls. She was more curious and lively. Though dragged away by her mother, she still craned her neck to see what was in the sealed order in Wei Chi Feng’s hand.

Guo De was also curious as he watched the sealed order, muttering to himself, “General, even that plump Wang gets confidential orders?!”

Wei Chi Feng shot Guo De a stern glance, “Don’t speak about Lord Wang like that!”

Guo De rubbed his nose, smiled faintly, and turned his head slightly, though his eyes couldn’t help but drift towards the sealed order in Wei Chi Feng’s hand.

Wei Chi Feng, influenced by his father’s principles, was upright and incorruptible. Therefore, even though he disliked Lord Wang’s usual behavior, he still treated the official letter seriously. He opened the sealed order and took a look, but he froze. “What kind of nonsense was this? Demons in Pingshan? Must be those villagers making up nonsense again!”

Being curious, Guo De looked at the sealed order. “General, what does the confidential order say?”

Wei Chi Feng tossed the sealed order into Guo De’s arms, irritated. “He’s up to his old tricks again! Idly wasting time! Full from overeating!”

Wei Chi Feng then turned back towards the house, saying sternly, “Gather ten men tomorrow morning and head to the northern village of Pingshan!” With that, Wei Chi Feng raised his head to look at the rafters with a hint of disdainful laughter, snorted coldly, brushed his sleeves, and entered the house.

In the courtyard, Guo De looked at the sealed order and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Demons? Those villagers loved exaggerating things.” Guo De had been in the army for so many years, and he could count the enemies he had killed on one hand. He hadn’t even seen a ghost.