The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 83 Du Yuan's Enlightenment

After pondering for a moment, Du Yuan, who seemed to be deep in thought, suddenly raised her hand and made a sword-finger gesture, saying, "May the Heavenly Venerable grant you boundless blessings!"

Sure enough, the illusory voice vanished instantly.

This unexpected change left Du Yuan stunned. Was it really because of this?
But what is the real reason?
Du Yuan suddenly called out a Taoist name, leaving the governor, who was still holding a teapot, completely bewildered. His mind raced with thoughts, but none of them seemed to be the answer.

I had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask:
"Master, what's going on?"

Du Yuan waved her hand and laughed:

"It's nothing, just something I felt like saying."

"Oh, that."

After saying that, he put down the teapot and asked:

"Master, what do you think about the Han family? Should I go directly to invite Prefect Han Cheng, or should we find a more secure time and place?"

Han Cheng, I remember he was Han Tang's father.

If I'm not mistaken, he should still be repairing roads outside the city right now.

Thinking of this, Du Yuan asked the governor:

"Isn't Han Cheng still repairing the road outside the city right now?"

"Road repairs? Prefect Han is personally involved?"

As the governor of Qingzhou, he naturally knew that the Han family had suddenly started road construction.

The fact that Han Cheng was there in person was really beyond his expectations.

After all, shouldn't such matters normally be handled by allocating some funds and then handing them over to lower-level personnel?

Even disregarding his position as the Prefect of Qingzhou, just considering his status as the eldest son of the Han family, he shouldn't have personally been keeping an eye on things.

But as he spoke, his expression changed and he said:

"Master, I have heard that the Han family recently led a group out of the city to worship the virtues of their ancestors. And their final destination was a temple!"

"You mean, the Han family didn't also find something?"

These words surprised Du Yuan.

How come you, a prefect, only guessed this matter because of me?

So Du Yuan said to him with slight surprise:
"Your position as governor is rather pitiful."

Governor Pei immediately realized it was true, and that he was the last to know, so he bowed deeply in shame and said:

“The local tribes and the King of Anqing have been operating in Qingzhou for many years. Although I have an imperial decree and have served in Qingzhou for quite some time, in terms of foundation, I am indeed far inferior to them.”

If we divide the various relationships and forces in Qingzhou into six parts, he probably owns one part, the Prince of Anqing should own two parts, and the remaining three parts are all in the hands of various aristocratic families and clans.

As for the military, theoretically, he holds military power. But if we break it down further, it becomes unclear.

After all, this captain's surname is Han but his given name is Han, and that lieutenant's surname is Liu but his given name is Liu; you really can't tell the difference.
At this point, the fundamental reason why the capital could still command respect throughout the land was the hundreds of thousands of well-equipped Imperial Guards, as well as the border troops commanded by His Majesty's trusted generals.

In fact, allowing local governments to grow powerful was also a compromise by the emperor to the powerful families, as the saying goes, "How can one allow others to sleep soundly on one's own bed?"

In this respect, both the emperor and the powerful families were correct.

Once, with the emperor's nine guards in hand, no region dared to covet them.

But now, do soldiers and generals made up of ordinary people still have the same deterrent power as before?
The governor did not know the answer, nor did he dare to think about it too deeply.

The only thing we can do is try to hold on tightly to the Taoist priest, this tangible and visible tree.

A storm is brewing. You see how attentively I've served you, surely you can't bear to neglect even a little bit of my care?

Du Yuan didn't understand their power structure and the power struggles between them. After all, he wasn't just an 'outsider,' he was even an 'outsider.'

But he realized that if left to its own devices...

It seems the people of Qingzhou are about to be dragged into a similar calamity as those in the southwest.

Du Yuan also recalled the words spoken by the person in the temple—"The calamity remains, and the calamity of war will return."

War, war, and the only ones who cried from beginning to end were the common people. Before coming here, he himself was just an ordinary commoner, so he didn't want to suffer.

If they were powerless to do anything, that would be one thing, but the problem is that Du Yuan has discovered that he might have a good chance of protecting the safety of the people of Qingzhou.

After all, the Han family would really listen to him.

However, before that, Du Yuan had a few questions to ask:
"Your Excellency, I have a few questions for you. Please answer them truthfully."

"Please speak, Daoist Master!"

Du Yuan nodded and said:

"That's right, in your previous life, have you ever heard of or seen any real gods, ghosts, or strange tales?"

Du Yuan's observations of the caravan and Qiaoshui Town led her to subconsciously believe that although zombies and monsters were not common in this place, they must have existed for a long time.

However, when even the scion of a prominent family, Qian Youcai, was so fearful and powerless against demons and ghosts, Du Yuan realized that something might be wrong.

It's understandable that ordinary people don't know how to cope—in such an era, they might never have visited a neighboring county in their entire lives.

Even the powerful clans were completely unaware, which was strange.

The magistrate's subsequent reaction further confirmed his suspicions.

When Han appeared, Du Yuan became even more puzzled by this unusual situation.

The Qian family was a small, insignificant household, and Magistrate Fang was a minor official confined to a small corner of the county. It was understandable that they were ignorant of gods and ghosts due to their limited knowledge and social status.

But why was the Han family, such a prestigious and powerful clan, completely unaware of this?
However, demons and monsters clearly exist, and the temple is proof that it has existed for a very long time.

This contradiction had been lingering in Du Yuan's mind for a long time, causing him to ponder deeply.

Fortunately, although this was the first time Du Yuan had encountered such a situation, she had read many similar stories.

Therefore, he came to the most likely conclusion—the revival of spiritual energy and the return of the ancient!
Of course, this is only the most likely answer based on what he has seen and heard so far.

But that may not be the truth.

Therefore, he needs more evidence.

A prefect who holds the power of local military and political affairs would obviously be a good choice.

Although his position as governor was rather pitiful.
However, no matter what, he is still one of the most knowledgeable and responsible people of this era!

Governor Pei paused for a moment, then pondered and said:

"I have heard countless tales of immortals, but, but, but this is truly the first time I have ever seen someone of your stature and abilities!"

That astonishing method of effortlessly seizing his own career was truly unprecedented in Prefect Pei's life, and something he would never forget.

This answer put Du Yuan's mind at ease.

Well, although there are other, even more bizarre possibilities that cannot be ruled out.

But one thing is beyond doubt.

That is the current state of Qingzhou, which is indeed in the early stages of the emergence of various supernatural phenomena.

There shouldn't be anything that has been planned for a long time.

Otherwise, a governor who had been stationed in the capital for many years would not have encountered supernatural tales for the first time.

In this way, he at least still has a chance to preserve peace in Qingzhou for now.

After all, the governor was on their side, and so was the powerful Han family.

With both of these combined, as long as one can deal with the other demons and monsters, that's enough.

It seems that even King Anqing will find himself isolated and unable to achieve his goals.

Furthermore, if handled properly, I should be able to leverage the power of the people of Qingzhou to reverse the predicament of my Buddhist and Taoist lineages being so unbalanced.

Thinking of this, Du Yuan couldn't help but mutter to himself—hope that those hiding guys won't be too outrageous, and that they'll listen to my reasoning and obediently go down the stage.

Otherwise, don't blame me for only killing and not saving!
(End of this chapter)