We said we would experience life, fairy, how did you become real?.

Chapter 55 Mother, is the top scholar really smiling? (4000 words, two chapters combined)

It was the fifth day since Xiao Mo returned to Shiqiao Village.

Magistrate Sun found Xiao Mo.

Magistrate Sun clearly knew about Bai Ruxue being "taken away by an immortal," and he also knew that Xiao Mo, a man of great loyalty and righteousness, would be very upset to see Bai Ruxue missing after returning.

He returned home in glory, but the most important person was no longer there.

“Alas,” Magistrate Sun couldn’t help but sigh for Xiao Mo whenever he thought of it.

Therefore, Magistrate Sun did not come to disturb us in the past few days.

On the fifth day, Magistrate Sun felt that Xiao Mo's emotions had probably calmed down, so he cautiously came to inquire about Xiao Mo's parade through the streets.

As for the phrase "as white as snow," Magistrate Sun naturally didn't mention it at all.

Xiao Mo also knew that the parade of the top scholar was a custom in Qi State since ancient times. If he did not go, it would be disrespectful to the county magistrate, which would have a significant impact on his future political career.

So Xiao Mo naturally agreed.

"Xiao Mo, you don't need to prepare anything. Just leave everything to me, and I'll make sure you have a grand and glorious experience!"

At first, Magistrate Sun thought there was probably no hope left.

Even if Xiao Mo hadn't been paraded through the streets, Magistrate Sun wouldn't have blamed him, since he knew how deep Xiao Mo's feelings were for that Miss Bai.

However, upon hearing that Xiao Mo agreed to the parade, Magistrate Sun was naturally overjoyed!

The next morning, the procession to welcome the top scholar arrived at the entrance of Shiqiao Village.

A little girl dressed in festive attire entered Xiao Mo's courtyard, dressed him in the wedding robes of a top scholar, and adorned him with a large red flower.

The villagers saw Xiao Mo off as he left the village, and then followed behind the top scholar.

Everyone in Shiqiao Village put on their new clothes.

The old village chief was especially happy.

Influenced by Xiao Mo, Village Chief Wang was recruited as a clerk by Magistrate Sun.

When Xiao Mo was brought to Qingshan County, the streets were already packed with people, all eager to catch a glimpse of the top scholar.

"Mom, why does the top scholar look so unhappy?" A little girl, riding on her mother's shoulders, pointed at the top scholar and said.

“No, the top scholar is quite happy, isn’t he? Look, he’s smiling,” the girl’s mother said.

"Really?" The little girl bit her finger and tilted her head. "Was the top scholar really smiling?"

In June, the imperial appointment came down, and Xiao Mo was appointed magistrate of Jianshui County, Liuyun Prefecture, Liangzhou, and took office immediately.

For a top-scoring student, this starting point is indeed a bit low.

But no one believed that Xiao Mo would be neglected.

On the contrary, sending a top scholar to serve as the magistrate of a remote prefecture is a way of first suppressing and then elevating him, and a way of focusing on cultivating him.

"Xiaoqing, are you going to stay here?"

Before leaving Shiqiao Village, Xiao Mo went up Sheshan Mountain and asked Xiao Qing a question.

"Mmm." Xiaoqing nodded. "Elder Fuchen from the Tianxuan Sect taught me some techniques. I want to cultivate here and wait for my sister to wake up."

"Alright." Xiao Mo nodded. "If there's anything, just go to Magistrate Sun and have him inform me."

"Don't worry, Brother Xiao, it's nothing." Xiao Qing nodded.

"I am leaving."

"I'll see Brother Xiao off."

Xiaoqing escorted Xiao Mo down the mountain.

When Xiao Mo left Shiqiao Village, all the villagers and Magistrate Sun came to see him off.

Magistrate Sun patted Xiao Mo on the shoulder: "Xiao Mo, it was Mr. Zhang's idea to appoint you as the magistrate of an ordinary county in Liangzhou."

Xiao Mo's eyes widened slightly, then he nodded: "This junior understands."

"Do a good job, and your future is limitless." Magistrate Sun didn't need to say it explicitly; a smart person would understand immediately.

"Thank you for your guidance over the years, Lord Sun," Xiao Mo said gratefully.

"Have a safe journey. I look forward to seeing you shine in the imperial court." Magistrate Sun looked at the young man with a hint of reluctance.

Xiao Mo bowed deeply, boarded the carriage, and took up his post as the magistrate of Jianshui County.

"Father, why don't you mention my marriage to him?" After Xiao Mo left, Miss Sun walked over with dissatisfaction. "Miss Bai has gone off to cultivate, can't I be the wife of the top scholar?"

"Stop fooling around!" Lord Sun tapped his daughter on the head.

After arriving in Jianshui County, Xiao Mo did not go to the government office immediately, but stayed at an inn in Jianshui County for a few days.

Xiao Mo learned from the local people about the reputation of the previous county magistrate, whether there were any local bullies or notorious clans, and what the leaders of these clans were like.

After learning the truth, Xiao Mo could only sigh that being the magistrate of Jianshui County was indeed not an easy job.

Having learned more about the situation, Xiao Mo went to the government office, completed the handover procedures, and officially took office.

Xiao Mo immediately summoned the core team of the county government and expressed his humble attitude that he was "newly arrived and relies on everyone".

The others thought that although this top scholar was young, he was very shrewd and could make money with them.

But they soon realized they were wrong.

Xiao Mo began to peruse the household registers, the fish-scale registers, the money and grain ledgers, the criminal case files, and the official documents.

Then, they would form factions within the government offices and county towns, supporting their own factions while simultaneously attacking others.

Establish rules and regulations, bestow favors, audit funds and grain, review criminal cases, rectify taxes and corvée labor, and eliminate redundant expenses.

They supported local powerful families while simultaneously suppressing them, employing both harsh measures and ruthless tactics.

Xiao Mo quickly established his prestige.

In less than four years, while the politics of Jianshui County may not be as clean as water, at least no one dared to act arrogantly.

A nursery rhyme goes like this—

The sun shines, the clouds drift. Good fortune arrives in Jianshui County.

Magistrate Xiao was highly capable. He repaired irrigation canals and built bridges across rivers.

Fight off wolves and protect lambs. Judge cases with utmost clarity.

Taxes are reduced, new seedlings are planted. The granaries are full, and joy abounds.

The character is written in ink, and the tune is peaceful.

After five years in office, Xiao Mo was transferred from Jianshui County and promoted to Xueyang County in Qingyang Prefecture.

On the day he left office, the people saw him off for ten miles, all weeping and trying to persuade him to stay.

Before heading to Xueyang County, Xiao Mo returned to Shiqiao Village to visit old friends and then to pay a visit to the new county magistrate.

The former magistrate Sun was also promoted, mainly because Xiao Mo mentioned magistrate Sun a few times in his letters to Zhang Qianzhi.

Xiao Mo came to Sheshan to visit Ruxue and Xiaoqing.

Xiaoqing has grown quite a bit taller now and has the air of a young woman.

However, Xiaoqing's cultivation level is not as high as her sister's. Currently, Xiaoqing's cultivation level should be at the Dragon Gate Realm.

Xiaoqing thought that after five years, Brother Xiao would have already married, but he hasn't.

"Have you found someone you like these past few years, Brother Xiao?"

In the courtyard, Xiao Mo and Xiao Qing had a rare meal together.

Xiao Mo shook his head and said with a smile, "I've been too busy with official duties to think about those things."

Xiaoqing lowered her head: "Brother Xiao, if I were here, I wouldn't want you to be alone forever."

Xiao Mo didn't say anything, but just put some food on Xiao Qing's plate: "Eat more, you've lost weight in the four or five years we haven't seen each other." Xiao Qing's mouth opened slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she just closed it.

A few days later, Xiao Mo took office in Xueyang County as the county magistrate.

The prefect of Xueyang County was very polite to Xiao Mo.

Everyone knows that Xiao Mo is Zhang Qianzhi's disciple, who is also the current prime minister's junior brother. He is also appreciated by His Majesty. His poems "When Will the Moon Be Bright?" and "Ode to the Spring Li Palace" from the imperial examination have spread throughout the Qi Kingdom.

It is even said that the current "Decree of Grace" was originally written by Xiao Mo.

Not to mention that in recent years, Xiao Mo's reputation has soared, and the people have been seeing him off for miles, which has become a local legend. His Majesty has long been aware of this.

Xiao Mo's future is limitless!

For the first few months of his tenure as Prefect, Xiao Mo spent his time familiarizing himself with local affairs, making friends with some prominent families and clans, and understanding the personalities of his subordinates and superiors.

Talk less and listen more.

Once Xiao Mo feels it's about time, he will officially take over.

Xiao Mo was a humble person, and usually appeared as a refined scholar.

However, when Xiao Mo gets down to business, he is decisive and efficient, and even has a rather unconventional style.

In the second year of Xiao Mo's tenure as Prefect, a great plague struck Xueyang Prefecture!
An unknown plague spread throughout Xueyang County. Those infected suffered from fever, nausea, vomiting, boils, and eventually died of diarrhea.

The governor of Xueyang County had never encountered anything like this before and was immediately flustered.

Xiao Mo stepped forward to take charge, sealing off the county town with patients, allowing entry but not exit.

All supplies could only be delivered to the city gate, and then transported in by people inside the city.

Xiao Mo made a living by collecting herbs from a young age. As he grew up, he also read some medical books and learned some medical skills.

He personally went to examine the symptoms and, after finding the cause, Xiao Mo promoted the idea that cold water should not be consumed directly but must be boiled. He also divided the infected individuals into different zones and established various epidemic prevention guidelines.

The physicians and cultivators sent by the imperial palace arrived in Xueyang County and provided a solution, but the medicinal herbs in his prescription were too expensive. Expensive herbs meant limited quantities, making it impossible for many people to use them.

Therefore, Xiao Mo tried his best to find alternative herbs and personally tasted hundreds of herbs with that physician cultivator.

Anyway, with the medical cultivators around, I won't die from eating them.

Finally, Xiao Mo extracted an element from the "White Snow Flower" that proved effective in treating the disease!
For nearly half a year, Xiao Mo slept less than two and a half hours a day, spending all his free time among the patients.

The physician was already prepared to treat Xiao Mo.

But Xiao Mo still didn't get sick.

Although Xiao Mo possesses the fortune of mountains and rivers, such fortune does not protect officials from death, illness, or disease.

All I can say is that he's really lucky.

Five and a half months later, the plague in Xueyang County was eradicated.

The people could see everything Xiao Mo did.

The people spontaneously built a shrine in Xiao Mo's honor.

Although Xiao Mo was only the second-in-command of Xueyang County, most ordinary people had forgotten who the top leader of Xueyang County was.

As for the governor of Xueyang County, he naturally had no objections whatsoever.

Because he knew that Xiao Mo's future achievements would not be in the local area, but in the high halls of power.

On the contrary, Xiao Mo refused several times, but the people just wouldn't listen.

So in various places in Xueyang County, a shrine was erected, and the shrine depicted a scholar holding a book in one hand and herbs in the other.

Xiao Mo could clearly feel that more and more of the mountain and river's fortune was being bestowed upon him.

"The Yellow River's waters come from the sky, rushing to the sea never to return."

Once, Xiao Mo went to kill a ferocious beast in Xueyang County in order to test his skills as an official.

As Xiao Mo finished reciting a poem, the sky shattered, revealing the illusory Yellow River, which directly washed away the ferocious beast, reducing it to dust.

However, afterwards, Xiao Mo felt that a lot of the mountain and river luck on his body had dissipated, and it took several days to return to its original level.

Two years later, the former governor of Xueyang County was transferred to Qingyang Prefecture, and Xiao Mo became the governor of Xueyang County.

During Xiao Mo's three years in office, Xueyang County was peaceful and harmonious, with households leaving their doors unlocked at night and no one picking up lost items on the road.

The people of Xueyang County hope that Prefect Xiao can continue to serve.

In Xueyang County, Prefect Xiao was like a beacon of justice.

But what puzzles many people is...

Prefect Xiao is already in his twenties; he should have been married long ago.

But why is Prefect Xiao always alone?

In fact, many aristocratic families in Xueyang County were also puzzled, thinking that Xiao Mo had not found a suitable partner, so they introduced their daughters to Xiao Mo one after another.

However, Xiao Mo politely declined them all.

Later, more and more news about Xiao Mo spread among the people.

It turns out that Prefect Xiao came from a poor family and couldn't even be considered a poor scholar.

Prefect Xiao had a childhood sweetheart. The two were inseparable since childhood, grew up together, and depended on each other for survival.

After the two grew up together, Prefect Xiao passed the imperial examination and achieved official rank, but his childhood sweetheart left with an immortal to cultivate, thus separating the mortal and immortal realms.

However, Prefect Xiao waited for her to return and did not want to marry any other woman.

The story of "Prefect Xiao" spread far and wide, and was even written into vernacular novels by many scholars, becoming widely circulated.

Faced with these embellished stories, Xiao Mo was somewhat amused and exasperated.

"Sir, the osmanthus tea you requested has been brought to you."

At the Xueyang County Prefectural Governor's residence, Xiao Mo was reading a book when two maids carrying two packets of tea entered the courtyard.

"Hmm." Xiao Mo flipped through the pages of the book without looking up. "Did you pay?"

"Yes, sir," Cai Die nodded.

Wangyue added, "At first, Manager Li was unwilling to accept it, but after much persuasion, I finally got it agreed."

"That's good, you can go now."

"Yes, sir." The two maids bowed and put down the tea leaves, but they did not leave immediately; instead, they pushed each other.

Xiao Mo raised his head and looked at Cai Die and Wang Yue: "Is there anything else?"

"No," Cai Die quickly shook her head, "This servant is fine."

Xiao Mo smiled and said, "So you're just going to stand there and not leave?"

"This servant..." Cai Die blushed and mustered her courage to say, "Master, may this servant...may this servant ask you something?"

"Ah."

Wang Yue quickly said, "Master, there have been rumors lately that a childhood sweetheart of yours has joined a celestial sect, and that you have not married yet, waiting for her to return. Is this true?"

Actually, it was only because Cai Die and Wang Yue thought their master was approachable that they dared to ask such a question.

But this doesn't mean they don't respect Xiao Mo. On the contrary, she thinks her husband is the best man in the world.

The gentleman described in books as gentle and refined is nothing more than this.

Xiao Mo shook his head: "Those rumors are all too outrageous, and not much of them are true."

"Then why haven't you married, sir?" the two maids asked, their eyes full of doubt.

Xiao Mo smiled, rolled up the book, and tapped each person on the head:
Because
A very foolish woman fell asleep.

I'm waiting for her to wake up.

(End of this chapter)