Late Han Dynasty: Did the Yellow Emperor truly descend?

front hall.

As the sun began to set, the shadows cast by the light streaming in from outside the door gradually lengthened.

Li Sheng sat in the guest seat, his expression as usual, with his eyes closed as if resting.

Zhao Hu couldn't hold back any longer. He paced back and forth in the hall, his straw sandals making a dull thud on the blue bricks. After pacing back and forth several times, he finally couldn't contain himself and shouted in a low voice.

"Brother Sheng! How long has it been? What's with them leaving us hanging here? Give us a straight answer, whether they want to kill us or torture us. This waiting is so frustrating!"

Liu Lu also came over and scratched his head.

"Brother Sheng, Zhao Hu is right. Are these people in the government office playing a trick on us?"

Li Feng remained silent, but his gaze kept drifting towards the outside of the hall.

He was the most cautious of the group. Although he didn't speak, countless thoughts raced through his mind: Could it be the county magistrate mobilizing troops? Could someone come to arrest them soon?

He glanced at Li Sheng and saw that Brother Sheng had his eyes closed and his eyebrows hadn't twitched at all, which reassured him a little. But in the end, he couldn't help but lower his voice to a very low hue.

"Brother Sheng, could something unexpected happen?"

Li Sheng opened his eyes.

He glanced at Li Feng, his gaze calm, with even a faint smile playing on his lips.

"If they really wanted to arrest someone, they would have done it already. Why bother with all this trouble?"

He paused, then closed his eyes again.

"Just wait."

Zhao Hu listened and, although he thought it made sense, he still sighed several times.

Li Feng tugged at his sleeve, gesturing for him to sit down.

The hall fell silent again.

Another incense stick's time passed.

Footsteps came from under the corridor, neither hurried nor slow.

Li Sheng opened his eyes.

Chen Yuan appeared at the entrance of the front hall.

His steps were much more relaxed than when he arrived, and his expression was much more relaxed, no longer as tense as before. He walked to the main seat, sat down, picked up the newly replaced teacup on the table, slowly took a sip, and then looked at Li Sheng.

Li Sheng's gaze swept across Chen Yuan's face imperceptibly.

He noticed a few details.

There was a very faint sheen of oil at the corner of Chen Yuan's mouth, clearly indicating that he had just eaten.

When he picked up the teacup, his right index and middle fingers were slightly separated, a relaxed way of holding it, quite different from his previous tense posture.

His breathing was steady, and his chest rose and fell evenly, indicating that he had calmed down and was no longer troubled.

Li Sheng lowered his eyes, a sudden feeling of emotion welling up in his heart.

With such bureaucratic behavior, one can see the bigger picture from small details; the Han Dynasty is probably doomed.

Even at this hour, they were leisurely eating in the back courtyard; people were waiting downstairs, and they were left to linger unhurriedly. Only after they had eaten and drunk their fill did they slowly emerge to meet the guests.

Li Sheng remained outwardly calm, but a certain thought in his heart grew stronger.

Chen Yuan put down his teacup and spoke.

"Li Sheng, after a thorough interrogation by this county magistrate, your account of suppressing the bandits is true. The testimonies of the seven bandits have been verified and are consistent with your statement."

He paused, his tone softening slightly.

"You led the local militia to quell the bandits and capture the ringleaders, which is a meritorious service to the country. According to the county government's announcement, a reward will naturally be given."

He raised his hand and beckoned, and Wang Ru walked out from the side corridor, holding a wooden tray covered with a red cloth.

"This is a receipt issued by the county government."

Chen Yuan's voice was neither warm nor cold.

"Wang, the registrar, will take you to the storeroom to collect it later."

Li Sheng clasped his hands and bowed.

"Thank you, County Commandant."

Chen Yuan looked at him, then suddenly changed the subject.

"Wait a moment, I have some questions for you."

Li Sheng raised his head and calmly met his gaze.

Chen Yuan carefully considered his words.

"Li Sheng, with your bravery, it would be a waste to leave you in the countryside. Why not enlist in the county army to fight the Yellow Turbans in the north and make a name for yourself?"

Li Sheng was slightly taken aback.

This was beyond his expectations.

His original plan was very simple.

By escorting bandits to collect rewards, gaining fame, and receiving government endorsement, the local militia, having received rewards, would have a veneer of legitimacy in their future actions. At most, they would receive some more rewards and then return to continue training their troops.

He didn't expect Chen Yuan to recruit him directly.

However, he remained silent for a moment, then clasped his hands in a respectful greeting.

"I am deeply grateful for the county magistrate's kindness. However..."

He raised his head, his gaze calm.

"When I first organized this local militia, it was the elders of the village who elected me. More than a hundred households in Dongping Village entrusted their lives and fortunes to me. How could I abandon them for the sake of my future wealth and status?"

He spoke earnestly.

"The village is in turmoil, and I, a humble citizen, am deeply troubled. I hope the county magistrate will forgive me."

Chen Yuan was stunned.

He didn't expect Li Sheng to refuse.

It's important to understand that his recruitment efforts represented more than just the government.

The olive branch extended by the Chen family was something countless people in Xuzhou would have wanted, yet this humble countryman refused it.

Thinking of Chen Deng's comments, he re-examined Li Sheng and his gaze changed.

"If you are reluctant to leave your fellow villagers, this county magistrate will not force you."

He pondered for a moment, tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table, and suddenly spoke.

"How about this? I, the county magistrate, recommend you as the head of the pavilion under the jurisdiction of Dongping Village. In this way, you can both conveniently serve the country and fulfill your wish to protect your hometown. What do you say?"

Li Sheng was shocked.

Pavilion head.

A pavilion every ten miles governs approximately a thousand households.

Although not a high-ranking official, he was a legitimate village head, and with official status, his actions were justified. More importantly, the village head had the authority to command the able-bodied men under his jurisdiction and maintain order, which was exactly what he needed.

A perfectly timed look of surprise appeared on his face, and he respectfully clasped his hands and bowed.

"I am unworthy of such kindness from the county magistrate. Since I have been honored by the county magistrate's favor, I will do my utmost to live up to his trust."

Chen Yuan nodded and glanced at him again.

"There's one more thing."

"Please speak, County Commandant."

Chen Yuan didn't speak, but glanced to his side.

His clerks tactfully withdrew.

He glanced at Li Sheng's side again. But he saw that the other person was stunned and didn't make any move.

Chen Yuan thought to himself, "They really have no manners!"

He could only get straight to the point.

"What did you do with everything at Wangjiawubao?"

Li Sheng's heart stirred.

coming.

These powerful officials and local tyrants talk about protecting the territory and ensuring the safety of the people, but what they really care about is these things...

He remained outwardly calm and answered respectfully.

"Reporting to the county magistrate, on the day the bandits breached Wangjiawu Fortress, almost the entire Wang family was slaughtered. After I led the local militia to drive away the bandits, the land of those killed by the bandits was inherited by the local people."

He wasn't lying; he just expressed it in a different way.

Many members of the Wang family did indeed die, and the survivors were indeed relatives.

After all, in today's rural society, they are all considered relatives of the Wang family, no matter how you look at it.

After listening, Chen Yuan remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

He extended a finger and pointed it at Li Sheng.

"You really do have a chivalrous spirit."

His tone carried a hint of something indescribable.

Li Sheng took it as a compliment and smiled, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"The county magistrate is too kind."

Chen Yuan didn't say anything more, picked up his teacup, and covered half of his face with his sleeve.

"Go ahead. Registrar Wang will take you to collect your reward. The county clerk's document regarding the village head's matter will arrive in a few days."

Li Sheng bowed respectfully and, along with Li Feng, Liu Lu, Zhao Hu, and the others, withdrew from the front hall.

After receiving their reward, as they walked out of the county government gate, the setting sun was shining on the city wall, bathing the entire city of Xiapi in a golden glow.

Liu Lu let out a long breath and grinned.

"Brother Sheng! Village Chief! Our Brother Sheng is going to be the village chief!"

Zhao Hu chuckled and slapped Liu Lu on the back, making him stumble.

Li Feng did not laugh.

He walked beside Li Sheng, lowering his voice.

"Brother Sheng, what was that county lieutenant's last question...?"

Li Sheng glanced at him and nodded slightly.

"I know."

He didn't say much, turned around and looked in the direction of the county government office, his gaze heavy.

Chen Yuan appointed him as a village headman, undoubtedly hoping to win over this rising star from the countryside.

But it's okay.

The position of village head was exactly what he needed.

As for what happens next...

Li Sheng withdrew his gaze and strode towards the city gate.

"Let's go home."