The Demonic World I designed-Chapter 58 - 56 Set Routine

58: Chapter 56: Set Routine

58 -56: Set Routine

Compared to Lyuzhou City, Luling County has been exceptionally bustling recently.

Many of those who fled Lyuzhou ended up retreating to local county cities, and Luling County, as the birthplace of Lyuzhou’s educational prestige, naturally became a temporary refuge for many scholars.

In the past few days, the newly appointed County Magistrate, Gu Beiquan, had been exceptionally busy, with his most important task being to entertain those scholars who had once gained fame teaching in Lyuzhou Prefecture.

It was said there were small banquets every three days and large banquets every five, which underscored Luling County’s high regard for these scholars.

As the local parent official, his approach could be described as exceedingly humble.

And so, bright and early, he set out with the local specialties he brought from the Capital City, planning to pay a visit to Master Feng.

This was the scholar he most wished to retain.

Before arriving, he had heard that Master Feng, originally named Feng Haonian, was an Imperial Scholar of the previous dynasty, boasted an exceptional reputation in Jiangnan, and had declined several invitations to serve as an official from the new Imperial Court.

Although his status was not quite on the same level as Master Huang’s during the infamous Water Ghost incident, he was still a well-known Great Confucian!

After being invited by the Prefectural Governor to teach in Nanming Prefecture, his students were scattered throughout Jiangnan, and in the span of twenty years, he had taught no fewer than fifty Imperial Scholars.

Each Lyuzhou County Magistrate had treated him with the utmost respect.

Ebullient, Gu Beiquan had his servants carry gifts to the threshold, but on arrival, he found someone already waiting at the door, which made him frown and turn to his servant, saying, “Go and find out, who is it?”

At his command, the servant hurriedly went to inquire and returned half a quarter of an hour later to report in a low voice beside his master’s sedan, “Master, I’ve inquired.

It’s a traveling merchant, here with the intention to buy Master Feng’s property in Lyuzhou.”

Upon hearing ‘traveling merchant,’ Gu Beiquan initially wanted to dismiss the person impatiently, but the mention of an interest in buying Master Feng’s property in Lyuzhou gave him pause, “Property in Lyuzhou…

are there still people buying?”

That haunted place, where even dogs wouldn’t wish to go right now, correct?

“This….

I do not know either….”

While they were talking, the steward of the house had already come out to invite both parties in.

As a newly-appointed top-scoring Imperial Scholar and a county official, Gu Beiquan was reluctant to appear on equal footing with a traveling merchant, but thinking that the latter sought to buy Master Feng’s real estate in Lyuzhou, he somewhat restrained his displeasure.

Since Master Feng was willing to meet with the other party, he must have been considering selling his house.

If the house in Lyuzhou were sold, Gu Beiquan’s chances of convincing him to stay would be greater, given that Luling County was Master Feng’s hometown.

With these thoughts, both groups were slowly ushered into the grand hall of the residence.

———————————-

“My lord, I think the County Magistrate of Luling is quite sincere.

What are you still hesitating for?

What’s not good about Luling County?”

In the bedroom, Master Feng’s wife was helping him dress while she asked.

“What do you know?” Master Feng glanced at his wife dismissively: “Though the education in Luling isn’t bad, after all, it is merely a single county.

How could it compare to Lyuzhou?”

“Lyuzhou’s academy has a reputation carved out by us, a group of old fellows, with over twenty years of hard work.

Aside from the Provincial Government Office school in Nan Ming Prefecture, where else in Jiangnan can match it?

The students we normally admit are the top prospects from Jiangnan.

How many good students can Luling County, no matter how outstanding the people and rich the land, actually have?”

“With inferior students, even the best scholars would struggle to produce even one Imperial Scholar.

If several years pass without producing an Imperial Scholar, what would become of your husband’s reputation?”

“This….” Upon hearing this, Mrs.

Feng also hesitated, but thinking of the County Magistrate’s recent flattery, she still advised, “Didn’t the Lord County Magistrate promise to prioritize allocating good students to you?”

“Foolish!” Master Feng let out a cold laugh: “That young county official is short-sighted, seeking petty advantages.

He only thinks of undermining Lyuzhou’s foundation to boost his own educational achievements.

Has he considered that without Lyuzhou, could Luling ever hold its current status?”

“He gives me the best students, but what about the local scholars?

Those scholars have been in Luling County for many years, with substantial connections and respectable status.

If I offend them all upon arrival, how would I get by later?

Relying on that shortsighted County Magistrate?

He’ll wash his hands of it all and be gone as soon as his three-year term ends.

What will I do then?”

“Ah….” Mrs.

Feng instantly realized the implication and quickly changed her tune, “That new County Magistrate is a no-good scoundrel, scheming against my lord like this!”

“Enough!” Master Feng let out a sigh, “Wait until we go out to see the County Magistrate.

You mustn’t say anything; I will handle it.”

“Then, my lord, if we’re not staying here, where shall we go?”

“We’ll see…

I’ve already sent letters to some friends in Nan Ming Prefecture to see if it’s possible to secure a teaching position there.”

“Nan Ming Prefecture?” Mrs.

Feng’s eyes lit up, “That’s more like it!

It’s certainly better than staying in a county town like Luling.”

“It’s not easy there either…” Master Feng’s countenance remained somber; though Nan Ming Prefecture was favorable, it housed many famous scholars.

In Lyuzhou’s academy, he was among the top-ranking scholars.

It would be different in Nan Ming, especially for someone from out of town trying to integrate.

It was not going to be simple.

Alas…

he never would have thought that Master Huang, with whom he had worked for two decades, turned out to be a demon.

What are these times coming to…?

Thus pondering, Master Feng, now properly attired, did not delay further and swiftly headed to the hall to receive the guests.

Although he did not think highly of the new County Magistrate, he had to show some respect since he was the local parent official and a top-scoring scholar.

“I kept County Magistrate Gu waiting…”

“Not at all, not at all!” Gu Beiquan quickly stood up to perform the courtesy, “It is I who have disturbed the master’s rest.”

“My lord, where are such words needed, please have a seat, please have a seat…”

After exchanging pleasantries, Master Feng looked towards another large man who had stood and saluted, asking, “Is this gentleman the head of the Gu family who wishes to purchase the residence?”

Upon hearing this, Gu Beiquan’s face twitched.

He had reciprocated a few words with the affable intentions of the other party just before, but knowing that the other party was actually named Gu Bei, his mood soured.

What sort of lowly merchant also deserved to carry this name?

“Forgive the intrusion, Master…” Gu Bei heh heh laughed.

“There’s no intrusion to speak of…” The master sipped his tea while scrutinizing the other, “Since the head of the Gu family is a sea merchant, don’t you know about the current situation in Lyuzhou?”

“Oh…

that thing…” Gu Bei’s eyes darted about as he chuckled, “I don’t care about that; I’ve wanted to buy a good residence in Lyuzhou for years.

Now the opportunity is rare, and as for that messy monster, it’s not worth mentioning.

Over the years, I’ve killed I don’t know how many Water Ghosts at sea.

Would I be afraid of some ghost puppet?”

Gu Beiquan, sitting nearby, nearly choked on his tea after hearing this, thinking to himself: This uncultured oaf…

Nevertheless, he tried his best to suppress the mockery in his heart and said nothing since he was hoping this deal would go through.

Master Feng, however, looked at him with a smiling face, “The head of the Gu family has traveled far and wide for so many years, indeed broad-minded.”

Compared to the younger Gu Beiquan, Master Feng was more cautious.

He had encountered many sea merchants before, and although these people had experienced more than the average peasant, they were even more fearful of monsters, knowing very well how terrifying they could be.

How could they be so nonchalant as this man before him?

After considering for a while, he tentatively said, “Purchasing my residence is not impossible, but as I left in a hurry last time, I left many old possessions there; I would need to retrieve them before selling.”

“There’s no need for trouble!” Gu Bei hurriedly waved his hand, “Master, you just handle the deed transfer to me.

Just let me know what items you need, and I’ll have someone deliver them to you intact.”

Seeing this, Gu Beiquan beside him echoed the offer: “This man is indeed forthright.

If the master feels inconvenienced, I can also send people to help the master fetch the items.”

“There’s no need to trouble you with that, my lord…” Master Feng laughed, but more questions arose in his heart.

Could it be that this Mr.

Gu… really doesn’t want me to go to Lyuzhou?

There’s something afoot!

“How about this, I am planning to go back to Lyuzhou anyway.

I’ll tidy up the items.

Since the head of the Gu family intends to buy the house, how about joining me on the journey?”

“This…” Gu Bei’s face suddenly turned unsightly, then he forced a smile and said, “Then…

perhaps we can first sign the deed, Master?”

Seeing how eager the other party was, Master Feng became more certain and smiled, “No hurry, no hurry, we can discuss this in Lyuzhou.”

“How about this, the head of the Gu family should go back and prepare; I have some matters to discuss with the Lord County Magistrate, and we shall depart for Lyuzhou in the afternoon,” then without waiting for an objection, he directly addressed the steward beside him, “Old Yang, see the guests out…”

“Master, you…

hey hey hey, don’t push, don’t push, I know to leave, but Master, you must think it through.

Nowadays, Lyuzhou real estate is such that even dogs don’t come sniffing; it will be difficult for you to sell if you miss this opportunity.”

“There’s no need for the head of the Gu family to worry about this…” Master Feng responded indifferently while sipping his tea, though his desire to visit Lyuzhou grew stronger.

Could it be that there’s a turn of events in Lyuzhou?

——————————————

“My lord, are we going to Master Zhao’s place?”

After Gu Beiquan left the house, the steward quickly approached and asked.

The look on the master’s face was not very good.

Could it be that things didn’t go well?

“To Master Zhao’s house!” Gu Beiquan frowned and boarded the carriage.

Master Feng’s dismissiveness towards him seemed greater than before—could he have found another buyer?

If he indeed failed to retain the deal, he must at least secure the other masters.

With these thoughts, Gu Beiquan constantly urged the coachman to go faster.

In less than a quarter of an hour, they arrived at Master Zhao’s residence.

But upon arrival, the words of the steward at the door stunned him.

“Master Zhao has gone to Lyuzhou?”

“Yes, Lord County Magistrate…” the steward hurriedly said, “This morning a man came wanting to buy the master’s Lyuzhou property, and after talking for a bit, the master suddenly decided to make a trip to Lyuzhou, and he left half an hour ago!”

“What?” Gu Beiquan was stunned, “Another buyer for the property?”