I Have A Qi Fortune Altar.
Chapter 601: 415 Farewell to Envoy Chen Qing!_3

Chapter 601: Chapter 415 Farewell to Envoy Chen Qing!_3

If he were to travel based on his Reach Profound Cultivation, he must not stop for a moment if he wished to arrive at the Capital of Central State from Tangshan within fifteen days, which made him harbor some resentment towards Emperor Jingtai, whom he had yet to meet.

Though he was displeased with Jingtai in his heart, he still had to press on his journey. With his Core Realm Cultivation, he could cross the State within seven days and reach the Capital.

And this did not even require much urgency.

Thus, Chen Yuan stayed a few more days in Tangshan and passed on many things to Lady Xu, fearing she might starve, he also specially made her an exclusive stir-fried roasted chicken.

The taste apparently was very good, as it left Lady Xu thoroughly satisfied, praising Chen Yuan’s stir-fried… roasted chicken, saying that the dish was superbly done. She had never imagined he possessed such culinary skills, and feared that she would not be hungry for several months. Chen Yuan also handed over all of his savings that he had accumulated over a long time to her…

After a two-day stay in Tangshan Prefecture, Chen Yuan decided not to delay any further and set out for the Capital, initially intending to leave quietly without alarming anyone.

He also did not wish for any further complications.

However, contrary to his expectations, the timing of his departure seemed to have been guessed by others. Early in the morning, the area in front of the city gates was filled with people, all of them common folks.

Most of them wore tattered clothes, but their eyes were exceptionally bright.

Thousands stood in silence, just waiting quietly outside the city, waiting for Chen Yuan to leave, wanting to see him off!

Objectively speaking, Chen Yuan hadn’t really taken extraordinary care of these civilians. Most of his time was spent on cultivation or being preoccupied with other matters.

He hadn’t had the spare time to champion the cause of the common people.

The deeds he had done were merely part of his appointed duties, yet to the lower-class citizens, it didn’t seem that way. They felt that Chen Yuan was indeed a good official advocating for the people.

Since Chen Yuan’s arrival in Tangshan,

those domineering gangs from Jianghu had vanished, corrupt officials who accepted bribes had become rare, Martial Artists no longer oppressed the ordinary people, and the government’s taxes had been significantly lowered.

He even opened porridge stalls outside the city to sustain the lives of those who could not afford food.

Isn’t such a person a good official?

Doesn’t such an official deserve to be called a “Green Envoy”?

Therefore, upon hearing the news that Chen Yuan was to be promoted to the Capital, the citizens’ hearts were torn between reluctance and joy for him, and in the end, it spontaneously erupted.

They gathered on their own to see Chen Yuan off.

Looking at the dark mass of people in front of him, Chen Yuan’s heart involuntarily trembled. He let out a deep breath and to be honest, he never really had the intention of being a good official.

The Jianghu gangs had disappeared because they blocked his path, attempting to unite to kill him, but ended up being thoroughly routed by Chen Yuan, with none spared. With the big fish dead,

the remaining small fry naturally didn’t dare to make a move.

The reason there were so few corrupt officials was that he had conducted a major purge in the administrative arena, replacing them with his own people. The newly appointed officials did not dare to overstep their bounds under his watchful eye.

But where water is too clean, no fish swim. Many people strive to become officials just to make money, don’t they?

After his departure, everything would gradually revert to its prior state. Right now, they were merely in awe of his power, but Chen Yuan did not have much interest in investigating this thoroughly.

As long as they were loyal and did not cross the line too egregiously, he wouldn’t take action.

The arrest of officials was mostly not due to corruption, but because they lost their backers…

As for the taxes, that was even more nonsensical. The reason Liu Zhengsong suggested reducing taxes to him was simply that Tangshan Prefecture’s taxes had been collected for the next twenty years by previous officials.

They couldn’t extract any more from the penniless peasants.

Their real targets were those families with some property, these powerful clans. They were the real ‘big fish’ with ample resources and were heavily taxed. However, due to limitations, most of the common people were unaware of this.

And the most widely acclaimed action, setting up porridge sheds to aid the population, was something Chen Yuan knew nothing about. It had all been done by Liu Zhengsong.

Yet it was attributed to Chen Yuan.

Moreover, the government did not establish porridge sheds to support idlers. Those who benefited were expected to work for the government, whether it was reclaiming farmland or building roads and cities.

Most of Liu Zhengsong’s achievements had been ascribed to Chen Yuan. This was partly because Liu Zhengsong was grateful for Chen Yuan’s favor, but a large part was because those storytellers had created too good an image of Chen Yuan.

He was portrayed as a reincarnated ‘Green Envoy’.

The less knowledgeable civilians, spreading word from one to ten, ten to a hundred, a hundred to a thousand, combined with changes around them, naturally mythologized Chen Yuan.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Yuan did not miss this good opportunity. With a solemn face, he bowed to the throng of citizens before him and said,

“As an official, I’m honored to have you, my fellow villagers, to send me off.”

“Chen Green Envoy.”

“Chen Green Envoy…”

A wave of chanting continued.

An aged figure with a cane, supported by several people, made his way to the front of the crowd, holding a colorful umbrella in his hand, and said,

“Chen Green Envoy, this is the Civilian Umbrella that we, the people of Tangshan, have prepared for the Green Envoy. We hope you will accept it.”

Chen Yuan slowly descended from the void and personally helped the elder. He said earnestly,

“I dare not refuse such a gift from an elder. Chen Yuan thanks you all.”

Then looking at everyone, he solemnly bowed and declared,

“I have accepted your sentiments, my dear fellow citizens. To have such citizens in Tangshan makes my passionate efforts worthwhile. Please… return home.”

After speaking, Chen Yuan stepped out and re-entered the void. Looking at a graceful figure in the distance gazing at him, he sent a message,

“Treat the people kindly.”

A good reputation was indeed necessary. Since this did not require much effort on his part, why wouldn’t he embrace it?

In the future, perhaps this public sentiment would serve as a significant aid to him.

Then, Chen Yuan took a deep breath and lifted off into the sky.

The dense crowd of thousands watched the departing streak of light, chanting in unison,

“Farewell, Chen Green Envoy!”

“Farewell, Chen Green Envoy…”

On that day, Chen Yuan left Tangshan, and his fame for being seen off by the citizens spread throughout Qingzhou…

————

The Monthly Tickets are a bit low, dropping to fifth in the Wuxia category. Brothers who still have tickets, please support me! We’re about to head to the Capital and start a new legend.

A great climax is coming soon…

Don’t nurture this book in silence…