Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 601 - 1: Return Home in Glory (Da Zhang Combined)_7

Chapter 601: Chapter 1: Return Home in Glory (Da Zhang Combined)_7

Looking at the spectacular scene around him, Long Xiao couldn’t help but swallow his saliva.

"Why are you staring at me?" Zhao Xing was also admiring the clouds when he noticed Long Xiao staring at him. "Hey, you don’t really want to become my disciple, do you?"

Long Xiao seemed like he genuinely wanted to kneel before Zhao Xing.

"If it’s like this in the Prefecture City, I’m afraid there will be even more officials currying favor with you in Nanyang County," Chen Shijie said.

It was imaginable that Shi Dezheng would spread this news below, instructing them to treat Marquis Yuan Rang appropriately.

"Not necessarily," Long Xiao said. "Shi Dezheng and Li Yan Cheng know the capabilities of his teacher, but the officials in Nanyang County might not be aware."

"What would a martial artist know about civil officers?" Chen Shijie said disdainfully. "If the Prefectural Governor of Nanyang County doesn’t come in person to the County City Ship Building Department to welcome us, I’ll twist off my head and give it to you as a chamber pot."

"Marquis Yuan Zhen has quite the presence; those who don’t know might think you are Marquis Yuan Rang, huh," Long Xiao muttered as he entered the ship’s cabin.

Talking with these guys is pointless. He went to play with the cats instead.

.....

Nanyang County, county government.

"Marquis Yuan Rang Zhao Xing is returning home?"

The Prefectural Governor of Nanyang, Wang Shiyang, looked up at the subordinate official who came to report.

"Yes, Lords Shi, Liu, and Li from the Prefecture City have personally sent letters," the document officer presented the letter.

The letter was informal correspondence, merely private communication between officials, not forming official documentation, nor needing archival.

But the content of the letter often contained important information.

Wang Shiyang, upon opening the letters from the senior officials in Prefecture City, saw.

They all talked about the same thing: Marquis Yuan Rang Zhao Xing, a disciple of a great military leader, even with a background that could lead to a royal title; he is returning home in glory, and must not be treated negligently.

The position of a Prefectural Governor in Nanyang County is usually fifth-class level, with occasionally a secondary fourth-rank, depending on the scale and prosperity of the county.

Wang Shiyang, a fifth-class ranked governor, naturally desired to advance, and this governorship could very well be his chance to move up to the fourth rank.

However, after a millennium of development, Nanyang County hadn’t made much progress in any area.

Advancing wouldn’t be easy, which meant leveraging connections could be necessary.

Wang Shiyang, always scheming for advancement, would not miss any opportunity now.

"When did he leave Prefecture City?"

"At the Si hour, two marks, aboard the Xia Guang Ship from the East Prefecture Building Ship Department. It is estimated to arrive in two hours at the earliest, and by the end of Noon at the latest," the document officer replied.

"Quick! Immediately notify all officials in the county government; all sixth-rank officials must arrive at the Eastern Tower Ship Department within two hours!"

"Ritual Officers, of eighth grade and above, must all be present."

"Dance Masters, musicians, and the honor guard, prepare according to the corresponding specifications; the higher the standard the better, as long as it is within protocol!"

"Also, quickly notify the Gucheng County Magistrate to make preparations for the reception, especially for the family of Marquis Yuan Rang; make sure to notify them in advance and order a few luxurious Vestment robes."

"Also send someone to clean up the ancestral home of the Zhao Family; Marquis Yuan Rang is returning in glory and will certainly want to pay respects to his ancestors."

"Yes, I will go now," the document officer, startled by Wang Shiyang’s unusual seriousness, immediately stood up to leave.

"Come back!" Wang Shiyang, after a moment of thought, called the man back.

"My lord, any other instructions?" the document officer asked.

"Go and check which close relatives and friends Marquis Yuan Rang has and see if he has had any recent disputes with anyone," Wang Shiyang whispered, "If there is any troublesome matter, report it immediately. Especially if it involves the government, it must be handled quickly, understand?"

"I understand," the document officer immediately rushed out again.

...

When Zhao Xing arrived at the Tower Ship Department on the eastern outskirts of Nanyang County, the sky was filled with colorful auspicious clouds and radiant light.

Fortunately, the area was not densely populated, and with the area already being cleared by the East Lake Army, only officials were waiting on the ground.

"Hmm~"

As a breeze blew by, the Sixth Rank Xia Guang ship slowly landed in the open area.

"Sound the drums, play the music!" Wang Shiyang commanded.

"Dong Dong Dong Dong Dong~"

The big drums sounded, and the music of strings and woodwinds played together.

Wang Shiyang took great pains, fearing Zhao Xing would not like the frivolous music, had specially selected several vigorous military pieces.

The Dance Masters were all practicing sword dances, each looking heroic and impeccably synchronized.

Amid the music and dance, the Ritual Officer also announced Zhao Xing’s military honors:

"Marquis Yuan Rang Zhao Xing, campaigned in the Southern Desolate, fought for four years, in the Sixteenth Year of Jingxin Calendar, broke through Fire Dragon Pass, in the Seventeenth Year of Jingxin, killed ten thousand enemies, breached the strongholds of the Southern Barbarians..."

At that moment, Zhao Xing first emerged from the ship aboard the Qilin Flying Boat.

The Qilin Flying Boat circled around, followed by the roaring of dragons and lions.

Two green-eyed Dragon Lions pulled a Bronze War Chariot, carrying Zhao Xing on stage.

Zhao Xing, with a sword at his side, wearing a tri-colored coronet and jade robes of a marquis, adorned with silver ribbons and a bronze seal, holding a marshal’s staff, stood on the chariot, framed by the radiant light, looking exceptionally majestic.

As for Long Xiao and Chen Shijie, they did not appear in this scene, still staying above on the ship.

Great Zhou soldiers returning to their homeland, high-ranking officials have grand ceremonials, and lower-ranking have their own, all to promote martial virtue.

At this moment, the ceremony belonged solely to Zhao Xing, as the other two were from other places.

"This makes me want to go back home and show off," Long Xiao said enviously, loving such lively events, but unfortunately, this festivity was not for him.

"Just for such vain glory, why bother going back home?" Chen Shijie said. "It’s quite a hassle."