Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 605 - 2: Examination at the Li Fire Daoist Academy (Da Zhang 12,000)_2

Chapter 605: Chapter 2: Examination at the Li Fire Daoist Academy (Da Zhang 12,000)_2

In addition, Wang Shiyang had also reviewed the case file.

The document officer had already clarified the whole situation to him.

Why did Song Ji detain Zong Shichang?

The reason was that Zong Shichang had drunk alcohol during an official meeting, so he was arrested under the pretext of dereliction of duty to vent his anger.

What anger was being vented, you may ask? When Zong Shichang managed the flood control in Nanliu County, he chose not to flood the areas downstream where the peasants lived, but instead damaged the Song Family’s farmland.

But he was the Prefectural Governor, and Zong Shichang’s actions were in line with Wang Shiyang’s interests.

Being a large clan, the Song Family had strong capabilities to withstand natural disasters; after the floods, they just lost some money.

But if the ordinary people were flooded out, left homeless, starved to death, died from disease... would he still get promoted?

Wang Shiyang was utilitarian, but that didn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t a good official. If he had to choose, he would also support what Zong Shichang did.

In addition, Wang Shiyang was extremely disgusted with Song Ji at this moment.

A perfectly good banquet was ruined by this piece of dog shit named Song Ji, leaving a bad impression on Zhao Xing; let alone helping, Wang Shiyang even felt an urge to kill him.

"Zhao Xing, care to take a walk elsewhere?" Wang Shiyang asked.

"At your command." Zhao Xing followed Wang Shiyang and left the Inspection Bureau.

Following behind, He Xian sighed internally, feeling that this matter was far from over.

It was just letting off steam for now, but who knew how it would end later.

...

Indeed, the matter was far from being settled. Zhao Xing had let off steam, but how to end it, he had to ask for Zong Shichang’s opinion.

As the chief, he accompanied Wang Shiyang on inspections across various institutions of Nanyang County, listening to Wang Shiyang talk about his aspirations and ideals.

Meanwhile, his clone remained on the Flying Boat, accompanying Zong Shichang.

"Shichang, the one who came with me, is Brother Long from Marquis Yunxiao. You’ve seen him before, but you may not be familiar with him," Zhao Xing said.

"As for Mr. Chen, you’ve known him for a long time, so I need not introduce him further. Mr. Chen is now Marquis Yuan Zhen, also a top sixth-rank official."

"What? The West Mountain guy has become a marquis too?"

Zong Shichang, who had just finished washing up, was still groggy and hadn’t noticed Chen Shijie and Brother Long had already walked in.

"Cough cough..." Zhao Xing hurriedly interjected.

"Ah, student, greeting Mr. Chen, Mr. Chen." Zong Shichang quickly paid his respects.

"Am I not the West Mountain guy?" Chen Shijie said, half-smiling at Zong Shichang, "Don’t be insincere, Mr. Zong."

Zong Shichang wished he could find a hole to crawl into.

"Kid, that guy named Song something was beaten into a pig’s head by Zhao Xing," Brother Long said. "Feeling relieved? If not, I can help you beat him again tomorrow."

"Not relieved!" Zong Shichang fumed. "That bastard detained me for seven days, not allowing me to sleep. How could one beating be enough?"

"However, you don’t need Brother Long to do it; I have people in my house who can beat him up. It’s just a matter of compensating some medical expenses, and I can afford that!"

"Don’t," Brother Long said. "Call me for such good deeds. I am a Sword Cultivator, I guarantee I’d strike him a hundred blows, and he’d still end up with just minor injuries."

"Huh?" Zong Shichang was stunned.

"If you’re not satisfied, let Brother Long do it," Zhao Xing said. "Your own family definitely can’t hit as well as he can, they might go too far."

It was one thing to vent your anger, but killing was not allowed.

There were many ways to deal with the Song Family.

"Oh, okay, that sounds good." Zong Shichang answered, but then something seemed off.

He suddenly slapped his forehead, "Hold on, how did you become a marquis? And a regular sixth-rank too! How many years has it been?"

"Also, you said you beat him into a pig’s head? Weren’t the Prefectural Governor and the Prefecture Chief present at that time? You beat him in front of them? Did they not say anything?"

Zong Shichang’s mind was filled with questions, finally realizing what was odd.

Zhao Xing and the other two were sixth-rank officials, but Song Ji was also a sixth-rank official. Did Wang Shiyang just cater to them?

"Let’s talk more when we get back; you haven’t slept for days and nights, right? Get some rest first, and you’ll understand everything when you wake up," Zhao Xing said with a smile.

"Okay." Zong Shichang was indeed tired, and the moment he lay down, he fell into a deep sleep.

...

In Nanyang County, at the Song Family.

Song Chengde, the Song Family Master, was leisurely lying under a grapevine, with two maids massaging his legs and shoulders.

Song Chengde’s ancestors had once been fourth-rank officials, but after two reigns, the family gradually declined, coupled with continuous divisions of the family assets.

In his generation, there were only two relatives who were fifth-rank officials, and they were even serving in other regions.

The local official circles were only supported by Song Ji, a lone sixth-rank inspector from the Inspection Bureau.

In recent years, there were recurring floods every year. Summers were damp and stifling, and they also had to deal with an incompetent Zong Shichang, always clashing with the Song Family.

He would come to the Song Mansion to shout abuses now and then, even wandering around the Song Family’s ancestral lands.

Now that Zong Shichang was detained, he finally had some peaceful days.

"Master, people from the Zong Mansion have come again," a steward reported at that moment.

"Don’t see them!" Song Chengde huffed, "They need to teach that Zong youngster a lesson; he still dares to lecture me when his hair hasn’t even grown full. He even comes to preach to me."

"Not seeing them, no matter what gifts they bring!"

"No, master, Zong Shichang has been released," the steward said urgently, "Second Young Master Song has been beaten into a pig’s head; now the Zong Mansion has come to seek retribution."

"Zong Shichang has been released, and my brother’s been beaten? And the Zong Mansion has come to seek retribution?" Song Chengde was first stunned, then roared: "Nonsense! What madness are you spewing in broad daylight! Have you drunk horse urine? How could you be so drunk!"

The steward, having no choice, explained repeatedly.

After several emphases, Song Chengde finally believed it.

"Zong Shichang has a schoolmate who spent four years in the military and has become a legitimate sixth-rank official and even been ennobled as a marquis?"

"The Tower Ship Department even sent the Xia Guang Ship to escort him back, and Wang Shiyang is courting his favor. Wow, he must have a powerful background," Song Chengde involuntarily gasped.