Cheng Xu: "Oh? For example?"
Liang Shixian didn't really want to bring up the "Donglin" faction, but he had no other choice at the moment. He could only declare clearly, "This official once attended lectures at the Donglin Academy. I am friends with the various great scholars who lecture there."
Cheng Xu pretended to be greatly startled. "You… you're a Donglin partisan?"
"The Donglin Academy!" Liang Shixian's voice rose an octave. "Gentlemen form friendships, not factions. We are not some 'Donglin party'; we merely discussed classics and formed some good friendships at the academy."
Cheng Xu's facial muscles twitched. Good thing he wore a mask; no one could see.
Back when he was "branded as a eunuch faction associate" and attacked by the Imperial Guard, nearly losing his life—though the emperor was ultimately responsible, the emperor had used the civil official clique's hand to do it. Didn't that mean the Donglin faction did it?
He still held quite a grudge against the Donglin faction in his heart.
But this Liang Shixian person… seemed a bit different from the rest.
Cheng Xu didn't know whether he should be angry at him or not!
Forget it. Set aside personal grievances. Handle Tianzun's task first.
Cheng Xu said gravely, "Fine, I believe you have backing. But with just your words, no proof, I still can't trust you. What if you trick me into coming down the mountain, and two hundred axemen rush out from behind a screen? I'd die without knowing how."
Liang Shixian was both amused and exasperated. Two hundred axemen behind a screen? You've listened to too many storytellers. Where would a seventh-rank county magistrate get two hundred axemen?
However, the other party's words showed flexibility, no doubt about it.
Liang Shixian cupped his hands. "General, please rest assured. This official still values his reputation. If I were to go back on my word, I myself would have no face to see the local elders and fellow villagers."
"No, no, I don't trust you." Cheng Xu: "Anyway, I absolutely won't be stupid enough to lay down my weapons. You can state your terms. I'll consider them, but I won't necessarily act on them."
"No need to lay down weapons." Liang Shixian: "I merely wish to ask the General for a favor. If bandits invade our Chengcheng, could the General help… defend against them…"
Cheng Xu looked sideways. "Using me?"
Liang Shixian: "Ai, this can't be called 'using.' If the General can help Chengcheng defeat some bandits or rebels, wouldn't it be easier for this official to plead for leniency on your behalf in the future? This is also… a path to survival for you, General. Don't you think that makes sense?"
Cheng Xu pretended to consider for a while, then snorted and turned to leave. "Fine! That's settled then! You can set up a large bell at Bai Family Fort at the foot of the mountain. When you need to find me, ring the bell loudly. I'll naturally send someone down to Bai Family Fort to ask what you want."
Liang Shixian was overjoyed. "Then I'll trouble the General."
Cheng Xu snorted, turned, and left. He didn't want to stay long because Tianzun the Venerable One wasn't here! He couldn't see Tianzun's low-hanging cloud in the sky. This damned place was too dangerous.
Only after he vanished into the woods did Liang Shixian and Fang Wushang exchange a glance.
Fang Wushang: "Magistrate Liang, do you think this man is trustworthy?"
Liang Shixian sighed. "In his last sentence, he stopped using 'this old man' and switched to 'I'. Just based on that, I think he will help us."
The blunt Fang Wushang was baffled. "That subtle?"
Liang Shixian spread his hands. "Let's go. Back to the county town."
---
Watching this, Li Daoxuan chuckled. So it's settled.
From now on, whether bandits or some rebel group shows up, the Gao Village militia can go out to fight under the identity of "Guyuan rebels." No more need to hide or worry about illegal equipment or weapons.
After fighting, they can just retreat into Huanglong Mountain, and the authorities would be helpless.
This Huanglong Mountain is documented in history books!
Several major roving bandits in history, once unable to withstand government suppression, would hide in Huanglong Mountain. The authorities would search but couldn't find them, utterly powerless.
(Ming Context: Huanglong Mountain was a notorious rebel sanctuary. Its rugged, forested terrain across multiple counties made coordinated military sweeps nearly impossible, allowing rebel groups to survive, regroup, and strike again—a constant headache for Ming authorities and a key factor in the longevity of many late-Ming rebellions.)
The only downside is that his field of vision still can't enter the mountains, and Wang Zuogua from Yichuan is still holed up somewhere inside. No idea where he's hiding.
He was lost in these random thoughts when suddenly, his phone rang.
Picking it up, an unfamiliar number: "Hello, who is this?"
"Hello, may I ask if you are Mr. Li Daoxuan, the author of the video series 'Daily Life in a Miniature Kingdom'?"
Hearing the speaker's very measured, slightly official-sounding tone, Li Daoxuan grew curious. "You are?"
"I am Director Gao from the Chengcheng County Culture and Tourism Bureau." The other party's tone sounded sincere. "I saw the video you posted online, 'Chengcheng Hand-Torn Noodles.' It's truly excellent! Using a unique perspective to showcase the process of making our Chengcheng hand-torn noodles. And in the end, the miniatures combine all the noodles they made, only to fill a tiny mineral water bottle cap. Haha, so imaginative! Full marks for special effects, and full marks for promotional effect too."
Li Daoxuan: "Ah, you flatter me. But what is this call about?"
Director Gao said, "Ahem, it's like this. I hope to get authorization for this video, then post it on our Chengcheng County official website for promotion. That way, I'm sure many people will come to love our Chengcheng hand-torn noodles. We might even take off like Zibo's barbeque, bringing some tourism income to the people of Chengcheng County."
(Modern Trivia: Zibo, a city in Shandong, China, experienced a massive, unexpected tourism boom in 2023 centered around its local barbeque culture, driven largely by social media virality and effective local government promotion. It became a textbook case of how a specific regional food item could fuel an entire local economy.)
"I see." Li Daoxuan laughed. "If it can help develop Chengcheng's tourism industry and help the common people prosper, I'm very willing. Free authorization, I won't charge a cent."
Director Gao was overjoyed. "This… this is really too kind of you. I'll send you the electronic authorization contract soon, and we'll get it settled quickly. Once we're set up, please come check out the Chengcheng Culture and Tourism Bureau's Douyin account."
Li Daoxuan smiled. "Sure, I'll definitely come show my support."
After hanging up, the electronic contract arrived quickly. Li Daoxuan "e-signed" his name and sent it back. He couldn't help but smile. Who would have thought? People from ancient Chengcheng County are helping modern Chengcheng County develop its tourism industry in this bizarre way. What a fantastical twist.
Li Daoxuan also genuinely felt happy about being able to help the people of Chengcheng County.
Right, might as well check out the Chengcheng Culture and Tourism Bureau's Douyin account now…
The moment he opened it, he saw the rather unattractive Director Gao, a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in women's clothing, performing a sword dance.
Swish, swish, swish! Sword flowers flew, the posture unbearable to look at.
After finishing, he struck a pose: "Welcome to Chengcheng County for travel."
Pfft!
Li Daoxuan nearly spat out a mouthful of his spicy Sichuan dumplings.