Celestial Master： I Have an Otherworld-Chapter 299 - 99: Realm of Four Thunders (Part 2)

He dislikes the visitors from the government office the most. If they’re not asking Fang Mansion to do some work, they’re finding various excuses to ask for money, and he can’t refuse.

In short, there’s no visit without reason.

"Coming!"

With a sigh, he stood up from the soft chair and nodded towards Liu Qinghuan:

"I have something to do, I’ll go over and have a look."

"Alright." Liu Qinghuan nodded repeatedly, not daring to look at Fang Zheng:

"Go about your business."

*

*

*

County Government Office.

"Young Master Fang."

Lord Yan, the County Magistrate, had just seen off a guest. Seeing Fang Zheng coming, he hurriedly gestured:

"Sit, please sit."

"Lord Yan." Fang Zheng clasped his hands:

"After you."

"Ah!" The two were already well acquainted, so formalities were unnecessary. After sitting down, Lord Yan began with a light sigh, then said:

"As the parental official here, Yan takes great pains to ensure the people’s peace, using all his thoughts and efforts, yet there’s always endless matters to handle."

"Indeed." Fang Zheng nodded:

"Lord Yan works hard, the people of Gu’an County all commend you. I’ve heard that someone is already preparing the Ten Thousand People’s Umbrella to present when you leave office."

The Ten Thousand People’s Umbrella has now become quite common; every departing County Magistrate would receive a few, but it’s always a good omen.

"Really?" Lord Yan’s eyes brightened:

"They’re thoughtful people, it wasn’t in vain for Yan to labor thus far."

With a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, Fang Zheng strained the muscles on his face and clasped his hands to ask:

"Lord Yan, may I ask why you called on Fang today?"

"Hmm..." Lord Yan gently stroked his beard and slowly began:

"Young Master Fang, could it be regarding the South Dam located at the boundary between Gu’an County and Santai County?"

Indeed!

Knew it was about this matter.

"Aware."

Nodding, Fang Zheng said:

"Fang owns some agricultural land nearby. Speaking of which, it was thanks to the Lord’s help that I acquired the industry left by the Ren Family."

With Ren Family’s downfall, several wealthy households in Gu’an County benefited greatly, and Fang Zheng is no exception. He took the chance to acquire a few hundred acres of fertile land.

The price was only two to three-tenths of the usual time.

Of course.

Part of this money went into the County Magistrate’s own pocket, and another part to smooth things over with the big figures at the Government Office.

"It’s nothing."

Lord Yan chuckled and said:

"Recently, someone reported that the South Dam is on the verge of collapse. If nothing is done, it will surely fall within a month."

"At that time..."

"The floods will sweep across several counties, innumerable people will suffer as a result."

By the end, he looked grave.

"Ah!"

Fang Zheng looked ’surprised’ and hurried to say:

"What ought to be done?"

"Don’t rush, Young Master Fang." Lord Yan waved:

"We still have a month’s time. As long as the dam is reinforced before it gives way, it’s not a major issue. But strengthening the dam isn’t a matter of a mere word."

"It requires labor, moving sand and stone, all aspects will be expensive, without tens of thousands of silver taels, it’s undoable."

Saying so, his eyes shone brightly, the meaning clear.

"Tens of thousands?" Fang Zheng’s voice subtly paused:

"Reinforcing the dam concerns countless people’s livelihoods, Fang’s land is also nearby, naturally, I don’t wish for a flood. Thus..."

"I am willing to contribute five hundred silver taels to assist in reinforcing the dam!"

"Five hundred taels?" Lord Yan frowned, shaking his head:

"A drop in the bucket."

"Young Master Fang, your business of Square Porcelain is flourishing, with annual revenues far exceeding thousands of silver, why be stingy over such a trivial amount?"

"If the dam were to collapse, your loss would be far more than five hundred taels!"

"The Lord may not know." Fang Zheng hurriedly said:

"The Square Porcelain isn’t just Fang’s business alone, several others require profit sharing, the income that falls into my hands isn’t much indeed."

"Fine!"

He sighed, saying:

"A thousand taels, I’m willing to give a thousand silver taels!"

Lord Yan said nothing, merely sipped his tea cup beside him.

Damn!

Still too little?

Fang Zheng took a deep breath, his face growing a bit unpleasant, once again clasping his hands:

"Fifteen hundred taels!"

"Lord Yan, it truly can’t be more, not long ago you mentioned needing funds for paving roads and building bridges, Fang has already contributed eight hundred silver taels."

"Further..."

"The Square Porcelain can’t sustain more."

"Fifteen hundred taels." Lord Yan’s eyes moved slightly, finally nodding:

"Fifteen hundred taels it shall be, please, Young Master Fang, deliver it to the County Government Office within three days. These funds aren’t for Yan personally, but for the Imperial Court and people."

"Yes."

Fang Zheng nodded:

"The Lord speaks rightly."

"Don’t rush to leave yet." Seeing Fang Zheng rise intending to say goodbye, Lord Yan gestured:

"There is another small matter."

"Hmm?" Fang Zheng raised his brows.

......

Beside Lord Yan are two experts, one is Guard Gong with a martial artist cultivation base, the other is the relatively mysterious Mr. Shan.

This person commonly dresses as a scholar, wearing a scholar’s cap, a linen long robe unchanged for years, always holding a folding fan, occasionally shaking his head to speak a few phrases of classical literature.

Regarding status.

Mr. Shan is higher than Guard Gong.

Regarding cultivation strength.

This person’s methods are eerie, resembling both a mage and a martial artist, seldom taking action, and whenever he does, it chills to the bone, unsettling the heart.

Many shady matters are handled by this man.

Led by this person, Fang Zheng arrived at a side hall where someone awaited.

Patriarch Linghu, Linghu An!

"Elder Linghu!"

"Young Master Fang."

"Both of you." Mr. Shan lightly tapped the folding fan, gesturing:

"You are not outsiders, please sit."

"Yes."

The two responded, each finding a place to sit.

After the Ren Family’s incident, Gu’an County naturally held the Ling Family in highest regard, while Fang Mansion emerged later, barely keeping pace with the Ling Family.

The key is,

Linghu An intends to rise further, with most family elites going to Zhaonan Prefecture, as preparations have been ongoing in Prefecture City over the years.