Chapter 8: Poverty Makes It Hard to Seek the Sutras of the Western Heaven

"I’ve grown tired of those storybooks, but Daughter has heard that a hero recently eliminated the evil tiger of Qingping Mountain?"

At the mention of this, Zhang Qingyun’s expression changed instantly.

Seeing his father’s reaction, Zhang Qing asked what had happened.

Feeling stifled, Zhang Qingyun recounted his invitation to Jiang Sheng as if it were mere idle chatter.

After listening, Zhang Qing couldn't help but laugh: "Father, you were indeed in the wrong."

Zhang Qingyun was puzzled: "How was your father in the wrong?"

Zhang Qing smiled: "Father, Daughter once heard a story."

"It is said that in the far Western Regions, there is a Buddhist holy land called the Great Tianlong Temple. One day, a novice monk from the temple went down the mountain to lecture on scriptures for the ruler of a small kingdom and received three sheng and three dou of gold sand."

"Upon returning, the novice expected to be praised by an Arhat, but the Arhat instead said he had received too little and had sold the scriptures too cheaply."

"Father, why do you think the Arhat scolded that novice?"

"That Daoist is not a cultivator from our Qi Kingdom. Father, I fear you have overestimated yourself and underestimated that Daoist."

Zhang Qingyun realized the implication and felt a wave of chagrin.

Back within the family, he hadn't felt it much.

But after coming out, Zhang Qingyun deeply felt the value of practitioners.

Aside from those rogue cultivators without backgrounds or ordinary Qi-refining practitioners with no hope of advancement, who among those with true cultivation would cling to worldly prosperity?

Who among them would hold awe for princes, nobles, or generals?

He had intended to invite a cultivator to be his aide, but it seemed he had already offended the Daoist named Jiang Sheng.

Zhang Qing asked again: "What did Father intend for that Daoist to do?"

"Recently, Daughter has heard that Father’s administration is frequently obstructed by the gentry and commoners. Could it be that Father intended to use that Daoist as a source of support?"

Zhang Qingyun sighed, saying helplessly: "Your father did indeed have that thought."

"Qing'er, you know that your father is a newcomer here. Whether it is the county seat or the various towns, everyone pays lip service to me while acting against me in secret."

"Those gentry and wealthy merchants control everything inside and outside the county, and the commoners only revere the River God, believing the bewitchment of those gentry and merchants."

"If this continues, won't your father become a mere puppet in the hands of those gentry?"

Looking at his intelligent daughter, Zhang Qingyun suddenly asked: "Qing'er, in your opinion, what should your father do next?"

Zhang Qing first dismissed the servants waiting nearby. Once everyone had left, she smiled: "That depends on what you truly wish to do, Father."

Zhang Qingyun was confused: "What do you mean by that, Qing'er?"

"Father, do you intend to disrupt the Great River God Festival?" Zhang Qing asked.

Zhang Qingyun frowned slightly: "I do have that intention."

Zhang Qing asked: "The Great River God Festival requires the sacrifice of six pairs of boys and girls each year in exchange for a year of favorable weather. As long as it continues, Father can safely complete your term in Qingshan County. Why must you disrupt it?"

Zhang Qingyun looked at his daughter and sighed softly: "It is true that the River God only requires the sacrifice of six pairs of children each year to ensure favorable weather for Qingshan County."

"But that River God was not ordained by the Imperial Court. It feeds on the incense of the common people and demands the sacrifice of children—this is an illicit cult!"

"Since it is an illicit cult, it is not a god; it is a demon!"

As he spoke, Zhang Qingyun suddenly stood up: "Using six pairs of children under the age of six from my jurisdiction each year to trade for so-called favorable weather—naturally, your father can do it. I am not ignorant of the principle of sacrificing the few to protect the many!"

"But if your father can kill the River God of the Taiping River, eradicate its illicit cult, and win the hearts of the people of Qingshan County back for the Imperial Court, that would be a great political achievement!"

"All thirteen counties of Dongjun are sitting idly by while demons and illicit cults run rampant. If your father opposes this, I will catch the eye of the Imperial Court."

Zhang Qing looked at her agitated father and sighed.

She and her father were from a branch family and had never been valued by the main family since childhood.

Her father had no cultivation, and while her mother did, even so, being from a branch family meant a life of toil for the main house.

Her father had suffered for years in the family, suppressed at every turn, and her mother had been constantly ordered about until she eventually lost her life.

Once her mother, the cultivator, was gone, the two of them were bullied even more.

Such trivial matters never caught the eyes of the family’s upper echelons, so they had once lived in extreme hardship.

Coming to Qingshan County to serve as a county magistrate was something her mother had traded her life for.

Zhang Qingyun often told Zhang Qing that as branch members, they received little support from the main house, and now that they finally had an opportunity, how far they could go depended entirely on themselves.

Zhang Qing understood that her father wanted to use this opportunity to turn their fortunes around.

"Qing'er, did you know that you also have the aptitude for cultivation, but it was always suppressed by the main family's direct line? They never wanted you to succeed in cultivation; they only wanted you to marry and serve the main family's interests later!" Zhang Qingyun revealed another secret.

Seeing Zhang Qing’s shock, Zhang Qingyun continued: "Your father was previously under the control of others and powerless. As long as I succeed in this matter, you and I will no longer be what we once were."

"Once the Imperial Court bestows rewards, you will have the resources to cultivate and will no longer be bound."

Zhang Qing sighed softly, looking at her father—who had once been full of spirit but now had early strands of white hair—and felt a pang of heartache: "Daughter knew it would be like this."

Zhang Qingyun knew his daughter was exceptionally clever, possessing the talent of a top scholar, and seeing her expression, he knew she must have an idea.

"This is one of our few opportunities. Qing'er, if you have an idea, speak it. If your father can do it, I will certainly do it!"

"You and I, father and daughter, must never be treated as pawns again."

Zhang Qing analyzed the situation, her thoughts racing: "Our Qi Kingdom has its own Daoist Palaces, with corresponding Imperial cultivators in every province and county; furthermore, there are sects and cultivation clans in every region."

"Their primary duty in every locality is to maintain stability and clear away demons and illicit cults."

Zhang Qingyun nodded; that was true.

In every county of Dongjun, people worshiped the so-called River God and offered up children. This matter only needed to be reported to the Prefect, who would then invite the local sects and cultivation clans to intervene.

And the local cultivation clans and sects would naturally not dare to defy the Imperial Court's system.

Zhang Qing continued: "From the previous two magistrates until now, it has been decades. Who would believe that the sects and clans of Dongjun know nothing of this?"

"Yet, whether it be the sects or the clans of Dongjun, they remain indifferent. Why is that?"

Zhang Qingyun frowned deeply: "I had not thought of this aspect."

Zhang Qing looked at her magistrate father with a blank expression: "Father, this matter is of great importance; it concerns both our lives!"

"If there is truly some hidden secret, if we rashly strike at the River God, the loss may outweigh the gain."

Zhang Qingyun drank his tea in silence, finally saying: "This must be done. As long as we create enough of a stir and attract enough people, we will have a chance to turn things around!"

Zhang Qing nodded: "If Father is determined to do this, then that Daoist in Qingping Mountain must be invited."

"Father, you must show sincerity."