Chapter 158: Chapter 158: An Advanced Scholar Comes to Seek Service

Measuring fields, equalizing and exempting taxes.

It looks like just eight characters, nothing much.

Before governing a county, Geng Songfu also thought so.

But since taking office, he realized how difficult it was to achieve.

Not to mention this, even when he previously banned favoritism and bribery, he encountered tremendous resistance, and there were even strikes.

At this moment, he had become interested in this young man named Chen Mo.

Delving deeper, he discovered that this person had established a school in the village, offering free education to children and adults to learn literacy.

He also promoted arithmetic, and a multiplication song was sung by the children throughout the county, catchy and easy to remember.

By offering work for relief, he solved the refugee resettlement problem and provided food and shelter for the homeless.

What shocked him the most was that this young man was able to train an army that the people respected and envied, taking pride in being part of the Divine Brave Guard.

It has always been known that historically, the army never held a high status among the people; if military service could be avoided, people would avoid it.

As the saying goes, bandits are like combs, soldiers are like lice.

Especially in these turbulent times.

People always avoided the army when they saw them, how could they be so close?

Even the elite Qingzhou Army was called "thugs" by the people.

Yet, this Divine Brave Guard had no such situation.

He could not wait to meet this young county magistrate to see what he looked like.

Such a good official who truly does things for the people is worth allying with, even if he is now labeled a Celestial Master rebel.

After learning that he went to Qingtian County, he immediately spent all his savings, bought a set of clothes, and dressed up.

Since he wanted to switch allegiance, his appearance couldn’t be careless, as the first impression is very important. Moreover, in the imperial examinations, apart from looking at scores, they also favored those who looked good, so most officials of the Great Song Dynasty were very presentable.

He came to this Dadong Lake and waited quietly.

Soon, the previously chatting citizens suddenly fell silent.

Geng Songfu turned his head and saw a group of people and horses slowly approaching from afar.

He didn’t know the number of this group, but each held their head high, and their formation was neat.

Under the blazing sun, sets of leather and bamboo armor glittered coldly.

An intangible sense of evil qi gathered together, seemingly solid, with a terrifying momentum.

What was more eye-catching was the person riding the war horse in the lead.

With sword-like eyebrows and a high nose, his face was chiseled like a knife, stern and hardened, and his tall and robust figure was overwhelmingly imposing in the battle armor.

When they got closer, everyone could see his fierce and powerful presence, his eyes like torches, as sharp as arrows, penetrating the soul, his whole body filled with explosive power.

Gazing into his eyes, one would find that he seemed not like a mortal but more like a spirit-infused fierce tiger, full of oppressive force.

"County Magistrate."

"Immortal Master Chen."

"..."

The people by the lakeside all bowed in respect, faces full of admiration.

Chen Mo nodded and then dismounted, his gaze turning towards an older villager, chatting lightly and asking about his household, income, work, and other grounded topics, portraying an accessible county magistrate image.

He concluded with: "The rice is about to be harvested; everyone should watch over your fields and notify the government office immediately if you discover any thieves, or go to the village outposts."

Just as he was about to mount his horse to leave, Geng Songfu set down his fishing rod, patted the dust off his bottom, and walked over.

"Who goes there?" Su Wen stepped forward to stop Geng Songfu.

"Hey." Chen Mo raised his hand and said, "Don’t be rude to the elderly."

Chen Mo looked at the old man wearing a conical hat and could still see the red "63" on his forehead.

That is to say, the other party was an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist.

Geng Songfu removed the hat from his head, revealing his silver hair, and bowed to Chen Mo while shouting, "The humble Geng Songfu pays respects to the County Magistrate."

"Rise." Chen Mo looked him up and down and said with a smile, "You are not from Qingzhou, are you, old sir?"

"The humble is from Lu’an in Gaozhou." Geng Songfu cupped his hands and said, "After coming to Pingting County, I observed for more than two days and saw that sir governs well, empathizes with the people, and loves them dearly, quite different from other Celestial Master armies.

Also aware that sir has a great capacity to incorporate all talents, the humble comes here to offer himself."

With these words, the surrounding crowd quieted a bit.

Because a statement like this could not be made by someone without a literary background.

It was obvious that the old man had some background.

Chen Mo said with interest, "Since you are offering yourself, do you have any academic honors?"

"Does sir value academic honors?" Geng Songfu replied.

Chen Mo nodded, "You and I do not know each other; getting to know each other initially, naturally, your academic honors can inform me of your ability. If not, judging by your speech, you seem to be a scholar and can work as a clerk with me; if you have real skills, I will promote you."

Upon hearing this, Geng Songfu nodded and then said, "The humble was the seventh Second-Class Scholar in the Sixth Year of Jianping, once served as Chief of the Supreme Court, and had two terms as County Magistrate of Gaozhou Wutai County."

With this statement, someone in the crowd already drew a cold breath.

In the minds of the people, scholars were highly respected, not to mention Advanced Scholars.

Second-Class Scholars were even more outstanding.

It’s known that only three were admitted to the First-Class.

Seven to the Second-Class.

Geng Songfu being the seventh means he ranked tenth among all scholars who achieved academic honors that year.

The Sixth Year of Jianping was the third regnal title used by the previous emperor.

Of course, whether it was actually true or not, Chen Mo couldn’t exactly verify.

But this identity was still quite impressive.

Considering the elder’s age, if he was indeed a Second-Class Scholar, Zhao Daoxian might know him.

Chen Mo raised his brows, clasped his hands, and said, "Mr. Geng, respects from the younger generation."

Geng Songfu returned the gesture.

"Since Mr. Geng claims to be a Second-Class Scholar, I will test you."

Chen Mo said while walking towards the lake’s edge.

Geng Songfu followed behind.

Only then did Chen Mo notice he walked with a limp.

"Mr. Geng, what is this?"

"While serving in the capital, I offended some people and was pressured in prison to admit to something I didn’t do; refusing, the jailer broke my leg, and untreated in time, it became crippled."

"Apologies."

"It’s nothing, the matter is in the past. I’m ready for the test." Geng Songfu said.

"Since Mr. Geng has been observing in the county for two days, can you see what is lacking, and what should be my next step?" Chen Mo asked.

"Specific knowledge of county affairs is needed to see clearly, but initially, the city planning is inadequate. As the saying goes, advantage from heaven, benefiting from the earth, thus the towns need not be excessively regulated, roads need not be overly precise. At night, there are those who empty night-soil onto the street, and by morning the odor remains.

This relates mostly to regulatory constraints, but partitioning the city’s five main roads using drainage ditches running to the city gates, constructing culverts with bricks and stone, would not only drain rainwater but also deal with filth, making things much more convenient."

"I am aware of this, but a major battle is impending, and there is no excess in funding to address these. Does Mr. Geng have any measures for strengthening the army?" Chen Mo asked.

"To the Emperor, the so-called measures to strengthen the army are merely four points: One is to grasp authority, the second to change generals, the third to promote martial arts, and the fourth to increase horses and armor. Leaving aside the first two, the latter two can assist you, sir.

First, promoting martial arts, sir could establish military merit titles, the more enemies slain, the higher the rank of beheaded, the better the awarded title and rewards, there’s Xian Deng, Flag Capture..."

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