The Villain's Counterattack

Chapter 356 Rongjing's Great Development in Three Years

Local officials in the Song Dynasty changed every three years. As Murong Fu, the magistrate of Rongjing, was about to expire his three-year term, undercurrents surged inside and outside Rongjing County. People outside wanted to come in, but people inside did not want him to leave. After three years of development, Rongjing County had become the richest county in the entire Yazhou Prefecture, and even the entire Chengdu West Road.

It’s not that there weren’t higher-level local officials, wealthy families, and even forces in the capital who wanted to intervene, but they were all cut off by Murong Fu.

He was a principled official, unconcerned with the so-called threats. "If you abide by the rules and do things honestly, Murong Fu will not refuse anything that contributes to the prosperity of Rongjing County. But if you harbor ill intentions, simply to take advantage, then I'm sorry, as the state has its own laws and the family has its own rules. Once discovered, you will be severely punished."

During these three years, Rongjing County expelled no less than a thousand people, and imprisoned hundreds of people. Even more than a dozen or twenty people were sentenced to death. It should be noted that the Song Dynasty was ruled by literati, and the criminal law was quite lenient, especially for literati.

There were also some generals in the border army who were still hoping for a lucky break. On the one hand, Cao Yi's identity was there, and the Cao family's deterrent power was also strong enough. On the other hand, Murong Fu had sent more people, including more than 20 second-rate masters, and even organized a team of 300 native mountain soldiers to protect the peace of Rongjing County. This team was semi-public in nature and was controlled by Zhuge Yi and several native elders. In complex terrain, not to mention fighting one against a hundred, it would not be a problem for them to deal with an ordinary thousand people.

A year ago, Zhuge Xiu finally gained the approval of Mrs. Murong and entered the gate of Cao's family in the capital with dignity. Three months later, she made some name for herself in the capital. With her beautiful appearance and good manners, as well as her talents in both civil and military affairs, she was quite popular among the generals. After passing the tests of the Cao's family's leaders, she was promised to Cao Yi as his wife.

Three months ago, all the procedures were completed and Zhuge Xiu officially married into the Cao family. Cao Yi was now a family man, but he still worked under Murong Fu. In the past three years, he learned a lot and went to the border to lead troops to fight against Tubo five times. Although his record was not legitimate, his ability was also improved.

His martial arts skills are stable at the middle level of second-rate, his pistol skills are very vigorous, and even ordinary first-rate masters have to retreat when he charges on horseback. He has rich experience in leading troops in battles, and is familiar with various battle formations. His military tactics are also not weak at all.

However, he would never reveal to anyone that during his previous expeditions, his accompanying military advisor was a top-notch master named Murong Fu, and he was accompanied by more than a dozen students from Gusu Academy who were extraordinary in their abilities and had their own unique skills.

Cao Yi's behavior was not suitable for public disclosure, but he did not hide it from anyone. He was not Murong Fu, and the Cao family could tolerate some of his usurpation of power. Instead, this caught the attention of the emperor, who planned to let him study under Murong Fu for another three years before entrusting him with important tasks.

Witnessing Cao Yi's growth, he witnessed Rongjing County's different development strategy. All officials, regardless of rank or not, were extraordinary in their abilities. Many of them were learning from him while at the same time trying to send their own disciples in to learn a thing or two.

However, Rongjing County is a small county after all, and all work has been arranged properly. As long as it develops step by step, there will not be too many problems. According to the court's previous promise, Murong Fu will be promoted to the governor of Yazhou as soon as his term expires. There are many official positions in the prefecture, and in addition, there are many county-level official positions under the jurisdiction of Yazhou Prefecture that are also attractive.

The official positions that people had previously refused to take up have now become popular. Everyone is trying their best to use their connections to find ways to get in. Murong Fu also said that he does not want incompetent people who are just sitting there doing nothing, nor does he want people who are corrupt and selfish. What he wants are upright officials who serve the country and the people.

He also promised that within his three-year term, he would transform Yazhou Prefecture into the most prosperous prefecture west of Chengdu. Therefore, he would not allow any of his subordinates to hinder him, much less sabotage him. Those lacking in ability could seek assistance to hone their skills, but those with ill intentions would only cause harm. He would show no mercy, and for the sake of the Song Dynasty and the people, he might even offend them.

During the last two years of Rong Jing's tenure as magistrate, Murong Fu was rarely in office. He spent most of his time hanging out at the border, Dali Kingdom, and Gusu City. There was nothing wrong with taking Cao Yi to fight in the border to make money, but in Dali Kingdom, he took Zhong Wanchou to rescue people from difficulties and taught Zhong Ling some skills. At this time, the little loli Zhong Ling was both civil and military, and her medical qualifications were even better than her father Zhong Wanchou.

Every time he returned to Gusu, he naturally had to discuss matters with his father, Murong Bo. After two years of recuperation, Murong Bo's health had improved. He spent a year on Mount Tai and a year on Mount Hua. He had already achieved some success in the Purple Qi Coming from the East, dissolving most of the most intense elements of the chaotic zhenqi within his body. Combined with the medical care of Murong Fu and Xue Muhua, his martial arts skills hadn't improved significantly, but he could now give it his all without suffering any serious damage.

According to Murong Bo's own estimation, in another two years, he would be able to convert almost all of his internal energy into the true qi of the Purple Qi Coming from the East magic skill. After stabilizing it for a year or two, he could switch to practicing the Xiantian skill. Once the Xiantian skill is successful, his martial arts will surely make great progress and far surpass what it is now.

When his son was away, he practiced martial arts during the day and sorted out intelligence at night to promote the expansion and development of the Great Yan State. At the same time, he continued to learn his son's methods. In the past two years, his horizons have been broadened and his methods have become more sophisticated. I don't know if it's a personality problem, but there is always a feeling that he is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Especially when he knew that Qiao Feng was the orphan of Xiao Yuanshan, the commander of the Liao imperial guards who was plotted by him at Yanmen Pass, he began to plan to get rid of the Murong family. With the help of the Murong family's intelligence network and the trade routes opened up by Murong Fu, he did a lot of work. After seeing the complicated situation in the Liao country, he even couldn't control his hands and was eager to intervene.

Every time he felt tempted, Murong Fu would suppress it. He simply said that greed is like a snake swallowing an elephant, and the biggest possibility is to be starved to death. Steady development, step by step, is the best way to build a prosperous country. Since there is a right way, why must he take the wrong path? One wrong move and a bright future will be ruined. The loss outweighs the gain!

Unless the opportunity is really good and you can be sure it will be a sure thing, don't act rashly.

On this day, Zhong Wanchou brought his wife and daughter to the Rongjing County Government Office. He had lived a busy, fulfilling and happy life in the past two years. The title of the Miracle Doctor Ma Wangshen was a well-known name in the Dali Kingdom. He was also a serious person. For this title, he did not hesitate to bow to Murong Fu and worked hard to learn medical skills.

Perhaps it was because this title could protect his wife from being bullied by the King of Zhennan, and this alone was enough.

As for his daughter Zhong Ling being close to Murong Fu, he did not have much objection, even though he knew that Murong Fu was engaged. After all, he already vaguely knew that Zhong Ling was probably not his daughter, and Murong Fu's fiancée was also the illegitimate daughter of Duan Zhengchun, the King of Zhennan.

His feelings towards Zhong Ling were quite complicated. After all, she was the daughter he had raised, so naturally he wanted the best for her. However, he immediately felt bad when he thought that her biological father was Duan Zhengchun. So he was inclined to marry her to Murong Fu. On the one hand, it would keep her away from Dali, and on the other hand, it was also a kind of hidden revenge.

The daughter of the dignified Prince of Zhennan in Dali, two women actually share one husband? Don't you feel ashamed?

Moreover, the Prince of Zhennan had no say in this regard. He was Zhong Ling's nominal father, and because her mother was his wife, Zhong Wanchou was quite fond of her due to their similar appearance. Under these complicated emotional entanglements, he finally made a voluntary choice for her and got close to Murong Fu again and again.

In the past two years, Wanjie Valley and Rongjing County have had a lot of business dealings, which allowed Zhong Wanchou to make a fortune without affecting his reputation. Not only did it not affect his reputation, but it made his reputation even better.

After exchanging some medical advice (mostly Murong Fu explaining and teaching, while Zhong Wanchou and his family listened), Murong Fu suddenly said, "My term is almost up. The court is planning to promote me to the position of Governor of Yazhou. The decree will be issued in a month, and there will be a month's buffer after that. During these two months, I have a scheduled battle with the Beggars' Sect leader."

At this point, Murong Fu looked at Zhong Ling and said softly, "I plan to bring Ling'er with me to the appointment, and then have her study at the Murong family's Gusu College for a while. What do you think, Senior Zhong and Madam Zhong?"

Zhong Wanchou and Gan Baobao were overjoyed upon hearing this. They were already skilled martial artists themselves, so they naturally knew Murong Fu's strength. They also vaguely knew about the three-year pact between the two young masters of the Central Plains martial arts world, Qiao Feng in the north and Murong in the south. This was definitely a rare opportunity. Their martial arts skills were no longer just those of young masters; they were considered among the best in the entire Central Plains martial arts world.

To witness their competition is a rare opportunity for all top masters, but their competition is not intended to be a big event, and only some close people can be invited to see it. The one on the shore of Taihu Lake two years ago was just an accident and does not count.

The Gusu Academy is now one of the most famous academies in the Central Plains. Every year, dozens or even hundreds of students are hired by various forces. Many of them enter the officialdom as staff, especially those who have interned with Murong Fu. Some of them even got official status. Although their starting point is not high, they are formal officials.

Entering Gusu College became the first choice for many people to study. However, Gusu College at this time was no longer what it used to be. The requirements for admitted students were more stringent. There were only 300 places for admission each year, and they would rather have no one than admit unqualified students. Many people could not get their wish even if they tried their best. Now that Murong Fu asked to send Zhong Ling in, the couple naturally would not refuse.

You should know that only the Murong family's own people can enter and exit Gusu College at will. Zhong Wanchou and Gan Baobao looked at each other and smiled strangely at the same time, while Zhong Ling jumped up and down with great joy. Gusu College was also the holy place she had longed for.