noveltune Chapter 13 The Great Rain Festival
Chapter 13 The Great Rain Festival
Half an hour later, a notification sound and steady footsteps came from outside the hall.
The first to step in was a tall, broad-shouldered young man, about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a broad face, thick eyebrows, and wearing a long robe with cloud patterns. He walked with an air of boldness.
The man following closely behind was slightly thin, about the same age as Feng Xiu, with a handsome face and fair skin, and holding a bamboo folding fan.
"Brother Jingming, Brother Wenyuan, please take a seat."
Upon seeing the two arrive, Feng Xiu smiled and quickly greeted them, then instructed, "Someone, quickly bring some tea."
The maidservant quickly served chilled plum juice, then quietly closed the hall door and withdrew.
Fan Ling, courtesy name Jingming; Lin Che, courtesy name Wenyuan.
The three of them studied under Master Jingzhai when they were young, and their families also had business dealings, so their relationship was naturally close.
"Wenzheng, your face...?"
However, at this moment, the two of them were both stunned.
After not seeing him for many days, Feng Xiu had completely lost his fair and handsome appearance, becoming somewhat dull and looking much more masculine.
"Sigh, don't even mention it, it's all because of this awful weather." Feng Xiu sighed deliberately.
Lin Che closed his folding fan, a look of worry appearing on his handsome face, and he sighed softly.
"Brother Wenzheng, my Lin family manages eleven farms of varying sizes. The tenants have gathered to petition several times, and we have already paid them a considerable amount of money and grain as compensation."
"If there is no water source to help, this year's harvest will be lost, and at that time, rent and grain exemptions will not be enough to appease us."
"That makes sense. The River Law Enforcement Bureau's attitude is ambiguous. My father has approached them many times, saying that the timing is uncertain. Humph, they're all a bunch of good-for-nothings."
Upon hearing this, Fan Ling's face darkened with anger. He slammed his teacup on the table and let out a cold snort.
"Just say it: you called us here today, is it because you have a plan?"
Faced with the same crisis, Fan Ling went straight to the point.
"Yes, there is. To be honest, I have sent someone to Yulin County to invite a Huanglong Zhenren who is said to be quite powerful. He is expected to arrive in a few days. I plan to hold a prayer ceremony for rain in Bailiu Village."
"Praying for rain?"
Fan Jingming's eyes lit up, but he quickly understood Feng Xiu's meaning.
His brows furrowed as he carefully considered his options.
Lin Che pondered for a moment, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes. "You mean, you want to use the rain-seeking ritual to gather the people together?"
"Public opinion is like fire when used well, but it can burn you if used poorly." Lin Che nodded slowly, fanning himself.
"We need to strike a balance, making the government office uneasy without giving them any grounds to accuse us of inciting unrest."
Fan Ling slapped his thigh and said, "That's right, that makes sense. If the three of us join forces and invite gentry and elders to attend the ceremony, public opinion will be in an uproar, and the River Law Office will have to give us an explanation."
Feng Xiu nodded; this was the only plan he could think of at the moment.
Using their power to force the court to compel the River Law Office to take a stand!
Of course, using "force" to describe it is not quite appropriate.
With a feudal dynasty, strong military power, and the rise of chaos, it is highly likely that Feng Xiu suspects someone has their eyes on Yunzhou, this lucrative prize.
Or rather, it is golden wheat.
This crop receives ample sunshine and naturally exudes vitality. It not only provides sustenance but also, with long-term consumption, slowly nourishes the muscles and bones, making it a coveted commodity among inland warriors.
The profit margin on Golden Ear Wheat is too high. If someone really wants to block the grain supply route to Qingyan City and force everyone to sell Golden Ear Wheat to them at a low price...
This grand ceremony was less a coup and more a test.
He wanted to see who the people behind this were, whether they would actually step forward, and just how much power they had.
Is it possible to address this by uniting the families?
Once this idea is confirmed, we can then take some countermeasures.
When you can't figure something out, try to think about it from the perspective of potential benefits. This is a true reflection of the feudal revisionists' experience.
Lin Che's tone became more calm, "Public opinion is like a fire; it can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. We should gather public opinion according to Wenzheng's idea."
A consensus has been reached, and pressure has been exerted from above; however, the details still need careful consideration.
"That's right. We must be careful in our attitude toward the government offices. We need to show our strength, but we can't give them any reason to accuse us of inciting unrest."
Fan Ling also said seriously that all three of them were heirs cultivated by their families and knew the principle that the common people should not fight against the officials.
However, their family influence and ties meant they were not ordinary people, so they naturally knew how to maintain appropriate boundaries with the government.
"Since it's a prayer for rain, how about we call it the Great Rain-Granting Ceremony?" Feng Xiu suggested.
The three then discussed and deliberated in detail about the scale of the festival, the location, publicity, and how to deal with potential risks.
When the topic of resource allocation came up, Fan Ling suddenly spoke up, "Wenzheng, you initiated this festival, so you're naturally in charge of overall coordination. But how should the contributions of manpower, money, and effort be divided among the three parties?"
Feng Xiu smiled and said, "Brother Jingming, please speak freely."
"My Fan family will contribute 30%, your Feng family 40%, and Wen Yuan 30%, how about that?" Fan Ling stared at Feng Xiu. "After all, Bailiu Village is your Feng family's territory, and what if something happens in the future..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: a 40% share was enough to demonstrate his point.
Lin Che waved his fan without speaking, but his eyes were also on Feng Xiu.
Feng Xiu was stunned for a moment; Fan Ling's words were indeed beyond his expectations.
The original owner had an extremely close relationship with him. Even some of the shady picture books that Feng Xiu placed in the Hundred Gathering Chronicles were gifts from Fan Ling.
After thinking it over, Feng Xiu understood. Friends are friends, but once family interests are involved, this part of the friendship will naturally be abandoned.
Feng Xiu was silent for a moment, then chuckled, "Alright, it's settled then."
"But there's one condition," Feng Xiu said, his smile fading, "if this matter succeeds, and the River Law Office loosens its grip on the treasury and releases water, my Feng family farm will be first in line."
Fan Ling and Lin Che exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously, "Deal."
Half an hour later, the details were finalized.
Ultimately, it was decided that the Fengxiu chief would coordinate, and the Fan and Lin families would contribute manpower, money, and effort as agreed, in order to create a great stir.
After the important matters were settled, the two did not linger. They needed to take care of the preliminary preparations for the sacrificial offerings, the Taoist chanting ceremony, and the gongs and drums.
As he was leaving, Feng Xiu seemed to remember something and smiled at Fan Ling, saying, "Brother Jingming, I have another private matter to ask of you. I've heard that the Fan family's underlings are the most well-informed."
"I wonder if there are any spacious houses available for sale in the inner city, preferably large courtyards with three or more sections."
Upon hearing this, Fan Ling raised an eyebrow in confusion: "What, is the Feng family planning to acquire new properties?"
"No, that's not it. I have a distant relative who wants to open a security escort agency in the city, but he doesn't have much money on hand. If I can help him out in this matter, it would be a small token of my appreciation."
"Sure, I'll let you know when I get back to you." Fan Ling agreed readily.
The two then got up and left.
After seeing the two off, Feng Xiu immediately summoned Zheng Bo and selected several shrewd and capable stewards from his family to be in charge of the Ganlin Grand Sacrifice.
For the next three days, the weather in Qingyan City remained hot.
Despite the soaring grain prices in the city, the growing panic could not be contained.
In addition, rumors of damage to the dam and sluice gates have been rampant due to the reservoir not being opened.
Just then, news began to spread that the Feng, Fan, and Lin families would jointly hold a grand rain-giving ceremony to plead for the people and pray for rain from heaven.
With the three of them controlling the situation precisely, the buzz gradually grew, and the news spread throughout the streets and alleys, as if injecting a shot of adrenaline into the sultry atmosphere.
Along with this, Feng Xiu also had people shout the slogan, "Huanglong Zhenren, whose Taoist magic is profound; praying for rain to save the world and bestow blessings upon humanity."
Master Huanglong probably never imagined that he would have such a reputation before even arriving in Qingyan City.
All sorts of rumors spread with great detail, some claiming to be reincarnated deities, others to have attained enlightenment for eight hundred years. The hype was unprecedented and everyone knew about it.
With such public support, it remains to be seen whether he can actually bring rain.
It no longer matters to the three of them.
...
In the afternoon, inside the practice room.
Two figures flashed past rapidly, their fists and feet clashing fiercely, and a gust of wind swept across their faces.
Thanks to taking Bailu Dan for several days, the medicinal power penetrated into the muscles, bones, qi, and blood, and the qi and blood in the sealed body gradually became stronger and more solid, with the sound of qi and blood flowing faintly audible.
Facing Han Che, who was fed daily moves and whose techniques were unpredictable and ruthless, he was able to exchange thirty or forty moves without being at a disadvantage.
The moves of the Five Strengths Fist are not bound by routines; the movements have a touch of agility.
"laugh!"
Han Che's hand strike was like a viper spitting its tongue, aimed at Feng Xiu's eyes again with incredible speed. Feng Xiu did not panic and retreat. Instead, he lowered his shoulders, twisted his waist, and raised his left arm like a bow to block.
At the same time, a half-move variation of the "Tiger Returns to the Forest" move is added, along with the probing attack of "Black Tiger Digs Out the Heart".
"Bang!"
Feng Xiu's arm trembled violently, stabilizing his lower body. Han Che, on the other hand, felt as if he had struck a taut stone rod, and was hit by a strong backlash of qi and blood, causing his attack to falter slightly.
A hint of undisguised surprise flashed in his eyes. He withdrew his hand, took a half step back, and carefully looked Feng Xiu up and down.
"Young Master Feng," Han Che's voice remained calm, but his tone was slightly different, "Your progress in skill is unexpected. Just now, your qi and blood were already protecting your body, and you have already reached the initial stage of the Resilient Blood Realm."
Feng Xiu smiled slightly, "Brother Han, you flatter me."
【Life: 10】
【Spirit: 3】
【Strength: 3】
[Agility: 2]
[Technique Record: Eight Vajra Techniques (At its peak: Health +2, Spirit +2) - Cannot be improved]
[Five Strength Fist (Slightly Accomplished: Strength +2, Agility +1)]
[Synthesis: Not attainable until reaching the pinnacle of perfection]
In the manual, the progress of the Eight Vajra Skill has finally reached its limit. After the life strength reached 10 points, the blood and qi also became more vigorous.
The same applies to the Five Strength Fist. After breaking through the minor achievement level, the strength increases greatly and manifests in the moves, making it difficult for even Han Che to defeat for a while.
After the Vajra Skill reaches its highest level, the color of the [Synthesis] option below becomes increasingly vibrant.