Chapter 62 - 55: Mom, Is the Imperial Scholar Really Smiling?

On the fifth day after Xiao Mo returned to Shiqiao Village.

Magistrate Sun came to see Xiao Mo.

Magistrate Sun was clearly aware that Bai Ruxue had been "taken away by an Immortal." He also knew that a man as loyal and devoted as Xiao Mo would be heartbroken to return and find her gone.

To come home in glory, only to find the most important person in his life missing.

"Sigh..." Every time Magistrate Sun thought about it, he couldn’t help but sigh for Xiao Mo.

That was why Magistrate Sun had not disturbed him for the past few days.

By the fifth day, Magistrate Sun felt that Xiao Mo’s emotions had likely stabilized, so he cautiously came to ask about the Imperial Scholar’s celebratory parade.

As for Bai Ruxue, Magistrate Sun naturally did not mention her name at all.

Xiao Mo knew that the Imperial Scholar’s parade was a time-honored tradition in the Qi Kingdom. If he refused, he would not only be disrespecting the County Magistrate but also creating a significant obstacle for his future political career.

So, Xiao Mo naturally agreed.

"Xiao Mo, you don’t need to prepare a thing. Just leave everything to me. I guarantee it will be a grand affair!"

At first, Magistrate Sun had thought it was a lost cause.

In truth, even if Xiao Mo had refused to hold the parade, Magistrate Sun wouldn’t have blamed him. After all, he knew how deep Xiao Mo’s feelings were for Miss Bai.

But upon hearing that Xiao Mo had agreed to the parade, Magistrate Sun was naturally overjoyed!

Two days later, at dawn, the procession to welcome the Imperial Scholar arrived at the entrance of Shiqiao Village.

A young girl in festive attire entered Xiao Mo’s courtyard to help him into the Imperial Scholar’s celebratory robes and pin on a large red flower.

The villagers saw Xiao Mo off from the village, then followed behind the Imperial Scholar’s procession.

Everyone from Shiqiao Village had changed into their best clothes.

The old village chief was happier than anyone.

Thanks to Xiao Mo’s influence, Village Chief Wang had been recruited by Magistrate Sun to serve as a clerk.

When Xiao Mo was brought to Qingshan County, the streets were already lined with people, all eager to catch a glimpse of the Imperial Scholar.

"Mama, why doesn’t the Imperial Scholar look very happy?" a little girl asked, perched on her mother’s shoulders and pointing at him.

"What do you mean? The Imperial Scholar is plenty happy. Look, he’s smiling now," the girl’s mother said.

"Is he?" The little girl bit her finger and tilted her head. ’Is the Imperial Scholar really smiling?’

...

In June, the appointment came down from the Imperial City: Xiao Mo was to be the County Magistrate of Jianshui County, Liuyun County, Liang State, effective immediately.

For an Imperial Scholar, this was admittedly a rather low starting point.

But no one thought this meant Xiao Mo was not valued.

Quite the opposite. Sending an Imperial Scholar to serve as the County Magistrate of a remote county was a sign of being groomed for greater things—a strategy of suppressing first to elevate later.

"Xiao Qing, are you going to stay here?"

Before leaving Shiqiao Village, Xiao Mo went up She Mountain to ask Xiao Qing.

"Mhm." Xiao Qing nodded. "That Elder Fuchen from the Tianxuan Sect taught me some Techniques. I want to cultivate here and wait for my sister to wake up."

"Alright." Xiao Mo nodded. "If you need anything, just go to Magistrate Sun and have him notify me."

"Don’t worry, Brother Xiao. I’ll be fine." Xiao Qing nodded.

"I’m leaving now."

"I’ll see you off, Brother Xiao."

Xiao Qing escorted Xiao Mo down the mountain.

When Xiao Mo left Shiqiao Village, all the villagers and Magistrate Sun came to see him off.

Magistrate Sun patted Xiao Mo’s shoulder. "Xiao Mo, this appointment as County Magistrate of an ordinary county in Liang State was Mr. Old Zhang’s idea."

Xiao Mo’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, then he nodded. "I understand."

"Do a good job. Your future is limitless." Magistrate Sun didn’t need to elaborate; a word to the wise is enough.

"Thank you, Lord Sun, for your guidance over the years," Xiao Mo said gratefully.

"I wish you a safe journey. I’ll be waiting to see you shine in the Imperial Court." Looking at the young man, Magistrate Sun also felt a bit reluctant to see him go.

Xiao Mo gave a deep bow, boarded the carriage, and set off to assume his post in Jianshui County.

"Father, why didn’t you say anything about my marriage to him?" After Xiao Mo left, Miss Sun walked over, displeased. "That Miss Bai has gone off to cultivate. Can’t I be the Imperial Scholar’s wife?"

"Don’t be ridiculous!" Lord Sun rapped his daughter on the head.

...

After arriving in Jianshui County, Xiao Mo did not go to the Government Office right away. Instead, he stayed at an inn in Jianshui County for several days.

Xiao Mo learned from the local populace about the previous County Magistrate’s reputation, whether there were any local tyrants, which were the prominent Noble Clans, the temperaments of their leaders, and so on.

After gathering all this information, Xiao Mo could only sigh. Being the County Magistrate of Jianshui County was certainly not going to be easy.

Once he felt he had a sufficient understanding, Xiao Mo went to the Government Office, completed the handover procedures, and officially took up his post.

The first thing Xiao Mo did was gather the core staff of the county’s Government Office, expressing a humble attitude of "being new here and relying on everyone’s support."

The others thought that although this Imperial Scholar was young, he knew the score and could be someone they could make money with.

But they soon discovered they were wrong.

Xiao Mo began to go through the household registration ledgers, the land registry maps, the financial accounts, the criminal case files, and the official archives.

Then, within the Government Office and the county seat, he began playing one faction against another, supporting those who backed him.

He established rules and bestowed favors, audited the finances, reviewed criminal cases, reformed the tax and labor systems, and cut superfluous expenses.

He supported the local Noble Families while also suppressing them, using a carrot and stick approach.

Soon, Xiao Mo established his authority.

In less than four years, while the politics of Jianshui County could not be described as crystal clear, at least no one dared to act with blatant arrogance.

A children’s rhyme was sung—

The sun shines bright, the clouds drift by. To Jianshui County, a lucky star has arrived.

Magistrate Xiao, his skills are high. He repaired the canals and connected the river bridge.

He fights the jackals and protects the lambs. His judgment is sharp, discerning every strand.