"Your Highness, rest assured. This very act of plotting against you is enough to test his character. How can he erase it with just a few words of praise? No matter how talented he is, he cannot sway my heart. Is Your Highness satisfied now?"
Lingyan continued to soothe her gently.
If someone's mask is torn off from the very beginning, it becomes extremely difficult to put it back on. However, it is quite unexpected that the young prince reacts so strongly every time Lingyan mentions Chen Moxian.
The light cavalry moved swiftly and arrived at Beiling in less than five days. If it weren't for the need to clear the official road and create a passage for subsequent grain transport wagons, the journey would have been even faster.
When the Prefect of Beiling saw Gu Zhong, he was first surprised, then overjoyed.
The arrival of the Crown Princess signifies the substantial support from the imperial court. He quickly welcomed the officials to his residence and ordered others to clean the post station immediately.
He had originally planned to hold a grand banquet to welcome the Crown Princess, but Gu Zhong dismissed it with a single sentence.
"The light cavalry I led was only to clear the way, and we carried very little grain. If the prefect's mansion still has surplus grain, why not open the granaries to help the people?"
That was truly a case of offering the wrong favor.
Concerned about the border, Gu Zhong began to listen to the detailed situation of Beiling as soon as he arrived at the prefectural governor's mansion. He then pulled Wei Wuhou and Lingyan aside to start formulating a countermeasure. They didn't even have time for dinner until midnight.
"With Your Highness's diligence, how can our dynasty not prosper!"
Marquis Wu of Wei had no complaints about this; on the contrary, he was in high spirits, as if he had found the former glory of His Majesty in Gu Zhong.
"Your Highness should take care of yourself. Occasionally it may be alright, but in the long run it will not be good for your health."
Lingyan scolded her a few times, saying that Beiling was already cold and people were prone to catching colds, and she was afraid that she would ruin her health by staying up all night.
"I understand, and I apologize for your concern, sir."
Gu Zhong responded softly, though it was unclear whether he had truly taken it to heart.
Within two days, everything was planned and the grain transport team arrived in the prefecture, ready to distribute the grain to the counties under the prefecture according to plan.
Marquis Wu of Wei personally went to the northern army camp to take over the border defense, and Gu Zhong followed him to learn many military strategies and formations.
However, the barbarians, whether they had heard some rumors or were plotting something, have not invaded the border recently.
Gu Zhong couldn't stay in the prefect's mansion every day. Occasionally, she would go to the northern border to patrol the frontier, but Marquis Wu of Wei wouldn't let her go too far.
After visiting several times, she found it uninteresting and suggested going to a place called Qingshui County under the prefecture to take a look, which could be considered as supervising the disaster relief and inspecting whether there were any acts of disobedience or embezzlement of disaster relief grain.
However, if he were to tell the prefect, he would lose the original purpose of the inspection. He only planned to take a few attendants, travel light, and sneak over quietly.
However, Ling Yan intercepted them halfway.
"Where is Your Highness headed?"
It was clearly just a simple question, yet it sent chills down Gu Zhong's spine. Looking into his husband's calm and gentle eyes, he couldn't bring himself to lie.
"I wish to visit Qingshui County," the young prince immediately confessed honestly.
"Does Your Highness still remember what I said?" Lingyan's voice rose slightly, sounding quite stern.
"A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall."
No.
"If I'm going to risk my life, I must bring you along..." Gu Zhong touched his nose guiltily.
"So, Your Highness was planning to leave without saying goodbye?"
"This... Qingshui County is less than half a day's journey from the prefectural city, so I didn't think it was anything serious. You've been working hard for half a month, and I wanted you to rest well, so I didn't tell you."
"Your Highness should know that your arrival in the Northern Territory is known throughout the world and the Northern Mausoleum, yet there is no peace in the place where you are."
Lingyan felt a slight headache coming on; Gu Zhong was sometimes so willful that he didn't know his own limitations.
"Yes." The young prince, having been reprimanded again, cautiously looked up at his angry teacher and stammered, "Yes."
"It is good that Your Highness wishes to visit the lower county, but I will accompany you." This was not a request, but a decision.
So, among the group of people dressed in martial attire who eventually headed to Qingshui County, a scholar dressed in Confucian robes suddenly appeared.
Fortunately, it did not snow again today. In order to transport grain, the snow on the roads leading to various counties was cleared away. The muddy official roads were marked with ruts. There were far fewer refugees along the way than in the previous two days, which made Gu Zhong very gratified.
After nearly half a day, the group arrived at Qingshui County, but the county town seemed quite strange. Every household had its doors tightly shut, the streets were deserted, and even inns and restaurants were not open for business, a far cry from the bustling and prosperous place they had imagined.
Gu Zhong found it strange. After a moment's thought, he led his team to the county government office, where there were indeed people.
Two lazy yamen runners were sitting on the ground, chatting idly.
Who goes there?
Seeing Gu Zhong and the others heading towards the yamen, the two of them reluctantly stood up and asked weakly.
"My lords, we are passing through this area and would like to enter the city to find a place to rest. Why is it that there is not a single inn open in the whole city?"
At Gu Zhong's signal, a guard stepped forward with a smile and asked him questions.
"Hey, gentlemen, you've come at an inopportune time. Today is the day of the shaman's prayer, and everyone in the city has gone to the shaman's temple outside the city to offer sacrifices."
The county magistrate has gone, leaving only the two of you here guarding the gate. You should leave the city and take another route to another county.
Because the group was well-dressed, the yamen runners answered their questions carefully.
"A day for shamans?" Gu Zhong frowned and muttered to himself in confusion.
"We have never heard of this before. Could you please explain in detail, sir?"
Knowing the Crown Princess was curious, the guard continued to smile and took out a silver coin from his purse, stuffing it into the hand of the constable.
The constable initially seemed reluctant to speak, but upon seeing the silver dollars, his eyes widened instantly, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily. He quickly pulled the group inside, gave his companion a wink, and the two of them closed the door together.
The guards behind Gu Zhong tensed up and almost drew their swords, but Ling Yan stopped them in time.
"Gentlemen, you are probably not from Beiling. Please forget about what happened today and don't say that we leaked it."
“Of course,” the group replied in unison.
Gu Zhong and Ling Yan exchanged a glance and saw the seriousness in each other's eyes.
"Since the founding of the nation, witchcraft has been widely spread, as you all know. Two years ago, a shaman came to Beiling. He was skilled in medicine and divination and had some abilities. Gradually, he was regarded as an honored guest by several families in the county."
"After that, from top to bottom, many shaman temples and shaman halls were built in the county. The people could be cured of any headaches or fevers. Occasionally, they would preach and distribute porridge. Gradually, everyone became convinced of this new religion."
The Shamanic Festival is a tradition that started last year. It's to express gratitude to the shaman for his blessings upon Beiling. Various counties that believe in shamanism have similar festivals, and the entire city's residents go to the shamanic temple to offer sacrifices on this day.
"Especially this year's snow disaster, the shaman calculated that the shaman god would protect Beiling and the disaster would be resolved in less than two days. Sure enough, in less than two days, the imperial court sent people to provide disaster relief. The people became even more devout to the shaman god, and they would go in person on the day of the shaman's prayer, which is why we have the empty city scene today."
"Bullshit! Disaster relief is a measure of the imperial court. His Majesty is benevolent. What does it have to do with those so-called witches and gods?" A hot-tempered guard couldn't help but blurt out a load of nonsense.
"Everyone with eyes can see this, but nobody tells the people... Anyone who dares to say it is guaranteed to get a beating."
The county magistrate had no choice but to go with the flow, especially since the spread of this witchcraft was permitted by His Majesty, the witch god was worshipped by powerful clans, and the witch-worshiping day was led by the various officials of the prefecture.”
The two constables looked at each other and gave a bitter smile.
These few words are alarming. This witchcraft cult is showing signs of gaining control over Beiling. The people only believe in witch gods and not emperors. Is Beiling still the Beiling of the current dynasty?
What are the plans of these powerful families who allow it to develop unchecked?
"Where exactly is that shaman temple located?" Gu Zhong asked coldly, his words laced with anger.
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Author's Note:
Lingyan: Jealous of a scumbag? What's wrong with you?
Gu Zhong: I don't care! You can't look at other people anyway!
(I've discovered that my worldline is actually quite vast; if I were to expand it, it could easily become a book QAQ. Putting it here might be too compressed...)
Chapter 10 The Imperial Tutor and the Crown Princess (Part 9)
==========================
"Why don't you stay here for now, sir?"
After obtaining the location of the shaman temple from the bailiffs, Gu Zhong walked out of the yamen and made a suggestion.
"Does Your Highness wish to personally visit that witch temple to investigate?"
"The entire city seems to be possessed by something, so fanatically believing in this witch god. This makes me even more eager to see what makes this witch religion different."
Moreover, even two lowly yamen runners sensed the terrifying nature of the witchcraft cult, yet the officials of the entire Beiling Prefecture remained silent? What was the reason for this? It was truly strange.
"Your Highness, please remember that our dynasty was founded with the help of the Witchcraft and Sorcery sect. It is Your Majesty who is spreading the quasi-Witchcraft and Sorcery sect; who can object to that?"
Furthermore, with interests at stake, it's no surprise that powerful families within the prefecture would become involved with it. Following the example set by those above, it's not surprising that the entire Beiling region became the foundation of witchcraft beliefs.
"As it happens, I also wish to see it for myself. Your Highness wouldn't refuse to satisfy my curiosity, would you?"
Lingyan declined Gu Zhong's request.
"I'm afraid there might be danger, sir, you'd better not go."
Gu Zhong was unusually firm, perhaps because he had truly sensed the impending danger and was unwilling to let Ling Yan take the risk.
"How dare I let my lord go first, Your Highness... Has His Majesty ever told you that even Lieutenant Wang can't defeat me? I still have the ability to protect myself."
Ling Yan glanced at Gu Zhong casually, her words tinged with arrogance.
Lieutenant Wang was the head of the Kyoto garrison, and his martial arts skills were superb. Although he could not be said to be unparalleled in the world, he was certainly a brave and valiant man.
If Ling Yan could defeat him, then no one present would be able to defeat him.
Gu Zhong stared at his master in a daze, not quite understanding what was going on. Wasn't his master just a weak and frail scholar?
Following the direction indicated by the constable, the group headed towards a small mountain on the outskirts of the city. The snow on the mountain had not yet melted, and the paths worn into the mountain by human feet were particularly clear. By simply following the deepest trail, they could undoubtedly reach the populated area.
Near the temple, standing on a slightly higher, steep rock, one can see a dense crowd of people prostrating themselves in front of the temple, with those at the front dressed in fine clothes.
A man dressed in black sorcerer's robes and wearing a white bone mask stood at the front, sometimes chanting and sometimes gesturing wildly, which Gu Zhong considered to be nothing more than a charade.
Another middle-aged man in official robes stood quietly to the side, but his expression was too obscured by the distance.
Huge wooden boxes were carried into the temple, which should have been the so-called "tribute," but they arrived much late, and it was unknown what was inside.
These impoverished people, who had just suffered from a snow disaster and were starving and naked, are now willingly offering sacrifices to the so-called witch god.
Gu Zhong felt an extreme unease, as if all the imperial funds had gone into this witchcraft cult. His face, already stiff from the wind and snow, turned even more ashen.
After the offerings were presented, the ceremony seemed to be over. After bowing three times, the people rose and left in an orderly and extremely quiet manner, as if they were puppets being manipulated, which was chilling to watch.