In the ninth month of the fifth year of Chongzhen's reign, Magistrate Xu Zhaoji had held office for barely seven days before he was slain by rebels.
Zhu Youjian stared at the memorial laid before him, his emotions plunging violently—as if he had just stepped onto a drop tower and been hurled straight down.
Rage surged.
Grief followed close behind.
A county magistrate.
Seven days in office.
Even within the cold, ruthless confines of the imperial household, a flicker of human compassion could not help but surface.
Zhu Youjian spoke in a low, heavy voice,
"Ensure Xu Zhaoji's family is properly comforted. Grant them generous funds."
The Chief Eunuch, Cao Huachun, bowed deeply.
"This servant obeys Your Majesty's command."
After a brief pause, Cao Huachun's tone shifted slightly.
"Your Majesty… there is also a minor issue."
"Oh?" Zhu Youjian responded.
Cao Huachun lowered his voice.
"Court officials are no longer willing to serve in Shaanxi and Shanxi. In the past, whenever a prefectural or magistrate position opened, civil officials would immediately form cliques, fiercely recommending their own people, eager to secure such posts. But recently, several vacancies have appeared in Shaanxi and Shanxi, and no one volunteers. Everyone shirks responsibility. Even officials explicitly named by the Ministry of Personnel are pulling strings, offering bribes, begging for someone else to be sent in their place."
Zhu Youjian's expression darkened.
His mood, which had just barely recovered, plummeted once again.
He had thought he'd already reached the bottom—but it turned out he was merely standing on the twenty-second floor of the Kui Xing Tower, with far more room left to fall.
"These accursed officials!" Zhu Youjian roared, slamming his hand down.
"When benefits are to be had, their hands stretch out endlessly. But the moment I need them to share my burdens, every last one of them scuttles away to hide in the shadows!"
Cao Huachun murmured softly,
"Barely seven days into office and… ah… given the circumstances… it is understandable that they are unwilling."
Zhu Youjian let out a long, weary sigh.
"Is there truly no good news at all?"
Cao Huachun replied carefully,
"There is, in fact, some good news. After the rebels breached Zezhou, they gathered a large fleet of boats, intending to cross the Yellow River southward into Mengjin County…"
At this, Zhu Youjian gasped in alarm.
"Heavens! Isn't that right next to Luoyang?"
Cao Huachun quickly reassured him.
"Please calm yourself, Your Majesty. The rebels' attempt to cross the river failed. A local gentry member named Bai Yuan organized a militia force to garrison the Yellow River banks. According to local reports, Bai Yuan mobilized a hundred thousand archers, with endless arrows. On the riverbank, arrows fell like a storm, and the rebels were unable to land. They were forced to retreat back into Shanxi."
"A hundred thousand archers?"
Zhu Youjian's face twisted—not in astonishment, but in fury.
"Are they feeding me false numbers again?"
Cao Huachun nodded faintly.
"This old servant agrees. A hundred thousand is clearly exaggerated. Most likely it was only several thousand archers, aided by the Yellow River's treacherous currents, which prevented the brigands from landing."
Only then did Zhu Youjian nod slowly.
"To stop the rebels from crossing the Yellow River…" he said, "that is truly commendable. Truly commendable indeed!"
His spirits surged upward, as if he had been launched skyward by a jet engine.
A sudden realization struck him.
"A ruler's success," he said thoughtfully, "lies in having worthy men to assist him. Let officials seek out and recommend individuals of virtue and talent—even those living in obscurity. I shall appoint them and usher in an era of enlightened governance."
"Your Majesty is truly wise," Cao Huachun praised.
Zhu Youjian slapped the table decisively.
"So officials refuse to go to Shaanxi and Shanxi? Very well! Then we shall appoint capable individuals from among the common folk. Let officials from all regions submit recommendations. Any outstanding talent—like Bai Yuan—willing to share my burdens shall be appointed to official posts in Shaanxi and Shanxi!"
Autumn winds arrived, carrying ever-cooler rains.
Golden October descended upon the land.
Li Daoxuan and Gao Yiye rode together aboard a pleasure boat, gliding gracefully over the autumn waters of the Yellow River.
This pleasure boat, however, was anything but ordinary.
It was a plastic pleasure craft, manufactured by Cai Xinzhi, powered by an electric motor. Its cabin featured carved railings and painted pillars, elegant to the point of extravagance.
Inside, an assortment of modern snacks was neatly arranged.
Naturally, the two were not alone.
Gao Yiye's personal guards were present—and so was another notable figure:
Chen Yuanbo, the most outstanding student from the first graduating class of Gao Family Village's middle school.
After graduating, Chen Yuanbo had traveled to Puzhou, where he served as Prefect Qiu Qianfan's chief strategist. The experience transformed him. Classroom theory met real-world governance, and abstract knowledge was tempered into practical ability.
Now, Chen Yuanbo was capable, grounded, and ready to shoulder responsibility on his own.
Several days earlier, Zhu Youjian had issued an imperial edict: the magistrate of Wenshui County had been murdered by rebels after only seven days in office, and a replacement was urgently needed.
He called upon all officials to recommend suitable candidates.
The court, however, fell into an eerie silence.
This time, no one was willing to send their protégés into such a deadly post.
Thus, Qiu Qianfan, Prefect of Puzhou, submitted a memorial, strongly recommending his chief strategist, Chen Yuanbo, as an exceptional civilian talent, perfectly suited for Wenshui County.
Since no one else was willing to go, Zhu Youjian gave his approval with a decisive stroke of the brush.
Chen Yuanbo relinquished his strategist role, donned scholar-blue robes, assembled a group of middle school graduates from Gao Family Village as his aides, and—escorted by five hundred Gao Family Village militia—set out to take office.
Departing from Yongji Ferry, Chen Yuanbo led his contingent of over five hundred people aboard transport ships toward Wenshui County.
As they passed Xiaolangdi, they encountered the Heavenly Lord's pleasure boat.
Chen Yuanbo understood immediately—this meeting was intentional.
He ordered his ship to draw alongside, then boarded the Dao Xuan Tianzun vessel.
"Greetings, Tianzun!" Chen Yuanbo said, bowing deeply.
Li Daoxuan smiled.
"So, you're going to be a magistrate now," he said. "How do you feel about it?"
Chen Yuanbo answered honestly,
"To be truthful, Tianzun, I've heard that Governor Fan Shangzheng attempted to relieve Huaiqing Prefecture, but was defeated and forced to retreat in chaos. The rebels are still active near Huaiqing. I… am quite apprehensive."
Li Daoxuan chuckled lightly.
"No need to fear. With five hundred flintlock militia accompanying you, as long as you hold the county town and do not venture out recklessly, it will be extremely difficult for the rebels to breach your defenses."
He then pointed to the silver-thread Dao Xuan Tianzun emblem embroidered on Chen Yuanbo's chest.
"And I will come to check on you from time to time. If brigands attack, you only need to hold out. I will personally bring reinforcements. Wenshui lies directly on the Yellow River—our troops can travel by boat and arrive quickly."
Chen Yuanbo felt a wave of relief.
"However," he hesitated, "if we must remain within the county town, developing Gao Family Village's larger industries will be difficult."
Large factories required space and could not be confined within city walls. If built outside, they would be impossible to defend should rebels arrive.
Li Daoxuan had already considered this.
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't start too big. Establish small workshops inside the city for now. When the rebels withdraw, then expand. Be flexible."
"Understood!" Chen Yuanbo replied firmly.
With official matters concluded, Gao Yiye—who had been quietly listening—finally spoke up.
"I heard Wenshui County is named after its two hot springs," she said, her eyes sparkling. "I really want to soak in one."