May 6 of the first year of Shengong.

After a rain yesterday, the sun shone down, and the air in the whole county was mixed with the fragrance of earth.

Chang Mingxun handled the official documents, and then paced in the government by himself.

Compared with other suburban counties in Shendu, there are few things in the entire Yunyang County.

Chang Mingxun felt that this was his luck, the people did not make trouble, and many cumbersome official affairs were handled by the subordinates, and he only needed to stamp a seal, and he could be carefree.

For someone like him to be able to achieve the position of county magistrate, it is already quite good.

At that time, the salt official of the salt field was just a poor worm who took the blame, and the real big man promised Chang Mingxun that as long as the report was meritorious, he would be given a serious official position.

The county order of the suburban county of the capital, even if this Yunyang County is the most desolate county in the vicinity, it is enough to leave a strong mark on his seniority.

Now that Yunyang County is doing nothing, coupled with the meritorious treatment of locusts, the day of promotion will not be far away.

Chang Mingxun made himself a cup of tea and took a sip, the tea leaves were honored by the people below, and it is said that it is still a famous tea in Jiangnan Province. When the bitter tea enters the stomach, it can return to a sweet taste, take a deep breath, and the aftertaste is endless, which makes people feel refreshed.

"My lord, the steward of your house has something to ask to see." A small official hurried in.

Chang Mingxun didn't get up: "Let him come to see me." ”

After a while, the steward outside hurriedly ran in, and when he came in and saw Chang Mingxun, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said to Chang Mingxun: "Master, those people have business with us again!" ”

The steward's voice was very excited, Chang Mingxun suddenly coughed, and said, "Ah, it turned out that my brother came to see me!" I haven't seen him for a long time, it's time to go see him! ”

The steward knew that Chang Mingxun was saying this to people outside, so he resolutely shut his mouth.

Chang Mingxun gave a few words to the little official, and then followed the steward back to the house.

"Master, this is the filial piety given by those people. The old Taoist who was too clear also said that as long as we do this, he will give the same weight of silver again! ”

The steward excitedly opened a box covered with cloth, which was full of silver and shimmered in the light.

Chang Mingxun's hand trembled a little, and he reached into the pile of silver with his hand, all the way to the bottom of the box. It's a box full of silver, and there is no mezzanine at all.

It's sent!

So much silver is enough for him to buy a big mansion in Jiangnan Province to live in his old age, if he is allowed to do something evil, even if he escapes outside the Great Zhou, it will be enough for him to be rich and prosperous for a lifetime.

A box of silver is enough for 100 catties, 10 taels per catty, and 1 tael of silver can buy 20 stone rice in Shendu North City.

His annual salary is only twenty taels!

And there's a box of them!

Chang Mingxun's breathing became a lot rougher, and he asked the steward, "What did those Taoist priests ask me to do?" ”

"They want to transport some of the Buddhist artifacts to the divine capital, and they need to use the official seal of the lord to serve as an offering in Yunyang County and send them to the palace." The steward said.

Chang Mingxun raised his eyebrows, but he knew about it.

Da Zhou suffered an unprecedented locust plague this year, except for Yunyang County, almost all the vicinity of Shendu were affected.

In order to solve the locust plague and to calm the panicked emotions of the people, His Majesty decided to hold a worship in the divine capital, and at the same time ordered Longchen Temple to do water and land pujas, worship the gods of all parties, and protect the peace and security of the Great Zhou.

For such a grand event, Yunyang County has to send an offering as usual, and as a person who has made meritorious contributions to the control of locusts, Yunyang County has an unshirkable responsibility. This offering does not need to be precious, but it needs to be heartfelt.

After hesitating for a while, Chang Mingxun suddenly frowned and said, "Aren't they Taoist priests, how do they make Buddha weapons?" ”

The steward pouted: "Where do they look like Taoist priests, from a small point of view, they are just a group of charlatans who eat and drink." Maybe you will become a monk with a shaved degree and a robe. Master, these people should have noticed the water and land puja and wanted to make an impression in front of His Majesty, so they came here to give it a chance. ”

That said, it makes sense.

There are so many temples in the world, there are many temples in the Shendu City, but the fame of all the temples has been occupied by Longchen Temple. There is no way, the abbot of the family is now the current national teacher. The rest of the temples looked a lot darker in front of Longchen Temple. If you want to fight for a way out, then you have to make an impression in front of Your Majesty, this is the best opportunity.

Chang Mingxun actually had other plans in mind.

He was going to present an ear of wheat seedlings as an offering, and although the wheat seedlings were not ripe at this time, the intact wheat seedlings could be distinguished from the treasures enshrined in the rest of the county town.

After all, their county has not suffered from locust plagues.

However, looking at the silver in the box, Chang Mingxun quickly made a decision in his heart.

No one is going to have trouble with money.

"By the way, my lord, the old Taoist of Taiqingguan also invited you to go to the Locust Temple to worship, saying that it is to improve the prestige of their Buddha weapons." The steward added.

Chang Mingxun waved his hand impatiently, pointing to the silver and asking the steward to put it away. It's a trivial matter, but you have to keep the money.

……

Outside Yunyang County, a row of iron horsemen of the right guards were rampage on the official road, followed by a large number of foot soldiers. The carriages and pedestrians on the road scattered and hid when they saw this.

Tang Yun followed Lu Pengyuan's side, rode his horse and shouted loudly: "General, go to the Locust Temple first and control the real thieves." ”

Lu Pengyuan has been remorseful in his heart since he missed Hu Chailing to hide the Northern Wilderness thief Kou last time, and now that he has met the opportunity, he naturally has to seize it.

"Before entering the city, the four gates are guarded, and no one is allowed to enter or leave. The rest of the people will follow me to the Locust Temple!" Lu Pengyuan shouted loudly.

Lu Pengyuan's horse whip whirred, and when he approached the county seat of Yunyang County, the iron cavalry team automatically divided into two columns, and a team of men and horses went to block the city gate of Yunyang County, while Lu Pengyuan and Tang Yun went to the Locust Temple together.

Although the speed at which several people came was fast, after all, there was still a distance, so it was delayed for a while.

Tang Yun just hoped that the real culprit would not run away.

……

Chang Mingxun was warmly sent into the main hall of the locust temple by the people, and an elderly man personally recited an ode to Chang Mingxun.

Chang Mingxun's face was full of smiles from beginning to end.

Even he knew in his heart that he was not a good official.

But who is an official who doesn't want to be grateful to the people?

As for the people, they don't care if you are good or not. As long as their interests can be maintained, it is the Blue Sky Master.

"Why didn't you see the old Taoist?" Chang Mingxun asked a little Taoist priest with a smile.

Politeness on the surface still has to be done, even if you know that the other party is not a good type, but after all, this is in front of everyone.

The little Taoist priest said: "Don't blame the Ming Mansion, the master didn't come over because of something." Just ask me to ask the Ming Mansion, can things be done? ”

Chang Mingxun pointed to the outside of the temple, the little Taoist priest understood, the two left from the locusts temple, and Chang Mingxun saw a carriage parked next to the locust temple at a glance.

The carriage was full of boxes, and Chang Mingxun opened it casually, and it was full of carved jade Buddhas.

Just this thing, is it worth spending this thought?

Chang Mingxun just glanced at it and threw it back again. This matter has nothing to do with him, he received money and offered the Jade Buddha. Even if this Jade Buddha is not in harmony with His Majesty's mind, it can also be shirked to Taiqingguan. As long as he has the credit for curing locusts, he is invulnerable.

A small official next to him planted the flag of Yunyang County on the carriage and retreated. Chang Mingxun was just about to speak, when he heard the little Taoist priest say: "Mingfu rest assured, the next silver taels, we have sent them to your mansion." I also hope that the Ming Mansion will pray more in the temple and say a few words for me. ”

Chang Mingxun's face turned into a flower with a smile: "It's easy to say, it's easy to say!" ”

"That's the best, then let's go first." The little Taoist priest got into the carriage and, together with the officials of Yunyang County, escorted the Jade Buddha in the carriage to the Shendu.

……

Chang Mingxun enshrined the burning incense candles under the altar of the locust god, and when he finished the speech that had been prepared, his expression was serious, and the people under him were even more pious.

He looked at the hideous and terrifying statue, and at this moment, he also had some doubts about whether there was really a locust god appearing.

If it is manifested, it is the best.

For the sake of the official who has been incense to you, bless the official's career to the next level.

Chang Mingxun remembered that there was another box of silver at home, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but hook slightly.

Chang Mingxun is not ready to continue to be promoted to an official, he knows what he is capable of, and a county order is enough. The so-called dark lights, they are here to inspect the most infrequent places in the imperial history. He was comfortable here as a magistrate for a few years, and after he retired, the money was enough for him to enjoy.

Chang Mingxun was about to leave here, and his legs were a little sore and numb after standing for a long time.

As soon as he went out, someone suddenly put a knife to his neck.

"By Your Majesty's order, arrest Yunyang County Commander Chang Mingxun, no one is allowed to leave, all stand still!" Lu Pengyuan's voice rang out.

Chang Mingxun's face suddenly turned pale, he didn't expect it anyway, how could His Majesty suddenly arrest him?

Could it be that it is a matter of accepting bribes?

Chang Mingxun was about to speak, two soldiers on the left and one on the right smashed on his forehead with the handle of the knife, Chang Mingxun screamed, and blood suddenly flowed down his forehead.

"General, the carriage that just sent out from here has been seized, and it contains those jade Buddhas!" A lieutenant ran in and reported loudly.

Jade Buddha!

Chang Mingxun's eyes suddenly widened and he looked up at the captain.

"Someone framed me, that Jade Buddha has nothing to do with me, it has nothing to do with me!" Chang Mingxun shouted.

Tang Yun crossed Chang Mingxun and led a team of right guards into the backyard of the Locust Temple, and suddenly there was an angry roar from inside.

The people like to watch the excitement, so naturally they also came over, and they were all stunned.

The backyard of the Locust Temple was littered with severed limbs and human corpses.

A row of children's heads sat on the wall, their expressions hideous, apparently suffering a great deal before they died.

"Oh my girl!" Some people cried out in grief, and he recognized his own child.

These children, deceived or abducted, were sent here to be sacrificed to the locust god.

In addition to Yunyang County, missing children from many villages around here have also been found here.

Chang Mingxun's legs trembled, he knew he was finished.

He had no idea that there was this behind the Locust Temple.

He is a mediocre official, and he lets his subordinates do everything for him. This locust temple was originally built by the Taoist priest who the steward helped him.

"None of my business, I didn't do it!" Chang Mingxun shouted.

No one will listen to him.

The angry people lifted the incense burner dedicated to the locust god and smashed it at Chang Mingxun's head.