Having returned from Yecheng, Fang Shuo considered himself a man of the world. Seeing Xu Miao's look of utter shock, a trace of smugness rose in his heart, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
“Oh, Mr. Xu, don't make such a big fuss. These sweet potatoes aren't anything rare in Yecheng.”
“The people of Yecheng are all believers of the Divine Lady. Under her protection, everyone has food to eat and clothes to wear. They're incredibly wealthy, and you won't see a single beggar on the streets.”
“Sigh, Chaoyang City is so poor. I'm afraid it won't be easy for you all to become believers of the Divine Lady.”
He shook his head as he spoke.
Xu Miao: “...”
“Your Honor, you say it won't be easy for us to become believers of the Divine Lady, but was it easy for you?”
Fang Shuo didn't catch the sarcasm in Xu Miao's tone. He gave a smug chuckle, a hint of boasting in his voice.
“Mr. Xu, that's where you're wrong. I'm different from you all. I am now a student of Yecheng Academy, so of course I am a believer of the Divine Lady!”
At this point, he couldn't help but complain, “If you hadn't used my father's words to force me to stay in Chaoyang City as Governor, I would definitely have gone back to Yecheng Academy to study!”
Of course.
Studying was just an excuse; he wasn't actually that diligent.
He simply felt that Yecheng had far more fun things, delicious food, and good people than Chaoyang City, and he just wanted to enjoy a comfortable life.
Besides, he no longer had any family left in Chaoyang City.
Lan Yi had confessed her affair with her hidden guard to him, admitting that the child in her womb was not his father's.
At the time, he had felt a tiny bit disappointed.
Later on, Lan Yi and A'han left the Fang Estate, and no one knew where they went. In any case, they would probably never return to Chaoyang City.
It wouldn't be long before Cui He and the others followed the Divine Lady to leave Chaoyang City and travel to other places for their studies.
When that time came, he wouldn't even have anyone to talk to.
The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. He suddenly reached out and grabbed Shen Yu's sleeve. “Mr. Shen, I lack the virtue for this position, while you possess unmatched wisdom. Why don't I yield the position of Governor of Chaoyang to you? Here is the Governor's seal, take it quickly!”
Shen Yu calmly pulled his sleeve back, dodging the Governor's seal that Fang Shuo tried to force into his hands.
Then, he politely declined, “Governor Fang, I came to Chaoyang City only to escort the students on their study tour and ensure that sweet potatoes are delivered to every starving citizen. How could I remain in Chaoyang City to take up the post of Governor? Please take back the Governor's seal.”
Since he could tell that the Divine Lady intended for Fang Shuo to be the Governor of Chaoyang, how could he be foolish enough to get in the way?
Furthermore, if he accepted the position of Governor, he would have to remain in Chaoyang City. He would be unable to follow the Divine Lady and witness with his own eyes how she would lead mortals to change the world step by step.
Fang Shuo sighed and said, “Why is this Governor's seal so unwanted? Yesterday, I tried to sneakily give it to my Senior Sister, but she didn't want it. Now I'm trying to give it to you, Mr. Shen, and you don't want it either...”
Xu Miao's face remained wooden. “Your Honor, as the Governor of a region, you must shoulder the responsibilities of a Governor. How can you casually give away the Governor's seal to others?”
In all his years, this was the first time he had ever seen someone despise a Governor's seal. That was a position that many officials struggled their entire lives in officialdom without ever managing to attain!
“Oh.”
Fang Shuo suddenly had a bright idea. “Mr. Xu, I think you have worked incredibly hard and deserve great merit. Why don't I give this Governor's seal to...”
Xu Miao looked at him expressionlessly. “This old man is already of advanced age. If not for the late Governor's deathbed entrustment, I would have already retired and returned to my hometown to enjoy my remaining years.”
Fang Shuo completely gave up on his hope of giving the Governor's seal away.
Xu Miao also saw clearly that Fang Shuo was indeed not cut out to be a Governor, and he couldn't help but sigh softly.
To put it bluntly.
If he were to pass away one day and there was no one left to guide Fang Shuo, the young man might end up doing something foolish and harm the entire population of the city.
After thinking it over, he looked at Shen Yu. “Young Master Shen, this old man has an audacious request.”
As he spoke, he stood up and bowed deeply to Shen Yu.
Seeing this, Shen Yu quickly went to support him. “Chief Administrator Xu, how could I, a junior, accept such a grand gesture from you?”
Xu Miao did not beat around the bush.
“Young Master Shen, you have seen our Governor's temperament for yourself. I believe there is no need for me to elaborate.”
“I am truly deeply worried about the future of Chaoyang City.”
“I beg you, Young Master, to show us a path forward.”
Fang Shuo stared out the window and then at the floor, pretending to be deaf and mute. He was hoping that the two of them would deem him a useless piece of trash and let him go to Yecheng.
However, the outcome left him utterly disappointed.
“Chief Administrator Xu, if the citizens of Chaoyang sincerely worship the Divine Lady and obtain her approval...”
Shen Yu paused before continuing, “When that time comes, Chaoyang City, Xindu City, and Yecheng will all be believers of the Divine Lady. Naturally, believers should look out for and assist one another. I believe many talented individuals from Xindu City and Yecheng would be willing to come to Chaoyang City to help Governor Fang govern.”
Xu Miao's face immediately fell into a troubled expression.
“Currently, the people in the city mostly feel fear toward the Divine Lady. Getting everyone to believe in her might be rather difficult.”
Shen Yu merely smiled. “It is of no consequence. Sooner or later, they will understand that the Divine Lady is the deity who loves the people of this world the most.”
Just then, a Yamen runner ran in to report.
“My lords, the merchants of the city request an audience.”
Xu Miao asked, “Is it Manager Chen and Manager Liu?”
The Yamen runner shook his head. “Replying to Your Honor, it is not just Manager Chen and Manager Liu. All the merchants in the city have come.”
“Go tell them that the Governor is not receiving guests today.”
“Chief Administrator Xu, they are not here to see the Governor.” The Yamen runner looked at Shen Yu. “They are requesting to see Young Master Shen.”
Shen Yu's eyelashes drooped slightly as if he had thought of something. He suddenly spoke, “Chief Administrator Xu, let's go take a look.”
The group walked toward the front gates of the estate.
Outside the Governor's estate, a massive crowd of merchants, both big and small from all over the city, had gathered, forming a dense sea of people.
The few leading the crowd were dressed neatly, yet their expressions carried a hint of unease and anxiety. Upon seeing Xu Miao walk out, they quickly cupped their hands in salute. When they noticed a young gentleman in white robes following behind him, everyone's gaze swept over to focus on him.
“You must be Young Master Shen?” An older merchant stepped forward, speaking respectfully. “I am Liu Mao of the silk manor. Please forgive our sudden intrusion.”
Shen Yu nodded slightly.
“For what matter have you all come?”
The merchants exchanged looks.
Ultimately, it was Liu Mao who spoke up.
“Young Master Shen, the Divine Lady descended to this world to purge evil spirits and save all living beings. We... we witnessed this with our own eyes and are deeply grateful. Together, we have pooled our resources to sculpt a golden statue for the Divine Lady.”
Several servants brought forward an object. When the red cloth covering it was lifted, it revealed a pure gold statue of the deity, measuring a full one foot and six inches.
Gasps of astonishment echoed from the surrounding crowd.
“You have all shown great sincerity,” Shen Yu said in a calm, measured voice. “However, the Divine Lady is no ordinary minor deity. She does not feed on incense offerings, nor does she require a golden statue or a temple for worship.”
Hearing this, the merchants raised their heads in unison, panic written all over their faces. “Then what should we do?”
“The Divine Lady saves all living beings from peril. What is it that she desires?”
Everyone was stunned; no one answered.
Shen Yu's gaze drifted toward a ragged beggar child at a distant street corner. Likely lacking the strength from hunger, the child curled up in the corner, their face obscured.
“What she saves is the lives of the people,” he continued. “If you truly wish to worship the Divine Lady, you would do better to exchange this golden statue for grain and winter clothing to aid those in the city who lack food and warmth.”
“The Divine Lady holds the common people close to her heart. Ensuring that the people are fed and warm is the best offering you can give her.”
He raised his head and looked out toward the grand temple outside the city.
Yun Shu, who was watching the system monitor, locked eyes with Shen Yu on the screen. She then closed the system panel.
“System, the perfect opportunity for my grand entrance has arrived.”
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