Chương 56: The Land God Self-Help Association

They rested for a night and continued on their way. Three days later, Fang Cheng led the great procession to the gates of White Flower City. Qin Hao and Li Sanshui had already gathered the city's residents outside the walls to welcome them. They had even hung a banner reading: "Warm Welcome to Our Great City God Returning in Triumph!" Fang Cheng knew at a glance that this was Li Sanshui's handiwork. The man was a master of flattery.

"City God, you have worked so hard!" Li Sanshui greeted him with a fawning smile, bowing with clasped hands.

"It's no trouble for me. But you, Magistrate, are going to have your hands full from now on." Fang Cheng gave Li Sanshui a pat on the shoulder, grinning.

"An honor, truly an honor." Li Sanshui wore a wide smile, yet inside he was already dreading the days to come. With Fang Cheng keeping an eye on him, there was no way he could skim any oil off the fifty thousand newcomers. Without further delay, they led the people into the city. White Flower City had once been a prefecture capital, so it was spacious. After the demon attack, many residents had died or moved away, leaving plenty of empty houses.

Fang Cheng instructed Li Sanshui to settle the new arrivals, and to incorporate Squad Leader Zhang, Lin Gang, and the other former Xiangshi City officials into the Yamen to help manage the population. Li Shuyan was put in charge of setting up a school to teach the people to read and write. Most of the survivors were not originally from Xiangshi City itself. They had come from the surrounding villages and mountains to work in the city's mills.

They were physically strong, which was why they had survived their fall from the sky with few injuries. But they were mostly illiterate and needed immediate training. Once everyone could read and write, they would all write, just like Xiaofeng, "The City God is a truly good person," and paste the words on their doors, walls, and stoves. Hahaha. Just thinking about such a wonderful thing made him hiss, hiss, hiss... As for Qin Hao, Fang Cheng did not need to assign him a task. He already had his own plans.

With fifty thousand new people, the economy needed to grow. The textile industry had to continue, but the magistrate of Xiangshi City was dead, so new suppliers were needed for looms, sewing machines, and other equipment, as well as new sales channels. He Chunhua, the owner of Heavenly Blessing Teahouse, offered to help. She said that Xiangshi City's silk had been shipped to Lianshan Prefecture City and then to the Great Sheng capital for sale.

She would accompany Qin Hao to the prefecture city, where she knew many wealthy merchants who could help purchase silk or sell it in the capital. Fang Cheng was surprised.

"This teahouse owner is abandoning tea to get into silk? Is she trying to make money off us? That won't do. This is the property of White Flower City and its people. I will not let any greedy merchant get their hands on it!" Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Qin Hao explained, "Brother Fang, you misunderstand her. She is helping us for free. That night during the demon invasion, your slap woke her up.

She realized that money means nothing if you are not alive to spend it. Besides, if White Flower City's economy does well, the people will have money and she can sell more tea."

"Not bad, not bad. A teachable student." Fang Cheng nodded approvingly. His slap had reformed a greedy merchant. A truly great deed. In contrast, Li Sanshui, the old fox, was still the same, always looking for ways to line his pockets. Maybe he should give him a few slaps too? Fang Cheng thought about it, but decided against it. He had beaten Li Sanshui many times already, but the man was like a dead pig that feared no boiling water. The more he was beaten, the more he seemed to enjoy it.

By the time Fang Cheng finished giving orders, it was late at night. He was about to return to the City God Temple when he decided to check on Old Xu. He changed direction and headed to Harmony Wine Shop. He pushed the door open. Old Xu was still the same, drunk as usual, slumped over the counter. Fang Cheng walked over, shook him awake, and asked, "Old Xu, have you been up to any mischief while I was away?"

"Wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare. I can't compare to you, my lord." Old Xu laughed, pulled out his pipe, and lit it.

"Hmph. I thought so." Fang Cheng sat down, picked up a teapot, poured himself a bowl, and gulped it down. As he set the bowl down, he noticed a book on the counter. The Abai Detective Files.

"What the hell! Was the masked man in Xiangshi City you?" Fang Cheng shouted, the demon sword appearing in his hand.

"Masked man? My lord, I have never left White Flower City. How could I be a masked man in Xiangshi City?" Old Xu cried out in protest. Fang Cheng reconsidered. Li Shuyan had said the masked man had appeared in Xiangshi City half a month ago. Old Xu had been in White Flower City the whole time. Fang Cheng had seen him. It was indeed impossible for him to have been there.

"Old man, why are you reading crime novels? Are you planning to become a killer? Hmph. I am warning you. Stay out of trouble. And this book is confiscated. Do not touch it again." Fang Cheng snatched the book and stuffed it into his robes. Old Xu chuckled but did not stop him.

"You are right to scold me, my lord. I only skim a page now and then. I do not read it often." Fang Cheng could not be bothered with him further. He turned and left the shop, returning to the City God Temple. The incense burner in the main hall was still lit, but the smoke was thin. It seemed few people had come to pray. He found a stool, sat down, and pulled out the detective novel, ready to read. Just then, a flying sword descended from the sky. He caught it and opened the letter inside.

It was from Underworld Officer Han Bingxuan. The letter read:"Brother Fang, it has been a while. I have been in Xijiang Prefecture investigating Zhu Youchang's case. I traced it to a City God there, but when I arrived, he had already been killed. The trail went cold again, so I went back to Gaoliu Village, where Zhu Youchang had served, hoping to find new clues. I have searched the village many times and found nothing. Except for the tea tree at Zhu Youchang's gate.

Its leaves are green tinged with red, which I found strange. The variety is unique. I have not seen it anywhere else in Xijiang Prefecture. After asking around among colleagues, I learned that this tea tree is a rare species unique to the Great Sheng capital. Zhu Youchang had never been to the capital. So someone there must have brought it to him. I am planning to go to the capital to investigate this tea tree. I heard from Lord Pei Tang that you have become the City God of White Flower City.

I cannot help but sigh. It is a waste of your talents. If you are willing, I can petition the Underworld Bureau's Chief to make you an Underworld Officer. Brother Fang, truly, you have strong logical reasoning and investigative skills. You are better suited to solving crimes than to being a City God and boosting the population. Please consider my offer. I can convince Lord Pei Tang on your behalf. There is one more thing I want to ask you.

A new organization has recently emerged in Xijiang Prefecture, called the: Land God Mutual Love Self-Help Association. This organization seems to be engaged in some shady activities behind the scenes. Brother Fang, you used to be a Land God in Xijiang Prefecture. Have you heard of this group?"