Chapter 2726 Pious

Zhu Feng said, "Close, but not too close."

“…”

"Don't forget what I told you before."

Nan Yan immediately recalled that Zhu Feng had told her more than once when they were in Handongwei that Li Bushang had a character like a wolf and could not be pushed too hard. If pushed too hard, he would bite back.

Nan Yan said, "I understand. The Emperor wants me to choose a place with a convenient route, but not too close, right?"

Zhu Feng smiled and said, "The boy is teachable."

“…”

"Although I don't think he has any interest in Xie Jiaojiao, since you want something to happen, it's best to create some conditions for them."

Nan Yan smiled and said, "If there's no love at first sight, you can develop it slowly as you get along with each other."

“…”

"In short, give them a chance. It's up to them to decide how they will do it."

Zhu Feng smiled and said, "That's what I meant."

Nan Yan smiled, leaned into his arms and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty."

Zhu Feng shook his head and said self-deprecatingly, "As the emperor, I'm so busy with so many important matters that I even have to act as a matchmaker."

Nan Yan reached out and touched his chest, saying softly, "Your Majesty, those who are capable should do more work."

“…”

"Besides, if his problem is solved, wouldn't the emperor and I be relieved of our worries?"

“…”

Zhu Feng remained silent, only sighing softly.

They were both silent for a while. Nan Yan turned her head and looked out the window. It was already dark, so she said softly, "Okay, it's so late. Your Majesty, stop talking and go to sleep."

Zhu Feng nodded and closed his eyes.

The two of them snuggled together and fell into a deep sleep.

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Two days later, outside a large empty house in the south of the city, Jinyiwei Tao Jianbai disguised himself in a gray and worn cotton-padded jacket and slowly walked into the gate with several men in equally shabby clothes.

As soon as I entered the gate, I saw the yard full of people.

These people were all dressed simply and had gloomy faces, but they all had ribbons hanging on their bodies, and it was obvious that they knew each other.

As soon as they saw a few unfamiliar people walking in, everyone turned around and looked at them.

Tao Jianbai lowered his head subconsciously.

At this time, the elder brother Chen who had brought them here walked through the yard and came to the main door of the main hall. He then stopped and waved at them, saying, "Come here, come and pay your respects to the incense master first."

Several people walked up immediately.

The main room was very spacious, not much smaller than the yard outside. However, there was nothing much furnished in the room. There were only two armchairs in the front, a table, and three chairs in a row on each side.

A man, neatly dressed in silk, sat upright on a chair to the left, a cup of tea beside him, seemingly giving a lecture. He paused when he saw a stranger. Six people sat on either side, their clothing slightly more expensive than the outsiders', each wearing colorful ribbons. They all turned to look at them.

Tao Jianbai lowered his head and looked around carefully.

At this time, Brother Chen said, "Master."

The "master" in front said: "Who are these people?"

Brother Chen said, "Master, these are the people who are willing to join our Earthly Immortal Society. I will bring them to meet you."

The hall master asked, "Is this all in accordance with the rules?"

"Don't worry, Master. They are all landless and propertyless people. Take this Li Ershiwu, for example. He fled from Henan. His fields were flooded and his wife ran away. He knew that our incense association had great magical powers, so he came all the way to join us."

As he spoke, a thin man walked in and bowed to the hall master with a flattering smile.

The hall master raised his eyelids and looked at him without saying anything.

Brother Chen added, "There are a few others like them. Their fields in their hometowns were also occupied by others. They went to the capital to complain, but they had no connections and could not return home."

The hall master looked at them again.

Then, his eyes fell on Tao Jianbai.

Among the group, Tao Jianbai was the tallest. Although he kept his head down and his face was pale, he still stood out. The hall master asked, "What does he do?"

Brother Chen said, "Oh, him. He's from the capital. His parents died of illness a while ago, and then a wealthy man from their neighborhood produced an IOU at the funeral hall. He said his parents had borrowed money from the wealthy man before they died, using their land as collateral. He couldn't pay it back, so they had to take back the few acres of his land."

"oh?"

The hall master glanced at Tao Jianbai and said, "Why didn't your parents tell you that they were borrowing money?"

Tao Jianbai immediately said, "That's not the case at all. My parents never borrowed money from him."

"So, what's the deal with the IOU?"

"He must have forged it."

"Then why don't you go and sue the authorities?"

"I wanted to go, but the government wouldn't pay me, so I couldn't get in. They even beat me and kicked me out. I couldn't survive, so I heard that if I joined the Earth Immortal Society, I could get a share of land, so I came."

The hall master laughed, then looked at everyone and said, "You all came here just to get a share of the land?"

Everyone nodded immediately and said, "Yes."

The hall master said, "It is true that you can get land by joining our Earthly Immortal Society, but you need to be pious. If you are not pious, the Earthly Immortals will not give you land for free."

The crowd asked, "What does it mean to be pious?"

The hall master said, "Our incense master is someone who can communicate with the earthly immortals. As long as you do what the incense master tells you to do, the earthly immortals will naturally know your sincerity. Sooner or later, you will get the land."

When everyone heard this, they all said, "Of course we are pious."

Tao Jianbai said softly, "Then I wonder when we can see the incense master?"

When the hall master heard this, he immediately glared at him and said, "The incense master? Do you think you can just meet the incense master casually?"

"ah?"

Brother Chen immediately said, "The incense master is chosen by the earthly immortals and has supernatural powers. He doesn't need to see you to know whether you are capable or not. However, those who have just joined the sect are not qualified to see the incense master."

Everyone immediately said, "We know."

Upon hearing this, Tao Jianbai frowned slightly, but kept his head down and remained calm.

The hall master squinted his eyes and glanced at them again, then said, "Old Chen, take them down and explain the rules. The New Year is coming up in a few days, and we have several large meetings to attend. Let those who are quick and capable go over and help."

"yes."

Brother Chen immediately waved to them: "Come on, follow me."

Several people bowed to the hall master and followed him away.

After leaving the main hall and walking to the side, Tao Jianbai lowered his head, but turned his head to look at the small hall next to the main hall, and saw a graceful figure in white clothes flash by.