Chapter 483: How Could Our Village's Mountain God Let You Be Kidnapped?

"Mountain God's Wife, I have never met Zhang Mountain God in person, but I have heard of his deeds; now that he has become the Mountain God of Shizi Ling, I raise both hands in approval."

"I believe that with Zhang Mountain God as our Mountain God, the people of Shizi Ling will surely enjoy better lives!"

Tong Weicai offered a flattering remark.

If Zhang Deben were merely the Lion Ridge Mountain God, he wouldn't need to flatter anyone; although he holds no official rank, he does have a reputation as a scholar.

Now he is also Wei Yuan's senior aide; throughout Qingyang County, he may not be above ten thousand yet below one, but he certainly has status and standing.

In the modest Shizi Ling, even with a Mountain God, there is no need for him to grovel and flatter.

However, Zhang Deben, this Lion Ridge Mountain God, differs from other lowly Mountain Gods—not because he truly admires Zhang Deben's actions.

He didn't understand Zhang Deben before, but after Zhang Deben became the Lion Ridge Mountain God, he looked into his deeds, learned of them, and felt not the slightest admiration; instead, he silently cursed Zhang Deben as foolish.

Not to mention helping the elderly and infirm of Zhang Family Village, but also his brother-in-law in Qingyang County—Du Guan.

Originally Du Guan was just a destitute in the county seat, unable to find a wife there; even the surrounding villages had few families willing to give their daughters to him, let alone travel to the remote Zhang Family Village to seek a spouse.

It is unclear whether Zhang Deben favored Du Guan, was fooled by his urban status, or whether Zhang Guilian wanted to marry Du Guan to become a city dweller.

If Zhang Deben had not selflessly helped, Du Guan wouldn't have become wealthy; he would still worry about daily meals, and after gaining wealth, he became arrogant, completely forgetting how he rose to prosperity and disregarding Zhang Deben, his elder brother-in-law.

If it were a normal person, not to mention just a brother-in-law, even a close brother, before they themselves have become wealthy, they would never—

What else can Zhang Deben's actions be, if not foolish?

He knows what Zhang Deben does; it's already good that he doesn't mock him behind his back—how could he flatter Zhang Deben in public?

After all, he is the senior aide to the County Magistrate of Qingyang County, a person of status, and he cares about his face.

He flatters Zhang Deben because he knows Zhang Deben has an ambitious nephew.

Whether it's the current imperial examination top scholar or the prime minister's son-in-law, both have great prospects.

If Zhang Deben could speak a few kind words for him before Wang Ruhai, and Wang Ruhai remembers this person, then when he rises to prominence, why would Wei Yuan still need a senior aide?

Being a senior aide is fine, but if given a choice, he would rather be the County Magistrate himself.

"Tong senior aide, you flatter me!"

Li Ping's brows twitched slightly, a flash of surprise in her eyes that vanished quickly; she hadn't expected the lord who came down from the county seat to flatter people, and she said earnestly:

"My De Ben told me that since Yama King chose him as our Shizi Ling Mountain God, he will do his utmost to care for Shizi Ling.

He will cultivate one heavenly treasure after another, so that the people near Shizi Ling can enjoy good lives!"

"Mountain God's Wife, if Zhang Mountain God truly can cultivate one heavenly treasure after another in Shizi Ling, it would indeed let our villagers enjoy good lives.

"Heavenly treasures are pricey, and they're popular not only in our Qingyang County but everywhere!" Tong Weicai's eyes brightened; he knew the huge profit and wanted to get involved, but after thinking, this wasn't his business—what's the point—no, as long as it's money-making, his county magistrate would step in, not him. So if he could spare a little benefit, that would be enough, he shifted the subject:

"However, to cultivate heavenly treasures in Shizi Ling, a large amount of Divine Rain is required; does that mean from now on, Shizi Ling will have Divine Rain every few days?"

"Tong senior aide, you're right; the Land God of Shizi Ling is too barren. For years without a Mountain God's care, only weeds grow; to cultivate heavenly treasures, we need abundant Divine Rain!"

Li Ping nodded.

During this time, Zhang Deben discussed many matters with her in her dreams, including how to develop Shizi Ling, and she offered suggestions.

But most of it was consulting her own niece; one can only say her niece truly is the family's bright mind.

She gave one reasonable suggestion after another!

If she didn't know that her niece's whole heart is attached to Ping'an of their family, unwilling to leave the Wang Family, she would—

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Ping noticed pair after pair of heated gazes; without thinking, she could tell what they were thinking—most likely scheming about the Divine Rain—and she laughed:

"Everyone, as I just said, our De Ben wishes everyone to be disease- and disaster-free and live a hundred years, but relying on a single Divine Rain is hard

Therefore, our De Ben decided that, besides a Divine Rain over Shizi Ling at intervals, there will also be a Divine Rain at our Mountain God Temple; at that time, everyone is welcome to come for the baptism!"

This novel you have reached

"Really?"

Whether it was Village Chief Zhou or others, even the elders of Zhang Family Village, upon hearing Li Ping's words, all their eyes brightened, and they couldn't help asking: "Zhang Madam—no, Mountain God's Wife, is there a specific time?"

"Specific time?"

Li Ping thought for a moment, pretended to contemplate, shook her head, and said regretfully: "We don't have that; Divine Rain isn't something that can be summoned at will; it requires many strict conditions. Our De Ben cannot guarantee an exact time, but will notify a day or two in advance, so you should come to the Mountain God Temple from time to time!"

The conditions for invoking Divine Rain, De Ben told her, involve many requirements, the biggest being incense offerings; if the incense flow is steady, it's not that it can rain every day—once a month is feasible, and a fixed schedule is possible, but ultimately her niece denied it.

Having the surrounding villagers of Shizi Ling frequently visit the Mountain God Temple to inquire about Divine Rain can provide De Ben with a large amount of incense offerings.

"I see!"

Village Chief Zhou showed a hint of disappointment, though not much; compared to being able to receive Divine Rain multiple times, this minor issue wasn't a problem, and he shifted the topic:

"Mountain God's Wife, do you know when Zhang Mountain God might visit our village's Mountain God Temple?"

Li Ping was about to answer when Zhang Yongde hurriedly changed the subject: "It's getting late, De Ben's deity-ascending ceremony is near; we should hurry to prepare, lest we lag at the crucial moment!"

(End of chapter)