Rebirth of The Deer and the Cauldron, Wei Xiaobao Becomes a God

Wei Xiaobao, who was sailing upstream along the Minjiang River, saw Fuzhou's iconic building, the White Pagoda, from afar.

This white pagoda is also called "Baoen Dingguang Duobao Pagoda". It is said that in the first year of Tianyou in the Tang Dynasty (904 AD), Wang Shenzhi, the governor of Weiwu Army, built the pagoda to pray for the souls of his parents. The temple was built the following year and was called Baita Temple.

Legend has it that a bright pearl was found when digging the foundation of the tower, and it was named "Bao'en Dingguang Duobao Tower" at that time.

The white tower rises into the clouds like a pillar reaching the sky, standing beside the south gate of Fuzhou City.

The body of the White Pagoda is as white as snow. When the sunlight shines on it, it reflects dazzling light, like a shining pearl inlaid on the earth.

Wei Xiaobao and others got off the yacht at the dock. Zhu Youli and officials from Fuzhou had been waiting for a long time.

Wei Xiaobao walked in the front, followed closely by Shuang'er and Ling Zhao, each holding a copper hammer in one hand, while Master Jiunan, Tao Hongying and Bai Taiguan stayed on the yacht to continue their practice.

When Zhu Youli saw Wei Xiaobao, he immediately saluted with a standard military salute and said excitedly: "Commander-in-chief, we are all very happy to know that you are coming."

Wei Xiaobao looked at the former head of the guard regiment, nodded with satisfaction and said, "Well, very good. I didn't expect that he would become the commander of the front so soon!"

Zhu Youli quickly replied: "This is all thanks to the commander-in-chief."

After a brief exchange of greetings, Zhu Youli began to introduce the people here to Wei Xiaobao.

He pointed to the Fujian officials in the crowd and said, "General, these are the officials and gentry of Fujian. They are very excited to hear that you are coming."

Looking in the direction Zhu Youli pointed, Fujian officials and gentry were standing in a neat row. On the left was Fujian Governor Wu Xingzuo, leading a group of officials including the Superintendent of Education, the Provincial Governor, and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner; on the right was a group of respectful gentry.

The Fujian Governor Wu Xingzuo on the left took the lead and stepped forward, leading the crowd to salute Wei Xiaobao and said in unison: "Greetings, Lord Wei!"

"Lord Wei's visit has brought prosperity to the whole of Fujian and made the city of Fuzhou more prosperous." Wu Xingzuo said respectfully.

"Fujian is a good place, a land of fish and rice, and the richest place in the world. This is all due to your rule!" said Wei Xiaobao.

"Sir, you are joking! Fujian has been harassed by Zheng's bandits for so many years, and the people have been living in poverty and unbearable! Fortunately, your army entered Jinxia last year, and we in Fujian were able to avoid the suffering of war. All this is thanks to your kindness to Fujian, Sir Wei! The soldiers and civilians of Fujian will always remember your kindness."

Wu Xingzuo's words were simply a classic example of flattery. After hearing them, Wei Xiaobao felt so happy that he felt as if he was floating in the clouds.

He turned around and said proudly to Ling Zhao and Shuang'er, "Look, Governor Wu is so sensible! He is much better than Yao Qisheng! When Xiao Xuanzi comes in a few days, I must have a good talk with him. It would be a great injustice for such an outstanding talent if he doesn't become a governor."

Although Wei Xiaobao had his back to the crowd when he spoke, he deliberately raised his voice, as if he was afraid that others could not hear him.

After hearing these words, Wu Xingzuo couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude.

It turned out that Wu Xingzuo's father had been a guard of Daishan, and he himself was a tribute student in the seventh year of Shunzhi. He had served as a county magistrate and had personally led troops to fight against Zheng's bandits.

Because of his meritorious service in defending the city, he was promoted to Governor of Fuzhou.

However, unlike Yao Qisheng, Wu Xingzuo did not have Prince Kang as his backstage support.

Although he was both civil and military, he lacked a strong backer in the court and was often excluded by other officials.

When he heard Wei Xiaobao's evaluation of him, he was extremely excited and said hurriedly, "Master Wei, my dear teacher, from now on, Bo Cheng (character) is your disciple. My dear teacher, please accept my greetings!"

Wu Xingzuo didn't care that he was twice as old as Wei Xiaobao, nor did he care about other people's gossip that Wei Jueye was "good at all kinds of cheating and deceiving, and his reading and writing were all in vain."

He only knew that Wei Xiaobao was an influential person in the court and could be used as a backer.

After all, everyone knows that Shi Lang was originally just a lieutenant general under Yao Qisheng. Since he followed Wei Xiaobao, he has now become a minister of the inner court and the admiral of the Beijing-Tianjin Navy, a dignified first-rank official!

Therefore, Wei Xiaobao's thigh must be held, and held tightly.

So, Wu Xingzuo knelt on his knees without hesitation, with his palms facing up, and then kowtowed three times respectfully, performing the ceremony of becoming a disciple.

Wei Xiaobao was stunned for a moment, muttering to himself: "What is this? Am I going to establish a sect and recruit disciples?"

He originally wanted to step forward to stop them, but then he changed his mind and realized that he currently had few troops and even fewer subordinates who could manage government affairs.

And if the Qing court allowed Wu Xingzuo to govern Fujian, it would be much better than Yao Qisheng, who stared at him with a pair of cross-eyed eyes all day long.

Thinking about it this way, Wei Xiaobao felt that it would be fine to accept Wu Xingzuo as his old disciple, as he would not suffer any loss anyway.

So he nodded reluctantly, indicating that he accepted Wu Xingzuo's apprenticeship.

"Bocheng, I have accepted you as my student. I hope you will listen to me in the future and not bring disgrace to your school." Wei Xiaobao said in an old manner.

"Students must obey the teacher's instructions!"

At this time, Zhu Youli pointed to a middle-aged scholar on the right and said, "Commander-in-chief, this is Rao Lixiang, the leader of the Fuzhou Hai Gang."

"Rao Lixiang pays respect to Lord Wei!"

"You are Gang Leader Rao. You are very famous. You can sell Ryukyu Daqu, which costs several hundred taels of silver per bottle, for fifty thousand taels of silver per bottle in China. You must have made a fortune." Wei Xiaobao narrowed his eyes, looked at the person in front of him, and spoke slowly.

"Please forgive me, Lord Wei. This is all life-threatening money. If we are caught by the government, we will lose our heads." Rao Lixiang replied respectfully.

"But why do I hear that your money includes not only the government's money, but also the share of Zheng bandits from Dongzhou Island, but no bonus from me as the supplier?" Wei Xiaobao said slowly, but there was a hint of cunning in his eyes.

When Gang Leader Rao heard something wrong with this, he immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Master Wei, I was inconsiderate. I will definitely give you my share. Please forgive me!"

Wei Xiaobao did not answer, but said to Wu Xingzuo beside him: "Bocheng, this is your territory. This sea gang is smuggling and trafficking on the sea and is tyrannical.

I don't know whether there was any murder or robbery, but it is an indisputable fact that they took the goods of our Tiandi Federation, made money from the Chinese people, and shared the profits with the Zheng bandits.

You will be in charge of this matter. I will have Commander Zhu send someone to search the house with you to prevent these desperate criminals from hurting others and causing more murders."