CHAPTER 544: CHAPTER 319: IT’S NOT EASY TO GROW THIS BIG_3

However, for some unknown reason, the concubine suddenly lost interest, and the matter was dropped.

At that time, Zhang Ze was somewhat speechless, uncertain whether it was the decadence and corruption of the Liang Song royal family, blurring the lines between internal and external affairs, or if there were hidden motives here.

Just after a major battle in Bianjing, with half the city destroyed, that concubine still had the mind to wander around, requesting eunuchs, even visiting the office of the Foreign Minister without any discretion...

Moreover, the layout within the Imperial City was peculiar, as many government offices that should be set up outside the city had been relocated within the imperial grounds, with eunuchs and palace maids freely traversing these spaces.

What exactly were they up to?

While Zhang Ze was pondering these matters, someone emerged from over there, riding a Cyan Ox toward this office.

....

Taoist Liu had been dissatisfied with everything he saw recently.

Because all sorts of things were troubling him.

Matters regarding the Imperial Banner, the affairs of the Young Emperor and his concubine, and those of the two ancestors, were all causing him headaches.

As one of the rare capable individuals aboard the sinking ship of Liang Song, Taoist Liu, due to his Golden Core cultivation and his understanding of state affairs, earned the favor of the royal family. Despite being a Foreign Minister, he was extensively utilized by the Liang Song royal family.

Because of this, he became privy to many secrets, yet the more he knew, the more confused he became.

Although he revered the two ancestors like deities, he still felt a vague unease in his heart.

Because for some reason, he always felt that the Imperial Banner seemed somewhat sinister.

Pondering these dilemmas, he trudged toward the office, when suddenly the Old Cyan Ox beneath him stumbled over its hoof, almost throwing him to the ground.

"You old fellow..." Taoist Liu wanted to scold, but ultimately left the words unsaid.

Because the Old Cyan Ox was indeed very old.

Though a Spirit Beast, the Cyan Ox had been by Taoist Liu’s side since he became County Magistrate, already not young at the time, and now had reached an age at the end of its lifespan.

After entering the royal cabinet, Taoist Liu could, like others, have replaced it with a more majestic Dragon Steed or Lion Tiger, but he couldn’t bear to part with his old friend. Out of nostalgia, he continued riding it to work and back every day.

"Old buddy, hang in there, stick it out a little longer, and soon we can all enjoy some peace." Taoist Liu stroked the horn on the Cyan Ox’s head comfortingly.

The Cyan Ox raised its head to look at its master with a certain familiarity about these words.

Ever since Taoist Liu became County Magistrate, he had said these words countless times.

Yet now, the Old Cyan Ox was really uninterested in enjoying peace; it just wanted to retire, find a quiet place to rest, and wait quietly for the end.

The Old Cyan Ox snorted, tried to kick up its heels but, with its advanced age, no longer possessed the spirit of its youth, could only moo helplessly in response.

"You truly understand me, old buddy. Later, come with me to the West Mountain, it’s not far, just eight hundred miles." Taoist Liu continued stroking the ox’s horn.

Cyan Ox, "..."

After ’pacifying’ the Old Cyan Ox, Taoist Liu silently recited the vain words about seeking immortality within the Imperial Banner and arrived at the office entrance.

"Who are you?" Taoist Liu asked as he looked at the unfamiliar face standing at the door.

"Reporting to the master, I’m Zezi from the Laundry Bureau.

"Because just recently, the ancestors bravely fended off the enemy, although due to the cunning of the Thief Cultivators, the Laundry Bureau was also affected by their spells, causing chaos. After order was restored, an official transferred me here."

Zhang Ze calmly recited the concocted excuse and identity Lu Chen had crafted for Taoist Liu.

"Give me your hand." Taoist Liu said.

Zhang Ze obediently extended his hand.

Taoist Liu examined Zhang Ze’s hands, rough and cracked from years of washing, nodded, then suddenly reached to grab at Zhang Ze’s face.

After pinching a while, Taoist Liu remarked, "Hmm, nothing else for you, go take care of my ox."

Taoist Liu gave Zhang Ze’s face a firm squeeze and, seeing nothing false about it, tossed the reins into Zhang Ze’s hands and turned to enter the office.

Zhang Ze and the Old Cyan Ox exchanged a glance, seeing the same emotion in each other’s eyes.

’That man’s really something.’

"Let’s go, Brother Niu, you’ve grown old being ridden. Let me take you for something good to eat." Zhang Ze led the Old Cyan Ox to an animal shed behind the office.

Zhang Ze was adept at tending cattle. Previously, Li had spent some time at the Beast Taming Sect where she became a renowned cattle master. Upon her return, she’d boast to Zhang Ze for ages, to the point his ears grew callused; under Li’s constant chatter, he became halfway proficient in cattle care.

Settling the Cyan Ox in an animal shed, Zhang Ze transformed into an eggspert, cracking thirty eggs into the Old Ox’s feed, added half a bag of spirit beans, even somehow procured a few stalks of Golden Caterpillar Grass, tossing them all in.

Don’t ask, if asked, it’s just because I’m a laundry worker, who knows what this stuff is; if Brother Niu likes it, he should eat more.

"It’s just a pity there’s no equipment now, otherwise I’d whip up some fries for you, Brother Niu; those are delicious." Zhang Ze said as he added more ingredients, speaking to the Old Cyan Ox.

The Old Cyan Ox watched Zhang Ze enthusiastically adding to the feed, a teardrop trickled down its cheek, it felt a sense of kinship.

It had never eaten so well in its life.

But just as Zhang Ze was busying himself with the supplies, the Old Ox was eagerly devouring its meal, when Zhang Ze’s ears suddenly twitched; he sensed two people approaching.

Those two were chatting and laughing, looking extremely happy.

"Brother Song, congratulations, you managed to enter that banner first ahead of us for enjoyment."

"Oh, not at all, not at all, it’s merely by the blessings of paternal shadows, fortunately favored by the ancestors. In my opinion, Brother Wang is the true exemplar among us; even if I go first, it’s only to secure a seat in the Imperial Banner for Brother Wang."

"Brother Song flatters me."

"Brother Wang is too modest."

Leading their own Spirit Beast Dragon Steeds, they boasted to each other, thoroughly uplifted.

And this good mood carried on until they spotted Zhang Ze and the already empty Spirit Plant bag in his hands.

They, too, were from this office, and what Zhang Ze had just fed Brother Niu was the supplement for their two Dragon Steeds over two months...

"Such audacity! What are you doing? This is not for you to touch!" Brother Wang shouted, abandoning the previously courteous demeanor, pointing at the empty bag in Zhang Ze’s hand angrily.

Zhang Ze looked at the Brother Wang who already seemed panicked, asking confusedly.

"I’m just a cow tender, can’t you tell?"