CHAPTER 448: CHAPTER 442 EATING AT THE BANQUET

Gao Cheng happily saw off Zhao Hanzhang, and after returning to the county government, he let out a long breath and beckoned his subordinate, saying, "I’m too tired today, I’m going to rest in the backyard. Send someone to find me if there’s anything."

"Yes."

Gao Cheng lifted his foot and was about to head to the backyard when a county official hurriedly ran in, saying, "County Lord, a document has arrived from Lu Yang."

Gao Cheng frowned, "It’s almost New Year’s Eve and the seal is about to be locked, what document could there be?"

The county official didn’t know; he was from the post station and was only responsible for delivering documents.

He bowed and handed over the document.

As Gao Cheng opened it, his heart immediately skipped a beat, and he felt a little dizzy.

The subordinates saw this and couldn’t help but exchange glances, quickly rushing over to ask, "What happened to the County Lord?"

Gao Cheng reached out and held onto the nearest Chief Clerk, the bit of blood that had just returned to his face disappeared again, and he was even paler than before, "County Magistrate Pei has resigned..."

The subordinates were also stunned, asking in bewilderment, "Ah, why?"

Gao Cheng suddenly became angry, "You ask me? How should I know? I’ve been so busy these days, like a spinning top, how would I know why?"

The subordinates fell silent.

Gao Cheng muttered to himself, "Why? Why is this? I thought when she went to Lu Yang, with County Magistrate Pei there, she shouldn’t pay much attention to my side..."

After all, Nanyang Country is so large, with so many counties below, Xie County is just one of them. I can guarantee that the situation in Xie County is definitely not the worst, by then...

But... why did the Prefectural Governor suddenly resign?

Gao Cheng thought of something and became stiff all over, grabbing the Chief Clerk’s hand tightly, his eyes wide open, "Yesterday, yesterday she came back from outside the city!"

"Yes, many people saw her, she brought back over a hundred cavalry from outside the city."

"Wasn’t she said to be sick? Then where did she secretly go these past few days? How coincidental that she said she was going to Lu Yang, and right on cue, the news of County Magistrate Pei’s resignation came, just vacating the position for her..." Gao Cheng said, trembling with his lips, "She even said she wants to meet me there..."

The county officials said nothing.

Gao Cheng felt troubled for a moment, then gradually adapted to the sword that returned to hanging over his neck. He withdrew his hand from tightly gripping the Chief Clerk’s arm, and his face returned to calmness, "Let’s go, let’s discuss the prevention of the cold disaster."

A small official who wasn’t observant asked, "Is the County Lord not going to rest?"

"No," Gao Cheng said weakly, "I’m not tired anymore, not tired at all."

Gao Cheng internally shed tears like a sea; at this moment, he very much wanted to resign too, but he didn’t know if Zhao Hanzhang would allow him to resign alive?

The thought flashed by, and Gao Cheng lowered his head; a tear genuinely slipped from his eye. It was too bitter, he was really too bitter; it has been six consecutive days that he hasn’t slept more than three hours a night, and on several days even less than two hours.

This was the first time in his ten-plus years as an official that he was so hardworking; if being an official was this hard, why did he become one?

Gao Cheng truly wanted to resign; as long as he could resign alive, he was truly willing to step down, but...

Would Zhao Hanzhang allow him to resign alive?

After all, he wasn’t a renowned minister like Pei He, he didn’t dare to test the waters, so he could only continue to work dutifully, at least, when he next saw her, it wouldn’t make her too angry.

Gao Cheng ordered, "This year’s disaster is serious, the government will not seal the papers, let everyone go more to the countryside, survey the disaster, and relieve the victims."

The county officials did not dare express opposition, quietly bowing their heads in agreement.

The sword of Zhao Hanzhang was not only hanging over Gao Cheng’s neck but also over theirs.

And at this moment, in Lu Yang City, the Governor Mansion was in chaos.

As the New Year approaches, the government is about to close for the holiday, Pei He left abruptly, and many things weren’t handed over in time.

The Deputy Governor could only tally the inventory while checking accounts, ordering the counties to handle their own affairs, and telling them not to cause trouble for the Governor Mansion, or else they wouldn’t have a good time either.

At the same time, he’d write reports to Chen County, asking the Inspector and the imperial court to appoint another Prefectural Governor.

The Deputy Governor had some unrealistic ideas; actually, he thought he could do it.

However, in the Wei Jin era, people didn’t go in for self-recommendation; they favored disdain towards secular things, then continued to decline, decline, and after declining thrice, acceptance.

So the Deputy Governor hesitated for a moment but still did not recommend himself.

He decided to get others to recommend him, so that even if it didn’t work, he would save face.

Surprisingly many people had the same thought; although their official ranks weren’t as high as the Deputy Governor’s, it didn’t stop them from wanting to be promoted, so Lu Yang City was lively, with feasts here today and banquets in the restaurants tomorrow.

When Zhao Hanzhang and her company re-entered Lu Yang City, the atmosphere in the city was completely different.

The air faintly carried the aroma of wine, and a beggar turned his head to look at them while sprinting toward an alley.

Zhao Hanzhang reined in her horse, straightforwardly calling over a hiding roadside vendor, "Why are these beggars running?"

The vendor bowed his head trembling, "They, they should be going to Willow Street to get some food."

"Is there food on Willow Street?"

The vendor replied nervously, "Yes," and whispered, "The Deputy Governor is hosting a feast, some leftover food will be thrown out, they go to rummage and find quite a bit to eat."

Zhao Hanzhang took a deep breath, smelling the faint aroma of wine in the air, asked, "Then this whole city’s wine aroma..."

"I heard today there’s a wine competition, the Deputy Governor and several high officials have taken out their treasured wines to compete."

With a smile at this, Zhao Hanzhang turned to Fu Tinghan, "I love drinking too, it would be a shame if we didn’t join in on such liveliness. Let’s go, let’s all go!"

The city gate soldier assigned to guide her broke into a sweat, quickly asking, "Esteemed Lord, Esteemed Lord, those people behind..."

Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "Bring them all along, the more, the merrier, let’s all go congratulate the Deputy Governor. I’m sure he’ll be even happier to see so many congratulating him."

Zhao Hanzhang turned back to the elderly, women, and children, "Everyone, don’t be shy with the Deputy Governor, eat to your fill."

Everyone responded in unison—they wouldn’t be shy at all.

Zhao Hanzhang happily led everyone forward.

The Deputy Governor, just engaged in a wine duel, barely received the news of Zhao Hanzhang bringing people into the city and didn’t even have time to change clothes for a formal reception before she arrived at the door with her entourage.

The Deputy Governor, ignoring the wine stains on his clothes, hurriedly went out to greet her.

Once outside, he saw a young man and woman standing not far from the door, holding a horse. The couple, wearing cloaks and armor, were looking up at the courtyard walls. Their demeanor and appearance made it clear they were Zhao Hanzhang and her inseparable Fu Tinghan.

The Deputy Governor hurriedly went forward to pay respects, "Your humble servant greets the Esteemed Lord, I was unaware of your arrival and apologize for not greeting you from afar."

A good number of officials from the Governor Mansion came out with the Deputy Governor, all looking rosy-faced and smelling of alcohol.

Zhao Hanzhang pleasantly nodded, waived their salutations, and asked with a smile, "I heard there’s a feast at the Deputy Governor’s home, are there seats for us?"

The Deputy Governor quickly replied, "Of course there are, please come inside, Esteemed Lord."

Zhao Hanzhang tossed the reins to Ting He, gesturing behind her and said to the Deputy Governor, "Good, then arrange for all of us."

The Deputy Governor agreed quickly but when he raised his head and glanced behind, he was dumbfounded.

Following dozens of cavalrymen were nearly a thousand people dressed as refugees, and behind them, there were still several hundred cavalry; this could be... nearly two thousand people, right?

Ten people a table—that’s two hundred tables...

The Deputy Governor opened his mouth, about to say something, but Zhao Hanzhang had already led Fu Tinghan and Zhao Erlang inside with big strides.

He gulped, urgently calling for the steward, "Quick, make arrangements."

Then he raced after Zhao Hanzhang.