The prefect was also helpless. Faced with so many county magistrates coming to him to ask for advice and help, the prefect finally made a decision that was unprecedented and would never be repeated.

That was to organize a group to visit and learn from Hongling County and Lingbei County.

Zhao Minggeng and Xu Dongsheng never imagined that they would one day be hosting an inspection team.

Hongling County is the poorest, so if you want to visit nature, Hongling County should be your first destination.

The county magistrates arrived in Hongling County on the same day at the pre-arranged time.

The first thing they saw was the local people of Hongling County digging into the mountains.

If they keep digging like this, the Red Ridge to the east should be almost completely dug through within three months.

As ventilation openings were excavated in Hongling Mountain, the temperature inside the mountain gradually decreased.

It's as sweltering as before.

Since the prefect has come, it is only right that Magistrate Zhao Minggeng, as the county magistrate, should extend the hospitality of a host.

But Zhao Minggeng was stingy and couldn't bear to spend his own money to treat these people to food and drinks.

Thus, the only inn in the county, managed by the Huang family, became the lodging place for all the officials.

Dear sirs, all of you are staying in superior rooms.

The so-called superior room is a room with a private bathroom and running water.

You can take a bath directly without the waiter bringing water in.

Accompanying persons are accommodated in double rooms, triple rooms, and five-person rooms.

Of course, the prices are also different.

"My lords, this is the only inn in our county."

Adults can choose to stay in superior, medium, or economy rooms. Superior rooms have private bathrooms and double beds that are two meters wide. It's very convenient for adults.

Attendants can choose from double rooms, triple rooms, and five-person rooms, each with different prices.

If you have no objections, please register at the front desk.

Our county's economy is not prosperous, and there are no extra funds in the public accounts. Therefore, we have no choice but to ask you gentlemen to pay for it yourselves.

However, the county government has prepared a welcome banquet for everyone at the county office. We welcome you to come and enjoy the feast after you have freshened up.

Then this county will not disturb your rest any longer.

Zhao Minggeng left as soon as he finished speaking; he didn't want to see the mixed reactions from everyone.

He was already being very generous by treating them all to a meal.

Visiting, visiting? What's so great about visiting? It's just a bunch of people spewing sour grapes.

Instead of indulging in scheming, they should focus their energy on proper governance. All this fuss is a waste of resources and manpower.

Zhao Minggeng complained as he walked.

The Huang family's inn was conveniently located near the government office; it would take less than 15 minutes to walk there.

The food that Zhao Minggeng served to the county magistrates and prefects was very characteristic of the local area.

Focusing on local specialties, Hongling County has a good sweet potato yield, so let's have spicy and sour sweet potato noodles as the staple food, and a serving of candied sweet potato.

There are plenty of mushrooms growing under various trees on the mountain; let's order some fried fresh mushrooms.

If frying one isn't enough, then fry another eggplant fritter.

The vegetables grown by the locals are also growing well, so let's make a big stew of corn, pork ribs, green beans, and potatoes.

Hmm, I'll go buy two more big grass carp from a local shop and make some pickled fish...

That's not enough. These officials must be made aware of what their people used to eat, and wild vegetables were an essential part of it.

Cold wild vegetable salad, wild vegetables with dipping sauce, wild vegetable soup porridge, and wild vegetable dumplings are all must-haves.

At first, when the prefect and the county magistrates took their seats, they were quite surprised to see that the dishes served were all farm-style dishes, mostly vegetarian and less meat.