A few days later, the day arrived for the governor's arrival.

Because of the list that Qian Dayong submitted that day, Xu Yi is not required to work today.

However, as the commander of the guard, he had a responsibility.

So he still came to the city gate once more and reminded everyone of the things they needed to pay attention to.

The governor is not here on official business; please proceed as usual.

He also vaguely understood Qian Dayong's little scheme. After giving his instructions, Xu Yi prepared to leave.

Just a few steps later, a sedan chair was carried towards us, and the people inside lifted the curtain.

"Xu Yi," the person inside the sedan chair called out to him.

"Uncle Xie?" Xu Yi walked over.

Over the past few years, Xie Ming has become the chief clerk of the prefectural government, and it can be said that he is the most powerful person besides the county magistrate.

Xu Yi met with him a few times after returning, and also heard Fu Man'er talk about Xie Ming.

Xie Ming was actually the illegitimate son of a wealthy businessman. The businessman passed through Lan Town and took a liking to Xie's mother's beauty.

They concealed the fact that they were already married and enjoyed a period of mutual affection.

When their family pressed them for money, the wealthy businessman left a large sum of money for the mother and son and returned to the neighboring town.

He would visit the mother and son once every year or two. Xie Ming was very smart, and after a few visits, he noticed that something was wrong.

Xie Ming knew that this wealthy businessman was unreliable. In the end, he studied hard, passed the imperial examinations, and left the man he called his father far behind.

He never expected that after passing the imperial examination, the man would start to treat him and his mother with utmost kindness.

Xie Ming ignored this, and Xu Yi only listened to it briefly. What surprised him was...

Xie Ming is still unmarried, and this man is very handsome.

When he was young, his uncle told him that many girls had a crush on Xie Mingfang.

Even after all these years, Xu Yi feels that he hasn't changed much, just like he is now.

As Xie Ming walked down the street, many young girls, just beginning to experience romantic feelings, would shyly glance at him from time to time.

"It just so happens that I ran into you. Come with me to pick someone up." Xie Ming and Xu Genshan were on good terms, and Xie Ming often visited the Xu family. They were quite familiar with each other.

"The Governor?" Xu Yi guessed.

"You're as smart as ever," Xie Ming said, wanting to pat him on the shoulder like he used to when they were kids.

When he raised his hand, he realized it was different from when he was a child, because before he would lean slightly forward and drop his hand to take the picture.

Now Xu Yi is half a head taller than him, and Xie Ming has to raise his hand to pat Xu Yi's shoulder.

Xu Yi noticed this as well, and lowered his body slightly, so Xie Ming's hand fell onto his shoulder.

"You little rascal," Xie Ming laughed and patted him twice. "Now that you know, you can wait with me."

Xu Yi refused without hesitation, saying, "I am taking a bath today and will not be on duty."

It means he doesn't need to stay here; he understands the ways of officialdom.

He can hide for as long as he can, but if there's really no other way, he'll have to go.

“I also took a day off, but I still came.” Only after Xie Ming finished speaking did Xu Yi notice that he was also wearing casual clothes.

Moreover, the people carrying the sedan chair were all dressed as servants and attendants.

Xu Yi originally thought Xie Ming was there to greet the governor on behalf of the county magistrate, but upon closer inspection, he realized that wasn't the case.

"I advise you to stay, kid. Staying will only do you good, not bad," Xie Ming said with a mysterious look on his face.

Xu Yi glanced at Qian Dayong, who kept glancing in their direction.

"No, the governor will be staying in Lanzhen for a few days. There will be plenty of time to meet later."

He didn't inquire about the governor's name or what his purpose was.

All I know is that he will be staying in Lanzhen for a while. Although it's not on official business, it really prevents us from meeting.

Qian Dayong was already dissatisfied with him, and this time he was eager to show off.

He wasn't afraid of Qian Dayong, but he also didn't want to do something like currying favor with the powerful.

"Listen to me, stay and take a look." Xie Ming's insistence left Xu Yi somewhat puzzled.

Qian Dayong, who had been watching from the sidelines for a while, came over to greet Xie Ming.

The county magistrate of Lanzhen is a newly appointed official, and many things still depend on Xie Ming, who has been working in the county government for a long time.

Xie Ming's identity was self-evident, and Qian Dayong treated him with great respect.

When he saw Xu Yi and Xie Ming chatting and laughing, he wondered when the two of them had become so close. He couldn't let Xu Yi steal his thunder.

With Qian Dayong joining the conversation, the topic came to an abrupt end, and Xu Yi simply shut up.

Anyway, he didn't like to talk much, so it was just Qian Dayong talking, with Xie Ming occasionally chiming in.

Basically, one sentence is enough to leave Qian Dayong speechless.

When Fu Man'er was little, she said that Uncle Xie was good in every way, but it was a pity that he had a mouth.

It is evident how incisive Xie Ming's words can be at times.

Just as Xu Yi was getting impatient, a train convoy slowly approached.

"They're here," someone from the guard unit shouted.

Judging by the time, the governor should be arriving around this time.

However, no one showed their face, so no one dared to confirm.

Qian Dayong was also chattering away beside Xie Ming when he turned and walked towards the city gate.

The train convoy drew closer and closer, and slowly came to a stop when it was almost at the city gate.

People entering the city need to have their travel documents checked. As soon as the convoy stopped, Qian Dayong hurried over.

A servant handed over the document, and Qian Dayong glanced at it and his face lit up with joy.

It really is the governor!

The attendant said in a low voice, "Sir, my master is not on official business, so please keep everything simple."

Qian Dayong quickly replied, "Understood, understood."

He suppressed his excitement and joy, saying, "With the governor's arrival, we subordinates should pay our respects no matter what."

As he spoke, he walked toward the largest carriage, not kneeling to pay his respects, but bowing and clasping his hands in greeting.

"Your humble servant, Qian Dayong, greets Your Excellency the Governor."

The curtain of the carriage was half-lifted, revealing the refined face of a middle-aged man.

"It's him!" A hint of surprise flashed across Xu Yi's face.

Xie Ming chuckled. "Otherwise, why do you think I insisted on making you stay?"

"Let's go, we've already waited, let's go up and see them."

It turns out that the governor was none other than Song Kangcheng, the former magistrate of Lanzhen.

Xu Yi remembered that before he even joined the army, his brother had already been transferred to another place.

Unexpectedly, Song Kangcheng's career has progressed so well in just a few years, and he has already become a governor.

Perhaps because of farming, Song Kangcheng took good care of the Xu family when he was in Lanzhen.

Xu Yi still remembers that his family would send him gifts during festivals. When his family moved or his restaurant opened, Song Kangcheng also sent him gifts.

And then there's Man'er. He bought her a lot of things, nothing expensive, just the kinds of things that young girls usually like.

Xie Ming had already walked past, and Xu Yi quickly followed.

"Student Xie Ming greets the teacher." Because he had been by Song Kangcheng's side for several years, Xie Ming and Xu Genshu had met with the teacher privately.

"This humble official, Xu Yi, greets Lord Song." Xu Yi also clasped his hands and bowed.

Song Kangcheng sized up the two people in front of him, and soon a smile appeared on his face.

"It's been many years since we last met, and you two have both grown a lot."

Xie Ming had become more composed, and as for Xu Yi, he could tell that he exuded a strong aura of integrity and uprightness.

"Sir, you flatter me. So many years have passed, but your demeanor remains as charming as ever."

Xie Ming's words made Song Kangcheng laugh out loud, "I just praised you a couple of times, and you're back to your old ways."

"Alright, stop joking around. Let's go, let's go into the city first."

Their convoy had quite a few people and vehicles, and blocking the entrance was ultimately not a good idea.

And the documents have been checked; it's time to go in.

The attendant outside the carriage, having received instructions, hurriedly ran to the front to relay the message.

Song Kangcheng lowered the curtain and stepped back into the carriage. Xu Yi and Xie Ming stepped back a few paces to let the carriage pass.

Qian Dayong was stunned, seemingly lost in thought. Xu Yi pulled him back to his senses.

"Have you met the governor?" Qian Dayong had overheard their conversation.

He was quite shocked. Xu Yi, this rough country bumpkin, had actually met the governor, and the governor even remembered him.