So after another round of fighting, the bandits quickly began to lose ground. The one-eyed leader, seeing the situation was dire, was somewhat surprised and also addressed his bandits:

"withdraw!"

After he finished speaking, he turned around and headed in one direction, intending to leave quickly.

However, Zhu Yunwen addressed the Imperial Guards, saying:

"Kill some of them."

So the Imperial Guards quickly caught up and killed him.

After this chase, the ten Imperial Guards killed most of the bandits. The remaining few were wounded, but they still managed to escape.

After the Imperial Guards returned, Zhu Yunwen closed his eyes and said to Zhao Qingzhu:

"It seems that these bandits must have received some news that a new magistrate is coming to take over here, which is why they were not so surprised when they found out that I was the new magistrate, and even tried to kill me."

Hearing him say that, Zhao Qingzhu couldn't understand what the key was, so she asked:

What does this prove?

Zhu Yunwen nodded in reply:

"At least it shows that these mountain bandits are very well-informed. Think about it, how could mountain bandits and brigands who hide in the mountains and forests be so well-informed?"

The news that a new magistrate is to take office in Heiyun County has so far only been communicated to local authorities through the Ministry of Personnel of the Imperial Court. Therefore, so far, only the Jiangsu-Zhejiang provincial government and its subordinate prefectural and county governments have received the information.

Besides, ordinary people wouldn't know a thing, let alone the mountain bandits who roamed the forests.

After thinking carefully for a long time, Zhao Qingzhu said to Zhu Yuntong:

"So you mean these bandits might have connections with some local officials, which is why they were able to find out so quickly that a new county magistrate was coming?"

Zhu Yunwen hummed in agreement, then leaned back in the sedan chair and said:

"Interesting, very interesting. This small county of Heiyun is probably full of hidden depths."

So, the ten Imperial Guards continued to escort Zhu Yunwen towards Heishui County.

As Zhu Yunwen approached Heiyun County, he discovered that Heiyun County was actually quite prosperous.

After entering the city, he found it to be very prosperous, suggesting that such a place had always been relatively wealthy.

And so they arrived at the entrance of the county government office.

Zhu Yunwen then took out the documents and official credentials from his person and handed them to a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After a member of the Imperial Guard stepped forward and handed the document to the yamen runners inside the county government office, the officials of the county government office soon came out one after another and lined up neatly at the entrance of the county government office.

Among them, a somewhat overweight official stood and bowed to Zhu Yunwen inside the sedan chair:

"This humble official, the Assistant Magistrate of Heiyun County, along with all the officials of Heiyun County, respectfully welcomes the newly appointed Magistrate."

Zhu Yunwen slowly stepped out of the carriage, raised his hand, and said:

"Please don't stand on ceremony, everyone. I am new to the position of county magistrate and I hope you will all provide me with assistance in the future."

At this moment, a group of county officials from Heiyun County looked up at Zhu Yunwen.

Upon seeing this, they were all stunned; clearly, none of them had expected that the newly appointed county magistrate would be so young.

The fat county magistrate frowned, a hint of disdain and displeasure in his eyes.

But then he composed himself, quickly stepped forward, and bowed to Zhu Yunwen, saying:

"Magistrate Zhu?"

Zhu Yunwen nodded: "That's right, it's me!"

Because Zhu Yunwen used a pseudonym in his official evaluations and documents, these people did not know that the Zhu Yunwen before them was none other than the grandson of the Ming Dynasty's Crown Prince.

The portly county magistrate immediately introduced himself, saying:

“Your Excellency, I am the Assistant Magistrate of this county. To my shame, before you came, I was the Magistrate of this Black Cloud County. However, due to the failure to suppress bandits over the years, my official position was demoted to Assistant Magistrate, and you were made the Magistrate.”

Zhu Yunwen glanced at the fat county magistrate. He hadn't expected that this fat county magistrate was actually the magistrate of Black Cloud County.

The county magistrate's unspoken meaning was quite clear: Zhu Yunwen had now taken his place.

Both overtly and covertly, it seems to indicate that Heiyun County is his home turf.

Zhu Yunwen, however, did not seem to care. Instead, he spoke:

"Let's go to the county government office first and talk about it."

As he spoke, Zhu Yunwen walked toward the county government office, with the county magistrate following behind him.

Zhu Yunwen had only taken two steps when he turned back and found that the group of county officials were still standing in the same spot, without making any move.

Zhu Yunwen then frowned and said:

"I say, everyone go inside the county government office. There's no need to stand here."

However, the county officials still made no indication or took any action.

At this moment, the portly magistrate smiled and then addressed the officials:

"Didn't you hear what the magistrate said? All of you, go to the county office."

As soon as he said this, the officials all bowed and clasped their hands in greeting:

"yes."

Then they all followed and entered the county government office.

Zhu Yunwen squinted and stared intently at the fat county magistrate. It seemed that the fat county magistrate was not only announcing to Zhu Yunwen that Heiyun County was his home turf.

It also seems to be announcing who is in charge here.