Chapter 248 The Governor Arrives
Zhou Huaining was confused.
No, isn’t God too cooperative?
His original intention was to fool the people by swearing an oath.
Because if something happened to the prefect, there would be no one to preside over the next exam, and he didn't want to worry about so many trivial matters.
But now, God really sent down a huge thunder and killed the county magistrate?
What should I do for the next exam?
Zhou Huaining was in tears.
I looked up at the sky, put my hands together and said silently in my heart:
God, although I am a playboy, I have never done anything against the law of nature. Please don’t strike me with lightning, and don’t kill the prefect. If he dies, who will do the next job?
But God obviously didn't listen to him, and the prefect was already dead.
The people were dumbfounded and terrified.
How come God is so wise?
In an instant, everyone knelt down.
"God, please strike down all the corrupt officials in the world!"
“Please, God, let us ordinary people live a good life!”
The front of the posthouse became a large wish-making scene.
The prefect's attendant cried, "The prefect said he wouldn't swear, but you, the county magistrate, insisted on swearing on his behalf. You've caused the prefect's death!"
Zhou Huaining spread his hands and said, "You can't blame me for this. I meant to help him. How could I have known that the prefect was corrupt?"
He looked at the human-shaped charcoal and said, "Sir, I always thought you were an honest and upright official, but I didn't expect you to be so well hidden! I trusted you so much, you really disappoint me!"
The people started to speak up: "The county magistrate is right! We can only blame the prefect for his bad deeds, otherwise he wouldn't be punished by heaven!"
"My Lord County Magistrate, you are doing this to rid the people of harm. Heaven is helping you!"
Zhou Huaining looked at his followers and said, "Did you hear that? Don't say those conscience-splitting words again, or I'll swear an oath on your behalf."
The attendant waved his hands in panic: "No need, County Magistrate! We won't say it again!"
Everyone started talking at once: "My Lord, the examiners for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow are both dead. How will the exams be conducted?"
Zhou Huaining sighed.
Is there anyone more unlucky than him?
The prefect and the academician, two imperial officials, died at the same time in Xianchuan County. Although they were killed by lightning, he, as the magistrate of Xianchuan County, must be involved!
"Mr. County Magistrate, have we caused you any trouble?" the people asked worriedly.
Zhou Huaining waved his hand, "No trouble, no trouble!"
The worst that could happen is that he would be dismissed from office. He didn't want to be the county magistrate anyway.
The bodies of the prefect and the academician were carried into the morgue of the county government. They were both struck to death by lightning in public, so there was no need for a coroner to perform an autopsy.
Zhou Huaining covered his head and was carried into the private residence by the guards. Wu Yong also brought the Ye family in.
As soon as he entered the door, Zhou Huaining jumped off the stretcher and greeted everyone as if nothing had happened.
"Susu, you didn't tie it, did you?" Little Dumpling looked at his bandaged head with concern.
"It's okay, uncle was just pretending. He's not hurt at all!" Zhou Huaining picked up the little girl and said, "How about staying at uncle's house for dinner today? How about trying out the cooking skills of the chefs in Beijing?"
Little Jiuer blinked her big eyes and looked at Ye Buwei and Luo Qiuyue with a smile, "Brother, Anai, can we exchange some?"
They both nodded.
Little Jiuer clapped her hands, "Susu, I'm hungry! Didi is hungry too!"
Zhou Huaining said, "How about you three have some snacks first? The kitchen isn't ready yet."
"Okay!" The three little ones nodded obediently.
Chen Xingnong Yue took the three children to have some snacks, and the others sat down in the main hall.
Zhou Huaining couldn't wait to ask: "Brother, what should I do now?"
Zhao Xingjian poked his bandaged forehead and said, "I find that you still have some brains. I want to hear your thoughts."
Zhou Huaining scratched his head. "The situation is no longer something a small county magistrate like me can handle. I plan to report this directly to the governor. I can't handle this mess anyway, and I don't want to."
Zhao Xingjian nodded. "Not bad. At least he didn't think of deserting the battlefield. He deserves praise."
Zhao Xingjian knew Zhou Huaining. If it were in the past, Zhou Huaining would have just walked away.
"Then I'll send someone to report it."
Zhou Huaining's guards rode away from Xianchuan County at full speed.
After the Ye family had dinner at Zhou Huaining's house, they went back.
"Brother, you must come again tomorrow!" Zhou Huaining reminded him worriedly.
At dawn the next day, the governor led thousands of officers and soldiers into Xianchuan County.
The governor of the Dayu Dynasty actually did not have much military power, so he must have asked the general to borrow troops.
Zhou Huaining was pulled out of bed by Wu Yong, put on his official uniform and went to the city gate to greet him.
In the distance, the governor's motorcade was coming.
Zhou Huaining yawned, "My life is so miserable, this old man will definitely make things difficult for me."
After saying that, he leaned weakly on Wu Yong.
The court of Dayu was seriously divided into factions, and the governor happened to be on the opposite side of Wuping Hou.
The governor's carriage stopped at the city gate, and Zhou Huaining, with his head wrapped, walked over with the support of Wu Yong.
"Your humble servant Zhou Huaining pays homage to the Governor."
Although Zhou Huaining was a county magistrate, he was ultimately the son of a marquis, so he did not perform the ceremony of kneeling and bowing.
The car curtain didn't move at all, and only a snort was heard from the person inside.
"County Magistrate Zhou, I know you hold a special status, but I have always been fair in my work. Although I am familiar with your father, Marquis Wuping, I will definitely not show favoritism to you. I hope you are mentally prepared."
Zhou Huaining said, "The Governor has always been impartial and ruthless. I have heard of this a long time ago."
"In that case, let's go into the city. This governor wants to see the prefect and the education commissioner!"
The carriage started moving again and stopped in front of the morgue door.
The governor got off the carriage, and the people in the carriage behind him also got off.
The governor glanced at Zhou Huaining and asked, "Why are you covering your head?"
Zhou Huaining said with a resolute expression, "Don't worry, Governor. It's just a minor injury, nothing serious!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he covered his head and cried out "ouch, ouch".
The governor was somewhat displeased: "You are a county magistrate after all, yet you were beaten by unruly people! You are such a pathetic county magistrate!"
Zhou Huaining's eyes widened. "Governor, I was dragged down by the prefect and the education commissioner. The people wanted to attack them, not me! This was purely an accidental injury!"
The governor ignored him and said, "These are the examiners for today and tomorrow. Take them to their proper places quickly so as not to affect the upcoming exams."
Zhou Huaining gave the order and Wu Yong took the examiners away.
The governor took a deep breath and walked up the steps.
Zhou Huaining grabbed the governor and said, "Governor, the prefect and the academician were killed by lightning. Their deaths were horrible. You'd better not watch!"
The governor snorted, "I won't believe the thunder unless I see it with my own eyes."
Zhou Huaining was stunned. "Governor, are you suspicious of me?"
The governor said, "Being struck by lightning is nothing more than an accident, nothing unusual. It's been happening since ancient times. But I've never heard of a celestial thunderbolt killing someone who tells a lie. The deaths of the prefect and the academician are nothing more than a fabrication, a deliberate attempt to deceive the public and evade legal punishment."
Zhou Huaining stopped talking.
Well, old man, you are smart!
Go check it out!
See if you can find a bird!
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