Chapter 19 Xiao Zhinian Arrives
In front of the Luocheng city gate.
Mr. Zhao had been waiting here since early morning. He had bought some gossip from Magistrate Yang with two boxes of gold. It was said that a noble from the capital would come on a secret tour today. Although he did not say who the person was, everyone knew who he was.
The Zhao family made their fortune by doing the post horse trading business around the northern border. Over the years, with the protection of the government, the business has been growing bigger and bigger. However, Governor Yang's appetite for money has also been growing. If this continues, I'm afraid his entire family fortune will not be enough to feed that old turtle.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and the more he felt that this was not a solution.
It was at this time that the news came out inadvertently. At first, Magistrate Yang was trying to hide it and refused to reveal a single word, but in the end, a table was set up at Hexia Building, and with the help of bargaining chips, they finally pried him open his mouth.
Therefore, Mr. Zhao had been waiting for a long time and had prepared wine and food at home to avoid being overshadowed by that old turtle.
Everything is ready, except for the help from the noble person who has come from afar.
This is what he planned. If he could please that nobleman and receive his protection, firstly, his business would be promoted to a higher level. Secondly, he could expand the post horse business to the capital, and not only sell post horses but also war horses. Wouldn't he be able to rest assured even if he broke his legs?
By then, I can donate money to become a small official and marry a concubine. Hehe, my life will be so comfortable that it will drip with water.
Just as he was smacking his lips and dreaming about his great dream, the servant next to him muttered in a rather complaining tone: "Is Magistrate Yang lying? He said he would arrive at 7 am, but it's almost noon now. How can there be any noble person?"
When Mr. Zhao heard this, he slapped the boy on the forehead and scolded him, "Stop talking too much! Just wait!"
Having said that, on second thought, the old wily man named Yang is very cunning. On the surface, he is on good terms with him, but secretly he is just eyeing his money bag. It is not impossible that he sold him false information.
His eyes rolled around and he stared at the official road in the distance, not wanting to miss any passing carriage or horse.
“Here it comes! Here it comes!”
The servant exclaimed.
But then an ordinary horse-drawn carriage slowly appeared from the end of the official road. There was a strong wind and sand in Luocheng, and under the scorching sun, it seemed as if the carriage was coated with a layer of brilliant golden light, which in Mr. Zhao's eyes became glittering gold and silver treasures.
Mr. Zhao couldn't wait to put on a flattering smile. Before the carriage had completely stopped, he hurried forward and said with a smile: "Emperor...ah!"
Before he could finish, a long sword with a cold glow was placed across his neck, just a hair's breadth away from hitting him. He was so frightened that his face turned pale and his legs began to tremble.
The man holding the hilt of the knife was a tall and thin young man. Perhaps for the convenience of traveling, he had a high ponytail and was dressed in tight clothes. He looked like a bodyguard.
The young man said with a straight face, "Back off."
Zhao Yuanwai was frightened by his expressionless face, and his legs went weak. It was amazing that he could kneel on the ground with a big belly and beg for mercy: "Good man! Good man! Spare my life! I am here to entertain you, and I have no ill intentions at all!"
The young man didn't know whether to believe him or not. In short, he still pointed the sword at Mr. Zhao's lowered neck and said nothing.
Mr. Zhao almost threw his entire face on the sand, trembling all over, for he was afraid that the guard would lose his balance and stab him with the sword, which would mean he would die an unjust death.
Just then, a leisurely voice was heard from the carriage.
"Who are you?"
"I am Zhao Jianji, a humble commoner. Upon learning that you are coming, I have come specially to greet you..." said Mr. Zhao tremblingly.
"Oh? Really?"
"Yes, yes, I dare not act rashly..."
After a while, no one made a sound. Mr. Zhao glanced over and saw the curtain of the carriage was lifted from the inside, revealing a hand with distinct bones. It was obvious that the hand was pampered, and what was even more eye-catching was the dragon scale ring on the index finger.
Everyone in the world knows that the only symbolic object passed down from generation to generation by the Emperor of Yan State is this ring. Seeing the ring is like seeing the monarch, and everyone must kneel down and kowtow.
Just this one glance made Mr. Zhao so nervous that he felt a chill down his spine. He immediately withdrew his gaze, no longer daring to peek at the emperor's face.
"Huaiwu, put away your sword."
"yes."
The sword moved as smoothly as flowing water, and before anyone could see clearly, the sword was already sheathed.
It turned out that the young guard was Huaiwu from that year. After following Xiao Zhinian for many years, he had acquired excellent martial arts skills and became a royal guard.
Huaiwu walked back to the side of the carriage, with his long sword worn on his waist and his hand on the hilt, ready to act at any time.
A handsome face appeared in the carriage. After the youthful and childish look faded away, his stretched facial features became more handsome and steady. He wore a jade crown and his hair was tied up. His every move was dignified, just like a well-nourished spring seedling that eventually grew into a tall tree that stands tall enough to support the sky.
It was Xiao Zhinian.
"I issued a secret decree to inform Yang Shihui that he would arrive today. How could a commoner like you know about this?" Xiao Zhinian tapped his knuckles on his knees twice, then raised his eyelids and stared at Mr. Zhao who was kneeling outside. Although his voice was not loud, his tone made people dare not breathe.
Mr. Zhao wiped the sweat off his forehead and stammered, "This..."
What a sin! Didn't Prefect Yang say that the newly enthroned emperor was only a dozen years old, a little kid who was easy to fool? How come he was so powerful? He really fell into Prefect Yang's trap and brought disaster upon himself.
Xiao Zhinian saw through his inner thoughts and asked, "Where is Yang Shihui?"
"Here! I am here!"
On the main walkway where carriages and horses were passing by, a man in a red official uniform pushed through the crowd, covered his black hat with one hand, raised his hand, and hurriedly ran towards Xiao Zhinian.
When he ran to the city gate, he was tripped by a stone and rolled to the shaft of the cart, with sand all over his face.
"Ouch! My old waist is useless for the whole day," Yang Zhifu muttered, and quickly got up and knelt down, "I am sorry for not welcoming you in person, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!"
Xiao Zhinian looked down at him and saw that although he behaved in a panic, compared with Zhao Jianji, he did not seem to be genuinely panicked at all. It seemed that he was just pretending.
Xiao Zhinian had not been in the court for a long time, but he was well aware of the principle that the emperor was far away. These local officials who were far away from the emperor always thought that the capital had no control over them, so they became lax and even acted arrogantly, and even he dared not take them seriously.
"Tell me, what delayed you?"
Prefect Yang had already prepared a set of words, and he said slowly: "Recently, a serious murder occurred in the city, and the murderer is still at large. I have been working day and night to investigate this case, hoping to bring the criminal to justice as soon as possible. I never thought that I would miss the opportunity to welcome Your Majesty. Now, as soon as I remembered, I rushed here at the last minute, and even forgot that Your Majesty had told me not to wear official uniform to receive you. I really deserve to die!"
Everyone can say something high-sounding. Xiao Zhinian is not a child anymore, so he chuckled and said, "So, Prefect Yang has a sincere heart that cares about the people. This is good news. Stand up. I don't blame you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Prefect Yang stood up and said, but after two seconds, he seemed to remember something serious, and hissed, looking embarrassed, "I forgot to hold a banquet in your house, what should I do?"
Zhao Yuanwai, who was left out, finally had a chance to show off. He interrupted and said, "I'm just warming up some food and wine. I wonder if Your Majesty would be so kind as to visit my humble abode?"
Xiao Zhinian glanced at Mr. Zhao and said indifferently, "Lead the way."
Yang Zhifu said, "I am familiar with Mr. Zhao. Your Majesty, please follow me."
Seeing them walking away, the servant helped Mr. Zhao up, but was slapped hard in the face. He covered his face innocently.
Mr. Zhao spat and cursed, "Fuck Yang Shihui! I did the favor and paid the money, but he got all the good things! Bah! I wonder how long he can be so arrogant!"
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