As soon as Zhao Huan and his companions arrived in Pang County, they immediately felt that it was different. The people in Pang County were not as laid-back as those in other places; everyone was busy with their own work.
Considering Sai Hua Tuo's advanced age, Zhao Huan decided not to bring him along. When the four of them arrived in Pang County, people on the street were staring at them. What was even worse was that Zhao Huan felt that the people here were very xenophobic.
Perhaps the small Pang County had never seen such a sight, or perhaps it was because they had rarely seen someone dressed so extravagantly. Or perhaps they were simply born with a hostility towards outsiders.
Linghu Yunlong was a veteran in the martial arts world. He whispered, "Everyone, be careful. There's something fishy going on here."
Everyone had already sensed it without him reminding them.
Pang County was a small, shabby town with only one inn. Unlike the lavish restaurants found elsewhere, the inn was just a row of black-tiled houses with a large sign reading "Inn" hanging from a flagpole outside.
Zhao Huan and his group walked into this inn that didn't even have a name. The innkeeper greeted them unenthusiastically: "Sir, would you like to stay overnight or just for a meal?"
Zhao Huan looked at this shabby place that looked like a cold kiln, and Nangong Lian'er simply covered her nose without any concealment.
Zhao Huan waved his folding fan and said, "Find me a good room."
The shopkeeper still greeted him unenthusiastically: "All the rooms here are the same, there is no good or bad."
Zhao Huan frowned. This place was filled with evil spirits. He took out a silver ingot and threw it over: "I believe you will have it."
The shopkeeper's expression finally softened a bit, but he still walked away from the counter with a rather unenthusiastic look, bowing and saying, "Sir, please wait a moment."
After saying this, the shopkeeper waved his hand and said, "Waiter, waiter! Go clean up the east wing!"
The waiter came out and left.
Zhao Huan asked, "Boss, your county magistrate, Mr. Zhang..."
Before Zhao Huan could finish, the shopkeeper interrupted him immediately: "Sir, please take a rest. I will go and see how the room is cleaned." Then he bowed and left.
The four of them looked at each other, and Cao Dongsheng whispered, "Why are the people here so wary of this county magistrate? We just mentioned it, and you see the shopkeeper's expression changed immediately."
Nangong Lian'er could no longer bear it: "That corrupt official must be used to bullying the people, so these people are afraid and dare not speak out."
She expressed what everyone was thinking. Zhao Huan frowned: "A small county magistrate is so arrogant. Does he want to be a local emperor?"
Not long after, the shopkeeper came back and said, "Sir, your room is ready."
Nangong Lian'er put her hands on her hips and pointed at the shopkeeper, saying, "Let me ask you, is it this bastard county magistrate who bullies you guys every day, and you're afraid to speak up?"
"Lian'er!" Zhao Huan scolded. Before figuring out the reason, it would be better not to say these words, so as not to get into trouble.
Sure enough, the shopkeeper's face changed drastically: "Sir, what are you talking about? The county magistrate loves the people like his own children. How dare you slander him so wantonly?"
Now everyone was even more puzzled. The shopkeeper obviously did not want to talk more about the county magistrate, but he also said that the county magistrate loved the people like his own children. This really made people confused.
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Don't blame me, boss. We are just trying to find out more about the character of County Magistrate Zhang."
The shopkeeper sneered: "You don't need to ask, County Magistrate Zhang will not leave Pang County, and we ordinary people will not let him go."
Zhao Huan and others were even more puzzled. The shopkeeper's words were so confusing that no one could understand what he meant.
Linghu Yunlong was, after all, a veteran of the world. He clasped his fists and said, "Your Excellency, please understand. We are just merchants passing through. I've long heard of County Magistrate Zhang's great name, so I was just asking about him."
As expected, the shopkeeper was shocked: "Aren't you here to inspect your achievements?"
Zhao Huan was puzzled: "What achievements?"
The weather in June was changing rapidly. The shopkeeper, whose face had been cold and sullen just moments before, suddenly beamed with a smile, a face that looked like a wealthy man, friendly and making money. "Alas, sir, I'm so sorry. I misunderstood you. I thought you were officials coming to Pang County to inspect Magistrate Zhang's achievements. It turns out you're businessmen. Please come in quickly."
Zhao Huan was very puzzled: "Who will come to review Magistrate Zhang's achievements?"
The shopkeeper then said, "I don't know. It is said that the current emperor has issued an edict that officials from all over the country will be inspected for their performance. Those who perform well will be promoted, and those who do not will be dismissed and investigated."
The shopkeeper continued, "The finance official, Jia San, once said that an inspector would be coming to Pang County in the next few days. So, just now, seeing that you all spoke so well and had Beijing accents, I mistakenly thought you were the inspector. Please forgive me."
Zhao Huan suddenly remembered that he had indeed issued an imperial decree for the Imperial Dragon Guard to disguise themselves and investigate the performance of officials in various places. The strange thing was why the people of Pang County were afraid of the Imperial Dragon Guard?
"Boss, why are you so afraid of those inspectors? Are all these inspectors tyrannical and domineering?" Zhao Huan said angrily.
Unexpectedly, the shopkeeper shook his head and said, "That's not the case. Pang County is different from other places. Look at this place, it's barren and desolate. Nine out of ten years there's drought, and the land is hard to grow crops. This county magistrate led the people of the county to build water conservancy projects and divert water for irrigation. In three years, three whole years, 170,000 acres of land in Pang County have now been diverted to the ground. The people of Pang County no longer have to rely on the weather for their food."
Nangong Lian'er was puzzled: "That's a good thing, then why are you afraid of those inspectors?"
The shopkeeper glared. "Right now, Magistrate Zhang is directing the people digging a canal upstream along the Kubu River. This project will take at least two years. If the inspector comes and takes a look, and transfers Magistrate Zhang, and replaces him with a corrupt official, all hope for Pang County will be gone."
"This is what you did wrong." Nangong Lian'er said loudly: "You only care about yourselves, but have you ever thought about Mr. Zhang's future?"
The shopkeeper lowered his head in shame after hearing this. "Alas, there's nothing we can do. We can't help it either. Previous county magistrates have also considered building water conservancy projects, but all of them gave up halfway. Only our County Magistrate Zhang persisted. When there was no money, County Magistrate Zhang would go to the wealthy households to ask for donations. If there wasn't enough, he would use his own salary to help the people. Such a good official, we, the people of Pang County, really don't want him to leave."
Zhao Huan understood. No wonder these people glared at him and were on high alert as soon as he entered the county. It turned out that they were worried like the shopkeeper.
Zhao Huan let out a long sigh. "I heard there's a woman named Shen Jiaoniang in your Pang County. She and Magistrate Zhang are not on good terms. What's going on here?"
When this matter was mentioned, the shopkeeper sighed again: "Speaking of Shen Jiaoniang, she was also a miserable person."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
