Behind Magistrate Cao was a yellow parasol, under which sat a young man riding a tall horse. Judging from this formation, it was clear that this man was the eldest prince, Li Hui.
Li Xue had told Zhao Xian that the eldest prince was coming with the imperial messenger, and at this point, she could only pretend not to know.
"Greetings, Your Excellency."
Zhao Xian stepped forward and bowed to Magistrate Cao.
Magistrate Cao quickly jumped off his horse and walked up to Zhao Xian.
"Congratulations, Registrar! Last time, when you went to Yuanxi, you cooperated with the government to rescue a large number of slaves and also eliminated Xiao Taiyuan's forces, making outstanding contributions."
Today is a joyous day; the Emperor has decreed that the Registrar be rewarded.
"Congratulations, congratulations! Thank you, Magistrate."
Magistrate Cao took Zhao Xian's hand and took two steps back.
"The First Prince has also come with this imperial decree. He came specifically to visit Registrar Zhao. This is the First Prince."
In the Great Northern Dynasty, the highest-ranking people are the Emperor and Empress, followed by the Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince comes to Shuixian Village, it is no less significant than the Emperor's personal visit.
Zhao Xian dared not delay and quickly knelt down.
"Zhao Xian greets the Crown Prince."
When the eldest prince, Li Hui, left the capital, the emperor instructed him to treat scholars with respect, especially virtuous and capable people like Zhao Xian.
Li Hui looked down on these country bumpkins from the bottom of his heart, but the emperor had given him instructions that if he handled things improperly and the news reached the capital, it would not be good for him.
Thinking of this, he jumped off his horse and came to Zhao Xian.
"Please rise, Registrar Zhao. This great victory in Yuanxi was thanks to your strategic planning. I have accompanied the messenger to Shuixian Village and have caused you some disturbance. I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance."
After Li Hui finished speaking, he didn't forget to cup his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhao Xian.
"Your Highness is too kind. Please feel free to give your orders, and I will gladly obey even at the cost of my life," Zhao Xian said.
"As arranged by my father, I will likely stay in Narcissus Village for the next few days to observe the people's conditions and wait for the officials from the Ministry of Water before heading to various places to supervise the progress of water conservancy projects."
"Your Highness, rest assured, I will personally arrange all matters concerning your accommodation and meals in Narcissus Village."
Next, the messenger began to read the imperial edict, and everyone present immediately knelt down. The villagers had never seen such a scene before; they lowered their heads and dared not even breathe.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."
The messenger's powerful voice echoed over Shuixian Village. Many of the people who came to Shuixian Village to do business today were fortunate enough to witness the messenger reading the imperial edict.
"In the heart of the desert, across a vast wasteland, in the western plains, the government has neglected its duties, leading to rampant banditry and unbearable suffering for the people..."
However, the soldiers and civilians of Qing'an, Yuanshui, and Yuanxi of our dynasty joined hands and, fearless of death, eradicated the evil forces in the northwest territory of our dynasty and eliminated the chronic diseases of the court...
Zhao Xian, a ninth-rank clerk in the Ministry of Works' Ordnance Bureau, traveled thousands of miles into the barren lands, strategizing and making significant contributions to the liberation of slaves and the elimination of local forces...
He was specially appointed as the sixth-rank official in charge of the Ministry of Works' Armory...
The people at the scene were stunned. They knew that Zhao Xian, who was currently a ninth-rank clerk, had been promoted to a sixth-rank official, equivalent to a promotion of three ranks. This was something that had never happened in the more than one hundred years since the founding of the Great Northern Dynasty.
At this moment, Zhao Xian knelt below, feeling utterly astonished that he had suddenly risen from the ninth rank to the sixth rank.
The messenger continued reading the imperial edict:
"A reward of three thousand acres of fertile land, a set of court robes, fifty thousand taels of silver, one thousand taels of gold, one hundred top-grade pearls, a chest of top-grade jade, and one hundred bolts of brocade..."
There were so many gifts that people couldn't remember them all, and Zhao Xian just listened mechanically. When he heard that it was 50,000 taels of silver, he couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
I've always wanted to upgrade the marketplace trading system, but I didn't have enough money. Now, I finally have the funds.
"...So be it?" The messenger finally finished reading the imperial edict.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Zhao Xian and everyone present kowtowed in gratitude.
At this moment, the eldest prince smiled and said, "Get up, everyone."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Everyone stood up, and at that moment Zhao Xian felt he had reached the pinnacle of his life.
"Congratulations, Your Excellency." Magistrate Cao walked over and bowed deeply to Zhao Xian.
Zhao Xian was promoted to the rank of sixth-grade deputy director of the weapons bureau, which is one grade higher than the magistrate of Cao County. He should treat his superior with respect.
"Congratulations! Thank you, Magistrate!" Zhao Xian said excitedly.
The villagers were thrilled to see Zhao Xian. A sixth-rank official had appeared in Shuixian Village, a position even higher than that of the county magistrate. They never dared to dream of having such a high-ranking official protecting Shuixian Village.
After the imperial edict was read aloud, the messenger was to return to the capital. According to custom, the person who received the reward was to give the messenger a reward of money.
When the imperial edict arrived last time, Zhao Xian forgot to reward the messenger due to negligence. Fortunately, this time the messenger was the same group of people as last time, so Zhao Xian gave them double the reward.
The messengers were very excited. The newly appointed Minister of the Imperial Household was too generous; the reward money exceeded their annual salary.
Immediately afterward, the messenger left to return to the capital and report back.
Magistrate Cao completed his mission and returned to the county office, leaving only the eldest prince Li Hui and his six guards.
Seeing the guards begin carrying the gifts into the house, Zhao Xian invited the eldest prince inside.
"Your Highness, please come inside and have a seat."
Li Hui nodded and followed Zhao Xian into the house. Two guards followed Li Hui inside, while the remaining four guards stood at the door to protect him.
Zhao Xian's house is a typical farmhouse. Although Zhao Xian renovated the interior of the old house, the layout is outdated and cannot compare with Li Hui's mansion in the capital.
Li Hui will have to stay in Shuixian Village for a few more days. He can only leave when the officials from the Water Department come to pick him up.
How could anyone live here? There seemed to be a musty smell in the room, which Li Hui found unbearable, and he couldn't help but frown.
Upon seeing Li Hui's condition, Zhao Xian knew that he did not like staying here. However, according to the Emperor's arrangement, the Crown Prince had to stay here for a few days, and Zhao Xian also had to serve the Crown Prince.
"The conditions at home are simple. I have already arranged accommodations at the inn. The Crown Prince can rest there."
"Really? That's wonderful!" The eldest prince exclaimed excitedly.
A guard nearby immediately reminded him, "Your Highness, this is not appropriate. His Majesty has decreed three rules for you when you come to Narcissus Village: you are not allowed to leave the village area, you are not allowed to disturb the people, and you are not allowed to stay in an inn."
Unexpectedly, Li Hui glared at him and roared, "How dare you talk to me like that? With Zhao Shaofu here today, I can't punish you. This is the last time."
Besides, there are so many of us, and Zhao Shaofu's house is only so big. How can he expect us to sleep on the floor?
Even if we stay at an inn tonight, how will Father Emperor know if you don't tell him?
The Crown Prince's sudden outburst startled Zhao Xian.
He thought of Li Xue, who had stayed at his house many times, never complaining about the living conditions, and treated his guards very well. It seemed that they were not on the same wavelength at all.
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