In front of the neat and solemn procession, there are "criers" with gongs paving the way.
According to the Yong dynasty regulations, Imperial Court civil and military officials must make announcements with gongs when traveling.
Governors beat the gong thirteen times, provincial officials eleven times, Prefect and Magistrates nine times, and county and town officials seven times.
Upon hearing the criers sound the gong seven times, everyone knew that the newly appointed County Magistrate must have arrived.
The crowd lined up to welcome, as the rotund, smiling Jin Sect Prefect looked towards the resting official sedan.
The former Linhe District had already become a prosperous land, and now it had jumped to become a county seat, with fortunes unknown to multiply severalfold.
The Prefect of Jin Sect was very willing to condescend to establish good relations with the new County Magistrate.
However, when the sedan halted, emerging from it was not the County Magistrate dressed in seventh-grade official attire, but a scholar clad in white holding a folding fan.
County Magistrate He and County Captain Dong exchanged puzzled looks. Who was this person? The intelligence did not describe the magistrate as so young.
Further examination revealed a remarkable Treasure Sword hanging at the scholar’s waist.
County Magistrate He stepped forward to inquire, while the scholar glanced around at the officials welcoming before the city gate, speaking shockingly, "I am not the County Magistrate; the magistrate arrived at the office two days ago. I am just a rustic citizen the magistrate encountered, and he befriended me, thus lending me the carriage."
County Magistrate He and County Captain Dong were taken aback, quickly recalling if they had committed any untoward acts in the city during the past two days.
On the face of the Jin Sect Prefect, there was a hint of displeasure, but before he could speak, another sound of gongs was heard from a distance.
"To celebrate the arrival of the County Magistrate, starting today, the Xu Family shop in Underground Street will be selling at half price uniformly. If recommended by friends or relatives, gifts will be provided. Anyone who arrives at the store early will receive free eggs even if they only look around!"
Upon hearing this, the Jin Sect Prefect frowned; why is anyone rushing to beat the gong and make announcements?
"County Magistrate He, what business does this person do? Why are they so enthusiastic?"
County Magistrate He wiped the sweat off his forehead. He didn’t know the Xu Family shop well, but he had heard of Underground Street many times, how could he explain it?
County Magistrate He glanced at County Captain Dong, who was frantically gesturing with his hands behind his back.
"No need to pay attention; that person was a merchant from Linhe, probably too delighted that Linhe was promoted to a county today, hence the improper actions."
At the bottom of the notice board, Shopkeeper Xu, who was losing money for loud publicity, was being criticized by Advisor Tang and Chief Zhao.
Xu Qing nodded continuously, promising there would never be a next time.
Finally, Tang Zhou looked at the copper gong bound with white cloth in Xu Qing’s hands, his eyelid twitching.
Officials use red ribbons to bind their gongs; why was yours wrapped with a white mourning cloth?
Xu Qing hurriedly smiled and said, "It’s funeral equipment, rushed back to the shop to retrieve it, forgot to change to a red cloth, it’s no big deal, no need to concern with such details, sir."
"Hurry back, and do not draw attention anymore! Be cautious not to anger the new magistrate, else you might be beaten severely, forcing you to behave!"
Xu Qing nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Once Tang Zhou and Zhao Zhonghe left, Xu Qing packed up and hummed a tune, swaggering into the city.
With such conspicuous events today, anyone would believe he was in Linjiang the whole time, not suspecting he could quickly shuttle between the county and the prefecture, and even kindled a fire in the relief warehouse.
As he leisurely strolled to the broker, Xu Qing hadn’t entered yet when he saw an extraordinary passerby inquiring with a cleric.
"May I ask, little brother, about the girl outside selling herself?"
The clerk replied, "You mean that little girl; she is not our broker’s. Our Fourth Master established rules not to engage in such human trades."
"Then what’s her story?"
"She’s lacking silver to use, what else could it be? It’s said the girl is a refugee from Yaozhou, now with family in urgent need of medical treatment, she ran here to sell herself!"
The clerk showed helplessness, "More guests pass by the broker’s entrance than usual, and this girl clings, refusing to leave. We can do nothing."
The passerby nodded, and as he left the door, he happened to see Xu Qing bending over, whispering to the girl.
Chen Guangrui observed the pale youth quietly putting something into her hands, then gracefully stood up, continuing to hum as he walked towards the broker.
As they passed each other, Chen Guangrui nodded slightly to him; the latter, relying on his height, glanced at him, ignoring the gesture.
Chen Guangrui shook his head, then looked at the yellow-faced girl preparing to leave.
"Little girl, don’t rush away; I have some questions for you..."
The yellow-faced girl timidly looked at the man before her, responding quietly.
"You say you’re fourteen? With your appearance, how can that be? Oh! I heard disaster strikes Yaozhou, and now there’s warfare. Such homeless children like you would surely not grow as fast as ones from ordinary families."
"I heard your family is gravely ill. I have some bits of silver, take them and treat your family..."
The yellow-faced girl kept waving her hands to refuse. Seeing this, Chen Guangrui said, "If your family is gravely ill, you should prioritize treatment. Why refuse silver coins? Are you not afraid of putting your family’s lives at risk?"
The yellow-faced girl hesitated for a while, finally speaking, "I already have money for treatment; I cannot take your money."
Chen Guangrui recalled the ’street loiterer’ youth from before, realizing, "Did that person just give you the money for treatment?"