Chapter 438 - 439: General Zhou

Chapter 438: Chapter 439: General Zhou

Wang Ping hadn’t expected the new Magistrate to be so aggressive. He was already trying to seize power the moment he arrived.

’Although civil servants and military generals each have their own stances,’ he thought, ’it’s different here on the frontier. The military has always come first.’

Even the former Lord Prefect had always treated the deputy generals with the utmost respect.

’But this man is so arrogant,’ Wang Ping mused. ’The first thing he does is announce he’s taking over the Prefect’s Office. Surely he doesn’t think this is some place like Shangjing?’

"Vice General Wang is currently at the military camp. If you’ve made up your mind, Mr. Gu, then I will send someone to inform him shortly." Wang Ping’s voice held a trace of sarcasm. ’He really doesn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth. Does he really believe he can seize control of Lu City with just the men he brought?’

At this, He Gaofei’s spirits lifted. "Mr. Gu, we’ve been on the road for so long. We’re all exhausted. Why don’t we rest for a few more days?"

"Besides, they’ve been holding the Prefecture City for us. Even if they haven’t earned any merits, they’ve certainly put in the effort. Shouldn’t we at least give them some time to prepare?"

Gu Wenheng replied, "Mr. He, you don’t look exhausted to me. On the contrary, your spirits seem quite high.

"Since you’re so aware of how busy and hard-pressed Vice General Wang is, we shouldn’t be slacking off here. The sooner we take over, the sooner we can ease his burden.

"We can’t allow these trivial matters at the government office to delay the General’s official duties.

"General Zhou and his men battle those bandits day in and day out, using both brains and brawn to protect the people of our Rong Dynasty. We should be considerate of their toil. While we can’t share their burden, we must not be a drag on them either.

"Gentlemen, do you not agree that I have a point?"

Gu Wenheng glanced at everyone present. ’If they want to see me make a fool of myself, they’ll need a few more years of training.’

Wu Yichen and Wu Shengen cursed him under their breath, but their faces were all smiles. "Of course. Now that we’re here, we won’t slack off."

...

「At the Military Camp」

Vice General Wang had also received the news. He hadn’t expected the newly appointed Magistrate to arrive so quickly.

Without delay, he quickly found Great General Zhou Shixiong on the training grounds.

"Great General, the new Magistrate has arrived." Vice General Wang waited for him to finish his forms before speaking.

Zhou Shixiong had already received a letter from the Capital, so he knew who was taking over the post. Tossing aside the cloth in his hand, he said, "Really? I didn’t expect them to be so fast. I thought we’d have to wait a few more days."

"Have the horses readied. I have to go and welcome my brother."

But Vice General Wang held out a hand to stop him. "Great General, that would be unwise.

"This is a critical moment in our fight against the bandits. If they discover your relationship with Mr. Gu, I fear they will target him.

"For the sake of our plan, and for Mr. Gu’s safety, you cannot go."

Zhou Shixiong swore under his breath. "Then pass on my orders. Tell your men to cooperate fully with Brother Gu and not make things difficult for him."

Vice General Wang said, "I understand. However, even if we are to show Mr. Gu our goodwill, we must do so subtly."

Zhou Shixiong knew his Deputy General had a point, but he was still displeased. With a cold snort, he turned and walked away.

Vice General Wang knew this was a silent agreement. He let out a sigh of relief, then grabbed his riding crop and headed out.

Zhou Shixiong entered his private chambers. "Come out!"

"Ah Da pays his respects to the Marquis."

"What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with my sister?"

"Our lady was worried about your safety here, Your Lordship, so she sent us to protect you.

"She also sent you this letter." Ah Da carefully took a letter from inside his robes, and Zhou Shixiong accepted it.

"Brother Gu’s smooth journey here... you all must have pulled quite a few strings along the way, hmm?"

Ah Da lowered his head. "Our lady said that he is the man who saved your life, Your Lordship. She ordered us to protect him at all costs and ensure his safe arrival.

"Qi and Ba have been by his side. They made sure Mr. Gu was not wronged in any way during the journey."

Zhou Shixiong said, "Go back. I don’t need your protection here."

’These are the guards my parents left for my sister. Although she can’t take them into the palace, having them stationed in Shangjing gives me more peace of mind while I’m out here.’

Ah Da knelt. "Our lady has given us a direct order. We are to remain by your side and protect you for the next two years."

Zhou Shixiong knew how stubborn the Zhou family could be. "How many of you came this time?"

"Including Qi and Ba with Mr. Gu, there are twenty of us in total."

"Then find a place to lay low for now. Reappear when the time is right."

"Yes." Ah Da breathed a sigh of relief. ’As long as he doesn’t send us back, all is well.’

Just as he was preparing to withdraw, Zhou Shixiong added, "As for the two men with Brother Gu, let them continue protecting him. Make sure they don’t get any other ideas."

"Yes."

Once he was alone in the room, Zhou Shixiong unfolded the letter, his eyes scanning ten lines at a time.

It contained words of concern, some news from the imperial court, and, at the very end, the usual nagging for him to hurry up and find a mistress for the Marquis Mansion.

Taking out a fire lighter, he burned the letter to ash. Then he grabbed the sword from the table and strode out. "Have all the generals summoned."

The guard on duty immediately left to carry out the order, and the entire General Mansion was once again abuzz with activity.

&

Meanwhile, Gu Wenheng was assigning quarters. Though it was called an assignment, the arrangements were already fixed.

The rear of the government office was divided into several small courtyards. The one in the very center was always the Magistrate’s residence, flanked by the quarters for the Deputy, the Minister of Communication, the Assistant Magistrate, and the secretaries.

The courtyards varied in size, but thankfully, each was a self-contained unit. The only oddity was that all their front doors faced the same direction.

Gu Wenheng surveyed the three-section courtyard. It was compact, but at least it looked the part.

Perhaps because the previous Magistrate had been murdered, everything inside had been completely cleared out.

Aside from some essential furniture, there was truly nothing left.

After a quick tour with Ming Feng, he had a good sense of the place.

"Tomorrow, have Jiang Shiniu go to the brokerage and hire a few maids. Have them get the household operational first. As for everything else, you can gradually furnish the place as you see fit."

Ming Feng knew that with no housekeeper or maids, all these duties fell to him. He immediately straightened up and asked, "Should we hire a housekeeper to manage the rear courtyard then?"

Gu Wenheng gave him a look. "There are no women in the household. We’ll keep things simple. Once the situation here has stabilized, my wife will naturally come over with Housekeeper Fu.

"The maids you hire just need to handle the cleaning and prepare our three daily meals. You don’t need to worry about anything else."

Ming Feng secretly stuck out his tongue. He realized his question had been misunderstood by his master.

He didn’t dare say more and just quickly agreed.

’Good heavens,’ he thought, ’I really wasn’t trying to shirk my duties. I just wanted to make the rear courtyard a bit more presentable.’