Chapter 437: Chapter 438: Arrival

Ancient Wen Heng and his party had certainly endured their share of suffering. At last, their next stop was Lu City.

The journey had grown increasingly desolate. Toward the end, they sometimes couldn’t even find lodging and had no choice but to make do on the roadside for the night.

As they watched the dilapidated city walls come into view, their hearts filled with apprehension. It was as if they could hear their own inner cries of despair.

The soldiers stationed there saw the party arrive and quickly ran back inside the city walls. A moment later, a group of Government Officials rushed out.

"Might you be the newly appointed Lord Prefect?" Chief Magistrate Wang Ping, accompanied by Chief Constable Fan Changxi, had been waiting there for a long time.

He had thought the heavy snows had blocked the roads and that the Lord Prefect would be stranded. He hadn’t expected them to arrive today after all.

Jiang Shiniu lifted his tightly wrapped felt hat. "We are. Please, sir, lead the way. Let’s get inside the city first."

’Thankfully, the Madam back home had been thoughtful enough to prepare so much winter gear for them. At least they weren’t like the other officials, who spent all day wrapped in blankets, unable to move.’

The other guards weren’t so fortunate, however. Their thin cotton clothes were no match for the cold, so they’d had to buy some furs from locals along the way just to make it this far.

But even those couldn’t compare to being bundled up from head to toe, and they were barely enough to preserve their body heat.

Wang Ping said with an accommodating smile, "Pardon me, sir, but I must ask you to present the official documents."

Jiang Shiniu glanced back at the carriage. Ming Feng himself hopped down, documents in hand. "These are our master’s official papers. As for the other officials, please ask Brother Jiang to inform them."

Jiang Shiniu went to relay Wang Ping’s request. He Gaoliang and the others had no objections, and each had their attendants present their official documents for identification.

But the strictness of the inspection only made them more uneasy. ’It must mean the situation here is grim.’

He Gaofei clutched the blanket around himself tighter. ’We’ve finally arrived,’ he thought. ’All I need now is a heated bed and a bowl of hot soup to save what’s left of me.’

After confirming each document, Wang Ping said, "My deepest apologies, gentlemen. General Zhou has ordered that everyone entering the city must be thoroughly vetted. It’s just that the bandits are exceptionally cunning, and we fear they might try to disguise themselves to enter the city again.

Everything has been prepared at the government office. Please, gentlemen, this way."

Ancient Wen Heng had Ming Feng lift the carriage’s front curtain to look out at the city.

The city walls were heavily guarded, and there were few people inside the gates. Those who were out hurried on their way.

"Let’s get inside first," Ancient Wen Heng instructed Jiang Shiniu.

The streets inside the walls were mostly clear of snow, likely swept by the residents.

Following Wang Ping’s lead, they wound through several streets and alleys before finally arriving at the government office.

The government office itself was of a standard design. Their carriages bypassed the main gate and turned into an alley on the left, where a side door led directly to the rear residence.

The door stood wide open, allowing the carriages to pass straight through.

After passing through a covered walkway, the carriages came to a halt.

"Gentlemen, we have arrived at the back office."

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Ming Feng was already beside the carriage, and Hong Da had placed the step stool in position.

Ancient Wen Heng’s guards stood at attention on either side, holding their horses. In contrast, the entourages of the other three officials looked rather meager.

Wang Ping took it all in with a single glance and immediately hurried to Ancient Wen Heng’s side. "Mr. Gu, I am Wang Ping, the Chief Magistrate of this government office. Please, come inside. I’ve already sent someone to the kitchens to prepare some hot soup."

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Thank you for your trouble."

Fan Changxi was about to lead the men to the rear courtyard to stable the horses and park the carriages when Qi and Ah Ba, who had remained inconspicuous within the party until now, thrust their reins into Jiang Shiniu’s hands and flanked Ancient Wen Heng, one on each side.

Jiang Shiniu silently rolled his eyes. ’These two certainly know how to make an entrance,’ he thought. ’Only showing themselves now that we’ve arrived.’

Ancient Wen Heng guessed these two had been sent to escort him for a reason, and that they likely had ulterior motives. But for Brother Zhou’s sake, he let them be.

One look at this, and Wang Ping ushered Ancient Wen Heng inside with even greater deference. As for the other three officials who had been snubbed, they could only snort coldly and follow behind.

"Are the two of you the only ones left in the entire Prefect’s Office?" He Gaofei demanded as soon as they were seated.

Wang Ping’s smile vanished, replaced by a sorrowful expression. "Ever since the government office was attacked, the city was in chaos for some time. With our manpower drastically reduced, everyone has been stretched thin.

We anticipated your arrival over the past few days, so we’ve been paying close attention to the city gates. It was my good fortune to be on duty there today, and thus have the honor of welcoming you into the residence.

If our hospitality is lacking in any way, I hope you will forgive us."

He Gaofei was about to speak again, but Ancient Wen Heng cut in first. "It must have been very difficult for you all. For now, please tell us about the current situation in the city.

I am sure my colleagues are just as concerned for the people of this city and are eager to understand the current state of affairs."

He Gaofei and the others were speechless. ’You’ve taken the high road, so how can we possibly object now?’

’Why does a warm, heated bed feel so far away?’

Wang Ping replied, "Currently, the government office is being guarded by Vice General Wang, one of General Zhou’s men. We handle any simple matters that we can.

More important issues must be passed to Vice General Wang, who then takes them to General Zhou for a final decision.

Your arrival is a great relief to us. Vice General Wang and his men will likely be over shortly."

Wu Yichen asked, "Are the bandits still so rampant? Are they still attacking the Prefecture City?"

’I only have one life to lose,’ he thought. ’I have to get a clear picture of the situation.’

’And when we came in, I saw the city walls looked like they were recently repaired. Don’t tell me even the walls can’t stop those bandits?’

He Gaofei and the others looked up at the back office, speechless. ’Is it really appropriate to ask that question the moment we arrive? Even if you’re terrified of dying, you should at least try to keep up appearances.’

Wang Ping was also taken aback by the question. "I won’t hide it from you, sir. Being in a border city, we are bound to face some harassment. However, since the last major incident, General Zhou has dispatched troops to help fortify our defenses. A repeat of that tragedy... should not happen again."

Wu Yichen muttered unhappily, "’Should’ means it’s still possible. And I don’t think the walls around this government office are sturdy enough. They need to be raised and thickened."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "Mr. Wu, if you have the inclination, you can busy yourself with those matters later. The Holy Emperor sent us to take charge of Lu City, and that is where we should focus our attention.

Magistrate Wang, we will rest for a short while. We will begin taking over the administration of the government office first thing tomorrow morning. Please be so kind as to inform Vice General Wang."

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