Chapter 1246: Chapter 1082: Facing Death

"Go and report to Lord Prefect!" Hundred Households Wang Shouyi casually pointed to a soldier, instructing him to report, while he ran toward the city tower.

"Let’s go directly to the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office!" Gu Chengyu frowned, seemingly deciding that they need to have the Prefect send for reinforcements.

"Yes!" With war on the brink, Ming Yan and Ming Mo felt a chill in their hearts, their faces solemn.

Shops on the street started closing one after another, presumably having heard rumors, regardless of their truth, they avoided it like the plague. The number of pedestrians on the main street also dwindled, making it appear quite desolate.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Gu Chengyu and company arrived at the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, where he ordered Ming Mo to present the letter at the side gate of the Prefect’s rear courtyard.

"Knock, knock, knock!" Ming Mo, somewhat anxious, stepped forward and knocked hard on the door.

"Coming, coming!" An urgent rush of footsteps sounded as someone opened the door from inside.

"Who are you?" The doorman sized up Ming Mo, finding him unfamiliar but noting his exceptional attire, thus refraining from being too dismissive.

"I am here to deliver a greeting letter on behalf of my lord." Ming Mo handed over the letter, reasoning that since they had shown this letter at the city gate, the Prefect should soon receive the message and come to welcome them.

However, given the pressing circumstances of the enemy’s attack, neglecting this matter seemed quite reasonable.

The doorman, a bit puzzled, glanced at the carriage before accepting the letter, "Who is your lord?"

"Gu Shaoqing, Junior Minister and Imperial Censor sent by the court!" Ming Mo frowned as he replied.

"Then please wait a moment, I will go report this!" With that, the doorman slammed the door shut.

Ming Mo’s face turned sour; how could the doorman not invite them to wait in the outer courtyard? Instead, they were rudely shut out, where was the courtesy?

Regardless of the rank, no official would leave an Imperial Censor standing outside, unless they had no regard for their official’s hat.

"Steward Yang! Something’s wrong, something’s wrong!" Fortunately, the doorman had some insight, clutching the letter, he rushed inside. An Imperial Censor from the Capital must be quite a notable official.

"Why are you in such haste? Don’t you see the lord is currently entertaining guests? If you disturb the guests, can you bear responsibility?"

Steward Yang immediately approached to reprimand the doorman. The fool lacked awareness. The lord had previously instructed that today’s banquet was of utmost importance and must not be interrupted.

Such a clamor, if heard by the lord, would inevitably lead to severe penalties.

"Steward Yang, there is a letter delivered to the government office door, stating..."

The doorman, with a bitter face, handed over the greeting letter, but Steward Yang snatched it without even looking at it, waving impatiently at the doorman.

"We receive so many letters daily; didn’t I tell you to resolve them altogether by evening?"

Steward Yang rolled his eyes; the lord had repeatedly instructed not to disturb his banquet. If he were to interrupt, he would be digging his own grave.

Moreover, regardless of the importance of the letter, they were generally sent days in advance, making it perfectly timely to read them at night.

"But that is an official from the Capital..."

As Steward Yang disappeared from view, the doorman was struck with distress, what were they to do?

Gu Chengyu waited in the carriage for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, while Ming Mo and Ming Yan outside the carriage bore increasingly grim expressions.

"Try knocking again!" Ming Yan intoned gravely, glancing at the tranquil carriage, filled with helplessness.

These people bullied the lord for his youth, using it as a reason for all kinds of losses. That the Prefect dared neglect the lord this way was asking for trouble.

While the lord generally overlooked small grievances, angering him brought dire consequences. Ming Yan lit a candle in his heart for the Prefect, as the lord always appeared good-natured, but harbored grudges!

"Knock, knock, knock!" Ming Mo knocked vigorously, had the doorman gone to consult in the Capital? Why take so long?

The doorman fretted for a while, hearing the knocking again. He thought it over, deciding the issue wasn’t his fault. Having delivered the letter, his task was complete.

Having resolved this in his mind, the doorman opened the door, face looking untroubled.

"Come, come, come! Please, everyone, let’s drink together!"

Inside the Prefect’s rear courtyard, Prefect Qiu, his face flushed with drink, glanced at the guests before focusing on the graceful movements of the dancing girl, feeling a rush of delight.

"Is this Juxiang Building’s Drunken Spring Beauty? Such a rare and expensive wine, we seldom have the chance to taste it!"

A richly dressed man sipped the exquisite wine before him, feeling its rich aroma running rampant on his tongue, a sweet fragrance so smooth and unforgettable.

"Truly a Drunken Spring Beauty worth its weight in gold! What excellent wine!"

"This wine is a rare find, only twenty casks a year, and worth indeed its weight in gold!" Prefect Qiu’s face showed pride, his small eyes making his smiling face look somewhat lecherous.

"My lord, you might be unaware! Ever since Juxiang Building opened by the border, we watch its money-making day by day, deeply unsettled!"

The speaker, who owns two taverns, originally had no relation to Juxiang Building, as they only opened in affluent areas.

But since Juxiang Building set up a branch near the border two years ago, their tavern’s business has plummeted.

"Indeed! Juxiang Building is simply greedy, pushing us to the brink! Who knows which Bodhisattva supports them, making them untouchable? We are helplessly watching!"

Another portly, well-dressed man expressed similar dissatisfaction, being also a tavern owner. Formerly profitable, his business couldn’t sustain itself after Juxiang Building opened, forcing him to shut down.

"Hey! Haven’t you figured it out yet? Prince Jing of Fengqing Prefecture eagerly supports Juxiang Building, and he’s not to be messed with!"

Prefect Qiu sneered, did these people know who was behind Juxiang Building? From his guess, Juxiang Building was Prince Jing’s property; why else show such favoritism?

"Alas, let’s put that aside. I invited you today for a serious matter! At such a critical moment, are you not worried about your situation?"

Prefect Qiu focused on his wine glass, inwardly ridiculing these men unaware of their pending doom!

Were it not for Silver, he wouldn’t be so polite to these merchants. That person wanted Silver, finding forceful seizures distasteful, delegating the matter to him.

If they cooperated, fine; if not, they were to blame.

"My lord, what do you mean by that?" The earlier speaker reacted in surprise, exchanging glances with others, realizing it was indeed a trap.

This old fox spent his time extorting people, yet surprisingly treated them to such an excellent banquet today, obviously plotting against them!

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