Prince Ning's Heir
Dingzhou City
Heyang County.
At this time, Heyang County seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.
Although less than half a month had passed, under County Magistrate Zhang's governance, the area had already shown signs of rapid development and prosperity.
After handling a case involving local gentry oppressing the people, County Magistrate Zhang stretched heavily.
At this time, due to his tireless efforts in governing the county, he had several strands of white hair and looked much older.
But his spirit and energy were like that of a young man in his twenties, full of vigor and high spirits.
Time flies like an arrow.
Almost half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
Thinking of Him
I miss Him.
I still miss Him.
County Magistrate Zhang stared blankly at the entrance of the main hall. His longing for the Immortal was like a raging storm, which did not fade with the passage of time, but instead became more and more intense.
He longed to see the Immortal one more time.
He longed to show the Immortals what Heyang County like today.
He longed to wait at the gate of the Immortals early in the morning and greet Immortal with a "Good morning."
Well--
Immortal,
Where are you now?
How are you doing?
Do you still remember me?
"Report..."
Just as County Magistrate Zhang was lost in his longing for the Immortal, a panicked voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"Has the Immortal returned?"
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Zhang was instantly startled and excitedly pressed for an answer.
No, that's not it.
The Yamen Runner who rushed in paused for a moment before answering.
"If it's not Immortal returning, then why are you shouting in such a panic?"
County Magistrate Zhang sat back down in his seat with a disappointed look on his face, and said irritably.
The Yamen Runner seemed to be used to the magistrate's behavior.
Rumors were circulating throughout the County Yamen that the county magistrate had become obsessed with the Immortals.
This is a psychological problem.
It's incurable.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, a troop of soldiers has arrived outside the city. They are all fully armored and armed, and their discipline is strict. The guards at the gate dare not let them pass, so we have come to request instructions from Your Excellency."
The Yamen Runner reported back.
"Sergeant?"
County Magistrate Zhang stood up from his seat again, his face filled with shock and confusion.
The imperial court explicitly stipulated that soldiers were not allowed to enter the city in armor and weapons without orders from the imperial court or the Ministry of War. Doing so would be considered tantamount to unauthorized use of force to intimidate local authorities and would be considered a crime of treason.
However, the County Yamen did not receive any official documents from the imperial court or the Ministry of War.
County Magistrate Zhang asked, "Have you found out? What flag are these soldiers flying?"
"I've confirmed it; it's a banner with the character 'Ning' on it," the Yamen Runner replied.
"Ning? Prince Ning."
County Magistrate Zhang was shocked again upon hearing this, and his expression became solemn.
"How did Prince Ning's army end up in my Heyang County?"
County Magistrate Zhang suddenly had a bad feeling; this group of soldiers might be after the rumors of the Immortals.
Even after figuring out the reason, County Magistrate Zhang still had no choice but to go and greet them.
If it were an ordinary army wanting to enter the city, he could use the imperial decree as an excuse to prevent them from entering.
But Prince Ning's army was incompetent.
Prince Ning is a member of the imperial family, the fourth son of His Majesty, and enjoys the emperor's favor. He was granted a fiefdom, established his own government, appointed officials, and ordered by the emperor to guard the border.
His status and position were not something a lowly seventh-rank official like him could afford to offend.
The imperial decrees were nothing but a piece of paper in the eyes of these powerful princes and nobles.
Even if this matter is brought to the Ministry of War and the imperial court, even if he is in the right, he will definitely be the one who suffers in the end.
County Magistrate Zhang has changed, but he hasn't become stupid.
When faced with a powerful prince like Prince Ning, who wields both status and authority, one must bow one's head and admit defeat when necessary.
"Hurry and follow me to the city gate to greet them."
County Magistrate Zhang tidied his official appearance and led his Yamen Runner out of the yamen.
At the city gate,
A group of soldiers, strictly ordered to obey, stood guard outside the city gate.
Each of them was clad in armor and armed with weapons, mounted on warhorses, their faces solemn, clearly seasoned veterans of countless battles.
The huge banners fluttered in the wind, and the character 'Ning' on the banners appeared even more domineering and noble.
Although the warhorses had not neighed and the soldiers had not moved, the terrifying, chilling military might and aura were enough to make people tremble with fear and shudder.
The common people who were coming and going had long since disappeared, leaving only the city guards standing there, pale-faced and trembling with fear.
The soldier at the very front of the troop was not the general leading the troops, but a young man.
The man wore a magnificent brocade robe, his hair was adorned with an expensive jade crown, and he rode a pure white Night-Shining Jade Lion.
One look at him and you can tell he is of unparalleled honor and immeasurable nobility.
At this moment, the man sat casually and lazily on his tall horse, looking at the city guards at the city gate with a mocking and amusement in his eyes.
As the heir of the Prince Ning's Residence's mansion, he was a highly respected figure in the entire Ji Province, second only to the emperor and above millions of others.
A mere county under Dingzhou Prefecture, and a few lowly soldiers dared to stop him from entering the city.
Okay, okay...
That's interesting, absolutely hilarious!
When the magistrate of Heyang County arrives, I, the young master, will see how he concocts these lowly soldiers to please me.
The young man was thinking to himself, so he wasn't angry; he was just looking forward to seeing what would happen.
Not long after,
County Magistrate Zhang, whose figure had become much thinner, was surrounded by a group of people.
Finally, covered in sweat and panting, he appeared at the city gate.
Upon seeing the young man in brocade robes with a noble air, County Magistrate Zhang immediately bowed and said:
"I am Zhang Huaimin, the magistrate of Heyang County. May I ask which distinguished guest from the Prince Ning's Residence has graced us with their presence?"
The young man remained silent, but the guard beside him immediately reprimanded him:
"How dare you! Upon seeing the Prince Ning's Heir, you haven't even knelt to greet him!"
County Magistrate Zhang was shocked to hear this, as he had not expected the visitor to be the heir of the Prince of Prince Ning's Residence.
With a thud, County Magistrate Zhang immediately knelt down and performed a grand salute.
"Your humble servant Zhang Huaimin pays his respects to Your His Highness the Heir. I apologize for not greeting you properly."
"Greetings, Your His Highness the Heir."
Behind him, a group of County Yamen officials also knelt down to pay their respects.
"County Magistrate Zhang, you're so powerful!"
The Prince Ning's Heir did not ask the people in front of him to stand up. Instead, he bowed slightly and spoke slowly in a meaningful tone.
"I do not understand why Your Highness speaks such a thing; I am but a foolish official."
County Magistrate Zhang looked up and gazed upwards.
"No one in the entire Ji Province has ever stopped this young master's entourage before. Your Heyang County is the first to do so. You, County Magistrate Zhang, are truly arrogant and domineering, not even putting this young master in your eyes."
The Prince Ning's Heir spoke with a smile, but the sarcasm and implication in his tone were undisguised.
County Magistrate Zhang understood, but pretended not to.
"This humble official is terrified and dares not, but these city guards were acting in accordance with the laws of the court and had no intention of offending His Highness the Heir. Your Highness is wise and magnanimous, and surely you would not make things difficult for these lowly soldiers over such a trivial matter."
"You..."
Upon hearing this, the Prince Ning's Heir was taken aback at first, and then the anger that had been building up in his heart was instantly ignited.
He never expected that a mere seventh-rank official would dare to defy him for the sake of a few lowly soldiers.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and murderous intent rose in his heart.
"Your Highness, the greater good is at stake."
Seeing the prince's expression, the guard beside him immediately guessed what the prince was thinking and quickly whispered a reminder.
The murderous intent in the Prince Ning's Heir's eyes immediately subsided.
"County Magistrate Zhang, you are indeed impressive; even I, the young master, have to admire you."
County Magistrate Zhang quickly bowed and said respectfully:
"Your Highness is too kind. I am truly ashamed."
"May I enter the city now?"
"Of course, Your Highness, please come in."
Then, amidst the tearful gratitude of several city soldiers, County Magistrate Zhang respectfully welcomed Prince Ning's Heir and his entourage into Heyang County.