"Henan Governor Xue Ji, receive the imperial edict!"
Left Battalion Commander shouted.
The Imperial Guards lined up on both sides. Ministry of Punishment Assistant Director Liu stood before the Governor's Yamen, holding the imperial edict scroll high in his left hand. The yamen guards immediately ran inside to report it, while the surrounding townsfolk gathered when they saw the commotion.
When the people saw the official delivering the edict, some began whispering among themselves.
"The Emperor must be commending Governor Xue. Our Henan suffered a locust plague, but Governor Xue handled it well. This must be the Emperor's commendation," someone said with a smile.
"Definitely. In past disasters, countless people would have been displaced. But Henan is stable now, and Governor Xue deserves much of the credit."
"I just hope Governor Xue doesn't get promoted. If he can stay in Henan another couple of years, we Henan folk will be even more fortunate."
"Yes, yes!"
Amid the hushed discussions, Xue Ji hurried out with the yamen officials. When he saw the officials and Imperial Guards at the entrance, he paused in surprise.
He recognized Assistant Director Liu, the edict bearer. Though they were not close, he knew Liu was an official of the Ministry of Punishment. Why had he come to deliver the edict? Then Xue Ji saw the dozen or so Imperial Guards beside him, and his heart sank slightly.
"Your subject, Henan Governor Xue Ji, receives the edict!"
As he spoke, Xue Ji swept aside his official robe and knelt. The other officials followed suit, and when the surrounding people saw this, they too all knelt.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Henan Governor Xue Ji has shown disrespect toward the gods, destroyed the Locust God Temple, arbitrarily established the Bird Immortal Shrine, used government treasury