In Shanghe Village, as several people from the Han Tribe led their horses into the village, more and more villagers began gathering in the square. The village's Tribe Elder hurried over as soon as he heard the news.
Although Iron Anvil had not brought any soldiers this time and had only a few civil clerks at his side, he still appeared extremely calm and composed as he watched the villagers gather in ever greater numbers.
The few clerks had initially felt somewhat uneasy, but when they saw that the Prefect was not panicking in the slightest, they secretly gritted their teeth and steadied themselves, doing their best to look relaxed.
Before long, the village's Tribe Elder arrived in front of Iron Anvil. He walked at the very front of the villagers. Once he stopped, he handed the Bamboo Staff in his hand to a young man beside him, then hurriedly imitated the Han Tribe's etiquette and bowed to Iron Anvil.
"Chief Emissary, may I ask if there is some reason you have come to our settlement?" the Tribe Elder, who was around forty, asked Iron Anvil somewhat nervously.
"Hehe, old sir, there's no need to panic. I am the Prefect of Xinhua Commandery. Your settlement also falls under Xinhua Commandery's jurisdiction. I came here specifically to see whether you have any needs, and also to register your Household Registration and Land and Property. That way, when we distribute seeds and allocate Draft Oxen at the beginning of spring, we'll know what we're dealing with and won't delay your farming.
"Er, you should know about Xinhua Commandery, right? Did anyone come here to notify you a few days ago?"
Iron Anvil looked at the villagers gathered all around them. They all wore dull expressions, watching him either blankly or fearfully. Even