[Chief Constable's Invitation, Sorry I Want to Study]

After exchanging pleasantries with Registrar Gao Fei, he paid one copper coin as the city entrance fee.

After that, Gao Fei rode his horse in the lead, accompanied by several soldiers as guards, while Lin Ze followed behind in the donkey cart, heading towards the County Government Office.

Fengping County is not very large, with an overall square layout of three kilometers on each side, giving the area inside the city walls approximately nine square kilometers.

However, because the city is built next to a river and is a vital transportation hub, its economy is much more developed than other ordinary counties, and its population is also denser.

Lin Ze drove the donkey cart along the straight street, where various shops could be seen along the way.

Grain stores, oil shops, restaurants, cloth shops, rouge shops, brokerage firms, the County School, Martial Halls...

The streets were bustling with people.

Besides the residents who already lived in the city, there were also many ordinary villagers living around the county who came to the city to sell food, clothing, and other daily necessities, or to look for work.

Looking at the shops and pedestrians along the way, Lin Ze's expression showed some curiosity as a newcomer.

Although Lin Ze had seen these scenes countless times through the drone's perspective during the past five years of preparing for the inter-world trade.

Especially the County School and the Martial Halls, Lin Ze not only frequently observed them through drones, but also installed surveillance to record teaching scenes in these two places for a long time, in order to learn the language and martial arts of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

However, remote observation and personal integration are ultimately two completely different feelings.

At this moment, Lin Ze was experiencing the difference between them.

If he had to describe it, watching the city of this other world remotely was like watching a TV series that had nothing to do with him.

But now, he had personally integrated into this world and become a part of his life.

Before long, Lin Ze followed Gao Fei and arrived near the County Government Office.

The entire County Government Office was a vast building, covering an area of several thousand square meters.

Besides serving as the residence of County Magistrate, all the county officials also worked here.

Gao Fei stopped his horse in the courtyard of the County Government Office, and Lin Ze also stopped the donkey cart next to him.

There were yamen runners here to look after the carts and horses, so there was no need to worry about them being lost.

However, to prevent anyone from rummaging through his belongings, Lin Ze still chose to carry his luggage with him.

Afterwards, Lin Ze followed Gao Fei towards a study behind the main hall of the County Government Office.

When court was not in session, County Magistrate Li He would stay in this study to read books, and other colleagues could come here to find him if they had something to discuss.

"Lord Li, take a look at who I've brought."

Gao Fei called out from afar, reminding the County Magistrate in the study to avoid him doing anything embarrassing.

"Oh, it's Teng Yue, please come in."

When Lin Ze and Gao Fei entered the study together, they saw a handsome middle-aged man wearing an official robe, with a scholarly air about him.

This person was County Magistrate Li He. He glanced slightly at Gao Fei, then focused his attention on Lin Ze.

Without waiting for Gao Fei to introduce him, Li He stood up and greeted him with a smile, "This talent is extraordinary at first glance, could you be Lin Ze, Young Hero Zi Yi?"

It was a major event for Fengping County to produce a first-rate expert.

Li He had thoroughly learned about Lin Ze's background, appearance, and demeanor, so he recognized him at first glance.

Gao Fei, the registrar who introduced Lin Ze, further confirmed Lin Ze's identity.

Lin Ze modestly cupped his hands in greeting and introduced himself, "Greetings, Magistrate Li. I don't deserve your praise, sir. I am Lin Ze, courtesy name Zi Yi."

Li He returned the greeting, reacting similarly to Gao Fei, without being presumptuous.

Smiling, he introduced himself, "Zi Yi, there's no need to be so formal. I am Li He, courtesy name Boqian. This isn't a formal occasion, so you don't need to call me 'Magistrate'; you can address me by my courtesy name directly."

Seeing County Magistrate Li's attitude, Lin Ze knew that Gao Fei's earlier words about Li He's high regard for him were not mere pleasantries but an honest assessment.

The friendly attitude of Fengping County's most powerful local officials was definitely beneficial for him to establish himself here.

"Then I shall take the liberty," Lin Ze replied politely.

This display of sophistication and social grace earned Li He's approval.

"Zi Yi has come this time with the intention of settling down in my Fengping County," Gao Fei said from the side after the two had formally met, explaining Lin Ze's purpose.

"If Zi Yi wishes to settle down, then he is certainly welcome. I wonder, after settling in Fengping, what are Zi Yi's plans?"

"If there is nothing pressing, the position of Chief Constable in the county is currently vacant. If the county remains peaceful and orderly, it wouldn't be impossible for Zi Yi to serve as a Clerk in the county and obtain an official position in the future."

Li He expressed his welcome and then directly began to recruit him.

The basic operating logic of society is violence.

The standing combat force of Fengping County consists of one hundred yamen runners from the County Government Office and about one thousand unranked temporary laborers.

In addition, because it is located on a major transportation route, a battalion of five hundred regular troops is stationed outside Fengping County, which is the entire combat force of Fengping County.

And what is the concept of a first-rate expert?

Easily and unharmed, they can kill fifty armored soldiers. In a fight to the death, they can at least kill hundreds of armored soldiers in a head-on battle.

If a first-rate expert tries to escape, it would be impossible to pose a substantial threat to them without mobilizing thousands of troops to encircle and intercept them.

Therefore, Lin Ze, who can be called a first-rate expert in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, has extremely high strategic value.

This is true for Registrar Gao Fei, County Magistrate Li He, and even higher-level officials.

Compared to having one more first-rate expert as an enemy, it is certainly more cost-effective to have one more knowledgeable and sensible first-rate expert as an ally.

This is why they welcomed Lin Ze from the very beginning.

"Thank you for your kind consideration, Magistrate Li."

"To be honest, besides practicing martial arts, my greatest hobby is reading. I believe I have some knowledge. This time, I came out of the mountains not only to travel and broaden my horizons, but also to prepare for the upcoming Children's Examination."

"Therefore, I will be focusing on my studies for the next period of time, and I am afraid I will not be able to serve as the Chief Constable of the county."

"However, I will be living in this county for the next period of time. If you have any difficulties, sir, you can directly instruct me."

Lin Ze roughly knew why these officials were so enthusiastic towards him.

Although purely in terms of martial arts, Lin Ze is only at the third-rate level.

However, he has a gun, and the actual combat power he displays is not inferior to that of ordinary first-rate experts, and may even exceed it.

However, being busy with transactions between the two worlds, he doesn't have the time and energy to be trapped in this small county town as a constable.

But he can't directly refuse and offend people, so he said these words.

Although theoretically speaking, the Great Zhou Dynasty's imperial examinations also require checking three generations of a person's background, since he is a recognized first-rate expert, he naturally has some privileges.