"In my view, the County Office is the seat of authority and must not be compromised. This has nothing to do with putting on official airs."
The man addressed as the county deputy turned around and calmly watched Yang Qing step down from the carriage.
Just then, Dai Sheng was also stepping down from another small sedan chair. Overhearing the man's words, he barked, "Wu Tianyong, this is Lord Yang, our Yan Prefecture Military Commissioner!"
"How dare you treat His Lordship so rudely? Who gave you such audacity?"
Wu Tianyong smiled faintly at Dai Sheng. "So Lord Dai has returned. Your humble subordinate offers his respects."
"However, my lord, I heard earlier that you left in such haste to inspect the townspeople's houses for anything that needed reinforcing. Judging by things now, was I mistaken?"
Dai Sheng was so stumped by Wu Tianyong's words that he rolled his eyes. "Wu Tianyong, surely I need not explain every single thing I do to you?"
"Of course not. But perhaps you have forgotten that, here in Yan Prefecture City, your role now is merely to assist me."
Hearing the county deputy Wu Tianyong's words, Yang Qing felt a flicker of doubt.
This Wu Tianyong was merely a lowly county deputy. Why did he behave like this, daring to defy his superiors?
Dai Sheng glanced at Yang Qing and understood the question in his eyes perfectly well.
He moved closer to Yang Qing and said quietly, "My lord, there was something else I did not explain earlier. In half a month, I will no longer hold the post of Yan Prefecture County Magistrate."
"Are you saying that, in half a month, Deputy County Magistrate Wu will succeed you as county magistrate?" Yang Qing asked.
"Precisely! Moreover, Deputy County Magistrate Wu has come specifically