Hu Xiaotian naturally stood on no ceremony with him. He handed the twenty men straight over to Murong Feiyan and left her to assign their duties, then sat down with Liu Baoju in the Wind and Rain Pavilion. Just then, Liu Danggui, the proprietor of Spring Return Hall, arrived with food and wine. He had come under the pretext of rewarding their efforts, but really wanted to check on his son. Hearing that his son had followed the newly appointed County Deputy to guard the embankment had left him worried, as any parent would be. Liu Kuohai was patrolling the riverbank with six bailiffs, striding through the wind and rain with his head held high, looking imposing indeed. The sight filled Liu Danggui with pride. He carried his food box into the Wind and Rain Pavilion, having prepared a generous spread of dishes and wine.
Hu Xiaotian had already contacted a nearby tavern and paid them to deliver meals. The county office should really have footed the bill, but he found the process too troublesome. He would have to seek County Magistrate Xu Qinglian's approval, and the expense was hardly substantial anyway, so he simply paid out of his own pocket.
When Liu Baoju heard that Hu Xiaotian was paying for everyone himself, he gave him a thumbs-up. "Lord Hu, you are truly generous and public-spirited, a model for us all." Inwardly, however, he thought, In all my years as an official, I've only heard of men shoveling money into their own pockets. Precious few ever take any out. A newly appointed official lights three fires to show his zeal-you're just putting on a show to buy people's loyalty, aren't you?
Hu Xiaotian opened a jar of wine, and the two drank and chatted in the Thatched Pavilion. At first,