Ao Po was naturally long gone by then. He peeled a roasted taro with his hands and, after peeling half of it, passed it to Hui Mian on his shoulder. Hui Mian took it without fear of the heat and bit off a great mouthful.
The man and marten enjoyed their first meal since arriving in the Northern Territory. Though it was no feast of mountain delicacies and seafood, they ate with particular relish.
While Ao Po and Hui Mian enjoyed their roasted taro, the County Magistrate was dining alone over a little wine in the administrative quarters of the Haiyu County Office.
The Haiyu County Magistrate was in his thirties, which made him fairly young among officials.
Rather than dining and drinking in the proper Dining Hall or elsewhere, he sat alone in his study, sipping wine and eating dishes to accompany it, with a book spread open on the desk.
The pace of his drinking matched the pace of his reading. After every small cup, the County Magistrate would lick his finger and turn a page.
It was hard to say whether he savored the food and wine or the contents of the book more. As for the book itself, it did not seem particularly respectable, at least judging by the smiles that crossed his face from time to time.
Knock, knock, knock.
A sudden knock came at the door, and the County Magistrate hurriedly slipped in a bookmark and closed the book.
"Who is it?"
"Sir, Landowner Liu is here!"
Upon hearing this, the County Magistrate hastily rose from his seat, first stuffing the book onto a shelf beside him, then straightening his clothes and headwear.
"Quick, show him in!"
"Yes, sir!"
The bailiff outside answered without entering and left. Before long, hurried footsteps returned, and the