Kang Shilin and Gan Lun Arrive
She also knew what Cai Yaozong, Chen Kang, Wang Yongshou and the others were trying to do by desperately delaying the process; they simply wanted to check the ledgers again to see if there were any omissions that needed to be corrected or filled in.
She has a good memory and clear logic, so she reads through these documents extremely quickly. They probably hadn't even finished revising a few accounts when she had already finished reviewing hers.
Unless they meticulously prepare the accounts from the outset, how many books can they possibly alter?
Several yamen runners quickly moved the case files and accounts into Zhao Ruxi's room.
Seeing Zhao Ruxi sit down to look at the documents, Lady Luo quickly made tea and placed some snacks next to Zhao Ruxi.
Knowing that Zhao Ruxi was coming to the yamen to look at documents, Lady Zhu and Qingfeng had already prepared some things, such as comfortable tables and chairs, screens, tea sets, copper basins, and other things that Zhao Ruxi usually used. They would have the servants bring them over as soon as they finished their business at the yamen tonight, and then they would furnish Zhao Ruxi's room.
Everyone was working at the moment, so Lady Luo brought some small things with her, at least enough for Zhao Ruxi to have a cup of delicious hot tea and some snacks if she got hungry.
Seeing that Zhao Ruxi was not causing any more trouble, Cai Yaozong and Chen Kang moved the files and accounts into the house and then quietly stayed inside to look at the documents.
Both of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Just as Zhao Ruxi was reviewing case files in the yamen, a group of people silently entered the city gate of Nanyang.
"You old man, I told you to write to Zhiwei and ask her to send someone to pick you up, but you insisted on giving her a surprise. Now that you're in the city, you're completely lost. Do you even know where to look for her?" Gan Lun complained to Kang Shilin in the carriage.
"Isn't that simple? Just go to the yamen (government office) and look for her. Judging by the time, she should be going to the yamen by now. That girl is diligent and doesn't want people to gossip, so she certainly won't go to the yamen on time; she'll go at least a few days in advance," Kang Shilin said calmly.
Then he instructed Kang An, "Have someone find out where the yamen is, and we'll head there. When we get to the yamen, go in and ask around. If Zhiwei is busy with official business, have one of the Zhao Family's servants lead us home."
"Yes." Kang An agreed, casually asked a passerby for directions to the yamen, and then directed the convoy towards the yamen.
Zhao Ruxi had just finished reviewing the salt administration affairs of Nanyang for the past year when she heard the gatekeeper say that her master had arrived. Startled, she quickly put down the file and ran out, where she saw three old men, Kang Shilin, Gan Lun, and Zhou Wenbai, standing there, pointing and gesturing at the street next to them. Not far from them stood Xiao Ruotong.
"Master, Master Gan, Mister Zhou, Sister Ruotong, what brings you here all of a sudden?" Zhao Ruxi was overjoyed and quickly stepped forward to greet them.
She then complained, "Master, why didn't you write to me so I could come and pick you up?"
"Haha, what's the point of picking us up? We'll just travel and have fun along the way, stopping wherever the scenery is nice. We don't even know when we'll arrive, so you won't be able to pick us up anyway," Kang Shilin laughed.
Seeing that everyone was in good spirits, and even the oldest, Kang Shilin, looked radiant, Zhao Ruxi felt relieved.
She said, "I'll go tell my boss and have him take you back."
"No need, no need, you go about your business. Just send a servant to show you the way." Kang Shilin waved his hand.
Gan Lun added, "That's right. You've only been in office for a few days; you can't just leave without permission, lest others gossip."
Ever since Zhao Ruxi was appointed as the Assistant Magistrate of Nanyang, her background as a female top scholar has been widely known among the clerks and runners in the yamen.
The carriages were quite ornate, and the jade pendants hanging from the waists of the three old men were of the finest quality. The woman standing next to them was wearing a dress made of some unknown material, which shimmered and shimmered, making it clear at a glance that these people came from noble families and had extraordinary backgrounds.
Upon seeing this, the guards at the gate quickly ran into the yamen and told Liu Hongyu what had happened.
A few days ago, Liu Hongyu might not have made any move. Whether Mister Kumu was the Emperor's cousin or not was none of his business. He wouldn't gain much by currying favor with Kang Shilin anyway.
But things are different now. He plans to stand on the same side as Zhao Ruxi. Her elders have come, even to the entrance of the government office. It wouldn't be right for him not to go out and greet them.
He hurried out and overheard Kang Shilin saying "gossip," so he quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "Lord Zhao, who are these gentlemen...?"
Cai Yaozong and Li Li's houses were right next to Liu Hongyu's. The yamen runner stood at the door and reported, which both of them heard.
Cai Yaozong was unwilling to come out, but only sent a follower out to gather information; Li Li immediately followed Liu Hongyu out.
He was standing behind Liu Hongyu at that moment, with a forced smile on his face.
Zhao Ruxi first introduced Liu Hongyu and Li Li.
She then pointed to Kang Shilin and the others, saying, "This is my master, Mister Kumu."
"This is the County Princess of Qingyang from the Prince of Zhennan's Residence's Mansion."
Because Kang Shilin and Xiao Ruotong were both relatives of the emperor and held higher status than the two gentlemen, Zhao Ruxi introduced Xiao Ruotong before Gan Lun.
"This is Lord Gan, who served as Zhejiang Bureau of Revenue Ministry of Revenue before retiring from officialdom."
"This is Mr. Zhou Wenbai, a famous painter from Great Jin."
Each time someone was introduced, Liu Hongyu and Li Li felt a shiver run down their spines. They were either relatives of the imperial family, high-ranking officials in the capital, or famous painters—people they could never normally meet.
These people actually came here to see Zhao Zhiwei.
The two quickly greeted Kang Shilin and the others one by one.
Upon hearing this string of distinguished guests, Cai Yaozong's servant hurriedly ran back to report to Cai Yaozong, "Sir, would you like to go and see them?"
Cai Yaozong already knew that Zhao Ruxi had Kang Shilin as her master, so he wasn't surprised by their arrival. The only one who troubled him was Gan Lun.
This Ministry of Revenue in charge of the Zhejiang Bureau of Revenue Ministry of Revenue specifically responsible for managing the revenue and expenditure of Zhejiang Province. Although he was not in charge of Anzhou Province, the two places were not far apart and the situation was similar, so he was not easy to fool.
He was a seasoned official with extensive experience. No matter how well you prepared those falsified accounts, he had sharp eyes and could spot the flaws at a glance.
He immediately groaned inwardly.
Why did an official like this have to appear at this particular time?
Chen Kang had obviously received the news as well. He rushed over to Cai Yaozong and asked, "Did you hear the people coming at the door? One of them is a retired official from the Zhejiang Bureau of Revenue Ministry of Revenue. Could Lord Zhao have specifically invited him to audit the accounts?"
Cai Yaozong remained silent, his heart filled with deep regret.
If he didn't want to give Zhao Ruxi a hard time and bully her because she was a young girl, he should have given Zhao Ruxi some unimportant tasks to manage in the first place; if he hadn't delayed, he could have handed over the files and accounts to Zhao Ruxi a couple of days ago, and maybe Zhao Ruxi wouldn't have had time to ask for help.
Now, his delay has given Zhao Ruxi the perfect opportunity to bring in help from the capital.