NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: Li Junwang
After closing the gate, the guard walked to the side courtyard, where the housekeeper and the stewards stayed. As a low-level guard, he had no right to report directly to Li Junwang.
The guards walked through long corridors and corners before entering the large side courtyard. When a little eunuch saw him coming, he stepped forward and asked, "Sir, what brings you here?"
The guard cupped his fists and said, "Gong Gong, I need to report to Su Gong Gong."
The little eunuch bowed slightly and said, "Su Gong Gong is in the main building. Please come with me."
"Thank you, Gong Gong." The guard thanked him, then followed the little eunuch.
When they arrived, Eunuch Su had just finished talking to the stewards and walked out of the main building. Seeing the guard, he frowned and asked, "Why are you here?"
The guard cupped his fists and said, "Su Gong Gong, the county magistrate is waiting outside the door, asking to see Wangye."
When Eunuch Su heard what he said, his frown deepened, and he said, "Wangye has already said that no one can disturb him unless there is something urgent happening today."
The guard thought of the county magistrate's anxious face and said, "The county magistrate said that he has something urgent to report to Wangye."
Eunuch Su thought for a moment and said, "Let's go. I wonder what urgent matter he wants to report."
After saying that, he left with the guards. The stewards looked at each other and then went back to do their own work.
After waiting for a long time, the gate finally opened. When the county magistrate saw that Eunuch Su was coming with the guard, he clasped his fists and said politely, "I have met Su Gong Gong."
Eunuch Su smiled at the county magistrate and said, "Da Ren is polite. Please come with this servant."
Although Eunuch Su does not have any official position, he is a eunuch who came from the palace. Given his social status, the county magistrate still needs to treat him with respect.
The county magistrate kept a polite smile and gestured to Eunuch Su to take the lead, "Su Gong Gong, please."
Eunuch Su smiled at him and then walked into the mansion, followed by the county magistrate. Along the way, Eunuch Su asked, "Da Ren, what brings you here today?"
"Su Gong Gong, this official is here today because of the bandits near the northern border attacking the villages near the border." The county magistrate replied with a frown.
When Eunuch Su heard this answer, his eyes flickered for a moment and then returned to normal before the county magistrate noticed it.
The two of them walked for more than twenty minutes before Eunuch Su looked at the county magistrate and said, "Da Ren, please wait a moment. I'm going to inform Wangye."
"Then I will trouble Su Gong Gong."
After the county magistrate returned the courtesy, Eunuch Su walked towards the main hall. The county magistrate stood outside the main hall and could clearly hear music and laughter from the hall.
He sighed and thought, 'The people are starving, but the rulers are living a life of luxury.'
In the main hall, Eunuch Su reported the purpose of the county magistrate's visit to Li Junwang. After he finished reporting, Eunuch Su lowered his head and stood motionless. After a long silence, a sneer came from the main seat.
"That old guy came to report the bandit attack?" Wan Hezhi asked, with a hint of annoyance in his tone.
Eunuch Su bowed slightly and said, "That's right, Wangye."
After hearing his answer, Wan Hezhi turned to look at a middle-aged man and asked, "Leader Ge, what do you think? Do you want to meet the county magistrate?"
Leader Ge chuckled, drank a glass of wine in one breath, and said, "Of course, I want to meet this brave county magistrate."
After hearing his answer, Wan Hezhi looked at Eunuch Su and said calmly, "Call him in."
"Yes, Wangye."
Watching Eunuch Su leave the hall, Wan Hezhi said, "Continue the banquet!"
At his words, the music started, and the dancers walked into the center of the hall and began to dance and twist their bodies. When the county magistrate walked in and followed behind Eunuch Su, what he saw was this scene.
He lowered his eyes, unable to hide the disappointment and anxiety in his heart. With such a ruler, it seems that there is no hope for him or the villagers.
The county magistrate's face did not show any emotion as he knelt down calmly, bowed, and said, "This official pay my respects to Li Junwang."
Wan Hezhi leaned on his seat and drank his wine without speaking. More than ten minutes later, he said, "Why are you here, County Magistrate?"
The old county magistrate knew that Li Junwang had deliberately made him suffer, so he endured the cold floor and said respectfully, "Answering Wangye, this official is here to report the bandit attack two days ago."
After saying that, he hesitated for a moment on whether to take out the urgent memorial or not. But ultimately, he decided not to take it out. Leader Ge, who was sitting under Wan Hezhi, chuckled when he heard the county magistrate's answer.
The county magistrate frowned but still maintained the same posture and lowered his head. Seeing the old county magistrate not even daring to raise his head, Leader Ge lost interest.
He put down his wine cup, clasped his fists toward Wan Hezhi, and said, "Since Wangye has official business, then I will take my leave first."
Wan Hezhi nodded and said, "This King will arrange another banquet to entertain Leader Ge later."
After Leader Ge left with his people, Wan Hezhi glanced at Eunuch Su. After receiving his signal, Eunuch Su waved his hand and left with the maids and eunuchs.
When it was just him, and the county magistrate, Wan Hezhi said lazily, "Speak. What kind of bandit attack would you like to report?"