"The way your Earl of North Border’s Mansion conducts its affairs—such grandeur indeed!"
The Recruitment Envoy slammed his palm onto the desk before him. Then, Zheng Fan saw the corners of the Recruitment Envoy’s mouth twitch uncontrollably; being quite plump, his face rippled.
It seems like powerful men always enjoy slapping tables. Why bother? What’s the point? Slap my own face just so you’d feel sorry for me?
Now that these second-generation rich had received the news, the true commander of Hutou City, with his far broader channels of information, would naturally not be kept in the dark. Therefore, after Zheng Fan had finished his posturing before those scions, he was promptly summoned to the Recruitment Envoy’s main hall.
This Recruitment Envoy was indeed plump, but his official aura was still potent. Zheng Fan, however, showed not a hint of fear. He wasn’t sure if the recent events were the work of that damned Blind Bei, some cripple, a zombie, a vampire, or which of the two groups of damned good-for-nothings was responsible. But it had already been done. And he himself had committed to this act of bravado. Right now, the only thing he could do—the only thing possible—was to brace himself and continue this charade.
Just sitting here in the government office, and this whole charade fell into my lap out of nowhere. No warning, no build-up, no process—this charade was so bizarre, and honestly, there was no satisfaction in it at all.
Just then, the Recruitment Envoy’s clerk walked in, stood below, and announced, "Ah Lang, County Magistrate Su has arrived and is waiting outside."
The Recruitment Envoy waved his hand dismissively. "Go and ask him if he truly intends to inquire about this matter, if he really dares to wade into these muddy waters!"
The clerk departed. After a short while, he returned and reported, "Ah Lang, County Magistrate Su says he suddenly feels unwell and needs to go home to rest. He said he would trouble Ah Lang with the government office’s affairs today."
"Heh." The Recruitment Envoy waved his hand again, and the clerk left.
That old county magistrate was, in reality, a bureaucrat through and through. He didn’t aspire to achievements but merely sought to avoid mistakes, hoping to peacefully muddle through another two years until retirement. Hutou City should have been his domain. The Recruitment Envoy, though nominally in charge of a large jurisdiction, had no personal retinue, yet he had still managed to forcibly establish himself in Hutou City and take control.
Subsequently, the Recruitment Envoy’s gaze fell upon Zheng Fan once more. He said gravely, "Mei Village. What crime did they commit?"
"They committed the crimes they were due to commit."
"Impudence! This is Hutou City! This is my government office! How dare you, a mere soldier, continue to be so disrespectful and evasive before me? Do you truly think I wouldn’t dare to convict you?"
Zheng Fan remained silent for a moment, his mind racing. In truth, there wasn’t much to think about. Other than continuing the charade and maintaining the haughty stance that outsiders had no right to question the affairs of his Earl of North Border’s forces, he had no other choice. Because he himself had no idea what had actually happened!
The crux of the problem was that Siniang, due to Mo Wan’s antics the previous night, hadn’t been able to finish reading the first letter left by Blind Bei.
"Good, good, good, good!" The Recruitment Envoy was infuriated.
He yanked a long sword, originally just a decoration, from a pillar beside him. His massive frame advanced towards Zheng Fan.
Zheng Fan was a bit stunned. Although this plump Recruitment Envoy looked rather soft and flabby, he didn’t dare underestimate him. After all, Dong Zhuo was also a fat man!
His qi and blood began to circulate. Though not yet able to emit a glow, it could still somewhat enhance his reaction speed. Unfortunately, his weapon had been confiscated by the guards at the yamen entrance.
At this moment, Zheng Fan suddenly felt a bone-chilling cold pierce his chest.
This chill caused Zheng Fan’s body to stiffen instantly.
The Recruitment Envoy had already walked right up to Zheng Fan. The next moment, he abruptly threw the sword in his hand to the ground, spread his arms wide, clapped Zheng Fan firmly on the shoulders, and said with emotion, "Is everything alright back home?"
Hmm? What does this mean?
Suddenly, as if due to the Recruitment Envoy’s change in attitude, the icy sensation in Zheng Fan’s chest also vanished.
And this plump Recruitment Envoy had no idea he’d just casually taken a leak at the gates of hell.
Zheng Fan’s mind raced. Thanks to the ubiquitous anti-Japanese and liberation dramas from later eras, he finally recalled a stereotypical plotline from those dramas that closely resembled his current situation.
Isn’t this just like an arrested underground operative meeting Comrade Deep Sea in prison?!
Zheng Fan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He said, "The Young Mistress is well."
This sentence made the Recruitment Envoy’s body tremble. His eyes, already narrowed to slits by his plumpness, actually glistened with unshed tears.
"Ah, the Young Mistress has suffered, truly suffered. With His Lordship gone to the capital, the entire household of the Earl’s Mansion relies on the Young Mistress alone to manage everything. Sigh..." The Recruitment Envoy began to wax sentimental.
Usually, when a superior vents their emotions, as a subordinate, you need to play along. That’s why you often see subordinates weeping more dramatically at the grave of their leader’s deceased mother than the leader himself.
For Zheng Fan now, he had to rely on the limited information he possessed and exploit it for every last bit of value!
Zheng Fan maintained his standing posture and said, "With Seventh Uncle by the Young Mistress’s side, she will be safe."
It was a pity. Apart from that crazy stone, Mo Wan, by Zheng Fan’s side, the other six demon lords weren’t here. Otherwise, they would have had their perception of their master completely overturned at this moment!