The first county magistrate in history

When those people came closer, everyone jumped off their horses, and a fat, big-eared prefect with a sweaty face came out of the carriage.

"Your humble servant, Jia Sizhen, the prefect of Yangping County, respectfully welcomes the Imperial Envoy!" Jia Sizhen knelt respectfully on the ground and kowtowed. His official uniform also had a few patches on it.

The other ragged officials also knelt down and kowtowed, sweating profusely, shouting, "Welcome, the Imperial Envoy!"

Qin Zheng nodded slightly and looked at these people with amusement: "Everyone, please stand up!"

After Jia Sizhen and others stood up, they also looked at Qin Zheng.

It was rare for a small county magistrate to serve as an imperial envoy, and they were very curious.

I was even more surprised at this moment that she was so young.

Well dressed, though.

The reason why we pay attention to Qin Zheng's attire is that any imperial envoy who is incorruptible and upright will definitely dress simply.

But Qin Zheng was now wearing a clean and bright imperial envoy's robe, and his belt was inlaid with gems of various colors.

There was also a large string of precious pearls hanging around her neck.

There were actually two golden balls rolling in his hands.

It's obvious that he is the same person as them!

Jia Sizhen regretted changing into his worn-out official robes, as they had been unused for too long and the musty smell on them made him very uncomfortable.

Qin Zheng smiled and played with the golden health ball.

It seems that they came here not to provide disaster relief, but as wealthy businessmen sightseeing.

He dressed that way on purpose.

"Prefect Jia, I've come here to understand the people's sentiments and provide relief to the victims. Please tell me about the situation in Yangping County."

Jia Sizhen's heart trembled, and he hurriedly said, "Your Excellency, the drought is quite severe, and the entire Yangping County has been completely unscathed. The people are suffering terribly. I have tried my best, but it is still difficult to change the situation. It is a natural disaster, and human intervention is beyond our control!"

Qin Zheng glanced at Jia Sizhen and said, "Yes, natural disasters are unpredictable. How can they be caused by human effort? I'm here to solve this problem."

Jia Sizhen smiled broadly and bowed, saying, "I have long admired your kindness, as boundless as the river. I aspire to surpass your talent. With your arrival, the disaster in Yangping County will surely be alleviated. This will be a blessing for the people and a boon for all!"

Wu Xiaoyou was speechless. This prefect was a flatterer!

Zhang Shaoyong frowned slightly. He hated flatterers the most.

I took a peek at Qin Zheng and found that Lord Qin was smiling and seemed to be enjoying it.

He was very puzzled because Lord Qin had behaved like a good official in Hongtong County and had even helped them clear their death sentences.

Could he be a two-faced person?

"Prefect Yang Ping, and advisor Han Jiance, greet the Imperial Envoy!" An elderly man with a goatee and a pointed chin bowed with a smile, "It's hot, and this isn't the right place for meetings. Please move to the government office!"

"Yes, yes, yes, please come in, sir!" Jia Sizhen said quickly.

Qin Zheng nodded: "Master Jia, take my sedan chair."

"How dare I!" Jia Sizhen's eyes lit up, but he politely declined.

Qin Zheng smiled and said, "You're welcome. In terms of official rank, you are higher than me."

After saying that, he got into the carriage.

Indeed, Qin Zheng was a seventh-rank county magistrate, while Jia Sizhen was a fifth-rank prefect. If Qin Zheng had not been an imperial envoy, he should have knelt before Jia Sizhen.

But even if the imperial envoy had no rank, he would still meet an official one level higher.

Jia Sizhen gave the others a wink, meaning that everything was fine.

Only then did he get on the carriage.

In the car.

Qin Zheng briefly inquired about the situation in Yangping County.

Jia Sizhen told them one by one, observing Qin Zheng's expression as he spoke.

After listening, Qin Zheng said calmly, "In the past, when disaster struck a region, local officials would often falsify the number of victims and exaggerate the extent of the disaster in order to secure more funding from the imperial court. This is not uncommon. I hope that this will not happen in Yangping County under Magistrate Jia's rule. This way, I can focus on disaster relief and avoid a lot of trouble."

Jia Sizhen's expression changed, and he quickly said, "Don't worry, sir. This is absolutely not the case in Yangping County."

Qin nodded: "That's good."

He continued, "Prefect Jia, let me be frank. I am an incorruptible official, upright and self-disciplined. This time, I have been entrusted by Your Majesty to provide disaster relief to Liangjin. I hope you will be prudent in your words and actions, and do not make things difficult for me, nor blame me for not giving face to my colleagues."

"Jia Sizhen understands. Don't worry, my lord. The officials in Yangping County are all honest people. This will never happen." Jia Sizhen said, glancing at the golden ball in Qin Zheng's hand. He was extremely contemptuous. Damn, who would believe it?

He knew it was just polite talk and shouldn't be taken seriously. Without some benefits, he would definitely not be able to pass this level.

Jia Sizhen hosted a banquet in his own residence to entertain Qin Zheng and his entourage.

He originally wanted to entertain them at the inn according to the rules, but now he changed his mind.

At the banquet carefully arranged by Jia Sizhen, Qin Zheng sat in the upper seat, looking at the luxurious decorations around him.

So rustic. Too rustic.

Although a lot of money must have been spent on decoration, it is so tacky.

Looking at the table full of sumptuous dishes, Qin Zheng sighed, "The rich are feasting and drinking, while the poor are freezing to death on the streets!"

Yangping County was struck by disaster, and the people were living in dire straits. But the prefect's family...

Qin Zheng was helpless. He knew very well that Jia Sizhen was not the only one in the Daqian Dynasty.

He could only do the best he could.

After three rounds of drinking.

Jia Sizhen suddenly claimed that he was going to the bathroom, and when he came back, he was accompanied by his legal advisor Han Jiance.

Han Jance was holding a brocade box in his hand, with a smile on his face.

Jia Sizhen said with a smile:

"I, your advisor, love to visit antique streets. I often buy some shabby fakes, and I enjoy it. Just now, I spent a few taels of silver to buy a bronze Buddha from the antique street, but I thought I had found a bargain. I said it was a 500-year-old artifact, a pure gold ancient Buddha. I even came to show it off to me. Sir, please appraise it and let him give up completely."

thump!

Han Jiance knelt down and said, "I am Han Jiance, your disciple. I am here to see you, sir. Please do me the honor."

Han Jiance was born a scholar, but there was no official title for prefectural clerks, so when he met an official he could call himself a student, which was better than a commoner.

Qin Zheng said calmly: "Get up!"

Han Jiance quickly got up and placed the brocade box respectfully in front of Qin Zheng.

At this moment, Jia Sizhen's eyes revealed a hint of anticipation and nervousness.

He thought to himself that if Qin Zheng accepted it in disguise, they would all be in the same boat.

That would be easy.

If you don't accept it, I'm afraid there will be a fight.

Although he has the King of the North behind him, he also hopes to avoid disaster by spending money and resolve the issue peacefully.

He heard that the King of the North had lost face with the Empress this time.

At this moment, he dared not make any mistakes or cause any disturbance.

This person is an imperial envoy, representing the empress.

The Queen was clearly at odds with the King of the North and had already killed several of his disciples. If a disciple of the King of the North fell into the hands of the Queen, how could he have any chance of survival?

When the box was opened, inside was a golden statue of Vairocana Buddha, more than a foot tall.

Qin Zheng only took a glance and was sure that it was indeed a golden ancient Buddha from five hundred years ago.

When I picked it up, it felt heavy, and it was actually solid.

How could Qin Zheng not know their tricks?

He smiled faintly: "The bronze gilded Vairocana Buddha is not pure gold. Lord Jia has a unique vision, and Master Han has been fooled!"

These words made Jia Sizhen and Han Jiance feel relieved.