The ninth son of the emperor was demoted at the beginning. I have a famous Chinese general.

"Yeah, I really didn't expect that."

"But this is normal. His Highness did not send you here to enjoy yourself."

Man Chong shook his head and laughed. He had already expected all this.

"Look, Chief Secretary, the city being broken is fine, but the problem is that Hulan City is too small."

"This city alone can accommodate two thousand people?"

Huo Qubing was still incredulous.

"So, this is why the Prime Minister asked us to advance ahead."

"Fortunately, we are here. Otherwise, when Your Highness arrives, we won't be able to accommodate the soldiers and their families, and we won't even have anywhere to store our supplies."

Man Chong said with a smile.

"Well, no wonder the Prime Minister sent me and the Chief Clerk ahead?"

"If His Highness knew that Hulan City was like this, he would probably be shocked."

"Then what should we do next? Should we go directly to the county government office to take over, or should we investigate the situation first?" Huo Qubing said suddenly.

"Of course I went straight to the county government office. I originally wanted to get a feel for the situation first."

"But looking at the current situation, what's the point of touching it? It's better to take over and prepare as soon as possible, otherwise it will be too late."

Man Chong said after a little thought.

"Well, then I'll listen to the chief clerk."

Huo Qubing did not object, as he knew that time was urgent and there was no time to waste.

Otherwise, when His Highness and his entourage arrive, there won’t even be a place to stay.

After the two men made their decision, they entered Hulun City.

There was an old soldier standing guard at the city gate, but he just glanced at Huo Qubing and others.

Without even asking a single question, he let everyone enter the city.

"Master, the defenders of Hulan City seem to be a bit slack."

Huo Qubing couldn't help but frown at the old soldier's laziness.

"Haha, what difference does it make whether a city like this has defenders or not?" Man Chong laughed.

"Uh......"

Upon hearing this, Huo Qubing was speechless.

"Let's go, don't waste time." Man Chong said, and took the lead to walk into the city.

The outside of Hulun City was in ruins, and the inside of the city was even worse, with signs of decline everywhere.

All the houses in the city are made of adobe, not even a single one is built with stones.

The only shops were a wine shop and an inn.

There are very few pedestrians on the streets.

Occasionally I met a few people, all of whom were dressed in rags and looked numb.

Seeing this scene, Man Chong and Huo Qubing couldn't help but frown.

In this situation, it will be difficult for Hulun City to recover without great effort.

While observing, the two men rode their horses to the Hulun County Government Office.

The county government office was also in a dilapidated state, but at least it still looked presentable. At least it was a brick and tile house with two courtyards in front and back.

"Who are you and who are you looking for?"

Everyone dismounted, and a bailiff at the county government gate immediately stepped forward and asked.

The yamen runner was at least sixty years old, with white hair and beard and a hunched body.

Although he is old, his eyes are sharp and he is full of energy and spirit.

"We are under the command of King Beiting and have been ordered by the Emperor to take over Hulan City..."

"Your county magistrate is here. Take us to see him immediately."

Man Chong said directly.

"What King of Beiting? I've never heard of him."

"As for the imperial order?"

"Haha, we haven't received an imperial order in ten years."

After hearing this, the old yamen runner sneered.

"That was before, not now."

"Since you don't want to inform us, we have no choice but to visit in person."

Man Chong glanced at him, then walked towards the county government office.

When the yamen runners saw Man Chong trying to force his way in, they didn't do anything and let him enter the county government office.

After Huo Qubing and Man Chong entered the county government office.

The county government office was empty, with only a few benches and a table.

Of course, there was also the Huluan County Magistrate who was sleeping soundly on the table.

It was afternoon, a time when people feel sleepy. I guess the county magistrate was also sleepy.

"Are you the Hulan County Magistrate?"

Huo Qubing stepped forward and kicked the other person awake, then asked in a cold voice.

"Who are you?"

The Hulan County Magistrate opened his eyes in confusion and was immediately frightened when he saw the two strangers in front of him.

"Don't talk nonsense. Let me ask you again, are you the magistrate of Hulan County?"

He was interrupted by Huo Qubing just when he was halfway through his words.

"It's me... Who are you?"

The Hulan County Magistrate stared at Huo Qubing and Man Chong with a vigilant look on his face.

"We are under the command of King Beiting and have been ordered to take over Hulan City!"

"Following the imperial edict?!"

Upon hearing this, the Hulan County Magistrate suddenly widened his eyes and looked at the two of them in surprise and suspicion.

"Of course it's in accordance with the imperial edict. This is His Majesty's decree. Read it for yourself!"

Man Chong took out the imperial edict and handed it to him.

"Imperial decree?"

The Hulan County Magistrate was stunned for a moment, then quickly took the imperial edict.

"God has eyes, His Majesty finally remembered us."

After reading the imperial edict, the Hulan County Magistrate suddenly shouted and tears filled his eyes with excitement.

As the last magistrate of Hulun County, he has been here for more than twenty years.

I have never left this haunted place, nor have I ever received any instructions.

It was as if Hulancheng was an abandoned child, no one cared about him and no one paid any attention to him.

Hulun City has also grown from a prosperous small town into what it is today.

Now, an imperial edict has suddenly been received, and the ninth prince is about to take over Hulan City.

How could he not be excited?

Seeing this, Huo Qubing and Man Chong looked at each other and stopped urging him.

From his words just now, it is not difficult to hear the pain and joy of this county magistrate.

"Zhang Tinggao, the Magistrate of Hulan County, greets the two gentlemen."

"May I ask, my Lords, when will His Majesty the Ninth Prince arrive?"

After a long while, the Hulan County Magistrate wiped the tears from his cheeks and said respectfully.

"His Highness the Ninth Prince is expected to arrive in a month."

"We are here to prepare in advance."

Man Chong replied.

"Well, I know."

"My Lords, since Hulan City has become the fiefdom of His Highness the Ninth Prince, I shall cooperate."

"I wonder what I can do for you, my Lords?"

Zhang Tinggao continued.

"First, we need to understand the current situation in Hulan City?"

"This includes population, territory, soldiers, weapons, and food supplies, among other aspects."

"Secondly, we must repair Hulan City as quickly as possible to prepare for His Highness's arrival."

Man Chong said seriously.

"Yes, I understand."

"My Lords, Hulan County has one county town and seven villages under its jurisdiction."

"The county town has a population of 1,100, and the seven villages have a population of about 3,000."

"These seven villages are relatively small, with only a few dozen households in each, and the largest having less than a hundred households."

"In addition, this county has nine forts under its jurisdiction, each with a population of less than 200."

"As for the soldiers, including those from the county and Wubao, there are a total of forty-seven of them, but they are all old, weak, sick, and disabled..."

"There is no food or weapons at all, because Hulan City has been completely unattended for the past twenty years."

"To be honest with you, my lords, I, including the yamen runners and soldiers, have not received any salary for twenty years."

Zhang Tinggao informed everyone of the situation.

After hearing the introduction, Huo Qubing and Man Chong frowned.

The situation in Hulun City obviously exceeded their expectations and was much worse than they had imagined.