Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

Chapter 325 Liu Yanzhi receives the report

During the Lantern Festival, Yunzhou City was festooned with lanterns. The streets were festooned with a variety of colorful lights, and the glowing red lanterns illuminated the entire city, creating a particularly festive atmosphere. Early in the morning, teachers from the official schools led their students to the Confucian Temple for worship. The students, each with a solemn expression, were filled with a tinge of anticipation. On this day, the government would host a grand lantern riddle competition. If a student could distinguish themselves at the competition and be noticed by a prominent figure, the reward would be secondary, but their future prospects would be limitless. Therefore, the students were eager to try their luck, secretly plotting how to showcase their skills at the competition.

Meanwhile, the Yunzhou government office was bustling with activity. Today was not only the Lantern Festival, but also the day the imperial court issued official appointment certificates. These certificates were the official imperial documents granting official appointments, symbolizing their status and position. Consequently, the officials in the government office were all nervous, fearing any mishaps on this crucial day.

A yamen runner hurried into the government office, panting and shouting, "Here he comes! The governor is here!"

Lu Hui, the governor of Yunzhou, quickly straightened his official uniform upon hearing this and said anxiously, "Hurry, hurry! The Marquis is of high rank, so he should lead the way in welcoming him!"

Huangfu Changshui, the commander of Yunzhou, waved his hand and said with a smile, "Lord Lu, this won't do. I have the rank of military commander, and according to the rules, you civilians should go first."

Lu Hui quickly shook his head: "No, no, no, General Huangfu, you are the chief general. If it is a war, everyone in Yunzhou must obey your command. Naturally, you will be the first to lead today."

Huangfu Changshui laughed heartily: "Hasn't the war even started yet? Why be so formal?"

Liu Yanzhi, the Yunzhou Fumin Tongzhi, waved his hand impatiently. "Stop yelling! The Governor is already at the door. After we pass the ceremonial gate, the three of us will stand in a row as the head officers, and the green-robed officials will stand back. After the Governor has counted the names, everyone will bow in thanks! There's no time left! Hurry!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Hui and Huangfu Changshui hurriedly followed his instructions, feeling somewhat bewildered. Liu Yanzhi, on the other hand, had a solemn expression, clearly attaching great importance to today's ceremony.

Soon, the Governor, sporting a chubby belly, strolled into the government office, followed by a group of green-robed officials holding official documents. The Governor's expression was haughty, and as he glanced at the officials in the government office, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, as if he was already accustomed to all this.

"The Governor is checking the list. Those who are on the list, please come forward and listen!" A minor official in a green robe shouted loudly.

The officials in the government office knelt down one after another, waiting respectfully for the announcement from the Governor.

"The former Yunzhou prefect Lu Hui came forward to listen to the report!" The governor read slowly.

Lu Hui ran forward in a hurry. Perhaps because he was too nervous, he accidentally stepped on the wide cuffs of his official uniform. Two large silver ingots rolled out and landed right at the feet of the Governor.

The governor was quick to pick up the silver ingot and said to Lu Hui with a smile, "Ah, Master Lu, from now on we will be superior and superior. There is no need to be so polite. I will read the notice, and you can accept it."

Lu Hui chuckled and breathed a sigh of relief: "Then I'll trouble you, Governor." The original cumbersome ceremony of six bows and twelve thanks was omitted.

Huangfu Changshui, standing nearby, watched this scene with a sigh of regret. He had anticipated that today wouldn't be so simple, so he'd also carried two ingots of silver with him when he left the house that morning. He then imitated the man's actions, feigning a stumble, and the silver ingots in his sleeve rolled to the Governor's feet.

Upon seeing this, the Governor quickly bent down to pick up the silver ingot, a smile plastered across his face. "Oh, General Huangfu, how could you be so careless? It must be the fatigue of military service that has caused your body to become unsteady. In that case, those tedious formalities can be dispensed with. Once I have read the letter, I will present my official certificate!"

Huangfu Changshui was secretly delighted, but his face remained expressionless: "Excuse me, Governor!"

Liu Yanzhi stood aside, his expression growing increasingly grim. He hadn't prepared any money, and he was deeply dissatisfied with the actions of the Governor and his two colleagues. However, at this moment, he could only suppress his anger and wait for the Governor to call his name.

"The former Yunzhou Fumin Tongzhi, Liu Shen, comes forward to listen to the report!" The governor finally called out Liu Yanzhi's name.

Liu Yanzhi took a deep breath, walked forward and said respectfully, "Your subordinate, I'm here to listen to you!" After that, he began to salute.

The Chief Secretary frowned and said coldly, "Tsk, Liu Shen, I haven't even started reading the notice yet, and you're being polite like this. I'm afraid it's against the rules."

Liu Yanzhi raised his head, his eyes determined: "That's because you, my lord, have been reluctant to make the announcement!"

Upon hearing this, the governor's face darkened. "How dare you! I am the governor of Hedong. You are not allowed to speak until I make a statement!"

Liu Yanzhi gritted his teeth and lowered his head: "Your Excellency is right!"

The Chief Secretary snorted coldly: "It seems that Lord Liu still has a strong body!"

Liu Yanzhi raised his head, his eyes unyielding: "It's okay, at least I won't fall for no reason, and even if I do fall, I won't get any money."

The Chief Secretary's expression changed: "You...what do you mean?"

Liu Yanzhi said coldly, "Sir, the six bows have been made. Please show me my official credentials."

The Chief Secretary sneered, "No hurry. It's not time for the six bows yet. Bring me a chair and let me sit for a while. We'll talk when the time comes!"

Seeing this, Lu Hui quickly took out a silver note from his pocket and said with an apologetic smile: "Sir, we are colleagues, you see..."

The Chief Secretary took the banknote and smiled: "Master Lu is indeed considerate of us Chief Secretaries."

Seeing this, Liu Yanzhi couldn't help but spit: "Pooh!"

The governor's face darkened. "Liu Shen, you've humiliated me time and again. Do you really not want this official position anymore?"

Liu Yanzhi gnashed his teeth, knelt on the ground with his fists clenched, his heart burning with anger, but he didn't dare to stand up. Once he stood up, it would mean that he had given up accepting the complaint.

Just then, a voice came from outside the government office: "Yes, yes, yes! Sorry, I'm late!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Zhang Jingwei riding a donkey and rushing into the government office in a hurry.

When Liu Yanzhi saw Zhang Jingwei, he was shocked: "Jingwei!"

Huangfu Changshui cursed angrily, "Little bastard!" He had been looking for Zhang Jingwei for a long time, but he didn't expect that this kid would suddenly appear at this time. He was immediately furious and wanted to tear him into pieces.

Zhang Jingwei spread his hands, signaling his father-in-law to calm down, and Huangfu Changshui stopped for a while.

Zhang Jingwei jumped off the donkey and walked up to the Chief Secretary with a smile: "My Lords, am I not late?"

The Chief Secretary frowned and asked, "Are you Zhang Qi?"

Zhang Jingwei nodded and bowed: "Excuse me! May I ask your Excellency, please tell me about my position..."

The Chief Secretary said coldly, "There is a difference in the order of rank. Lord Liu must accept the official certificate first before it can be your turn."

Zhang Jingwei nodded quickly: "Oh, oh, oh." He turned to look at Liu Yanzhi and said in feigned surprise: "Teacher, why are you standing there? Take the report!"

Liu Yanzhi remained silent, but felt a little relieved at the appearance of Zhang Jingwei.

Zhang Jingwei turned to the Chief Secretary and said, "Sir, how far have we progressed? Why don't we hurry up? My wife is waiting anxiously at home. I'll definitely get a beating if I go back!"

Upon hearing this, the Chief Secretary's face darkened. "How dare you! You little brat, are you trying to teach me how to do things?!"

Zhang Jingwei quickly waved his hands: "No, no! How can a human teach a dog to do things?"

The atmosphere in the government office suddenly became tense.