CHAPTER 333: CHAPTER 333: TALKING NONSENSE LIKE A LUNATIC

Zhao Ting found himself at a loss for words.

He questioned the young County Magistrate instinctively after hearing the plight of a junior Government Official.

But upon hearing the young County Magistrate’s retort, Zhao Ting felt he shouldn’t have blamed him without cause.

People tend to seek profit and avoid harm; saving oneself in times of danger is nothing disgraceful.

"Did you seek help from your superiors?" Zhao Ting paused for a moment and asked.

To Meng Yao, Zhao Ting’s question seemed redundant. Young officials, especially those from humble backgrounds, are naturally filled with enthusiasm. Given the situation in Le’an, this young County Magistrate surely sought his superiors’ help.

However, he received no assistance.

The audacity of the people in Le’an was not only due to the power accumulated over many years, but also due to a protective shield from above.

As expected, upon hearing Zhao Ting’s words, the young County Magistrate sneered, "How do you know this official didn’t seek help from superiors? This official couldn’t even meet with them. Someone told this official that in Le’an, there are two paths: either align with them or mind one’s own business and stay out of trouble."

He couldn’t bring himself to collude with those people; the most he could do was stay out of trouble.

Zhao Ting furrowed his brows tightly, it seemed the issues in Jiangzhou were significant.

The young man shook his head with a bitter smile, "Enough, why am I telling a stranger like you all this? I haven’t even asked who you are and the purpose of your visit."

Zhao Ting took out the imperial yellow silk and handed it to the young County Magistrate.

Upon opening it, the young County Magistrate’s expression immediately became solemn, "I, Feng Zhiyuan, a humble official, greet the Commandery Princess. Not knowing the County Princess’ identity, I was offensive; please forgive my rudeness."

Compared to Feng Zhiyuan’s reverence, the Government Official who had led the way was baffled. As a Government Official, he knew Le’an was a fiefdom of some County Princess.

He had heard Zhu Fu and others say that this County Princess was not favored by the Emperor. That’s why Le’an was casually given to her as a fief. Zhu Fu and the others also said that this County Princess would probably never come to Le’an in her lifetime.

Unexpectedly, the County Princess actually came!

And upon arrival, she was offended by the people of the Sansheng family!

"No need for excessive politeness, Master Feng," Meng Yao spoke calmly.

"Please enter, County Princess." Feng Zhiyuan hurriedly invited her into the courtyard, "My humble abode is simple, I hope the County Princess doesn’t find it lacking."

Though the house was small, it was tidily arranged, with a few green plants adding a touch of vibrancy to the courtyard.

"Master Feng, you’re too modest," Meng Yao said.

Feng Zhiyuan invited Meng Yao and Zhao Ting into the main hall to sit down and hurriedly brewed tea to serve them.

"Did the County Princess and this lord come to Le’an for something urgent?" Feng Zhiyuan asked.

"Graced by His Majesty’s favor, Le’an County was designated as my fief, so naturally, I came to have a look. Additionally, I wanted to check this year’s tax situation in Le’an," Meng Yao said nonchalantly.

Emperor Jing had said that the future tax revenue from Le’an would belong to her.

Naturally, he also mentioned that due to the harsh climate, Le’an’s finances couldn’t even cover its costs year after year.

They couldn’t be self-sufficient, let alone pay taxes to the Court.

"Is the County Princess here for a mere formality or planning to reside in Le’an for a long time?" Feng Zhiyuan asked.

He thought the County Princess was likely just visiting on a whim.

"This is my fief, Master Feng, what do you think?" Meng Yao retorted.

"The County Princess intends to reside in Le’an for a long time?!" Feng Zhiyuan was a bit taken aback.

"Why not?"

Feng Zhiyuan for a moment didn’t know how to respond, he pondered for a long while before dryly asking Meng Yao, "How many people did the County Princess bring?"

If many attendants were brought, at least there would be assurance in safety.

Meng Yao held up two fingers.

"Two hundred people?" Feng Zhiyuan breathed a sigh of relief; that was quite a few people.

Meng Yao shook her head.

"Twenty people?" Feng Zhiyuan twitched, well, as long as they kept a low profile, the Sansheng probably wouldn’t actively make enemies with the County Princess.

Meng Yao shook her head again, "Master Feng guessed wrong, I only brought two people this time."

Luckily Feng Zhiyuan was sitting, otherwise, he might have fallen over.

"Is the County Princess joking with me?"

Two people?

This man seemed to be on equal footing with the County Princess, and his actions suggested they were close, likely her husband. Counting him, it meant she brought just one attendant?

Weren’t these dignitaries always surrounded by a large entourage wherever they went?

When he came to Le’an, at least he brought two servants and two aides.

"Does Master Feng mean that coming to Le’an with fewer people is inadvisable?"

"Did the County Princess learn about Le’an before coming?" Feng Zhiyuan asked.

Briefly, Meng Yao conveyed what Zhao Ting had told her.

"So, the County Princess knew about Le’an’s situation, yet came unprepared?" Feng Zhiyuan asked with a frown, "Does the County Princess think that showing her identity will grant her the same privileges in Le’an as in the Capital City?"

"I trusted Master Feng," said the County Princess.

"As I mentioned earlier, even I am struggling to protect myself; how can I safeguard the County Princess? I advise the County Princess to leave Le’an before a conflict with the Sansheng family arises. If the County Princess wishes to reside in Le’an for long, then bring more people. At least this would deter those people," Feng Zhiyuan suggested.

"Too late—" the junior Government Official couldn’t help but interject.

"What?"

"I said it’s too late, the County Princess has already clashed with them!" the junior Government Official said with difficulty, "and not just one person, a lot of people, many from the Sansheng family."

All those Government Officials, they were all taken down by the person with the County Princess, what had happened, he didn’t know.

But the pain earlier, he had experienced it.

Those who didn’t yield would certainly suffer more.

Feng Zhiyuan abruptly stood up, "What did you say?"

"The girl the County Princess brought subdued the County Government’s Official!" the junior Government Official said.

Subdued all of them? How is that possible!

He knew how many Government Officials were at the County Government, even if many were on leave today, there were still over thirty.

One person subdued over thirty thugs?

How could it be possible?

"Master, it’s true, I saw it with my own eyes," the junior Government Official hastily assured upon seeing Feng Zhiyuan’s skeptical expression.

"Master Feng, someone publicly harassed the person I brought, what is the proper course of action? Also, the Government Office Officials attempted to arrest my husband, how should this be addressed?" Meng Yao calmly spoke, "I forgot to mention, my husband is the third-rank Great General personally appointed by His Majesty."

Feng Zhiyuan swallowed, stammering, "As, as—"

"As a punishment, thirty strokes and three months of detention," a voice called out from inside the house, "if severe, fifty strokes, six months of detention, and ten taels of fine silver."

This must be Feng Zhiyuan’s criminal master’s aide who had broken his leg.

"And you say, who will enforce it?" Feng Zhiyuan, having regained his composure, counter-questioned the person inside.

The Government Officials were all people of the Sansheng, he, as the County Magistrate, was forced to hide in this small courtyard; hoping to accomplish anything was merely a fool’s dream.