nucmednet Chapter 156 The Prefect
Chapter 156 The Prefect
As night fell and the streetlights came on, the bustling streets gradually quieted down. Gu Mochen and his companions, slightly weary, slowly returned to the inn. Upon entering their room, Gu Mochen immediately instructed Bai Zhi and Fu Ling to pack their belongings. The two obeyed and quickly set to work, efficiently organizing their bundles. Gu Mochen then said to Ye Qingchen, "Madam, we can't stay at the inn any longer. The prefect has invited us; it seems he's finished dealing with matters there. We should head to join the army."
Not long after, Bai Zhi and Fu Ling came to say that everything was ready. At that moment, there was a knock at the door; it turned out that several officials had been waiting for some time. Under the protection of these officials, Gu Mochen and his entourage set off for the government office.
Jicheng at night has a unique charm. Moonlight, like water, spills onto the ancient stone slabs, casting patches of silvery white light. Most of the shops along the street are closed, but a few restaurants still emit bursts of laughter and cheerful conversation. Gu Mochen walks along, taking in the surrounding scenery.
Before long, a magnificent building came into view—the Jicheng Prefectural Government Office. This government office lived up to its reputation; its vermilion gates were tall and solemn, flanked by two imposing stone lions. Inside, pavilions and towers were arranged in a harmonious and orderly fashion, with winding corridors leading to secluded spots, and artificial hills and ponds dotting the landscape. While not as luxurious and grand as a prince's mansion, it was still quite ornate.
However, recalling the incredibly luxurious and grand mansion of County Magistrate Wang that he had witnessed before, Gu Mochen couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion. Compared to Magistrate Wang's mansion, the residence of the Prefect of Jicheng before him seemed far too ordinary. This contrast made Magistrate Wang appear even more dishonest and greedy, while the Prefect seemed remarkably normal and incorruptible.
Just then, the prefect spotted Gu Mochen and immediately knelt down, respectfully saying, "Your humble servant Li Wei greets Your Highness Prince Chen and Your Highness Princess Chen. I recently heard that Your Highness has dispatched special personnel to teach local farmers advanced techniques such as making waterwheels, crafting spring plows, and producing seed-spreading tools. This benevolent act deeply impresses me and has greatly benefited the local people. On behalf of all the people, I express my sincerest gratitude to Your Highness!" With that, the prefect kowtowed deeply again to express his heartfelt thanks.
Gu Mochen said, "Lord Li, there's no need for such formality. It's all for the sake of the people. I hope that in the future, when you are transferred to each county under your jurisdiction, you will bring benefits to the people and not let someone like Lord Wang get away with it again! Neglecting the law is also a crime, and it will only cause the people to suffer!" Lord Li bowed slightly and said respectfully, "What Prince Chen says is very true. This old minister will certainly follow your teachings!" After speaking, he turned to Prince Chen again and continued earnestly, "Your Highness, although I dare not claim to be upright and honest, I have always kept the affairs of the common people in my heart. Recently, a very special food has become popular in our area. After hearing about it, I was so eager to try it that I went to beg the shopkeepers for a long time. It took a lot of effort for them to finally agree to let me bring this delicacy out of the shop, and I even brought the cooking utensils with me. I hope Your Highness will not find my actions crude."
Upon hearing this, Prince Chen looked closely and couldn't help but chuckle. The dish before him was none other than the renowned hot pot. It had been quite some time since he had tasted such a delicacy since arriving here. He was well aware of the rules of his household, and his subordinates must have known this was specially requested for him, hence their open presentation. So, he smiled slightly and said loudly, "Such delicacies are not uncommon in the capital, but every time I go, there are always long queues, so I have never had the chance to taste it. I never imagined I would be able to enjoy it here today; I truly thank Lord Li for his kindness."
Upon hearing Prince Chen's words, Lord Li was overjoyed, his delight evident. He quickly turned to his servants and loudly ordered, "Go quickly! Arrange everything properly as soon as possible!"
Not long after, the servant hurried back, followed closely by two waiters, each carrying a large iron pot. The two pots were placed on two tables in the courtyard. At one table sat distinguished guests including Lord Li, Gu Mochen, Ye Qingchen, and Old Master Lu; while at the other table sat Lord Li's wife, son, daughter, and the army leaders.
The servants, who were originally responsible for serving, stood obediently to the side, ready to be at any time. Today, these soldiers were supposed to share a meal from the communal pot, as was customary. At this moment, Ye Qingchen suddenly spoke up, "Why don't we ask the innkeeper? Prince Chen and I have gone through many hardships to reach Jicheng for our tour. Would it be possible to humbly request the innkeeper to provide more seasonings? That way, our two thousand brave soldiers, along with the yamen runners and attendants of the Prefect, can also enjoy this incredibly delicious hot pot."
As soon as the words were spoken, a servant immediately bowed respectfully and left to carry out the order. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, where various side dishes were being meticulously prepared, they added extra ingredients upon hearing the news. Before long, the servant who had been sent to inquire returned, beaming with joy, his hands laden with many bags of various seasonings. Upon returning to the courtyard, the servant immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Ye Qingchen, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your compassionate heart, which has shown consideration for our humble existence, allowing us the opportunity to also savor this exquisite hot pot!"
Ye Qingchen laughed and said, "I don't like people watching me eat; it makes me feel awkward. So let's eat together. Since the restaurant doesn't provide pots, you can use the big wood-fired pot. Ten of us can eat together, and we can remove our chairs and eat standing up! Don't worry, I think this food will make us feel like we're getting our money's worth." With that, Ye Qingchen took the lead and started cooking a piece of meat in the pot. Everyone else joined in, and they decided to eat outside. Ye Qingchen had them build a campfire and then set up ten sheep on it. Everyone was happier eating together. Ye Qingchen was also worried that everyone might get tired of the food, but he also didn't want everyone to get drunk. So, in addition to alcohol, Ye Qingchen had Bai Zhi and Fu Ling brew milk tea in a big wood-fired pot. Everyone drank milk tea together, which was both warming and prevented everyone from getting drunk—a win-win situation. That night, everyone had a very enjoyable meal.