A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Chapter 55 Zhou An
At dusk the next day, Duan Rong brought a gift box wrapped in red silk. The words "Yuan Shun Escort Agency" were embroidered on the silk with dense stitches, and a ribbon was tied at the hem of the silk.

Such a valuable gift box is not usually given away easily.

Duan Rong himself also put on a brand new escort uniform. As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and saddles make the horse. After putting on the uniform, Duan Rong immediately looked much more energetic.

Logically speaking, he was just an apprentice escort and was not qualified to wear escort uniforms, but this set of clothes was taken out for him by Zhou An himself in the warehouse this morning.

You can't go to the county government office for a banquet wearing only shorts.

Zhou An led Duan Rong out of a remote side door of the inner courtyard and into an alley.

At the entrance of the alley, there was a green velvet sedan parked, as if it had been waiting there for a long time.

Duan Rong carried the gift box and got into the sedan chair. Zhou An told the bearers to lift the sedan chair, holding a lantern, and led the sedan chair to the county government office.

Whether it was the gifts, the escort's uniforms, or this sedan chair, they were all arranged by Zhou An.

After all, Duan Rong is an escort of Yuanshun Escort Agency. If he loses face when attending the banquet at the county government office, it will be a disgrace to Yuanshun Escort Agency. How dare Zhou An not take it seriously?
Although Zhou An had arranged everything perfectly, he felt very uncomfortable!

He was Ruan Fengshan's personal servant. Normally, even Luan Jingfu had to give him some face when he met him.

He also often shuttled between the major forces in Xiangu County, responding to and interacting with them on a daily basis, and everyone respected him.

However, he could not even imagine being invited to a banquet by the county magistrate.

Unexpectedly, Duan Rong, a mere apprentice escort, would have such a grand ceremony, and he could only stand in front of his sedan chair, holding a lantern to lead the way.

This made him feel very uncomfortable!

Not only was Zhou An born into a poor family, but he was also in poor health and unable to practice martial arts. Fortunately, he was smart and thoughtful, and was appreciated by Ruan Fengshan. In the past few years, he has finally lived like a human being.

However, people like him tend to be very picky about such matters of appearance, and they care about them to the point of being almost mentally twisted!
Duan Rong sat in the sedan and could only feel the sedan swaying rhythmically as it rose and fell with the steady footsteps of the sedan bearers.

He stayed up until the late night before falling into a drowsy sleep, so there were faint circles under his eyes.

You can’t blame him for this. Anyone who encounters something like this will suffer from insomnia!

However, after a whole day of psychological preparation, Duan Rong had made up his mind.

What's wrong with the county magistrate's daughter? He didn't take advantage of her on purpose!

Isn't that to save lives?

Even if it is said to the sky, he is not wrong in this matter!

If he showed his cowardice, it would be easy for others to use him as an excuse!
So, grit your teeth and refuse to admit it, he was just saving people!
It’s all about saving people, it’s all about saving people!
Duan Rong actually felt justified when he thought about it, and felt that the county magistrate should treat him to a meal!
Just say thank you!

He realized what he was thinking and smiled unconsciously.

That's it! This is the momentum we want!
The county government office and Yuanshun Escort Agency were both on West Street, only two miles away. With the steady pace of four experienced sedan bearers, they arrived at the destination in less than half an incense stick of time.

Duan Rong got off the sedan chair, and Zhou An, holding a lantern, led him to the gate of the county government office.

There were two stone lions more than one meter tall standing majestically. Under the eaves was a large plaque, brightly lit by lanterns, with four large characters "Xiangu County Office" inscribed on it.

There were two officers standing at the door, and Zhou An led Duan Rong directly over.

Zhou An often had dealings with the county government and had become familiar with everyone inside and outside it.

Zhou An smiled and stuffed two silver bills into the sleeve of a policeman. He lowered his head and said a few words. Without notifying anyone, he led Duan Rong into the gate of the county government.

Just after passing the gate and taking a few steps, I suddenly saw Qin Shuban holding a document and walking towards the lobby.

Zhou An immediately called out and bowed. Qin Shuban returned the greeting, put the document into his wide sleeves, and said, "The master and his wife are already in the flower hall in the back hall, and have prepared a banquet! I will take Master Duan over there."

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong bowed in gratitude and smiled naively.

Secretary Qin led Duan Rong along the path beside the lobby and bypassed the back hall.

When Zhou An saw the two men leave, he walked out of the county government office with a lantern and came to the green wool sedan chair.

The four sedan bearers stopped their sedans and were chatting together. When they saw Zhou An approaching, one of the older sedan bearers stepped forward and asked, "Master An, should we wait for Master Duan, or should we go back now?"

Zhou An glared at the sedan bearer, as if blaming him for being too talkative, and said angrily, "What are you waiting for? He is not an important person!"

Zhou An said, flicking his sleeves, and sat in the sedan chair, angrily saying: "Go! Send me back!"

The elderly sedan bearer's expression changed slightly. He waved his hand back and several people lifted the sedan.

The sedan bearer had been dealing with Zhou An for many years and knew that this man was moody. Today, he didn't know what had happened but he had angered this plague god again, causing him to lose his temper with him.

But as sedan bearers at the lower level, they earn this money by enduring such humiliation, so they have no choice but to endure it!
Secretary Qin led Duan Rong around the screen wall behind the lobby and came to the courtyard of the back court.

Under the eaves of each house in the courtyard, there are lanterns with the words "Xiangu County Office" written on them. This courtyard is far from luxurious, but it is quite elegant and simple.

This old house is hundreds of years old. After several renovations, it becomes more and more desolate due to the erosion of time.

Duan Rong's eyes moved. He had heard that the current county magistrate was simple and frugal. It seemed that the rumors were true!

As the lord of a county, it would not be difficult for him to settle down in another house within the city, but Shen Yanliu has been living in the back government office for several years.

Duan Rong knew that there were a lot of rules in the yamen, so he followed Qin Shuban step by step, neither walking around nor looking around.

Secretary Qin led Duan Rong to a private room with carved doors and windows!

Qin Shuban stepped into the door, stood in front of the threshold, and said loudly: "Master, Madam, Master Duan is here!"

Duan Rong stood behind Qin Shuban and saw that the room was lit with candles hanging high, as bright as day. A middle-aged couple seemed to be drinking tea and chatting by the coffee table in the hall.

"Master Duan is here! Please come in, let me see you!" A sweet and cheerful female voice suddenly sounded.

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong immediately took a few quick steps and entered the hall.

When Secretary Qin saw Duan Rong come in, he quietly retreated and went to the front yamen to work.

As soon as Duan Rong entered the hall, holding a gift in his hand, he bowed to his waist and said in a loud voice: "I pay my respects to the county lord. I wish the county lord good fortune and prosperity, longevity, and peace for our sages and ancestors!"

"I bow to the Madam, and wish her eternal youth, and may everything go as she wishes!"

Both of them laughed at Duan Rong's words. The woman pushed the person next to her and said, "Listen! He wished me eternal youth."

As the woman spoke, she turned her head and smiled at Duan Rong, saying, "Is this kid a bodyguard? Or an opera singer? Why are his lyrics so complicated?"

Duan Rong straightened up and replied with a smile: "I am so happy to see the county lord and his wife. These words are like bubbles in boiling water, they just keep coming out and I can't stop them!"

Seeing Duan Rong's interesting words and adorable smile, the woman laughed again and said, "This is a clever child!"

"Now that the guests are here, please take your seat! We can chat at the table." Shen Yanliu stood up, extended his hand, and said, "Master Duan, please take your seat!"

Duan Rong bowed again and said, "Your Excellency, please come in!"

At this time, a servant came up and took the gift box from Duan Rong's hand.

(End of this chapter)