After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Zuixianlou Restaurant in Wuqing County.

During the meal, everyone toasted and drank to their hearts' content.

Several gentry members exchanged glances and ordered their men to bring out the "Umbrella of Ten Thousand People".

There was a commotion at the top of the stairs, and two servants came up, each holding a large blue umbrella.

The umbrella surface is made of the finest Hangzhou silk, dyed in a dignified dark blue-green, and embroidered with gold and silver threads with eulogies such as "a bright mirror hanging high," "loving the people like one's own children," and "benefiting one's hometown." Each word is exquisite and radiant.

Even more eye-catching were the dozens of thin ropes hanging from the edge of the umbrella, each with a narrow wooden plaque about an inch long tied to it, on which names were written in vermilion lacquer, which was the so-called signature of the people.

The wooden signs varied in age and the characters differed in thickness, clearly indicating that the umbrella maker had taken everything into consideration.

Seeing Cheng Zhirong's gaze fixed on the umbrella, Master Zhao quickly leaned closer and said with a smile, "Your Excellency, please look! The silk covering of this umbrella comes from Hangzhou, and the calligraphy was transcribed and embroidered by several accomplished scholars from the city. The signature plaques were also meticulously crafted by trusted individuals, with each name written individually. Every name is genuine, without a single omission. Anyone who sees it will agree that it truly reflects the will of the people!"

Cheng Zhirong reached out, his fingertips brushing against the smooth silk surface, his eyes shining.

He composed himself and said, "My esteemed elders are too kind to accept such a great honor. I have merely done what is within my duty. What merit do I have to deserve such a gesture?"

Master Zhao and the others immediately understood and echoed, "The people are grateful, and the county magistrate truly deserves the title!"

"Then... I'd be impolite to refuse..."

Cheng Zhirong, beaming, raised his wine glass: "Rest assured, everyone, I will not forget you all once I reach the capital!"

Everyone raised their glasses in response, when suddenly the steward, Cheng Fu, rushed in in a panic, disregarding all formalities, and cried out urgently, "Master! Master!"

Cheng Zhirong frowned: "What's the matter?"

The butler, panting heavily, said, "Grand Secretary Liu... Liu... has arrived at the county office!"

Cheng Zhirong's hand trembled, and he quickly asked, "Who did you say?"

"Grand Secretary Liu Jian says he has come by imperial decree and requests an audience with Your Excellency!"

The room fell silent instantly. The gentry looked at each other in bewilderment. Had the Grand Secretary come to Wuqing County?

Master Zhao was the first to react, saying, "Congratulations, Immortal Venerable! This must be because the Emperor has heard of your outstanding achievements and has specially dispatched the Grand Secretary to commend and encourage you!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Master Chen quickly replied, "The county magistrate has governed Wuqing for three years, and the weather has been favorable... well, although there was a flood this summer, the relief efforts were effective, and although the people suffered, they did not complain. Such good governance deserves to be heard by the emperor!"

Cheng Zhirong took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and said in a deep voice, "Since the Grand Secretary has come in person, this county cannot be negligent. You may all come with me to greet him."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the umbrella of ten thousand people.

Master Zhao understood and immediately ordered his attendants, "Quickly, bring up the 'Umbrella of Ten Thousand People' and carry it carefully!"

The group hurriedly left Zuixianlou and soon arrived at the county government office.

Cheng Zhirong alighted from the sedan chair and strode into the second hall, where he saw an old man in a scarlet robe standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the "Complete Map of Wuqing County" hanging on the wall.

Cheng Zhirong hurriedly stepped forward, lifted his robe, and bowed: "This humble official is Cheng Zhirong, the magistrate of Wuqing County. I was unaware of the arrival of His Excellency the Grand Secretary. I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly!"

Liu Jian slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Cheng Zhirong's face, then sweeping over the several well-dressed gentry who followed him in, his brows twitching almost imperceptibly.

"In the middle of the day, has Magistrate Cheng been drinking?"

Cheng Zhirong's back instantly broke out in a fine sweat, his face beaming with a smile: "Your Excellency, these gentlemen are all highly respected gentry in this county. They heard that I might be leaving office and were reluctant to part with me, so they insisted on preparing a farewell feast... I couldn't refuse, and considering that I have indeed developed some friendship with the local elders during my three years in office, I only had a few drinks. I didn't expect to trouble Your Excellency to wait so long; I am truly ashamed!"

Upon seeing this, Master Zhao immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Excellency, please understand! Magistrate Cheng is truly the father and mother of all the people of Wuqing! Since Magistrate Cheng took office, our county has been upright and honest, with fair taxes and the people living in peace. Now that we hear that Magistrate Cheng is about to leave office, we are truly saddened to part with him, which is why we have taken the liberty of hosting this banquet to express our heartfelt sentiments."

Liu Jian raised his hand, his gaze falling on the "Umbrella of Ten Thousand People": "What is this?"

Cheng Zhirong hurriedly replied, "The people are grateful for my small contribution and insist on making umbrellas as a gift. I am also very grateful and would be disrespectful to refuse."

Liu Jian looked at the umbrella, its surface made of brocade and embroidered with praise in gold and silver thread, and his brows furrowed even more deeply.

"His Majesty is concerned about the flood victims in Wuqing and sent me here to see for myself whether the local relief and resettlement efforts are appropriate. Magistrate Cheng, please bring me your county's accounts for the past three years, including the accounts for money, grain, and criminal matters, as well as the details of the relief income and expenditure since this summer's flood."

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Cheng Zhirong felt somewhat relieved; it seemed the Grand Secretary had indeed come to assess his political performance.

While instructing the clerk to fetch the account books, he personally led Liu Jian to the seat of honor and ordered someone to brew a pot of pre-Qingming Longjing tea, which he then personally served.

A moment later, the account books were brought over, several thick stacks.

Liu Jian said no more and sat there, carefully flipping through the books one by one.

The only sounds in the hall were the rustling of turning the pages of account books and the slightly heavy breathing of a few gentlemen.

Liu Jian looked very closely, sometimes staring intently, sometimes running his finger across a line of numbers.

Cheng Zhirong stood to the side with his hands hanging down, his palms sweaty, but he felt quite confident.

He had already had all the account books in Wuqing County meticulously organized, making sure the appearance was flawless.

Sure enough, about half an hour later, Liu Jian closed the last account book, looked up at Cheng Zhirong and said, "The accounts are clear and the income and expenditure are well documented. In the past three years, the money and grain in Wuqing County have been deposited in a timely manner, and there has been no backlog or delay in criminal cases. Magistrate Cheng has indeed done a good job in the usual practice of governance."

Cheng Zhirong was overjoyed and was about to politely decline.

Liu Jian's tone shifted abruptly, becoming serious: "However, based on what I've seen along the way this year, the floods have been extremely severe, with a large influx of refugees into the capital. The accounts clearly show the amounts of relief funds allocated. Why are so many people still displaced, even forced to travel to the capital to survive? Magistrate Cheng, what explanation do you have for this?"

Cheng Zhirong's heart tightened, but a hint of sorrow appeared on his face as he said, "Your Excellency, the breach of the Hun River this time is a natural disaster that has not been seen in decades. The flood was huge and caught us off guard. Since the day the disaster began, I have done my best to open the granaries, set up sheds and porridge, and resettle the victims. However... the county's grain reserves were not plentiful to begin with, and the number of victims far exceeded expectations. Although we have done our best, there may still be oversights, which has forced some people to seek a way to survive in the capital."

Liu Jian's gaze was deep as he said, "What Your Majesty is concerned about is whether the resettlement of the disaster victims is appropriate?"

Cheng Zhirong then seemed to suddenly remember something and hurriedly said, "Since the Grand Secretary mentioned the resettlement of disaster victims, I have something I must report!"

"Oh? What is it?"

Liu Jian picked up the teacup and gently stirred the floating tea leaves.

Cheng Zhirong stepped forward and said, "Recently, a large number of refugees, perhaps over a thousand, have suddenly gathered at the old riverbank downstream of the Hun River in the county. Their numbers are quite impressive. Wuqing County is under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture, only a few dozen miles from the capital. What is their intention in gathering such a large crowd? Upon learning of this, I felt deeply uneasy and have already ordered the arrest and interrogation of those in charge. We are determined to find out if anyone is behind this and if they harbor any ill intentions!"

Liu Jian frowned slightly, put down his teacup, and his expression became serious.

"A gathering of thousands of people... this is no small matter. Where is the person in charge?"

"Your Excellency, he is being held in the county jail! This man is extremely stubborn. I had planned to interrogate him thoroughly today, but Your Excellency's arrival has brought this matter to the peace of the region, and it may even have far-reaching implications. I wonder... if Your Excellency could move to the courtroom and observe my interrogation of this case? If there is anything inappropriate, I would appreciate your immediate guidance."

Cheng Zhirong thought to himself, "This kiln opening is a piece of credit that just came to my door."

Recruiting a large number of refugees at the foot of the capital could easily lead to accusations of treason.

Interrogating someone in front of the Grand Secretary today—isn't that a real achievement?

Liu Jian pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "In that case, let's go to the court. Magistrate Cheng will interrogate the officials according to the law, and I will simply listen in."

"yes!"

Cheng Zhirong's spirits lifted, and he immediately ordered, "Men, quickly prepare the courtroom and bring in the prisoners!"