After Transmigration, I Snag a Stunning Bigwig as My Husband

Chapter 1123 - 1114: Taking Office

After wandering around the street, Su Jin returned to the small courtyard and began to prepare the ointment.She was busy until midnight.

The next day, the ointment was delivered to Old Master Zheng along with an acupuncture prescription, which would work even better in combination with the ointment.

Even if it’s not used, the arm will recover as good as new in three months.

The Zheng family had no shortage of money and would definitely hire a doctor for acupuncture.

During those three days, the Zheng family was not idle either.

Since he had agreed to take over the position of County Magistrate, Old Master Zheng took it seriously.

The first thing was to relocate the ancestral graves back.

Old Mrs. Zheng feared that the news of Old Master Zheng becoming the County Magistrate of Daqi would spread to Nanliang, and some might be enraged at the Zheng family for defecting and dig up their ancestral graves.

The court’s act of digging up the ancestral graves of Donglin Prince Mansion was known to all.

Had the court not acted excessively, the orphans of Donglin Prince Mansion wouldn’t have harbored intentions to overthrow the court; one must be wary.

Three days were ample time to relocate the ancestral graves.

A feng shui blessed ground was found to bury the ancestors of the Zheng family.

Once the job was done, the three-day deadline arrived.

Old Master Zheng, with a bandaged arm, sat in a soft sedan chair and went to the government office.

Though the front gate of the government office had been cleaned, there was still a stench of rotten eggs.

Thinking of his son’s deeds, Old Master Zheng wished he could have someone grab his son and give him a beating.

Coming out of the soft sedan, the steward supported him into the government office.

After changing into official robes, Old Master Zheng came out again.

The steward stood behind him holding a tray.

The tray contained the appointment letter and the official seal.

The Zheng family was a prominent household within a hundred-mile radius, and Old Master Zheng was quite influential, known by many.

He stood in front of the government office, clad in official robes, truly attracting attention.

A lot of people gathered to see what was happening.

Upon knowing that Old Master Zheng was assuming the role of County Magistrate, everyone was stunned.

If it were false, the official robes on Old Master Zheng and the official seal beside him were the best evidence.

No one dared to impersonate the County Magistrate in front of the government office’s gate; it was a decapitation crime.

Old Master Zheng didn’t put on airs, only saying that if there were any disputes in the future, just ring the Injustice Bell, and he would handle them impartially.

Additionally, all the government officials in the office had been dismissed; he needed to recruit new official staff.

Upon hearing this, many wanted to become officials.

Entering the government office meant receiving official provisions.

The steward of the Zheng family said, "Everyone, don’t worry, the selection of officials will start tomorrow."

Besides, there was the matter of leaving the city.

Old Master Zheng had his son consult with Su Jin and Xie Jingchen.

It was decided to let the people leave the city, and the decision was to be announced to the people by Old Master Zheng.

People could leave the city, but since immediately outside the city was Nanliang territory, there must be rules.

No fee for leaving the city, but entering the city required ten copper coins.

Ten copper coins weren’t much, even street beggars could afford it.

But for impoverished families, they would use one copper coin as if it were two, hence they wouldn’t leave the city unless necessary.

Su Jin didn’t want to block everyone and prevent them from leaving the city but hoped to use the entry fee to minimize the numbers going in and out.

The fewer interactions between Daqi and Nanliang, the lower the chance of conflicts.

She allowed people to leave Daqi, but whether Nanliang allowed them into their city was Nanliang’s issue, beyond her control.

Daqi should refrain from acts that damage public sentiment.

However, Su Jin believed Nanliang would certainly allow people in; otherwise, wouldn’t they be pushing people toward Daqi?

Old Master Zheng’s decision was met with applause.

People friendly with Old Master Zheng teased, "Old Master Zheng... no, we should call Mr. Zheng now."

"Mr. Zheng, should you follow local customs and let us throw some rotten eggs?"

Yes.

Many knew Old Master Zheng, and quite a few knew Second Young Master Zheng.

Everyone saw it but didn’t speak of it.

Teasing Old Master Zheng was quite appropriate at the moment.

Old Master Zheng jokingly scolded his younger son a few times and then bowed to the villagers.

The villagers laughed and said, "With Old Master Zheng as our County Magistrate, we can rest easy."

That trust was not just lip service but very apparent.

The smiles on their faces were more relaxed, and when they set up stalls to sell things, their voices were louder.

Seeing the court soldiers, they didn’t worry about being robbed and ran swiftly.

Because their magistrate was one of their own.

Someone they could trust.

Su Jin’s arrangements were highly praised by the Princess Consort, showing her genuine consideration for the people.

Once this matter was busy, Marquis Dongxiang and the Prince should soon be meeting up with Old Duke Chong.

That day was scheduled based on marching speeds to meet up.

Yet, despite waiting left and right, Old Duke Chong and Old Prince couldn’t meet Marquis Dongxiang and the Prince.

On the third day, Prince NanAn and the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion arrived at the army camp with six thousand troops.

"Where are Marquis Dongxiang and Prince Zhenbei?" The Heir of Marquis Beining, who arrived two days earlier, asked curiously.

Prince NanAn dismounted and replied, "Two days ago, the Prince and Marquis Dongxiang split up the army to surround Prince Qi."

Previously, Old Duke Chong and Old Prince had been chasing Prince Qi.

Prince Qi retreated as he fought.

Marquis Dongxiang and the Prince wouldn’t tolerate such behavior.

Rather than attacking immediately, they’d block the retreat first.

With so many soldiers, Nanliang was defeated; dealing with Prince Qi was even easier.

Old Prince laughed and said, "This isn’t bad; after eliminating Prince Qi, we can return to the court with honor."

Everyone thought dealing with Prince Qi would be a piece of cake.

But they all forgot the days when Prince Qi threatened them by burning grain and grass.

When truly at the end of his rope, Prince Qi and Duke Chong would do anything to survive.

For them, human lives didn’t matter, but Marquis Dongxiang’s side couldn’t do the same.

Nanliang had sought peace, and it’s within expectation that Marquis Dongxiang would handle Duke Chong, continually having people secretly monitor him.

Prince NanAn and his eight thousand troops meeting with Old Prince was merely for show.

By the time the scouts realized something was wrong, it was too late. Prince Qi and Duke Chong had already been surrounded on three sides, though the encirclement was large, giving Prince Qi substantial space for movement.

Upon receiving the message by carrier pigeon, learning he was surrounded, Prince Qi stood straight from his chair, his face turning pale.

Duke Chong quickly snatched the message from his hand, his face darkened, exclaiming, "Those useless wretches!"

If the message arrived a day earlier, they could have had a chance to turn things around; now, there was no escape.

The retreat was blocked, and Old Duke Chong led the army in front. They hadn’t been broken due to the defensibility of the city, and rashly exiting the city would spell their demise.

Even if they narrowly escaped, what awaited them was an endless pursuit.

Prince Qi looked at Duke Chong, his voice trembling like a sieve; he slumped like a wilted eggplant.

"Caught between a rock and a hard place, there’s no way out for us..."

Duke Chong forcibly calmed himself and said, "First, round up the city’s people into the government office’s prison. With their lives at stake, Marquis Dongxiang wouldn’t dare attack the city!"

"Let’s buy some time and see if there’s any breakthrough."

Breakthrough?

Prince Qi’s face was ashen.

Surrounded on three sides, where would any breakthrough come from?

Even if Marquis Dongxiang and his men hesitated to attack, the grain and grass in the city couldn’t last long.

By doing nothing, they could starve them into submission.