Looking at the spectacular scene around him, Long Xiao couldn’t help but swallow his saliva.
"Why are you staring at ?" Zhao Xing was also admiring the clouds when he noticed Long Xiao staring at him. "Hey, you don’t really want to beco my disciple, do you?"
Long Xiao seed like he genuinely wanted to kneel before Zhao Xing.
"If it’s like this in the Prefecture City, I’m afraid there will be even more officials currying favor with you in Nanyang County," Chen Shijie said.
It was imaginable that Shi Dezheng would spread this news below, instructing them to treat Marquis Yuan Rang appropriately.
"Not necessarily," Long Xiao said. "Shi Dezheng and Li Yan Cheng know the capabilities of his teacher, but the officials in Nanyang County might not be aware."
"What would a martial artist know about civil officers?" Chen Shijie said disdainfully. "If the Prefectural Governor of Nanyang County doesn’t co in person to the County City Ship Building Departnt to welco us, I’ll twist off my head and give it to you as a chamber pot."
"Marquis Yuan Zhen has quite the presence; those who don’t know might think you are Marquis Yuan Rang, huh," Long Xiao muttered as he entered the ship’s cabin.
Talking with these guys is pointless. He went to play with the cats instead.
.....
Nanyang County, county governnt.
"Marquis Yuan Rang Zhao Xing is returning ho?"
The Prefectural Governor of Nanyang, Wang Shiyang, looked up at the subordinate official who ca to report.
"Yes, Lords Shi, Liu, and Li from the Prefecture City have personally sent letters," the docunt officer presented the letter.
The letter was informal correspondence, rely private communication between officials, not forming official docuntation, nor needing archival.
But the content of the letter often contained important information.
Wang Shiyang, upon opening the letters from the senior officials in Prefecture City, saw.
They all talked about the sa thing: Marquis Yuan Rang Zhao Xing, a disciple of a great military leader, even with a background that could lead to a royal title; he is returning ho in glory, and must not be treated negligently.
The position of a Prefectural Governor in Nanyang County is usually fifth-class level, with occasionally a secondary fourth-rank, depending on the scale and prosperity of the county.
Wang Shiyang, a fifth-class ranked governor, naturally desired to advance, and this governorship could very well be his chance to move up to the fourth rank.
However, after a millennium of developnt, Nanyang County hadn’t made much progress in any area.
Advancing wouldn’t be easy, which ant leveraging connections could be necessary.
Wang Shiyang, always scheming for advancent, would not miss any opportunity now.
"When did he leave Prefecture City?"
"At the Si hour, two marks, aboard the Xia Guang Ship from the East Prefecture Building Ship Departnt. It is estimated to arrive in two hours at the earliest, and by the end of Noon at the latest," the docunt officer replied.
"Quick! Imdiately notify all officials in the county governnt; all sixth-rank officials must arrive at the Eastern Tower Ship Departnt within two hours!"
"Ritual Officers, of eighth grade and above, must all be present."
"Dance Masters, musicians, and the honor guard, prepare according to the corresponding specifications; the higher the standard the better, as long as it is within protocol!"
"Also, quickly notify the Gucheng County Magistrate to make preparations for the reception, especially for the family of Marquis Yuan Rang; make sure to notify them in advance and order a few luxurious Vestnt robes."
"Also send soone to clean up the ancestral ho of the Zhao Family; Marquis Yuan Rang is returning in glory and will certainly want to pay respects to his ancestors."
"Yes, I will go now," the docunt officer, startled by Wang Shiyang’s unusual seriousness, imdiately stood up to leave.
"Co back!" Wang Shiyang, after a mont of thought, called the man back.
"My lord, any other instructions?" the docunt officer asked.
"Go and check which close relatives and friends Marquis Yuan Rang has and see if he has had any recent disputes with anyone," Wang Shiyang whispered, "If there is any troubleso matter, report it imdiately. Especially if it involves the governnt, it must be handled quickly, understand?"
"I understand," the docunt officer imdiately rushed out again.
...
When Zhao Xing arrived at the Tower Ship Departnt on the eastern outskirts of Nanyang County, the sky was filled with colorful auspicious clouds and radiant light.
Fortunately, the area was not densely populated, and with the area already being cleared by the East Lake Army, only officials were waiting on the ground.
"Hmm~"
As a breeze blew by, the Sixth Rank Xia Guang ship slowly landed in the open area.
"Sound the drums, play the music!" Wang Shiyang commanded.
"Dong Dong Dong Dong Dong~"
The big drums sounded, and the music of strings and woodwinds played together.
Wang Shiyang took great pains, fearing Zhao Xing would not like the frivolous music, had specially selected several vigorous military pieces.
The Dance Masters were all practicing sword dances, each looking heroic and impeccably synchronized.
Amid the music and dance, the Ritual Officer also announced Zhao Xing’s military honors:
"Marquis Yuan Rang Zhao Xing, campaigned in the Southern Desolate, fought for four years, in the Sixteenth Year of Jingxin Calendar, broke through Fire Dragon Pass, in the Seventeenth Year of Jingxin, killed ten thousand enemies, breached the strongholds of the Southern Barbarians..."
At that mont, Zhao Xing first erged from the ship aboard the Qilin Flying Boat.
The Qilin Flying Boat circled around, followed by the roaring of dragons and lions.
Two green-eyed Dragon Lions pulled a Bronze War Chariot, carrying Zhao Xing on stage.
Zhao Xing, with a sword at his side, wearing a tri-colored coronet and jade robes of a marquis, adorned with silver ribbons and a bronze seal, holding a marshal’s staff, stood on the chariot, frad by the radiant light, looking exceptionally majestic.
As for Long Xiao and Chen Shijie, they did not appear in this scene, still staying above on the ship.
Great Zhou soldiers returning to their holand, high-ranking officials have grand ceremonials, and lower-ranking have their own, all to promote martial virtue.
At this mont, the ceremony belonged solely to Zhao Xing, as the other two were from other places.
"This makes want to go back ho and show off," Long Xiao said enviously, loving such lively events, but unfortunately, this festivity was not for him.
"Just for such vain glory, why bother going back ho?" Chen Shijie said. "It’s quite a hassle."
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