Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1750: Vice Minister Ban

But he was too flamboyant. Someone who knew him shouted, "Young Master Bao, where did you get that horse? Such a fine horse should be sent to the army for the soldiers to use!"

Horses are military resources, especially precious in the Northwest. Some families, even if they have the qualifications and Silver to buy horses, sometimes have their horses requisitioned by the army.

The Bao Family had only this one horse, and it was a mare meant for breeding, very precious. But Bao Baolu was Old Master Bao’s only remaining son, also very precious.

So he pleaded with Old Master Bao to let him ride the horse to welcome the officials from the Capital.

Old Master Bao agreed, but hearing the words from the second brother of the Hu Yazi family on the same street, Old Master Bao was startled and shouted, "Bao Baolu, you unfilial son, get down immediately, or I’ll beat you to death!"

The shout was like a clap of thunder, almost frightening Bao Baolu off the horse.

Old Master Bao’s legs went soft, almost collapsing, but he was held up by Hu Er, who sneered, "Old Master Bao, you shouldn’t have let Young Master Bao ride the horse!"

Being ostentatious at this time, are you looking to die?

"Instead of spending time riding a horse, why not quickly find a wife for Young Master Bao and have him soon bear children? Your household only has this one offspring, not organizing quickly means waiting for the next Rong bandits to come before matchmaking?"

Old Master Bao, upon hearing this, felt grateful: "Thank you for the reminder."

No wonder he’s the old neighbor from the same street, always thinking of his family.

Hu Er chuckled, "The saying goes, distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. With our families’ relationship, Old Master Bao, what’s there to thank?"

He continued, "My Hu Family has two girls of the right age, both with excellent looks and character. Old Master Bao, do you think they might be a match for Young Master Bao? I think it’s a good marriage..."

He was actually proposing marriage for his niece and daughter!

Old Master Bao was infuriated, surely he shouldn’t have been grateful to Hu Er. This guy has been a ruffian since childhood, not willing to waste words unless there’s some benefit.

"Bao Baolu, come home with me!" Old Master Bao stopped watching the commotion, and twisting his son’s ear and holding the horse’s reins, followed by several servants, proceeded towards the city.

"Father, let go, let go, don’t go back yet. The officials will arrive soon, so many carriages, I’ve heard there’s real gold and silver inside. Not seeing it would be a lifelong regret!"

"Forget it!" Old Master Bao was angry, but missing this rare spectacle would indeed be a loss. So, he softened his tone, "The team carrying the rewards must be moving slowly. We’ll tie the horse at home and then watch, we’ll have time."

Hu Er watched the Bao father and son’s backs, snorting in disdain. Ha, looking down on the Hu Family, huh? His brother was a government official and could see Lord Magistrate every day!

However, Bao Baolu was a rare good match. Currently, there are more women than men in the Northwest. If he doesn’t quickly arrange a match for the family girls, the "Bao Liangpei" might be snatched away by other women.

Over there, Hu Da was with the official brothers stopping the excited townsfolk, shouting, "Move back, all of you, if you collide with the officials’ carriage, there’s a beheading punishment!"

Magistrate Hao, under the lingering heat of autumn, wiped his sweat and looked at the enthusiastic citizens near the city gate, regretting letting everyone welcome the officials.

If the horses were startled and the officials’ carriage overturned, what then?

Fortunately, the soldiers from the station helped maintain order, and there hadn’t been any mishaps yet.

God, please let everything go smoothly today, and let no trouble occur!

Perhaps God was moved, because when the team carrying the rewards reached the city gate, although the horses were startled and nearly overturned the carriage, the officials from the Capital did not get angry.

All because Assistant Minister Ban of the Ministry of Rites said, "My heart ached at seeing the city in mourning post-war, but now my worries have halved, and my heart is very comforted and relieved!"

With such verbosity, many citizens couldn’t understand, but seeing him wiping tears from his sleeve, hurriedly consoled him, "Oh, don’t cry, our Xing’an Prefecture may have shabby city walls, but the inside is quite good. There are shops and restaurants, not much worse than in the Capital."

"Yes, Sir, don’t cry. Our Xing’an Prefecture isn’t that bad. We have insect attractants and the divine medicine that keeps poisonous insects at bay. When it comes to dealing with poisonous insects, we’re much better than other places in Great Chu. Once you arrive at our Xing’an Prefecture, rest assured eating, drinking, and sleeping, those poisonous insects won’t crawl onto you."

The citizens, comforting one after another, moved Assistant Minister Ban.

However, Assistant Minister Ban misunderstood. The citizens comforted him because they felt a high official visiting and wiping tears like mourning wasn’t auspicious and wanted to coax him not to shed tears.

Assistant Minister Ban continued to be moved and said to Magistrate Hao, "Magistrate Hao, for the citizens of Xing’an Prefecture to still be so joyful and benevolent after experiencing war disasters, it’s all thanks to your governance. If His Majesty knew of this, he would definitely praise you again."

Praise again?

"What does Sir mean by this? Has His Majesty praised me before?" Magistrate Hao’s eyes brightened, and in his excitement, he almost couldn’t help grasping Assistant Minister Ban’s arm.

Assistant Minister Ban nodded, "Indeed, when the victory report reached the Capital, His Majesty praised Magistrate Hao highly, speaking of you as such, it’s the fortune of the border town of Great Chu."

Ha ha, ha ha!

Magistrate Hao inwardly laughed, feeling euphoric, the Emperor praised him. Surely, he would get promoted to the Capital and leave this poor Northwest region.

Qi Vice Magistrate felt sour and stiffly congratulated Magistrate Hao, "Looks like Sir is about to get promoted and leave. I congratulate you in advance, Sir."

Assistant Minister Ban, hearing this, frowned, dissatisfied with the reprimand, "Qi Vice Magistrate, where did you hear this from? His Majesty praised both of you, but also said you both have insights into governing the border town. You’re to stay in Xing’an Prefecture for a few more years until the Northwest repels the Rong bandits."

"What!"

"Heavens!"

Magistrate Hao and Qi Vice Magistrate cried out in despair, their legs went weak, leaning backward but were supported by their stewards in time, preventing embarrassment.

The backs of the stewards were soaked with cold sweat, with faces smiling, saying, "Please pardon us, Sir Ban, Magistrate Hao and Qi Vice Magistrate were overwhelmed by excitement upon hearing His Majesty’s praise, they couldn’t bear it for a moment, that’s all..."

Ha ha, ha ha, the stewards chuckled dryly.

Assistant Minister Ban was also over forty years old, having served for twenty years, naturally knowing why Magistrate Hao and Qi Vice Magistrate fainted... The Northwest was barren and constantly at war, no one was willing to stay.

Assistant Minister Ban did not expose their thoughts, merely said, "It’s getting late, the team is long, quickly arrange personnel for insect attraction before entering the city."

General Liang, speaking with Doctor Xu from the Capital City Ministry of War, heard this and said to Doctor Xu, "I will first arrange the insect attraction matter. Master Xu, please rest in the large tent under the city. I’ll arrange for the military doctors to handle your insect attraction."

Doctor Xu nodded, led to a large tent to the left of the city gate by Vice General Lu.

The officials from various departments were also guided to other tents for insect attraction.

Insect attraction takes time. By the time all officials and rewards were attracted away from insects, it was over an hour later, the sky was dark already, time to close the city gates.

Seeing the sky darken, Magistrate Hao hurriedly ordered drumming, "Start the music, welcome the Emperor’s rewards into the city!"

Drums, drums, drums!

The soldiers on the city tower immediately started drumming, the drums accompanied by the joyous and clear flute sound, like wedding music, ushering the rewards and officials into Xing’an Prefecture.

One carriage of rewards after another entered the city under the twilight glow, with the lead carriage loaded with sacrificial items entering the government office first, followed by the last carriage pulling rewards into the city.

The abundant rewards sent by Emperor Jingyuan excited the onlookers tremendously.