A little while later, Zhang Chen returned to the Prefect's Residence. Seeing Zhang Chen return, the servants quickly went inside to report.
As Zhang Chen entered the residence, Tian Feng was already coming out to greet him. Upon seeing Zhang Chen, he quickly bowed and said, "Lord, this subordinate greets you."
"Mr. Yuan Hao, there's no need for such courtesy."
Tian Feng stood up and said, "Hearing that Lord was attacked by villains on the way back, this subordinate was extremely worried. But thinking that Lord is a blessed person watched over by heaven, I presumed you would be fine, so I first stayed in the residence to stabilize the overall situation for Lord."
Zhang Chen said, "Mr. Yuan Hao is truly a wise scholar. With Sir overseeing the overall situation, I have nothing to worry about. Now I have taken office as Prefect, but the affairs of a province are much more complex than those of a commandery. I still need Sir to teach me a great deal."
"Lord, rest assured, this subordinate will definitely give his all."
As Tian Feng spoke, he welcomed Zhang Chen into the front hall.
As soon as he entered, Zhang Chen saw a thick stack of documents piled on the table. Zhang Chen said, "Mr. Yuan Hao, this is?"
"These are the household registers and grain and money records of the various commanderies in Ji Province. This subordinate thought that Lord, being new to the position of Prefect, is not yet familiar with the situation in the province, so I ordered the Prefects of each commandery to prepare them early for Lord's review," Tian Feng said with a smile. "Lord, there is no time to lose. Please take your time reviewing them. If there is anything unclear, feel free to ask this subordinate."
"Uh, okay... okay! Mr. Yuan Hao, you've worked hard. I will review them now."
Zhang Chen couldn't help but give a wry smile.
How long would it take to finish reading this mountain of documents?
However, looking at Tian Feng's scrutinizing gaze, Zhang Chen couldn't help but feel a bit wary.
Tian Feng was the oldest among his subordinates, which was why Zhang Chen always addressed him as Sir. Moreover, Tian Feng had a trait called 【Blunt and Offending Superiors】. Zhang Chen absolutely believed that if he showed even a hint of laziness, Tian Feng would directly criticize him to his face.
Although Zhang Chen considered himself open-minded, he didn't want to be scolded either.
Forget it, he would just have to bite the bullet and look at them first.
Zhang Chen immediately sat down at the desk, picked up a document, and began to review it.
In the blink of an eye, it was evening. Zhang Chen put down the last document, stretched, and only then realized that outside the window, night had already fallen deeply.
"Lord is indeed self-disciplined and diligent." Outside the door, Tian Feng walked in and bowed to Zhang Chen.
Seeing him, Zhang Chen was startled. "Mr. Yuan Hao, it's so late, why haven't you gone back yet?"
Tian Feng smiled and said, "How dare this subordinate be lazy when Lord is so diligent? How fortunate are the people of Ji Province to have such a Lord!"
Zhang Chen suddenly understood and said, "So Mr. Yuan Hao was testing me. If I had shown the slightest bit of laziness just now, what would Sir have done?"
Tian Feng stroked his beard and smiled. "This old man would have spoken frankly to admonish."
"Speaking frankly to admonish, is Sir not afraid of displeasing me?"
"Although it may offend Lord, if it can persuade Lord to be diligent, it will surely be a blessing for the people in the future. This old man can distinguish which of the two is more important."
Zhang Chen immediately said, "Sir is indeed a straight-laced official. It is precisely because I have people like Sir by my side that I do not make mistakes."
"Lord exaggerates. This is this subordinate's duty. To know something and not act is disloyalty!"
Tian Feng was indeed a rare upright official. It was a pity that Yuan Shao lacked the capacity to tolerate others and could not make full use of his talents. In this life, he would definitely not repeat his mistakes.
Thinking of this, Zhang Chen said, "Mr. Yuan Hao, it's getting late. You should go back early. I have finished reading these documents and have a basic understanding of the situation. After I ponder over them for a day or two, I will discuss the next strategy with you, Gongyu, and Fengxiao in a few days."
"Yes, this subordinate takes his leave. Lord should also rest early."
With that, Tian Feng bowed, turned, and withdrew.
Zhang Chen also left the main hall and went straight to the back residence.
Arriving at the study, Zhang Chen had someone call Steward Wu.
Zhang Chen first inquired about the merchant association. During the time he was away, under Steward Wu's management, the affairs of the association had been carried out in an orderly manner. Now, throughout Wei Commandery, phenomena such as hoarding, price gouging, and bullying the market had basically disappeared, and the commercial atmosphere had improved significantly.
Zhang Chen was very satisfied and said, "Wu Bo, you've worked hard during this time. However, next, there is a major matter that I need you to attend to."
"Is Lord talking about your marriage to Miss Zhen?"
Zhang Chen nodded and said, "That's right. The Lunar New Year is approaching, and the wedding date on the second day of the second month is not far off. The Zhen is a prominent aristocratic family, so the etiquette must be thorough, and we must not neglect Miss Zhen. I want to offer half of my family's property as the betrothal gift. What do you think?"
Steward Wu pondered for a moment and said, "The Zhen is a prominent aristocratic family. If it were in the past, the Zhang Family naturally couldn't hope to match them. But now Lord is the ruler of Ji Province, and you also have the scholarly reputation of Filial Piety and Integrity, a pure and orthodox background. The Zhang Family is no longer what it used to be. Lord and Miss Zhen are perfectly matched. Half of the family property as the betrothal gift is enough to show Lord's sincerity."
"Good, then go to the Zhen Family to present the betrothal gifts as soon as possible," Zhang Chen said. "To show sincerity, I will also trouble Wu Bo to make the trip personally."
"Lord, rest assured, your marriage is a top priority for this old servant. There is nothing more important than this matter, and this old servant will definitely not be in the slightest bit negligent."
"Good," Zhang Chen said, taking something from his Pregnant and handing it to Steward Wu. He said, "This pair of jade pendants was personally bestowed by the Empress and is particularly valuable. Include it in the betrothal gifts and send it to the Zhen Family together."
"Yes."
"All the wedding matters will also rely on Wu Bo's efforts."
"Lord, rest assured, this is this old servant's duty. If the old master could see you getting married and marrying such a beautiful woman as Miss Zhen, I don't know how happy he would be!"
Zhang Chen smiled, seemingly also filled with hope for the future.
"Oh, right, where has the young lady who returned with me been settled?"
Steward Wu said, "Is Lord talking about Miss Diao Chan? Lord, rest assured, she has been settled in the West Wing. Miss Diao Chan has been worried about Lord's safety these past two days. You might want to go and see her."
Steward Wu smiled knowingly and then bowed and left the study.
Yes, ever since he returned, he hadn't gone to see Diao Chan yet.
Zhang Chen then left the study and went towards the West Wing.
Arriving at the door, he saw that the light was still on in the room. Zhang Chen walked closer and gently knocked on the door.
"Who... who is it?" A soft, timid female voice came from inside the door.
"Chan'er, it's me, I'm back."
A moment later, the door opened with a creak.
A figure of exquisite beauty appeared at the doorway. Diao Chan wore light makeup and a loose, deep purple robe with wide sleeves. Her eyes were full of deep affection, but there were traces of tears in the corners, and her eyes were slightly red, as if she had just been crying.
"Lord!" Diao Chan darted forward, wrapping her arms around him and burying her head deeply in Zhang Chen's embrace.
"Chan'er thought... I would never see Lord again... sob, sob..."
"How could that be? The person in this world who can kill me hasn't been born yet!" Zhang Chen smiled, dotingly pinched her nose, and then picked her up and walked into the room.
The two sat side by side on the couch. Zhang Chen gently stroked Diao Chan's delicate hands and asked with a smile, "Are you used to living here?"
Diao Chan nodded and said, "Yes, Steward Wu arranged everything very properly, and Ping'er sister is also very good to me."
"That's good. Settle down here with peace of mind. With me here, you will never be homeless and dependent again."
"Lord is so good to Chan'er. Chan'er has no way to repay you, but is willing to serve Lord for life."
"Is that so?" Zhang Chen smiled slyly, gently lifted her chin, and said, "Then... how do you plan to serve me?"
Diao Chan smiled slightly, slowly stood up, and the light purple silk robe gently slipped from her fair, tender shoulders.
A night of intimacy...