Chapter 600: Grand Opening

On the ninth day of the seventh lunar month, there was great weather with no clouds at all. Early in the morning, officials of all levels and military officers as well as the big renowned families all gathered inside the Pingxi Prefectural Governor’s Office. The street outside was cleaned and there were guards every few steps. The street was also filled with the army. People on the sides of the street moved about to see the event.

The news had long been out. Today, Pingxi Prefecture would be changed to Qiyun Prefecture. The Prefectural Governor’s Office would be changed to the Qiyun Protectorate Office. Today was the first day of the new official protectorate general to start his work.

Inside the office, the Lu Clan came as well. Yan Dechang also brought Zhou Tiezhu and the others along. Qian Su brought a few head worksmiths of the manufacturing bureau here. The Shen Clan and Shi Dafeng’s family also came. The headmaster of Pingxi Martial Arts Academy also came. Even the second in power of the Zhong Clan came. Meanwhile, those big supervisors cooperating with The Greatest Mill also came.

All those who had the right to come in the entire northwest came!

Yan Dechang also wore a purple dress robe for once. He had a bulky figure and changed his dressing. With a few bulky disciples at his side, he actually looked like a big boss drawing the attention of those in the Prefectural Governor’s Office. Quite a few people came up to greet him. Everyone knew that after today, this worksmith Yan would be the grand boss of Qiyun Prefecture. The Yan family was really powerful now. Their ancestors must’ve built up good karma to let Yan Liqiang become a wealthy tycoon after a few years.

Yan Dechang was also very excited today. He thought he had no hopes of revenge in this life nor would he rebuild the Qiyun Protectorate, but this was all accomplished slowly in the hands of Yan Liqiang. He hadn’t even dared to dream about this before.

“Father-in-law, this is good, the Yan family will bring honor to your ancestors…” Old Master Lu held Yan Dechang’s hands tightly and showed their close relationship to everyone, “It’s all because you know how to teach a son…”

“You’re too polite, I don’t know how to teach a son. It’s all Liqiang’s own fortune. We’re one family, don’t be so polite…”

“You’re right, one family, one family, hahaha….” Old Master Lu laughed.

Gong Tieshan was also at the office and stood in the military officers’ ranks. At this moment, he was thinking about the first time he met Yan Liqiang a few years ago. At that time, he bought a scimitar from the Yan Clan and saw the young man for the first time. He felt that a youth who was enlightened to design a scimitar from a lamb’s leg would have a great future. What he didn’t expect was that in a few years while he stayed the same, Yan Liqiang became the Qiyun Protectorate General, owning one prefecture of land and became his superior. This world was really magical…

For someone like Yan Liqiang, Gong Tieshan didn’t feel envious at all but respect.

Feeling someone poke him from behind, Gong Tieshan turned around and saw his colleague Wang Naiwu wink at him. “Old Gong, I heard you knew the Protectorate General quite early on and had a good relationship. We’ll be relying on you from now on. If you can, put in a good word for us. Lord Liu is going now so we’ll vote for you as the Military Governor…”

“Bullsh*t!” Gong Tieshan glared and cursed, “You think this is a game?! No matter how close I am to the Protectorate General, I have no right to the Military Governor position. I’ll tell you straight up, the Protectorate General got to where he is today not because of anyone. If you think he is young and wants to use your long years of experience on him, then you’ll have plenty to suffer. Just do your work honestly and stop thinking about these things. Last year at the battle at the Heavenly Lake, he was far from being this powerful and famous but he even killed Cai Yingwu with one arrow. Just think if you can compare yourself to Cai Yingwu. Otherwise, if you misbehave and lose your head, don’t blame me…”

Gong Tieshan’s words made those few colleagues wary. They glanced at each other and stood there not daring to talk or move.

…

“See, the pretty girl there is the Huanglong County Lu Clan’s young mistress. It’s said they have engaged with the Yan family…”

“Huh, wouldn’t that woman be the future wife of the Protectorate General…”

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“Of course, with such an identity, even if she sees a Madam Provincial Governor, she can remain calm. According to the rules of the Great Han Empire, if the two have a wedding, then the Emperor himself would send a message or award…”

Lu Beixin was among the Lu Clan people. For this event today, she dressed up for it, making her seem confident and well-mannered. Seeing those wondering glances at her and the hushed discussions, she also felt a little nervous. But at the same time, she had this never-before feeling of pride as a woman. She took a deep breath and stood calmly within the crowd.

Feeling another glance fall upon her, Lu Beixin turned around and saw the equally vibrant Zhong Ruolan smiling and nodding at her.

Lu Beixin’s eyes swept across Zhong Ruolan’s face before returning the smile and nodding.

Women’s instincts were too strong. Just that glance made Lu Beixin feel that Yan Liqiang and Zhong Ruolan’s relationship didn’t seem… ordinary…

…

The people in the yard didn’t wait long. Soon, the auspicious time was here and everyone saw Yan Liqiang, Liang Yijie, Wang Jianbei, and Liu Yucheng walk out from the great hall. They all wore their official uniforms. This was Yan Liqiang’s first time wearing the Qiyun Protectorate uniform. It was a deep purple robe with a black cape and a jade ornament. There was a purple gold hair tie at the top and he hung a long sword at his waist, making him seem powerful yet free.

Yan Liqiang was originally rather handsome and with this Qiyun Protectorate General’s uniform, it felt like there was some magical light shining on him. Seeing Yan Liqiang come out, Lu Beixin, Zhong Ruolan, and some women’s eyes were stuck on him.

“The auspicious time is here, please announce His Majesty’s decree…” one custom officer yelled. Yan Liqiang, Wang Jianbei, and Liu Yucheng had already stood next to the stand ready. The noisy yard immediately became silent.

Liang Yijie stood on the stairs and faced the stand. After glancing around, a servant carried a golden box and came up to him with a bow. Liang Yijie opened the golden box and carried out the Emperor’s order. He opened it and started reading…

“The Great Han Empire declares that the Gulang Plains have been part of the Great Han Empire’s territory since ancient times…”

Then, it recounted the Qiyun Protectorate’s history and mentioned the situation at the Gulang Plains briefly. Then, there was the decision to allocate Qiyun Prefecture and the Gulang Plains into the Qiyun Protectorate’s management region.

“…Now I hereby grant the golden stamp tiger rune and order the Qiyun Protectorate to build an office and hire people to protect and guard the Qiyun Protectorate and manage all the military and political matters at the Qiyun Protectorate Office and the Gulang Plains. He shall protect our territory and raise the authority of our nation while maintaining peace. The end!” Liang Yijie closed the Emperor’s decree and placed it back in the box.

“Yan Liqiang accepts the order!” Yan Liqiang said loudly and bowed to the message before walking up and taking the golden box and passing it to Shen Teng.

“Please take the Qiyun Protectorate Golden Stamp and the Tiger Rune!” Liang Yijie carried another plate and on it was the golden stamp and tiger rune. The golden stamp was fist-sized and on it was a turtle. The tiger rune was in the shape of a tiger and looked ferocious.

Yan Liqiang held the golden stamp with one hand and the tiger rune with the other. He then raised these two items above his head to show everyone before putting them back on the plate and giving it to Shen Teng.

“This is Pingxi Prefecture’s population, land, silver storage, food storage, tax, military equipment, and government personnel handbook. Please take it to the Qiyun Protectorate General!” Wang Jianbei passed over another box.

“Thank you, Lord Wang!” Yan Liqiang bowed and took it before giving it to Shi Dafeng.

Then Wang Jianbei gave the Pingxi Prefecture golden stamp and tiger rune to Liang Yijie. Liang Yijie put these two things in a metal box in front of everyone, sealed it, and put it away. Now, the ceremony was over.

Wang Jianbei and Liu Yucheng brought their personal troops and left the estate. Yan Liqiang escorted the two away all the way till they reached the east side of the city. Sixth Grandfather and the citizens were waiting there. They stopped in front of Wang Jianbei and Liu Yucheng, giving them wine and gifts.

After drinking the wine and taking these gifts, Wang Jianbei and Liu Yucheng formally bid farewell to Yan Liqiang and went off to perform their new duties.