Chapter 657: Chapter 659: Taking Over

Although the guard at the gate had his doubts, he didn’t think they would dare to deceive him.

If it were a lie, it would be exposed in moments. Surely no one would dare to pull such a bluff.

He respectfully took the card with both hands. "Please wait here, gentlemen. I will go inside and inform the master."

Just then, Gu Wenheng stepped out of the carriage, and the noisy surroundings immediately fell silent.

Everyone curiously sized up the young official before them. Gu Wenheng openly let them stare, his own gaze fixed on the estate in front of him.

The Inspectorate of Yi Province. This was the place where he would soon be working and living.

’It certainly looks grand, but I wonder what it’s like inside?’

"My lord, Gu Wenheng has arrived." Liu Xuan’s steward said, jogging into the inner courtyard. "He’s standing at the main gate now, and a crowd has already gathered outside."

The implication was clear: he could no longer avoid the situation.

Liu Xuan narrowed his eyes. ’He’s certainly something, managing to arrive at the last possible moment.’

’Hmph. So what? My family already left a few days ago. I have no baggage holding me back; I can pack light and leave tomorrow morning.’

After the steward turned to leave, Liu Xuan leisurely straightened his official robes and strolled out of the inner courtyard.

When he reached the main gate, he rubbed his cheeks with both hands, his expression instantly transforming into a refined smile.

"Mr. Gu, I’ve heard so much about you." Even though Gu Wenheng was in plainclothes, Liu Xuan looked as if he recognized him instantly.

’The men beside him are obviously guards and retainers. The difference in their presence is simply too great.’

’Though he looks like a handsome young scholar, you can tell at a glance that this is Gu Wenheng, the man taking over my position.’

Gu Wenheng returned the cupped-fist salute. "Mr. Liu, a pleasure to meet you."

Liu Xuan hadn’t been promoted this time, merely transferred to another post, so Gu Wenheng naturally treated him as an equal.

Without giving the other man a chance to speak further, Gu Wenheng took a box from Ming Si and pulled out the imperial yellow Holy Decree.

A wave of excitement rippled through the crowd. They were actually getting to see the legendary Holy Decree.

"Mr. Gu, let’s talk inside," Liu Xuan said, the smile on his lips freezing. ’He’s being wary of me.’

’Soon, the entirety of Yongchang County will know that the new Inspector General arrived bearing a Holy Decree.’

Of course, Gu Wenheng had no intention of reading it aloud right there; this was merely a confirmation of his status.

"My apologies for the trouble, Mr. Liu. The roads on the way here were rather rough, which is why I’ve been delayed until now. I hope you’ll forgive any inconvenience."

Liu Xuan replied, "...The roads around here are indeed difficult. A slight delay is inevitable. But thankfully, Mr. Gu, you didn’t miss the handover date.

"You must be exhausted from your journey. I will have a banquet prepared to welcome you and help you settle in, Mr. Gu."

Gu Wenheng said, "Thank you, Mr. Liu. But having been delayed for so long on the road, I dare not tarry any further. I must ask you to complete the handover as soon as possible, so as not to delay your own departure."

Liu Xuan sneered inwardly. ’Since Mr. Gu is in such a hurry, it would be rude of me to refuse.’ Aloud, he said, "I will have all the official documents and ledgers brought out immediately."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and led the way toward the government office.

The area he used specifically for official business was just ahead, a walk of a few dozen meters.

Inside the main hall, people were already bustling about.

"Everyone, stop for a moment. Come and meet your new Inspector General, Mr. Gu."

As soon as Liu Xuan finished speaking, all eyes fell on Gu Wenheng, who stood beside him.

Gu Wenheng was not annoyed. He simply smiled and nodded to those present. "I’ve arrived in a rush, so please pardon my lack of courtesy.

"Once we’ve finished the business at hand, I will get to know each of you properly."

Then, he looked at Liu Xuan. "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Liu."

Liu Xuan replied, "...Please wait a moment. My subordinates can be a bit clumsy. Why haven’t they brought out the prepared items at a time like this?"

He turned and shouted at a small official standing dazed in the corner, "Mr. Gu’s time is precious, and there’s only half a day left! Why aren’t you hurrying up and bringing those things over?

"I am in a hurry to assume my new post. If you delay my affairs, you can kiss your positions goodbye!"

Gu Wenheng seemed completely oblivious to his words, instead finding the time to admire the building’s rafters.

"Truly the work of a master craftsman. To think a wooden structure could be built to be so grand," Gu Wenheng remarked offhandedly. "The artisans must have poured their hearts into it."

"You certainly seem to have a lot of free time, Mr. Gu," Liu Xuan said. "But there is one thing I must ask you to bear with me on.

"There’s only one accountant left now, so I’m afraid we won’t be able to audit the books in time."

Gu Wenheng had already guessed things wouldn’t be so smooth. "Oh? In a province as large as Yi, the Inspector General is only provided with a single accountant?"

"To be frank, Mr. Gu, the senior accountant is a local. The accountants who joined later all came here with me,

"but my wife was in a hurry to get on the road and left ahead with a group of our people. As it happens, all those accountants were in that group.

"I presume you’ve made your own arrangements, Mr. Gu."

He all but said outright for Gu Wenheng to have his own accountants audit the books.

Liu Xuan’s gaze swept over the few guards standing behind Gu Wenheng, and he sneered inwardly. ’From the looks of them, they’re all martial artists, not accountants.’

’Yongchang County has plenty of accountants, but how could a greenhorn who just arrived possibly hire any?’

’Even if he put up a recruitment notice now, there wouldn’t be enough time.’

The smile on Gu Wenheng’s face faded. "I appreciate your concern, Mr. Liu. Though I wasn’t able to bring any accountants with me this time, these guards of mine are decent enough with numbers. Let’s have them make do and audit the books."

Now, not only Liu Xuan but all the subordinate officials standing nearby stared at Gu Wenheng in disbelief. This was far too reckless.

’Having guards act as accountants... How could the higher-ups send someone like this?’

Liu Xuan turned his head to hide a contemptuous smile. When he faced forward again, his expression was all business. "Since you’re so confident in your men, Mr. Gu, I certainly won’t stand in your way. They’ve already brought out the ledgers. Please, begin."

Seeing the ledgers piled high in a corner, everyone present gasped. Even a veteran accountant would have to work for days and nights to get through that pile.

Everyone felt Gu Wenheng had been too hasty. If he had used this time to go out and seek help from a prominent local family, he might actually have a chance of finishing the audit.

But who would have thought that with a wave of his hand, the six guards behind him would surge forward.

Gu Wenheng then pointed to a clerk standing nearby. "Excuse me, please go outside and call my coachman in as well."

At this, everyone was convinced the man was mad. He was clearly giving up. In that case, he might as well just close his eyes and accept all the ledgers as they were.

The clerk looked to Liu Xuan, and only after receiving a tacit nod did he run outside.

"These ledgers will take a while," Gu Wenheng announced. "Once they’ve finished clearing the accounts, I will host a banquet and hope all you gentlemen will do me the honor of attending."

Everyone was completely baffled. ’Isn’t he being incredibly arrogant? With just a few men, does he really think he can finish before dinner?’

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