The administrative system of Yan states and prefectures was largely similar to that of Xia. That is, states had inspectors, prefectures had governors, larger counties had magistrates, and smaller counties had chiefs.
Donghai Prefecture was a prefecture, so the Yan court appointed Zhou Fugui as the Governor of Donghai Prefecture, with subordinate officials such as a deputy governor, a chief administrator, and various other secretaries. There were also officials like a chief clerk, gatekeepers, record keepers, scribes, secretaries, prefectural secretaries, and military secretaries.
Yan generally appointed military officials, or those holding military titles or ranks, typically Xianbei people, as the chief officials of states and prefectures. The Yan court appointed Zhou Fugui as the Grand Commandant of Donghai, giving him overall command of the military, political, and civilian affairs of Donghai Prefecture. At that time, Donghai Prefecture was still the territory of Murong Hong, and the Yan court was happy to bestow this favor upon Zhou Fugui.
A governor was the chief official of a prefecture, and of course, there was a governor's yamen. However, at this time, it was not called a "yamen" but a "yá mén" (牙门).
When Murong Hong, the King of Yan in Donghai, was in power, the governor and the governor's yamen in Donghai Prefecture were merely nominal, almost never handling affairs, with everything being decided by Murong Hong and orders issued from the princely mansion. Now that Zhou Fugui had driven Murong Hong away, the governor's yamen and its officials were no longer nominal. In other words, Zhou Fugui had taken his place, becoming the Grand Commandant of Donghai Prefecture and the Governor of Donghai Prefecture, with orders issued from the Grand Commandant's yamen.
"Ascend the hall!" At this moment, in the governor's yamen of Donghai Prefecture, several clerks announced loudly, and Zhou Fugui, the Grand Commandant of Yan in Donghai, Governor of Donghai Prefecture, Marquis of Pingliang, General Jianzhong, and Commander of the Xuepi Army, sat majestically on the Yellow Hall.
The so-called Yellow Hall was the main hall of the governor's yamen. If the title of governor was not legitimate, people would refer to the governor's tomb...
Zhou Fugui, wearing a black helmet, a suit of black Mingguang armor, and a deep purple ducal robe, rested his hands on his greatsword, sitting imposingly on a Hu chair in the Yellow Hall.
At this time, the Hu chair had gradually spread from the north to the south. Zhou Fugui naturally felt that the Hu chair was much more comfortable and dignified than kneeling on the ground.
The two fierce generals, Pi E and Hu Jue, also wore helmets and armor, their hands resting on their sabers. They stood like two guardian deities, each leading a hundred personal guards, stationed on the left and right. The personal guards also wore helmets and armor, their hands on their sabers, their eyes fiercely watching the officials of Donghai Prefecture below the steps.
The followers were not only not killed but were ordered to continue performing their duties.
If everyone were killed, who would govern Donghai Prefecture?
"Report... Grand Commandant... Che Kun, the Deputy Governor, is attempting to flee the city with his family," a clerk from the governor's yamen reported fearfully, rushing to Zhou Fugui.
"Imprison him and confiscate all his property," Zhou Fugui ordered coldly.
"Yes!" The clerk bowed hastily upon hearing this and rushed out to relay the order.
"Report... Grand Commandant... Merchants outside the city are requesting to enter," another clerk reported.
"Who is the gate guard? Do I need to give the order again? 'Invite them into Anji Fang, and do not be rude.' Order General Suo to replace the city gate guard." Zhou Fugui frowned.
"Yes!"
"Grand Commandant, Sima the wealthy merchant requests an audience!"
"See him not!"
"Yes!"
"Grand Commandant, the imperial clansman Tuo De requests an audience!"
"See him not!"
"Yes!"
"Grand Commandant, the young masters of the Xu and Huang families request an audience!"
"See them not, wait..." Zhou Fugui hurriedly stopped the clerk who was about to run out, saying, "The young masters of the Xu and Huang families? Let them in."
"Yes!" The clerk then walked out of the Yellow Hall.
The young masters of the Xu and Huang families were a pre-arranged agreement between Zhou Fugui and the Xu and Huang families of Donghai, to have them serve before the Grand Commandant.
A moment later, the eldest young master of the Xu family and the third young master of the Huang family were led into the yamen by a clerk. The eldest young master of the Xu family was Xu Ruyan, and the third young master of the Huang family was Huang Shiren. Xu Ruyan was young, and Huang Shiren was even younger, not yet twenty years old. He had a rosy and fair complexion, as fair as a young lady, with a height that was neither too tall nor too short, broad shoulders, and a slender waist. However, his broad shoulders seemed disproportionate to his build, as if he wore shoulder pads. He wore a Jin Xian hat on his head and a light purple straight-hemmed robe made of silk brocade, standing elegantly, like purple vines by the water, appearing noble yet not vulgar.
Like the Xu family, the Huang family was also a prominent aristocratic family that had resided in Donghai Prefecture for generations.
"Young Master Xu, Young Master Huang, this is our Grand Commandant, Marquis of Pingliang, General Jianzhong, Governor of Donghai..." an elderly clerk introduced the two young masters to Zhou Fugui.
"He has quite a few titles..." Huang Shiren took out a golden floral folding fan and said with a light laugh as he fanned himself.
"Young Master Huang, do not be impolite!" Xu Ruyan clenched his right fist and placed it inside his left hand, forming a cupped-hand salute before bowing, "Your junior, Ruyan, pays his respects to the Grand Commandant!"
After learning about Zhou Fugui's affairs, Xu Ruyan could not help but feel a sense of respect for him, which led to his former arrogance turning into present humility, making Zhou Fugui somewhat puzzled.
"Xu Ruyan? Rise!" Zhou Fugui, slightly puzzled, slightly raised his greatsword, returning the gesture. He then looked at Huang Shiren standing beside him and asked, "Why do you not salute?"
"Do the Rongdi know etiquette?" Huang Shiren asked with a light laugh, standing tall.
"The Rongdi are like wolves and tigers, not to be tolerated; those of our civilized land are close kin, not to be abandoned! Why should the Rongdi not know etiquette?" Zhou Fugui asked with a smile.
Zhou Fugui was not angry, as he looked at the two young masters as if they were two moving granaries...
"The Rongdi know small courtesies but lack great righteousness!" Huang Shiren snorted.
A crude Rongdi general, even if he were a Han, was still a Han general under the Rongdi, a Han traitor. To have two aristocratic young masters serve him, Huang Shiren was understandably annoyed. Disregarding Xu Ruyan's glances, he attempted to humiliate Zhou Fugui.
"The people of Huaxia are truly the foundation of the world. Those from the four barbarian regions are but branches and leaves of the same tree. What do you mean by 'Rongdi lack great righteousness'?" Zhou Fugui retorted. "Do all people of Huaxia know courtesy and understand great righteousness? Do all Rongdi not know courtesy and lack great righteousness? Young Master Huang, is this statement not too arbitrary?"
"Hmph, the Rongdi are the alien spirits of the four directions. They squat and lounge like birds and beasts, with no difference. If they mingle in the Central Plains, they will disorder the weather and defile good people..." Huang Shiren fanned himself and snorted.
Upon hearing this, Xu Ruyan's face turned pale. He looked nervously at Zhou Fugui and the guards behind him, wondering if this Han traitor would, in a fit of anger, swing his greatsword at him and the young master Huang.
However, fortunately, all the Rongdi guards showed expressions of confusion. Pi E, Hu Jue, and the others had not understood anything... Zhou Fugui, extremely impatient, placed his greatsword between his legs, waved his hand, and said, "Spouting literary words, what are you trying to show off? Do I look like a Rongdi?"
Yes, not only did Young Master Xu and Young Master Huang think so, but all the guards did too.
A high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, a sturdy build, and a thick beard – what else could he be if not a barbarian?
"Hmph, Han traitors are the hounds of the Rongdi, working for the tiger, even more despicable," Huang Shiren said with another cold snort, seemingly determined to oppose Zhou Fugui today.
Zhou Fugui was furious upon hearing this. His Rongdi aura flared, and he pointed at Huang Shiren, roaring, "If you dare mention the word 'Han traitor' again, I will strip you naked and throw you into this hall!"
All the guards gripped their swords, eager to act.
Stripping this pampered young master and making him dance would also be a form of entertainment...
The words "Han traitor" had struck a nerve deep within Zhou Fugui, like a dragon's scale...
Xu Ruyan was greatly alarmed and hurriedly tried to appease him, saying, "Grand Commandant, do not be angry, Young Master Huang... he... he... is young and ignorant, and has offended the Grand Commandant. Please forgive him, please forgive him!"
The Xu and Huang families were both prominent families in Donghai Prefecture. The two families were rivals but also intermarried. Most importantly, if a city gate caught fire, even innocent bystanders might be affected. If Huang Shiren were stripped, it might also affect Xu Ruyan...
A scholar could be killed but not insulted. If Xu Ruyan had even one piece of clothing removed, he would die of shame and indignation.
A hint of both shame and indignation appeared on Huang Shiren's face, but he quickly regained his composure. He shook his folding fan and said with a smile, "A superior should be calm and composed. Does a small test like this from Xiao Ke provoke the Grand Commandant's wrath?"
"This humble one, Huang Shiren, pays his respects to the Grand Commandant!" Huang Shiren then closed his folding fan and bowed.
"You are excused. Be seated!" Zhou Fugui said resentfully.
Huang Shiren? Hearing the name, one could tell he was not a good person, Zhou Fugui thought to himself. He must have extorted the people of Donghai Prefecture mercilessly.
However, his own surname... it wasn't that great either? Zhou Fugui mused. Zhou Bapi and Huang Shiren made quite a pair...
"Bang! Bang!" Hu Jue, hearing this, brought two Hu chairs, one in each hand, and placed them heavily before Xu Ruyan and Huang Shiren, startling the two young masters.
Zhou Fugui made a gesture to "please."
Xu Ruyan hesitated, while Huang Shiren smiled and said, "The Grand Commandant offers seats. If I do not sit, would that not spoil the Grand Commandant's good intentions?"
After Huang Shiren spoke, he sat firmly on the Hu chair, and Xu Ruyan also sat down.
"Two young masters..." As they were seated, Zhou Fugui said, "Today I invited the two young masters to come here, intending to inquire about the customs and traditions of Donghai Prefecture. However, a great plague has broken out. Therefore, I wish to ask the two young masters for their insights on this plague."
Huang Shiren sat to Zhou Fugui's lower left. Zhou Fugui smelled a faint fragrance, causing him to look at him a few more times.
Was he a man or a woman? Or perhaps a eunuch? Zhou Fugui thought to himself.
Zhou Fugui first looked at his Adam's apple. The collar of his clothing covered his throat, making it impossible to tell if he had an Adam's apple. Then he looked at his chest... his chest had some slight undulation. A normal man, unless excessively weak, would also have some chest undulation, so it was impossible to tell without undressing... As for other parts, they were also indistinguishable. His skin was fair and rosy. A healthy young noble like him would also have such skin.
"Shuā!" Huang Shiren saw Zhou Fugui's gaze lingering on him, so he opened his folding fan and, as if intentionally or unintentionally, shielded his face.