Chapter 144: Chapter 143 Jinling City 15
The largest room, the one facing the street, naturally belonged to Zhao Junyao.
At this moment, Zhao Junyao stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out the window at the torrential rain.
A furrow of worry creased his brow.
He had observed the condition of the Wei River’s embankment when he entered the city by waterway.
However, at that time, it wasn’t raining heavily, and the embankment seemed to be in fairly good condition.
But in the past few days, several heavy downpours had occurred.
Furthermore, he knew that the rainy season in Jiangnan would last nearly another month.
If it continued to rain like this for another month, he dared not imagine what would become of that embankment!
As he fretted, a carriage entered his line of sight.
Before long, Chen Juzheng ascended, braving the rain.
"Have they followed?"
Chen Juzheng froze, his eyes involuntarily darting backward.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, they have followed..."
Zhao Junyao offered a calm smile.
"Very good. When you return, he will undoubtedly try to negotiate terms with you. At that time, you seize the opportunity..."
Zhao Junyao proceeded to give him a series of instructions.
Chen Juzheng listened with great satisfaction, nodding repeatedly.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Zhao Junyao nodded, pleased. After a moment, he issued another order.
"Take some men to inspect the embankment. See if there’s any way to remedy the situation..."
Chen Juzheng nodded in agreement.
"Your Majesty, this official has already investigated this matter. Prefectural Magistrate Hou’s predecessor was a Magistrate surnamed He. He was an honest and upright official, a rare good man. It is only a pity that he met an untimely death! He died before he was forty."
"This official has inquired among the local residents. Despite so many years having passed, the older generation still remembers Magistrate He’s wisdom and kindness!"
After saying this, he hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Your Majesty, the people in the city say... in all these years, they haven’t seen Prefectural Magistrate Hou lead anyone to repair the embankment!"
"Yet this morning, Prefectural Magistrate Hou repeatedly claimed that he repairs it annually, that the embankment is exceedingly strong and has never had any issues!"
"This official is worried..."
Zhao Junyao’s thick brows knitted into a deep frown.
"So you’re saying... it’s highly probable that he hasn’t repaired the embankment at all for many years!"
The fact that there hadn’t been any issues for so many years was not due to luck. It was because his predecessor, Magistrate He, had cared for the people and repaired it annually, making the embankment along the Wei River extremely strong. But after so many years, constantly drawing upon that foundation without replenishing it, it was bound to be exhausted. Even the strongest embankment, left unrepaired for so many years, would struggle to withstand the surging, roaring river waters! Especially since this year, the rainfall has been particularly heavy.
At this thought, Zhao Junyao felt a suffocating anger building in his chest.
He slammed his fist onto the desk. Anger surged through him, causing his eyes to turn slightly bloodshot.
"Damn it! How many more despicable deeds are there that I am unaware of!"
"If I hadn’t made this journey, I might still be completely in the dark!"
He was striving with all his might to be a good Emperor! Yet, he found that even with all his effort, he could still be fooled. The pain in his heart, that blend of disappointment and indignant fury, became a heavy stone pressing down on his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.
"Chen Juzheng!"
Zhao Junyao abruptly lifted his fist.
On the high-quality Huali wood tabletop he had just struck, a fist-sized indentation appeared, fine wood dust rising from it, starkly visible to Chen Juzheng.
He couldn’t help but tremble.
"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"
Zhao Junyao narrowed his eyes.
"I want to meet this Prefectural Magistrate Hou in person!"
Sweat beaded on Chen Juzheng’s forehead out of fright, and he quickly assented.
"This official will arrange it immediately!"
「That evening」
When Governor Chen returned to his residence, Prefectural Magistrate Hou had already dispatched someone to wait in a separate courtyard.
He knew exactly what this meant. Without many words, he followed the man into a carriage.
Before long, they arrived at a place by the Qinhuai River called Wanchun Tower.
"Lord Chen, please, this way!"
The moment Chen Juzheng stepped out of the carriage, he was dumbfounded.
Prefectural Magistrate Hou was too audacious, actually coming directly... to such a place.
To be honest, this was his first time in such an establishment.
"What is it? My lord, you’re not going in?" a man who appeared to be an aide inquired with a half-smile.
Governor Chen let out a cold laugh and strode inside.
In truth, he had never been to such a place before.
Upon entering, he was assaulted by the pungent scent of cosmetics. He was unaccustomed to it and felt extremely uncomfortable. He didn’t know what to do with his hands and feet.
He felt like he was internally collapsing. What business does a decrepit old man, over fifty, have in a place like this? Yet, he couldn’t simply refuse to come. The Emperor was counting on him to get the Prefectural Magistrate drunk and coax information out of him. Alas...
As he walked awkwardly inward, he suddenly heard someone call his name.
Chen Juzheng, who had been keeping his head down, finally looked up. It was none other than Prefectural Magistrate Hou.
"Lord Chen, you’ve finally arrived! I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. Come, come, please come in!"
With that, the aide, without waiting for Chen Juzheng’s reaction, gave him a gentle push.
Chen Juzheng stumbled into a private room.
Prefectural Magistrate Hou glanced at him but didn’t even rise from his seat, greeting him with the air of a lord.
"Lord Chen, come, come, come!"
"My dear Lord Chen, I’ve arranged for several lovely Lady Hongs and ordered plenty of fine wine. Tonight, we shall drink to our hearts’ content!"
He spoke with great casualness, completely devoid of the apprehension and deference he had shown him previously!
This change, of course, Chen Juzheng understood perfectly. Does he think that now he has some leverage, he can act unscrupulously, even treat us as equals, like brothers? How absurd!
Chen Juzheng calmly sat down opposite him.
When the courtesans swarmed to sit on his lap, he scowled and sternly ordered them away.
Prefectural Magistrate Hou looked at him and then asked with a smile, "What’s wrong? Lord Chen doesn’t like the girls? Someone! Tell your madam to send a few more over!"
Chen Juzheng cut him off sternly, saying with anger, "I wonder for what purpose Magistrate Hou has summoned me here so late at night!"
"If there’s nothing of importance, this official shall take his leave!"
With that, he rose as if to depart.
Magistrate Hou hurriedly stopped him.
"Don’t leave, my lord! If you dislike their presence, I’ll have them leave immediately!"
True to his word, he pushed away the girl nestled in his lap.
He bared his portly belly, a malicious grin spreading across his face.
He first poured himself a cup of wine, downed it, and then got to the point.
"Lord Chen, since we both understand how things work, let’s not mince words!"
"Regarding today’s events! This subordinate is fully aware!"
"You... and that Third Master Huang... Heh-heh..."
Prefectural Magistrate Hou, having had a bit too much to drink, was already slightly tipsy.
Prefectural Magistrate Hou’s heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, The fish has taken the bait!
Chen Juzheng feigned hesitation for a moment, then poured himself a cup of wine and downed it in one gulp.
"Since Magistrate Hou is already aware, then this official will not conceal it further!"
"Indeed, Lord Huang and I are acquainted!"
Prefectural Magistrate Hou closed his eyes, shook his head with a smile, and said, "I knew it! But rest assured, Lord Chen, we are cut from the same cloth! I would never harm you!"
"This subordinate summoned Your Lordship today primarily to discuss cooperation!"