Chapter 488 Eating

After some polite greetings, Grandpa Hou explained his purpose for coming. After all, if a big merchant came to Liuma County to open a workshop or store, their business would definitely be affected. If they couldn't handle it, they might have to close down for good.
"Is what Miss Zhan providing a type of food?" Grandpa Hou pondered.
Although they hadn't inquired into Miss Zhan's background, they knew that her companion, He Nuan, was not just a kung fu practitioner, but also an expert cook. He Nuan prepared all three of Miss Zhan's daily meals, and her soups, in particular, filled the inn with a mouth-watering aroma.
The county magistrate Zhu had already suppressed his anger and politely spoke to the former three-rank official, Marquis Hou: "Jiangnan has always been prosperous, and many families have a few secret recipes for delicacies."
Although it is said that the first generation works hard to provide for the second generation, and the second generation focuses on dressing well, and the third generation values education and culture, ordinary merchants and traders with some wealth only indulge in expensive delicacies. They choose whatever ingredient is expensive and flaunt their extravagance by ordering a dish worth ten taels of silver.
The Ke family, a prestigious clan, pays attention even to a dish of vegetarian cuisine. A small lotus leaf and lotus seed soup may seem like a simple lotus seed soup at first glance, but it is actually very particular about the utensils used.
……
The silence spread in the room, and the expression on County Magistrate Zhu's face looked even worse than before. His imposing presence made it difficult to even breathe.
In this eerie and dangerous atmosphere, Deputy Magistrate Wei remained calm as he looked at the sitting opposite him, Zhan Feiyu. The young girl, however, was completely unfazed, sitting delicately in her chair, holding a teacup in her hand, as if leisurely enjoying tea in her own backyard.
The Weixian magistrate who had averted his gaze looked back at the Zhu County magistrate sitting upright in the main seat, not angry but awe-inspiring. "If the business of selling meat can harm innocent civilians in the military, would the magistrate be afraid of being charged with dereliction of duty by the inspector general?" Zhan Feiyu asked back with an equally cold attitude.
“Miss Zhan, are you trying to handle official business with me?” With a bang, the magistrate slammed the teacup back onto the table, speaking sternly: “Someone take the murder suspect of the Huang family case and detain them in the prison!”
，偏偏湛非鱼要求大人把面块也成本价卖入到军营之中。
俗话说的好断人钱财如杀人父母，湛非鱼此举也难怪大人会翻脸无情。
If it were an ordinary ten-year-old girl, she would probably have been intimidated by the official power of County Magistrate Zhu, but Zhan Feiyu's expression remained unchanged. "Huang Baocai has already been buried, and the murderer Dong Guizhi has also signed and sealed. This case was reported to the Inspection Bureau by the magistrate yesterday. Are you sure you want to overturn the case?"
Not afraid of confrontation at all, Zhan Feiyu hooked the corners of his mouth, the white and tender bun face filled with a mocking smile, "Aren't you afraid that the investigation will eventually expose Cheng County's mastermind? The prestigious County Magistrate of Liuxian County is actually colluding with traffickers, engaging in activities that take people's lives. As the father and mother official of Liuxian County, do you not know anything at all, or are you also involved in such wrongdoing?"
If you don't know, then Magistrate Zhu doesn't need to hold this position. He is so incompetent and incapable that no one dares to let him manage a region, especially since Magistrate Zhu didn't even participate in the imperial examination. His position as a magistrate was arranged by the Zhu family using their connections. If we investigate further, it might even implicate the Zhu family.
If Zhu County Magistrate knew about Cheng County Captain's secret dealings, then it goes without saying that collusion among county officials is an offense that can avoid death penalty but not punishment.
It's estimated that Zhu County Magistrate is used to being the final authority in Liu County. With such an aggressive and overbearing attitude from Zhan Feiyu, his twisted and contorted facial expression reveals his wrath. As a former military commander, the killing intent emanating from his body seems enough to eviscerate Zhan Feiyu alive.
"Okay, very good!" squeezed out from between the teeth, County Magistrate Zhu laughed in anger, "Today I really made a fool of myself, being mocked by a little yellow-haired girl!"
In the view of County Magistrate Zhu, Zhan Feiyu is so fearless because the case of Huang Baocai has been concluded, and Zhan Feiyu is not afraid of the yamen reopening the case. After all, if the case is reopened, the first person to be held accountable will be County Magistrate Zhu.
"Zhan Fei Yu, don't forget that you are still in Liuxian at the moment. Without my permission, do you think you and your three companions can leave the boundaries of Liuxian?" County Magistrate Zhu sneered, the case of Huang Baocai has already been closed, so what? As long as he is willing, there will be a second Huang Baocai, a third Huang Baocai!"
This little girl has really made the adults angry, otherwise the adults would not argue with a little girl, let alone say such threatening words.
Zhan Feiyu also stood up and, in a calm and courteous manner, bowed to the chief Zhu magistrate, "If the adults agree, I will wait for you at the Changxing Inn. Anuan, we should go back."
Is that it? Wei, the county magistrate, watched as the master and servant left, couldn't help but sigh and say, "A newcomer does not fear the tiger!"
"This is outrageous!" roared a voice in anger, as the furious Zhu, the county magistrate, slammed the tea cup on the table to the ground, and in his frustrated rage, smashed the dish containing the noodles as well.
Zhan Feiyu was walking leisurely under the corridor, and this leisurely posture was nothing like someone who had just angered County Magistrate Zhu.
The attendant leading the way in front couldn't help but glance back. This girl really has no fear, standing far away but still able to hear the Magistrate's angry shouts, yet she's not afraid at all.
Then I thought of Zhan Feiyu once ordered someone to break Wang Butou and his men's legs and throw them from the second floor. The little officer was not surprised, because he didn't have the guts to do such a thing.
Just then, the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching. Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but look up and saw an old man walking in front, with the guide officer showing a very respectful attitude. Behind the old man were seven or eight people, all wearing silk robes, looking healthy and exuding a sharp look in their eyes.
"Lord Hou." The little official leading the way hurriedly bowed.
Lord Hou smiled and nodded, calmly examining Zhan Feiyu. Today, walking in and out of the county yamen, accompanied by a maidservant, it was obvious that she was the little maid who lived in Changxing Inn.
湛非鱼同样也只是看了一眼迎面而来的几人，却是连招呼也没打，慢悠悠的继续往前走。
看着湛非鱼和何暖拐了弯看不到身影了，站在连廊下的几人面色都难看起来。
"Young in age, but looks down upon everyone!"
"Calling herself a scholar, yet never letting go of the book. Hmph, with this attitude, not only would she not be accepted by noble families, even a village girl would be more refined than her!"
A few wealthy gentlemen who spoke out were worth a fortune, plus Magistrate Zhu treated merchants kindly and they often visited the county office to pay their respects to Magistrate Zhu. The four words for scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants had no effect on them at all, which is why they were so angered by Zhan Feiyu's dismissive attitude.
"Well, let's go see Mr. Zhu with me." Lord Hou smiled instead. A little girl almost got charged with murder, but still dared to stay in Liuxian. She must be either bold and reckless, or confident and fearless. From the situation just now, Lord Hou was more inclined to the latter.
It wasn't until we left the county office and got on the carriage that He Nuan asked, "Miss, the people we just met were merchants from Liuxian. They were able to move around the county office so freely, it seems that County Magistrate Zhu is indeed very tolerant of merchants."
If it's in other places, even a scholar with a title would need to be at least a juren to visit the county magistrate, and it also depends on whether the county magistrate has time.
"They must be here to check on the news," Zhan Feiyu said with a smile. Although the two sides did not exchange pleasantries just now, the looks in the eyes of those few people were full of hostility and exclusion, probably worried that their own business would be suppressed.
Here He Sheng is driving the carriage towards the Changxing Inn, and Hou Ye and a group of merchants and businessmen have already entered the small hall, and the servants have cleaned up the debris on the ground.
"Please take a seat, Old Master." Magistrate Zhu personally greeted Hou Old Master at the door and invited him inside.
Others also greeted one after another, and after some polite greetings, everyone took their seats, and tea was brought out again.
Mr. Hou took a sip of tea from his cup. When he had just entered, a servant had taken a tray out, but there were only two cups on it. Besides the maid who had already left, County Magistrate Zhu and County Chief Wei were both here, so one of the three cups was missing, either broken by accident or deliberately smashed by someone.
Old Master Hou glanced down at the ground, where he could still vaguely see the tea stains that hadn't dried up. The location was in the middle of the small hall, indicating that the teacup was smashed. The only person who would dare to smash a teacup and start a fire in the county office was County Magistrate Zhu.