The Resolute Cannon Fodder Teaching In Ancient Time

Chapter 54: Fifty-Four Treasures ✨

The courier report arrived late; the new official was already on their way. Xu Zhen enjoyed a few more days of leisure, spending her days drinking tea at the teahouse, occasionally teaching students, and visiting Xiaochun at the barracks in the evenings. She often wanted to express her feelings to Xiaochun, but there were always people around, making her too embarrassed to speak.

One day, the female officer approached Xu Zhen and said, “The new official has arrived.”

Xu Zhen, who was sitting on the ground playing with a local dog, paused and said, “So soon?”

“They’ve been traveling for a few days,” the female officer explained. “I’m not in good shape to go alone, so I’ll accompany you. It should be the Chief Clerk.”

Xu Zhen asked, “Chief Clerk? The assistant to the Governor? Shouldn’t they be with the Governor? Why come to Pingliang?”

The female officer responded, “The Governor used to reside in Pingliang.”

Xu Zhen recalled that when she first arrived in Pingliang, the Governor was indeed staying in the county. Later, for some reason, he moved elsewhere.

She wanted to ask the female officer more about it.

The female officer mentioned, “The Duke is also here, and he has a good relationship with the Governor. They often meet at the Longmen Teahouse.”

Xu Zhen nodded, recalling the previous travel pass issue and understanding the connection. She knew of the Governor, but as for the Duke... Was there truly such a distinguished figure in Pingliang?

It seemed this small town was indeed full of hidden talents.

Xu Zhen placed the stick she had been using to play with the dog by the steps and stood up alongside the female officer.

The female officer, supporting her back, was about to say more when noises erupted outside.

The rusty bronze gate slowly opened, creating just enough space for a carriage to pass through. Two old soldiers shouted hoarsely from within, “They’re here!”

The new official had arrived.

The female officer and Xu Zhen quickly went to the door to greet them, joined by the simple-minded girl and the two old soldiers.

The wind and sand blew against them, causing their cotton clothes to flap, and the sandstorm nearly blinded them.

In the distance, a carriage approached, kicking up yellow dust, silhouetted against the rising sun and the lonely smoke of the desert.

The galloping horse, pulling the carriage, soon reached the city gate.

As the carriage stopped, Xu Zhen was about to bow in greeting. Unexpectedly, someone alighted from the carriage, hurried to stop her from bowing, and first paid her a great deal of respect.

Xu Zhen was stunned, unable to react.

The person, in a hushed voice, called out, “Teacher.”

Not only was Xu Zhen surprised, but even those around were taken aback. The new Chief Clerk, while not a high-ranking official, was someone who had passed the autumn trial directly and came to Pingliang, a feat not easily accomplished. If this person performed well in the palace examination next year, they could rise swiftly in the ranks and hold significant positions in the palace.

Such people usually had the right to be proud of their talents. Yet here they were, showing such respect to a teacher, addressing Xu Zhen as “teacher.” Xu Zhen was just an ordinary tutor who hadn’t even passed the imperial examinations.