Early the next morning, Xia Fan was awakened by a knock on the door.
Isn’t it possible that someone will be tricked by Master and come to him to solve supernatural problems
After traveling a long distance and being busy until midnight yesterday, he just wanted to have a good sleep.
"Which one?"
Across the door panel, Xia Fan rubbed his eyes and asked.
"Is this Mr. Xia? I'm an errand from the county government, and I'm here to deliver a message to Mr. Xia."
Fenghua County Yamen
His heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously glanced at the back room. Could it be that the fox demon was exposed? But he quickly rejected this speculation. If it was really about a demon, the person knocking on the door would definitely be the Privy Council Warlock, and the county government would not get involved in such troubled waters.
Even so, Xia Fan still opened the door halfway and blocked the doorway. "What oral message?"
The visitor wore a black scarf on his head, a navy blue slit robe, and a red belt around his waist. Judging from his attire, he was indeed an official. He bowed his hands and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Xia, for passing the civil service examination. Your appointment and dismissal letter has been sent to the county government. Please come with me so that the county magistrate can personally deliver the document to you."
So fast? Didn't it take half a month anyway
Xia Fan couldn't help but be a little surprised. When did Qiguo's logistics system become so efficient? The results of the scholar examination should be sent to the Gyeonggi Privy Council Office first, and then the appointment and dismissal orders will be sent down to the local Privy Council Offices at different levels after being distributed according to their grades. Being able to arrive at Fenghua County at the same time as him is an understatement.
"Hold on."
Xia Fan returned to his room and explained to the fox demon, then followed him to the county government office.
"By the way, what's your name?"
"Just call me Li Xing."
"How did you know that I stayed in this inn?" Xia Fan asked pretending to be casual.
"Hahaha, Mr. Xia didn't know something. The adults who sent the appointment and dismissal orders emphasized that the documents must be handed over to the candidates as soon as possible. We didn't know much about Mr. Xia. We only knew two things at the time." Li Xing held out two fingers. , "First, you haven't arrived in Fenghua County yet; second, you are not on the household registration list and have no fixed residence. So I thought of a way and notified all the inns in the county in advance. If someone claiming to be Xia Fan checks in, the innkeepers must immediately Report to the county government."
"I see, but if I don't stay in a hotel, but choose a B&B..."
"Then there's nothing we can do." Li Xing smiled, "That's how it is when doing errands. There are orders from above, so we just do our best. As for whether we can succeed or not, it depends on luck. Fortunately, my luck is pretty good this time. . Of course, even if I don’t find you, Master, you will report to the county office sooner or later, at most it will be a few days late. Who can say that a few days late will not be the ‘first time’?”
Xia Fan couldn't help but look at him twice.
This person is really interesting, I'm afraid he is not an ordinary official.
At least speaking clearly and speaking in an orderly manner are not something ordinary low-level government officials can do.
After arriving at the county government office, Li Xing opened the main door directly and led him in.
This was the first time Xia Fan had set foot on the official territory of Daqi. Just as he was thinking about what kind of etiquette he should adopt when facing the magistrate, a middle-aged man wearing a green robe and a hat on his head took the initiative to greet him.
This person is undoubtedly the parent officer of Fenghua County.
Before Xia Fan could hand over his hand, the other party had already grabbed his arm and said, "I am the magistrate of Fenghua County, Yang Guangrong. I'm finally waiting for the young master. Mr. Xia doesn't need to be polite. This is not a formal occasion. There is no need to leave in a formal manner." Official stuff."
"Master Yang—"
"Hey, just call me Yang Zhixian." He waved his hand, "I am an official, and Mr. Xia is also an official, so why should I be called so outspoken?"
No, the magistrate is so approachable? Xia Fan was greatly surprised. Although the alchemist had an official title, the newly promoted ones were equivalent to the eighth rank, and the county magistrate was also the seventh rank. The difference between the first level is indeed not big, but there is still a distinction between high and low. The other party is not arrogant but can be said to be of noble character. It is obviously abnormal to be so familiar with each other.
"This is Mr. Xia's appointment and dismissal letter, please keep it." Yang Zhixian waved his hand, and someone immediately brought a bag forward.
"Can I open it and take a look?" Xia Fan asked.
"Of course." He smiled, "There are scissors in the main hall. It's better to go inside to see them."
Xia Fan naturally agreed. This bag feels like it is made of cowhide, and the seal is tightly sewn with thread. It is really difficult to open it with your hands. Using waterproof and moisture-resistant leather to make the document bag instead of the common wrapping paper or cloth also shows the strength of the Privy Council from the side.
After twisting the sealing line and opening the bag, the seal inside also tore apart - this proves that this bag has never been opened by another person. Pulling out a piece of snowflake paper, Xia Fan directly skipped the previous foreshadowing and jumped to the final part of the appointment and dismissal area.
"After receiving this order, I will immediately take up a post in Shenzhou Jinxia City..." He muttered silently, and at the same time, a sense of familiarity came to his mind. Why was the name of this place so familiar? It was as if he had heard it somewhere.
"Excuse me, where is Jinxia City?" He simply asked the magistrate.
"Ah haha... It seems that Mr. Xia is not very familiar with me, Shenzhou." Yang Zhixian chuckled, "Jinxia is in the east of this county, not far away. It can be reached in one day by riding a fast horse. It is also the capital of Shenzhou. .”
This county... the east
Shenzhou...the capital
The fragmented geographical knowledge in Xia Fan's mind was instantly connected - the boundary of Fenghua County seemed to be Shenzhou, and the Privy Council Office he was going to serve in was not some nameless "township office", but The leader of a state!
No wonder he felt familiar when he saw this place name.
Before he settled in Fenghua County, he had already been wandering around the territory of Shenzhou with Master Baian for quite some time.
Wait, could this be the reason why the magistrate was so polite to him
Jinxia is not only a city, but also the core of Shenzhou. Its administrative level is much larger than that of a county. The rank can only indicate the level of the official title, but cannot reflect the inherent attributes such as position and power. Coupled with the characteristics of the Privy Council itself, it is not incomprehensible for the magistrate to treat him like this.
"Xia Fan?"
Suddenly a familiar voice came from behind him.
Xia Fan turned around, and Wei Wushuang's shocked and joyful expression came into his eyes.
"Isn't this Young Master Wei from Dawanliang Store?" Yang Zhixian bowed his hand to him, "Finally, I've invited you too."
Wei Wushuang was flattered and bowed repeatedly, "I've met Mr. Yang, but I didn't expect you to still remember me. Father asked me to say hello to you..."
The county magistrate was not as familiar with Xia Fan as he was with Xia Fan. Instead, he nodded slightly after receiving the gift, "Shopkeeper Wei is interested."
"His appointment and dismissal order has also come?"
"Yes, just like you. Both of you will become members of the Shenzhou Privy Council."
"Shenzhou?" Wei Wushuang said in surprise, "That's great, it's such a close place, and it's with Brother Xia!"
Xia Fan glanced at Magistrate Yang with some surprise. They were both alchemists going to Jinxia City to take office, but his attitude was very different. Could it be that the reason he thought was not accurate
The latter seemed not to have noticed this at all, stroking his hands cheerfully and saying, "If there is any evil in this county from now on, I hope you two will take care of it."