Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Chapter 1200 The Number One Sycophant in the Government Office

The atmosphere in the council hall was heavy. Apart from Xu Yunyan and Jiang Zhiming, no one else dared to look up at Shen Zheng.

Shen Zheng tapped her knuckles lightly on the table and looked at the assembled officials: "Have you all heard about what happened today?"

After a moment of silence in the hall, Yi Mingli, seeing that no one else dared to answer, could only bite the bullet and reply, "Reporting to you, sir, I have already informed you of the general situation on the way here."

“Alright.” Shen Zheng nodded, then suddenly asked, “I would like to hear your thoughts.”

"......"

Silence fell over the hall once again.

Shen Zheng's expression darkened slightly as he leaned back in his chair: "The day Lord Shen and I arrived at the government office, how did you boast to me? That officials and people were of one mind? That you could handle everything properly? Is this your 'property'?"

When Shen Zheng said the word "appropriate," her voice rose, and everyone shuddered, their faces showing difficulty.

Prefect Huo Tao forced a smile and said, "Your Excellency, it's not that I'm trying to shirk responsibility, but I've never heard of 'spiritual powder' before. Now, with no laws to follow and no way to ascertain its origin, I truly... don't know where to begin..."

Shen Zheng's gaze lingered on Huo Tao's face for a long time before she nodded: "I understand. You are worried that I am exaggerating the harm of 'Spirit Powder' and that my Liuyang Prefecture will become the target of public criticism, is that right?"

Shen Zheng wasn't surprised that they would think that way.

After all, such a bizarre poisonous creature had never appeared in the previous Great Zhou Dynasty. It was understandable that the officials found it hard to accept and were afraid to kill the mosquito with their swords.

Even so, not being fully trusted by her subordinates still left Shen Zheng feeling weary.

If we cannot even unite our own people, how can we talk about joining forces to fight against external threats and safeguard peace in our region?

"You lot..." Jiang Zhiming slapped the table and stood up, looking at the officials with a helpless expression: "What can I say to you? You weren't there today, you didn't see the miserable state of those two rats with your own eyes, that's why you think Lord Shen is exaggerating. But let me tell you, that poison is really powerful! It can captivate people's souls and drain their life force. Once a person is infected, there is no going back!"

The officials were stunned. Jiang Zhiming continued, "Whether you believe it or not, I'll make this clear: Lord Shen's opinion is my opinion. Lord Shen's opinion on that poison is my opinion!"

Jiang Zhiming spoke passionately, spittle flying everywhere in the air. Shen Zheng calmly raised her right hand, pretending to rub her forehead, but actually blocking the spittle flying towards her.

Once the spittle had mostly cleared, Shen Zheng withdrew her hand and looked at everyone: "You all came in a hurry and haven't even gone to see Huai Shaoyong yet, have you?"

The officials were taken aback by her question and all shook their heads.

“Go and take a look.” Shen Zheng waved his hand and said, “He is the best example. I don’t want to say more. Go and ask the doctor who treated him what his condition is now, and then come back and we can discuss it again.”

The officials obeyed and rose, hesitantly stepping out of the hall and heading towards the back office.

Halfway there, Prefect Huo Tao stopped Yi Mingli, looking annoyed: "Lord Yi, did I... offend Lord Shen just now?"

Yi Mingli was pulled off balance by him and turned around: "It's good that you know."

Huo Tao choked, catching up with Yi Mingli: "But none of you expressed your opinions just now, so what could I say? This matter happened so suddenly; no other government office could make a decision so immediately, could they? I just feel that Lord Shen is being too hasty. If the poison isn't that potent, wouldn't we be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, making ourselves a laughingstock to the other government offices? Also... the autumn harvest is just around the corner. No matter what, we must prioritize the harvest before discussing anything else, right? After all, ensuring the people have enough to eat is the most important matter concerning people's livelihood..."

"Alright, alright, alright." Yi Mingli interrupted Huo Tao impatiently, "Didn't the lord say that we would discuss this after we have seen Huai Shaoyong's current situation? What's the use of you grabbing me and saying this now? You don't even dare to fart in front of the lord!"

"You!" Huo Tao blushed red from his sarcasm: "I don't dare to let it out, but you dare to? You'd rather hold back your poop even if it's already showing, wouldn't you?"

The two men's conversation grew increasingly disgusting, and Magistrate Ning Bufan, unable to bear it any longer, quickly interrupted, "My lords, we should hurry back; Lord Shen is waiting..."

No sooner had they finished speaking than an unfamiliar soldier hurried past them, not even bothering to greet them.

Ning Bufan's gaze lingered briefly on the soldier before turning to Huo Tao, his tone steady: "Lord Huo, I understand your considerations. You believe that this year, the prefecture is planting high-yield rice on a large scale for the first time, and regardless of the circumstances, the autumn harvest should be the top priority. We must not allow other matters to delay the harvest..."

Huo Tao nodded vigorously upon hearing this.

He was about to say, "You are truly remarkable to know me," when Ning Bufan changed the subject and said, "But I believe that we are extremely fortunate to be able to work with Lord Shen! Therefore, no matter what the situation, we should prioritize Lord Shen's decisions. After all, Lord Shen has the wisdom to govern the world and cares for the common people. He would never harm the people in the prefecture without good reason."

"..."

Huo Tao looked at Ning Bufan, his eyes filled with disbelief.

After holding it in for a long time, he finally managed to utter, "So you're the number one sycophant in the government office."

Ning Bufan smiled faintly: "These are my heartfelt words."

Huo Tao took a deep breath and asked sincerely, "Have you ever thought about competing with Prefect Jiang?"

Ning Bufan shook his head, his smile still present: "I cannot match Prefect Jiang's level of understanding."

Huo Tao clenched his jaw and kicked his feet without saying another word.

After turning through the connecting corridor, the officials arrived at the house where Huai Shaoyong was to be housed.

A stench came over me.

"What's that smell?!" Everyone immediately raised their sleeves to cover their mouths and noses.

.......

"Tuk-tuk-tuk-"

There was a knock on the council chamber door.

Jiang Zhiming assumed the prefectural official had returned so quickly, and as he turned to look, he asked, "Gentlemen, what do you think...?"

Upon recognizing the person knocking, Jiang Zhiming paused, his face showing displeasure: "Didn't you see I was discussing important matters with Lord Shen? Whatever it is, come down and we'll talk."

"My lord..." The servant instinctively took half a step forward, his brow furrowed with anxiety, "The guards just reported that this matter cannot be delayed, I dare not be negligent..."

"Can't we delay?" Jiang Zhiming frowned, finally stood up, and said to Shen Zheng, "Lord Shen, please excuse me for a moment..."

Although Shen Zheng was somewhat curious, she did not ask any further questions and raised her hand, saying, "Please go ahead, Lord Jiang."