Chapter 328: Chapter 188: South of the Governor’s County

Translator: 549690339

Sun Siwen left the government office and then led a group of his trusted followers to head back to Luyang.

They galloped all the way, traveling day and night, very swiftly.

As the people followed him saw that their lord was in high spirits and smiling since he had left the government office, they could not help but feel curious.

Having hurried for two days and leaving Yangshan Prefecture, Su Tai, a guard who had followed Sun Siwen for nearly five years, couldn’t help asking, “My lord, I noticed that you couldn’t help but smile after meeting General Pingxi and then hurried back to Luyang.

Could it be that something great has happened?”

Su Tai was a Jianghu guest whom Sun Siwen had taken in from Shaoyang Prefecture when he was newly promoted to be the magistrate of Wugang County a few years ago. With strength ranked third-rate and having trained four meridians, he had always served as Sun’s personal bodyguard.

After several years of staying together, Su Tai gradually gained Sun Siwen’s trust.

Likewise, Su Tai knew how close their lord was to General Pingxi.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them close friends who entrusted each other with their lives.

So this time, after General Pingxi defeated a hundred thousand Miao thieves and regained control of the southern three prefectures, he hastily summoned their lord.

There must be an important matter to entrust, and this was clear.

But Su Tai couldn’t quite understand that even if General Pingxi had an important matter to entrust, at most he would only ask his lord to move from being the Prefect of Luyang to that of Yangshan or one of the other two newly recovered prefectures.

This was just a lateral move, and even the southern three prefectures had just been recovered and were in a state of decline, far less prosperous than Luyang.

Coming here would only mean doing more work and trouble, not happiness.

It’s true that their lord was a good official who worked hard for the people and was willing to do practical work.

But he wouldn’t be happy all the way to now.

Including Su Tai, more than ten people in the entourage felt puzzled.

In fact, for them, leaving the increasingly prosperous Luyang Prefecture to suffer in the poor southern three prefectures was not a pleasing choice.

However, if their lord were really transferred here, they would follow him out of loyalty.

But they wouldn’t be as happy.

Hearing the inquiry from his trusted followers, Sun Siwen turned around, looked at everyone, and naturally understood what they were thinking.

However, he wasn’t angry.

People followed him not only out of affection but also for the sake of a promising future and wealth, and no one wanted to follow someone to suffer hardships everywhere.

Thinking that he would do many big things in the future and needed close people to help, he said with a smile, “Well, there is indeed a great event. This time, I met with the general, and he appointed me as the Prefect of Yangshan Prefecture and asked me to take charge of the government affairs of Yangshan Prefecture.

After returning, I will prepare to transfer officials and accompany me to Yangshan Prefecture for my new post.”

Upon hearing this, Su Tai and the others thought, as expected.

However, before they could continue to feel worried, they heard their lord say, “In addition to serving as the Prefect of Yangshan Prefecture, the general also asked me to supervise the southern three prefectures. Besides Yangshan Prefecture, the other two prefectures of Jiuyi and Lingling will also be under my supervision.

With such an important responsibility, I will naturally do my best to govern the three prefectures well and live up to the general’s trust.

Do you not think this is worth being happy about?”

At these words, Su Tai and the others were all taken aback.

After they had recovered, smiles also appeared on their faces.

Some of them even looked happier than Sun Siwen.

“Didn’t expect my lord to be entrusted with such an important task.”

“Yes, supervising three prefectures. Isn’t this position comparable to a small governor?”

“Indeed, I always knew that the relationship between General Pingxi and my lord is very strong. This meeting was not to make my lord suffer. What other prefect in the world has the honor of supervising three prefectures?”

“With our lord receiving such an important position, we who follow him will also be prosperous and honored.”

The many accompanying guards could not help but beam with joy, congratulating and flattering him.

As the saying goes, when one man ascends, everyone around him benefits.

With Sun Siwen supervising the three prefectures, the status and position of these trusted guards would naturally rise.

High officials had high-ranking officials in front of their doors, and although their lord could not be compared with the prime minister, they could at least mix with officials of the seventh or eighth rank, right?

How could they not be happy about that?

“Alright, don’t be happy.”

Seeing the guards getting carried away, Sun Siwen had to put on a serious face and said, “I am telling you right now, you all know my personality. I was entrusted with such an important responsibility by the general and given the chance to supervise the three prefectures; this is his trust in me.

So after taking up the post in Yangshan, you all must be cautious and not use my name to act recklessly, accept bribes or cause harm to the region.

Otherwise, if I find out, everyone will be punished by the law, and I will show no mercy.”

Hearing this, the guards looked solemn. Having followed Sun Siwen for a long time, they knew his temperament.

They knew their lord was serious, not joking.

So they all said, “My lord, rest assured, we have followed you for so long, and you don’t know our character? We would never do anything excessive that tarnishes your reputation.”

Hearing their words, Sun Siwen relaxed slightly and smiled again, saying, “You can also rest assured. I will not treat you poorly if you follow me. The southern three prefectures have just been established, and there is still a lack of various officials, inspectors, catch officers, and patrol inspectors in the prefectures and counties.

If you can establish achievements, as close comrades, how could I mistreat you?