"I see!"
Ian Song nodded, then instructed Uncle Gen to keep moving and head to the yamen to report for duty.
The prefectural governor of Frostmarch is Bruce Summers, a third-tier Metropolitan Graduate. He’s known for his rigid personality and obsessive adherence to ritual, almost to a bizarre degree. He’s also famously clean-handed—like a lotus blooming in Valeguard’s bureaucracy.
That’s exactly why he doesn’t fit in with the bureaucracy, has offended people repeatedly, and ended up exiled to Frostmarch, this remote frontier.
Of course, all Bruce Summers' background information came from Ian Song's mentor, Zachary Cai.
Because Frostmarch is on the border and often harassed by barbarians, there’s also a town garrison stationed here. The military commander in charge is Hugh Harris, holding a fifth-rank post. His rank matches the prefectural governor’s, but he’s still under the governor’s authority.
Because Valeguard’s founders originally usurped power through the Chancellor’s office, civil officials have always ranked above military ones.
To limit the Chancellor’s power, the Valeguard regime abolished the post after its founding and replaced it with a Cabinet. Now three elders share the Chancellor’s authority.
If you used a term from another world, he would be called an old angry youth.
Soon enough,
the carriage arrived at the yamen.
Looking up, the entire yamen looked rather run-down. After submitting his credentials, the yamen runners realized Ian Song was the newly appointed prefect and were all shocked. Without even reporting in, they hurried to lead him inside—after all, Ian would soon be one of the masters of this yamen.
The town garrison is not inside the prefectural city, but over twenty li away. After all, soldiers are a rough bunch—if the garrison were built inside the city, there would surely be trouble with soldiers harassing civilians.
So apart from Bruce Summers, Ian Song now holds the highest office here. The yamen runners wouldn’t dare offend him.
After leading Ian Song to the rear hall, the yamen runner went to report to Bruce Summers.
Bruce is the prefectural governor, Ian is the prefect—Bruce outranks him. If things got that bad, Ian would have no choice but to rely on Hugh Harris.
Leon Lane greets the prefect, sir!
"Your subordinate Ian Song greets the prefectural governor!"
Ian Song rose to his feet and saluted.
"Ziyu, no need for such formality! Please, get up quickly!"
Bruce Summers greeted Ian Song warmly and personally helped him up.
After a round of polite greetings, both sides sat down. Bruce Summers introduced the middle-aged man behind him—his adviser, Thomas Shaw.
Leon Lane gave a slight smile. "Prefect, this residence is in the east of the city, covers dozens of mu, and comes fully staffed with new furnishings. You can move in right away!"
"Ziyu, how has your teacher Zachary Cai been lately?" Bruce Summers asked.
Ian Song replied with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, sir. My teacher is well. He told me to listen carefully to your guidance once I arrived in Frostmarch!"
"With Zachary Cai teaching you, you hardly need my guidance! Still, we can certainly exchange ideas." As he spoke, Bruce Summers pulled out an essay he’d written and asked Ian to critique it.
"Damn!"
Ian Song was a bit speechless, but since Bruce was his superior, he had to give him face and took the essay to read.
"Prefect, we don’t have a place to stay. Why didn’t you accept the general’s mansion?" asked Lily, puzzled, in the carriage.
"You’re too young to understand!" Ian Song smiled, not explaining further. Even if he did, Lily probably wouldn’t get it. Bruce Summers is scrupulously honest and can’t tolerate even a speck of dust.
So after finishing the essay, Ian Song tactfully dodged the main issues and instead launched a fierce critique of corruption in Valeguard officialdom. This made Bruce Summers extremely excited—he instantly regarded Ian as a kindred spirit.
Bruce Summers’s enthusiasm soared, and he talked for a full hour without stopping.
In the end, Ian Song had no choice but to interrupt, saying, "Sir, I came to take up my post with my family, and it’s already late. Please allow me to settle them first, and I’ll come visit you again afterward."
Bruce Summers looked disappointed, but didn’t stop Ian. He said, "Go on, Ziyu—don’t keep your family waiting. And if you need any help, just ask. I still have some influence here in Frostmarch city!"
After saying goodbye to Bruce Summers, Ian Song took the carriage out of the yamen, planning to find an inn for the night. It was already late, so buying a house would have to wait until tomorrow.
Bruce is the governor, Ian is the prefect—Bruce outranks him. If things got that bad, Ian would have no choice but to rely on Hugh Harris.
"Leon Lane greets the vice-prefect, sir!"
"Who are you?"
Ian Song stepped out of the carriage, staring at him and then glancing at the men behind. Although they were dressed as ordinary folk, he could tell they all had the bearing of soldiers. If he was right, Leon Lane was probably sent by General Hugh Harris.
"I am a staffer under General Hugh Harris. The general knows you’ve just taken office and likely don’t have a residence yet, so he specially ordered me to deliver a mansion for you!"
"Sir, we don’t have a place to stay. Why didn’t you accept the general’s mansion?" asked Lily, puzzled, in the carriage.
"You’re too young to understand!" Ian Song smiled, not explaining further. Even if he did, Lily probably wouldn’t get it. Bruce Summers is scrupulously honest and can’t tolerate even a speck of dust.
Leon Lane gave a slight smile. "Sir, this residence is in the east of the city, covers dozens of mu, and comes fully staffed with new furnishings. You can move in right away!"
"Your general certainly gets information fast. I’ve only been in the city for a little over an hour, and he already knows!"
At this,
Leon Lane looked rather proud. "In Frostmarch city, there’s nothing my general can’t find out!"
"You may leave now. Go back and tell your general that I appreciate his kindness—I’ll invite him for a drink another day." With that, Ian Song stepped back into his carriage.
Leon Lane’s face darkened. He thought to himself, "This guy really doesn’t know what’s good for him—he dares refuse even the general’s goodwill!"
"Sir, we don’t have a place to stay. Why didn’t you accept the general’s mansion?" asked Little Jade, puzzled, in the carriage.
"You’re too young to understand!" Ian Song smiled, not explaining further. Even if he did, Little Jade probably wouldn’t get it. Bruce Summers is scrupulously honest and can’t tolerate even a speck of dust.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been exiled to Frostmarch.
As for Hugh Harris, as the frontier general commanding five thousand troops, he’s bound to embezzle military funds—he’s a corrupt official.
His gift of a mansion to Ian Song was both a test and an attempt to win him over.
If Ian accepted the mansion, word would quickly reach Bruce Summers. With Bruce’s character, he’d be deeply displeased and might even send a memorial to the court to impeach Ian.
Of course, with Zachary Cai as Ian’s teacher, Bruce Summers might not be able to bring him down, but it would still cause trouble, and their relationship would be ruined.
Bruce is the prefect, Ian is the vice-prefect—Bruce outranks him. If things got that bad, Ian would have no choice but to rely on Hugh Harris.
That’s exactly why the mansion was offered outside the yamen—so Bruce Summers would see it.