The playboy county magistrate

At Zhenxiguan, the peace treaty was finalized, and the whole country was at peace.

The letter from the northern desert kingdom, the alliance documents, and the newly drawn border map, all requested by Li Xuanzhi, were delivered to the city gate.

For a full half month after the northern deserts submitted to the emperor, the northern deserts were relatively well-behaved.

"Now that the border is secure, the imperial court's reward is likely imminent."

Li Xuanzhi put down his pen, lightly rubbing the pages with his fingertips, and smiled as he looked at his wife, who was filled with emotion.

"The Emperor will decide on the merits and demerits, rewards and punishments. I only wish for the safety of the country and the peace of the people, and to remain true to my principles."

Even so, he understood perfectly.

This achievement is far beyond what ordinary achievements can compare to.

Without bloodshed or depletion of the national treasury, the two cities were subjugated, the enemy vassals were made subjugated, and the border troubles were eliminated forever, thus establishing a century of peace and stability for the western pass of Dayong.

This achievement resonated even more deeply with the government and the public than the new policies.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside.

"The imperial edict from the capital has arrived!"

The loud, penetrating voice of the announcement immediately brought the soldiers on duty in the courtyard to their feet, and all the civil and military officials straightened their clothes and looked solemn.

Li Xuanzhi and Pei Qingyuan exchanged a glance, their gazes hardening slightly, before Li Xuanzhi slowly stepped forward to receive the imperial decree.

A court eunuch, carrying a bright yellow imperial edict, appeared travel-worn yet possessed an extraordinary air. A troop of imperial guards followed behind him, approaching swiftly.

The eunuch unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Li Xuanzhi, the Minister in charge of the Northwest Border Defense, was appointed to a critical mission. He thwarted treacherous schemes, cleared the court of slander, recovered the lost border cities, and ended a century-old border calamity. With his wisdom, he secured the borders for thousands of miles. With his own responsibility, he safeguarded the territory for ten thousand generations."

"In just a few months, the rebellion was quelled and the people were brought at peace. This achievement is extraordinary and rarely seen in history, which deeply comforts my heart."

"Li Xuanzhi is hereby summoned to return to the capital immediately to report to the court. All subsequent defense work in the Northwest is entrusted to Commander Zhou Lin. This is the imperial decree!"

Civil and military officials all turned their heads and bowed, their eyes filled with envy.

It should be noted that Li Xuanzhi is still young, yet his power, prestige, and achievements are all among the best in the court and among the people.

His return to the capital this time will inevitably lead to a promotion. He will likely enter the central government and join the highest echelons of power in the court.

Li Xuanzhi bowed to receive the imperial edict, taking the heavy, bright yellow decree from his fingertips, and replied calmly and respectfully:

"My lord, I obey your order."

The eunuch smiled gently, stepped forward half a step, and whispered a compliment.

"Lord Li, His Majesty has already reserved a new official position for you, awaiting your return to the capital. We wish you all the best in advance."

How could Li Xuanzhi not understand the meaning behind it?

He doesn't lack those gold and silver things now. People have gone to all this trouble just to make a good impression and leave a positive impression, right?

The eunuchs in the palace, especially those who could deliver imperial edicts, were not easy to approach.

If you can build a good relationship with someone like that, you'll have an extra pair of eyes in the palace in the future.

As for how much those eyes can see for him, that's hard to say. But in any case, at least he's not completely blind.

There was nothing he could do; with so many women in the emperor's harem, Li Xuanzhi only knew one empress.

Other court officials also had sisters, daughters, and nieces serving as concubines in the palace, or at the very least, aunts and maternal aunts.

Only Li Xuanzhi truly had nothing; he didn't even have a familiar eunuch or palace maid.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the Emperor and Empress were willing to confide in him and Pei Qingyuan a little more.

Pei Qingyuan had prepared a large pile of bulging purses well in advance. Apart from the largest and heaviest one in the hands of the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree, everyone else who came from the capital received one.

After the eunuchs and imperial guards happily withdrew to rest, the civil and military officials present all stepped forward to offer their congratulations.

"Congratulations, sir! Your successful return to the capital will bring you great fortune and a meteoric rise in your career!"

"Your Excellency has been stationed at the border for several months, stabilizing the border situation and safeguarding the vast land. This promotion is truly well-deserved!"

Every congratulatory message came from the bottom of his heart, and everyone admired him.

Li Xuanzhi raised his hand to signal everyone to stand up, his expression still calm and composed, without the slightest hint of arrogance.

"The stability of the border is due to the blood and sweat of all the soldiers who fought to protect it, and the diligent assistance of the local officials. Xuanzhi was merely following the trend and doing his duty."

"After I return to the capital, you all must continue to perform your duties diligently, work together to protect the people of the border region, and live up to the trust placed in you by the court and the prosperity of this peaceful era."

"We will heed your instructions!"

Pack their bags, hand over defense duties, and get ready for the journey.

A day passes by in a flash.

The next morning.

The soldiers of Zhenxiguan lined up to see him off, civil and military officials stood along the street, and thousands of people spontaneously gathered in the streets and alleys to watch this meritorious official set off to return to the capital.

Since setting off from Zhenxiguan, the journey has taken more than twenty days.

The days of travel did not leave Li Xuanzhi showing any signs of fatigue; on the contrary, it washed away the somber atmosphere of the border region that had prevailed for months. His features became even more refined and clear, and he appeared calm and composed.

Pei Qingyuan sat to one side, flipping through the secret reports from the capital that had been delivered along the way, and quietly sorting out the recent situation.

"The major families and long-established nobles in the capital have been unusually well-behaved this past month. It seems that no one dares to show their face and cause trouble, and they are all waiting to see what the Emperor will do."

Li Xuanzhi said calmly, "After suffering so many losses, even a pig would know to be honest and obedient. However, the more obedient they are, the more they fear and resent it."

……

Outside the capital, there is a ten-mile-long pavilion.

The once bustling official road, teeming with carriages and pedestrians, is now completely cleared.

On both sides of the road, civil and military officials lined up according to their ranks, their robes of scarlet, blue, black and purple arranged in layers, clearly distinguishing their order, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, the Six Ministries Ministers, members of the imperial family and nobles, and upright officials of the court—all those of rank in the capital were present.

The entire city's residents were kept far away, craning their necks in anticipation and awe.

Everyone is waiting for one person—

Li Xuanzhi, the meritorious official who single-handedly guarded the border and quelled the turmoil between the two countries.

"They're here!"

Someone uttered a soft cry, and everyone's gaze focused on the end of the official road.

A simple, clean, and dignified ebony carriage slowly rolled in.

We came to a steady stop in front of the ten-mile pavilion.

Li Xuanzhi was the first to alight from the carriage, standing in the morning light, exuding unparalleled elegance and nobility.

Despite his young age, he possessed an aura that surpassed that of all civil and military officials.

Pei Qingyuan followed closely behind and got out of the car, standing quietly beside him, calm and composed.

The next moment, all the officials bowed in unison, their imposing presence resounding throughout the countryside.

"We warmly welcome Lord Li back to the capital!"

Such an honor has never been enjoyed by any court official or border hero throughout the entire history of the Great Yong Dynasty.

Even the founding generals and veteran ministers who assisted the country had never been greeted by the entire court of civil and military officials outside the Shili Pavilion.

Li Xuanzhi raised his hand in a gesture of support, his voice clear and calm.

"My lords, please excuse the formalities. It is my duty to defend the country and its territory; I dare not accept such a grand gesture."

He was humble and measured, calm and composed, without a trace of arrogance or haughtiness.

He is not arrogant despite his achievements, nor is he impatient despite his power.

Such a mindset and character far surpasses that of countless senior officials in the imperial court.

The Minister of Personnel stepped forward, his face solemn, and said in a loud voice—

"His Majesty has arrived outside the Meridian Gate, awaiting Lord Li's arrival to report to the court. Lord Li, please enter the palace immediately!"

"My lord, I obey your order."

Li Xuanzhi nodded slightly, without delaying in the slightest.