Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

That Lord Sun from the Eastern Depot is finally gone!

Hearing the exchange between Lu Chen and Sun Dexiu, Inspector Zhang finally felt a sense of relief.

Lord Sun had warned him that he must not reveal his identity.

It's for the best that he can leave this way now.

These big shots from the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are not people I can afford to offend!

That blind bastard Yan Jingang, he's asking for his own death, but he shouldn't have dragged me down with him.

She was grateful that he had given her his young and beautiful sister as a concubine and that he would occasionally show her respect.

This guy usually claims to be my brother-in-law in public, so I just turn a blind eye and neither admit nor deny it.

But what's going on today?!

If he didn't immediately deny calling someone his brother-in-law in front of so many people, wouldn't he be implicated in the crime of treason?

Fortunately, he acted decisively and ordered that Yan Jingang and all his men be silenced.

He even announced in front of everyone that his third concubine had died suddenly from an illness.

I didn't really expect to hide my little scheme from those two big shots, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot.

However, as long as I act obediently enough, even if they notice something, they probably won't be interested in investigating further.

After all, Yan Jingang, who had actually offended them, and his men were already dead.

Now that Lord Sun has left, as long as we satisfy Lord Lu in front of us, this ordeal will be truly over.

. . .

After Sun Dexiu's figure disappeared through the gambling den's entrance, Lu Chen turned his gaze back and scanned the gambling den's main hall.

Now, he was the only one standing in the entire lobby!

Inspector Zhang, dozens of archers, and even a few gamblers who had dared to hide in a corner watching the excitement and hadn't left since the inspectors arrived, all knelt down.

The object of these people's worship is themselves!

I don't know what exactly happened.

However, the deep bowing gesture that Inspector Zhang performed was something that only low-ranking officials in ancient times would use when meeting high-ranking officials.

Moreover, he formally stated his detailed official position and name, and referred to himself as Lord Lu.

The kneeling ceremony would not be used between officials of similar rank.

In the Ming Dynasty, the chief official of an ordinary county was the magistrate, a seventh-rank official. He was the top official in charge of the county.

In addition, there was a county magistrate of the eighth rank, a registrar of the ninth rank, and two assistant officials.

Most Jinshi graduates start their official careers as county magistrates, holding the rank of seventh grade.

County magistrates and registrars usually only have the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination). It usually takes many years to become a county magistrate, and most Juren only serve as assistant officials for their entire lives.

Except for a very few people who can reach the level of prefect, the county magistrate is the ceiling for the vast majority of successful candidates in the imperial examinations.

The starting point of an official career for a Jinshi (进士) is the end point for a Juren (举人). This is why many scholars who pass the Juren exam are unwilling to enter officialdom directly and instead want to continue to participate in the metropolitan exam to become Jinshi.

These three individuals constitute the core leadership team of a county. The county magistrate, the county assistant magistrate, and the registrar were all officials appointed directly by the imperial court.

In addition, there were clerks in charge of prisons, arrests, and public security; instructors in charge of county school education and student examinations; patrol inspectors in important passes and towns outside the county seat; and granary officials and river and lake officials.

These people are the so-called low-ranking officials, either those of the ninth rank or those without any official rank at all.

The inspector Zhang in front of him was a low-ranking official, a ninth-grade official, the lowest level of nobility.

What level of official would require him to perform such a grand ceremony of kneeling and bowing?

Would an inspector come into contact with his superiors and colleagues within the county?

Of course, it wouldn't be a low-ranking official like a clerk or instructor, and it's unlikely that a registrar or county clerk would be either.

Within the county, the only person who needs to perform the kneeling ceremony during inspections is probably the county magistrate!

In other words, in Inspector Zhang's eyes, his rank was at least equivalent to that of a county magistrate.

How could that be?

"Lu Chen" was clearly just an illegitimate son of a Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) commander, a commoner.

It doesn't matter if you can't figure it out yourself; this Inspector Zhang in front of you must know. Just get the information out of him.

"Inspector Zhang, please rise."

Like the ancient officials he had seen in historical dramas before his transmigration, Lu Chen gently raised his hand and said calmly,

"These thieves dared to lay a hand on me and even injured one of my attendants. They deserve to die."

If it weren't for that chivalrous man who stepped forward just now, I might have already been killed by these thieves.

Inspector Zhang's timely arrival and annihilation of this gang of thieves is a great achievement.

"Thank you for your praise, Lord Lu. I am truly unworthy of such praise."

Upon hearing Lu Chen finally speak, Inspector Zhang bowed deeply to Lu Chen again before slowly rising, bending low as he stood before Lu Chen, and said in a very low voice,

Lord Yuan Xun of the Northern Garrison Command is currently waiting at the Patrol Office.

Please, Lord Lu, accompany me to the Patrol and Inspection Division.

Northern Garrison Command!

So, there's a real Imperial Guard waiting for me at the Inspection Office!

They were Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) who came directly from the capital!

It seems this matter is most likely related to Lu Chen's father, Lu Kun, the General Flag Officer.

Oh no, this could be trouble!

The travel permit for a member of the Imperial Guard family could bring some convenience when passing through customs and staying at inns.

However, at the same time, he also bore the consequences that originally belonged to "Lu Chen" during this period.

This Imperial Guard from the capital is looking for the real "Lu Chen"!

It's not me, the imposter!

Should I go to the patrol station with this patrol inspector?

If he doesn't take himself back, how will Inspector Zhang explain himself to Lord Yuan?

Lu Chen glanced at the dozens of archers still kneeling; he knew he had no choice but to go!

Never mind, let's go first and figure it out later!

If things really come to the point where we have to take action, there's not much difference between the patrol office and here!

Maybe things will take a turn for the better?

"Lu Chen" has never been to the capital, and even Lu Kun himself might not be able to immediately recognize that he is not the real "Lu Chen".

The person who came here is surnamed Yuan, not Lu, so it's more likely that you won't recognize him.

Even if the worst happens and my identity is discovered, so what?

There are no high walls in Wadian Town. If I want to leave, the few people in the patrol office can't stop me!

When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it!

. . .

The patrol office of Wadian Town, the study in the back office.

"This must be Lu Chen, the prodigy of Chief Lu Kun's family."

Upon seeing Inspector Zhang enter with a richly dressed young man, Yuan Xun immediately rose from his official chair, cupped his hands in greeting, and said...

"Indeed, you are a distinguished gentleman. I am Yuan Xun, and I am here to greet Young Master Lu on the orders of Lord Lu Bing, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."