A thoughtful silence fell.

Finally, the Governor chuckled twice.

Lu Yuan quickly forced a smile in return.

Song Meiqin, at his side, said nothing. She just smiled, stood up, and quickly refilled the teacups for her man and the Governor.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room turned inexplicably jovial.

This left the people waiting outside completely baffled.

’I mean...’

’What’s going on in there?’

’A moment ago, there was a loud CRASH and CLATTER from inside.’

’Now they’re all laughing heartily.’

’I just can’t make heads or tails of it.’

As the three of them were laughing, Lu Yuan clasped his hands and said:

"Your Excellency, what you’re worried about... there’s really no need to worry.

Just as you said, we’re practically family.

How could I possibly act recklessly with a relationship like ours? I am, after all, the uncle to your grandson."

He couldn’t play the family card before.

After all, what standing did he have to claim kinship then?

He was a nobody.

Trying to play the family card at that moment would have been incredibly foolish.

But playing it now was a way of declaring his position.

’We’re all one family.’

’How could I possibly harm you?’

The Governor, of course, understood the implication behind Lu Yuan’s words perfectly.

Some things didn’t need to be said outright.

Still, the Governor couldn’t help but look at Lu Yuan and nod slightly.

"You’re a smart man.

It’s best that you understand. What I fear is a reckless hothead who just makes a mess of things.

In some matters, one doesn’t fear the clever or the stupid, but those who think they’re clever.

That’s when people end up hurting others and themselves."

After speaking, the Governor took a calm sip of tea. He then crossed his legs and looked at Lu Yuan, saying:

"You are very clever, both just now and with that factory you set up.

And the bicycles and tricycles your factory produces... I know all about them. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

For such a clever person to be just a mere merchant or craftsman...

It’s truly a waste of your talents."

Lu Yuan froze. He suddenly realized what the Governor was about to do.

The next second, Lu Yuan hurriedly tried to speak.

But the Governor held up a hand, his expression serious as he said:

"Regarding this incident, the County Magistrate of Taiping City also bears guilt. He certainly won’t be spared.

After the Liu Family’s case is resolved, I will report everything to the Central Secretariat at once.

You will be appointed as the replacement for the County Magistrate of Taiping City.

While it may not follow standard procedure, if I strongly recommend you, I imagine there won’t be any issues.

After all, it’s just a County Magistrate."

’Here it comes.’ The moment the Governor opened his mouth, Lu Yuan knew what this guy was up to.

’He still doesn’t trust me.’

’He’s determined to pull me onto his boat.’

It was understandable. After all, no matter how rosy a picture Lu Yuan had just painted...

...at the end of the day, he wasn’t on the same boat as the Governor.

There was no way the man could truly be at ease.

To put him at ease, Lu Yuan would either have to hand over the newspaper office...

...or get on the boat himself.

Just as Lu Yuan was about to say something, the Governor cut him off, raising his head and declaring:

"This matter is settled.

Though it’s just a County Magistrate, don’t underestimate the position.

You will be the guardian of the several hundred thousand people of Taiping City.

Use your intelligence well. Be a good official.

You’re only in your twenties. With your abilities, a meteoric rise through the ranks is just a matter of time.

After all, we are relatives. We are family!"

With that, the Governor stood up.

"Alright, I still have matters to attend to. I need to go and interrogate the suspects in this case.

I estimate that after the interrogations, I’ll report to the Central Secretariat.

The whole process, back and forth, will take at least three or four months.

Use this time to think carefully about how you will bring prosperity to the people of your district.

When you take office in three or four months, I will personally come with my men to present a formal congratulation."

Having said his piece, the Governor no longer looked at Lu Yuan.

Instead, he turned to Song Meiqin with a smile.

"Meiqin, the hard times are over."

Song Meiqin knew what the Governor meant and nodded, a little shyly.

The Governor then added:

"Ziheng is at home with his mother. He’s been talking about his Aunt Meiqin constantly.

While you’re in the Provincial City these next few days, stay at our home. Don’t stay somewhere else."

Song Meiqin nodded repeatedly.

Then, the Governor simply got up and left.

In the main hall, only Lu Yuan and Song Meiqin remained.

Lu Yuan did not want to be an official.

Song Meiqin knew this too.

So, despite Lu Yuan being made the County Magistrate of Taiping City, the room was not filled with joyous celebration.

Song Meiqin didn’t quite understand why Lu Yuan didn’t want to be an official.

In her eyes, this was a wonderful thing.

A County Magistrate in his twenties.

She had also heard the Governor’s words clearly just now.

Didn’t he basically say that he would be Lu Yuan’s backer from now on?

’We are all one family.’

As long as Lu Yuan didn’t make any mistakes, even the slightest political achievement would be enough for a promotion.

’So why isn’t he happy?’

Of course, Song Meiqin didn’t know that Lu Yuan was mulling over the fact that being an official for Old Zhu... felt very wrong...

However, this matter had its pros and cons.

The downside was what Lu Yuan feared.

After all, Lu Yuan just wanted to lie low in Taiping City.

He didn’t want to deal with all the trouble.

But, thinking about it more deeply...

...it seemed the things he had created would make it difficult for him to live a peaceful life anyway.

He’d already stuck his neck out; how could he possibly hide again?

The upside was that being the County Magistrate of Taiping City was also pretty good.

At the very least, whatever Lu Yuan wanted to do in the future...

...he would be able to directly command the Taiping City Officials and so on.

This way, the Zhao Family would truly be out of danger.

A situation like last time, where trouble arose and the Officials refused to help, would never happen again.

As for what came after... he would deal with that when the time came.