Chapter 55: Governor Xiao’s Family
Moreover, the Governor’s Mansion ultimately did not have any plans to dispatch troops to attack Tengya Mountain.
Song Changming only heard from Liang Chuan Mountain that for this matter, there were actually several intense discussions among the ministers and military generals within the Governor’s Mansion.
Some advocated sending troops to suppress the bandits, while others spoke against it, suggesting alternative plans.
Eventually, the Governor, for reasons unknown, made the final decision and concluded the matter, leaving it unresolved.
Afterwards, although there were no plans to dispatch troops to deal with the mountain bandits, to prevent such incidents from happening again, they reinforced the guard at the four city gates of the County City.
Identity checks were conducted thoroughly, and information verification became more meticulous.
Additionally, the daily tasks of the City Patrol Defense Bureau, which Song Changming belonged to, became slightly heavier.
Not only did they need to strengthen street patrols, but they also had to manage all streets and alleys thoroughly, conducting periodic investigations of the population. Suspected individuals had to be followed up with investigations, and they could even be arrested on the spot as suspects.
After the Public Security Bureau issued a series of rules and tasks, the results were indeed significant.
No more suspects related to the Bandit Army were found, but many petty thieves were caught, greatly improving the public security and atmosphere of the entire County City.
Moreover, the previous few waves had already dispersed most of the gangs in various areas, which was undoubtedly good news for the lower citizens, as there were fewer people who could oppress them during this period.
September.
In the city, the most renowned Hanlin Academy led and collaborated with other major academies and some private schools established by famous teachers to host a public academic exchange conference.
At that time, not only scholars and students from all sides could come to observe, but even ordinary citizens could join in the excitement and gain knowledge.
To this end, the Governor’s Mansion provided strong support, offering both money and effort, specifically setting up a high platform on Brocade Street and temporarily requisitioning several large restaurants on both sides of the street.
All this to ensure that the academic exchange conference could be held smoothly.
Soon, news of the academic exchange conference spread throughout the County City, and even other towns in the surrounding Donglai Prefecture saw scholars coming specially to observe.
On that day, the streets were filled with people, and the conference was bustling with activity.
The restaurants along the street were already overcrowded.
In one of the window-side seats, Song Changming and Lv Gang also came to join in the fun.
They took advantage of their positions to secure a good spot in advance.
"I really don’t understand why this academic exchange conference is so lively. It’s just a bunch of old scholars moving their lips, saying some inexplicable words. What’s there to see?"
Lv Gang shook his head, picked up a peanut, and put it into his mouth, saying.
Though he was literate, at the end of the day, he was just a rough fellow passionate about weaponry, knowing only some simple principles of life, but never understanding deeper studies.
"It’s just that our circles are different. We don’t understand, but that doesn’t mean it’s useless." Song Changming took a sip of sake from his cup and said casually.
"Putting other things aside, just the fact that they educate and enlighten the masses is immensely beneficial and worthy of respect."
Upon hearing this, Lv Gang thought for a moment and said, "That’s true."
"I just don’t understand why the Governor’s Mansion places so much importance on this privately-organized academic exchange conference when there was no such precedent before?"
"Who knows, perhaps it’s simply to use this academic exchange conference to dilute the negative impact caused by the Bandit Army and to soothe public sentiment," Song Changming speculated.
If that’s the case, then for now, the effect is quite successful.
Due to this academic exchange conference that involved everyone, it indeed quickly dispelled the previous unease within the city.
People seemed to have completely forgotten the harm of the Bandit Army, and if nothing unexpected happens next, it will certainly spark a wave of enthusiasm for learning.
The two drank and ate, while on the high platform, scholars from various schools made their appearances one after another, citing classics and discussing their insights.
They spoke eloquently, covering topics from local affairs to national governance, encompassing the mysteries of heaven and earth.
Although seemingly discussing everything, they were actually still focused on their own areas of expertise, which was indeed a contest of different schools of thought, a clash of various ideologies.
To be honest, as Song Changming listened, he did take in some of it.
Some people’s knowledge seemed superficial, sounding like nonsense to Song Changming, but some scholars truly had some abilities, and what they said was thought-provoking.
Whenever a brilliant statement was made, it would elicit applause from the many people lining both sides of the street.
"It’s quite interesting." Song Changming propped his chin with one hand, gazing at the high platform outside the window, holding a wine cup in the other hand, yet hesitated to drink.
"Changming, you make me feel quite unintelligent like this." Lv Gang said quietly.
He seemed out of place here among the people who were intently listening.
Initially, he had Song Changming for company, but now that Song Changming was also listening attentively, it began to seem more and more like coming here today was a mistake.
His gaze wandered, and suddenly he noticed something, exclaiming unexpectedly, "Isn’t that the third young master of the Governor’s Mansion!"
"Which third young master?" Song Changming followed Lv Gang’s gaze.
Not far from the high platform, a handsome young man dressed in a white long robe, fanning himself with a folded fan, stood there with a smile on his face, quietly listening to the scholar on the high platform.
Just one look, and Song Changming sensed this person’s extraordinariness. Everything about him, whether appearance or bearing, was excellent, clearly not an ordinary young man from the County City.
Moreover, there were five or six armored warriors with swords by his side, making the people around dare not to approach even a step.
"Who else could it be from the Governor’s Mansion? It’s naturally that one from the Xiao Family, Xiao Yanli," Lv Gang explained.
Years ago, when following Liang Chuan Mountain, he had seen this third young master from a distance at the Public Security Bureau, so he still had an impression and could recognize him at a glance today.
"Who would have thought that he would have the leisure to observe this academic meeting today."
Upon hearing it was the old third of the Governor’s Family, Song Changming couldn’t help but look at this Xiao Yanli a few more times.
The Governor of Donglai held immense power, being the head of the entire Donglai Prefecture. Naturally, his sons and daughters were quite esteemed.
Although Song Changming never interacted with the Xiao Family of the Governor in real life, he had heard some rumors.
The Governor had two sons and two daughters. Apart from his eldest son, who rarely returned to Donglai Prefecture due to his position in the court, the other three children remained in the county, yet to embark on official positions. This third young master in front of him was one of them.
Logically, this Xiao Yanli, already in his twenties, long past the age of adulthood, but for some reason, the Governor had not arranged anything for him.
Song Changming didn’t think much of it, just glanced twice more at the third young master, then withdrew his gaze.
Normally speaking, such figures were not within his reach at the moment, and many things were unnecessary to ponder over.
"Let’s go back." Song Changming decided to leave after he had listened for a while and finished the food and wine on the table.
He was here primarily to join the excitement and broaden his horizons. He had no intention of leaving martial pursuits for literature, so there was no need to listen all the way through with such dedication.
"We should have left earlier. Speaking of Brocade Street, Piaoxiang Pavilion is still the best. Changming, since we’re already here, why not visit there some more?" Hearing about leaving, Lv Gang got instantly spirited and suggested.
"Maybe another day." Song Changming waved his hand and started down the stairs of the restaurant.
"There’s no time like the present. Why’re you going back so early?"
"To practice swordsmanship."
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