Chapter 240
Commander Jiang was, after all, a passing official.0
The Prefect of Jiangzhou didn't need to come out to welcome him, but there were people specifically responsible for receiving guests.0
Officials look out for each other, first and foremost in this way, through their network circles. When traveling to various provinces, there's always someone to receive them.0
For those who passed the imperial examinations, they might have hosts even in small places, either classmates from the same year or adjacent years.0
Commander Jiang received fewer receptions because he was originally a rebel who had surrendered and been pardoned.0
Such officials rarely ventured out of their circles.0
Few could enter the capital again to be appointed officials or promoted.0
The court didn't encourage this, for if rebels could become officials and even get promoted, why would anyone bother studying hard and taking exams? Everyone would just rebel.0
Secondly, if pardoned rebels could all become truly good officials, passing evaluations or even excelling, it would be embarrassing for those who had worked hard to become officials. How could a former rebel become an official and be good at it? Impossible.0
For these two reasons, Commander Jiang was a very special person.0
Most officials actually didn't want to be associated with former rebels.0
But Commander Jiang had managed to marry his daughter to the Meng family's son.0
At least among former rebels, his identity had been thoroughly whitewashed.0
His rank was also respectable.0
The local officials of Jiangzhou City, even if they wanted to pretend not to see him, couldn't do so. They still sent people to welcome him.0
However, when they saw the scene of someone selling themselves to bury their father at the city gate, they didn't step forward to intervene.0
Some people enjoy this kind of drama - the young master gets to play the hero, the young lady finds a good match, it's a perfect fit. What does it matter if it's her real father or not? As long as both parties are willing.0
When the welcoming official got a clear look at the man the girl was clinging to, he felt a sense of familiarity.0
It seemed he had seen him before, a few years ago.0
Wasn't that Young General Meng?0
He had accompanied the prefect in receiving Meng Qingshe General and his son Meng Shaoxia.0
He vaguely remembered a thin youth with a square face, but after a few years, he had turned into a round-faced, sturdy man, as fat as two people.4
If it weren't for the squareness still visible in the roundness, he wouldn't have recognized him at all.0
Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!0
Lord Jia reprimanded the girl selling herself to bury her father, telling her not to embarrass the people of Jiangzhou.0
Then he put on a smile that was warm yet distant, coming forward to welcome Commander Jiang.0
Lord Jia wore a crisp official uniform, with a beautiful jade pendant around his neck, a jewel-encrusted hat on his head, a pouch of jewels at his waist, and official boots on his feet, fully displaying the wealth of Jiangzhou. The officials' uniforms were all attractive, new, and crisp, as lavish and flamboyant as possible within the regulations of their rank.0
Although Lord Jia had a long horse-like face, his elegant attire and air of authority naturally enhanced his appearance. Dressed up like this and standing on the street, he was at least a five out of ten.0
Commander Jiang wore a large cloak with a hood. Qin Luoxia, worried that her husband would be dusty and tanned from the journey, had prepared this large cloak for him. At most, only his eyes were visible, and most of the time he traveled by carriage.0
When a colleague came to welcome him, Commander Jiang lifted the hood of his cloak.0
For a moment, the white-clad woman crying on the ground was like a pheasant caught by fate, unable to make a sound.0
The crowd gathered around, curious to see which fool had been caught by a professional "selling herself to save her father" scam artist.0
Instead, they saw a man in black robes sitting on a tall horse, lifting his hood and removing his cloak to reveal a young man in white robes.3
Sunlight, long hair, a handsome face.0
Today was the Minor Cold solar term.0
The Minor Cold wind was biting.0
A beautiful person arrived on horseback.0
The bustling street.0
Beauty can make time stop.0
At least for this moment, it paused.0
Lord Jia, as a seasoned official, took a moment to find his voice again.0
"C-Commander Jiang, I've long looked forward to meeting you."0
Commander Jiang responded with a cultured, slightly socially anxious smile.0
"Thank you for coming to welcome me personally, Lord Jia. We've just entered the city and encountered this situation. Fortunately, you arrived, or we wouldn't have known what to do. Can... can we leave now?"0
The Commander's voice was also very pleasant.0
A young gentleman on the road, face like jade, voice like emerald.0
Lord Jia never imagined that while the son-in-law had grown fat and jowly, the father-in-law would still be so refined and beautiful.4
No wonder it was said that Commander Jiang's daughter was more beautiful than Daji. Young General Meng had only to see her once to stay by her side, unwilling to leave for even a moment.0
If the father could look like this at his age, how bewitching must the daughter be?0
Lord Jia couldn't help but glance towards the carriage behind.0
Seeing is believing.0
He had previously misunderstood the rumors about Commander Jiang.0
How could someone who looked like this possibly be a vicious rebel? This was clearly a young master from a noble family who had been forced into difficult circumstances.0
Commander Jiang dismounted and walked side by side with Lord Jia.0
"Come, come, Brother Jiang, let me take you to get settled. We'll arrange a welcoming dinner for you this evening."0
"Jiangzhou has a famous dish, taro duck, extremely renowned, rich and delicious, a rare delicacy. We've arranged for the famous chef Jiangbei to prepare this dish for you tonight. You must try it."0
"Excellent."0
Commander Jiang and Lord Jia strolled forward.0
Jiangzhou was prosperous.0
Children were running in the street.0
Commander Jiang saw a child running ahead, with an adult chasing behind.0
"Xiao Tian, don't run so fast, I'm worried you'll fall."0
"I know, Dad."0
"Dad, taro duck is so delicious. Ask Uncle Bei to make it tonight."4
"Alright."0
Jiang Changtian paused, lost in thought for a moment.0
"After you, Commander Jiang."0
"After you, Lord Jia."0
Jiangzhou was his hometown.0
Returning, he was no longer a youth.0