Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 48: Creating a Show, Surname Tangke

The Central Plains were poor and weak. Even if there were factional forces, they would be no match for the Ming Dynasty and the imperial family.

They're too busy supporting them to deliberately suppress them.

This was an idea Ma Xiuying had long ago, and now it's time to witness it gradually take shape.

Amidst the laughter and chatter, two abruptly raised voices rang out from the crowd.

"The county magistrate and the county assistant magistrate have also arrived!"

"The young master's name is truly well-deserved. Please come quickly, gentlemen."

Even people from all walks of life had to give these two local "mountain bandits" some face at this moment.

In a short while,

Li Zizhi and Huo Tianlang then sat down next to Ma Wenxiang.

"Congratulations to the young scholar for achieving the top score in the county examination today. To achieve the top score in the provincial examination in the future will surely be a piece of cake."

"Young Master, you are truly a blessing to Qingfeng County. We have already gained a great deal from today's gathering."

Li Zizhi and Huo Tianlang offered their congratulations with clasped hands.

Ma Xiuying smiled slightly in return.

Seeing that Ma Xiuying was not as close as he had imagined, but rather somewhat distant, Li Zizhi narrowed his eyes slightly, first glancing at Huo Tianlang who had come with him, and then giving a slight nod.

Huo Tianlang stepped forward and replied with a wry smile, "Please excuse my poor performance, young master."

"The minor official involved in that previous incident is from my clan. I've come today not only to offer my congratulations, but also to provide the young gentleman with a proper explanation."

"I wonder what the young master intends to do?"

At this moment, persuaded by Li Zizhi, Huo Tianlang was already prepared to sacrifice a pawn to save the king.

Although there are many younger generations in the clan, this auspicious creature from Qingfeng County is unique.

"Just follow the laws of our Great Ming Dynasty."

Ma Xiuying said in a nonchalant tone.

Huo Tianlang was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

In this way, the good-for-nothing nephew can be spared the death penalty, and he can also suffer less in his living punishment.

"Thank you very much, young sir. I'll express my gratitude on behalf of my good-for-nothing nephew today."

Huo Tianlang stood up straight and bowed deeply to Ma Xiuying in front of everyone.

Ma Xiuying quickly got up to return the greeting.

The other party was, after all, an official or gentry, while he had not yet obtained the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). Although he had a great reputation that surpassed that of the county official, he could not be too arrogant, otherwise it would be detrimental to his future prospects.

Even with an auspicious reputation, one must cherish one's own image and maintain good relations with the officials and gentry in front of one.

On the surface, one may not be an honest official, but one must never be a notorious corrupt official; otherwise, one's career is essentially over.

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Zizhi and Huo Tianlang sat down again in the horse garden, and the lively atmosphere was quickly restored.

Ma Xiuying was surrounded by a large number of people.

She stopped staying where she was and joined in the fun, drinking a few glasses of wine.

This tender body of an eleven or twelve-year-old was already feeling somewhat dizzy.

Ma Wenxiang's alcohol tolerance in later generations was quite high; while he might not be considered a god of wine, it was definitely better than that of an average person.

But the boy's body couldn't withstand the strain.

This Empress has not been so drunk in a long time. It's a good time to get drunk and relieve all the troubles and worries in the palace.

Watching Ma Xiuying mingling and drinking with the literati around her, Li Zizhi nodded slowly and said to his colleague beside him, "Brother Huo, have you seen this young gentleman? Although he is exceptionally talented, he is not ignorant of human relationships."

"By acting in accordance with the laws of the Ming Dynasty and by relying on the words of Ma Yuan and others, we will certainly not leave any handle for future use."

"His maturity beyond his years is remarkable, and his shrewdness is rarely seen in the world. He will surely rise to great heights in the future and become a pillar of education in our Central Plains. We must not offend him."

Seeing Huo Tianlang remain silent, Li Zizhi assumed he was still angry and shook his head in disappointment. He then said again, "Look around. This is no longer just a horse garden; it has become a small gathering place for scholars from the Central Plains. It's also the 'Ma Clan' that can rival the Huai-Xi faction in the Southern court in the future. Otherwise, why would the people from the palace arrive so quickly?"

"I'm afraid the news has already reached the ears of the emperor."

"If you continue to be so stubborn, it's not a wise move to protect yourself. As for your nephew, after changing his ways, he'll have a bright future and can be transferred to another county to continue working as a minor official."

"That's not bad; the future might not be so bad."

After Li Zizhi's remarks, Huo Tianlang finally nodded in relief.

You can't fight city hall; you have to obey when it's time to obey.

"Understood, Brother Li."

He smiled slightly, then summoned the county officials, whispered a few words to them, and arranged the follow-up matters.

The two of them had come prepared with two options.

If Ma Xiuying truly wanted to eliminate all evil, she should have sent that nephew, a minor official, to prison and executed him in the autumn, thus clearing Xiangrui's name. The outcome we have achieved is already excellent.

How could I possibly hope for more?

……

Gradually, today's celebration banquet is coming to an end.

Ma Wenxiang, Ma Xiulin, Sun An, Wang Yangsheng and others saw the guests off to the gate of Ma Garden, where they all bowed and said goodbye.

But just as they were about to part ways, a strange sight slowly came into view in front of the main street of Mayuan.

The scholars and officials who had just left paused, then watched the "show" unfolding before them with great interest. Many of them stared at the two officials, Li Zizhi and Huo Tianlang, with a half-smile on their faces.

"I deserve to die, I deserve to die for wasting money."

At this moment, on the main street, during the transition from spring to summer, a young man was shirtless.

He was not wearing the clothes that the county officials had worn before, but rather ordinary patched clothes.

Its back was covered with vines and thorns, and its body was covered with bloody scratches from the barbs, making it look particularly terrifying.

His boots were tattered and worn, startling the local people and passersby wherever he went.

This person was the same minor official who had been rude to Ma Xiuying in the present world.

Huo Qian cried and shouted at the top of his lungs, his hoarse voice incredibly loud, as if reaching the heavens and the sea, attracting the attention of the people on the main street and the surrounding streets.

The crowd grew larger and larger.

Huo Qian crawled on his hands and knees, walking up to Ma Yuan and the others, especially Ma Xiuying. With a thud, he knelt down as if a mountain of gold had been overturned and kowtowed fiercely.

"Today, I invite all the gentlemen and ladies of Qingfeng County to take a good look!"

"I, Huo Qian, am worse than a beast. Young Master is a sage of Qingfeng County, yet I was blinded by greed. I asked him for money to satisfy my own selfish desires. I, Huo Qian, deserve to die a thousand deaths; my crimes are heinous."

"The young master has shown leniency, giving me a chance to truly repent and mend my ways."

"From this day forward, I, Huo Qian, will change my name to Huo Qianfei. Huo Qianfei thanks you, young sir."

Boom boom boom! ! !

As soon as he finished speaking, three more heavy kowtows were heard, pushing the emotions of the scene to a climax.

At least the people around them all believed it.

Some of the more empathetic people, seeing this scene of a prodigal son returning home, had tears slowly streaming down their faces, and were already sobbing uncontrollably.