Upon seeing the arrival of Lord County Magistrate, everyone kneeled promptly in unison.
"Everyone, rise. I am here on inspection. Common folk should go about their business; don't gather around here to watch the excitement!" Wen Congrui lifted his hand and announced loudly.
"Thank you, Lord." People began to get up one after another.
Lu Da and his group were trembling inside, feeling that the situation had spiraled out of their control.
"My Lord, I am Ma Xingyuan, the Mayor of Taiping Town. Your long journey here is due to my negligence in welcoming you. Why doesn't the Lord come with me to my place to rest a bit?" Mayor Ma stepped forward with a smile, cupping his hands and bowing.
Wen Congrui glanced at him indifferently and asked, "Does Mayor Ma's presence here mean that you have also received word of a diseased pig epidemic in this area?"
