Half an hour after breakfast the next day, Song Qiming put on his official uniform and prepared to visit the Provincial Administration Commissioner of the Southwest, Gu Zhongxun.
"Sister, I will go over first. You all can come to the Gu residence to meet up with me closer to noon."
Song Jinzhao nodded slightly. "Tell Miss Gu I will arrive a bit later."
Song Qiming took a deep breath, his expression incredibly serious.
Arriving in the Southwest meant a new beginning, but it also represented immense pressure.
This was especially true regarding the Provincial Administration Commissioner of the Southwest, Gu Zhongxun. If he wanted to develop and grow stronger under his command, this man was crucial.
In four years, he had to become the Provincial Administration Commissioner of the Southwest himself, but he had already met Gu Zhongxun's eldest son, Gu Gaoyuan, yesterday.
This man was no fool. Just as his sister had expected, he would be his biggest competitor for the position of Provincial Administration Commissioner!
When he arrived at the commissioner's residence, a steward was already waiting at the door.
Seeing a young official emerge from the sedan chair, the steward quickly ran down to welcome the guest.
Song Qiming glanced at the plaque and the furnishings at the entrance.
The main gate of this residence was half a zhang taller than those of officials of the same rank in the capital, and the vermilion doors looked as if they were made of iron plates.
There were several guards at the door, dressed just like the escorts Gu Jinghong had brought with him that day.
At a glance, there were no fewer than twenty of them; the security could be described as extremely strict.
"I am Song Qiming, the newly appointed Prefect of Suining Prefecture. I have come today specifically to visit the Lord Commissioner."
The steward lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on Song Qiming's collar.
He spoke in a respectful tone, "My lord knew that Prefect Song was coming today and specifically instructed his subordinate to wait here. Prefect Song, please come in."
Walking into the Gu residence, there were also guards on both sides of the stone path leading to the front hall, about ten in total.
Passing through the front hall to the second hall, the number of guards on both sides did not diminish.
The more Song Qiming looked, the heavier his heart became. If the residence of the Provincial Administration Commissioner of the Southwest was already like this, what would Suining Prefecture be like?
Stepping into the second hall, the back of a figure wearing a red official uniform appeared before Song Qiming's eyes.
Hearing the footsteps, Gu Zhongxun turned around. His calm gaze swept from top to bottom, and the look in his eyes was gradually replaced by admiration.
"I knew beforehand that Lord Song was young and promising, but seeing you today surprises me even more."
Song Qiming cupped his hands and bowed to Gu Zhongxun. "Your humble servant, Prefect of Suining Song Qiming, pays his respects to the Lord Commissioner."
Gu Zhongxun gently raised his hand.
"I have already heard from Jinghong about what happened at Longtou Mountain. I am very pleased that Prefect Song eradicated the bandits of Qingfeng Stronghold and eliminated a local menace for the people as soon as you arrived in the Southwest."
Song Qiming curled his lips into a shallow smile, not letting Gu Zhongxun's praise show too much on his face.
"It was all my sister's doing. Your humble servant merely killed a few bandits, and Young General Gu also helped a lot by arriving in time."
Gu Zhongxun stroked his beard. He agreed with his youngest son punishing his grandson, but he was still satisfied with Gu Jinghong's performance.
He was happy in his heart that the Gu family had a worthy successor.
"It's just the younger generation playing around. As long as they didn't cause any trouble for County Princess Linghui, it is fine."
After a brief casual chat, Gu Zhongxun led Song Qiming to the private office where he handled official business.
"Suining Prefecture is the imperial court's gateway to the foreign tribes of the Southwest, and it is also the prefecture with the most frequent exchanges between the two sides. There are some situations I still need to brief you on."
"Especially after the salt fields in Binzhou were discovered, the imperial court has already reached an agreement with Panzhou..."
Song Qiming nodded in response from time to time, committing Gu Zhongxun's words to memory so he could verify them one by one once he arrived in Suining.
Meanwhile, in a boudoir in the backyard of the Gu residence.
"Has County Princess Linghui not arrived yet?" Gu Baozhu asked her maid in confusion.
The maid shook her head. "I heard from the steward that only Prefect Song came."
Gu Baozhu picked up a pearl hairpin from the vanity and placed it in her hair.
"It must be that Prefect Song needs to discuss official business with my father, which is why County Princess Linghui is arriving later. Go to Ruyi Pavilion first and secure the ingredients, lest the food we want to eat is sold out by then."
