The clerks and constables from the government office, as well as the local gentry and wealthy households from the county, had mostly skipped breakfast and were waiting early at the city gate.
By this time, they stood with aching legs and growling stomachs, and only when the sun had risen high did they suddenly see an inconspicuous carriage slowly approaching from the distant official road, flanked by a few lightly armed cavalry.
Upon seeing the cavalry in official attire and boots, Qin Shuban immediately shouted to the drummers and suona players behind him, "The Magistrate has arrived, play with full spirit."
Suddenly, the dense and rapid drumbeats, along with the piercing suona sound, resonated at the city gate.
Everyone was full of anticipation and rejuvenated, but just then, they saw that the carriage stopped abruptly in the distance.
After a moment, a cavalryman galloped over and reined in the horse before the crowd, looking down at them arrogantly without dismounting.
