There was a hint of coldness at the corner of Su Chen's mouth, and he did not continue to ask questions.
After a while, Lin Xing drove a carriage to a brightly lit house.
"Lord Protector, we are here!"
Hearing Lin Xing's respectful voice, Su Chen got off the carriage and walked in under the leadership of Lin Xing.
Just when he was outside the house, Su Chen heard some conversations, which seemed to be talking about topics related to him.
I don't know who made the announcement, and the heated atmosphere in the hall instantly became quiet.
When Su Chen came to the main hall, all the officials present stood up with a loud roar, saluted and said: "See the Lord Protector!"
More than a hundred officials saluted in unison, and the scene was truly spectacular.
"Everyone is so polite. You don't need to be so polite. I'm a very easy-going person."
Su Chen smiled and walked to the first seat naturally.
Seeing this, many officials present flashed a hint of joy in their eyes.
"Okay, everyone, stop standing and sit down."
Su Chen continued.
"Thank you Lord Protector!"
All the officials shouted in unison again, and then they all sat down.
Originally, these people were afraid that Su Chen might not come, but now it seems that the Protector is not as difficult to deal with as they imagined.
Sure enough, no matter how high his status is, he is still a young man...
After the banquet started, Lin Xing sat next to Su Chen.
“Serve!”
Lin Xing gave an order, and the delicious dishes that had been prepared were brought out one after another by the gorgeous maid.
"President Lin, you are really thoughtful in preparing these dishes."
Su Chen smiled and said to Lin Xing beside him.
"Mr. Protector, this is all the thought of our Haizhou officials. We don't know what you like to eat, Mr. Protector, so we prepared these. We hope that Mr. Protector will not dislike it."
Lin Xing said with a smile.
"How could I dislike it? Your dishes are so suitable to my taste!"
Even though Su Chen had a smile on his face when he said these words, in fact, his heart was already as cold as an ice cellar.
Although Su Chen didn't know much about the specifications of official banquets in the north, Su Chen could already guess from the dishes in front of him that their value would not be low.
The luxury of many of the dishes here can even compare with the banquets His Majesty Li Er usually holds at Tai Chi Palace!
At this critical juncture, instead of working hard for the people, you officials are feasting on food and wine!
Regarding this, Su Chen couldn't be said to be unhappy.
He estimated that if any dish here were converted into food, it would be enough for the people of a state or county to survive this cold winter!
It's not that Su Chen doesn't allow lavish official banquets, but that it's still so common when the locust plague has not yet been extinguished, which really annoys him.
Despite the raging anger in his heart, Su Chen still had a calm look on his face. He had already moved his chopsticks and started eating by himself.
Now that these dishes have been cooked, it's best not to waste them.
Lin Xing did not disturb Su Chen, but secretly observed Su Chen's every move.
After a while, seeing that Su Chen showed no signs of displeasure, Lin Xing began to make calculations in his mind.
"Ahem!"
Lin Xing coughed slightly, attracting the attention of everyone present. He raised his wine glass and said, "Everyone, it is a great honor for us that the Protector of the Country comes to Haizhou today!"
"Here, let's have a drink together. May Lord Protector bless the Tang Dynasty forever!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Xing took the lead and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.
"May the Lord Protector bless the Tang Dynasty forever!"
Catalyzed by alcohol, the atmosphere of the banquet instantly became heated, and everyone's faces were full of anticipation.
However, no matter how enthusiastic these officials were, Su Chen was still concentrating on eating the delicious food alone, as if he hadn't heard anything.
"Protect..."
Lin Xinggang poured himself a glass of wine and wanted to toast Su Chen, but the latter raised his hand to stop him.
"I said, I don't like so many rules and regulations. If you have something to say, just say it bluntly. There is no need to beat around the bush."
Su Chen's voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable aura. The smile on Lin Xing's face and the hand that had just raised the glass seemed to be frozen there.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall dropped rapidly, as if it was suddenly plunged into a cold wind, and all the officials looked at each other in confusion.
It's over, this guy seems unhappy...
A flash of panic flashed in Lin Xing's eyes, his chest was pounding, and beads of sweat the size of soybeans began to appear on his forehead.
His little tricks seemed to have no effect in front of this young Lord Protector...
This is completely out of line!
Lin Xing's mood at the moment was extremely complicated, and his rapidly running brain could not find any way to save the situation.
Silence...
Seeing that all the officials present looked like they were idle, a trace of disgust flashed in Su Chen's eyes, and he sneered: "Everyone, why don't you say anything?
Could it be that I guessed wrong?"
"In this case, I'm full with this meal. If you don't want to accompany me, I'll go back first!"
Su Chen said this without giving any face, and he actually stood up and prepared to leave after saying this.
Seeing this scene, these usually domineering officials were dumbfounded.
What exactly is this Lord Protector trying to do?
This cannot be solved with common sense!
They really wanted to ask Su Chen to stay, but they didn't know how to speak properly.
In order to prepare for today's banquet, they spent a lot of money.
If Su Chen were allowed to leave like this, these officials would probably be depressed for a long time!
Everyone quickly turned their attention to the mastermind of this plan—Haizhou Governor Lin Xing.
Looking at the eyes of these officials, Lin Xing's scalp suddenly went numb.
He is the main planner of this plan. If he cannot give a satisfactory explanation to these officials, I am afraid that it will be difficult for him to be the governor in the future!
"Lord Protector, please be slow!"
Seeing that Su Chen had already walked out a few steps without any intention of stopping, Lin Xing was startled and trotted to Su Chen's side.
"oh?
Governor Lin, do you have anything to say?"
Su Chen stared at Lin Xing with interest.
Lin Xing took a deep breath, looked directly into Su Chen's eyes, and said, "Duke Protector, I do have an unsolicited request. I hope the Lord Protector will agree to it!"
I guess you know...
Su Chen smiled seemingly casually and said, "Okay, since Governor Lin has something else to say, I'm all ears!"
After saying that, Su Chen returned to his seat, dragging his head with one hand and tapping the table gently with the other, looking at all the officials present with a somewhat playful look.
