Hua Xin froze.
For a moment, he thought he had misheard.
"Prefect… of Qingzhou?"
He looked up at Zhang Xin, eyes filled with disbelief.
A prefect (太守) governed an entire commandery—this was no minor appointment. For someone like him, a mere county clerk, this was nothing short of a leap to the heavens.
"Your Excellency…" Hua Xin hesitated, then bowed deeply. "This humble official is of shallow learning and limited ability. I fear I cannot bear such a heavy responsibility."
Zhang Xin smiled faintly.
Classic refusal.
Not outright rejection—just testing intent.
"Mr. Ziyu," Zhang Xin said calmly, "you rode day and night for the sake of a friend, risking your life at the execution ground. That shows loyalty."
He raised a finger.
"You questioned me in public, not fearing authority. That shows integrity."
Another finger.
"You examined evidence before speaking further. That shows prudence."
Zhang Xin leaned slightly forward.
"With loyalty, integrity, and prudence—if you are not fit to govern a commandery, then who is?"
Hua Xin was momentarily speechless.
These weren't empty praises—they were precise, almost… dissecting his character.
Zhang Xin continued:
"Qingzhou has just emerged from chaos. What I need is not empty fame, but someone who can stabilize the people, govern fairly, and restrain the powerful."
His tone grew more serious.
"The position is not a reward. It is a burden."
Silence filled the room.
Hua Xin lowered his head, deep in thought.
He wasn't a fool.
What happened today—the swift arrests, the executions, the undeniable "evidence"…
On the surface, everything was lawful.
But beneath it?
He could sense something… sharper.
Zhang Xin was no ordinary governor.
He was decisive to the point of ruthlessness.
And yet—
He also lowered grain prices, calmed the people, and personally received a nobody like him with courtesy.
Cruel? Yes.
But also… effective.
After a long pause, Hua Xin slowly raised his head.
"If I accept," he said carefully, "may I ask Your Excellency one question?"
Zhang Xin nodded. "Speak."
Hua Xin met his gaze directly.
"In governing Qingzhou… should I follow the law—"
"—or follow Your Excellency's will?"
The room went still.
Even the guards outside seemed to hold their breath.
Zhang Xin looked at him for a few seconds… then suddenly laughed.
"Good question."
He stood up and walked a few steps, hands behind his back.
"The law," he said, "is a tool."
"The people," he added, "are the foundation."
Then he turned back, eyes sharp.
"And I—"
"—am the one responsible for both."
He paused, letting the words settle.
"In peaceful times, follow the law."
"In chaotic times, adapt as needed."
His voice lowered slightly.
"But remember this above all—"
"Whatever you do, make sure the people can live."
Hua Xin's pupils contracted slightly.
That answer…
It wasn't orthodox.
It wasn't even entirely "proper."
But it was… real.
After a long silence, Hua Xin suddenly bowed deeply—this time, without hesitation.
"This humble official… is willing to serve."
Zhang Xin's smile widened.
"Good."
He stepped forward and personally helped Hua Xin up.
"From today onward, Qingzhou will rely on you."
—
Outside, the night was quiet.
But within Qingzhou—
Everything had already begun to change.