「The next day.」
Chen Nuo saw the Ning Tax Collector onto his horse, then led another grand farewell with the villagers lining the road.
The Ning Tax Collector rode at the head of the procession, followed by two Government Officials. At the rear were the ox and mule carts from Chen Manor, laden with grain and silver.
A contingent of able-bodied men from the clan followed as an escort.
Normally, after the Tax Collector's inspection, a report would be submitted, and the county would send its own people to retrieve the taxes. However, the Chen Manor had always been astute and streamlined the process by delivering everything themselves, a gesture that was sure to curry favor.
This time, however, the trip wasn't just about delivering the grain tax. Chen Nuo's uncle, Chen Shuiwen, was also in the convoy. His main goal was to purchase grain, but he had an additional, last-minute objective: to gather intelligence on the current situation at the Household Office.
