Zhou Xizhong's face was covered in ash and his expression as cold as ice; of course he did not actually tend the fire, but he also could not leave; so the poor, powerful officials had to squat in front of him, laboring over something they had never done before, suffering the sharp eyes of their boss.
In the main hall, Ning Yi drank tea with the South Sea Province's General Commander and Judicial Commissioner — as leaders of the local departments, the General Commander, Commissioner, and Judicial Commissioner were the provincial powers, but Zhou Xizhong dominated the region and had blocked news of the Imperial Envoys arrival. These two department heads had just been informed of Ning Yi's arrival and had rushed over.
When the two heads arrived, they were just in time to see Zhou Xizhong try to light the fire. They were both delighted, and General Commander Lu Bo called out insincerely: "We Minor Officials should also help."
