Zhixin was so frightened that he repeatedly said he dare not. "Your Excellency is the parental guardian of the entire county; I, a humble commoner, cannot accept such honors from Your Excellency."
This County Magistrate, surnamed Wu, had met Zhixiang and Lu Binghao during the rural examination. Later, when they went to the capital to take part in the imperial examinations, the three met again and enjoyed pleasant conversations, so they could be said to have formed a bond. Afterward, Zhixiang failed the exams while this gentleman ranked eightieth in the third class and entered the Hanlin Academy. Lu Binghao, due to his family's already established connections, was directly assigned as a county magistrate. Last autumn, the Emperor suddenly selected many from the Hanlin Academy and sent them to various places to serve, presumably as a form of training. And thus, Mr. Wu happened to arrive here and assumed the position of County Magistrate.
