In the room, at this moment, a deity statue was placed on the table. Samuel Foster knelt on a prayer mat, pressed his palms together, and prayed in a low voice: "…I earnestly beseech the gods to protect this believer, so as not to be implicated by the jinx. In return, I shall offer generous tributes…"

He only stood up after a long while and carefully put the statue away.

"Sir, Mr. Reed requests an audience." A minor official came to report.

Samuel Foster turned around, cleared his throat, and his air of authority returned. "Let him in." He narrowed his eyes slightly. "I was just contemplating the future of Huazhou, but he had to interrupt me."

The minor official said admiringly, "Sir, you work tirelessly for Huazhou. Truly, you are a blessing to the people!"

Shortly after, Chief Clerk Edward Reed entered. After saluting, he said, "Sir, the government office funds are severely depleted. Now the public kitchen can't even afford to buy vegetables. At noon today… everyone will probably have to make do with porridge."

The interest from the government office's loans, after paying part of the officials' salaries, also had to cover the expenses of the office canteen—the public kitchen.

According to Tang dynasty regulations, every level of government office had its own small canteen. Everyone would eat together, chat, and get things done in a harmonious atmosphere.

Now, even the small canteen couldn't keep running, which showed just how badly the funds had been depleted.

Samuel Foster glanced at Edward Reed, but was inwardly troubled.

He had come to Huazhou as a demotion, and incidentally to check on that jinx. Who would have thought his predecessor had left such a huge mess? To think that a trusted confidant of the Crown Prince like him could only drink porridge—this was truly intolerable!

"That was William Reed's deficit. By the way, why hasn't that money been recovered?"

Money-handlers were all wealthy people, at least able to cover the money they lent out. In other words, if they lost money on loans, the government would simply make them pay it all back. If they refused, their assets would be confiscated.

Edward Reed said helplessly, "Those two money-handlers lent to a merchant, but the merchant's two cargo ships sank. You personally interrogated the case, and it was ruled a natural disaster. So we went to confiscate the two money-handlers' assets, but it turned out they were already heavily in debt elsewhere, and most of their property had long been pawned off. So that money is now unaccounted for."

The money-handlers were dirt poor, yet still pretended to be rich outside—this had really screwed over the Huazhou government office.

"Worthless dogs!" Samuel Foster cursed. "What does this have to do with me? Go borrow the money and get the public kitchen in order. I want lamb for lunch."

Edward Reed was speechless. He thought, the dignified Huazhou government office actually has to borrow money to keep the canteen running. If word gets out, even the officials in Chang'an will laugh themselves silly.

"Sir, our reputation…" Edward Reed still felt that reputation mattered.

"Is reputation worth money?" Samuel Foster dropped his authoritative facade and became a complete rascal. "That William Reed, I met him once—he was clearly incompetent, only got to be Huazhou Prefect by currying favor. Now he leaves a mess for me to clean up—why should I?"

Everyone was stunned.

William Reed was known as a virtuous official, but in Samuel Foster's mouth, he became a treacherous one. The key was, Samuel Foster claimed William Reed rose to power by flattery, which was utterly absurd.

Such sharp-tongued and mean-spirited words—this was really too much. Wasn't it you, old Xu, who rose to power by flattery?

But rank crushes all. Edward Reed could only go out to borrow money. After leaving the government office, he couldn't help but spit and curse, "Dog official!"

Samuel Foster's reputation had been notorious for decades—a famous traitor of the Tang dynasty, cowardly and greedy for power. When it was learned that he was coming to take over as Huazhou Prefect, Edward Reed and many others felt that disaster had come to Huazhou.

With such a traitor and petty man in charge, the days of Huazhou's officials would only get worse and worse!

Later, Edward Reed managed to borrow some money, and at least got lamb for lunch.

At lunchtime, everyone who was eligible showed up in the dining hall. Others went to get their own food, but only Samuel Foster sat there motionless.

This was a tradition left by a previous prefect: regardless of rank, everyone had to get their own food. It was meant to foster camaraderie with the people, and to lower one's status so everyone could speak freely at lunch.

Every subsequent prefect had followed this tradition, but old Xu disdained it. He felt that, as the superior, why shouldn't he enjoy the authority that came with his position?

A minor official brought him his meal, bowing respectfully. Old Xu grunted and began to eat.

The other officials glanced at him from time to time, most of their looks filled with helplessness.

With such a superior, there was little hope for their days ahead.

After lunch, Edward Reed followed Samuel Foster back. Looking at this notorious traitor, he suppressed his dissatisfaction and asked, "Sir, about the jinx… someone from Chang'an has sent an envoy, saying…"

He glanced around—this was a hint: the people sending envoys were all big shots.

"That jinx has them all panicked? Why do I feel so pleased?" Samuel Foster felt completely refreshed, as if… well, as if he'd just had a good time in bed.

These so-called big shots were mostly from the great aristocratic clans. These people were natural rivals of the royal family. Back in the Sui dynasty, it was these clans that made Emperor Yang of Sui feel like he was sitting on pins and needles. Later, several major moves were all aimed at these aristocratic families.