The military rider arrived the next morning while Ning was setting the hearing table in the public hall. He dismounted, handed his reins to a soldier waiting by the gate, and presented an investigation order bearing the provincial seal.
Wei Zheng asked to see the contracts, the boundary papers, and the stored crop. The growers stiffened at the sight of his uniform. Tavin moved in front of the paper bundle on the table.
“Are you here to take it?” he asked.
“I’m here to inspect it,” Wei said. “Those are different actions. If your family does not consent to show its papers, I will record the refusal and ask the issuing office for further instruction.”
Tavin glanced at his mother. Mera looked at Ning, who had chosen the public hall for the review. Two elders sat at the table with her. Ke, the guild agent, stood near the far wall. Yan, Qinghe and Bai were present as witnesses to the process, not as owners of the growers’ documents.
Mera opened the bundle herself. “You can read them here. I will keep the originals in my hands.”
Wei nodded. He asked permission to make copies and said the originals would stay with each family. Ning set clean paper before him and listed every document as it was opened. Tavin watched the order of pages, ready to object if one was moved out of place.
