Chapter 42

The struggle between the Yue and Wang families shocked the entire Yingzhou Prefecture, and even the governor of Taiyuan Prefecture, Xu Dingchen, learned about it.

"Sir, the Yue family is extremely malicious, sending people to set fire to our Wang family's shop and kill our guards. Such heartless and reckless people must not be tolerated. I hope the sir will quickly send troops to bring the entire Yue family to justice, to demonstrate the majesty of our imperial law!"

In the back hall of the Taiyuan Prefecture governor's office, Governor Xu Dingchen, dressed in a vermilion robe with a golden pheasant embroidered on the front, sat on the main seat, slowly sipping tea. In front of him stood a man in his late twenties, wearing a green official robe with a stream decree embroidered on the chest, speaking passionately. This young seventh-rank official was none other than Wang Chengdong, the eldest son of Wang Shoucheng, who had just been appointed as the inspector of Taiyuan. He had received a letter from his father and immediately came to complain to Xu Dingchen.

Xu Dingchen raised his eyelids slightly and said in a calm tone, "Alright, I know about this. But I want to ask, what evidence do you have to prove that the Yue family did this?"

"This..." Wang Chengdong was taken aback for a moment, then said loudly, "Sir, do we need evidence? Who in Yingzhou City doesn't know that the Yue family has privately trained a militia? Yueyang is ambitious. Who else but Yueyang would dare to commit such reckless acts of arson and murder?"

"Reckless acts of arson and murder? I don't think so," Xu Dingchen smiled faintly, gently placing his teacup on the table and said softly, "I heard that Yueyang's militia was approved by the military commissioner. Moreover, Yueyang led 500 soldiers to defeat 10,000 bandits and lifted the siege of Yingzhou Prefecture in just three months. Why didn't you mention these things?"

"This..."

Wang Chengdong was momentarily speechless, feeling a deep hatred in his heart. How could Xu Dingchen, a second-rank governor, know so much about a mere scholar? This was truly strange. Could Yueyang have already contacted Xu Dingchen?

However, Wang Chengdong, a former top scholar, had not been in office for nothing. As an inspector, he was skilled in verbal sparring. He argued, "Regarding Yueyang's rescue of Yingzhou City, no official has reported it to the court, so I am not aware of it. But looking at the entire Yingzhou Prefecture, only the Yue family's militia has the strength to attack a large merchant convoy. Sir, you must investigate this!"

"Enough!" Xu Dingchen impatiently slammed his teacup on the table and sneered, "I'm not senile yet. Do you think I'm a new recruit? If we could convict people based on mere conjecture, what would be the point of the Ming law or the law of the land?"

"Oh no, it seems this old Xu is really going to protect Yueyang!" Wang Chengdong's mind raced, quickly forming a suspicion, "That's not right. Old Xu has never met Yueyang, so why is he speaking up for him? Could Yueyang have secretly contacted Old Xu?"

Wang Chengdong's thoughts spun rapidly. But Xu Dingchen, who was not paying attention to him, impatiently waved his hand, "Inspector Wang, do you have anything else?"

This gesture clearly meant he was being dismissed. Although Wang Chengdong was a court-appointed inspector and did not belong to Xu Dingchen's jurisdiction, and his job was to find faults, the person in front of him was the governor of the entire Shanxi Province, the head of the civil service, and a powerful local lord. As a mere seventh-rank official, he dared not offend him too much, especially since his family and roots were in Shanxi. If he offended him too much, a small trap could ruin him.

"No... nothing. I will not disturb the sir any further, farewell!" Seeing that his complaint had failed and he was being scolded, Wang Chengdong hurriedly left in a huff.

As soon as Wang Chengdong left, a middle-aged man in his forties with an ordinary appearance walked out from behind the screen. He looked at Wang Chengdong, who had disappeared through the door, and smiled, "Sir, this time Wang Chengdong has shown his true colors. He's not afraid of anything."

Xu Dingchen coldly snorted, "This Wang Chengdong, as an inspector, is so openly using his power for personal vendettas and suppressing his opponents. It's truly despicable."

After scolding, Xu Dingchen turned to the middle-aged man and asked, "Mr. Tang, is it true that Yueyang can lead 500 elite soldiers to defeat 10,000 bandits?"

"Sir, it's absolutely true!" The middle-aged man, Mr. Tang, nodded firmly. He was Xu Dingchen's secretary and top advisor, known for his wisdom and strategic thinking. He was not only trusted by Xu Dingchen but also responsible for gathering intelligence for him.

Xu Dingchen's stern expression softened, and he asked with interest, "Is this why you want me to protect him?"

Mr. Tang smiled, "Sir, there's more to it than that. Think about it, Yueyang is just a scholar, and Yue Family Village is a small village of a thousand people. But Yueyang managed to build such a formidable force in just a few months. Don't you find that curious?"

Xu Dingchen laughed and shook his head, "The magistrate of Yingzhou Prefecture, Zheng Fakui, did send a letter about this, but you know how it is. They always report good news and hide bad news. They can exaggerate a small achievement into a great one. So I only trust my own informants. But now that you mention it, I am indeed curious about Yueyang. Could he really be a rare military talent?"

Mr. Tang pondered for a moment and said, "Sir, to be frank, don't you see the bigger picture? Our Ming Dynasty is threatened by the Manchus from outside and by bandits from within. Although you are a provincial governor, you have no military power, which is a very dangerous situation. Fortunately, General Yang Dazhu led his troops to drive the bandits led by Gao Yingxiang out of Shanxi, but General Yang did not completely eliminate them. What will you do if they return one day?"

Xu Dingchen stroked his beard and said after a moment, "Hmm, continue."

Mr. Tang's thoughts became clearer, "Sir, don't you think it's a good idea for someone like Yueyang to spontaneously form a militia to fight bandits? It doesn't cost the court, and it protects the people. If you can win over such a force, it can be a great help to you in times of need. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Hmm..."

At this, Xu Dingchen's eyes twitched slightly. The bandits led by Gao Yingxiang had ravaged Shanxi, shocking the court, which ordered him and the governor of Xuan and Da, Zhang Zongheng, to eliminate the bandits within a set time. However, his position as a governor was awkward because he had no military power.

This made it difficult for him to deal with the bandits. He couldn't send the clerks and constables to fight the bandits; they could bully ordinary people, but not fight bandits. This realization made Xu Dingchen understand that in such chaotic times, having a force that could follow his orders was essential.

This was why, when Wang Chengdong came to demand the punishment of Yueyang, Xu Dingchen protected Yueyang. Now, Mr. Tang's words aligned with his thoughts.

After some thought, Xu Dingchen said to Mr. Tang, "Xueying, what do you think if I visit Yingzhou Prefecture in a few days?"

Mr. Tang smiled, "Sir, that's a great idea. Yingzhou Prefecture was besieged for several days but did not fall, and they eliminated over 10,000 bandits. As a high-ranking official responsible for the region, you should go and see it."

After saying this, Mr. Tang and Xu Dingchen looked at each other and smiled. Meanwhile, far away in Yingzhou, Yueyang was unaware that he had narrowly escaped a crisis...

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