Chapter 45

People fear overthinking.

Yang Shouwen initially had a good impression of Wang He, but one thought made him immediately start guessing about the magistrate.

If he wasn't the black hand, why didn't he report to the Youzhou Governor's Office?

If he wasn't the black hand, why did he make such a hasty decision to close the case?

Yang Shouwen thought further, Wang He, as the magistrate of Changping, naturally knew everything about the county office. He told the assassins the location of the evidence storage, so they could find it accurately; as the magistrate, he could enter and exit the right wing without anyone checking. If he secretly hid the fire source and then had the assassins set the fire when things went wrong...

"Hisss!"

The more Yang Shouwen thought, the more suspicious Wang He became.

But he couldn't convince himself. Wang He was the magistrate of Changping, and even if he was competing with Lu Yongcheng, he was still the top dog in Changping.

Moreover, he was a member of the Taiyuan Wang clan. How could he be involved with those savages?

No, there must be something wrong here!

But Yang Shouwen couldn't convince himself, because Wang He's suspicion had suddenly jumped from zero to seven or eight out of ten.

If it was him, what was the reason?

"Xizi, Xizi?"

Yang Chenglie's call finally snapped Yang Shouwen out of his thoughts.

Looking up, he saw Yang Chenglie looking at him with concern, "I've been calling you for a long time, why aren't you answering?"

"Oh, I just thought of something, but it's fine now."

"Really fine?"

Yang Shouwen smiled and nodded, "Father, don't worry, it's really fine!"

"Good... By the way, didn't I tell you to stay at Hugu Mountain? Why did you come back?"

Yang Shouwen slapped his forehead, immediately remembering the reason for his return today.

He quickly took out the map from his chest and handed it to Yang Chenglie, "Father, this is what I found in Jasmine's washing mallet. Er Lang said it looks like a map of Feihu, with some numbers marked in Turkic. I suspect that Lüzhu was killed because of this, and the Sume Mohe people are chasing us for the same reason."

"Is that so?"

Yang Chenglie took the map, unfolded it, and frowned.

After a moment, he put the map away, "Alright, I know about this. I will try to find out the truth. Xizi, you did well this time, but from now on, stay at Hugu Mountain and take care of the family. Don't get involved in this matter anymore."

"Uh..."

Yang Shouwen opened his mouth but finally nodded in agreement.

"By the way, there's one more thing."

"Go on."

Yang Shouwen hesitated for a moment and then told Yang Chenglie everything that happened today.

Gai Jiayun's actions might be a small matter, or they might turn into a disaster. Regardless of whether he had harmed Yang Rui, one thing Yang Shouwen knew was that Gai Jiayun didn't consider Yang Rui a friend and had harmed the Yang family's interests.

This, he could not tolerate.

If Gai Jiayun considered Yang Rui a friend, Yang Shouwen wouldn't mind resolving it peacefully.

But from today's situation, Gai Jiayun was just using Yang Rui, or he didn't take the Yang family seriously at all. In the past, Yang Shouwen thought Gai Jiayun had some value. But if he couldn't be of use to the Yang family, he needed to be taught a lesson.

Yang Chenglie's face turned ashen after listening to Yang Shouwen.

He held the mountain cane in his hand and paced back and forth in the room. After a moment, he suddenly slammed the cane on the low table, creating a hole in it.

"Gu Hu!"

"Your subordinate is here."

"Take my token, gather the militia, and surround the Old Army Inn.

If Gai Laojun surrenders peacefully, treat him kindly; but if he resists, or if anyone in the Old Army Inn resists, kill them on the spot and treat it as a rebellion."

Since ancient times, black and white have been opposing yet interdependent.

As the head of the largest underground force in Changping, if Gai Laojun hadn't provoked Yang Chenglie, Yang Chenglie wouldn't have made things difficult for him. In fact, he would have given Gai Laojun some help. But now, Gai Jiayun's actions had truly angered Yang Chenglie. He felt that if he didn't act, he would be looked down upon.

Gu Hu was stunned for a moment but then accepted the order and left.

Yang Chenglie's anger hadn't subsided, and he said in a low voice, "I respected Gai Laojun as a hero, so I've always turned a blind eye to the Old Army Inn. But if Gai Laojun treats me like a fool, I won't let him off."

"Father, about this matter..."

"Hmm?"

"Actually, I still have a question about what happened that night."

"What question?"

Yang Shouwen sat down on the other side of the bed and said in a serious tone, "Father has been working with Gai Laojun for many years. Even if Gai Laojun isn't wise, he wouldn't offend you like this. But what happened that night was very strange. According to what I know, the people at Hongfu Inn rarely go out and don't often contact outsiders, let alone show their faces.

Hongfu Inn is the top hotel in Changping, even Gai Laojun doesn't have the right to enter.

So, how did Gai Jiayun, a small thug who robs for a living in Changping, know about those people? I think there's something wrong here. If Gai Laojun is honest, don't make things difficult for him; if he's not, it means he doesn't take you seriously, and you don't need to be polite."

Yang Chenglie placed the mountain cane lightly on the low table and looked at Yang Shouwen, saying nothing for a long time.

"Xizi, what do you want to do?"

"Nothing, just want to see what's really going on."

Yang Chenglie's hand rested on the low table, his fingers tapping lightly, creating a rhythmic sound.

"To be honest, I've known Gai Laojun for ten years.

Even before I became the county magistrate, he was already the head of the militia here. When I first became the county magistrate, Gai Laojun helped me a lot. Over the years, although we haven't had much contact, we've always respected each other. I don't know if what Er Lang did was his own idea or if Gai Laojun was behind it.

If it's the latter, even with years of friendship, I won't show mercy.

But...

Two days. If you can't find the answer in two days, whether Gai Laojun is honest or not, I will teach him a lesson."

To be able to serve as the county magistrate of Changping for ten years and firmly control the power, Yang Chenglie was far from just a joker. When he was serious, the killing aura he had cultivated over ten years of service was even frightening to Yang Shouwen.

"Father, I understand."

"Go... and bring Er Lang over.

This boy needs more training. I thought he was too young to get involved in these matters. But now, if he doesn't mature soon, the Yang family will suffer because of him."

"I understand."

Yang Shouwen bowed and then left the office.

He walked out of the left wing and came to the gate of the county office. The gate was deserted, with no one in sight. Just as he was about to leave, he saw someone running out of a nearby alley and quickly approaching him.

"Eldest Master, I'm here."

"Shiliu..."

Yang Shouwen almost forgot about Ma Shiliu. Seeing him, he had an idea.

He took out a string of copper coins and handed them to Ma Shiliu.

"Shiliu, help me with something."

"Ah, Eldest Master, you're too kind. It's my honor to serve you."

Ma Shiliu's eyes were fixed on the copper coins in Yang Shouwen's hand, showing a look of eagerness.

Yang Shouwen smiled and put the copper coins in Ma Shiliu's hand, saying softly, "I don't care how you do it, but find Gai Jiayun and deliver a message: I want to see him in the village at Hugu Mountain by the latest tomorrow at dusk.

Otherwise, he'll be picking up his father's body..."

"Ah?"

Ma Shiliu was startled, immediately realizing that today's events wouldn't be resolved as easily as he thought. Gai Jiayun must have angered the Yang family. But it seemed the Eldest Master had some ideas and wanted to salvage the situation... Fortunately, he was smart and had already shown respect to Yang Shouwen, so he wouldn't be implicated.

He didn't expect the Eldest Master to be not only good at fighting but also so cunning...

"What, unwilling?"

"Eldest Master, what are you saying? Since you've given the order, I will do my best."

Yang Shouwen's eyes showed a cold glint.

"I don't want you to do your best, I want you to definitely find Gai Er Lang.

Remember, if I find out later that you could have found Gai Er Lang but didn't, don't blame me for turning against you."

Saying that, he walked to the entrance of the tavern and untied the horse tied there.

Mounting the horse, Yang Shouwen said to Ma Shiliu, "Shiliu, you're a smart man. Do a good job, and I won't let you down."

He then rode away.