Chapter 74

Song Siniang nodded repeatedly, expressing her agreement with Yang Shouwen's words.

"Will my third brother be alright?"

"Mother, don't worry. Father is still the County Magistrate of Changping, and the Changping prison is still under his control. Third Brother Song is probably safer in the prison. If you're still worried, I'll go to the prison and give them a few instructions to ensure they take good care of Third Brother Song."

"Thank you, Nizi."

Song Siniang finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Yang Shouwen's words.

Yang Shouwen did not refuse and immediately changed into a set of clothes before hurriedly leaving the Yang residence.

Yang Shouwen was not just trying to scare Song Siniang; he genuinely felt something was amiss.

He had spoken with Yang Rui a few times and had also indirectly learned some information about Third Brother Song from Song Siniang.

In general, Third Brother Song was still a smart person!

After the death of Old Master Song, the Song family split into three households.

Third Brother Song, relying on the property he received from the division, lived a decent life, though he didn't exactly revitalize the family business.

He had a bit of cunning, but he wasn't very brave.

Yang Shouwen didn't believe that a timid person like Third Brother Song would take the risk of smuggling contraband. Even if his father-in-law was the County Magistrate of Changping, Yang Shouwen still didn't believe it. However, if those contrabands were not from Third Brother Song, who was the real culprit? This matter seemed to be quite complicated! Previously, Yang Shouwen didn't know that Lu Yongcheng was plotting against Yang Chenglie, so he didn't think too deeply about it. But now, he couldn't help but consider the conspiracy behind it.

Everyone knew that since Wu Zhaodi ascended the throne, the governance had become strict.

Yang Chenglie's protection of Third Brother Song wouldn't be a big issue as long as it didn't get out.

In fact, even with strict governance, officials often protect each other. If no one stands up to accuse, everyone just turns a blind eye.

But once someone steps forward, Yang Chenglie will be in trouble.

Lu Yongcheng, who was trying to sideline Yang Chenglie, might very well use the matter of Third Brother Song to his advantage.

One should not have the intention to harm others, but one must be cautious.

Yang Shouwen realized that although Changping County was in a remote and desolate area, the political intrigue here was even more terrifying.

If he hadn't had Third Brother Song arrested, Yang Chenglie might already be in trouble!

Changping prison was located about two kilometers from the county office, inside the Temple of the Prison God.

This place was in the northwest of Changping County, with little sunlight, making it feel particularly gloomy and cold from a distance.

Yang Shouwen was not obstructed and easily met with Third Brother Song.

Third Brother Song had been in prison for about seven or eight days. Although he looked a bit haggard, it was clear that he hadn't been mistreated.

After all, he was Yang Chenglie's brother-in-law.

As long as Yang Chenglie remained the County Magistrate, Third Brother Song would naturally be taken care of.

The cell was quite spacious, with a bed and all necessary furnishings. There was even a table with wine and dishes.

However, the light was very dim, and the cell was cold. When Yang Shouwen entered, he even felt a chill.

"Big Brother, are you here to release me?"

Seeing Yang Shouwen, Third Brother Song was very excited.

Yang Shouwen smiled and sat down beside the low table, speaking softly, "Third Brother Song, by seniority, I should call you Uncle. However, I'm not here to release you, but to ask you some questions."

"Why not release me? Big Brother, you know I was framed."

"Who framed you?"

"About that..."

Third Brother Song looked distressed, scratching his head vigorously.

"I've thought about this for a long time, but I really can't figure out who would want to frame me. I, Song, might be a bit greedy, but I rarely offend people. Father always told me that harmony brings wealth. So even with the connection to your father, I rarely bully my competitors... I've done things like shortchanging and selling inferior goods, but that doesn't warrant sending me to prison, does it?"

Yang Shouwen nodded in agreement.

He paused for a moment, then said, "Uncle, I'm here today at Mother's request to confirm some things. Although our relationship is distant and we don't have much interaction, I wouldn't come to frame you, right?"

"Of course not."

"Good, let's get straight to the point."

Yang Shouwen tapped the table lightly and said, "I think the person who framed you is like Xiang Zhuang's sword dance, aiming at Peigong."

Third Brother Song was taken aback, then showed a look of surprise.

"Big Brother, you mean..."

Yang Shouwen nodded, looking intently at Third Brother Song, "I don't have a close relationship with the Song family, but I am the eldest son of the Yang family. Second Brother is my brother, Qingnu is my sister, and my mother is your younger sister. So, the Song and Yang families are like lips and teeth, tied together... Uncle, I don't think you would disagree with this, right?"

"Of course not."

"Then you must understand that without the Yang family, the Song family won't have an easy time either."

Third Brother Song nodded again, speaking solemnly, "Big Brother, what you say is true."

"Uncle, the current situation is that someone is targeting my father."

"Ah?"

"The county's chief clerk, Lu Yongcheng, has always wanted to sideline my father and control the three classes of constables to oppose the county magistrate. Moreover, the situation in Changping is very unstable, so every move my father makes must be cautious."

Third Brother Song's expression changed upon hearing this.

"Lu Chief Clerk?"

"Exactly."

To Third Brother Song, the name Lu Yongcheng was not unfamiliar.

He was not yet forty but had witnessed Lu Yongcheng's twenty-year tenure as the chief clerk of Changping.

"Is Lu Chief Clerk targeting Wenxuan?"

"Big Brother, you mean this matter might..."

"I haven't said anything."

Yang Shouwen immediately stopped Third Brother Song from continuing, lowering his voice, "I don't know if Lu Chief Clerk framed you, but I do know that he has been eyeing the three classes of constables under my father's control for a long time. If my father releases you now, Lu Chief Clerk might very well act collectively and find trouble for my father. After all, hiding military equipment and smuggling salt are not small matters.

Moreover, there's another matter: the Turks have rebelled!"

"Ah?"

"If I'm not mistaken, your shipment was destined for the frontier?"

Third Brother Song's face turned pale. He understood what Yang Shouwen meant. The Turks had rebelled, and his shipment was headed for the frontier. The shipment contained military equipment and salt, which, to put it bluntly, was treason. If this were confirmed, he would face certain death, and his family would be implicated.

In this situation, the more secure the position of County Magistrate Yang Chenglie, the more protection he could provide.

Anyone could fall, but Yang Chenglie must not.

If Yang Chenglie fell, his problems would become very serious!

Thinking of this, Third Brother Song gritted his teeth, harboring even more hatred towards those who framed him.

"Big Brother, don't say any more. I'm not someone who doesn't understand the gravity of the situation.

Please tell the County Magistrate to focus on the current troubles and not worry about my situation. Although the conditions here are not good, no one is mistreating me."

"Very well."

Yang Shouwen knew that Third Brother Song would inform his family, and no one would come to cause trouble.

"Uncle, there's one more thing. Where did you get those goods?"

"Baixiang Pavilion."

Third Brother Song answered without hesitation, "I've always bought goods from Baixiang Pavilion... After Father passed away, I was able to quickly establish myself after the division of the family because I knew Lin the shopkeeper at Baixiang Pavilion. Lin is a good person, and Baixiang Pavilion is a well-known old brand in Changping..."

He suddenly stopped.

"I picked up the goods from Baixiang Pavilion's warehouse that day and was about to leave the city, but I was caught at the city gate. Wait, I seem to have heard that Baixiang Pavilion is a property of the Lu family of Fanyang."

Yang Shouwen slapped his hand on the table and stood up, saying, "That makes sense! Lu Yongcheng is also a member of the Lu family of Fanyang."

"Damn!"

Third Brother Song looked enlightened and slapped himself.

"I should have realized this earlier... The goods were always stored in Baixiang Pavilion's warehouse. Who else could have put those things in there? I had no grudges with them before, so I didn't think much of it. Now, I realize they were using me to frame Wenxuan. That damn Lin, he never had good intentions from the start."

Yang Shouwen let out a long breath, "Since Uncle can guess the mastermind, it saves a lot of trouble.

Please bear with it for a while longer. I'll report back to Father and find a way to get you out."

After saying this, Yang Shouwen turned to leave.

Just then, Third Brother Song suddenly said, "Big Brother, wait."

Yang Shouwen stopped and looked at Third Brother Song in surprise.

Third Brother Song said, "Speaking of Baixiang Pavilion, I suddenly remembered something... That morning, I went to pick up the goods early, and it was just getting light, but the light wasn't very good. I vaguely saw a group of people enter the back door of Baixiang Pavilion.

That same night, the county office was attacked by bandits!"