Chapter 76

As night fell, it was almost time for the curfew to begin. After finishing his official duties, Yang Chenglie prepared to go home. In recent days, with Lu Yongcheng absent from Changping, the situation had become much calmer. However, it was precisely because of this that Yang Chenglie felt even more exhausted than before.

When Lu Yongcheng was around, although there were hidden intrigues, he was meticulous in his official duties. Many matters were sorted out by Lu Yongcheng before being handed over to Yang Chenglie, making Yang Chenglie's work much easier. Now, with Lu Yongcheng on leave, all the complex official duties fell on Wang He and Yang Chenglie. There was no hope of relying on the old county magistrate, so as the two major figures in Changping County, Wang He and Yang Chenglie had to take on the responsibility.

Wang He was skilled in administration, but when it came to handling complex official duties, he still fell short compared to Lu Yongcheng. Yang Chenglie had to assist Wang He and take on more responsibilities. If only Lu Yongcheng had not coveted the power in his hands, how much better it would be? After a busy day, Yang Chenglie tidied up his room and prepared to leave. However, he somewhat missed the leisurely days when Lu Yongcheng was around.

To be honest, Yang Chenglie was also very confused. He and Lu Yongcheng had worked together for over a decade. Although they had no close relationship, they always maintained respect for each other and had no conflicts. Even when Wang He and Lu Yongcheng were in competition, Yang Chenglie mostly stayed out of it.

However, Lu Yongcheng suddenly turned against him and extended his influence into his territory. What was going on here? Thinking about this, Yang Chenglie felt very perplexed.

Just as he was about to leave the county office, Wang He suddenly sent someone to tell him that there were some unusual signs in the city. Yang Chenglie had to send someone to investigate and then return to the office to wait for news. It looked like he would have to stay on duty in the office tonight!

Yang Chenglie sat down behind his desk and picked up a file, flipping through it under the lamp. As for dinner, the servant would prepare it, so he didn't have to worry about going hungry.

Time passed slowly. Yang Chenglie felt a bit drowsy. He lay down in his clothes, intending to take a short rest, but he heard footsteps outside and then someone said, "Is Wenxuan here?"

Yang Chenglie quickly got up and opened the door. Wang He, dressed casually, walked in, followed by a servant carrying a food box.

"County Magistrate, I was just waiting for news from the market. Is there anything you need?"

Yang Chenglie stood up as he spoke. However, Wang He smiled and waved his hand, "Wenxuan, there's no need to be so formal. I was just bored and wanted to chat with someone. By the way, have you had dinner yet?"

Yang Chenglie replied, "Not yet."

"Perfect, let's have dinner together."

Wang He ordered the servant to open the food box, which contained three dishes, two pots of wine, and a steaming hot giant millet pancake. With his superior here, Yang Chenglie couldn't refuse. He cleaned the table and had the servant place the food and wine on it, then invited Wang He to sit down.

"These past two days, Wenxuan has really been working hard."

"County Magistrate, this is just part of my duty. How can it be called hard work? I see that you look quite tired these past two days."

"Is that so?"

Wang He touched his cheek and smiled, stroking his beard.

"When Lu Yongcheng was here, I didn't feel the official duties were so complex. Now, with Lu Yongcheng on leave for just two days, the office has become a bit chaotic. If it weren't for Wenxuan, I wouldn't be able to manage everything. Here, let me toast to Wenxuan first, as a way to thank you for your strong support over the past two years."

Hmm, something's off here!

Yang Chenglie敏锐地察觉到，Wang He's words had a hidden meaning. However, since Wang He had spoken, he couldn't refuse, so he raised his cup and took a sip. Wang He drank his cup of wine in one go.

"County Magistrate, is there any change?"

"Change?" Wang He smiled gently and said softly, "What change could there be? As long as Wenxuan does your job with all your heart, there won't be any problems."

"Oh!"

Yang Chenglie smiled and nodded, refilling Wang He's cup.

"By the way, you asked me for the map of Fei Hu yesterday. I've brought it for you."

After they had a couple of drinks, Wang He suddenly remembered something and took out the map from his bag, placing it in front of Yang Chenglie.

"Wenxuan, do you see anything?"

"Not really... But the other day, Er Lang suddenly mentioned this map, which made me think of some things. County Magistrate, why would Murong Xuanzhi, who is a well-established commander of the Jingnan Army, ally with the barbarians?"

Wang He picked up his cup and looked at Yang Chenglie. After a moment of silence, he said softly, "The one Murong Xuanzhi is allying with may not be Moche."

"Ah?"

"Wenxuan, you are clever, but you are also straightforward. In the future, you need to be more cautious. This rebellion by Moche won't last long. Just do your job and don't get involved in other matters. I know what you are worried about! What you fear is the Jingnan Army advancing to the city. However, although the Jingnan Army and Changping are only separated by the Juyong Pass, I don't think Murong Xuanzhi will attack here..."

"Why?"

Yang Chenglie felt that Wang He was acting very strangely today, and his words were vague and unclear. If the Jingnan Army and Changping were only separated by the Juyong Pass, why wouldn't they attack?

Wang He tapped his fingers on the table and smiled bitterly after a long pause. "I don't know, but I feel that he won't attack."

"Feel?"

Yang Chenglie was even more puzzled. You, the County Magistrate, are not making decisions based on feelings, are you? This is a matter of national importance. You feel that Murong Xuanzhi won't attack Changping? That sounds too childish.

Moreover, what did Wang He mean by saying that Murong Xuanzhi might not be allying with Moche?

Just then, a servant reported from outside the door that someone from the Youzhou Governor's Office had arrived.

Wang He finished his drink in one go and stood up. "Chatting with Wenxuan has been very pleasant, but unfortunately, I have a lot of official duties to attend to. I can't continue drinking and talking. I'll go handle the matter first. When we have the chance, we'll chat more and get thoroughly drunk."

"Oh, of course."

Yang Chenglie was a bit at a loss. If you want to drink with me, how can I refuse? And what do you mean by 'when we have the chance'?

However, he didn't press the issue and stood up to see Wang He to the door.

"Wenxuan."

"County Magistrate, what do you need?"

Wang He looked at Yang Chenglie with a deep gaze. He suddenly lowered his voice. "The current situation is actually quite good. Don't try to change it."

"Ah?"

"Alright, I'll take my leave. Take care, Wenxuan."

Wang He finished speaking, swung his sleeves, and walked away.

Watching his figure disappear down the corridor, Yang Chenglie frowned, feeling completely baffled. What did Wang He mean by coming here today and saying all these strange things? The current situation is good? Could it be that he has given up on competing with Lu Yongcheng? That doesn't make sense! What did he mean by all this?

Yang Chenglie stood in the doorway, the more he thought about it, the more confused he became...

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There will be two more updates tonight!

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I will occasionally provide additional information about the characters in the story and my understanding and speculations about this period. I hope you will join.

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