Chapter 79

Yang Shouwen appeared very calm, showing no signs of panic.

In fact, he had never intended to hide this matter from the beginning. Chen Yi must die! The moment he learned that Chen Yi had betrayed to Lu Yongcheng, he made up his mind. If Chen Yi were to live, Lu Yongcheng’s return would inevitably bring more chaos to the third-class constables. The foundation that his father had painstakingly built over a decade could not be destroyed by Lu Yongcheng. If the third-class constables fell into chaos, his father’s influence in Changping would be greatly weakened.

Therefore, whether it was Huang Qi or Chen Yi, Yang Shouwen had never planned to let them off.

"Why can't you fulfill my wish, you little rascal?" Yang Chenglie laughed, the coldness on his face disappearing.

"Exaggerated!" Yang Shouwen smiled.

"Oh?"

"Father, you didn't look angry at all just now."

Yang Chenglie couldn't help but laugh heartily.

He put the manuscript in his hand on the desk. "Hurry up and continue writing. I'm waiting to read it. Wash up, and come to the study later. I have something to tell you. Oh, and bring Er Lang along."

After saying this, Yang Chenglie left the room.

Yang Shouwen shook his head with a bitter smile. His father’s interruption had dispelled the doubts brought by the nightmare.

How could You Niang kill me?

Yang Shouwen shook his head, muttering to himself, and then walked out of the room.

In the corridor, there was a basin of water and all the necessary toiletries. A towel was neatly placed beside it, and on top was a soap nut carved into the shape of a puppy. Yang Shouwen immediately recognized that this was something You Niang had prepared for him. How strange, why would I have such a bizarre dream? Why would You Niang want to kill me?

He was speechless again and squatted down to wash up.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Breakfast was leftover sesame rice from last night, served with a bowl of hot porridge.

After finishing his breakfast, Yang Shouwen called Yang Rui and they both walked into Yang Chenglie’s study.

"Eldest Brother, Chen Yi..."

Yang Rui had clearly guessed something and couldn’t help but ask in a low voice on the way to the study.

Last night, Yang Shouwen had asked him about Chen Yi, and this morning, he heard that Chen Yi had been killed in an alley in Heping Fang.

Yang Rui wasn’t stupid; how could he not guess the connection?

However, he felt even more fear towards Yang Shouwen.

"Listen more, talk less. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Who is Chen Yi?"

Yang Shouwen glared at Yang Rui, making his heart skip a beat.

He quickly said, "I was just talking. I heard that Chen Yi was killed last night."

"So what if he was killed? Snitches never have a good end. Do you have a good relationship with him, feeling sad?"

"Spit, spit, spit, I don’t even know this person. But what does 'snitch' mean?"

"Traitor!"

After saying this, the two arrived at the door of Yang Chenglie’s study.

Yang Shouwen stepped forward and gently knocked on the door, hearing Yang Chenglie’s cold voice from inside: "Xizi, Er Lang, come in."

Yang Shouwen quickly opened the door and walked into the study with Yang Rui.

Yang Chenglie was sitting at his desk, gesturing for them to sit down.

"Chen Yi was killed last night, clearly offending someone. I heard he was involved with many gang leaders in Changping, so after I received the news last night, I immediately ordered a raid on the various neighborhoods, arresting all suspicious individuals.

The city will be a bit turbulent for the next two days.

With Clerk Lu absent, I need to be on duty at the yamen frequently, so I won’t have time to take care of the family. You two need to be more attentive."

Yang Shouwen smiled!

His father was indeed in tune with him.

He had just taken action, and his father followed up immediately.

By now, Old Army Commander Gai must have heard the news... This is for the best, it will also put Old Army Commander Gai at ease.

Yang Rui was stunned for a moment but quickly reacted.

He had been present when Yang Shouwen negotiated with Old Army Commander Gai.

Old Army Commander Gai had requested that Yang Chenglie take action against the gang leaders in the seven neighborhoods, giving him time to reorganize the underground world in Changping. Yang Rui had wondered how Yang Chenglie would act, but he never expected it to be resolved so easily.

He looked at Yang Shouwen with a complex expression, feeling a bit disappointed.

Back then, he had spread rumors and become Yang Chenglie’s personal attendant. Although he had his own motives, he had also wanted to help Yang Chenglie. Now, after Eldest Brother regained his senses, he easily resolved the problem. Previously, he had feared Yang Shouwen more than admired him. Now, he was thoroughly in awe of his eldest brother.

"Er Lang, when you go to the city gate on duty later, tell Gai Er Lang to pass a message to Old Army Commander Gai.

Tell him that your eldest brother has fulfilled his promise, and now it’s time for him to fulfill his."

"I understand, Father."

Yang Rui knew that from now on, his role in the family would be that of a messenger.

Although it was not what he had hoped for, at least he was starting to contribute to the family, which was a good beginning.

"Also, tell Gai Er Lang to tell Old Army Commander Gai to keep a low profile and not to cause a commotion in the city."

"Understood!"

Yang Chenglie nodded, his gaze turning to Yang Shouwen.

He pondered for a moment and said softly, "Last night, the county magistrate suddenly invited me for a drink."

"Oh?"

Yang Chenglie took out a map and placed it on the desk. "A few days ago, you asked me to get a map from the county magistrate, and he gave it to me. However, he acted very strangely last night, telling me to maintain the status quo and not make any changes."

Yang Shouwen was taken aback, his face showing surprise.

"Maintain the status quo?"

He looked at Yang Chenglie. "Does this mean the county magistrate doesn’t intend to fight against Lu Yongcheng anymore?"

"I don’t know."

Yang Chenglie couldn’t help but laugh bitterly, shaking his head. "Perhaps the county magistrate finds it uninteresting and doesn’t want to continue the struggle with Lu Yongcheng. Or maybe he wants to stay out of it, letting me and Lu Yongcheng fight it out so he can benefit from the conflict. But regardless of his intentions, I must continue to fight against Lu Yongcheng, or I will eventually be marginalized."

As he spoke, he stood up.

"There might also be the influence of the Wang family from Taiyuan.

The five surnames and seven clans are deeply intertwined, with complex relationships. The emperor has long been dissatisfied with the aristocracy and has taken many measures to suppress them, which has made the major families more united. The Wang family may not want to worsen their relationship with the Lu family over this matter. Even if Lu Yongcheng gains the upper hand, the Lu family may not be too hard on the county magistrate."

At this point, Yang Chenglie couldn’t help but massage his temples, his expression becoming even more troubled.

"But this puts me in a difficult position!

I will never let go of the third-class constables. Otherwise, it will be even harder to establish myself in Changping in the future. So, no matter what, I will fight against Lu Yongcheng to the end. However..."