Chapter 84

Yang Chenglie scratched his head and smiled bitterly, "I don't know! It's just that the county magistrate has seemed quite strange these past few days, making me think he might have caught wind of something. If you want to confirm, why don't you check his bedroom to see if his personal belongings are missing?"

Lu Yongcheng nodded and quickly called for his book boy, then burst into Wang He's bedroom.

A moment later, he came out, his face ashen.

"The thief's personal belongings are gone, along with the writing brushes and inkstones he liked. It looks like he definitely sensed something. I've dealt with him for three years and know him somewhat. This man is quite capable and very meticulous and cautious. If he senses trouble, he will certainly flee immediately."

"Damn it!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Changshi stomped his foot in anger, his face turning particularly ugly.

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"So, it seems this fake county magistrate has some skills."

The uproar in Changping County turned the government office into a chaotic mess. Fortunately, many people were unaware of what had happened, and those who knew the inside story were placed under house arrest by Lu Yongcheng and Wang Changshi.

Yang Chenglie was not deeply involved in this matter, so Lu Yongcheng did not bother him.

However, Yang Chenglie felt that Lu Yongcheng was not trying to avoid trouble with him but simply had not had the time. As for County Magistrate Li, Yang Chenglie had never expected him to be of any help. As he had guessed, County Magistrate Li, upon learning the truth, acted as if it had nothing to do with him. After all, even the Youzhou government knew he had been bedridden and not involved in Changping's affairs. Asking for his help was basically impossible.

This day was absolutely a long one for Yang Chenglie.

When he got home in the evening, it was almost the hour of Hai. However, Yang Shouwen was still waiting for him, clearly having heard some news.

After Yang Chenglie recounted the events, Yang Shouwen was equally stunned.

"Who would have thought, this guy indeed has some skills, able to sense something was wrong and then escape from Changping. According to the guards at the city gate, just half an hour before Lu Yongcheng returned, he left through the east gate and disappeared. Now, it will be difficult for Lu Yongcheng to catch him. He might have already crossed the Lu River. Once he leaves Youzhou, it will be impossible to apprehend him. The Wang family can only suffer in silence."

At this point, Yang Chenglie couldn't help but show a hint of admiration in his words.

In fact, not only Yang Chenglie, but even Yang Shouwen felt that this 'Wang He' was indeed a talent.

Who knows how he managed to impersonate someone! According to Yang Chenglie, Wang He came alone three years ago with all the necessary procedures, and no one would have doubted his identity. During his three years in Changping, his performance was quite remarkable. In the first year of Wansui Tongtian, when the Khitan leader Li Jinzhong led his troops to the outskirts of Changping, Wang He led the defense against the Khitans for three days and ultimately repelled them.

At that time, even the Youzhou Governor Di Renjie expressed admiration for Wang He.

Over the past three years, although Changping was not entirely peaceful, it was generally stable. There were no major disasters, and the people had a high level of recognition for Wang He. Unfortunately, who would have thought he was a fake?

Yang Shouwen couldn't help but chuckle, reminding him of a similar incident in another timeline from his previous life.

"Father, what should we do now?"

Yang Chenglie looked bewildered, shaking his head. "I'm not quite sure... In the short term, Lu Yongcheng won't turn on me. But this time, he clearly has the support of the Lu family, and with Wang Changshi here, it suggests that the Taiyuan Wang family and the Lu family have likely formed an alliance. With such a scandal, the Wang family will not want it to spread. Therefore, they will strongly support Lu Yongcheng. When that happens, it will be difficult for me to compete with him."

Saying this, Yang Chenglie sighed, his body slumping onto the couch, his gaze scattered and listless.

It really is a case of outsmarting oneself!

Originally, he thought he had everything under control, but who would have thought...

With the Wang He incident, all his previous arrangements were in vain.

Yang Chenglie knew very well that once Lu Yongcheng stabilized the situation, he would launch the most aggressive attack against him.

Before the next county magistrate arrives, Lu Yongcheng will try every means to control the three classes of clerks.

This way, even if the county magistrate changes, he will still hold the power. With the Lu family's support, Lu Yongcheng's position as chief clerk will not be shaken. It's possible that the Lu family might even promote him further.

From chief clerk to county magistrate, from a ninth-rank official to an eighth-rank official.

By then, who could challenge Lu Yongcheng's position in Changping?

But, Yang Chenglie still felt a hint of unwillingness in his heart!

"Are you going to give up, Father?"

"What else can I do if I don't give up?"

Yang Chenglie smiled bitterly, looking at Yang Shouwen. "With Wang Changshi stationed in Changping, how can I possibly compete with him?"

"What if Wang Changshi leaves?"

"What do you mean?"

Yang Shouwen stood up and filled Yang Chenglie's cup with wine.

"Father's main concern is Wang Changshi supporting Lu Yongcheng, plus the Lu family's covert efforts. Actually, there's no need to worry about Wang Changshi. He might put some pressure on you, but he may not be willing to exert real effort. With such a scandal, he probably doesn't want to stay in Changping for long. If you can find a way to make him leave, your opponent will be only Lu Yongcheng. Now that the county magistrate is gone and County Magistrate Li is not involved, Lu Yongcheng's only support is the Fan Yang Lu family. As long as Father holds onto the three classes of clerks, what can Lu Yongcheng do to you?"

Yang Chenglie's eyes narrowed, and he sat up straight.

"Do you mean there's still a chance to turn things around?"

"We can try."

"How?"

Yang Shouwen pondered for a moment and said softly, "Lu Yongcheng has been secretly buying off the leaders of the seven workshops. Now that he's back, he might not have had time to deal with them yet. If those leaders are released, with Lu Yongcheng's support, the old military family might not be able to hold out."

Yang Chenglie nodded in agreement, but his eyes still showed some doubt.

"Father, the old military family is our ally. If they can't hold out, they will join Lu Yongcheng, and Father will lose a strong arm. We must protect the three classes of clerks and the old military family! Why don't you show some skill?"

"You mean..."

"The leaders of the seven workshops are still in jail, right?"

"Right."

"Once Lu Yongcheng stabilizes, he will certainly force Father to release the leaders of the seven workshops."

Yang Chenglie said, "That's natural."

"Those leaders are Lu Yongcheng's henchmen and must not be released. Previously, Father relied on Wang He. But now that Wang He can't be trusted, we have to use the most primitive means."

Yang Shouwen took a sip of water and stared at Yang Chenglie.

"Father, kill the leaders of the seven workshops."

"What?"

Yang Shouwen's handsome face showed a cold expression. "A man with nothing to lose fears nothing! Use seven lives to warn Lu Yongcheng, and also warn that Wang family member. If they push us too far, we'll all go down together."