Chapter 85

The candlelight flickered, dimming and brightening intermittently. ※％

Yang Shouwen's face, illuminated by the candlelight, took on an even more chilling and stern expression.

Yang Chenglie stared at him in a daze, unable to speak for a long time. He understood Yang Shouwen's meaning: it was about making an example to deter others. If these words had been spoken by a seasoned adult, Yang Chenglie would not have been surprised. However, the problem was that Yang Shouwen was still a minor, not yet of age, yet he could make such a decisive decision, which was indeed hard for him to accept.

Yang Chenglie knew that Yang Shouwen had killed before.

But whether it was the fierce attack at the Little Maitreya Temple or the desperate fight on the way back from Gugu, there were mostly unavoidable reasons.

Now, he was asking for the lives of seven people.

His tone was cold, as if he was indifferent to those seven lives, which made Yang Chenglie feel a chill.

"Father, if you don't cut the grass at the root, it will grow again when the spring breeze blows.

I know you are reluctant to kill, but sometimes we have no choice. If those seven people don't die, the Old Army won't be at peace, and Lu Yongcheng won't be afraid. You have been kind to everyone for over a decade in Changping. But in the end? Guan Hu's background is unknown, and Huang Qi and Chen Yi have betrayed you. In the end, Father, you are sometimes too kind."

As Yang Shouwen spoke, he walked to Yang Chenglie's side.

"A weak horse is ridden, and a kind person is bullied. Father, think carefully."

Yang Chenglie closed his eyes, trying to digest what Yang Shouwen had said.

After a long while, he suddenly smiled bitterly and said softly, "Xizi, your mother once said I was ruthless but not cruel... I never thought that after more than ten years, I would hear the same words from you. I, as a father, have truly failed."

His eyes grew colder, and he took a deep breath, as if making a decision.

There was no personal grudge between him and Lu Yongcheng, only a struggle for power. If Yang Chenglie did not want to compete for fame and profit and was willing to be Lu Yongcheng's lackey, everything would be fine. But the question was, how could he, Yang Chenglie, be willing to do so?

"What about Wang Changshi?"

"This person must not be allowed to stay in Changping."

"Right!"

Yang Chenglie raised his head and looked at Yang Shouwen.

"But the question is, how do we drive him away? Since he came today, it won't be easy for him to leave Changping County."

"What if he has to leave?"

Yang Shouwen spoke and took out the map from his shoulder bag.

"This map is likely the route for Mo Chuo's advance into Central China.

Mo Chuo's goal this time is not just to raid the border, but to penetrate into the Hebei region, emulating the actions of the Khitan Li Jinzhong in the past. If Father hands this map to Governor Zhang, it will surely attract his attention. At that time, as the Chief Secretary of the Governor's Office, Wang Changshi will be recalled to Jixian... I think Wang Changshi may not really want to help Lu Yongcheng."

Yang Chenglie had said that the noble families were deeply rooted but also wary of each other.

Do not assume that just because the Wang family and the Lu family have reached an agreement, the Wang family will be willing to help the Lu family.

In fact, with the current scandal in the Wang family, they might even be more willing to see the Lu family lose face.

"But how do we get it to Governor Zhang?"

Yang Shouwen smiled.

After a moment of surprise, Yang Chenglie also smiled.

"Your idea is to have Boyu deliver the message?"

"Uncle Chen is still in Changping. Although he has resigned from his position as the supervisor of the Youzhou Governor's Office, he has been there for two years and still has connections. If he takes the lead, this map will easily reach Governor Zhang's desk."

Chen Ziaogang came to Changping with Yang Chenglie after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

However, for some unknown reason, Chen Ziaogang did not leave in a hurry but stayed in the Changping inn. Yang Shouwen maliciously guessed that Chen Ziaogang might have stayed in the city because he had not completed his mission. However, Chen Ziaogang had not visited the Yang residence or interacted with Yang Chenglie in recent days.

Yang Chenglie nodded lightly, appreciating Yang Shouwen's idea.

He knew Chen Ziaogang, and if the map was genuine, Chen Ziaogang would not stand idly by but would certainly pass it on to the Youzhou Governor Zhang Renyuan.

Without Wang Changshi, it would not be easy for Lu Yongcheng to suppress Yang Chenglie.

Even if the Lu family helped Lu Yongcheng... Yang Chenglie thought about this and sneered.

If the Lu family's actions were too obvious, the Holy One in Luoyang might be very happy to strip another layer of skin from the Lu family.

After all, the Holy Mother Empress had never been fond of the noble families.

"Xizi, inform Er Lang to prepare and set out early tomorrow morning."

"Ah?" Yang Shouwen was taken aback and asked, "Didn't you say we should wait a few more days? Why is it so urgent for Er Lang to leave now?"

"He won't be of much use staying in Changping. It's better for him to leave early."

"Alright, I'll inform him immediately."

"Also, maintain contact with the Old Army. Tell them that as long as I, Yang Chenglie, am in Changping, I won't make things difficult for them."

"Understood!"

Yang Shouwen immediately bowed and turned to leave.

Watching his back, Yang Chenglie's eyes were complex.

The foolish boy who had been muddled for seventeen years had finally grown up and become clear-headed... but this clarity made him hard to accept. Without mentioning anything else, just the decisive and ruthless nature of Yang Shouwen, who did he take after?

Yang Chenglie came from the military, as Zheng's family had once said, ruthless but not cruel.

And Zheng was a gentle and virtuous woman, who could not bear to see killing and had a heart like a bodhisattva.

Yet, these two people had such a son.

Yang Chenglie did not know whether he should be happy or sad. He always felt that there were many secrets hidden in Yang Shouwen.

That calligraphy with the strength of Yan and the elegance of Liu, that novel "Journey to the West" which could be called a masterpiece.

Yang Chenglie suddenly laughed foolishly and muttered to himself, "Everyone hopes their children will be good, but my son is so capable, and I always have these wild thoughts. You were right, Xiwén, I am indeed a scoundrel."

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

Yang Chenglie left the Yang residence late at night and headed straight for the county office.

The next morning, he went to the inn and returned home at noon.

After a hurried lunch, Yang Chenglie left home and returned to the county office. Wang He's disappearance left Changping County leaderless. Even with Lu Yongcheng's return, it would take time to stabilize the situation. As the County Magistrate, it was the time for him to assert his presence. Moreover, Yang Chenglie did not want to give Lu Yongcheng an excuse, lest he fall behind.

During lunch, he did not talk much with Yang Shouwen.

However, from his expression, Yang Shouwen read Yang Chenglie's intentions.

After Yang Chenglie left, he called Yang Rui, Yang Molili, and Song An over, repeatedly instructed them, and then led them out of the Yang residence. Three horses were already prepared, and Yang Rui and the others led the horses, following Yang Shouwen to the city gate.

"Er Lang, be careful when you reach Zhengyang.

It is the heart of Central China, and there will likely be more disputes. When you get there, listen more and talk less, and never show off your strength.

In any situation, listen to Song An.

If there is danger, Yang Molili will protect you... in short, go to Zhengyang early and return early, so your parents won't worry."

"I understand!"

Yang Rui verified the household registration at the city gate, and then the three of them mounted their horses outside the city.

Yang Shouwen stood at the city gate, watching them ride away until they were out of sight.

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