Chapter 88

One person hanging themselves would be bad enough, but seven people hanging themselves together?

Lu Yongcheng was caught off guard, yet he had no idea what to do.

Yang Chenglie's lips curled into a strange smile, "Da'an, what you're saying... Those few people must have privately colluded with Wang He... Oh, that's not right, we still don't know his real name. The impostor magistrate. Hearing that the impostor magistrate had fled, they also felt panic, and thus committed suicide out of fear of punishment last night."

As he said this, he glanced at Wang Changshi, who was sitting nearby.

"Actually, I had long noticed that the impostor was not quite right.

How could someone who has been in office for three years not return home to visit family, and no one from his family has come to contact him? This seems to go against human nature. So after Lu Zhubu left, I secretly arrested those seven people. But just as I was about to interrogate them, Lu Zhubu suddenly returned, and the impostor fled, rendering all my previous arrangements futile."

Turning the tables!

Yang Chenglie was clearly turning the tables, which made Lu Yongcheng even angrier.

His words implied that Lu Yongcheng had colluded with 'Wang He.' Since Wang He had fled, all the blame could be heaped on Lu Yongcheng. Yang Chenglie knew very well that as long as he did not give up the armed forces of Changping County, there would be no room for reconciliation between him and Lu Yongcheng. In such a situation, why should he be polite?

Wang Changshi's face turned ashen, staring at Yang Chenglie with eyes that seemed to spew fire.

Yang Chenglie's words also mocked him.

Your clan from Taiyuan had a member missing for three years, and your family didn't even notice? How ridiculous!

If this news reached the imperial court, the Wang family would not only lose face but also be further suppressed by Empress Wu Zetian.

Thus, Yang Chenglie's words hit right at Wang Changshi's sore spot.

"Yang Chenglie, stop your nonsense. It was clearly you who killed those seven people."

"Ha, Wang Changshi, your words are rather amusing. I have no grudge against those seven people, so why would I kill them?"

"You, you colluded with the impostor."

"Wang Changshi, do you have any evidence for that?" Yang Chenglie flew into a rage, rising to his feet.

He came from a military background, standing over six feet tall with a robust build, exuding a fierce aura. Although Wang Changshi was of noble birth, he was physically weak. When Yang Chenglie became angry, Wang Changshi couldn't help but shrink back.

"Lu Yongcheng, calm down, why get so worked up?"

Seeing the situation, Lu Yongcheng quickly stepped forward to stop Yang Chenglie, forcing a smile and pushing him back into his seat. "Wang Changshi meant no harm. His family has experienced such an event, and his relatives are still missing, so he naturally feels upset.

Sit down, Lu Yongcheng, sit down... Look at you, so old and still so quick to anger. We have been colleagues for over a decade; could I not trust you? However, with so many deaths, it could damage your reputation if it gets out."

Yang Chenglie sat down, sneering, "What do I have to fear? It's just a scolding, not like they can take my life."

"Of course not."

Lu Yongcheng realized that Yang Chenglie was like a hedgehog, impossible to touch.

He suppressed his anger, forcing a smile, "Lu Yongcheng, there's no need to rush. I'm not trying to threaten you.

However, with the recent events at the yamen and so many deaths, it won't look good if it gets out, and the people will be alarmed. My point is, we need to give an explanation. Moreover, the impostor cannot be let off. This will complicate matters, so why don't you focus on catching the impostor?"

"Oh?"

Yang Chenglie narrowed his eyes, "What do you mean, Da'an?"

Lu Yongcheng took a deep breath, speaking solemnly, "My suggestion is that you focus on catching the impostor and temporarily ignore the city's affairs. However, the city has been unstable recently, so I propose that I temporarily take charge of the militia to maintain order. Once the impostor is caught, you can return to take charge of the militia and the military guard. What do you think?"

There were dozens of bailiffs.

The fast-catch team had only a dozen or so members.

The most important military force in Changping was the militia, which numbered over three hundred.

Lu Yongcheng's proposal to take control of the most important group of the three classes of bailiffs made Yang Chenglie's face turn sour.

No matter how you put it, you just want my military power.

Yang Chenglie sneered, "Lu Zhubu, don't waste your effort. I will catch the impostor, and I won't trouble you with the militia. If you want to take control of the militia, you might as well report to the prefecture and have me removed from my position as county military officer."

"Eh, why are you saying this, Lu Yongcheng? We have cooperated for a long time; have I ever said I want to remove you from your position?"

"Hmph."

Yang Chenglie glanced at Lu Yongcheng and then at Wang Changshi.

"Alright, I have to go catch the impostor. You two can continue your conversation here. I'll take my leave."

With that, Yang Chenglie got up and left.

Lu Yongcheng's face changed, wanting to stop him, but the words died in his throat, making his expression even darker.

"Da'an, this man is too arrogant."

"I know..." Lu Yongcheng's lips curled into a cold smile, "I underestimated this peasant. I thought he was just a brute, but he turned out to be so decisive. I thought I could easily make him bow, but... those seven people didn't commit suicide out of fear; it was clearly a warning from this peasant."

"What should we do?"

Wang Changshi frowned, speaking softly, "This time, the Lu and Wang families are working together, and we both have our missions.

Previously, the rebel dog Tian Yusheng stole a letter from Heisha City. Although he died in Hugu Mountain, the letter is still missing. If this mission fails again, our clans will surely be dissatisfied, and it will only get more complicated."

Lu Yongcheng's face turned even more bitter.

"That's why I must control Changping.

If I can't control the militia, any unexpected events will put us in a difficult situation. I didn't realize that Yang Chenglie was such a tough opponent. He's not afraid of a lose-lose situation, but we can't afford any more surprises. If necessary, we can move him out of the city, but that will require the help of Shudao's troops."

"Yang Chenglie is clearly a stubborn man; will he go quietly?"

Lu Yongcheng thought for a moment, speaking softly, "I can't move him, but there are people in Changping County who can."

"You mean..."

Lu Yongcheng nodded, then smiled bitterly, "Give that old man some benefits, and he will surely step forward."

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

That night, Yang Chenglie did not return home.

At dinner, Yang Shouwen used the pretext of delivering food to have a conversation with Yang Chenglie at the yamen.

From the outside, the yamen seemed peaceful, and Yang Chenglie and Lu Yongcheng appeared to be getting along without any conflict.

Even after Yang Chenglie killed the seven坊团头 (heads of the seven wards), Lu Yongcheng did not pursue the matter too much.

But the more peaceful it seemed, the more Yang Shouwen felt the hidden intrigue beneath.

"Getting Gai Jiayun into the White Direct is not difficult, but I don't think Lu Yongcheng will let it go easily.

Xizi, I have a feeling that Lu Yongcheng wants to control the Changping militia and take away my command. This is not normal. Logically, if he wants to control the yamen, he should start with the bailiffs, but now..."

Yang Chenglie pondered for a long time, speaking softly, "You tell Gai Laojun to keep an eye on Baoxiang Pavilion for me."

"Baoxiang Pavilion?"

Yang Shouwen was puzzled, "Didn't we already investigate it? There were no suspicious points, right?"

"Just because we found no clues before doesn't mean there won't be any in the future.

The previous murder of the fake bandit and the attack on the yamen all indicate that there's a big story here, and it's related to the Lu family. If Lu Yongcheng can't take away my control of the three classes of bailiffs, he might have more tricks up his sleeve. Xizi, have the old soldier keep a close watch on Baoxiang Pavilion! If Lu Yongcheng brings in help, they will definitely come through Baoxiang Pavilion."

"I understand!"

"Alright, go back.

I will stay at the yamen for the next few days to see what Lu Yongcheng will do.

As for the Wang family, don't worry too much. Bo Yu is likely already in Jixian County, and the Wang family won't stay in Changping for long."

The behind-the-scenes game has already begun. I hope nothing goes wrong in the next few days...

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