Chapter Eleven

  Huang Pu advised, "Worthy nephew, don't be impatient. Although he is now the county magistrate, it's easy to arrest him. But for now, the situation is unclear, and we still don't know what he came here for. Let's wait until things are clear before dealing with him."

  Li Yi: "Huangfu Shu, I just can't swallow this insult. In Tianyang County, he beat me to the point of death! I've never been treated like this before in my life!"

  Huang Pu Yan: "Don't worry, my good nephew, I will definitely let you get your revenge, but for now, let's just observe and feel him out, then we'll deal with him. He can't escape our grasp here anyway."

  Section of government.

  Official A: "Sir, what do you think of Lord Cold?"

  "Don't you understand? He came here just to find fault with Director Li. And I think this person will be very beneficial to us."

  "What do you mean by these words, sir?"

  Duan Xiaoxiao said: "Didn't you hear, I asked him what he planned to do. He was evasive and hesitant in his speech, and even said that something big would happen here after a few days."

  Everyone suddenly understood.

  Official B: "You have a high vision, but I don't know how we should make our next move in this game?"

  Duan took a sip of tea and said, "In the past, we wanted to rely on Director Li, but unfortunately, there was no way in. As a result, we were always suppressed by those martial artists. Now that Lord Leng has arrived, it's our chance! We can use him as a stepping stone to explore the situation. If we can get in touch with Director Lin and Director Li falls, won't our opportunity have arrived?"

  Li Hua said: "Duan brother, do you think he has this kind of influence?"

  Duan Dao said, "I think he should have, since he knows the young lady of Lin's mansion. He might have some connection with Miss Lin, and who knows, maybe he is even the one Miss Lin has her eyes on. Think about it, a newly appointed official gets promoted twice in less than a month, if there isn't some kind of backing from a powerful woman, do you think that's possible?"

  Officer A: "Shouldn't we say something to him?"

  "Not now, it's not the right time yet. I've already sent someone to the capital to test the waters. Then we'll take action later. But for these few days, let's be a bit more cautious with him, in case things get complicated later."

  Everyone said: "Great, great!" and they all smiled with ulterior motives in their hearts.

  Night. The study in the backyard of the government office. Leng Wuwei: "Tian Da, have you found out where that disaster relief grain is stored?" Tian Da: "Leng Shao, I disguised myself and investigated today, and heard from the local people that a batch of military rations was sent to the Gan Zhou barracks a few days ago. Could it be the disaster relief grain?" Leng Wuwei nodded: "It must be the disaster relief grain, but we need to think of a way to get that batch of grain out." Tian Da: "Then do you have any good ideas? The people are all waiting."

  Leng Wu thought for a moment and said, "We still need to think about this matter carefully. Even if we can solve it, we can't take action ourselves, or we'll offend that old man Huang Fu, which won't be good."

  "Now what are we going to do? We can't just be trapped to death by those people."

  Leng Wuwei smiled coldly: "Hmph, tomorrow we'll go see that old man Huangfu together and see what he thinks of me. We can't afford to offend him if possible, after all, we don't have any backing, we've always been singing the Empty City Strategy!"

  The Left Prime Minister's mansion. The steward: "Prime Minister, Leng Wuwei has already taken office in Gan Zhou, will he investigate our secrets?" Li Zhong: "Don't worry unnecessarily, Huangfu Yuan will keep an eye on him. What I'm worried about now is the situation in Yang City, the floodwaters have already submerged Yang City, that's where our little treasure trove is. Now the Emperor has blamed Yang City for not managing the flood well and has dismissed the touring inspector, prefect, and dozens of officials big and small. It seems like the Emperor is going to take action against me."

  At this time, a male servant reported: "The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Yan Da Ren, has arrived." The housekeeper doubted: "It's so late, why is Yan Xun still coming here? Will something have happened?" Li Zhong hesitated for a moment and said: "Let him in, you go busy first. Wait a while and invite Mr. Wei to come and say that I have important business to discuss."

  Suddenly, Yan Xun hastily said: "Prime Minister Li, something's happened, something big has happened..." Li Zhong said: "What's happened? Look at how anxious you are. Have a cup of tea and slowly tell me what's going on?"

  "Today, after the morning court session, the Emperor sent someone to take away all the account books for inspection. Not only that, but also sent people to seal off the silver in the treasury. I was ordered to accompany the Emperor and only now can I come out."

  Li Zhong doubted: "Why does the emperor want to check the accounts? Is there any loophole in this account? Can the treasury silver and account book match?"

  Yan Xun said, "There shouldn't be any problem. I have already made the remaining silver and account books consistent according to your instructions. But what I'm worried about is the account in Yang City. That's a thorn in our side."

  Li Zhong took a deep breath and said, "You don't have to worry about that. The account books there have been burned, and I've sent those people on their way. Now they're dead and can't testify against me. As for the audit, I think it's probably Lin Lao's doing, trying to frame me. He didn't think it through."

  Yan Yin also put his mind at ease and said, "I heard that Lin Shang's eldest son is pursuing Yang Gong's daughter. If he really succeeds, his waist will be straightened, and we'll all have to show him respect."

  Li Zhong sneered: "It's not that easy, I've also let San'er go for it. If I can't get it, he won't be able to either..."