ATPnovel Chapter 55 Movements of All Parties
Chapter 55 Movements of All Parties
Yang Chengde got up and walked to the window, his back to Zhu Binghe: "But what I'm worried about is that this bandit suppression is not something that can be resolved hastily. The mountain bandits have been rampant for many years. Although the county magistrate has ambition, he may not be able to achieve a quick victory. If it drags on, I'm afraid other complications will arise."
As he spoke, Yang Chengde turned and glanced at Zhu Binghe.
Yang Chengde raised his hand to hold onto the windowsill and said meaningfully, "When those thieves are forced into a corner, they will confess to having several accomplices, which will likely distract the county magistrate. Wouldn't that delay the imperial tax revenue? If the higher-ups blame us, it will be difficult for our entire county government."
"What does Binghe think?"
Seeing that Zhu Binghe was slippery and unwilling to cooperate, Yang Chengde simply reminded him with a veiled threat that the Zhu family had a lot of leverage over him, and if he still refused to help at this time, who knew what he might do.
Sure enough, Zhu Binghe's expression changed slightly after hearing Yang Chengde's words.
Rising to his side, Zhu Binghe slowly spoke, "Registrant Yang's concerns are indeed reasonable, but I still don't understand. The county magistrate wants to suppress the bandits, and many of his clerks are from under his command. If you want to offer advice, why don't you join forces with everyone to speak on his behalf?"
If Yang Chengde wanted to sabotage Li Chong's plans, why didn't he just do it himself? Why make him the villain?
Yang Chengde was agitated. He had already taken action himself, having planted his own men long ago.
However, Li Chong's operations are too large-scale, involving the production of weapons and armor as well as the procurement of food supplies. What if my arrangements don't work?
Therefore, just to be on the safe side, Yang Chengde had to involve the Zhu family as well.
Their family has connections with mountain bandits and is also involved in this matter. How can they be allowed to remain uninvolved so easily?
"We are but lowly people with little influence, and the magistrate is determined to gain merit; how can we possibly dissuade him?" Yang Chengde spoke frankly. "I heard that the magistrate recently ordered several warehouses to be rented in Zhu Family Village, in preparation for transporting grain and fodder?"
Zhu Binghe frowned: "What does the registrar mean?"
"I didn't mean anything by it." Yang Chengde smiled slightly, then turned and stared intently at Zhu Binghe. "The county magistrate entrusted the grain to the Zhu family, which is a sign of his trust in you. The Zhu family must store it carefully and make sure nothing goes wrong and the grain is burned."
Stepping back to the table and sitting down, Yang Chengde said quietly, "Now I only hope that the county magistrate has enough provisions so that the bandits can be wiped out as soon as possible, and that Yanggu County can return to stability."
Upon hearing Yang Chengde's words, Zhu Binghe's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty.
He understood Yang Chengde's meaning perfectly: he wanted Yang to find an unexpected pretext to burn Li Chong's grain supplies. Without supplies, he would see how Li Chong would fight the bandits.
But this completely disregards the life and death of the Zhu family.
Even if Li Chong fails again, he will still be the official magistrate of Yanggu County.
Once this is accomplished, Yang Chengde will naturally hold great power, but the Zhu family will certainly be resented by Li Chong.
In a year or two, when Yang Chengde's term is over, he will pack up and leave, leaving the Zhu family to face Li Chong, the county magistrate, alone. That will be a difficult situation for them.
Moreover, an act like burning down a warehouse with a fire dragon could easily leave evidence against one, potentially earning them the label of a traitor.
After a moment of silence, Zhu Binghe replied in a deep voice, "Since Registrar Yang has given the order, I will certainly do my best. I will go back and tell him to send a few people to watch the storeroom day and night, so that no accident can happen."
Yang Chengde glanced at Zhu Binghe, his expression turning somewhat unpleasant.
Zhu Binghe specifically emphasized that he would send people to watch over the grain day and night, clearly indicating that he did not intend to burn it. Moreover, he also wanted to prevent Yang Chengde from sending people to sabotage the operation and frame others.
This made Yang Chengde very unhappy.
"Binghe is truly dedicated to his duty!" Yang Chengde's forced smile was rather unpleasant.
Upon seeing this, Zhu Binghe couldn't help but curse inwardly.
"You made my family take the blame for you, and you still have the nerve to turn against me? If it weren't for your official position, who would even bother with you?"
Although they were resentful, their interests were still intertwined due to Yang Chengde's threats and the losses incurred by Li Chong in suppressing the bandits.
After adjusting his mood, Zhu Binghe put on a smile and stepped forward to pour Yang Chengde another cup of wine.
"You flatter me, Registrar Yang." Zhu Binghe's voice carried a hint of ingratiation. "I'm merely in charge of logistics. Whether the bandits can be successfully suppressed depends on the magistrate's command, doesn't it? I just hope that those mountain bandits haven't received any news from the county. Otherwise, if they lay an ambush beforehand, I'm afraid the magistrate won't fare well either."
"Um?"
Yang Chengde was somewhat surprised. He looked up at Zhu Binghe and saw that Zhu Binghe had a smile on his face and a deep meaning in his eyes.
A moment later, Yang Chengde's brows relaxed, and he raised his hand to pick up his wine glass.
"I knew Binghe was a talented man, and now it seems he was right. Once the county magistrate is free, I'll need Binghe's help with this year's summer tax collection. Thank you for your hard work."
Zhu Binghe raised his cup in a toast: "It's all thanks to Registrar Yang's help; I'm willing to follow in his footsteps."
The atmosphere in the private room returned to harmony, and the two tacitly agreed on the exchange of benefits.
Zhu Binghe colluded with mountain bandits, determined to thwart Li Chong's plan to suppress the bandits.
In return, Yang Chengde promised to help the Zhu family with tax matters.
It's all just business.
As they chatted and laughed, Yang Chengde seemed to have completely put his mind at ease.
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Yang Chengde was relieved, and on the other side, County Lieutenant Fu Shun also felt much more at ease.
Fu Shun was embracing a woman and drinking and making merry with his men.
People kept arriving at the door, each carrying a considerable amount of money.
"Boss, the tribute from West Street seems to be much less this month?"
After the inventory was completed, someone reported to Fu Shun.
Fu Shun moved his head away from the woman and waved his hand dismissively: "Isn't our master raising funds to suppress bandits? The merchants on the street have also contributed a lot of money. I've decided to reduce their tribute this month. You just need to record it."
After hearing Fu Shun's words, the others looked at each other in bewilderment.
Someone asked, puzzled, "Boss, that kid came specifically for you, why are you trying to save him money?"
Fu Shun scoffed, "These scholars are all full of scheming and plotting. Look at the commotion in the government office these past few days, is he coming for me?"
The others seemed thoughtful.
"Let them fight like dogs, we brothers can just live our comfortable lives." With that, Fu Shun picked up the wine jug and chuckled as he poured the wine into the mouth of the prostitute in his arms.
The prostitute smiled and declined, but the two were practically rolling around in each other's arms.
Others had seen this situation many times before, and few paid it any attention.
"What Fu Tou said is true. That kid has been throwing money around these past few days, and it's making me envious. So many copper coins, and he just throws them away without a care in the world. It's such a waste."
"Exactly! With that much money, I could live at Xichun Tower for a year!"
"Hahaha!"
Hearing his subordinate's words, Fu Shun smiled disdainfully.
"A bunch of idiots! They're scholars who passed the imperial examinations through proper means. What they care about is their future! With a future, what's a little money?"
Thinking of this, a shadow couldn't help but flash across Fu Shun's eyes.
Given his background, he had no chance of a career in government and could only watch the two men fight each other.
If that's the case, why not just indulge in a life of pleasure and debauchery?
Now that Fu Shun understands that Li Chong wasn't really after him, he feels much more at ease.
Thinking of this, he hugged the woman in his arms tighter.