"Your Highness, there's a mistake!"

"That's wrong!"

Gan Lang spoke rapidly, "What I mean is, Lord Qi was very kind to me, and now that he's dead, I'm somewhat saddened. But what do personal feelings matter compared to matters of national importance? As long as the court needs me, I'd be willing to go kill pirates, or even be sent among them as a spy!"

"Cough..." Yuan Yun couldn't help but cough, and exchanged a knowing glance with Zhao Cheng.

Goodness.

Qi Bainian was not surrounded by fanatical believers.

There are still some sensible people.

Yuan Yun said solemnly, "It's good that you've figured it out. Serving me and the Prince Consort is serving the court."

"Yes! Ganlang is willing to serve Your Highness and the Prince Consort with utmost loyalty!"

"Get up."

Seeing Gan Lang cowering, Zhao Yan kicked him in the butt and shouted, "My sister-in-law told you to get up! We're family now, so what's with the coyness!"

Gan Lang was not a coy person, but he was scared after being beaten. He quickly got up, clasped his hands in a fist and said to Zhao Yan, "The Third Master of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion is so young yet his martial arts are so good. I truly admire him."

Zhao Yan asked doubtfully, "Am I good at martial arts? I don't know, I haven't had much real combat experience."

Gan Lang was taken aback. He thought to himself, "I am a top-notch master, yet you little brat herded me to the beach like a chicken, without even a chance to fight back. And you tell me I am good at martial arts?"

This is infuriating!

Yuan Yun asked, "Gan Lang, where does Qi Bainian plan to run off to?"

Upon hearing Yuan Yun's question, Gan Lang immediately straightened his posture and solemnly replied, "Lord Qi... Qi Bainian intends to betray the country and go to Southern Zhou."

Zhao Cheng snorted coldly and said, "Just as I expected. Who is his contact person with Southern Zhou?"

"I don't know about that."

Gan Lang glanced at Zhao Cheng's expression and quickly said, "This subordinate truly knows nothing! Qi Bainian only said that he went to Southern Zhou and would definitely be highly valued by the Southern Zhou court, but he didn't say anything else!"

Do you know where he hid his money?

"What?"

Gan Lang was stunned by the question; why did his tone change so quickly?

"This subordinate is even more unaware of this!"

"Yuan Fei".

"exist."

Zhao Cheng instructed, "You and Gan Lang should cooperate well. Have Gan Lang tell you all about Qi Bainian's habits. Don't overlook any clues. Qi Bainian has been in power in Jiangyang County for many years, and the amount of money he has hidden must be considerable."

"yes!"

Looking at Gan Lang, who was still in a daze, Zhao Cheng said, "Gan Lang, this is the first major thing you have done for the court after you have turned over a new leaf."

Upon hearing that it was for the imperial court, Gan Lang immediately perked up and firmly declared, "Your Highness and the Prince Consort will certainly not fail in their trust!!!"

After saying that, Zhao Cheng and Yuan Yun exchanged a knowing glance.

"We're going back. Zhao Wu, you stay here to handle the aftermath. All troops should set up camp outside the city and are not allowed to enter!"

"yes!"

On the way back to the city, Zhao Cheng and Yuan Yun rode together on one horse, with Zhao Cheng holding Yuan Yun in his arms.

"Ah Yun, you said you wanted the emperor to immediately transfer a new prefect. Who do you plan to send?"

"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist." Yuan Yun smiled and said, "Tell me, who is your choice?"

“This isn’t right…” Zhao Cheng said frankly, “The head of a prefecture is a powerful regional official; how can I make such a decision?”

"You're just offering suggestions; the emperor makes the decisions. Besides, there's nothing wrong with me asking my consort's opinion."

"But in such a crucial position, if I were to use my people..."

"Didn't you say that your father wouldn't rebel?" Yuan Yun said in a shrill voice.

Zhao Cheng quickly covered Yuan Yun's mouth, exclaiming, "My dear wife, be careful what you say! Of course, my father wouldn't rebel. The person I recommended is only for my business. However, he must first and foremost be a capable and competent official."

"Look at your cowardly appearance!"

"I am a good citizen of Dajing, and my whole family is!"

Yuan Yun rolled her eyes at Zhao Cheng with her back turned and said, "Tell me, who is your choice?"

Zhao Cheng said, "Deng Fugui is the Minister of Justice in the Eastern Capital."

Yuan Yun suddenly smiled.

Why is my wife laughing?

"If this succeeds, Yanchuan City will truly become the blessed land in the mouths of the officials. At that time, if any officials are sent to Yanchuan, they will not be retiring, but waiting for promotion."

Yuan Yun turned her head and looked at Zhao Cheng seriously, saying, "Cheng, the fortune of Yanchuan City is changing, and it has a lot to do with you."

The two had been married for almost half a year, and Zhao Cheng knew Yuan Yun very well. Hearing her say this, he knew that she had agreed. He immediately hugged Yuan Yun tightly and said, "Thank you for your kindness, my wife."

"It's not entirely because of you. Deng Fugui is indeed a suitable candidate," Yuan Yun said thoughtfully. "He rose from a minor local official to a high-ranking official in the capital, and even spent time in the imperial prison. He's experienced and a rare pragmatist in Dajing. After being transferred to Yanchuan, he's been quite active among the officials in Luoyang. He's the right age, capable, and most importantly..."

“Because you have thoroughly offended Lu Yuan by executing Xue Feiren and Lu Tong, he will definitely spare no effort to help you deal with the Lu family after he comes to Jiangcheng,” Yuan Yun said bluntly.

Zhao Cheng said, "Nothing can be hidden from my wife. I didn't intend to hide anything from her either. I did have this in mind. After Deng Fugui came to Jiangcheng, even if he didn't take the initiative, Lu Yuan wouldn't be able to sit still."

“You…” Yuan Yun exclaimed, “You’re so good at using someone else’s strength against them. Deng Fugui came to Jiangcheng to help you, and he should be grateful to you to the point of tears.”

"I still have a lot to learn from my wife."

“I could never teach such a bad apprentice. Write to Deng Fugui and ask him to come.”

"Aren't we waiting for Chang Sui's appointment?"

"Qi Bainian has too much influence in Jiangcheng. Most of the officials in the prefectural governor's office are his cronies, and the people's emotions also need to be controlled. In such a critical moment, someone is needed to quickly stabilize the situation. Waiting for Chang Sui's appointment is too slow."

Yuan Yun said confidently, "Just let him come. I'll write to the emperor when I get back. With me by Deng Fugui's side, no one will dare to say anything."

Zhao Cheng reached around and touched Yuan Yun's stomach, saying, "But your body..."

"Once the official appointment is confirmed, I will return to Yanchuan to rest and prepare for childbirth."

“Ah Yun…” Zhao Cheng brought his mouth close to Yuan Yun’s ear and said softly, “You’ve really worked hard. With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?”

Yuan Yun grasped Zhao Cheng's hand in return and said, "There's no need for sweet words. The bigger your business grows and the more money you make, the more you should think about Da Jing. If you can truly become a tycoon, it will be a great help to your younger brother."

Zhao Cheng said, "Don't worry, that's my brother-in-law. I won't be stingy with him!"

At this moment, the group had arrived at the city gate.

Yuan Yun looked up and saw that the sky was already showing signs of dawn.

"It's almost dawn, let's go into town."