early morning.

Jiangcheng.

Prefectural Governor's Office.

Shang Dongyang's body was carried to the council hall, where all the important officials of the government were present.

Outside the hall, Jiangcheng soldiers stood ready, along with a hundred suicide soldiers and the remains of Jiangcheng soldiers who had died in battle.

The entire prefectural governor's mansion was filled with a somber and murderous atmosphere.

“Prefect Zeng, Chief Clerk Liu.”

Deng Fugui spoke calmly as he stood before Shang Dongyang's body and said softly.

Zeng Peng and Liu Ying exchanged a glance and immediately knelt down.

Deng Fugui asked, "Can you two be completely absolved of any involvement in this matter?"

Zeng Peng lowered his head and said, "This humble official dares not conceal the truth from Your Excellency, the Prefect. When Shang Dongyang was plotting this matter, he did indeed inform the two of us, wanting us to cooperate with him and have Liu, the Registrar, and me help him control the situation at the Prefect's residence when he attempted to assassinate Your Excellency. But! Neither of us agreed!"

Chai Xin, his body covered in bandages from head to toe, lay half-reclined in a chair and shouted, "Since you knew about it, why didn't you report it?!"

Zeng Peng calmly stated, "To report it would be a breach of my character. Not to report it would be a breach of my duty. I am caught in a dilemma. I can only follow my conscience, neither betraying my friends nor cooperating with traitors. I know I will not have a good end after this incident. Prefect, please punish me as you see fit! I only ask for peace of mind and am willing to bear the consequences!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ying clasped his hands and knelt down, saying, "Things have come to this point, and I am willing to accept punishment. Although I was not involved, I am guilty of failing to report what I knew. Even if the Prefect does not punish me, I will not be able to sleep at night or eat in peace!"

Deng Fugui strode back to the desk and sat down, tapping his fingertips rhythmically on the surface. Suddenly, he asked, "Do you still want to stay in Jiangyang County?"

Zeng Peng and Liu Ying said at the same time, "Yes!"

Deng Fugui said, “I have reviewed your records over the past ten years, and you have been diligent and experienced in handling affairs. Qi Bainian’s ability to develop Jiangcheng’s economy is largely due to the two of you. I do not know how you refused Shang Dongyang’s attempts to win you over. But he is right here, and you can make a statement in front of his remains.”

Zeng Peng, quick-witted, immediately said, "We're brothers, so there's no question of a falling out, but we have different paths and can't work together. Shang Dongyang is loyal to Qi Bainian, while I am loyal to Da Jing!"

Liu Ying added, "As long as I can remain in Jiangyang County, I'm willing to start as a lowly official, even if the Prefect makes me do it from scratch!"

Deng Fugui continued tapping the table with his fingers and said, "I am a straightforward person, especially when it comes to official business. I don't like to make small talk. I'm giving you three months. If you perform well, you can stay in your original positions."

Zeng Peng and Liu Ying were stunned, and immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

"Thank you very much, Your Excellency!"

Deng Fugui said, "Don't be too happy yet. When I say 'good performance,' I mean very high expectations. One of you is in charge of the administration of Jiangyang County, and the other is responsible for the economy and people's livelihood of Jiangyang County. You are more familiar with the situation in Jiangcheng and even Jiangyang County than I am. Therefore, I have high expectations for you. Do you understand?"

"Your humble servant understands!"

"Get up!" Deng Fugui waved his hand and said, "I have just arrived in Jiangyang County, and it is only right for me to purge traitors like Qi Bainian. However, as long as they are truly dedicated to serving the country, I will not hold their personal relationship with Qi Bainian against them. As long as you are not guilty, you don't need to jump around like Shang Dongyang."

Deng Fugui clasped his hands in a fist salute to the west and said solemnly, "As long as you are as loyal to the court and His Majesty as I am, I will give you the opportunity to realize your ambitions."

"yes!!"

Deng Fugui looked at Chai Xin and said, "Although Shang Dongyang is dead, the position of Commandant of Jiangyang County cannot be left vacant. From this day forward, Chai Xin will serve as the Commandant of Jiangyang County!"

Upon hearing this, Chai Xin quickly stood up despite his injuries and bowed to Deng Fugui.

"Your humble servant will certainly not fail the trust placed in you by the Prefect!"

Deng Fugui pondered for a moment and said, "I hope that everyone will cooperate sincerely in the future, taking the joint governance of Jiangyang County as their primary responsibility, and refrain from any selfish motives."

"yes!!!"

A unified voice rang out in the council hall.

...

"Deng has finally gained a foothold."

In the elegant yet unpretentious courtyard, Zhao Cheng tapped on the table, and Xia Qi quickly came over to pour tea.

Zhao Yan, Zhao Wu, and Heng Wenhao stood to the side, while Xu An, Huang Hua, Yuan Fei, Ma Cong, He Laosan, Yu Jin, Gan Lang, and Miao Sui and his daughter stood in front of Zhao Cheng.

Zhao Cheng continued, "Next up are the Tu family and the Lu family."

Xu An said boldly, "Young Prime Minister, we used to have Zhao Wu and Heng Wenhao, but now we didn't expect the Third Young Master to be so capable, and there are also Gan Lang, He Laosan and Yu Jin. With so many experts, let's just wipe out the Tu and Lu families!"

Zhao Cheng said, "We are here to do business, not to conquer and seize territory. If we can avoid fighting, we should try to avoid using weapons."

As he spoke, Zhao Cheng clasped his hands and bowed to the west, saying, "With the Emperor above, who dares to act recklessly? The Princess helped us this time because Qi Bainian deserved his punishment. Do you really think that just because I've become the Prince Consort, I can do whatever I want?"

Zhao Cheng pointed to his head and said, "I don't have any fists or feet, I've always relied on this."

Xu An asked, "But even Lord Deng can't do anything about the Tu and Lu families, what should we do?"

Zhao Cheng looked at Miao Sui and asked, "Patriarch Miao, what's the situation on your end?"

Miao Sui looked miserable and said, "It's very bad. Although Lord Deng's decrees are all aimed at the Tu and Lu families, the two families are too well-established. They can advance or retreat at will, and they also have the support of all the merchants in Jiangcheng. They seem to be in a very passive position, but in fact they can afford to wait it out."

Miao Shaohua added, "In the past hundred years, the prefects of Jiangcheng have changed one after another, but the Tu and Lu families are still the same Tu and Lu families."

“Prefects come and go, but powerful clans remain.” Zhao Cheng smiled and said, “I have a plan for this matter. Throughout history, any power, from a small family to an empire, can often withstand external enemies but cannot prevent internal strife.”

Xu An asked doubtfully, "Are we going to use the same methods we used against Su Wansan?"

Zhao Cheng shook his head and said, "It's not applicable now. Qi Bainian's matter is treason, which has already caused a big enough stir. If we were to stir up another rebellion now, do you think my brother-in-law is a fool?"

"Then how do we create internal strife?"

"The internal strife I'm referring to isn't within the empire, but within their family."

As he spoke, Zhao Cheng looked at Yuan Fei and said, "Xiao Fei, have you found out what I asked you to investigate?"

Yuan Fei nodded, took out two booklets from his pocket and handed them to Zhao Cheng, saying, "This contains information about the younger generation of the Tu and Lu families."

"The old folks from the Tu and Lu families have been in charge for too long. The descendants of these large families have multiplied too quickly, and some of the younger generation are simply restless..."

As Zhao Cheng spoke, he flipped through the booklet, his gaze lingering on two names for a long time.

"Tu family, Tu Ziming."

"The Lu family, Lu Chen."

"Xiao Fei, have them come to see me at midnight tonight."

Yuan Fei clasped his hands and said, "Yes!"

Xu An asked suspiciously, "Young Prime Minister, what are you going to do?"

Zhao Cheng walked out from behind the table, patted Xu An on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Since you want to know, then you arrange the banquet tonight, and we'll have a few drinks with the young people."