Bai Shiyuan didn't say anything. He was reading the rest of the letter and then he laughed out of anger.

Bai Shicheng actually suspected that he was the one who sent people to attack Zhao Lin!

Although he didn't say it directly, I could understand the meaning at a glance.

"Why are you laughing, nephew?" someone asked.

Bai Shiyuan put away the letter and said, "Zhao Lin will be fine."

"Why?" Everyone was curious.

Bai Shiyuan said, "Zhao Lin killed the Hong County Magistrate with lightning speed. He could have used the excuse of doing something for His Majesty. He acted swiftly in an emergency. Plus, Li Xingye highly values ​​him, so he'll be fine."

"It seems that this boy is really lucky." said the middle-aged man in official uniform.

Bai Shiyuan shook his head and said, "It's not luck, it's probably because I figured out everything before I took action."

"Impossible? He is only sixteen years old. Even if he is a genius, it is impossible for him to calculate everything. I still think he is lucky." Someone said in disbelief.

Bai Shiyuan didn't want to argue with them and said, "Zhao Lin is not dead, and he has taken action. We can't fall behind him. Uncles, please help me."

"Haha, you're welcome, nephew. Your business is our business, and we will definitely do it beautifully for you."

Everyone was laughing, toasting each other, and very happy.

…

It was three days later that Zhao Lin received the letter from Li Xingye brought by Shen Yuan.

After running back and forth for nearly two thousand miles, Shen Yuan's legs were shaking when he got off the horse and he almost collapsed to the ground.

"Thanks for your hard work!"

Zhao Lin quickly stepped forward to support Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan pulled out a letter from his pocket and said, "Thank goodness I have fulfilled my mission. This is Lord Li's reply."

Zhao Lin took the letter and asked someone to take Shen Yuan downstairs to rest. Then he opened the letter and read it, showing a look of satisfaction.

"What did Lord Li say?" Sudi came over and asked.

Zhao Lin handed the letter to Su Di, who quickly read it and said excitedly, "Master Li took the blame for killing Qiu Cheng? And he even asked you to choose someone to replace him as magistrate? You're worthy of being Master Li, you're so loyal."

Zhao Lin smiled and said, "Master Li, this is called responsibility, how can it be described as loyalty?"

Sudi shrugged, "Anyway, you're fine now. He even praised you for being alert and efficient. It seems he really thinks highly of you."

Zhao Lin nodded and said, "I can't let Lord Li down. By the way, do you want to be the county magistrate for a few days?"

"I?"

Sudi was very excited and eager to try it, but then shook his head.

"Being a county magistrate is boring. It's more fun to follow you."

Qiu Cheng died too hastily, and now it will take time for the higher-ups to arrange for someone to take over. The main reason is that there are many people waiting to be replaced, and many people are relying on connections, so anyone who is appointed will have to compete.

Zhao Lin said, "Then let Gao Junliang arrange someone to take care of it."

Zhao Lin came to the Qingzhou government office and showed Gao Junliang Li Xingye's letter. After reading the letter, Gao Junliang was completely relieved.

Although Gao Junliang had already decided to cooperate with Zhao Lin and take a gamble, he was still uneasy without Li Xingye's response.

But now, Li Xingye clearly pointed out that Qiu Cheng deserved to die, and Zhao Lin killed him on Li Xingye's orders, so he has no worries at all.

Gao Junliang secretly envied Zhao Lin.

"Lord Li thinks so highly of Lord Zhao. Lord Zhao has a bright future." Gao Junliang said.

Zhao Lin smiled and said, "I have the respect of Lord Li, but I also need the support of Lord Gao. Otherwise, it will be useless even if I don't do the job well."

Gao Junliang laughed heartily and said, "Don't worry, Master Zhao. I will definitely be able to complete the tasks within the state by the end of the year at the latest."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Master Gao. By the way, Master Gao will also need to arrange for someone to serve as the acting magistrate of Hong County."

Gao Junliang was even more satisfied. Although he was only the acting magistrate, it was enough to show Zhao Lin's sincerity.

Otherwise, Zhao Lin would have no choice but to arrange for Gao Junliang to do something.

Gao Junliang pondered for a moment and said, "Co-magistrate Fei Peng is fine."

Zhao Lin said: "Okay, let Master Fei work hard for a few days."

Gao Junliang immediately sent a message to Fei Peng, asking him to go to Hong County for a few days.

Zhao Lin said, "I'm going to meet the governor. Why don't I ask Lord Gao to introduce me to someone?" Zhao Lin asked.

There are thirteen provinces in the Daqi Dynasty, and Qingzhou Prefecture is just a prefecture under the jurisdiction of Jiujiang Province. If you want to get things done in Jiujiang Province, the governor is someone you cannot avoid.

Gao Junliang hesitated for a moment and said, "To be honest, sir, Feng Siyuan is not someone who is easy to talk to."

Zhao Lin asked, "Why do you say that?"

Gao Junliang said, "Feng Siyuan is greedy and cunning. He won't help unless there's sufficient benefit. Furthermore, I've seen your actions act with integrity, wanting to get things done without harassing the people. But Feng Siyuan is different. Ever since the news of the Flower and Stone Gang spread, I've heard him laughing non-stop, saying things like, 'This is my chance to make a fortune! This one deal is worth ten years of collecting taxes.'"

Zhao Lin remained calm: "Did he really say that?"

"It's absolutely true," Gao Junliang said. "I have nothing to deceive you, sir. Just go to the provincial capital and ask around, and everyone will know. Let me put it this way: Jiujiang Province wasn't wealthy before, but it was manageable. Feng Siyuan was governor here for five years, and the people's taxes tripled for no reason. They were miserable, and some even sold their children. That's how he got the reputation of being a tyrant. Feng Siyuan was actually involved in the disaster relief fund case, but he had connections, so Prince Yu didn't dare touch him."

Zhao Lin asked, "So you have a backer?"

Gao Junliang quickly said, "Sir, you're joking. Those who can reach out for disaster relief funds are all subordinates of that person. If an outsider like me dares to reach out, I will be beheaded before Prince Yu arrives."

Zhao Lin nodded.

Qingzhou is not a wealthy place, it is a poor place, so Gao Junliang, the prefect, feels a bit frustrated and no one wants to take refuge with him.

The prince's people didn't have enough money for disaster relief, so they naturally wouldn't let Gao Junliang get his hands on it.

This actually saved his life.

Zhao Lin asked, "Who is Feng Siyuan's backer? Even Prince Yu couldn't touch him?"

Gao Junliang looked around and when he saw that no one was around, he lowered his voice and said, "It is said, it is said, it is Zhu Qiansui from the palace."

Zhao Lin frowned: "Zhu Zhongyan?"

Zhu Zhongyan, the chief eunuch of the imperial palace, was also the emperor's most trusted person, even more trusted than Li Xingye. He was extremely powerful and was known as Zhu Qiansui.

The emperor originally wanted to give the person in charge of the Flower and Stone Gang to Zhu Zhongyan, but Li Xingye snatched it away after listening to Zhao Lin. This is something everyone knows, so there is a high possibility that Zhao Lin will be rejected when he goes to see Feng Siyuan.

Zhao Lin thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I have to meet him."

Gao Junliang stopped him, saying, "Why go to all this trouble? Wouldn't it be enough to have Lord Li write a letter to him?"

Zhao Lin shook his head. "People like him rely on the support of others and don't even care about the law, let alone a letter. Besides, if he dares to do something, he will do it perfectly. Lord Li is far away in the capital and there is nothing he can do. Let's go. I want to meet this high-ranking official."