The Cui family's power in Qinghe is undeniable, but they cannot control what the common people can do.

During this period, the Cui family secretly hired local thugs to vandalize the Peng family's shops. However, before they could even overturn a table, they made eye contact with their county magistrate, Hua Liufang. Before they could say a word, the thugs were thrown into jail.

The Cui family was also frustrated. After Hua Liufang took office, the Cui family had tried to give him a hard time, but he was stubborn and unyielding. After trying to get along with him, the two sides could only say that they were getting along peacefully.

If you don't offend him, he'll turn a blind eye; but if you do, he'll deal with you strictly according to the law, without any leniency.

"Why is Hua Liufang in the Peng family's shop?!"

"Our investigation revealed that Master Hua and the young masters of the Peng family all graduated from the same private school. Perhaps it's because of their shared friendship as classmates?" The person who answered spoke softly, having already paid out enough money recently.

The Cui family's words had been spread, and those who were on good terms with the Cui family stopped buying things from the Peng family's shop.

But then, the Peng family launched a huge clearance sale, where satin that originally cost one tael per bolt was now only five hundred coins!

This caused the people to fight tooth and nail to grab it!

At first, the Cui family remained calm, thinking that no matter how rich the Peng family was, they couldn't keep losing money forever. But after the Peng family sold for half a month, the Fu family's shop couldn't hold on any longer.

The shop rent, labor costs, and other expenses are all part of the initial investment. Not having any income for half a month is really worrying!

The Cui family was extremely anxious, so someone came up with a terrible idea: "Why don't we lower our prices too?"

“Lowering prices is easy, but it’s hard to put them back on the original price,” Fu Changyi said. “The Peng family is clearly aiming to ruin the Fu family. If I lower prices, I’ll be falling into their trap.”

The Peng family is the richest family in the world, and their wealth is immeasurable. It would be very easy for them to crush a small merchant like him with money.

After listening to Fu Changyi's words, Chief Cui remained silent for a long time. Few members of the Cui family knew anything about business. They were all focused on studying diligently, dreaming that one day the Cui family could return to the imperial court and wield power.

With power, money is never a problem.

After a long silence, Chief Cui said, "Let's lower the price!"

Fu Changyi frowned but didn't say anything.

It's clearly the Fu family's business, yet they have to listen to the Cui family, who are outsiders.

"Chieftain, about what you said before about bringing my wives back..."

Chief Cui seemed to remember this matter and laughed, "As you can see, these are turbulent times. I was just worried that your affairs with the Peng family might affect your wives. Let's wait a bit longer. Once this matter is settled, we'll let them go back."

Fu Changyi smiled, but his fists were already clenched.

The clan chief felt that he was not doing anything and was forcing him to come up with a plan to deal with the Peng family!

After Fu Changyi left, he ordered that the money to be given to the Cui family school this month be cut off.

Hmph, didn't I ask him to come up with an idea? Here he comes up with one.

The Fu family's shops also started lowering prices, but the effect was mediocre. With the Peng family's reputation preceded them, the businesses of the shops that lowered their prices afterward also performed poorly.

The Cui family waited for several days but the Fu family didn't send the money, so they sent someone to inquire. Fu Changyi then used the excuse of being short of funds to brush them off.

A few days later, the students at the Cui family school could not find any meat in their meals and began to complain. The clan chief had no choice but to send Fu Changyi's wife back, hoping to appease Fu Changyi and get him to send money sooner.

Fu Changyi, contrary to his usual behavior, sternly refused, saying that this was a critical moment and that having his wives come back would only distract him. What if the Peng family kidnapped his wife at this time?

He immediately ordered his wives to be sent back, but unexpectedly, they were kidnapped on their way back to the Cui family academy!

Chief Cui was furious and sent men to chase after them. But the man had already left the city, and despite their long pursuit, they couldn't catch him.

Chief Cui was furious and immediately led a large group of his clansmen to the county government office.

"Lord Hua, please explain, in broad daylight, under the clear sky, why would a thief kidnap someone in the city and then escape?"

Hua Liufang calmly had someone retrieve the records of people leaving the city and then had them search for them slowly.

"There are no bandits' names on Hua's city gate records."

Chief Cui was so angry he almost had the county government office smashed. "You brat from the Hua family, what kind of attitude is this! The wives of the Fu family have been kidnapped in the county town. As the county magistrate, why don't you send people to look for them!"

"Since I haven't received a report, I can't send anyone to look for it. The yamen only has so many people, and I can't afford to waste manpower."

The Cui family was furious at his half-dead state, but they were indeed in the wrong.

Since Fu Changyi didn't report the case, they couldn't report it for him.

"Lord Hua, is this how you treat a public official?" Chief Cui questioned coldly. "Or is it that you and the Peng family's son were classmates, so you're protecting them!"

Hua Liufang asked calmly, "Does Chief Cui believe that the person was kidnapped by the Peng family?"

"Of course! Everyone knows that the Peng family lads have been at odds with the Fu family since they came to Qinghe!"

Before Hua Liufang could finish speaking, a man dressed in red walked out from behind the yamen. His shirt was wide open, revealing his snow-white chest, and he looked very frivolous.

Seeing so many people present, he chuckled awkwardly and raised his hand to greet them, saying, "Oh, Chief Cui, how are you?"

This man was none other than Peng Xueying, Peng Si, who had infuriated Chief Cui.

Peng Si straightened his clothes, waved his folding fan, and, under the probing gazes of the crowd, laughed, "Last night I was catching up with my brother Hua and drank too much, so I stayed here. Just now I heard you talking about a kidnapping, which seems to involve my Peng family, so I shamelessly came out to take a look."

Chief Cui's old face turned red with anger. He looked at the smiling tiger Peng Si, and then at the silent Hua Liufang.

"They're in cahoots!"

Hua Liufang responded indifferently, "I cannot agree."

This infuriated Chief Cui so much that he jumped up and down.

He had been giving orders in the Cui family his whole life, but now he had been humiliated by two juniors. How could he bear it!

He immediately said coldly, "I hope Lord Hua will take care of himself. If it weren't for the Cui family, I'd like to see how you'll manage in Qinghe in the future!"

The power of aristocratic clans in local areas sometimes surpassed that of the imperial court. Many officials and those in power would choose to avoid direct confrontation with them.

In the eyes of many, Hua Liufang's actions were simply reckless and suicidal.

Could a mere county official like him possibly resist the power of the clan?

After the Cui family left, Peng Si immediately bowed to Hua Liufang and took his leave.

He blacked out last night, and now he felt a chill run down his spine from the way Hua Liufang was looking at him.

"Brother Peng, wait a moment." Hua Liufang walked up to him, reached out and tugged at his belt.