Qian Baiwan and the others secretly sneered as they listened to Lu Yan's words.
They outwardly agreed to cooperate, frequently raised their glasses, and addressed Lu Yan as a brother.
In reality, however, he was plotting how to continue resisting the new policies.
"Lord Lu, this wine is truly excellent!"
Qian Baiwan smiled broadly and raised his glass.
"Come, let me toast you!"
Lu Yan also smiled and raised his glass.
"Mr. Qian, you're too kind! The future development of Shannan Prefecture will depend on your continued support!"
"That's natural, that's natural!"
Qian Baiwan and the others echoed each other, but in their hearts they were all cursing.
"Support you my ass! I wish you were dead!"
After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,
Qian Baiwan and his entourage pretended to say goodbye and left.
Lu Yan watched their departing figures, a cold smile appearing on his lips.
"Hmph, you won't listen to reason, so don't blame me for being impolite! Since you don't know what's good for you, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Lu Yan had long anticipated that Qian Baiwan and the others would not cooperate sincerely.
He secretly sent people to collect evidence of their illegal and disorderly conduct.
We'll just wait for the right moment to wipe them all out.
Qian Baiwan and the others returned home and immediately gathered together to discuss countermeasures.
"Lu Yan is a real wolf in sheep's clothing!"
"They act like brothers to us on the surface, but who knows what they're plotting against us behind our backs!"
Qian Baiwan sneered.
"What's there to be afraid of! He's just a lowly prefect, what can he possibly do to cause trouble?"
"With so many of us, why are we afraid of just one guy?"
"But... what if he really arrests us?"
Another powerful figure said with some concern.
"Arrest us?"
Qian Baiwan curled his lip in disdain.
"He wouldn't dare! We've been operating in Qingshui County for many years, and we're deeply entrenched. If he dares to touch us, the people of Shannan Prefecture won't stand for it!"
Just when Qian Baiwan and his group thought they had victory in their grasp.
The constables Lu Yan dispatched have already surrounded their house...
Smash it!
Lu Yan gave the order.
The constables, like wolves and tigers, kicked open the vermilion gate of Qian Baiwan's house.
Qian Baiwan and his group were still in the backyard discussing how to give Lu Yan a hard time.
Hearing the commotion in the front yard, they were all terrified and turned pale.
"What happened? What happened?"
Qian Baiwan's obese body trembled, and he was still holding half a piece of osmanthus cake in his hand.
Before he could react, the constables had already rushed in.
Without a word, they pinned these tyrannical men to the ground.
Qian Baiwan's osmanthus cake fell to the ground, covered in dust, just like his current mood—dirty and chaotic.
"Lu Yan! You dare arrest me! Do you know who I am?"
Qian Baiwan roared hoarsely, his fat jiggling wildly.
"Of course I know who you are, Qian Baiwan, the richest man in Qingshui County, but unfortunately, also a major parasite in Qingshui County!"
Lu Yan strolled in, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"take away!"
Qian Baiwan and the others were escorted to the county government office, looking dejected.
Lu Yan presented them with all the evidence of their illegal and disorderly conduct.
The evidence is irrefutable, leaving no room for their sophistry.
These are the arrogant and domineering tyrants who usually act arrogantly.
At this moment, however, he was like a defeated rooster, hanging his head in dejection, obediently confessing his crimes and submitting to the law.
Lu Yan confiscated their property and used it to improve the lives of people in Qingshui County.
When the news spread, the people of Shannan Prefecture spread the word and cheered with joy.
The people who were once oppressed by these powerful figures now hold their heads high and have even greater respect for Lu Yan.
Having dealt with these local bullies, Lu Yan began to rectify official corruption.
The officials in Qingshui County are pampered and corrupt, holding their positions without doing any work.
Lu Yan was no pushover; he acted swiftly and decisively, dismissing these corrupt officials one by one.
They replaced him with an honest, upright, and capable official.
He also formulated a series of rules and regulations to strengthen the supervision and management of officials.
From then on, officials lived in constant fear and trepidation, as if walking on thin ice.
The people of Qingshui County were overjoyed, beating drums and gongs to celebrate the arrest of the corrupt officials.
Standing at the entrance of the county government office, Lu Yan looked at the scene of singing and dancing before him and couldn't help but smile.
In that smile, there was relief, and also... a hint of barely perceptible pride.
He stroked a non-existent beard on his chin, thinking to himself:
"This is nothing, the real show is yet to come!"
He has turned the officialdom of Qingshui County upside down, sweeping away all the filth and corruption.
It was like a latrine that had been thoroughly scrubbed with soapy water, so clean it was unbelievable.
Zhao Dezhu, the magistrate of Qingshui County, was demoted by the Empress.
The nearby Shannan County was upgraded to a prefecture.
Naturally, Qingshui County came under the jurisdiction of Shannan Prefecture.
Those arrogant and haughty officials in Qingshui County.
Now everyone's keeping a low profile.
They were afraid that they might accidentally anger this "King of Hell" of Shannan Prefecture.
Lu Yan's methods for reforming officialdom can be described as ruthless and merciless.
Those who embezzle or accept bribes will be dismissed from their posts and their property confiscated without exception.
Those who hold positions without performing their duties and do nothing will be dismissed and investigated immediately, and will never be rehired.
He even personally formulated a completely new system for evaluating officials, with clear rewards and punishments.
Now, the officials of Qingshui County truly understand what it means to "serve a ruler as if serving a tiger."
The people's opinion of Lu Yan has changed from initial skepticism and observation to widespread praise.
Some of them even secretly erected a longevity tablet for him and worshipped it day and night.
Lu Yan simply laughed it off; what he pursued was not empty fame, but real benefits.
The changes in Qingshui County naturally reached Shannan Prefecture as well.
The news even reached the capital, attracting the attention of Chancellor Liu An.
The shrewd and calculating prime minister was sitting in his study.
He held a memorial about Lu Yan in his hand, his brows furrowed.
"That Lu Yan is really a restless fellow!"
Liu An snorted coldly and threw the memorial on the table.
"Suppress Black Wind Stronghold, incorporate the mountain bandits, and expand the army..."
"They even arrested Qian Baiwan! This is outrageous! Qian Baiwan is my cash cow!"
What is he trying to do? Is he planning a rebellion?
Liu An's confidant, a secretary named Zhao De.
He stood bowing to the side and said cautiously:
“Your Excellency, Lu Yan is indeed somewhat suspicious.”
"In just a few months, he brought Qingshui County to a well-ordered state and won the hearts of the people."
"If we let it continue like this, I'm afraid..."
"Afraid of what?"
Liu An suddenly raised his head, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"I'm afraid he'll become too powerful and threaten my position! Hmph, I will never let him succeed!"
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