25

25

Master Yang got up early, had breakfast, and then staggered to the study.

The master is not in court today, but he has no time to rest as he has a lot of things to worry about.

This summer the county suffered a storm, and the harvests in various places were poor. In addition, something unexpected happened in the court, and all the officers and soldiers were recalled. The pirates who had not appeared for a long time reappeared.

Now his father, Dong Weng, could no longer sit still. He was anxious to clear his connections and leave this poor and desolate place. Unfortunately, this county was poor, and after years of war, the foundation was completely drained. Even the taxes that were assigned could not be collected. Where would there be any profit to be made?

He was also smart and came up with a way to pay the salt tax.

Dongning County is right next to the salt fields, and illegal salt is everywhere. How much less official salt can be sold, and how much less tax can be collected? Now it's not too much to ask those fishermen to pay some salt tax.

Anyway, they make a living from the sea, and the storm will not affect them, so they can definitely make some money.

But while the idea was good, the implementation was a real headache. As a legal advisor, he had to deal with paperwork and keep an eye on the petty officials, making sure they didn't get too greedy and deprive Dong Weng of his income.

Sitting in the study, just as he was brewing some strong tea, a servant came in and reported that someone wanted to see the general.

Master Yang frowned immediately: "How can you be so blind? Don't you know that the lord is closed today?"

Could it be that this bastard took the money from others and came here to cause trouble for him?

The servant smiled and said, "If it were an ordinary person, I wouldn't dare disturb you, Master. But since it's a woman who's here today, I have to let you know."

"Hmm?" Master Yang raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What's the origin of that woman?"

"He said it was inconvenient to let others know, so he didn't tell me, but her appearance and figure are really good." The servant quickly added.

To be able to make this sly guy say "not bad", he must have some real capital, which makes people curious. Master Yang stroked his goatee and laughed: "Bring him in first."

With so many worries, you have to find some fun to relax.

Soon, the servant led the people into the back hall. It was indeed a woman with a slender figure, wearing a veil on her head. Even with the gauze covering her face, one could still tell she was quite good-looking.

Behind her was a man dressed as a servant, holding a wooden box in his hand, which probably contained gifts.

Seeing this, Master Yang smiled and said, "Your master is very thoughtful to send a woman here. I wonder where this lady comes from?"

This was a rather rude remark, yet also a hint of inquiry. The woman casually removed her veil and raised the corner of her lip, "The Red Banner Gang's leader has ordered me to come and pay my respects to the Lord. I hope you will introduce me to him, sir."

When the veil was removed, a face even more gorgeous than expected was revealed. She had long willow eyebrows, slightly raised phoenix eyes, and a pair of crimson lips, with a smile that was not quite there. Even Master Yang, who was used to visiting brothels, could not help but be distracted for a moment.

However, the next moment, he suddenly reacted and jumped up from his seat: "Red, Red Flag Gang? Could it be that your master is from the sea?!"

The woman nodded slightly and said, "It's a bit of business, but it's nothing to worry about."

Mr. Yang felt his calves cramp. Who else could be trading on the sea? Ninety-nine percent likely pirates! And they dared to call themselves the "Red Flag Gang," so they must be quite powerful. Could they be a newly emerged gang? But why would they send a man, and a woman at that, to meet with the county magistrate?

However, no matter what he thought in his heart, that beautiful face had become a death curse at this moment. Master Yang lowered his head and shrank his shoulders, not daring to look at it anymore. He stammered, "Please, please wait a moment, my lady. I will go and invite the county magistrate!"

After saying that, he ran away, leaving only the two of them in the hall.

The woman didn't mind and sat down on her own. However, the man behind her tensed his shoulders and looked a little nervous.

Sun Erlang couldn't help but be nervous. This was the county government office. With just a command from the county magistrate, he could easily dispatch dozens of yamen runners to surround them.

However, Cheng Xi, who was sitting in front, didn't care at all, as if she was really a little woman who was ignorant of the world and didn't even care about the head of a county.

But she is not a housewife, but a hero who can kill people with a knife and control the boat gang. How could she not know the dangers of coming here?

Yet, she didn't care. It wasn't blind arrogance or sheer bravery, but the courage and composure to rethink her plans and face danger as a woman.

Just like her expression now, calm and composed, not panicked or flustered.

Sun Erlang didn't know whether their plan would succeed, but at this moment, he forced himself to calm down.

There is no room for error at this time; you must follow orders.

At this moment, County Magistrate Cao had just climbed out of bed. While his concubine's belly was beautiful, it was also somewhat harmful to her health, so he had to drink a nourishing soup early in the morning.

Before he finished drinking, Master Yang came running in.

"Dong Weng, something bad has happened! Someone's here!"

Hearing the incoherent words, County Magistrate Cao frowned, "Master, please speak more slowly. What's wrong? Who's here again?"

"It's a woman! It is said that she was sent by the leader of the Red Flag Gang, and she said she wanted to see you, Dong Weng!" Master Yang's forehead was covered with sweat, and he finally smoothed his tongue.

"Puff!" Magistrate Cao spurted out the soup in his mouth, coughing and saying, "Who? What is the Red Flag Gang?!"

"It came from the sea!" Master Yang answered concisely.

County Magistrate Cao turned pale. "Then why did you come to see me? Go find the county lieutenant! Have him bring people to arrest him..."

Master Yang grabbed his benefactor's arm and said, "Sir, this is unacceptable! Someone is visiting you, and you're arresting their concubine. Isn't that going to cause chaos? Besides, what's the point of arresting a woman?"

After being caught and shaken for a moment, his soul finally returned to his body. County Magistrate Cao trembled and said, "Then, what should we do?"

"Of course, Dong Weng, you have to go and meet the visitor in person and listen to what she wants to do!" Master Yang had also recovered at this moment and quickly gave advice.

Magistrate Cao shook his head vigorously: "No, no, this is too dangerous! I am also the lord of the county, how can I stand on this dangerous wall?"

Master Yang quickly said, "They only have two people here, a woman and a servant. What kind of trouble can they possibly cause? If Mr. Dong is worried, he can naturally bring some trusted people with him!"

After hearing this, County Magistrate Cao finally calmed down and asked, "Are there really only two?"

"There really are only two!" Master Yang said, but fearing he might back out, he quickly added, "I see they brought gifts, so they must be asking for something!"

What could a great seafarer ask of a minor official like him? However, a change of heart struck County Magistrate Cao. Aren't there many officials colluding with pirates? Not to mention the county magistrate, even the captains and captains were secretly colluding with the bandits! He was just unlucky enough to run into Qiu Sheng leading his troops to suppress the bandits. That's why he didn't gain any advantage and was only tormented.

Maybe this newly emerged tycoon is planning to make friends with him?

His heart suddenly burned with anger. Magistrate Cao coughed and said, "Well, then, let's go take a look. By the way, you can't bring yamen runners with you, you have to bring servants with you!"

Only then did Master Yang breathe a sigh of relief. He, Dong Weng, was not stupid enough and knew that the matter had to be covered up.

However, in his opinion, if a woman was sent here, it was probably with the intention of making friends, so there would be nothing wrong in meeting her.

Having made up his mind, County Magistrate Cao quickly washed and changed his clothes, and then found four strong and trusted servants before rushing to the living room. However, upon entering the room, County Magistrate Cao was stunned.

How could this woman sent by the pirates have such a beautiful appearance? Her bun was so loose that it reached the pillow. Even without a hairpin, she still had a natural charm. Her eyebrows, eyes, and figure were so beautiful that it was simply heart-melting.

Master Yang didn't even mention such an important matter to him!

Seeing a large group of people coming in, the woman stood up slowly and bowed: "My concubine greets the master."

That was not a woman's greeting, but a man's salute.

But her makeup was gorgeous, and her frank greeting gave off a sense of boldness and unrestrainedness.

County Magistrate Cao was stunned. It was Master Yang who saw that things were not going to go well and quickly said, "This is our respected Lord Cao. Please don't be polite."

Magistrate Cao finally realized what was happening and hurriedly said, "Madam, please take a seat. What is your name, Madam?"

Cheng Xi smiled slightly: "My humble concubine's name is not worth mentioning. My master's surname is Cheng, the Cheng who stands in the snow at Cheng's door."

County Magistrate Cao swallowed his saliva and immediately put his romantic thoughts behind him. This was the woman of the gang leader, how could she be easily seduced?

After finally regaining his composure, County Magistrate Cao coughed dryly and said, "I wonder what brings you here, Madam?"

He had also spotted the servant holding the wooden box; it seemed possible they had something to ask for. He didn't care what the Red Flag Gang's origins were, as long as they weren't looking to cause him trouble.

Unexpectedly, just as he was thinking about it, the woman opposite him suddenly changed her expression: "My master wants to ask the county magistrate why he has locked up my Red Flag Gang members?"

"Gah!" Magistrate Cao made a strange sound in his throat and looked at Master Yang in panic. What was going on? When had he ever arrested anyone from the Red Flag Gang?

Master Yang was also panicking, blinking wildly as he spoke cautiously, "Is this some misunderstanding? Dongning is just a small county, how dare they act so recklessly?"

Cheng Xi sneered, "Why were the six Li family members imprisoned? I wonder which fugitive the county magistrate is trying to capture?"

Magistrate Cao still looked confused, but Advisor Yang had already reacted.

The Li family? Could it be that County Magistrate Zhang had circulated the matter with the group of people from Donggou Village who were just arrested? Damn it, these people really are from a gang!

With sweat dripping down his forehead, Master Yang quickly whispered in his ear, "Mr. Dong, this matter was handled by County Magistrate Zhang..."

Without having to say the whole thing, County Magistrate Cao knew what was going on.

It must be that County Magistrate Zhang took advantage of someone and helped to do this mess.

But how could he be so bold as to even arrest gang members?!

Without caring about his dignity, County Magistrate Cao hurriedly said, "I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding. Why don't we call County Magistrate Zhang back to ask..."

Cheng Xi raised the corner of his lip and said, "That's not necessary. Someone has already gone to ask about County Magistrate Zhang. I think he knows the seriousness of the matter."

"Asking" and "greeting" have completely different meanings. County Magistrate Cao felt the hairs on his back stand on end. His delicate red lips lost their beauty, instead resembling the hissing core of a snake, venomous from the inside out.

The two did not answer, and Cheng Xi spoke first: "Since it is a misunderstanding, please release the Li brothers to avoid any conflicts."

"This..." County Magistrate Cao was conflicted again. He was definitely afraid, but if he sent a woman over and then released the man, wouldn't that be a loss of face for him?

Seeing this, Cheng Xi waved his hand gently, and Sun Erlang immediately stepped forward and placed the wooden box on the table.

Cheng Xi opened the lid of the box and turned it towards the top: "I heard that the Lord is about to leave office. This is the gift my master has prepared for me. They are all local products. I hope you will accept them.

Of course, if the Lord of the Mansion is determined to take credit, my master wouldn't mind going into the city for a meeting.

But then, the people in the city will suffer."

Looking at the box, County Magistrate Cao's legs began to tremble again. That wasn't just a local product; it was clearly a box full of pepper! It looked like it must have weighed ten kilograms. If it were shipped to the capital, it would be worth at least two hundred taels! And if he didn't agree, he couldn't afford to "come into the city for a meeting" or anything like that!

Seeing that his father-in-law was not in a position to give a direct answer, Master Yang quickly intervened: "Madam, you are being too polite. If this is really a mistake, I will naturally give you justice. Your Excellency loves the people like his own children, so how could he wrongly accuse a kind person?"

Let's not discuss whether this corrupt official who arbitrarily increases taxes loves the people like his own children, and let's not talk about whether the Li family, who are obviously involved in smuggling and gangs, are kind people. However, this statement was made in a balanced manner, saving face both inside and outside.

Cheng Xi then smiled and said, "Thank you very much, sir."

At this time, County Magistrate Cao also reacted and hurriedly said with a smile: "It's all trivial matters, all trivial matters. Master Yang, please accompany my wife to the prison and take a look at how the case is going. If there is nothing wrong, release him immediately and don't keep my wife waiting for too long!"

Master Yang bowed quickly and said, "Please move aside, Madam."

Cheng Xi stood up calmly and returned the greeting with a smile: "Your Excellency is very understanding and righteous. My master will definitely remember this friendship."

She didn't even have any use for "favors," but why would County Magistrate Cao care? This kind of plague god should be sent away quickly!

But when the time came, he remembered something and asked cautiously, "I'd like to trouble you to tell me something, Madam. My Dongning County is poor and the people are poor. Could you please just raise your hand and ask me to eat somewhere else?"

He was just about to transfer, when pirates suddenly appeared and attacked the village. It would be difficult to explain this to his superiors. If he could reach an agreement with the Red Flag Gang and let these pirates attack other counties instead, wouldn't he also have some political achievements?

Cheng Xi raised an eyebrow when he heard this: "Your Excellency, what are you talking about? It wasn't the Red Flag Gang that took action. We are all honest businessmen. However, the thieves have been blocking the trade routes recently and have frequently come ashore to harass us. We will not sit idly by."

Aren't they a gang? Judging from their tone, they're planning a fight? County Magistrate Cao immediately stopped talking and said with a smile, "Your gang is truly righteous and benevolent. I admire you!"

All that needed to be said was said, and all that needed to be accepted was accepted. After the two men were politely escorted out of the door, County Magistrate Cao wiped the sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his robe.

Fortunately, he was decisive and sent these two disaster stars away. After serving in Dongning for four or five years, he knew better than anyone else how ruthless these pirates were. They would destroy families, kill officials and seize cities, and there was nothing they would not dare to do.

Back then, with Qiu Sheng keeping things under control, he could barely live a few days in peace.

Now that Qiu Sheng is dead, why should he be so arrogant? The best thing to do is to leave early!

But that damned County Magistrate Zhang had actually caused him such a disaster! He wanted to see how much benefit this fellow had gained to be so bold!

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