Chapter 48: The Magistrate of Xinshi County

  Xinshi County, located in the northwest of Wuxi County.

  In terms of geographical location, Xinshi County is not as superior to Wujixian County, but Xinshi County has a strong county magistrate. The county magistrate's name is He Yun, in his thirties, with a tall and straight figure, a square face, slightly cold eyes, thin lips, and an air of authority in his demeanor, with an extraordinary temperament. He is a native of Xinshi County and has not been the county magistrate for long, only half a year so far.

  But in just this short half year, He You has already taken control of Xinshi County.

  So far, He Yun has had more than a thousand soldiers under his command, several warlords, and countless staff members, with great strength. He Yun's purpose in buying war horses is to further enhance his own strength.

  Ma Yuan returned to Xinshi County and reported the matter of the war horses being robbed.

  He Yun was furious when he heard the news, and immediately summoned his staff to gather around him. In a deep voice, he said: "The newly appointed county magistrate of Wuji County has taken away 600 war horses, which is simply outrageous. Such a person must be severely punished. I plan to lead the troops personally to Wuji County to retrieve all the war horses and make Wang Lai compensate for the losses. What do you think?"

  "Sir, Wuji County and Xinshi County are adjacent. If you initiate the war first, once the news reaches the ears of the provincial governor, it will inevitably affect your future prospects. In my humble opinion, sir, you should adopt a strategy of 'first courtesy, then military force'. First send someone to visit Wuji County and ask the county magistrate to return all the war horses. If things go smoothly, you can choose not to pursue the matter further. If things don't work out, you can still lead your army to conquer them without delay. This way, sir, you will have a reasonable excuse and won't be blamed by the provincial governor."

  An aide stroked his chin whiskers and said slowly.

  He Yun grunted and said, "You have offended this official. Regardless of whether he returns the war horse or not, he must be punished. However, your suggestion is quite good. For now, let's follow your suggestion and execute it temporarily. Let's use courtesy first and then military force, so as not to ruin this official's impression in the heart of the provincial governor."

  The attendants praised: "Your Excellency is wise, I will go and arrange it immediately."

  He Yun nodded in agreement and then discussed with his staff about strengthening the power of Xinshi County. In He Yun's view, the Black Mountain bandits were causing chaos everywhere, and the imperial court had lost its prestige, so the country had entered a chaotic era, and it was necessary to strengthen its own strength to protect itself.

  After everyone dispersed, the staff immediately arranged for personnel to go to Wuji County.

  ……

  Xinshi County and Wuji County are adjacent, not far apart. In less than two days, the envoy representing Xinshi County Magistrate He Yun arrived in the county seat of Wuji County and came to the county government office.

  In the hall, Wang Lei sat high above.

  Below, stood the envoy sent by the county magistrate of Xinshi County.

  The envoy just made a casual bow, and in his words and deeds, he did not show respect to Wang Lei. With an arrogant tone, he said: "I am the new county magistrate of Xinshi County, sent to inform you, sir, to immediately return the 600 war horses that were taken away. If you return the war horses, both sides will stop fighting and the situation will be resolved; if you insist on not returning them, you will bear the consequences."

  In the eyes of the envoy, Wang Lei in front of him was just a puppet county magistrate.

  It's easy to deal with such a child.

  Therefore, the envoy's tone and demeanor were extremely arrogant, as if his status was higher than that of Wang Lei.

  Wang Lei let out a cold laugh and waved his hand, shouting: "Come in!"

  A bailiff holding a board walked in, and Wang Lei ordered: "Throw him out!"

  The bailiff got the order, without any hesitation, the board in his hand swung out and slapped the envoy's back with a loud "pa" sound. This blow was not heavy, but it really hit the envoy's back, making him stumble and fall to the ground, and his back was even more painful. He endured the pain, stood up, looked at Wang Lei, and shouted: "You offended the county magistrate of Xinshi County, you will regret it..."

  The words had barely fallen when the wooden board in the hand of the bailiff fell again.

  "Bang!!"

  A crisp sound, the board heavily hit the envoy's buttocks, and the envoy fell to the ground with a thud. This time it was even more severe, and the body hurt from the fall. Under the blows of the yamen's stick, the envoy stumbled up, and hastily retreated like he was fleeing.

  Wang Lei didn't take the envoy's matter to heart and sent someone to invite Guo Jia and Du Ji to his study.

  Three people gathered together to discuss matters.

  Wang Lei recounted the events of the new county magistrate sending an envoy, saying in a low voice: "The county magistrate of Xinshi County sent someone to show off his power, and I directly beat him back. The envoy was humiliated, and the county magistrate of Xinshi County felt the same way, definitely feeling greatly wronged, and must be bringing troops to kill me. This is an opportunity I created, I'm not afraid he won't come, just afraid he won't come."

  Du Qi frowned, thinking Wang Lei was too showy.

  Wang Lei continued: "What we need to discuss now is how to take down Xinshi County without letting Han Fu have any suspicions. It's quite difficult to control Xinshi County in a way that's imperceptible."

  "It's hard, it's hard!"

  Du Qi shook his head, with a solemn expression between his eyebrows.

  Guo Jia remained silent, pondering the matters Wang Yue had mentioned. After a moment's thought, he said, "If we want to take down Xinshi County, there are many ways to do it; I have countless strategies. The key is to deceive Han Fu, which is somewhat difficult."

  Du Qi nodded and said: "I agree with Feng Xiao's opinion!"

  Wang Lei said: "I know it's difficult, but to enhance our strength, we must do so."

  "Unless those who inserted us control Xinshi County."

  Guo Jia furrowed his brow and put forward a suggestion.

  Wang Lei's eyes flashed with a hint of joy, and he said: "Controlling Xinshi County is indeed very difficult, but it's not impossible to operate." After a pause, Wang Lei said: "Feng Xiao's plan is an idea, but it's not perfect, let's think about it again. Now, let's discuss how to deal with the army of Xinshi County."

  The three men in the room quickly came up with a plan of action after discussing it among themselves.

  ……

  Xinshi County Government

  After the envoy returned in disarray, he met with County Magistrate He Yun in the hall. The envoy looked gloomy and said loudly: "Your Honor, Wang Lei, the county magistrate of Wujixian, is too arrogant! As soon as I made the request to return the war horses to you, Wang Lei had his attendants drive me out of the county government office with great fanfare. My waist, buttocks, and other parts were severely beaten, and I still have injuries on my body."

  "You scoundrel Wang Lei, how dare you deceive people like this!"

  He Yun's eyes rose, with a fierce killing intent. Since he took office as the county magistrate of Xinshi County, he had been enjoying the feeling of being surrounded by stars and moons. Now that Wang Lei disobeyed his decision, He Yun's anger was already surging like a stormy sea.

  We must strike back!

  He Yun took a deep breath and shouted: "Come in!"

  "Agreed!"

  A soldier rushed in and saluted.

  He Yun waved his hand and ordered: "Mobilize all soldiers in Xinshi County, follow the official to Wuji County. This time, we must make the county magistrate Wang Pei of Wuji County kneel down and beg for mercy."

  "Think thrice, old man!"

  The staff stepped forward and said: "It's a good thing for the adults to lead the troops, but after all the soldiers leave, Xinshi County will have no defensive power. Please leave some soldiers behind."

  He Yun sneered twice and said, "I will lead the troops to go there. The county magistrate of Wujixian County must have led the troops to defend against us. Who would still have the mind to attack? You are overthinking it. Go down and prepare, follow me to deploy the troops."

  The staff officer let out a soft sigh and left the county government office without much persuasion to make preparations.