Chapter 33: The Officials, Merchants, Soldiers and Bandits are all from the same family

  It's better for Yang Meng to go in person, the matter of the Zhou family's estate can't be handled by others from the Yang family. He used to have a reputation as a foolish and arrogant king, so even if he makes a mistake, it's understandable.

  If others go, the nature is different. The Yang family is big and prosperous, and they also want to plan for the good of the Zhou family. Without mentioning what kind of mind is reserved, just this financial resources alone will make many people jealous. Wealth that is not exposed, once exposed, will attract bees and butterflies like honey.

  To deal with the Zhou family, first remove Yi Liang Dian Shi this stumbling block. Otherwise, he and Zhou Shi Qing will watch each other's backs, and it will be impossible to do anything afterwards. If this stumbling block is not removed, Zhou Shi Qing will still have hope in his heart. Even if he is captured alive, when transferring land and property, he will not listen to arrangements.

  County Magistrate Jiang Yuangui of Yiliang, Yang Meng had also inquired about him. Although he was not a good person, he wasn't a bad one either. Most importantly, he and the county's historian were not on the same side.

  Yang Meng asked Xun Yu Ying, Jiang Yuanji was later, the county's historian in Yiliang was actually a tiger on the ground, but unfortunately, Jiang Yuanji had someone backing him up and his family had some wealth, so the lucrative position in Yiliang County slipped out of the historian's hands.

  Because of this, Yiliang still has some unclear powers and responsibilities. The county government, which should be dominated by the county magistrate, is now a situation where two tigers are fighting each other. Jiang Yuanguo has great power and many followers, while the county magistrate also has his own forces, so neither can control the other.

  But he himself is the one who broke this balance. Last time in Yiliang, he suffered a loss because of human traffickers. The responsibility ultimately lies with Dian Shi's negligence. This time, he went to settle the account and it was only natural that Jiang Yuange would seize this opportunity to control the entire Yiliang County.

  To avoid drawing attention, Yang Meng specially asked Ding Baojun to prepare 800 taels of gold. This stuff is hard currency and not too bulky, so it's more convenient to carry around. After preparing all this, he planned to go to Yiliang.

  Unable to ride a horse, for the convenience of Yang's third master's travel, Ding Baojun specially asked the craftsmen to build a double-horse carriage with a canopy. With the canopy, it was better to have some shelter. As for this vehicle, Yang Meng was still relatively satisfied.

  Yang Meng rejected Ding Baojun's request to follow him and led the twenty knife-wielding men in his group straight to Yiliang.

  Yang Meng's knife-wielding men, dressed in unconventional attire, with clothes that stood out from the crowd, arrived at the Yiliang County government office. The gatekeepers were somewhat perplexed by the situation - these twenty or so people, guarding a horse-drawn carriage, could they be big shots from the Yunnan provincial government?

  When Yang Meng came out of the tent, the gatekeepers were frightened and ran back to shout for people to close the county government's gate.

  At this, Yang Meng also got angry. Did they think he was a fool? Before the county gate could be closed, Yang Meng rushed forward and kicked it open. Four or five county guards were knocked to the ground with a loud cry.

  "Third Master has come to see Mr. Jiang Yuangong, hurry up and report, delaying Third Master's important matter, I'll flay your dog skin!"

  After saying that, Yang Meng held the ghost-headed knife at his waist and stood in the middle of the county government's main gate. What does this look like coming to bribe the magistrate of Yiliang County?

  The county government was quiet, and Jiang Yuangui, the magistrate of Yiliang County, was drinking tea and listening to music in his residence. As soon as he heard that Yang Sanlang had killed someone at the gate, this respected official's hand shook, causing him to drop his teacup on the ground.

  "The King of Hell is here!"

  Running is not a solution, in the past, the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, He Changling, was chased by this third grandfather in Kunming, and there were also elite troops sent by the imperial court to resist, but his own Yiliang County did not have such elite troops.

  If I were to run away and get killed by Yang Sanlang on Yiliang Street, it would be a small matter of life and death, but a big loss of face!

  "Please come in!"

  Jiang Yuangui's voice trembled as he ordered the attendants to invite Yang Meng into the inner hall.

  One knife for sticking one's head out, and another knife for pulling it back in. Yang Sanlang brought his men to Yiliang, and Yang Foye couldn't possibly remain unmoved. As the county magistrate, he was responsible for maintaining order, and arbitrary killings were not easy to deal with.

  A group of inferior officials from Yiliang, trembling with fear, brought Yang Meng into the inner hall. Under the gaze of County Magistrate, they also stood at the door, shaking.

  "Lord Jiang, Yang San has come this time to present a gift."

  Seeing Jiang Yuangui being a bit nervous, Yang Meng got straight to the point, after all, it was just those words, whether or not he tried to hide them made no difference.

  "Give gifts?"

  Yang Sanlang gave gifts to whom? This Jiang Yuangui really hasn't heard of it before, isn't this statement backwards?!

  "Not bad! It's a gift-giving session, but I don't know if the person outside can be trusted?"

  The situation in Yiliang County government office is complicated, and Yang Mengke doesn't want Dian Shi to get any news ahead of time.

  "Get out! Don't come into the yard without being called!"

  Listening to Yang Sanlang's tone, there was no foolishness, nor did it seem like he came seeking revenge. Could it be that he had a request for himself? Although the outside world had exaggerated the legend of the Tyrant of Yunnan, Jiang Yuangui didn't see it that way. Last time, he discovered that Yang Sanlang wasn't a fool, but the Yang family was wealthy and powerful, what could he possibly do to counter them?

  Yang Meng turned around and saw that the bailiffs had all retreated, then he untied the bundle on his back, 'clunk' sound, eight hundred taels of gold, was placed in front of Jiang Yuangui.

  Looking at the glittering pile in front of him, Jiang Yuangui roughly estimated that there were seven or eight hundred taels of gold. This was no small sum, and although he was tempted, Yang's gold was also hot property! Whether he could take it, and whether he would have a life to spend it with afterwards, were both questions!

  "Third Master! This..."

  If Yang Sanlang is not stupid, he must be hot-tempered. With such a temperament, Jiang Yuanguo wouldn't dare to casually approach him. It's better to probe first. If the request isn't excessive, it can still be done.

  "Last time I was hit in Yiliang, this time I'm here to settle the score! Not with you, but with Dianshi's account. This bastard is harboring human traffickers, causing me to be beaten for nothing. The human trafficker wasn't found, probably because he tipped them off. I won't let this beating go in vain. Since the human trafficker ran away, I can only take it out on him."

  Overthrow the good history of Yiliang, Jiang Yuanyi will surely clean up the Yiliang County government office, just in time to sweep away Zhou Shiqing's claws and teeth in Yiliang, leaving no branches or leaves, let's see how Zhou Shiqing can still jump around.

  "Is this a joke? This is an official in charge of law and order for the entire county, Jiang has overstepped his authority!"

  Damn it, Jiang Yuangui had wanted to do this for a long time. He had figured out some of the strengths and weaknesses of this old man, but more than half of the good yamen were under the control of Dianshi, so if he tried to take him down, he might end up getting himself in trouble instead.

  "Are you going to change the county magistrate? You say it! Are you going to handle this case or not?"

  Pulling wool over his eyes? Yang Meng didn't believe Jiang Yuanguo's words, his own power was being divided, it should be his own soup being snatched away, the officialdom infighting is because of this, this Jiang Yuanguo is probably not trustworthy!

  "It must be done! How can it not be done? It's just that more than half of the officials in Yiliang are Manchu, so it's difficult to do!"

  Yang Meng was tough, and Jiang Yuanji softened. He didn't have the energy to deal with the official historians. If Yang Sanlang took charge, killing an official historian would be as easy as catching a thief.

  "Don't even think about me taking action, killing officials and breaking the law, I'm not stupid! What do you have that can bring down Dian Shi? Bring it out! Gather evidence, I can go take care of it!"

  He treats himself as a big gun, and Jiang Yuanguo is actually well-intentioned. What if this matter gets out of hand? Wouldn't he become the unlucky one? Killing an official is not something that can be done easily, the impact would be too severe.

  However, helping Jiang Yuangui, grabbing the small braid of Dianshi and beating him to death with a stick is acceptable.

  "The Sun brothers from Dog Street, who specialize in robbing horse caravans, got most of their benefits from the usury. Ma Quezi from Horse Street, who does opium business, has his master as the usurer. Qin Xiucan from the east gate of Yiliang, his wife's sister was raped and killed by the usurer."

  Alright! This tyrant is indeed a protective umbrella for the evil forces, and he's on par with Zhou Shiqing. He's also committed robbery, opium trafficking, rape, and plunder, so killing him would be a virtuous deed.

  "Government officials, businessmen, soldiers and bandits, you've all had your share! Alright, I'll take responsibility for this matter, but you must guarantee that the beginning and end of the Dian Shi in Yiliang will be thoroughly cleaned up."

  What Jiang Yuanyi said were all cases that deserved capital punishment. Once they were reported, the county magistrate of Yiliang would likely be beaten to death as soon as he was brought to trial. The governor's office would never report such a case to the imperial court. They could just find an excuse to strike his name off the list and report it to the imperial court without any trouble.

  Yiliang himself is the master of the house, and in order to regain his rightful power, Jiang Yuanguo also made an effort. Yang Sanlang agreed to this matter, and Dianshi was a dead end.

  "I heard that Zhou Shiqing has a good relationship with Dianshi, did Elder Jiang go there to handle it?"

  Seeing Jiang Yuanguo's sly smile, Yang Meng reminded him that Yi Liang Dianshi was also under Zhou Shiqing's protection. If this Zhou were to use his wealth and power to help Dianshi escape punishment, it would be a troublesome matter.

  "This doesn't matter! Zhou Shiqing is originally from an official background, he can understand it clearly. Such things can't be shirked, he won't take the lead."

  For the officialdom, Jiang Yuangui has his own set of rules. The typical history is just a tool for Zhou Shiqing, and changing tools isn't necessarily a bad thing. Treading this muddy water, with Zhou Shiqing's brains, it won't be that bad.

  "Alright! Then let's each prepare, I'll go gather evidence, Lord Jiang is in charge..."

  Of course, it can't be said that Yan Liansheng was killed on the surface, but the fierce relationship inside must be clear to Jiang Yuanguo. If he doesn't kill Yan Liansheng, he will have the possibility of making a comeback. Either don't fight or fight to death, which is also a rule in the officialdom.

  Leaving behind the gold, Yang Meng took his men directly to find Qin Xiucan at Yiliang East Gate. This scholar was also unlucky, marrying a wife with great fame and reputation, but the good things he got were ruined by Yiliang Dianshi before he could even enjoy them for two days.

  Others just played with him and didn't say anything, but after they were done, they still managed to get him killed, this can only be considered as bad luck.

  The Qin family's house was quite well-off, with a half-new tile-roofed house that was far better than the several rundown houses of his own village. However, as soon as he entered the courtyard, Yang Meng felt somewhat uneasy.

  The yard is overgrown with weeds, and there are piles of unknown things everywhere, which is quite different from the neatness of the front door. This yard is simply a pigsty.

  "Is Qin Xiūcái at home?"

  Yang Meng stood at the door and asked, after a long time, a rustling sound came from inside the house, and the door opened to reveal a beggar.

  This must be the master, judging by his appearance, he seems to have been disheartened because of the affair with the woman. I heard that Qin Xiuren is not old, but his white hair makes people's hearts ache, and his dull eyes don't seem like those of a living person.

  "I am Kunming Yang Sanlang, this time I came to deal with Yiliang Dianshi, if you have the heart, follow me!"

  Qin Xiuzai's illness requires strong medicine, and his own name is that strong medicine. Whether he can get out of it depends on himself. Framing Yiliang Dianshi to death must be something Qin Xiuzai has been longing for!

  As expected, upon hearing the name Yang Sanlang, Qin Xiuzai's body began to shake violently, his eyes no longer dull, replaced by complex emotions, with anger, sorrow, and even more hope.

  "But isn't Yunnan the land of tyrants?"

  Qin Xiūcái slapped himself hard and asked in a trembling voice.

  "It was Yang Meng's former title!"

  How can this still be played with self-inflicted injuries? Is the title of "Stupid Tyrant" so easily obtained?

  "Third Master! If I can avenge Qin Zixi's humiliation and murder of his wife, I am willing to be your slave from now on!"

  This is a bit too much, it's not like selling one's body to bury one's father, how can this guy be as ruthless as Tang You, and for the sake of revenge, he doesn't care about anything.