One palm cannot clap

"Lord Dai, are you suggesting that I, the illustrious military governor of Yan Prefecture, cannot suppress the sinister aura haunting a single residence?"

Yang Qing casually smoothed the nonexistent creases in his outer robe.

"Not at all, not at all. I would never dare." Dai Sheng coughed a few times in embarrassment.

"In that case, there is no need for you to trouble yourself over my lodgings, Lord Dai."

With that, Yang Qing took the silk scroll back from Dai Sheng and returned it to Bu Er's arms. "His Majesty has graciously entrusted me with this post. Naturally, I must devote every ounce of my strength and thought to easing his worries and securing the people's welfare."

"My decision to reside in the old Yang Household residence is also meant to show the people of Yan Prefecture His Majesty's resolve. As long as banditry remains in Yan Prefecture, His Majesty's heart will know no peace."

"So, Lord Dai, may I live in the Yang Residence or not?"

"Of course. Of course you may." Dai Sheng lowered his head, a trace of disdain curling his lips before quickly disappearing.

Yang Qing turned away and continued, "Though Scar is dead, the bandits' roots in Yan Prefecture remain intact. Tomorrow, I intend to summon every major Lineage in Yan Prefecture City to the County Office so that we may discuss a plan to eradicate them together. What do you think, Lord Dai?"

"Well... in my humble opinion, now that Scar is dead, the rabble under him must have scattered and fled. The people of Yan Prefecture have suffered at their hands for so long. We really should not heap frost upon the snow." Dai Sheng shook his head in opposition.

"Oh? I, on the contrary, believe we must strike while the iron is hot." Yang Qing's eyes shone keenly.

"Since you have made up your mind, my lord, I shall notify the city's prominent households to attend tomorrow's discussion at the County Office!" Having said his piece, Dai Sheng took his leave.

Yan Prefecture City, Murong Residence

"Father, I heard that a new military governor has come to Yan Prefecture?"

In the front hall of the Murong Residence, the eldest daughter, Murong Qian, saw her father, Murong Hao, preparing to leave for the Yan Prefecture County Office and approached him to ask.

"That is correct. The newly arrived military governor, Lord Yang, has invited all the city's major Lineages to the County Office for a discussion."

Murong Hao headed out of the residence without looking back.

"Lord Yang? Father, could it be him?"

Murong Qian stepped forward and caught Murong Hao's sleeve.

"Qianqian, I know what you want to say, but you know perfectly well what happened back then. Besides, although this Lord Yang, Yang Chengming, also bears the surname Yang, his ancestral home is in the capital."

Knowing who his daughter meant by "him," Murong Hao could only let out a long sigh.

"No, Father. Take me with you to see him. Just one look, all right?"

"Nonsense! Never mention this in front of others again. Remember, walls have ears!"

Murong Hao pulled his sleeve free of Murong Qian's hand and strode out of the residence.

Yan Prefecture County Office

The County Office's second hall was unusually lively that day, packed with people of all kinds seated shoulder to shoulder.

Yang Qing sat at the head of the hall, listening to the people below whisper among themselves—

"Have you heard? Lord Dai invited us here today to discuss wiping out the bandits?"

"Bandits? Now that Scar is dead, Yan Prefecture City is perfectly peaceful. Where are these bandits? What trouble are they causing? Isn't Lord Dai just taking off his trousers to fart—making a needless fuss?"

"Keep your voice down. I hear this was the idea of a military governor sent by the court. A new official has to light a few fires upon taking office. Let him light them, then, so long as he doesn't interfere with us earning silver."

"Ahem. Quiet, everyone. Quiet."

Seeing that the time was about right, Dai Sheng stood and motioned for everyone to settle down.

"Gentlemen, you have been invited to the County Office today for two matters."

"First, since Lord Jiang met his tragic end, the post of military governor of Yan Prefecture has stood vacant. At last, through His Majesty's compassion and Heaven's mercy, our new military governor, Lord Yang, arrived yesterday to assume office. This gentleman is Lord Yang."

Dai Sheng stepped slightly aside and introduced Yang Qing.

"We humble commoners pay our respects to Lord Yang!"

Some bowed to Yang Qing, but more remained comfortably seated, unmoving as mountains.

Yang Qing's gaze flickered, and he raised a hand. "There is no need for ceremony. Please rise. I have only just arrived, and I hope everyone here will work together with me in the days ahead."

Once those who had bowed were seated again, Dai Sheng resumed speaking. "As for the second matter, it concerns wiping out the remaining bandits who once served under Scar..."

His words instantly sent the hall boiling over. "Lord Dai, this humble commoner believes we absolutely must not do this."

"Exactly. Now that the bandit chief Scar is dead, his remaining followers have already fled elsewhere at the news. Clearly, the bandits have found new targets. This is a blessing for the people of Yan Prefecture. If we act against them now, we may invite their revenge!"

"Precisely, Lord Dai. You must think twice about this!"

Dai Sheng pressed his fingers to his temple and looked helplessly at Yang Qing. "Lord Yang, as you can see, the Yan Prefecture County Office has only five hundred soldiers. For a major undertaking such as suppressing bandits, without the cooperation and support of Yan Prefecture's prominent households, I fear we cannot advance a single step."

Yang Qing glanced at him and replied unhurriedly, "Then what would you suggest, Lord Dai?"

"In my humble opinion, suppressing bandits is a lengthy undertaking, not something that can be accomplished overnight. Why not proceed gradually, my lord?"

Bu Er stepped forward, his expression dark, but Yang Qing stopped him. Turning back to those seated below, Yang Qing asked, "Does everyone present agree?"

"Of course." Their answers came quickly.

"However, should any of you find yourselves in difficulty later, I believe these mere five hundred men at the County Office will hardly be able to shoulder much responsibility either." Yang Qing's voice was not loud, but every word reached everyone in the hall with perfect clarity.

"Rest assured, Lord Yang. Scar is dead, and those remaining bandits are already like bolts at the end of a crossbow's range. They are nothing to fear. If you have no other business, we humble commoners shall take our leave."

Everyone rose and filed out of the Yan Prefecture County Office's second hall.

Murong Hao left last, his gaze lingering on Yang Qing, his eyes flickering with scrutiny and puzzlement.

Yang Qing paid little attention to Murong Hao's behavior. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly found Murong Hao standing in front of him.

By then, everyone else had left the second hall. After weighing the matter again and again, Murong Hao finally made up his mind.

"Head of the Murong Household, is there something you wish to say?"

Yang Qing calmly regarded the middle-aged man before him, whose temples had already turned white.

Murong Hao's hands, resting against his thighs, slowly curled, as though he had reached a momentous decision.

He spoke again. "My lord, though the Murong Household cannot compare with some of the other households in the city, if you need us, we will not shirk our duty. We will send men to assist you!"

Yang Qing looked steadily at Murong Hao.

Murong Hao could not possibly be unaware of the dangers involved in sending men against those vicious bandits.

Yet now he was declaring his resolve to advance and retreat alongside Yang Qing.

Could it be because my surname is Yang too?

An unreadable emotion flickered through Yang Qing's eyes.

After a pause, Yang Qing finally spoke. "Your concern for the people, regardless of life or death, truly commands my admiration, Head of the Murong Household."

"As for those bandits, this matter has far-reaching implications. We must consider it carefully before making our plans."

Murong Hao bowed to Yang Qing again. "You are absolutely right, my lord. Whenever you need us in the future, the Murong Household will come and assist you with all our strength!"

With that, Murong Hao turned and left, leaving Yang Qing standing where he was, silent for a long time.