A Plan of Action

Dai Sheng stammered as he spoke, unable to stop himself from pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat that kept beading on his forehead.

Both his legs trembled uncontrollably. He dared not even raise his head, much less meet Yang Qing's eyes.

How could he be so unlucky as to run into something this serious?

The wealthy households in Yan Prefecture City had obediently paid their tribute every year. How had everything fallen into chaos the moment Scarface died?

The more Dai Sheng thought about it, the colder his back felt.

Yang Qing said nothing, and Dai Sheng dared not ask anything. He could only wait below him, trembling with fear.

Only after a long while did Yang Qing's cool voice ring out again.

"If this happened last night, why did no one inform me?"

"Did you consider this matter insignificant, Lord Dai, or do I simply not exist in your eyes?"

Yang Qing raised his hand and slammed it down hard on the small table beside him.

The teacup Yang Qing had placed there wobbled twice under the force of his blow, then fell to the floor with a crash, sending shards flying everywhere.

"Well, I... I..." Dai Sheng faltered for some time without managing to give an explanation.

"Has the prefectural office sent anyone to investigate? Has anyone been assigned to deal with the aftermath?"

Yang Qing stood up and looked Dai Sheng straight in the eyes.

"My lord, we sent men there early this morning. The wind and rain were so fierce last night that I did not send anyone out..."

By the end, Dai Sheng's voice was no louder than a mosquito's whine, almost inaudible.

"Ready the sedan chair! I am leaving the city at once!"

With that, Yang Qing strode out of the county office's main hall without looking back.

"My lord, please wait for me! I will accompany you..."

Dai Sheng hurried after Yang Qing, his rotund body swaying as he jogged out of the hall.

Wild Boar Forest, outside Yan Prefecture City

As Yang Qing stepped out of his sedan chair, a lingering stench of blood reached his nostrils.

The coroners from the Yan Prefecture office were already examining the victims' bodies one by one and handing them over to their families.

Those with no surviving relatives were taken away by the charitable mortuary for burial together.

In times like these, human lives were worth no more than weeds. Once someone died, they were dead, and few people paid much attention.

Looking at the numb faces of those confronted with their loved ones' gruesome deaths, Yang Qing turned to Dai Sheng. "These were also subjects of Yan Prefecture. Now that they have met such tragic ends, I believe we could provide each household with a little compensation, as circumstances allow, to help them through."

At this, Dai Sheng's face immediately twisted into a knot. "You may not know this, my lord, but although Yan Prefecture administers many counties, they are all remote and impoverished. Even after racking my brains, I can barely keep the prefectural office functioning normally. As for compensation, I truly cannot scrape together a single copper."

Yang Qing's gaze swept over Dai Sheng's sleek, well-rounded figure. "You truly are a fine official, Lord Dai, devoted heart and soul to the people!"

"You flatter me, my lord! You flatter me!" Dai Sheng gave a hollow laugh.

How could Dai Sheng fail to hear the mockery in Yang Qing's words? But he, Dai Sheng, was the duly appointed authority in Yan Prefecture. If he said there was no silver, then naturally there was none!

Would Yang Qing actually dare inspect his treasury?

Hmph! If he didn't impeach him for overstepping his authority then, his surname wasn't Dai!

Yang Qing did not pursue the matter of money. Looking up abruptly, he spotted a man in white not far away, meticulously examining the scene.

"Who is that?" Yang Qing pointed.

Dai Sheng glanced over and said dismissively, "His surname is Jiang, his given name Zhizhou. He is the nephew of the former military governor, Jiang Yuan, and used to serve under Lord Jiang. After Lord Jiang died, he left the County Office, and no one knew where he went. I have no idea why he has appeared here today."

"Oh?" Watching Jiang Zhizhou concentrate wholly on his work, Yang Qing felt his interest stir. "Why not call him over and introduce us, Lord Dai?"

"Do you intend to employ him, my lord?" Dai Sheng gave a contemptuous smile. "I would advise you not to waste your effort. This Jiang fellow is as stubborn as his uncle. He is not easy to deal with."

"No matter. Just call him over, Lord Dai."

Yang Qing saw that Jiang Zhizhou had straightened up and was meeting his gaze from afar.

"Since you have made up your mind, my lord, I shall summon him." Dai Sheng beckoned over a passing prefectural soldier. "Go and call Jiang Zhizhou over. Tell him Lord Yang wishes to see him."

Jiang Zhizhou followed the soldier at a leisurely pace and came before Yang Qing. "This commoner, Jiang Zhizhou, pays his respects to Lord Yang."

"No need for formalities. I am out in plain clothes today. You may be more at ease."

Yang Qing found a clean patch of ground and sat cross-legged. Looking at Jiang Zhizhou, he pointed to the empty space opposite him. "Sit down as well. I hear you are the nephew of Lord Jiang, the former military governor?"

"Yes, my lord."

Jiang Zhizhou answered without hesitation. He glanced at Yang Qing, then sat cross-legged opposite him.

"Do you know why I have come?" Yang Qing watched Jiang Zhizhou as though keenly interested in his answer.

"If you intend to make a show of dealing with Scarface's men to win praise from His Majesty, I would advise you to abandon that idea sooner rather than later."

"Oh? Why is that?" Yang Qing narrowed his eyes.

"Scarface's men are no rabble. Rashly moving against them would likely bring more disaster than good fortune." Jiang Zhizhou dispensed with all pleasantries.

"But if I insist on dealing with them, Jiang Zhizhou, what would you do?" Yang Qing asked again.

Jiang Zhizhou remained silent for a long while. Just as Yang Qing thought he was considering the question, Jiang Zhizhou slowly raised his head, mockery glinting in his eyes.

"If you insist on seeking death, my lord, then all I can do is bid you farewell here in advance. May your final journey be a smooth one!"

"Jiang Zhizhou, how dare you!"

Before Yang Qing could say anything, Dai Sheng sharply rebuked him from the side.

He actually dared curse an imperial official to his face? This Jiang Zhizhou was utterly hateful!

Yang Qing, however, waved a hand unconcernedly. "What Jiang Zhizhou says is not without reason."

"Without complete confidence, acting rashly against Scarface's remaining followers would indeed be no different from seeking death."

"If you have no other business, Lord Yang, I still need to examine the scene. I will trouble you no further," Jiang Zhizhou said.

"Go ahead." Yang Qing gestured to him.

"Farewell!" Jiang Zhizhou bowed to Yang Qing with easy composure, then turned and left.

Once Jiang Zhizhou had gone some distance, Yang Qing rose from the ground as well. "After half a day of this, I am rather tired. Let us return."

Yang Qing withdrew his gaze from Jiang Zhizhou's retreating figure, turned, and climbed into his sedan chair.