This prefect... has he gone too far?
Even the usually composed Lao'er of the Shen Family frowned deeply. He admitted that the man with the silver armor and long spear in the city was very troublesome, so much so that the group of them even considered giving the prefect a way out.
But this kind of reconciliation is mutual. Now that Yuchi Feihong has personally mediated, the situation couldn't be better. Does the prefect really think he has the Shen Family cornered?
Yuchi Feihong was taken aback, his eyes filled with deep meaning as he looked at Chen Qing!
"Then what does Your Excellency wish to do?" Shen Laojiu asked Chen Qing with a sinister look.
" The Shen Family openly attacked an official of the imperial court, and according to the law, they should be exiled. However, considering the Shen Family's significant contributions to Jiangnan and the imperial court, this official can grant leniency. The Shen Family will pay a ransom of one million taels of silver, and the three Shen Family members who offended this official will be paraded through the streets for three days. This matter will then be considered closed!"
Bang!
Shen Laojiu suddenly stood up, and the robe covering him immediately bulged, as if something was wriggling inside, which was extremely eerie.
The Laojiu's eyes flashed with blue Dharma wheels as he walked directly towards Chen Qing.
" Lord Chen, do you really think the Shen Family is easy to bully?"
The Laojiu's actions were too violent, but neither Murong Yunji nor the Lao'er of the Shen Family showed any intention of stopping him.
In this situation, simply backing down is not the best option. It would be a good opportunity to take advantage of Laojiu's impulsiveness to see what kind of relationship that powerful guy had with the prefect, and whether he could really be ordered around by the prefect at any time.
If this guy can really command such powerful figures at any time, then the Shen Family will suffer a serious loss today!
Seeing this, Chen Qing realized he was in trouble. He had been thrown off balance by Yuchi Feihong's situation and had pushed the Shen Family too far. But he really couldn't back down now; the Shen Family had to stay in Liuzhou!
As Shen Laojiu approached step by step, Chen Qing gritted his teeth and reached for the official seal hidden in his sleeve.
Just as he was hesitating, a tall figure suddenly stepped in front of Laojiu.
Everyone was startled. Who else could it be but Yuchi Feihong?
What surprised the Shen Family even more was Yuchi Feihong's current state. His eyes suddenly turned into a frenzied, bloodthirsty beast, completely different from his previous aura!
Suddenly, Yuchi Feihong lunged at Shen Laojiu like a wild beast.
With its fierce aura and unpredictable movements, it frightened Shen Laojiu, who had very little combat experience, so much so that he stood frozen in place.
The next instant, a flash of green light appeared, and Yuchi Feihong missed his target. His teeth snapped in the air with a loud crack, the terrifying sound of their bite was even more frightening than two weapons clashing together, making Shen Yiyun's eyelids twitch!
"Is the adult born in the Year of the Dog?"
A woman's languid voice echoed in the hall. Yuchi Feihong looked up, his eyes filled with a violent aura, and there stood Murong Yunji.
Clearly, she was the one who saved the stunned Shen Laojiu at the critical moment.
Murong Yunji touched Shen Laojiu's face. "Although my Laojiu's face isn't handsome, he hasn't gotten married yet, so he can't be disfigured."
A beautiful, jade-like hand stroked Shen Laojiu's still-shaken face. Upon closer inspection, one could see a small wound on Shen Laojiu's face, like a dagger had slashed across it. It was hard to imagine that it had been caused by teeth.
"Thank you, sister-in-law..." Shen Laojiu rarely thanked his impetuous sister-in-law.
Murong Yunji ignored Laojiu and instead looked warily at Yuchi Feihong. For some reason, this guy's danger level had suddenly become much higher than before on the ship.
Meanwhile, Chen Qing, standing behind him, looked strangely at the wound on Shen Laojiu's face, his eyes flashing with an inexplicable light.
"If you don't want to talk, then get lost!" Yuchi Feihong said coldly to the Shen Family Human Dao.
The Shen Family members had grim expressions, but were also puzzled, not understanding what the Yuchi Household member meant.
Just a moment ago they were vouching for themselves, but now they're acting like this?
"Does the Prefect mean the same thing?" Shen Yiyun frowned and looked at Chen Qing.
Chen Qing remained silent for a few moments, glanced at Yuchi Feihong, then at the Shen Family members, and finally said, "The fine cannot be changed, but the public humiliation can be cancelled. What do you say?"
The Shen Family was stunned again, completely unsure of the situation. Yuchi Feihong was clearly on their side, so why was this prefect giving in?
The Shen Family certainly wouldn't care about that million taels of silver. The prefect's power had already proven that he was qualified to negotiate with the Shen Family. However, the idea of parading him through the streets was too humiliating. Even if he wanted to use the Shen Family his authority, it was going too far.
The point they just raised was unreasonable, and now they're suddenly withdrawing it... that's even more unreasonable.
The bizarre situation before him left even the shrewd Shen Yiyun bewildered. He could only say, "We need to discuss this."
"Alright, three days is the limit!" Chen Qing quickly replied.
Three days?
Shen Yiyun looked at the other party with a meaningful gaze. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that the other party seemed more eager to keep them for three days than to pay the million-dollar ransom.
"Alright, please wait patiently, sir. We'll take our leave now..." With the situation unclear, Shen Yiyun could only bow and take his leave. He needed to sort out his thoughts when he got back.
Take care...
Chen Qing stood up and made a perfunctory bow, appearing somewhat reluctant. Shen Yiyun saw this but said nothing, and directly led the other two away.
"Oh, by the way..." As she reached the door, Murong Yunji suddenly turned back and smiled, "That man who competed with me in the city during the day, has he gotten married yet?"
Chen Qing: "..."
"Alright, stop embarrassing yourselves!" Shen Yiyun glared at her sister-in-law with annoyance, then waved her hand. A flash of black energy appeared, and the three of them vanished without a trace.
And so, only Chen Qing and Yuchi Feihong remained in the hall.
Chen Qing tensed up, his hand gripping the official seal in his sleeve tightly, appearing even more nervous than when he faced the Shen Family earlier.
Yuchi Feihong stood with his back to Chen Qing for a long time, as if he was gathering his emotions or suppressing something.
"How much does Lord Chen know about the situation in the West Sea?"
Chen Qing frowned and shook his head. "What happened in the West Sea?"
Yuchi Feihong turned to look at Chen Qing. The scarlet and violent aura he had just exuded had been forcibly suppressed, revealing his initial clarity, which made Chen Qing feel slightly relieved.
It seems this guy... can still control himself for now.
"Does Your Excellency recognize the origin of that object that injured me?"
Chen Qing hesitated for a few moments, then finally nodded. "I know some..."
"Does Your Excellency know how to provide assistance?"
Chen Qing fell silent again.
"Understood..." Looking at the silent Chen Qing, Yuchi Feihong nodded. "I only have two questions for you, sir."
"General, please speak..."
"Will that thing in the West Sea invade our Great Jin?"
"Normally it shouldn't..." Chen Qing frowned, but he wasn't entirely sure, so he cautiously said, "That thing is imprisoned, its theoretical range of movement is limited, but if..."
"If what?"
"If someone breaks the seal, then it's hard to say."
"I see..." Yuchi Feihong nodded. "Does Your Excellency have a way to deal with that thing?"
"Not easy to deal with..." Chen Qing shook his head.
Upon hearing this, a rare glint of light flashed deep in Yuchi Feihong's eyes.
But he didn't say anything more and turned to walk towards the main gate.
Where did the general go?
"The military camp outside the city!"
What are you going to the military camp for?
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Feihong turned his head, grinning, his teeth still bearing the blood from when he bit Shen Laojiu's face, making him look even more gruesome.
"My lord... do you intend to stay in the city?"
Chen Qing: "..."
After hesitating for a moment, Chen Qing still asked, "Why did you bite that person from the Shen Family just now?"
"Didn't you want to keep the Shen Family here, sir?" Yuchi Feihong turned around and strode out of the hall. "I'm just helping you out."
Chen Qing stared intently at the other person's back until they disappeared completely, then slowly took two steps back and sat down in the chair.
I touched my back and found it was covered in cold sweat.
This Yuchi Feihong doesn't seem to match the rumored reckless and impulsive nature of him.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Qing got up and walked towards the backyard, going directly to Wei Gongcheng's room.
--
"Has it been settled?" Wei Gongcheng was organizing the documents when he looked up at Chen Qing, who had arrived in a hurry, and was slightly taken aback.
Chen Qing's trump card was more powerful than he had imagined, actually forcing that crazy woman, whom even Yuchi Peng was wary of, to retreat. Therefore, he was not worried about Chen Qing's upcoming negotiations.
But Chen Qing's expression showed some doubt. Could it be that things weren't going well? That shouldn't be the case...
"How many people from North Street have returned?" Chen Qing asked directly.
"Hmm... about ten percent, I guess."
"Only this much?" Chen Qing frowned.
Wei Gongcheng rolled his eyes upon hearing this. "Is this not enough?"
Although Liuzhou currently tax-free, trade routes have resumed, and Gu Bei and others have been promoting the city in various counties and villages, the timeframe is still short. The fact that so many people have returned is already quite an achievement, isn't it?
Based on previous estimates, even if the reputation of Liuzhou Door God spreads, it would be considered good if the population could return within six months.
"It's almost too late..." Chen Qing's expression turned anxious.
"What did you say was too late, sir?" Wei Gongcheng asked curiously.
Chen Qing did not answer, but instead asked, " Gongcheng, you have been in the Yuchi Household for many years, do you know what kind of person Yuchi Feihong is?"
"Did you and General Yuchi have a falling out, sir?" Wei Gongcheng frowned. "That shouldn't be the case. General Feihong is clearly the most pragmatic person."
"Most pragmatic?" Chen Qing was taken aback. "Didn't I hear he was arrogant and domineering?"
Wei Gongcheng immediately laughed and said, " Old General Yuchi is the Imperial Guard. Yuchi Peng also had outstanding military achievements in the north back then. His achievements were so rapid that His Majesty had to transfer him to Jiangnan. Now, another member of the Yuchi Household has made tremendous military achievements. If he doesn't act arrogantly and deliberately make some mistakes, how can you, as His Majesty, sleep soundly?"
Chen Qing: "..."
"What exactly happened?" Wei Gongcheng pressed.
"Hmm... If that member of your Yuchi Household were gone, do you think His Majesty could sleep soundly?"
Wei Gongcheng: "..."
Just as I was about to ask more questions, the fat man rushed in.
" Laoda, something's happened!"
"What happened?" Chen Qing's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself: It can't be that fast, can it?
"The military camp! Something's happened at the military camp!!"
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