Chapter Ninety-Five: A Live Pig!

Master Xue was, after all, a man who had passed the imperial examinations, and his ability to organize his thoughts remained sharp. He quickly explained the sequence of events to Li Yun, then slapped the table and said indignantly, "Don't even think about it."

"This position as the Prefect of Xuanzhou was specially arranged for him by someone after news of the rebellion in Yuezhou broke. Once the rebellion is quelled, he will have contributed money and grain, and his credit will naturally be significant."

"In a year or two at most, he will be transferred from Xuanzhou back to the capital, and he might even be promoted by a grade."

"It will also make for a polished entry on his personnel record at the Ministry of Personnel."

Xue Song added in a muffled voice, "It is just that no one cares about the actual situation here in Xuanzhou."

After listening, Li Yun smiled and said, "It seems the ministers in the imperial court are truly thoughtful, paving such a smooth road for their own kin."

Li paused for a moment before continuing, "It is just that this Prefect Cui is far too impatient. He didn't need to be so hasty. If he had simply settled into his role step by step and used more moderate methods to gather supplies for the front lines, his connections at court would have ensured he got his credit."

"Firstly, he is impatient," Master Xue fumed. "Secondly, he relies on his family background and doesn't look upon us local subordinates as anything at all."

"Now, I have completely offended him."

Master Xue lowered his head and counted on his fingers. "Calculating the time for documents to travel back and forth, plus the deliberations at the Ministry of Personnel, in at most a month, the imperial decree for my removal will arrive."

"So fast?" Li Yun was surprised. "The Pacification Commissioner hasn't even arrived after nearly half a year; can the dismissal order really come that quickly?"

"The appointment of a Pacification Commissioner requires lengthy deliberations between the Ministry of Personnel and other departments," Master Xue shook his head. "But Cui Shao's petition doesn't require such trouble. Even setting aside his status and background, when a superior denounces a subordinate, the request is almost always granted."

Although, in theory, the appointment and dismissal of local county magistrates require the Ministry of Personnel's approval, that is merely a formality.

Generally speaking, as long as a superior impeaches their subordinate, the Ministry of Personnel will approve it. If they did not, the superior would lose all authority in the region.

The work would become impossible to carry out.

This was why Xue Song was certain he would be dismissed. Or, at the very least, transferred away from Xuanzhou.

Li Yun stroked his chin, thinking it over seriously.

He did not want Magistrate Xue to leave Qingyang, at least not in the next two years. After all, both his legitimate business and his underworld operations were anchored there.

If Magistrate Xue left Qingyang, Li Yun could not possibly follow him back to his hometown or move to another region. His roots were currently in Qingyang, and any future expansion would likely radiate outward from Qingyang and Xuanzhou.

After a moment of thought, before he could speak, Master Xue patted him on the shoulder and sighed, "Don't dwell on it. I haven't taken this position to heart anyway. Both my sons are married and settled; it is time to return to my hometown and retire."

Master Xue snorted, "That man named Cui is arrogant and domineering. I don't need to wait for him to impeach me; I will submit a petition to the court explaining the situation and resign voluntarily to retire!"

"Let him, that Cui fellow, toss and turn in Xuanzhou as he pleases."

"Do not be so hasty, Magistrate," Li Yun said with a smile. "Submitting a self-explanation is fine, but there is no need to rush into retirement. Things might yet take a turn."

Master Xue was stunned, seemingly realizing something. He frowned and said, "This is my own affair. Do not act rashly, and certainly do not use those people from the Cangshan Stronghold..."

"That would cause a massive disaster!"

"Besides, someone like Cui Shao surely has many guards around him."

"Rest assured, Magistrate. I have always been a law-abiding citizen; I will do nothing foolish."

***

In the evening, Chief Li returned to his courtyard with wine and food. Li Zheng was reading a book, but when he saw Li Yun return, he hurriedly tucked it away, looking somewhat flustered.

Zhang Hu was tinkering with a bow. Seeing Li Yun, he stood up and said with a smile, "Second Brother is back."

Li Yun set down the food and drink and glanced at Li Zheng. "What were you reading?"

Li Zheng stammered and said nothing.

Zhang Hu tattled from the side, "Second Brother, 'Skinny' has been reading all afternoon. He wouldn't even answer me when I called him!"

Li Zheng's face turned even redder, not knowing what to say.

The Chief of the Stronghold glanced at him and said testily, "It wasn't some indecent book, was it?"

"It's decent, it's decent," Li Zheng quickly replied. "Very decent."

Li Yun sighed. "It seems you really are at the age to be looking for a wife."

Li Zheng chuckled and sat down next to Li Yun. "Second Brother, what good food did you bring back today?"

"Stop changing the subject." The Chief sat down in the main seat with an air of authority, looked at Li Zheng, and said slowly, "I'll find you a wife in a couple of years. For now, our stronghold is in a critical period; focus more on the task at hand."

Li Zheng nodded quickly. "Understood, Second Brother."

The three of them opened the wine and food. After eating and having a few cups, Li Yun looked at Li Zheng and said, "Skinny, the prefecture is preparing to requisition money and grain from every county."

"Tell me, should we go and pull off a job?"

"Huh?" Li Zheng was taken aback. He scratched his head and whispered, "Second Brother, aren't we officials for Qingyang now? Are you suggesting we… commit an inside job?"

"It's called 'stealing from one's own post'," Li Yun corrected him.

Although Skinny knew how to read, his level of education was quite low, though that could hardly be blamed on him. Growing up in the stronghold, the fact that he was literate at all was thanks to his mother; people like Zhang Hu couldn't even recognize their own names.

"Right, stealing from our own post!" Li Zheng scratched his head. "But Second Brother, Master Xue has been very good to you, and Miss Xue often comes to look for you. If we do this, wouldn't it be..."

"Wouldn't it be a bit unloyal?"

Li Yun glared at him and said impatiently, "Qingyang isn't sending money and grain to the prefecture for the time being. We don't need to rob Qingyang's share."

"Rob another county's?" Li Zheng thought for a moment and nodded. "That's doable. But there are so many counties in Xuanzhou, and we don't have enough men. Which county are you thinking of targeting, Second Brother?"

"How about we rob Shidai?" Skinny shoveled some rice into his mouth and mumbled, "Shidai is close to us."

"We don't need to rob the individual counties."

The Chief took a large bite of meat and said, "Each county will definitely send their money and grain to Xuanzhou, or some other location. In any case, they will all be gathered together before being forwarded to Yuezhou."

"Ah?" Li Zheng didn't quite understand and scratched his head. "Why? Aren't some counties closer to Yuezhou? Wouldn't it be easier for them to deliver it themselves?"

"You don't understand," Li Yun said with a smile. "Because some people want to claim credit. If the prefecture had each county send their grain directly to the front, then this new Prefect would have some brains. But if he orders all the counties to send their money and grain to Xuanzhou City first, to be escorted from there to Yuezhou, then this Prefect Cui..."

"Is truly a complete fool."

Li Zheng scratched his head, still not fully grasping it, but he patted his chest and said, "Second Brother, what you say is too complicated for me to understand, but just tell me what to do."

"The brothers will have no objections!"

Li Yun nodded. "Tomorrow, Skinny, you head back to the Ten Kings Stronghold and discuss this with Old Nine. First, send a few nimble men to scout the situation near Xuanzhou."

"I will also make inquiries through official channels over the next few days. Once the intelligence is gathered, I'll return to the Ten Kings Stronghold to discuss how we'll strike."

Li Zheng agreed promptly. "Understood, Second Brother."

After saying this, he suddenly thought of a question: "Second Brother, Xuanzhou isn't Qingyang. I heard they have over a thousand soldiers. Is it a bit dangerous to go and mess with them..."

"A thousand?" Li Yun grinned. "Don't worry, they don't have that many."

"They probably have fewer than three hundred. And even if they had those three hundred, that impatient Master Cui might not even be able to command them. These young masters from the capital really think that with a single piece of paper and a few seals, they can rule over a territory."

"If you can't balance interests, everyone will only offer him lip service."

Knowing Li Zheng wouldn't understand this, Li Yun patted his shoulder again and said slowly, "You don't need to worry about these things; just do as I say. If we can intercept this money and grain, it will be of great benefit to our stronghold."

Li Zheng nodded quickly, finished his last bite of rice, and slipped back to his room with his mysterious little book.

The Chief watched his retreating back and said testily, "Read less of that!"

***

Over the next few days, aside from idling at the magistrate's office, Li Yun would occasionally ride out of the city to look around.

On the third day, he finally received definitive news.

The new Prefect, Cui Shao, had ordered all counties in Xuanzhou to transport their respective money and grain to Xuanzhou City, to be escorted collectively to the Yuezhou front.

When he heard this, Li Yun was looking at a geographical atlas. He opened the map of Xuanzhou, studied the location of Xuanzhou City, and couldn't help but mutter to himself:

"Is this a scion of a great family?"

"Isn't this just a complete fool?"