The best county magistrate

In a quiet courtyard beside Hanyan Lake in Huajing City, Yang Xuanchen and Park Injae sat opposite each other.

"Your Highness, how is the matter of Jucaixuan going?"

Since the two of them sat down until now, Yang Xuanchen has not said a word about his explanation at the Dali Temple just now, and the thing he mentioned most was about Jucaixuan.

Although Park In-jae was angry, he also knew what was important. After all, Jucaixuan was the real bond between him and Yang Xuanchen.

"The location and decoration are ready, we just need your people to arrive and then we can open for business."

Yang Xuanchen nodded with a smile, "I'll have to trouble His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to spend more time these days to explain the role of Jucaixuan to the major aristocratic families and ministers in the court."

Then he changed the subject and talked about the affairs of Ningguo Mansion.

"Your Highness, we are rushing into the Ningguo Mansion matter..."

"Hmm?" Park In Jae asked.

"There are quite a few people in the Liao Dynasty who advocate war. Your Highness, have you ever considered the cohesion of the war faction?"

Park In Jae sneered, his expression showing a hint of contempt.

"What's there to be afraid of when we are just a pile of loose sand?"

His arrogance made Yang Xuanchen frown involuntarily. Damn it, he wouldn't choose a fool as his partner, would he?

Fortunately, he still has backups like the Fourth Prince and the Sixth Prince, otherwise if Park In-jae continues to be so stupid, his plans will be difficult to carry out.

"A pile of loose sand? Your Highness, don't forget that if water is added to the sand, it will condense together and become very difficult to break through!"

"And Ningguo Mansion is that water!"

Upon hearing this, Park In Jae looked over at him with a suspicious look in his eyes, "Brother Yang, what do you mean by that?"

"Think about it, before what happened last night, when did the King of Zhao and the Duke of Qin ever target you together in public?"

"And those officials who were at the Dali Temple just now, have they shown any signs of banding together for warmth?"

"The reason they came together today is all because you arrested Li Zishan and Li Guodong!"

"What?" Park In Jae stood up in shock after hearing what Yang Xuanchen said.

"You mean to say that arresting them would unite the war faction?" he asked.

Yang Xuanchen nodded, rubbed his chin and thought for a few breaths, and continued: "That's right! At least that's the case for now."

"If the war factions unite, it will be extremely disadvantageous to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so we have to think of a countermeasure for this matter."

"Then let the man go?" Park In Jae asked.

"No, no, no, His Royal Highness has just arrested someone. If he lets him go today, people will say that His Royal Highness is weak and incompetent."

"If this topic spreads, it will be a greater loss to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"I suggest that we lock them up for two or three days before releasing them. In addition, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince must come and apologize."

Park In Jae waved his hands, "Impossible, absolutely impossible to apologize to them!"

"What I mean is that we should act cautiously and not rush things." Yang Xuanchen chose his words carefully.

"As for Duke Ning's affairs, we can take our time. There is no need to rush to a conclusion."

"Give the war faction some time to digest the news themselves, and maybe they will have a different view."

"What we need to do is to give the war faction a false impression..."

Park In Jae hesitated for a moment, "You mean, I shouldn't take any action against Duke Ningguo for the time being?"

"That's right." Yang Xuanchen nodded. "Also, Your Highness, I think you can use this opportunity to strengthen your guidance and control over the pro-war faction."

“Make them a help, not a hindrance.”

A gleam of light flashed in Park In-jae's eyes, and he began to seriously consider Yang Xuanchen's suggestion.

"You are right. I should really make good use of this opportunity."

"But Duke Ningguo and I are at odds, how can I control Ningguo Mansion?"

Yang Xuanchen smiled slightly, "Like I just said, as long as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince comes to apologize, the matter will be half settled."

Seeing him speak so confidently, Park In Jae had many more doubts in his heart, "Why do you say that?"

"Your Highness, don't complicate simple things." Yang Xuanchen paused and whispered softly in his ear.

"It's true that Ningguo Mansion is a war faction, but what if other war factions think that Ningguo Mansion has sided with you?"

I'm afraid, Park In Jae cursed in his heart, and instantly figured out the key.

If the two Duke Ningguo were released in a few days, he would then express his goodwill and find a suitable excuse to shift the blame.

Then the relationship between himself and the Ningguo Mansion would be eased a lot, and then he would visit them from time to time, firstly to apologize for arresting people indiscriminately, and secondly to perform for other pro-war factions.

In this case, within ten days or half a month, public opinion will push Ningguo Mansion to his side.

Then, if he took over the huge Ningguo Mansion, his strength would naturally increase greatly.

Thinking of this, a confident smile appeared on Park In-jae's face. Yang Xuanchen saw that he seemed to have figured it out, so he didn't say anything more.

The two chatted for a while, and Park In Jae's mood was obviously much better.

He stood up and patted Yang Xuanchen on the shoulder, "Brother Yang, your words have benefited me a lot today."

"I will personally supervise the matter of Jucaixuan. As soon as your people arrive, we can open it immediately. I guarantee it!"

Yang Xuanchen also stood up and bowed, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble Your Highness the Crown Prince. If there is anything you need my help with, just let me know."

Park In Jae nodded, "Okay, I feel relieved with your words."

"Of course, of course." Yang Xuanchen responded with a smile.

The two exchanged a few more polite words, and then Yang Xuanchen said goodbye and left the courtyard.

Park In-jae stood at the door, watching his carriage disappear around the corner, a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

On the other side, Yu Wei and Zhao Xue, who had returned to her daughter's attire, had already arrived at the Wu Mansion.

Faced with Zhao Xue like this, Gu Sanshi almost dropped his jaw in shock.

"Zhao, Mr. Zhao, oh no, it's Miss Zhao. You've kept it a secret from us so hard, alas." He said with a long sigh.

Zhao Xue blushed, and after a few shy moments, she said softly, "Second Master Gu, I'm sorry. My brother is still young, and Zijinzhai needs someone to take care of it, so I have no choice but to dress up as a man."

Gu Sanshi waved his hands and said with a wry smile, "I understand. I understand this, but if Ah Li knew..."

"That's why Xiaoxue came to apologize and wanted to make things clear so that Miss Gu Li wouldn't get deeper into trouble." Yu Wei added.

"I have asked the maid to go to the inner courtyard to call Ali. Please stay for a while and have some tea."

Just as the three of them were taking a break in the living room, drinking tea and chatting, a servant dressed in green ran in hurriedly, looking panicked.

"Master Gu, something bad has happened!" I was panting, obviously having run all the way here.

Gu Sanshi frowned and put down the teacup in his hand, "What happened? You are so flustered."

"Yes, it's Miss Ali..." The servant hesitated, seeming to find it difficult to speak.

"What's wrong with Ali? Tell me quickly!" Gu Sanshi's heart tightened and he had a bad feeling.

The servant took out a folded note from her bosom and handed it to Gu Sanshi, "Miss Gu Li...she left this behind and has disappeared."

Gu Sanshi hurriedly took the note, unfolded it, and saw a few lines of beautiful handwriting on it.

"Father, uncle,

By the time you see this letter, I will have left.

Don't worry, I'm old enough to take care of myself.

You are right, I am too willful and I have let my family down.

But please let me be willful for one last time, I need some time to sort out my thoughts.

Don't send for me, I'll be back in due time.

Please take care of yourself and don't make your mother worry too much.

"Ali"

After reading the letter, Gu Sanshi's face turned extremely ugly. He didn't expect Gu Li to make such a decision.

"This kid is really messing around!" He couldn't help but complain, but his tone was more of worry.

Yu Wei and Zhao Xue looked at each other and saw surprise and worry in each other's eyes.

"Second Master Gu, what happened to Miss Gu Li?" Yu Wei asked softly.

Gu Sanshi handed the letter in his hand to Yu Wei, and then he heard her exclaim, and then Zhao Xue was shocked.

Gu Sanshi sighed. He knew that blaming her now would be useless. The key was to find a way to find Gu Li and ensure her safety.

"You guys sit down first, I'll go make some arrangements and see if I can find any trace of Ali." Gu Sanshi said as he was about to stand up.

"Second Master Gu, I'll go with you." Zhao Xue stood up and said firmly, "Sister Gu left because of me, so I am also responsible."

Gu Sanshi glanced at her and nodded, "Alright, one more person means more strength."

Yu Wei also stood up and said, "I'll go with you, maybe I can help."

After the three of them had made their decision, they immediately took action.

Gu Sanshi sent people to inquire about the news, while Yu Wei and Zhao Xue helped to organize possible clues.

While they were busy, an inconspicuous carriage was slowly driving out of the south gate of Huajing City.

There was a young woman sitting in the carriage, her eyes determined yet confused. It was Gu Li who ran away from home after leaving a note.

She placed one hand on her belly and looked at the handkerchief stained with blood with the other hand, her face filled with a happy smile.