Chapter 20: Dirty Politics/Struggle Behind the Scenes

Song Qingzheng was shocked by City Lord Li's words and stood up immediately.

"Ah, yes... yes, the princess!"

Song Qingzheng hurriedly bent down and knelt on one knee.

The middle-aged man with a kind face was none other than the highest official in charge of Yanyu County - Princess Shangguan Jie.

Shangguan Jie waved his hand , " Stand up, no need to be polite. Sit down."

Song Qingzheng hesitated for a moment, and when he saw City Lord Li nodded, he had no choice but to sit back on the chair obediently.

Song Qingzheng was extremely shocked. Even in Tiannan County, in the territory of Heqi Sect, it was impossible for him to sit at the same table with the lord of a county so closely.

Especially Shangguan Jie.

Shangguan Jie is a veteran princess of Kunmo Valley with great influence, and is considered the man with the greatest hope of succeeding the position of governor.

Unfortunately, Snake Valley Governor Peng Tianlin was transferred to Trapped Demon Valley, and Shangguan Jie had no hope within five years.

Shangguan Jie ignored City Lord Li, glanced at Song Qingzheng, and said calmly , " Master Song, your Heqi Sect is not strong enough. You can't even deal with a small Hua family?"

Song Qingzheng quickly stood up and bowed again , " Your Excellency, Lord, I'm sorry to disappoint you!"

Lord Li said , " Master Song, please get up. The Hua family father and son are so cunning, you are still too upright."

Song Qingzheng's face flushed red and he sat back in his chair obediently.

Shangguan Jie said , " The Hua family has been on good terms with the Demonic Flow House for generations, so their martial arts skills must be extraordinary. Unfortunately, the Hua family has few members, and they are honest businessmen, so they will never achieve anything."

Lord Li said , " Sir Shangguan is right. Sect Master Song, with Sir Shangguan in charge of Yanyu County, you don't have to worry. Just run the escort agency business as usual."

Song Qingzheng nodded repeatedly.

He knew in his heart that the so-called letting go and doing things did not just refer to legitimate business.

It also means that they would do everything possible to destroy the Hua family.

Lord Shangguan wants to raise a vicious dog in Yanyu County that can bite people and is obedient!

Lord Li looked at Shangguan Jie and said , " Sir Shangguan, the Hua clan won today. The taxes of Shenquan City will be escorted by the Hua clan escort agency. Then our Yanyu County..."

City Lord Li said this and glanced at Song Qingzheng.

Shangguan Jie said , " The taxes of Yanyu County will naturally be escorted by Sect Master Song."

Song Qingzheng was overjoyed. They had been defeated so badly today, but they had not expected that everything was seen by the princess. It was truly a great embarrassment.

Who would have known that the princess was not only not angry, but also agreed to the tax escort contract?

"Thank you, my Lord!"

Song Qingzheng hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground again.

Shangguan Jie did not ask him to stand up this time, but said calmly:

"Master Song, the tax collection of Yanyu County is entrusted to you because of the recommendation of Lord Li. You must take good care of yourself and don't ruin your reputation."

Song Qingzheng held his fists to his head and said , " No! The entire Shenwei Escort Agency and the Heqi Sect will do their best. Please rest assured, my lady!"

City Lord Li gently helped Song Qingzheng up and patted him on the shoulder:

"Old Song, Lord Shangguan appreciates you, you must work hard! This is your chance to take down the Hua Escort Agency. You will be the only one in Yanyu County's escort business!"

Song Qingzheng said , " I will devote myself to this mission until my death!"

Shangguan Jie said , " Manager Song, you have to do your job well and keep your mouth shut, understand?"

"Yes! I know!"

City Lord Li said , " You go back first and wait for my notice."

Song Qingzheng said , " Yes, I will take my leave!"

Song Qingzheng walked out of the door and finally looked up at Shangguan Jie quietly.

I didn't expect Shangguan Jie to come in person today.

It’s just a bidding competition in Shenquan City, but it was enough to attract the princess to come and watch in person?

What is his purpose? Is it to win over our Aikido?

Or is it to investigate the Hua family’s strength?

What’s the purpose behind it?

City Lord Li told me to do a good job. Is this... is Lord Shangguan planning to let me be his white glove?

Song Qingzheng's back was wet.

Shangguan Jie has a very high reputation in Kunmo Valley. Such an important figure would take the initiative to show goodwill to him today. Song Qingzheng feels that there is something fishy behind this.

It is not just as simple as squeezing out the Hua's Escort Agency, seizing the escort business and accumulating wealth.

The governor of a county naturally values different things from the lord of a city.

Lord Li loves money, and Princess Shangguan must love something else.

As for what it is, we can only wait and see what City Lord Li will arrange later.

Well, let’s go and see.

After Song Qingzheng left, City Lord Li carefully closed the stone door of the secret room.

Song Qingzheng sat back in his chair and asked softly , " Sir, what do you think of Hua's performance today?"

This was his initial question.

Now that Song Qingzheng is gone, Shangguan Jie can speak without any worries.

"The Hua family's father and son are both talented, but unfortunately they are few in number and their methods are not wild enough. They are not as useful as the Heqi Sect."

Lord Li said , " They are not as obedient as the Heqi Sect."

Shangguan Jie nodded.

"We could have had a good chance to dampen the Hua family's arrogance today, so why did you help them?" City Lord Li asked carefully.

Shangguan Jie said , " It's just the tax and escort agreement of Shenquan City. It's a small matter. I came here today to verify another important matter."

City Lord Li was stunned . " Oh? Another...important matter?"

Shangguan Jie said , " That's right. My spies reported back that Peng Tianlin's daughter sent people to send gifts to the Hua family several times. The motive is unclear, so I came here today to see what kind of person Hua Duxiu is."

City Lord Li was shocked . " The Governor's daughter gave Hua Duxiu a gift?"

Shangguan Jie nodded , " That's right."

Lord Li thought for a moment, frowned and said , " Last time I arranged for someone to capture Peng Yaoyao, but unfortunately Hua Duxiu intervened and the effort was in vain. Sir, could it be that Peng Yaoyao gave Hua Duxiu a gift just to express her gratitude?"

Shangguan Jie said , " If you want to express your gratitude, you can just give some gold and silver. I heard that the gifts you gave were not only clothes but also precious orchids. I'm afraid it's not simple."

City Lord Li's eyes moved and he chuckled , " Peng Tianlin is preparing to build up his power in the Trapped Demon Valley."

Shangguan Jie said , " That's right. Peng Tianlin has just arrived and was demoted by the Prime Minister. In addition, his daughter almost got into trouble, so he must be extremely cautious."

Lord Li said with regret , " It's a pity that Peng Yaoyao is leaving the city with so few guards. If Hua Duxiu hadn't made trouble, captured Peng Yaoyao, and forced Peng Tianlin to leave, the position of governor would have been in your pocket!"

Shangguan Jie waved his hand , " Peng Tianlin is not a simple person. This tax collection is a good opportunity. If there is a problem with the tax collection, the military affairs of Kunmo Valley will immediately fall into trouble."

"Right now, the rebellious forces in various realms are ready to make a move. Lord Zaiwei is using drastic measures to suppress the old families and sects in various realms and strengthen the centralization of the empire. If the military affairs of Kunmo Valley go wrong at this time, Lord Zaiwei will punish Peng Tianlin severely."

City Lord Li asked , " I heard that something big happened in Snake Valley? Was Peng Tianlin banished to Trapped Demon Valley?"

Shangguan Jie smiled grimly , " Peng Tianlin is too soft-hearted. The six generals of Snake Valley are all tough. If it weren't for the prime minister protecting him, Peng Tianlin would have gone home to retire. Humph, according to inside information from the 'sticking rod department', within three years, Snake Valley will be in chaos!"

City Lord Li was shocked and said , " Then Peng Tianlin will definitely be involved!"

Shangguan Jie said , " Unfortunately, I can't wait for three years. If Lord Zaiwei wants to strengthen his power, he must have a strong knife in his hand, and I am the knife that is about to stab people!"

Lord Li's expression became serious, and Shangguan Jie said , " Huang Botao of Shushen County is not the same as us. This time, Hua's Escort Agency won the tax escort contract of Shushen County, which is a good opportunity."

City Lord Li's eyes moved , " Sir, should we rob it on the way?"

Shangguan Jie glanced at City Lord Li nonchalantly, and said with a slightly raised lip:

"Not halfway. With such a good opportunity, we should kill two birds with one stone. Not only should we destroy the Hua Escort Agency and Huang Botao, but we should also trick Peng Tianlin!"

Lord Li immediately stood up and said , " I will follow your instructions!"

…

While two big men in the City Lord's Mansion were plotting, at the Hua's Escort Agency in the south of the city, the Hua father and son were enjoying art in a relaxed manner.

Yes, you read that right.

It's art.

At least Hua Duxiu thinks so.

With the scent of ink lingering around, the finest raw rice paper with golden flower patterns was spread out on the pear blossom table. With a purple brush in hand, Hua Duxiu was concentrating on painting a picture of mountains and rivers in spring.

The money man on the side couldn't help but nod , " Okay, okay! It's very artistic, very artistic."

"I, Xiu'er, am truly knowledgeable and artistic, with unparalleled elegance! Not only is my handwriting good, but my paintings are also among the best in the world. I am very pleased to be a father."

Hua Duxiu looked indifferent and lightly lit a few black knots on the pine trees on the top of the mountain.

Then mention the next poem on the upper left.

Qian Qian shook his head and said , " Thousands of feet of pine trees are densely covered with trees. Although they are rough and knotty, they are still the pillars of the building."

Happy to spend the money , " Xiu'er, do you have any plans to become an official?"

The flowers were beautiful and silent, and continued to write at the end of the poem , " Gift to Shen Lijia."

Qian Qian rolled his eyes and sighed , " You know how to amuse your father."

Hua Duxiu put down his brush, blew on the painting gently, and said with satisfaction , " Not bad, not bad. This painting is worth at least one thousand taels. Giving it to Jiajia is really a bargain for this kid."

In Hua Duxiu's painting of mountains and rivers in spring, the two parallel curves at the bottom represent rivers, the middle is an M-shaped arch, symbolizing the mountains, and the vertical line on the mountain represents the pine trees.

The circle in the upper right corner represents the sun.

If it weren't for the strong water absorption and water permeability of raw rice paper, which makes it easy for ink to change its tone, Hua Duxiu's freehand landscape painting would really have no artistic conception at all.

Not to mention the poem on the upper left, those words!

Have you ever seen how tadpoles swim?

Have you ever seen how a gecko twists its broken tail?

Strikingly similar.

Hua Duxiu said , " Although Jiajia is a naughty boy, he is smart and clever. If we train him well, he will definitely be a talent in the future."

Qian Hua nodded and said , " You two brothers are both talented."

Hua Duxiu doesn't like business, doesn't like to be scheming, and doesn't want to compete with others, but the situation is complicated now, especially after returning from Shushen County, he has a lot of concerns about spending money.

Although we won the bidding conference today, the sense of crisis about spending money has become even stronger.

He decided to have a good talk with Hua Duxiu today.

Although Hua Duxiu is indifferent by nature, after all, brothers fight together and fathers and sons fight together in battle!

Moreover, Hua Duxiu's performance during this period has been amazing.

How can Hua's counterattack be without Xiu'er?

"Xiu'er, today at the City Lord's Mansion, it's all thanks to you."

Finally, he spoke up to spend money.