Gu Tong’s body shuddered, not daring to let out even the smallest fart as he bowed his head.
He didn’t know if it was just his imagination, but he always felt that the authority of his immediate superior... was growing stronger and stronger!
Fang Ke glanced at Gu Tong and stepped forward, saying, "Sir, the county soldiers from Kaifeng must have come early to block those starving people coming to Lu Ting to seek justice."
"They think to block you and you just let them?"
Yang Ge raised his head, responding to Fang Ke’s words but looking at Gu Tong, "The clothes on your backs, were they given to you by them?"
Gu Tong dared not to answer; Fang Ke continued, "Perhaps it was an instruction from Pei to Gu. After all, they’re family, and Gu couldn’t help but give him that respect."
Yang Ge scoffed, "Are you all so afraid of the Southern Town Governor? Is it because you did something disgraceful? How come I don’t know about it? Are you hiding it from your own people but not from strangers?"
Fang Ke replied, "Sir, you can’t say that. The old saying goes, ’The more friends, the more paths,’ who knows if we may need Pei’s help in the future?"
Yang Ge retorted, "Oh, so you might need to rely on Pei Yu in the future. Will you ever need to rely on me?"
Gu Tong didn’t want to answer, but he couldn’t withstand the pressure from both sides and, with no choice, he braced himself and clasped his fist, "Sir, I will take my men right away and disperse the Kaifeng county soldiers!"
Yang Ge straightened his sitting posture, crossed his hands in front of his lower abdomen, and said gently, "Recognizing your mistake and correcting it, the past can be forgiven, but if you know the mistake and still don’t correct it... let’s just meet in a different place in the future!"
Gu Tong felt a sinking feeling in his heart and bowed again, saying, "Understood!"
Having said that, he turned and hurriedly walked out.
Before long, there was a chaotic sound of footsteps outside the hall.
Yang Ge shook his head, "This fellow has got skills, but he also truly has many faults!"
Gu Tong once served as the deputy general in the Jizhou Army; he indeed had a knack for leading troops, especially in setting up battle formations and commanding operations, one could say he was the foremost man at the Lu Ting Embroidered Uniform Guard stronghold.
If it weren’t so, Yang Ge would not have kept him in the position of the banner leader after repeated disobedience.
Fang Ke smiled and said, "Compared to before, he has changed somewhat... Sir, aren’t we being a little too noticeable?"
"You think the imperial envoy comes just by happenstance? We are men of the Northern Town Prefectural Commissioner, and it is only natural for us to be aligned in our hearts with the Northern Town Prefecture, isn’t it?"
Fang Ke quite whispered, "They can’t touch Shen, but that doesn’t mean they can’t touch us. Once the imperial envoy arrives, we’ll become conspicuous!"
Yang Ge pondered for a moment and whispered, "Let him come then. Whatever move they make, I will deal with it. We can’t expect to achieve things without willing to take even a small risk, can we?"
Fang Ke stealthily glanced at him, seeing his tranquil expression without a trace of disturbance in his eyes, he knew there was no more room for negotiation.
He also felt that his immediate superior seemed a bit different... He had always been stubborn, but now he seemed even more so!
He then said, "Regarding your new appointment, it hasn’t come down yet, but I guess they should assign you to oversee Kaifeng Prefecture and concurrently govern Lu Ting."
Lu Ting County is situated midway between Kaifeng Prefecture and Luoyang, both less than three hundred miles away.
Yang Ge shook his head, "I am from Lu Ting, I’m not going anywhere!"
Fang Ke tried to persuade him, "With your talents, it really is a waste to be in Lu Ting. Kaifeng offers a much bigger stage for you, and a promotion would likely come faster after you move there..."
Yang Ge challenged, "Are you sure you’re not mocking me?"
Fang Ke smiled and bowed, "Why would you belittle yourself, sir? I’ve seen all the major cases you’ve handled while in office. I’ve witnessed them all, and they’re engraved in my heart... Not to boast, but if you weren’t capable, would Shen have promoted you to acting Hundred Household so quickly?"
"Otherwise..."
Yang Ge pinched his chin, eyeing this man, "If the family really wants me to also govern Kaifeng, are you going to sit in my place?"
"No!"
Fang Ke refused without hesitation, skipping the pleasantries entirely, "I’d rather continue to stay by your side, sir, and learn from your instruction!"
Going to Kaifeng?
Where could one rise faster than by staying next to Yang Ge!
How much the Town Governor valued Yang Ge was unknown to others, but how could he not know?
Have you ever seen a superior who voluntarily sends new year’s gifts to his subordinates?
"Then you’d better think of a way to keep that Kaifeng post from being assigned to me,"
Yang Ge rested with his arms folded comfortably, "Anyway, I’m not going to accept it. I don’t trust Gu Tong and the others to go in my place. If there really is an appointment, you will be the one to go!"
Fang Ke could only give a wry smile of helplessness, "There’s nobody who does their official duty quite like you..."
Yang Ge was even more resigned, "If it wasn’t for Shen covering for me with such a huge mess, I’d be too embarrassed to drop the responsibility. I didn’t even want to take this position as a commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"
Had anyone else said those words, Fang Ke would certainly spit in contempt and curse under his breath, "Playing the saint when acting like a whore."
But when Yang Ge said it, he really had nothing to say in return.
Most officials only wanted power, shirking responsibility whenever possible.
Yet Yang Ge was quite the opposite, ignoring the privileges at his fingertips and insatiably taking responsibility upon himself instead...
He’d probably be more at ease being an inn waiter than a commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Not knowing how to respond, Fang Ke changed the subject, "Why don’t we talk about the imperial envoy instead? The higher-ups have ordered us to assist the imperial envoy in his investigation—that’s no small burden!"
Yang Ge, "What’re your thoughts?"
Fang Ke whispered, "Judging by the situation at the grain market, this imperial envoy’s visit is likely just for show. In my opinion, we shouldn’t bother too much. How to get this bigshot here and then send him back safely—that’s all that matters. As long as he doesn’t run into any trouble on our turf, then it’s all good for you, me, and everyone else!"
Yang Ge let out a light sigh and said indifferently, "Let’s do as you suggest then."
Fang Ke stared intently at him, "You’d better not pull any stunts, this is no joking matter!"
Yang Ge was bemused, "What stunts could I possibly pull?"
He indeed was not content that after making such a big scene with Shen Fa, all they got was a mere formality.
But he had already done everything that needed to be done and everything he could.
He was at peace with himself now.
No matter the outcome...
He was ready to accept!
Fang Ke shook his head, "I’m just saying… I remember during Emperor Jian Ning’s time when an imperial envoy left the capital and something happened. It was Emperor Zhongzong who sent the imperial envoy to inspect the Jiangnan Textile Bureau. No one knows what the imperial envoy uncovered, but the man mysteriously died in Yangzhou. Even when the Four Great Detectives of the Six Fan Gate went, they couldn’t figure out why. Guess what the outcome was?"
Yang Ge’s attention was captured by the topic, "What happened in the end?"
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Fang Ke said each word heavily, "Officials in Yangzhou ranked fifth-grade and above were all exiled to Lingnan, those below the fifth-grade executed, and every person in the Jiangnan Textile Bureau was razed along with three generations of their families... Over ten thousand were implicated!"
He spoke with gravity.
However, Yang Ge burst into laughter suddenly, "They only killed the officials?"
Fang Ke: ???
Yang Ge, "Isn’t that the case?"
Fang Ke, "Sir, you are an official!"
Yang Ge, "I’m no bloody official!"
Fang Ke was suddenly at a loss, hurriedly adding, "Sir, this isn’t something to be joked about in the slightest, we’re responsible for protecting the imperial envoy. If he even loses a hair on our watch, we’ll all be implicated!"
Yang Ge, "Don’t worry, I haven’t said I’d do anything crazy!"
Fang Ke, "Forgive my impertinence, but please look me in the eyes, sir!"
Yang Ge, "What for?"
Fang Ke stared deep into his eyes, seeing the clarity and composure there, and not a hint of malice, his anxiety slowly subsided by half, "You nearly scared me to death!"
Yang Ge was displeased, "What, in your eyes am I just the impulsive reckless fool, who doesn’t think things through?"
Fang Ke quickly replied, "Not at all, sir. You are prudent and courageous in your actions. The three major grain merchants still have no suspicion of you, how could that be considered reckless? It’s just that..."
Yang Ge, "Just what?"
Fang Ke looked at him, cautiously saying, "It’s just that… You’re a bit too... straightforward, not quite adept at avoiding direct confrontation or making compromises."
Yang Ge snorted coldly and waved his hand, "Get out, prepare to set out early tomorrow to welcome the imperial envoy!"
Fang Ke bowed deeply and exited the hall.