Chapter 93

To speak of it, Li Shi is quite pitiful.

His age is greater than Lu Yongcheng's, and he has been floating in and out of the government for many years, only obtaining the position of County Magistrate's Assistant when he was nearly fifty.

He and Wang He were appointed in the same year, but Li Shi was a month later than Wang He.

In terms of age, Li Shi could be Wang He's father; in terms of experience, he is a seasoned veteran, far surpassing Wang He. However, the problem is that he does not have Wang He's background. Wang He came under the guise of the Taiyuan Wang clan, and how could Li Shi dare to offend him? If he couldn't offend those above, he should try to suppress those below.

However, Lu Yongcheng, with his twenty years as a chief clerk and the backing of the Fanyang Lu clan, had long made his power as solid as an iron bucket. Li Shi couldn't get a hand in, and Yang Chenglie's situation was similar to Lu Yongcheng's, with Wang He's support, leaving Li Shi helpless. He could only watch as his power was completely taken away by others.

In other words, although Li Shi has been in Changping for three years, he has no presence at all.

If it weren't for the fact that everyone still cared about their reputations, Li Shi might have been driven away long ago. Even so, he could only obediently serve as a hollow County Magistrate's Assistant for three years, claiming to be ill for nearly two years and never showing his face.

Could he say he was willing?

Of course not... After serving as an official for three years, he couldn't return empty-handed.

He waited for three years and finally got his chance.

"Wenxuan, it's not that I am unwilling to help you, but the treasury indeed has no more supplies. You should know the situation in the county. That scoundrel has been in charge of the county office and has already exhausted the treasury. How can I provide you with grain and fodder?"

When Yang Chenglie came to him for food, Li Shi sat in the room, twirling his goatee, with a helpless expression on his face.

If he didn't know him, Yang Chenglie might have been deceived.

He sneered inwardly. In just two days, how could the treasury be empty? He knew the real situation better than Li Shi. Wang He, during his three years in Changping, though not making Changping a place where doors were left unlocked at night and lost items were not picked up, at least ensured the treasury was full.

In terms of ability, even Lu Yongcheng had to admit that Wang He was not weak.

"County Magistrate's Assistant Li, I don't care about that.

If you want me to pacify the refugees, how can I do it with empty hands? Moreover, my civilian soldiers and Wu Hou also need supplies, so you must provide them. Otherwise, I can only watch the refugees cause chaos. When trouble arises, I will certainly be punished, but County Magistrate's Assistant Li, you will also be implicated, and it will be difficult for everyone."

Yang Chenglie's attitude was extremely strong, leaving Li Shi at a loss.

He wanted to provide the supplies, but the problem was that the treasury was always controlled by Lu Yongcheng. How could he have the authority to intervene?

"Wenxuan, what's the matter that you're so angry? I could hear you shouting from outside."

Just as Li Shi was in a dilemma, Lu Yongcheng walked in.

He looked at Yang Chenglie with a smile, holding a scroll of documents in his hand, "An Ran Gong has just taken over the administration, and there might be some things he doesn't understand. Why make it difficult for him? Tell me what's the matter, maybe I can help."

After saying that, he placed the document on the table in front of Li Shi.

Yang Chenglie repeated his request for supplies, and Lu Yongcheng feigned surprise.

"I was wondering what it was, it's like this... An Ran Gong is right. The treasury has been almost emptied by that scoundrel, and indeed lacks supplies. However, there is a way. I remember there are two granaries of grain in the western training ground. If the situation outside the city is indeed urgent, we can temporarily transfer them to help Wenxuan."

"Then, I must thank you."

"Wenxuan, don't be in a hurry. I just said it might be possible, but I can't guarantee it.

That batch of grain was supposed to be sent to Jixian, and I dare not move it lightly."

After saying that, Lu Yongcheng stared at Yang Chenglie and suddenly smiled, "By the way, I remember that since Zhang Shi's incident, the position of Wu Hou's team leader has been vacant. In the past, with that scoundrel in charge of the office, I couldn't inquire about this matter. Now... Wenxuan, the situation in the city is also chaotic. If it's not necessary, I really don't want you to camp outside the city.

I have a candidate. The former Wu Hou team leader, Liang Yun, is skilled in martial arts and very diligent. Why not let him fill the position of Wu Hou team leader? This way, with Guan Hu and Liang Yun outside the city, you can also stay in the city more easily."

Yang Chenglie's eyes narrowed, a cold look flashing in them.

He smiled, "Dada, you seem to be quite familiar with my subordinates."

"I wouldn't say familiar, but I happened to see this person while reviewing the documents yesterday.

Liang Yun has made many contributions over the past few years. Two years ago, when the Khitans attacked, he killed five of them. In terms of experience and contributions, he is qualified! Wenxuan, don't misunderstand. I just think that leaving the Wu Hou team leader position vacant is not a good thing. Of course, if you think he is not suitable, you can choose someone else."

No matter how many words were spoken, Lu Yongcheng still wanted control over the civilian soldiers and Wu Hou!

Yang Chenglie naturally knew his subordinates.

As Lu Yongcheng said, Liang Yun was indeed qualified to be the Wu Hou team leader. He had the experience, the skills, and had killed Khitans two years ago, making significant contributions. Among the three hundred civilian soldiers under Yang Chenglie, there were six team leaders, and Liang Yun was one of them.

The civilian soldiers and Wu Hou are different from the regular army. The regular army has a travel commander, while the civilian soldiers only have team leaders and follow the orders of the team leader.

Yang Chenglie stared at Lu Yongcheng for a long time and then said in a deep voice, "Although Liang Yun is skilled in martial arts and diligent, he is rash and a heavy drinker, making him unsuitable for the position of team leader. I had previously chosen someone, the team leader Chen Yi. Unfortunately, he offended someone outside and was killed, forcing me to choose again."

Lu Yongcheng's smile froze, his cheeks twitched, and his gaze turned cold.

After a long time, he suddenly smiled again.

"I was just suggesting it casually. It's all up to Wenxuan. I'm sure you have your plans, so I won't say more."

After saying that, he picked up the document and turned to leave.

Yang Chenglie hurriedly asked, "Dada, what about the grain and fodder?"

"The matter of grain and fodder will still need An Ran Gong to figure out.

That batch of grain is supposed to be sent to Jixian. If we delay, we will both be punished. However, the refugees outside the city are indeed a problem. If An Ran Gong has a way, he might help, so Wenxuan won't be too difficult."

I have given you a chance to reconcile, but you refuse to accept it.

Since that's the case, I don't care if you live or die.

How could Li Shi not see the conflict between Yang Chenglie and Lu Yongcheng?

However, he found himself in a difficult situation. Lu Yongcheng was indeed powerful, but Yang Chenglie's words made sense. If the refugees caused chaos, he would also be implicated. Suddenly, Li Shi felt his seat getting hot. He had thought Lu Yongcheng could dominate, but it seemed the situation was not as simple as he imagined.

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