Chapter 414: Bury Him

Yanggu County had some different changes. This change was not the thousand acres of fertile land of Ximen Qing that people rumored, nor the several pharmacies, pawnshops, cloth shops, grain and oil shops, and even some gambling dens that were swallowed by Master Wang, after all, that had nothing to do with them.

The changes were manifold. The soldiers in the county government increased, and some people discovered that among the extra soldiers, there were familiar faces—they were the guards from Master Wang's house. They began to patrol in teams, vigorously capturing thieves and bandits. In just three short days, the county magistrate judged more than thirty people. However, there was no flogging, and even less tattooing and exile, but they were guarded by soldiers and began to renovate the drainage ditches in the city and repair the road surfaces. In the future, it would expand to outside the city, and even to water conservancy projects and official roads throughout Yanggu County.

Of course, to engage in public facility construction, these people were definitely not enough. Within the scope of the entire Yanggu County, a large-scale rectification of public security began. Except for major cases such as murder and robbery that needed to be reported to the prefecture government, all other minor thefts and small troubles were not judged, but all were charged with corvée labor, doing hard labor. The county government provided meals, and they worked to death.

At the same time, two empty and wide long streets were found in the west of the city and designated as a large market. Originally, of course, there were markets, but they didn't form a scale, and the peddlers selling things walked around, not gathering into a large market with all categories. Now that it was planned, buying goods from a hundred families in one place was clearly a better way. The whole city being lively was not as lively as one place. And the stall fees here were also a considerable income, which was an extra income that was originally much less.

Of course, there was no driving away of mobile peddlers. What it was like before, it was still like that now. It was just that with the shift of the trading center in the city, they would also consciously move closer to the center. At worst, they just wouldn't pay the fee and would sell outside those two streets.

Outside the city wall in the west of the city, a large piece of land was circled to be built into a large logistics transfer station, providing as complete services as possible, with the county government acting as a guarantor. The funding, of course, was fully borne by Master Wang.

The location of Yanggu County was still passable, bordering the river channel of the Yellow River, and could borrow the power of water transport. At the same time, it was located at the junction of Hebei and Shandong, and the land distance to Great Ming Prefecture, Yingtian Prefecture, and Kaifeng Prefecture was not far. Of course, the places in that area were not far, but only Yanggu County built a freight transfer station. Even if the distance was slightly farther, many merchant teams would definitely come. Given time, it would definitely be able to swallow and spit out commodity transactions in Hebei and Shandong. For latecomers, wanting to be on top was not a simple matter.

This would inevitably drive the commercial trade of Yanggu County, and tax revenue would go to the next level. What was this? Performance! Plus Zhang Lihe's gift-giving and networking, promotion was naturally a piece of cake.

This was what Master Wang instigated. The money was naturally paid by Master Wang's family. What Zhang Lihe did was what he, the county magistrate, should have done, only exercising some of the county magistrate's original rights.

At this time, if you want great governance, you don't need so many tricks. Officials don't need to be very earnest; as long as they don't fold the people, small corruption doesn't matter. Plus, the local gentry are honest, and the people's lives can scrape by, which is enough.

But clearly, it's unrealistic to want officials not to fold and gentry to be honest. Officials, some for money, some for fame, and some truly for the people—no matter which one, they have to do things and have to fold the people. And the gentry, that's even more impossible; if they don't fold, how can they strengthen their family?

Regardless, Yanggu County was getting better now. Also, borrowing from the recent development and construction, Master Wang completely reached his hand into the county government. Before, it was just his influence as a deep-rooted local with complex connections, but now his people were in the county government, which was not to be mentioned in the same breath. He was the biggest in Yanggu County, and even the county magistrate was not easy to use...

Wang Yan smiled and looked at the man sitting in the lower seat, accompanying him with a smiling face. He was nearly forty, dressed in a silk long gown, wearing a headscarf, a bit white and chubby, and his round face was full of old wrinkles because of the smile. This person was a wealthy family in Qinghe County, surnamed Zhang, named Renxing.

"Does the Squire mean he wants to sell soap and scented soap?"

"Exactly. The soap and scented soap made by Master have already spread to Qinghe County. These two are truly excellent products for cleaning the face and bathing, comfortable for the skin, and leave a lasting fragrance after use. The nobles, wealthy families, and pleasure houses will definitely love them extremely, and they will inevitably sell well throughout the Great Song and spread to the Liao, Western Xia, and Tubo tribes, and will definitely sell well."

Wang Yan was noncommittal: "Since that's the case, why did you come?"

"I won't hide it from Master, I am doing the business of live pigs in Qinghe County. Wu Da and Wu Er were originally from Qinghe County; Master can find out by asking. Before coming to see Master, I had already collected most of the live pigs in the east and west roads of Hebei. I will send people to drive them to this Wang Family Village, and I implore Master to give me a chance and allow me to sell soap and scented soap in the east and west roads of Hebei."

Soap and scented soap had been produced for two months, and their reputation had spread. This Squire Zhang was naturally not the first to come to the door. Other prefecture governments, and even higher and larger landlords, had sent people, but they didn't want to seize the secret recipe, or wanted to buy shares and control, letting Master Wang work for free. But like this Squire Zhang, coming to ask for distribution rights and having the sincerity to pay for pigs in advance, he was the first.

After all, he wanted to buy live pigs from the east and west roads of Hebei, and the money invested was not small. If Wang Yan didn't accept it, not to mention bankruptcy, it would be almost the same, and the accumulation of several generations would be gone directly. Regardless of whether this Squire Zhang's reputation was good or bad, whether he was a good person or a bad person, what he was doing now was still not bad, and he had courage.

However, having courage was a good thing, but one must have self-knowledge and not look for trouble for oneself. Clearly, the business of the east and west roads of Hebei was not something this Squire Zhang could touch.

"Squire should speak truthfully. If you really want the east and west roads of Hebei, I, Wang Mou, dare to give it, but I'm afraid you, Squire, dare not take it."

Zhang Renxing gave a grin, showing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "Master is laughing. I won't hide it from Master, I want to sell soap and scented soap in En and Ji prefectures."

Wang Yan nodded, which was an affirmation: "These two are not easy to manufacture, and there is not much stock. However, since Squire is sincere, I can give you a batch of goods to offset the payment for the live pigs. The selling price cannot be set privately; it must follow my pricing. There is one more thing. If Squire can agree, you can take a batch of goods first, and then drive the live pigs over later."

"Master, just say it. As long as it is within my power, I have no reason not to agree." At this point, just this one step, and immediately it would be a source of wealth, and his old Zhang family would go to a higher level, so how could he not agree?

"This matter, Squire, you can completely do it, and besides you, Squire, no one else can do it." Wang Yan smiled and looked at him, saying: "I, Wang Mou, am eighteen years old. Unfortunately, my parents passed away early, and there are no elders in the family. It is difficult to find a young lady who is a good match and mutually fond of each other. The matter of descendants is imminent, so I want to take a concubine first to give birth to a son so that my parents can close their eyes and my Wang family's ancestors can be at ease. I heard that there is a maid in your house, named... Jinlian? She is quite beautiful. I don't know if she is perfect, and I don't know if you, Squire, are willing to part with her..."

That's right, this Squire Zhang in Qinghe County was that Zhang Da Hu who Pan Jinlian refused to yield to death. He had already sent people to inquire about it long ago. If this old guy didn't come to find him today, Master Wang would have gone to look for him in a while. After all, Pan Jinlian marrying Wu Dalang was a matter not long after Wu Song ran away. Now that it had been nearly two months since the Wu brothers came, Master Wang was thinking about it.

Squire Zhang was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that the affairs of his own backyard would spread so widely. It must have been those two Wu brothers who were gossiping—one was a three-inch nail, a withered tree bark, and the other was a reckless man who only knew how to use his hands, and they were also good at gossiping... However, it was just a woman, nothing more than looking good. Compared to the future of the family, what did it count for?

He said: "I won't hide it from Master, there is indeed a maid named Jinlian in my house. Her surname is Pan, and she was bought from a human trafficker when she was young. In these few years, she has indeed become more and more beautiful. As for being obsessed with her, Master, don't listen to the rumors in the market; it is purely groundless. That Pan Jinlian is indeed perfect. Recently, I intended to find a good family to marry her off to. Since Master wants her, what's wrong with giving her to Master? Master, rest assured, when I return home, I can put her in a sedan chair and send her to Master."

"Now bandits are rampant. When you return, Squire, I will send people to follow you. Firstly, to protect your safety, and secondly, to safely bring that Pan Jinlian back to avoid any accidents. In that case, is it settled?"

"Settled! Just follow Master." Squire Zhang nodded heavily.

"Good." Wang Yan turned to look at the housekeeper on the side: "Uncle Fu, take Squire to pick up a batch of goods."

"Thank you, Master!"

Wang Yan smiled and nodded, said goodbye to Squire Zhang, and watched him leave.

"Master." Wu Song called out, naturally sitting in the lower seat of Wang Yan. He didn't know how other masters were, after all, he hadn't seen many, but this Master Wang, he felt was extremely good. Master had a good temper and didn't have those messy rules of wealthy families, and he was extremely at ease. Of course, it would be even better if he didn't have to read those bird books...

"Erlang, in a while, take a few brothers and follow that Squire Zhang back to Qinghe County."

"Master, that Squire Zhang is not a good person. He usually acts like a tyrant in Qinghe County and has done many bad things. Master, you must be careful when dealing with this guy."

Without explaining good and evil to Wu Song, Master Wang said: "Erlang, it's not for you to protect that Squire Zhang, but for you to follow that Squire Zhang to his house to bring my concubine back. The road is not very peaceful, so you must protect her safety."

"Master, you are a hero and have such a family business, why..."

"She is beautiful."

... Seeing that Master didn't want to say more, Wu Song cupped his hands: "Master, rest assured, Wu Song will definitely not fail the trust. I will say goodbye to my brother and follow Squire Zhang to Qinghe County to safely bring the young lady back."

"Go, be careful on the road."

Master Wang waved his hand and dismissed Wu Song.

Wu Song was still the same as in the original drama, acting as the constable of Yanggu County. This was to avoid encountering strong men he couldn't beat, so Wu Song could suppress them to avoid increasing casualties. Usually, he just stayed at home or wandered around with Master, and Zhang Lihe couldn't command him. The reason for letting Wu Song be the constable was, on one hand, to control the manpower of the county government, and on the other hand, it was also to find an opportunity to get Wu Song a military official position with troops. After all, this constable now was just leading the county's local troops, and already had some military power.

As for sending Wu Song to pick up Pan Jinlian, would it make Pan Jinlian fall in love at first sight, Master Wang didn't think much about it at all. After all, if he couldn't even handle a woman, how could he mix? Besides, Pan Jinlian originally had the contrast of Wu Dalang, so she had those things after seeing Wu Song, but here at Master Wang's, it was clearly impossible.

It was also interesting to say that most of the people on Liang Shan had no women, either pure old bachelors, or had licentious wives before going up the mountain, killing their wives to prove their path. It seemed that women were really like snakes and scorpions, to be avoided. Including this Wu Song, the ruffian didn't even reach the right place, and he probably hadn't been close to a woman until he died.

In fact, recently, Master Wang's name had been relatively hot in the ruffian circle in the northern regions such as Hebei and Shandong. It was mainly because of the wealth represented by scented soap. After all, everyone wanted to rob the rich and help the poor, and they were thinking about it. As for the recent sweep of black and evil in the entire Yanggu County, the action of specifically going against good men, they didn't know it was related to Wang Yan. After all, it looked like the county magistrate was the leader, that was the Yanggu blue sky, and Master Wang was helpless, so he had to pay money and effort.

It was also with the recent limelight that some of Master Wang's deeds became known, such as doing good deeds, being fond of martial arts, and the guards he raised also had some strength, and the treatment was good. Combining these, it led to polarization.

Some people claimed to have two martial arts skills and came to defect, just wanting to mix a meal. Others were really wanting to rob the rich and help the poor. They didn't believe Master Wang was doing good deeds, and even if he was, it must be that he had done something shameful and must have something dirty behind his back. Otherwise, why recruit so many guards who could fight? He must have no good intentions, so he should help the poor good men who didn't have the next meal.

However, most people still didn't dare to come. Their strength was too weak, they couldn't gather a big force to act together, and besides, if so many people gathered, the government would definitely not ignore it. Usually, friends gathered to brag and vent, but if they really moved their hands, they couldn't do it.

But people, there were always those who were bold.

In the middle of the night, it was the time for deep sleep. In the main bedroom of the Wang mansion, Master Wang, who was sleeping on his side, suddenly opened his eyes, carefully sensing the movement of the tiles on the roof.

With a cold sneer, Master turned over and got up, tapped the ground with his toes, moved horizontally to the wall with a faint sound, took down the bow hanging on the wall, and at the same time pulled out two armor-piercing feather arrows from the quiver, and flipped out through the half-open window quietly.

Arriving in the courtyard, he moved a few steps to the corridor of the east wing, looked up at the roof of the main room. Today, dark clouds covered the sky, but fortunately, his eyesight was excellent. He looked vaguely at the roof, where a figure was sneakily lifting tiles there.

Without a word, Master pulled the bow and set the arrow. When the two-stone hard bow bent like a full moon, the fingers pulling the bowstring with the feather arrow released lightly. With the huge energy of the bowstring returning to its position, with a "hiss" sound, the feather arrow broke through the air. The sneaky figure on the roof let out a miserable scream, and because he couldn't bear the huge pain, he lost his footing and rolled off the roof, falling to the ground.

It was also this person's howling that broke the silent night of the Wang mansion. Just a moment slower than the instant, in the east and west wings that were relatively close, Wang Fusheng put on his clothes while holding a knife and ran out. In other rooms, some guards living in the backyard were even more so, wearing only big underpants improved by Master Wang with a crotch, holding knives and rushing out.

Following the actions of these people, the front yard, where there were more people, began to clamor, and the dense footsteps came from far to near.

Wang Fusheng looked concernedly at Master, who was standing quietly holding the curved bow: "Young Master, are you okay?"

Wang Yan shook his head and ordered the guards: "Go, tie up that little thief and bring him to the front hall. Uncle Fu, you go and appease them. It's just a small thief, no need for such a big battle, let them all sleep."

After giving the instructions, Wang Yan returned to the main room to wash the dirt off his feet, put on a cool half-shirt made of silk, dragged his cloth shoes, and went to the front hall.

Wang Fusheng yawned, poured a cup of honey water for Master, and glanced at the thief on the ground who was panting heavily to relieve the pain: "Young Master, our dog was drugged by him. The patrol route still has some gaps. Maybe this thief is good at light-body skills, which is why he let this guy get into the backyard."

Wang Yan looked with interest at the thief who was tied into a zongzi, his cheeks bulging high—that was his teeth were about to be bitten off, sweating profusely, and in pain. The armor-piercing arrow he used had a sharp and hard arrowhead, and behind the sharp edges, there were small thorns. Piercing into the body, whether pulling out or penetrating, it had to take some flesh. And the arrow he shot just now penetrated the muscles on the outside of the thigh, piercing a hole, so it was no wonder it hurt.

"Speak, who are you, what is your intention? Are you instructed by someone?"

The thief was in such pain that his eyes were about to split, gritting his teeth and begging: "Master, this little person was just passing by. I hope Master will not care and spare this little person's dog life."

Wang Fusheng shook his head amusedly: "Really in pain and confused. Kid, passing by, and you pass by from the roof of someone's backyard? If you don't tell the truth, it's time for torture."

Seeing that the person was racking his brains and stuttering, Wang Yan waved his hand: "Go, you guys work hard, torture him, and talk tomorrow."

"Master, wait, wait." Seeing that Wang Yan was really going to leave, and the guards behind were also dragging him to go, the thief hurriedly spoke: "Master, this little person is Shi Qian, from Gaotang Prefecture. In my early years, I committed a lawsuit and left my hometown to hide everywhere, so I had to rely on stealing for a living. However, this little person usually only steals from corrupt officials and wealthy families who are not benevolent. Two days ago, I was drinking and resting at an inn and heard the good men there say that Master is not benevolent, exploits the people, and bullies the good, so I had the idea of robbing the rich and helping the poor. Master, spare my life..."

When he saw the person, Wang Yan recognized that this thief was Shi Qian, the second to last in the Liang Shan ranking. But this kid was clearly lying. It wasn't robbing the rich and helping the poor at all; he was just a habitual thief. He didn't just steal from the living, he also stole from the dead, and was a part-time grave robber. Moreover, before the three attacks on Zhu Family Village, this kid pretended to be a "Liang Shan Good Man" at the inn of Zhu Family Village and stole a chicken to eat, saying that what he bought wasn't as fragrant as what he stole, which later caused trouble. Zhu Family Village and Hu Family Village were slaughtered, and only Hu Hu San Niang was left and given to Wang Ying, who robbed people's wives. It could be said to be a bloody case caused by a chicken.

Of course, even if Shi Qian hadn't stolen the chicken at that time, Liang Shan would have attacked Zhu Family Village the same way. After all, Song Jiang had the famous saying "Brother is the master of the mountain stronghold, cannot move lightly." That was his first battle to stand firm on Liang Shan, show off, and seize power from Chao Gai. No matter what, he had to fight. If it wasn't this village, it would be that village; he had to reveal himself. So the bloody case caused by a chicken was just a way of saying it.

Looking back at Shi Qian, who was enduring the pain, uneasy, but still with a trace of cunning in his eyes. The purpose of this trip was nothing more than stealing some property, or perhaps to put it bigger, maybe to scout the location first, and then wait for an opportunity to spy on the soap recipe and change it for money.

So this Shi Qian was not the "robbing the rich and helping the poor" he claimed to be. Stealing even a chicken, yet talking about being a hero and having underworld morality. Just a thief, couldn't fight, couldn't resist, and had sticky hands—keeping him was useless.

Master waved his hand: "A person of petty theft, full of lies, bury him."

After saying that, ignoring Shi Qian's crying and begging, Master Wang drank the honey water in one gulp, walked back to the main room with his hands behind his back, and slept alone. Wu Song had already set off for five days and should have arrived in Qinghe County. Jinlian should be coming, right...

Wang Fusheng looked with a smile at Shi Qian, who had a broken cloth stuffed in his mouth, struggling desperately, and begging with his eyes full of pleading: "Kid, remember the lesson in your next life. Even if you don't remember the lesson, you should learn to read the situation. Not every place can be stolen."

As he spoke, he walked slowly in front, followed by four guards, carrying the still struggling Shi Qian around the mansion and going to the back mountain...

---Author's Note---

Thanks to (No1 Wuliang Tianzun) Big Brother for the 500-coin tip to continue support.

Thanks to (LEO~RYAN) (Dead Otaku Old Bookworm) (Little Cheng Little Person) (Hai Yu Ji) (Shudao Ah) (Flying Flying Flying Here) (fngzi) (Looking for Lover and Waiting for Lover) (An Old Ant) nine Big Brothers for continued support.

Daily thanks to the good brothers who voted for monthly tickets for their support.

Thanks to the brothers who voted for recommendations for their support.

Thanks to the Big Brothers who read silently for their support. ===== CHAPTER 415 =====