Chapter 186: Li Shimin

"You needn't worry about that; the Crown Prince is my good brother, whatever problem arises he'll shoulder it."

Chen Yan gave a casual explanation, without mentioning Li Shimin.

But just that was enough to put Ma Zhou at ease.

After all, he had recently heard that Weinan County had become the Crown Prince's fief…

At that moment, a small speculation suddenly arose in his mind.

The two had earlier said that Du Gou, the eldest son of Cai Duke, and they were sent by His Majesty to assist County Magistrate Chen Yan.

Earlier, His Majesty had also ordered that Weinan County be granted to the Crown Prince as a fief.

Just now, Chen Yan said the Crown Prince is his brother…

Ma Zhou was momentarily speechless.

Although he still didn't quite understand the other's purpose, he could discern the other's background and His Majesty's esteem for him.

Even with his thirty‑something years of experience, he couldn't help feeling shocked.

He mobilized the Jinwu Guard, the Duke's eldest son to assist, and received full support from His Majesty and the Crown Prince.

What the hell is this deity?

"Alright, as for the details I plan to go with Brother Du to the Wei He dock, have a look, then draft a regulation." Chen Yan rose slowly, then looked at Ma Zhou.

"As for you, Sir Ma, please stay at the Xianlya and help me compile the current Weinan County's accounts, registers, and income‑expense records; I'll need to see them when I return."

He meant the Weinan County's financial statements, land and property registers, and daily fiscal ledgers.

Ma Zhou readily replied, "Don't worry, Magistrate, I'll organize them as soon as possible."

"But you also know several key officials of the Xianlya are absent, and you need so many items; compiling them is rather troublesome, so I may have to submit them later."

"I see…" Chen Yan thought, "Then just do it as soon as you can; no need to rush."

"Very well, Magistrate."

"......"

"Young master, how can those people be so outrageous?"

Qing'er, trailing behind Chen Yan, muttered discontentedly, "Holding the court's salary, it would be one thing not to be devoted to the people, but to treat the common folk that way is truly detestable."

Having left the Xianlya, she finally let out the words she had been holding back for a long time.

Qing'er had been greatly influenced by Chen Yan and has always found such matters intolerable.

Du Gou, who had been specially instructed by Chen Yan to change clothes before going out, heard this and shook his head, "Profit moves the heart."

"When faced with such great profit, how many can remain unmoved?"

Qing'er and Xue Li, who were behind, fell silent at once.

Indeed, before huge profit, how many can stay unmoved?

"So, Brother Du, have you been moved?" Chen Yan teased.

"Me?" Du Gou pondered briefly, "If I hadn't been born into the Du Family, perhaps I would be moved."

"Unfortunately, I was born into the Du Family; money is just trivial to me."

"That's reasonable," Chen Yan sighed. "For us, money holds little appeal, because we have been well‑provided since childhood, never needing to worry about wealth; more importantly, the level we stand on is different, so we are not attracted by money."

"But how many people in the world are like us?"

"Perhaps those officials who colluded with Wang Shikuan and others were initially ambitious, wanting to achieve something, but unfortunately they could not resist the lure of profit nor withstand the pressure from the powerful."

"Thus, the Xianlya of Weinan County fell into such a terrible state."

Du Gou wholeheartedly agreed, "Brother Chen, your words are incisive."

Having finished, he turned and asked, "How do you intend to deal with Wang Shikuan and that so‑called Axe Gang?"

"Also, for the situation in Weinan County to be hidden for so long, someone above must be pulling strings; if nothing unexpected, it should be the Jingzhao Prefecture."

Weinan County, as a capital‑adjacent county, is already under the jurisdiction of Jingzhao Prefecture.

If it weren't officials from Jingzhao Prefecture, it would be hard to conceal Weinan County's condition.

Chen Yan sneered, "Just wait for the Jinwu Guard to capture the Axe Gang's leader, then hand him straight to Brother Cheng Qian."

"I believe that Brother Cheng Qian, once he knows their deeds, will take good care of that so‑called Mr. Zhang."

Having said that, he reflected, "This is still Weinan County; I truly don't know how the situation is in other remote regions."

"Perhaps it's worse, or maybe better; without seeing it ourselves, who can say?" Du Gou said gravely.

Chen Yan shifted the topic, "Let's go, walk around Weinan County with me."

Both of them didn't take Wang Shikuan and the Axe Gang seriously; to them, the local tyrant in Weinan County was laughable.

"......"

"Fraud!!"

"These damned parasites, how dare they! Who gave them such nerve?!!"

Outdoors, Li Shimin, who had been waiting in the palace chambers for news from Weinan County, stared at the secret report and, in a fit of rage, smashed his beloved brush holder to pieces.

On the soft couch, Empress Changsun, who had been in an embroidered wedding dress, was startled; a needle pricked her finger, and blood instantly welled.

She quickly took a handkerchief to cover it, got up from the couch, and walked gracefully toward the desk.

At that moment, Wushe was kneeling on the ground, drenched in sweat.

"Investigate for me!" Li Shimin's forehead bulged with two blue veins. "I want to see which Mr. Zhang is so formidable that a concubine's brother dares this."

"Does he think I'm dead?"

Empress Changsun immediately grasped the seriousness; given her knowledge of Li Shimin, this time he was certainly at the peak of his anger.

"Yes… yes, I'll immediately send someone to investigate." Wushe answered tremblingly, his heart aching.

"Then get out quickly!" Li Shimin barked. Wushe hurriedly rose, bowed, and slowly retreated.

After Wushe left, Empress Changsun stepped forward, gently massaged Li Shimin's back, and said concernedly, "Er Lang, relax, don't let anger ruin your health."

"As long as the matter is resolved, that's fine; why be so angry?"

Li Shimin opened his mouth, struggling to suppress the fury in his heart, and said, "Guanyin Maid, you don't understand the situation; I truly am …"

"Sigh, you see for yourself."

Saying so, he handed the secret report on the desk before him to Empress Changsun.

Empress Changsun, full of curiosity, opened the secret report and saw that it recorded Chen Yan's appointment; she gave a faint smile.

But then she saw the events Chen Yan experienced on his first day in office, as well as the general situation of Weinan County, and her eyes were filled with disbelief.

"Is this true?"

No wonder she had such doubts; the things recorded above were so shocking that she couldn't believe them even for a moment.

No wonder Li Shimin was so angry.

"The Jinwu Guard's report could be false?" Li Shimin snorted coldly: "I truly didn't expect it; Weinan County is only a one‑hour journey from Chang'an City."

"Those scum actually dared to do such a thing."

"Private boat tax, fishing tax? Never heard of it, utterly ridiculous!!!"

"......"