Chapter 85: The County Magistrate's Care

"Why are you leaving already!"

Upon learning that a large group of experts from the Dajiang Sect had arrived, An Jincheng immediately hurried over and stood to the side to watch the excitement. Why the Dajiang Sect had come—others might not know, but as a member of the An Family, how could he not?

The Three Great Merchant Associations had joined forces to go to the Dajiang Sect to pay their respects, and during that time, they had added fuel to the fire and stirred things up. With the explosive temper of Old Master Han of the Dajiang Sect, how could he possibly endure it? He had immediately made the decision to make them pay in blood.

Yet, what surprised An Jincheng was that the Dajiang Sect people had only just gone in, and already they were rushing back out. He certainly hadn't seen anyone paying in blood; hadn't he just seen Shen Yu inside, alive and kicking?

However, looking at Old Master Han's expression, it seemed extremely unpleasant. Could it be that he had suffered a loss inside? The Dajiang Sect was, after all, one of the top two sects in their Sanshui County; that couldn't be, could it!

Regardless, he had to report the situation here to his elder brother first. If this young County Magistrate had really beaten even the Dajiang Sect into submission, then his strength was truly terrifying. It was better to avoid provoking such a person if possible!

"Isn't this County Assistant An!" Spotting An Jincheng in the crowd, Shen Yu suddenly shouted from inside the gate, "Since you're here, County Assistant, don't be in such a hurry to leave. How was the show?"

"County Magistrate, this subordinate does not understand the County Magistrate's meaning. This subordinate only came over to see if the County Magistrate needed any help here. If there is nothing, then this subordinate will naturally... Is that... He Yinshan of the Dajiang Sect?"

Before he had even finished speaking, An Jincheng saw He Yinshan behind Shen Yu, and his eyes narrowed slightly. How could an expert from the Dajiang Sect be entangled with this County Magistrate? Shouldn't they be shouting for blood?

"What, do you know each other?"

"It seems we have met once, but I don't remember it very clearly!" After glancing at An Jincheng, He Yinshan stopped paying attention and turned back to continue practicing his sword.

"It really is He Yinshan!" Only then could An Jincheng be certain that it was indeed He Yinshan, and he gasped in shock.

This was the person almost internally designated as the next Sect Master of the Dajiang Sect, yet now he was clearly in cahoots with this County Magistrate. Was this an attitude the Dajiang Sect was trying to display? That wasn't right; could Old Master Han's temper tolerate that?

After looking again to be sure, An Jincheng finally couldn't help but ask, "My Lord, could it be that Elder He and you were old acquaintances?"

"Not at all, we just met, but we hit it off immediately!" Shen Yu glanced at An Jincheng and chuckled, his laughter carrying a hint of sarcasm. The Three Great Merchant Associations still wanted to use the Dajiang Sect to deal with him? Keep dreaming!

"County Assistant An, you don't know this, but the sects of Sanshui County are all of high moral character. Just now, Old Master Han of the Dajiang Sect learned that his disciple Han Mingyang had committed many evils in Sanshui County, and he was immediately filled with grief and indignation. He decided on the spot to leave the Dajiang Sect disciples behind to be at my disposal, which also serves as atonement for Han Mingyang!"

"What the hell? Those sects are all of high moral character? Are you talking in your sleep!" As a member of a local prominent family in Sanshui County, the An Family, he knew the true nature of these sects all too well. Each one was arrogant and extremely protective of their own; none of them were easy to get along with.

If they could really admit their mistakes and change, and possess high moral character, then every single person in Sanshui County would be a moral role model.

"Oh, by the way, County Assistant An, besides the Dajiang Sect, the Bai Yu Sect has also sent disciples. They all want to serve under my command. The sects of Sanshui County are just too enthusiastic; I really couldn't refuse them, so I had to let them stay!"

"Even the Bai Yu Sect sent people? How is this possible?" Feeling his worldview being shaken, when had these sects become so easy to talk to? No, that wasn't right. If this were the case, wouldn't he be equivalent to gaining the full support of half the martial arts world of Sanshui County?

No, there's too much information; I need to calm down first!

Seeing that An Jincheng seemed a bit dazed, Shen Yu stared at him intently and continued, "County Assistant An, I heard that the Three Great Merchant Associations went to the Dajiang Sect yesterday to pay their respects to Han Mingyang. Is this true?"

"Han Mingyang was corrupt and broke the law; he deserved to die. County Assistant An knows this too, so why allow your own people to go pay their respects? How is this any different from helping a tyrant do evil!"

"County Magistrate!" Feeling a chill run through his body from Shen Yu's gaze, An Jincheng hurriedly explained, "County Magistrate, these were all decisions made by the people below. Once this subordinate returns, I will definitely have my elder brother severely punish these disobedient servants!"

"Oh, so it was the people below who made the decision themselves. It seems the Three Great Merchant Associations can't even keep their own people in check; that's not good!"

"My Lord is right. Our An Family has a large household, so it is inevitable that there will be oversights! But please rest assured, My Lord, we will definitely reorganize thoroughly!"

"Sigh, how can that be? The Three Great Merchant Associations are vital to the livelihood of my Sanshui County; we cannot be careless. How about this, I will help your Three Great Merchant Associations out, how does that sound?"

After finishing his sentence, Shen Yu didn't give the other party a chance to interrupt and directly ordered, "Someone, go call County Lieutenant Lu over!"

"My Lord, I am here!" Hearing Shen Yu call him, Lu Ze, who was in the crowd, hurriedly ran out. The arrival of a large group of Dajiang Sect experts was such a big scene that it naturally attracted attention, so not only had An Jincheng arrived, but Lu Ze, having received the news, had also hurried back.

Now that Shen Yu was calling him, he immediately responded, "County Magistrate, I wonder what orders you have?"

"Simple. Assistant An says that their Three Great Merchant Associations have many oversights. The Three Great Merchant Associations are closely linked to the livelihood of Sanshui County, so this matter must be taken seriously!"

Turning back, Shen Yu asked again, "County Lieutenant Lu, how many men do you have under your command that can be used right now!"

"My Lord, the five hundred county soldiers of Sanshui County are all willing to obey your orders!"

"Very good!" He nodded with satisfaction, and then he said again, "In that case, divide everyone into two groups. One group will head to the restaurants, pawnshops, rice shops, and so on of the Three Great Merchant Associations within the county. As long as it is a shop belonging to the Three Great Merchant Associations, have them inspect it thoroughly!"

"Inspect?" Hearing the County Magistrate's meaning, it seemed a bit off, so Lu Ze asked in a low voice, "My Lord, what exactly do you want to inspect?"

"Naturally, inspect everything that can be inspected. Safety, hygiene, whether there are any fugitives being hidden, whether they are cheating the common people, whether anyone is committing crimes, and so on. As long as you can think of it, inspect it inside and out, and don't miss a single corner!"

"Understood!" Having been in Sanshui County for so long, Lu Ze was no fool, and he immediately said, "My Lord, please rest assured, this subordinate will definitely not let you down!"

"Very good!" He nodded with satisfaction, and then Shen Yu said, "The other group will guard all the wharves and trade routes of Sanshui County. As long as they are merchant ships, horse caravans, etc., belonging to the Three Great Merchant Associations, inspect them all thoroughly! If anyone resists or refuses, take them all into custody for me!"

"This subordinate understands!"

"Good, very good!" He nodded with satisfaction. Promoting Lu Ze to County Lieutenant was truly a wise choice; this kid was really easy to use.

"Go, and remember, tell your brothers not to find it troublesome. Inspect them twice a day, and start by doing this for ten days or half a month!"

You little punks, daring to play mind games with me? I'll play you to death! First, let you know what the County Magistrate's care is all about. After being checked back and forth for a few days, I don't believe you won't be annoyed!