Chapter 251: Liu Chang's Poisonous Scheme

Zheng Yueru suddenly smiled: "Oh my, what am I saying? Lord Ma, please don't take it to heart, I'm just chatting, just chatting... To think that Chen Ping is a dignified Inspector, how could he commit such petty acts? It is Yue Ru who has the heart of a petty person."

I...

However, Ma Yong, at this moment, felt a chill run down his spine.

You tell me so much... and then you say this is all just your guess?

But every word you said is heart-piercing and makes one's hair stand on end!

Zheng Yueru then stood up, excused herself, and left.

"My Lord..."

"My Lord?"

Ma Yong stood dazed on the spot, lost in deep thought; no matter how his subordinates called him, he did not react.

A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall...

The current Liangzhou is indeed on the verge of a storm.

An Imperial Edict, a pilot for the Imperial Examination, will inevitably cause huge internal conflicts within Liangzhou.

One Chen Ping.

One Liu Dahao.

This time, they must surely decide who is superior.

And what about himself?

That's right, he has always been in secret collusion with Chen Ping, just to grasp more evidence that could "take down" the Prefectural Governor Liu and the Prefectural Governor Liu! He has always believed this was a channel to maximize his own interests.

Yet now...

Zheng Yueru's words have jolted him awake as if from a dream.

Who says that this time, Chen Ping will definitely win?

Who says that this time, Prefectural Governor Liu will definitely lose?

The Emperor's attitude is now clearly leaning toward Prefectural Governor Liu's side. Since ancient times, to gallop in officialdom, one must learn to fathom the Emperor's will.

Ma Yong is a person skilled at maneuvering.

Surviving in the cracks is his specialty; relying on his sense of smell to find opportunities to get ahead is what he should do.

He does not care about what is just or unjust.

"My Lord, My Lord?"

Ma Yong finally took a deep breath, rubbed his temples, and said coldly: "You tell me, if this Prefectural Governor Liu enters Dunhuang, what will the result be?"

Several subordinates looked at each other.

How would they know?

Ma Yong sighed; indeed, at this moment, everyone is watching the situation here in Dunhuang, and everyone is guessing that Liu Zheng taking the route through Dunhuang is completely challenging Chen Ping's authority in Liangzhou. A public, major conflict is about to be staged. How will Chen Ping respond to such an open provocation from Liu Zheng?

This will determine the entire landscape of Liangzhou.

A sharp glint flashed in Ma Yong's eyes, and he said indifferently: "From today on, there is no need to spy on Yinzhou for the time being. Next, we shall probe indirectly to see if that Chen Ping has anything unclean about him!"

"Ah?"

Several subordinates exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.

It seems this Lord Ma wants to play both sides and prepare two paths?

Chen Ping, who had not slept well for several days, finally received news a few days later that the triumphant army from Yinzhou was taking the route through Dunhuang.

This made him extremely furious.

Taking the route through Dunhuang? What does Liu Zheng mean by this? Can he not return by the original route? From Loulan back to Yinzhou, isn't that a smooth, flat path?

Your Silk Road is already unfolding in full swing.

You take the route through Dunhuang?

Provocation!

This is a provocation against his Liangzhou Prefecture and the Liangzhou Inspector!

The officials of Liangzhou Prefecture were also filled with righteous indignation.

"Presumptuous! This Liu Dahao is too presumptuous!"

"Even if it is a triumphant army, one should not change the route privately. My Lord, this Liu Dahao completely disregards you!"

"Hmph, a mere ninety thousand Yinzhou Army, why don't we..."

These people spoke all at once, their faces ferocious. In fact, what they were more resentful of in their hearts was that two years ago, in their eyes, this Liu Dahao was nothing more than a County Marquis who bought his title with money... He didn't even have his own fief, and whenever he saw anyone here, didn't he bow and scrape?

Yet now?

The man is already the Western Regions Commissioner!

One of the nine great Regional Commanders of the whole country, holding a high and powerful position.

Can these people feel comfortable with that?

But there is no help for it; who told him to have a good son?

Chen Ping gave a cold laugh: "Have your brains all been kicked by a donkey? This is a triumphant army! The triumphant army of the Great Yan Dynasty! Never mind the imperial court, even those scholars and commoners will line the streets to welcome them. Who among you dares to make a move?"

The group lowered their heads; although they were unwilling, this was indeed the truth. How many years has it been for the Longyan Dynasty since they last expanded their territory... At this time, the whole country is waiting for the Yinzhou Army to return so they can sing their praises. If you really want to go to war with the Yinzhou Army, wouldn't that be going against the Emperor, and wouldn't that be going against the will of the people of the world?

No one dared to do this.

However.

If the Yinzhou Army is allowed to enter Dunhuang with such swagger, where would the dignity of the Liangzhou Prefecture be?

Liu Chang smiled from the side: "My Lord, actually this matter is not difficult. I have a method. If it succeeds, not only can it resolve the crisis in Dunhuang, but even the Imperial Examination System can be manipulated by us!"

Chen Ping's eyes lit up.

The others also pricked up their ears to listen.

Liu Chang gave a cold laugh: "Since this Prefect Liu insists on going through Dunhuang, then we shall gather some people and host a banquet for him in Dunhuang!"

Chen Ping shuddered: "You mean, a Hongmen Banquet?"

Liu Chang laughed heartily: "A triumphant army being feted by the people of the world, what could be wrong with that? As for the various riffraff at this banquet, our Liangzhou Prefecture naturally cannot be held responsible, can it?"

As he spoke, a thick murderous intent flashed through his eyes.

The crowd cheered one after another.

What a good plan!

Since they dared not deal with those ninety thousand Yinzhou Army troops, then they would find a Method to deal with Liu Dahao and Liu Zheng!

A Hongmen Banquet!

Although the two of them were now great heroes whom the world flocked to, and great contributors who had expanded the territory, they had offended quite a few people because of the Imperial Examination system.

The Crown Prince, the Third Prince, the Noble class, and the Scholar-officials all hated them deeply!

Chen Ping dared not deal with the Yinzhou Army because it was the will of the people and the desire of the masses. But if these two died due to an "accident," Chen Ping believed that, relying on the Crown Prince behind him, this matter could still be covered up.

If these two died in Dunhuang...

Then many things could be resolved.

The Imperial Examination?

Heh, no matter what this Imperial Examination was like, as long as the power over the pilot program fell into his own hands, couldn't he just sketch it out however he pleased? As a politician, he could easily turn a perfectly good Imperial Examination into a plaything for their vested interests!

"Good, good, good! Although this is not a brilliant plan, it is the most practical!"

Chen Ping laughed loudly: "Liu Chang, how shall we arrange it?"

Liu Chang chuckled: "That depends on how large a stake you, my lord, intend to wager."

Chen Ping looked over, puzzled.

Liu Chang looked around the circle, bowed, and smiled: "My lord, we are all our own people, so I will speak without reservation. Since it is an 'accident,' it must be made to look real... Liu Chang believes that to kill these two, even if it costs the lives of some lowly people in Dunhuang, it would be acceptable, wouldn't it? My lord, today the plague is rampant in Changzhou, and the prefecture and county governance is ineffective. My lord, if these refugees do not listen to orders and swarm toward Dunhuang... my lord, perhaps not only the Liu father and son, but even the Yinzhou Army, I fear they will also... hehehehe..."

"What?"

Chen Ping's expression changed drastically.

The others also gasped in shock.

This Liu Chang was truly too vicious!

【Author's Note】

Thanks to brother Mu Qiuhanshan for the donation again, thank you, thank you.