Chapter 99

"Stop!"

"Xizi, stop!"

At this moment, the man who was fighting with Yang Shouwen suddenly shouted.

Before his words had even finished, the door to the bedroom was pulled open, and Song Shi, supporting Yang Chenglie, also came out.

Yang Shouwen's large spear trembled in his hand, and the spearhead formed several spear flowers.

The man's long sword drew a wide arc, and with a light "ding" sound, the spear tip and the sword spine collided. The man's figure seemed to float like a feather, retreating several meters. Yang Shouwen also took the opportunity to step back, holding the large spear in front of him.

"Who are you?"

Yang Chenglie shouted sternly, holding the Dragon-Cleaving Saber.

The man signaled his companions to put down their weapons, then took out a waist badge from his satchel and threw it to Yang Chenglie.

He smiled slightly at Yang Shouwen, "Young man, we meet again."

In the courtyard, the firelight flickered.

Old Hu held a burning stick in one hand and a torch in the other, standing under the moon gate.

Yang Shouwen, with the help of the firelight, finally saw the man's face clearly and couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart, his expression changing.

The man was not unfamiliar to Yang Shouwen.

More than ten days ago, he had seen this man in the Jia San courtyard of the Hongfu Inn, one of the mysterious group, Li Gongzi.

"It's you?"

Yang Shouwen narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Could it be that you are also a hound of the Lu family?"

"The Lu family?"

The man laughed upon hearing this and said solemnly, "Even if I am a hound, I have no connection with the Lu family."

"Yang Daren, your spear skills are impressive... I underestimated you before. I didn't expect your spear technique to be so profound."

At this moment, Yang Chenglie also saw the waist badge the man had thrown over, and his expression turned somewhat grim.

He pushed Song Shi aside, took two quick steps down from the porch, and bowed, saying, "This humble servant, Yang Chenglie, pays respects to the Great General."

Yang Chenglie's actions shocked Yang Shouwen.

He looked at the man in surprise, not quite understanding what was happening.

The man asked in surprise, "County Magistrate Yang, what is this...?"

He could see that Yang Chenglie was performing a military salute, not the usual etiquette between officials.

Yang Chenglie said softly, "This humble servant was once a Left Fenchengwei, and in the first year of the Sisheng era, I was transferred to the Jizhou Zhechongfu as a Guo Yi Xiaowei."

Fenchengwei?

Yang Shouwen looked puzzled, his eyes filled with doubt as he looked at Yang Chenglie.

The man, upon hearing Yang Chenglie's introduction, also looked surprised and asked, "You are the Left Fenchengwei?"

The Left Fenchengwei, also known as the Left Qian Niuwei, is one of the sixteen guards of the Southern Palace, responsible for the emperor's personal security. They are the inner guards of the imperial palace, enjoying a high status. Generally, those who come from the Qian Niuwei are people the emperor trusts deeply.

But how could a distinguished Left Fenchengwei end up as a county magistrate in this remote county?

The man looked at Yang Chenglie for a moment and put away his sword.

"I didn't expect this small Changping to be so full of hidden talents."

Yang Chenglie smiled bitterly, not offering any explanation, but stepped aside and said softly, "If the Great General does not mind, why not come inside for a detailed discussion?"

"Master!"

The attendant called out upon hearing this.

But the man waved his hand, "Anyone who can recognize the Fenchengwei waist badge would not lie."

"Although I don't know why you are in Changping, I believe you have your reasons. County Magistrate Yang, let's talk inside."

With that, he walked towards the bedroom.

Yang Shouwen's brows furrowed, and he took a step forward, "Father..."

"Xizi, come with me."

It was clear that Yang Chenglie held the visitor in high regard, and his words carried a tone of respect.

He signaled Yang Shouwen not to stop him and then beckoned him over.

Yang Shouwen glanced at Li Gongzi, stuck his tiger-swallowing large spear into the ground, looked at Abusi Jida, and then followed Yang Chenglie into the bedroom. Song Shi wanted to go in with Yang Chenglie but was stopped by him, who signaled her to wait outside. The attendant of Li Gongzi then stood outside the bedroom door.

Inside the room, Li Gongzi looked around and sat on the mat.

"Xizi, sit down as well."

Yang Chenglie nodded at Yang Shouwen and then slowly sat down on the mat next to him.

"Do you recognize me?"

Yang Chenglie shook his head and said softly, "I don't recognize you, but I recognize the waist badge of the Left Fenchengwei Great General."

"You..."

Li Gongzi's face still showed a hint of confusion.

However, he soon waved his hand and said solemnly, "Never mind. Since you are in Changping, you must have your reasons, and I won't ask further. My name is Li Yuanfang, and my ancestor is the Duke of Wei, Li Jing. In the first year of the Wansui Tongtian era, I received the emperor's favor and took over the position of Left Fenchengwei Great General. Today, I came to find you out of necessity. I was sent by the State Elder to investigate something in Changping, but I didn't expect this small county to be so interesting."

"Since you are from the Left Fenchengwei, you must understand the gravity of the situation."

"I only want to tell you that no matter how much you have been wronged, you must not act rashly or take revenge on Lu Yongcheng without my orders. I won't explain the reasons, do you understand?"

Li Yuanfang?

Yang Shouwen, standing to the side, was stunned when he heard Li Gongzi introduce himself and turned to look at him in surprise.

The grandson of the Duke of Wei, Li Jing? Yang Shouwen didn't have much feeling about it. However, the name Li Yuanfang was clearly more impactful to him.

In the future, the phrase "Yuanfang, what do you think?" had once sparked a trend.

All along, Yang Shouwen had thought that Li Yuanfang in the TV drama was a fictional character. Could it be that he was a real person?

In fact, Li Yuanfang was indeed the son of the Duke of Wei, Li Jing.

His father, Li Dejian, had once held the position of Deputy Director of the Construction Bureau. However, in the 17th year of the Zhenguan era, when Prince Li Chengqian plotted a rebellion, Li Dejian, who had a good relationship with Li Chengqian, was implicated and exiled to Lingnan. It wasn't until the 23rd year of the Zhenguan era, when Li Jing died, that Li Dejian inherited the title of Duke of Wei and returned from Wu. After that, he lived a quiet life at home.

Li Yuanfang's courtesy name was Zijian, and the State Elder he mentioned was the famous minister of the Wu Tang period, Di Renjie.

Of course, Di Renjie and Li Yuanfang were not in the subordinate relationship depicted in later TV dramas; he was directly under the orders of Empress Wu Zetian.

Yang Shouwen was somewhat bewildered. Why had Li Yuanfang come to Changping?

As the Left Fenchengwei Great General, a trusted confidant of Empress Wu Zetian, why had he come to this remote place?

Yang Chenglie frowned and stared at Li Yuanfang.

Li Yuanfang's request was not unreasonable.

He had just been attacked by an assassin, and now Li Yuanfang was asking him to give up his revenge. Even though Yang Chenglie respected Li Yuanfang, he still felt a deep sense of dissatisfaction. Why? Just because Lu Yongcheng was a member of the Fan Yang Lu family?

Yang Chenglie's expression grew increasingly grim, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

Li Yuanfang's eyes were sharp, meeting Yang Chenglie's gaze without the slightest hint of backing down.

"Not only that, I also want you to hand over the command of the civilian militia to Lu Yongcheng and claim to be seriously injured and unable to get out of bed in the coming days."

"Why?"

Yang Chenglie's face turned ashen, and he gritted his teeth, speaking slowly.

If looks could kill, Li Yuanfang would have been torn to pieces by now. A sense of humiliation he had never felt before surged in his heart, making him furious. If he were ten years younger, Yang Chenglie might have already turned against him.

But ten years as a county magistrate had made him much more composed than he used to be.

After a long pause, he asked in a deep voice.

Li Yuanfang looked at him, the candlelight casting a sharp shadow on his angular face, giving off a sinister aura.

He smiled slightly and said softly, "For no reason, because Lu Yongcheng wants the command, so you must hand it over."