For two consecutive months, Li Yaonan inspected many places, secretly purchased a lot of military rations, arranged countless spies, and also tried many unjust cases. He received praise from many people, but also made some wealthy families hate him to the core.
Li Yaonan judged cases decisively, fairly and honestly. He never showed sympathy to anyone and a case would never be delayed for too long. Wherever he went, the people cheered. Only the county magistrate complained bitterly and just hoped to get rid of this plague god as soon as possible.
Many people heard of Lord Li's reputation and came from thousands of miles away to appeal for justice. Li Yaonan smiled and told them to wait quietly. There is always a first come first served in everything. He will patrol all the way and will definitely make a decision for them.
The people were so grateful that they knelt on the ground and shouted "Judge Li". However, the truth was that with the help of the roster compiled by Mr. Huang, Li Yaonan knew very well where the governor's connections were. He chose his routes again and again, and although he inspected and tried countless cases along the way, he actually did not touch the governor's bottom line at all.
As for the people who cried out for injustice, Li Yaonan did not deceive them. The trial was a matter of time, but he used a roundabout method to delay the time.
Lord Pan turned a blind eye to his actions, and the governor gradually relaxed his vigilance. With more than half a month left before the New Year, this inspection was about to end. Li Yaonan calculated the time, thought for a long time, carefully considered all the pros and cons, and after making sure that there was no risk, he finally made up his mind to handle a major case.
After careful selection, Li Yaonan picked out a county magistrate who was guilty of evil and prepared to take action against him.
"Husband, where are we going this time?" Lin Yixuan smiled. Two months of training had made his brows more sharp.
"Huayang County." Li Yaonan raised the corners of his lips and closed the file on the table.
Lin Yixuan was slightly stunned, and a hint of joy flashed in his eyes: "Have you thought it through?"
Li Yaonan nodded slightly and asked with a smile: "Why, you want to go to Huayang County too?"
Lin Yixuan smiled shyly, then frowned and glared, "The Magistrate of Huayang County is a piece of shit. I don't know how many people in the village he has bullied. He was talking nonsense a few days ago and didn't take you seriously. Last time, everyone who came to complain was thrown into jail by him. He is really hateful."
Li Yaonan smiled faintly and patted her husband's hand: "Don't pay any attention to him. Let him be arrogant for a few more days."
Lin Yixuan smiled at first, then looked worried: "Is there anything wrong?"
"Don't worry, I have already thought about the candidate to take over as the county magistrate. Lord Pan's nephew is a good one. The Huayang County Magistrate is so arrogant. If I don't discipline him, my efforts in recent days will probably be greatly reduced." It would only make people feel hypocritical and wonder if his inspection was a show.
Lin Yixuan's heart moved, and she understood her husband's idea. If she beat one and mentioned one, her husband would first solve the problem, and the rest would be the matter between Lord Pan and the governor. If their relationship was unbreakable, the governor would naturally swallow his anger, but if a conflict arose, that would be even better, and her husband would be the winner.
Noticing the starry eyes of his husband's admiration, Li Yaonan felt amused and explained to him in detail the unspoken rules of officialdom and taught him his views and opinions on some things.
Lin Yixuan listened with great interest. Time passed by unknowingly. Li Xu came to pay his respects to his father. After hearing his father's explanation, he immediately sat up straight, thinking with his little head, and asked why from time to time.
Li Yaonan would not be perfunctory with his son, and would tell him some small stories to let him think for himself. It can be said that the ideas that Li Yaonan instilled in him since childhood had a great influence on Li Xu's growth. Even if he becomes a high-ranking official in the future, the person he admires most is still his father, and the person he likes most is his father.
Two days later, the group set off for Huayang.
The Huayang County Magistrate was very arrogant and treated his superior with all sarcasm. He was sure that Li Yaonan would not dare to do anything to him, otherwise Lord Li's inspection route would not have been arranged so coincidentally.
The people in higher positions actually knew all these things, but no one would speak them out loud like the Huayang County Magistrate did.
Li Yaonan was so angry that he laughed. He quickly arrested the Huayang County Magistrate with lightning speed. After all, the magistrate had committed so many crimes that there was no need to collect evidence.
"You dare." The Huayang County Magistrate was shocked and angry.
Li Yaonan sneered, waved his hand, and had him taken away. He took advantage of the convenience of the prefect to execute him first and report later, searched his house, judged the case, and executed him immediately without showing any mercy, and did not give the person any chance to ask for help. It only took three days to completely settle the case.
The Huayang County Magistrate's face was full of disbelief until his death. He died with a look of fear and regret. He never dreamed that Lord Li would actually dare to behead him in public.
The people of Huayang County cheered, the Governor of Yunnan was furious, and Lord Pan's mind was wavering. None of them had expected that Lord Li would make a stunning statement if he did not make a sound, and would act so decisively and execute people as soon as he said so.
No matter what the governor thought, when the people of Yunnan heard about this incident, they felt very happy, and Li Yaonan's reputation rose to a new level.
Li Yaonan did not stay in Huayang for long. He returned home with his husband. This time he had touched the governor's bottom line and it would be difficult for him to take any more actions.
Two days later, Li Yaonan returned to his long-awaited home. Just as he sat down to rest, and before he had even had a cup of tea, a servant came to inform him that the governor wanted to see him.
Li Yaonan raised his eyebrows. This was his first time meeting the governor since he came to Dali.
"Husband, I'll go with you." Lin Yixuan was a little worried, and quickly put Xier down in her arms and let him go to play with his brother.
Li Yaonan smiled at him reassuringly: "It's okay, husband knows what's going on. You can rest at home and wait for me to come back."
Lin Yixuan frowned. She knew that her husband was confident, but she still didn't want to see him being wronged. With her by his side, and for the sake of Jingyang Marquis's Mansion, the governor should not go too far.
Li Yaonan curled his lips and said with a smile: "The governor is angry. It will be useless for you to go. On the contrary, it will make him dissatisfied. Don't worry, the Huayang County Magistrate is so arrogant, we are right."
Lin Yixuan nodded reluctantly, knowing that what her husband said made sense. The governor was a first-rank official in the court, and although he would be wary of the Marquis Jingyang's Mansion, he was not actually afraid of it. If she really angered the governor, it would not do her husband any good.
The first time Li Yaonan came to the door, he handed in his visiting card in a very proper manner, but the guard at the door ignored him for half an hour. After he went to the flower hall, the governor ignored him for another hour.
Li Yaonan sat in the flower hall with nothing to do, looking around in boredom. The governor's house was indeed luxurious, not inferior to the wealthy families in Jiangnan. After drinking the ninth bowl of tea, he felt a little sleepy in his eyes. The governor finally arrived.
"Your humble servant greets you, sir." Li Yaonan bowed and immediately perked up.
The governor snorted, his eyes stayed on him for a moment, and his tone was not very friendly: "Are you Li Yaonan?"
"Yes, your humble servant." Li Yaonan answered calmly and respectfully.
"Lord Li is very capable." The governor said nonchalantly, his tone calm and without any emotion: "I think Lord Li should understand the rules and not take my tolerance as indulgence."
Li Yaonan smiled faintly, showing no fear at all, and said with a smile: "Your Excellency is right, but I don't know why the Huayang County Magistrate wants to break the rules. I am of low status, but I will not allow myself to be bullied."
The governor frowned, obviously not expecting Li Yaonan to turn the tables: "What do you mean by that?"
"My words do not count. Please ask others. I thought I was avoiding the issue everywhere, but the Huayang County Magistrate abused his power to bully others. I have always been narrow-minded and could not tolerate it. I hope the governor will forgive me." Li Yaonan said this in a decisive tone, turning the matter of the Huayang County Magistrate into a personal grudge.
The governor was choked by his words. Actually, the purpose of calling him here today was just to warn him. Li Yaonan was an official appointed by the court, a confidant of the emperor, and was related to the Marquis of Jingyang's Mansion. Unless he could beat the man to death with a stick, the governor would not break off relations with him for the time being.
Li Yaonan smiled slightly, and although he was very humble, he did not give in at all. He knew what the governor was thinking, and as long as he did not make any further moves, the governor would not do anything to him.
"Lord Li, are you going to go against me?" The governor's face darkened and his eyes narrowed slightly.
"I dare not." Li Yaonan quickly denied and said bluntly: "I am just maintaining my authority and I dare not act recklessly in front of you, my Lord. Please investigate clearly."
The governor frowned, not knowing whether he believed his words. He admonished Li Yaonan a few words, but finally let him go. Li Yaonan was like a stone now, which made him feel uncomfortable, but he was helpless. He couldn't arrest Li Yaonan just for the sake of a Huayang County magistrate. If he did that, he would be unjust and it would be difficult for him to explain to the Jingyang Marquis' Mansion.
The governor thought about it again and again and decided to wait and see. He would let this matter go for now. If it happens again, no matter what kind of mansion it is, the governor would not give face to anyone. He immediately gave an order and ordered people to find evidence of Li Yaonan's illegal activities and fabricate all kinds of evidence of his illegal activities in case of emergency.
Li Yaonan returned home leisurely. Lin Yixuan was sitting in the house waiting for him, with Li Xu and Li Xi sitting around him. The two brothers were talking incoherently and had a very pleasant chat.
"You're back." Lin Yixuan saw her husband's eyes light up, and before he could go to greet him, Li Xi had already hugged his father's thighs. This was his favorite action recently, because his father would always pick him up and take him wherever he went.
Li Xu covered his face, feeling ashamed of his brother. He stood up straight and saluted, "Father."
Li Yaonan picked up the youngest son and glanced at the eldest son with a smile, his eyes full of admiration: "Have you finished your homework today?"
"Father, it has been completed. Mr. Sun even praised his son." Li Xu puffed out his chest and answered proudly.
Li Yaonan put Li Xi on his lap, thought for a moment, and asked with a smile: "Do you like Mr. Sun?"
Li Xu nodded without hesitation: "Mr. Sun's lectures are very good, Jin and Xin also like them."
Li Yaonan hummed to show that he understood, then turned to look at his husband and asked, "Xu'er should invite the gentleman, what do you think of Brother Sun?"
Lin Yixuan hesitated a little. From a long-term perspective, Mr. Sun had made no achievements. If Xu'er became his disciple, it would not help much for his future, but it would also avoid a lot of disputes. After thinking for a while, he said, "Mr. Sun is very busy. Wouldn't it be too much trouble?"
Li Yaonan was startled for a moment, then he laughed: "I almost forgot about this, I have to go ask first."
Lin Yixuan smiled and said, "If Mr. Sun agrees, I have no objection." He had just thought about it carefully and thought that his husband's talent and learning were very good, and there was no need to add icing on the cake. Even if he became a disciple of a great scholar, so what? After being taught by her husband, Xu'er already had some preliminary ideas in his mind. If the famous teacher's ideas went against her husband's, wouldn't the conflict between the two ruin the child? What's more, Yunnan was a remote place and it was not easy to become a disciple. It would be better to let Mr. Sun teach.
"Okay." Li Yaonan's smile gradually widened, and he turned to look at his son: "What do you think?"
"I would like to take Mr. Sun as my teacher." Li Xu responded loudly, his face full of excitement.
Li Yaonan nodded, and he was extremely satisfied with his eldest son. "Okay, father promised you, I will go and test Brother Sun's opinion another day, but let's make it clear first, if Brother Sun doesn't agree, you are not allowed to cry."
"Thank you, father." Li Xu raised his chin and said proudly, "The master will definitely agree. He praised Xu'er yesterday."
Li Yaonan smiled, very satisfied that his son showed the expression a child should have. Xuer was too sensible, and as a parent, he felt a lot of pressure.
The next day, Li Yaonan went to the government office with her husband, ignoring the hesitant look of Mr. Huang, and went straight to Mr. Pan. He had to give Mr. Pan an explanation for the results of this inspection. Lin Yixuan waited at the door to avoid being beaten by some unconscious people. After much investigation, Lin Yixuan understood that Mr. Huang did not have any bad intentions, but his temper was really annoying.
Lord Pan was in a very happy mood. He casually glanced at the file, chatted a few words, and then let Li Yaonan leave. No matter what, he was the one who benefited from this matter.
Three days later, the government office began to take a holiday. Li Yaonan completely relaxed, while Lin Yixuan was busy preparing New Year's goods and some etiquette in various places. The first New Year in Dali had to be celebrated in a lively manner.
The young man from Yunshan Village also stayed in the prefectural government, intending to fight a protracted battle with Mr. Sun, which caused a lot of jokes.
Li Yaonan smiled and joked, asking him when the wedding would be held.
Mr. Sun was hesitant, and over time Li Yaonan stopped asking. Matters of the heart are like drinking water, and others can't help much. He just hopes that Mr. Sun will not regret it.
Taking a break, Li Yaonan asked him if he would accept a disciple, and then pointed at his own son.
Sun Ruisi was surprised and delighted, and confirmed it three times in a row. It was not until Li Yaonan became impatient that he was truly sure that Brother Li really wanted Xuer to worship him as his master, but how could he be worthy of it!
Sun Ruisi thought about it for a whole night and finally refused. His eyes were red when he refused, and he must have struggled for a while.
Li Yaonan was speechless, thinking that Brother Sun sometimes thought too much. After analyzing the pros and cons with him and using the remoteness of Yunnan as an example, he finally made him relent and formally accepted Li Xu as his disciple. He also stated in advance that if there was another famous teacher in the future, he would never hinder Li Xu's future.
Li Yaonan couldn't do anything about him. Brother Sun was good in everything, he was thoughtful, decisive, and efficient, but when it came to himself, he started to feel inferior. I really didn't know what to say to him. But I was still very happy that I didn't make the wrong friends. Brother Sun really loved Xu'er, so he would always think about Xu'er.
On the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, Xu'er formally performed the ceremony of becoming a disciple. Sun Ruisi was very happy and got drunk, which was rare for him. He said a lot of drunken words. Brother Liu took the opportunity to help him back to his room.
When Sun Ruisi woke up the next day, he was shocked to see a naked body next to him, covered with scars and bruises, which were obviously caused by last night.
Sun Ruisi was very conflicted, feeling both annoyed and happy. In short, it was very complicated.
After knowing this, Li Yaonan couldn't help but sigh that wine was really a good thing. He still remembered that he and his husband seemed to have had sex after drinking.
Lin Yixuan knew what her husband was thinking, but she would never tell him the truth, even if she was beaten to death.
Sun Ruisi came to the main courtyard hesitantly and chatted for a long time before finally getting to the point: he wanted to marry Brother Liu.
This is a great event, and the husband and wife congratulated each other repeatedly. Just now, Sun Ruisi was beating around the bush, and Lin Yixuan was anxious. She almost thought that he was going to change his mind again. What a shame.
As the Chinese New Year was approaching and there were still many things to prepare for the wedding, they decided to set the wedding in February next year.
Brother Liu fulfilled her wish and immediately turned into a good wife and mother, smiling sweetly. She pestered Sun Ruisi every day to ask about her well-being, making this silent man at a loss as to what to do.
Others enjoyed laughing at him. Mr. Sun was usually taciturn except on official business, so it would be nice to have someone who could control him.
This year, the prefectural government was filled with laughter.
On the sixth day of the first lunar month, the New Year's goods from Yizhou arrived, and the couple packed up and decided to go to pay New Year's greetings to their eldest brother. The most important issue was to send Lin's mother and son away, as he was afraid that he could not protect them well. As for the young husband, Li Yaonan could only sigh. Since he could not drive him away, he could only keep him by his side. His heart was full of emotion. There was someone who was willing to share life and death with him, and he felt that he had no regrets in his life.
However, Li Yaonan did not expect that plans would not be as fast as changes. When the family was preparing to travel and had already packed all the luggage, there was suddenly a commotion on the street and an emergency message came from the border. The messenger was a soldier covered in blood, riding a horse recklessly, and running all the way with an urgent message in his hand.
The whole of Dali was in an uproar in an instant.
"It's bad, it's bad, the Qiang people are coming to Dali."
"I heard that Nanzhao has been lost."
“I don’t want to die.”
"Run for your life!"
In just a quarter of an hour, the streets were in chaos and the New Year celebrations were instantly shrouded in a layer of sadness.
Li Yaonan looked serious and had no time to think. He quickly packed up his sons and asked someone to send them to Yizhou immediately.
Lin Yixuan's face turned pale. How could this happen? He clearly remembered that the war broke out in April this year, and now there is no time to prepare for anything. If something happens to her husband...
"Don't be afraid." Noticing that her husband was in a bad mood, Li Yaonan quickly hugged him and said, "It's not your fault. None of us expected the war to break out early."
Li Yaonan cursed herself inwardly, forgetting the so-called butterfly effect. Yunnan had a good rice harvest in two seasons, so how could the Qiang not be jealous? Taking advantage of the relaxed defense during the New Year to attack, it was indeed a good plan. She kissed her husband on the cheek and comforted him, "Don't be afraid, trust me."
Li Yaonan's heart was pounding, and his brain began to work rapidly: "Give the order, the governor can take action, the more chaotic the situation, the better. I want to gain the right to speak in Dali as soon as possible."
"I understand." Lin Yixuan quickly calmed down. Now was not the time to be afraid. He had been the one who had been placing spies on the governor's side. "Leave this to me."
Li Yaonan nodded, comforted his husband, and quickly stepped into the study. Sun Ruisi had been waiting for a long time, walking back and forth in the room. When he heard about the outbreak of war just now, he admitted that he was panicked for a moment, but when he remembered the instructions and arrangements that Brother Li had given him some time ago, a heavy stone in his heart fell to the ground. He could guess that Brother Li had known that there would be a war.
"How are you preparing?" Li Yaonan went straight to the point. Now was not the time to explain as time was running out.
"We have stored 100,000 dan of grain, but not many bows and arrows, only about 20,000. The tunnel in Heng County has been dug, running through three towns and leading directly to the city gate."
"Okay!" Li Yaonan's eyes darkened, and he walked to the table, wrote a few letters quickly, and said very seriously: "Have someone deliver them as fast as possible, without any delay. Also, no news can be leaked. I don't want to be a gift to others, nor do I want to lose my success because of delay."
"Yes, don't worry, sir." Sun Ruisi took the envelope with both hands seriously, not daring to be careless at all.
After Li Yaonan explained everything, he hurried to the government office. With such a big thing happening, the government office would definitely have to hold a discussion.
"Lord Li, you are finally here." Lord Huang came out to greet him with surprise. The panic-stricken expression on his face gradually calmed down when he saw the person he admired.
Li Yaonan was in no mood to argue with him. He looked around and saw that only some of the officials had come. They were arguing fiercely and were good at shirking responsibility. They were all thinking about what to do and who to ask for help.
"Where are the others?" Li Yaonan asked with a frown. There were thirty-eight officials in the yamen, but now there are only sixteen.
Lord Mao looked annoyed and said, "Lord Wang is lucky. He went to visit relatives in Bashu."
Lord Liu said disdainfully: "I'm afraid they won't come back until the war is stable."
Li Yaonan was silent for a moment, thinking about something else. Apart from Lord Li and Lord Mao, he was a high-ranking official among his colleagues. If the situation became chaotic, it would be more advantageous for him to control it. He said calmly, "It's useless to wait here. It's better to go and ask to see the governor."
Lord Zhou thought for a moment and agreed, "Lord Li is right. We are of low rank and cannot make decisions on everything. Lord Pan is not here now, so it is best to ask for an audience with the governor."
Lord Li nodded and said, "Indeed, the Qiang tribe is coming with great force. I don't know if they will attack us. Only the governor can make the decision."
"good."
"Then we'll go right over there."
Li Yaonan lowered his eyes and remained calm all the way. He exaggerated the horror of war and made sure to make them lose their minds. It would be best if all the pressure was put on the governor. As the pillar of Yunnan, the governor could not hold on and would have no choice but to escape. By then, the whole Dali and even Yunnan would be in chaos.
He could also take advantage of the situation. Although the war was unexpected, he had made several years of preparation. If he still couldn't win, it could only be fate! However, Li Yaonan never believed in fate. He was determined to achieve his political achievements this time.
The author has something to say: Thank you, I will continue to work hard. o(n_n)o
Mint is not cool and threw a grenade. Throwing time: 2014-08-30 07:18:51