Start with acting, and you'll achieve immortality!

Outside the city, the moonlight was as white as frost.

Shi Gan, leading a dozen or so surrendered bandits, caught up with Zhao Heng in the rocky wasteland.

Zhao Heng's legs were burned by the talisman fire, causing him to run with a limp.

His face was filled with terror and resentment.

"Shi Gan! How dare you touch me? I am an official appointed by the imperial court!"

Zhao Heng roared, his voice stern but his heart pounding.

Shi Gan, carrying an iron rod, approached step by step.

The fat on his face twitched

"An official appointed by the imperial court? When you were trying to kill Lord Li, did you ever consider that you were an official appointed by the imperial court?"

"That's a misunderstanding! It was Li Ping..."

"Screw your misunderstanding!"

One of the surrendered bandits spat.

"When I was in Black Wind Stronghold, I heard that you, Chief Clerk Zhao, were ruthless and vicious."

"They'll do anything immoral, from selling people's heads to changing their social status to that of a lowly person."

"You're unlucky to have fallen into my hands today!"

Seeing this, Zhao Heng knew that begging for mercy was useless.

A glint of madness flashed in his eyes.

He pulled a black book from his pocket and held it high.

"Don't come any closer! This contains the criminal records of all the wealthy families in Xiyun County, as well as the whereabouts of the heads I've sold! If you dare touch me..."

"I'll destroy it! Then Li Ping won't have any peace either!"

Shi Gan stopped in his tracks, somewhat hesitant.

He knew the importance of this thing.

Just then, a lazy voice came from the woods not far away.

"Registrar Zhao, your ledger..."

"It's probably useless now."

Li Ping, leaning on his knife, slowly emerged from the shadows.

Behind him followed two militiamen carrying a stretcher.

Qian Duo lay unconscious on the stretcher.

"Li Ping!"

Zhao Heng looked as if he had seen a ghost and took a step back in fright.

"You...how did you get here?"

"I'm afraid Shi Gan and his men will go too far and kill you."

"There are some things I just can't ask."

Li Ping walked up to Zhao Heng and took out another identical black booklet from his pocket.

He waved it in front of him

"Is this a copy?"

Li Ping smiled slightly.

"I already took the original from your study."

"I've sent people to bring back every single one of the people you sold off."

"They're all waiting at Wild Fox Ridge to testify against you."

Zhao Heng stared at the book in Li Ping's hand, as if struck by lightning.

I was completely dumbfounded.

His greatest asset had long since fallen into the hands of the other side.

"No...it's impossible..."

Zhao Heng muttered to himself, then let out a beast-like roar.

He pounced on Li Ping

"I'll fight you to the death!"

Just as Shi Gan was about to make a move, Li Ping waved his hand.

He looked at Zhao Heng rushing towards him with icy eyes.

"Registrar Zhao, you shouldn't have done that!"

"You shouldn't have touched my people."

Li Ping raised his foot and kicked Zhao Heng in the chest.

click

The sound of bones breaking was clearly audible.

Zhao Heng flew out like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground.

He was spitting out mouthfuls of blood; it was clear he was going to die.

"Hang him...on the city wall."

Li Ping's voice was hoarse.

"Let the whole city see what happens to traitors."

"Yes, sir."

Shi Gan responded

Li Ping bent down and searched Zhao Heng's arms, finding the black booklet inside.

He casually tossed it into the nearby fire.

Only after doing all this did he turn around.

Looking at Qian Duo on the stretcher, a hint of guilt flashed in his eyes.

"Back to the city"

……

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

The bloodstains at the north gate were not yet dry, and a strong stench of blood filled the air.

Inside the main hall of the county government office, Song Ming sat in the main seat.

Sipping the freshly served hot tea

Chen Rang's official robes and seal were laid out to the side, while he himself was imprisoned.

It is said that his hair turned completely white overnight.

Zhao Heng's body was hung on the north gate city wall, attracting a large crowd of onlookers.

Pointing and whispering, discussing amongst themselves

Li Ping changed into a clean blue robe and sat down in the hall.

Sipping tea slowly and deliberately

"Li Ping, you have done a great job defending the city this time."

"I will certainly recommend you for commendation."

Song Ming put down his teacup

"However, Xiyun County cannot be without a master for even a day."

"Until the new appointments are made in the county, county affairs..."

"Then you may temporarily take over."

Do you have any objections?

"It's entirely up to Lord Song to decide."

Li Ping bowed.

"it is good"

Song Ming nodded, then changed the subject.

"What do you plan to do with the Bai family?"

Li Ping smiled slightly.

"The Bai family has deep roots in Xiyun County; if they are forcibly eradicated..."

"This could cause unrest"

"In my humble opinion, the primary approach should be appeasement."

"appease?"

Song Ming raised his eyebrows slightly

"The Bai family privately mined spiritual sand and colluded with mountain bandits."

"According to the law, he should be executed."

"Are you perhaps trying to show favoritism?"

"Lord Song has misunderstood."

Li Ping put down his teacup.

"The Bai family's crime lies solely with Bai Chong."

"As long as he is willing to hand over his private mines and trade routes, and offer enough silver to fund the army and compensate the wounded and the dead."

"In my opinion, we can give him a chance to redeem himself through meritorious service."

Song Ming looked at Li Ping, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

He knew that Li Ping wanted to take this opportunity to seize the Bai family's assets.

Bring them all under your control

This is far more sophisticated than simply fighting and killing.

"You can handle this yourself."

Song Ming waved his hand.

"I only care about the results."

Just then, a yamen runner came in to report.

"My lord, Bai Chong, the head of the Bai family, requests an audience."

"Let him in."

Li Ping said calmly

A moment later, Bai Chong, surrounded by a group of servants...

Enter the lobby

He hadn't slept all night, and his eyes were sunken.

But his spirits are still good.

He first bowed respectfully to Song Ming, then walked up to Li Ping.

A deep bow

"Lord Li, I am guilty."

Bai Chong adopted an extremely humble posture.

Li Ping picked up the teacup and blew on the steam.

He did not speak.

The atmosphere in the lobby was somewhat awkward.

Bai Chong gritted his teeth and pulled out several booklets from his pocket.

Presented with both hands

"Lord Li, these are the land deeds for all the mines owned by my Bai family in the Wanzhong Mountains."

"And a business route map that has been in operation for many years."

"I am willing to offer it all up to atone for my past sins."

Li Ping then put down his teacup and took the booklet.

I flipped through it casually

"Patriarch Bai, you are very kind."

Li Ping said calmly

"However, that's all there is."

"That's probably not enough."

Bai Chong's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said...

"I am willing to offer another 100,000 taels of silver and 3,000 shi of grain."

"To be used as compensation for the soldiers defending the city!"

"One hundred thousand taels?"

Li Ping smiled.

"Master Bai, are you treating me like a beggar? As far as I know..."

"Your Bai family has been illegally mining spirit sand for years; the profits must be well over a million taels!"

Bai Chong's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

"Lord Li, always leave yourself an out."

"May we meet again in the future."

Bai Chong said in a deep voice

"Patriarch Bai, what are you doing now?"

You have no right to negotiate with me.

Li Ping stood up and walked to Bai Chong.

The voice was cold

I'm giving you two choices.

"First, hand over 80% of the Bai family's assets."

May your Bai family be safe and sound.

"Secondly, I will have Lord Song arrest you right now."

"Confiscate all of your Bai family's assets."

"You choose."

Looking into Li Ping's cold eyes, Bai Chong's last shred of hope vanished.

He knew he had lost.

A complete defeat

"well……"

Bai Chong seemed to age ten years in an instant, and said dejectedly.

"I... admit defeat."

Li Ping smiled slightly and patted his shoulder.

"Master Bai, a wise man submits to circumstances."

"From now on, your Bai family will behave yourselves."

I will guarantee you wealth and prosperity.

"If there is any further change of heart..."

Li Ping didn't finish his sentence, but the threat in it was clear.

it goes without saying

Bai Chong nodded bitterly, and led his servants...

Departure in a daze

Seeing this, Song Ming's opinion of Li Ping rose even higher.

A combination of kindness and severity, with flexibility and control.

This child is no ordinary person.

He suddenly felt a sense of anticipation when this piece would enter the larger chess game in Jiangning City.

What kind of waves will it stir up?