Abandoning literature for martial arts, starting by unleashing the beauty's bow.

Lu Fengnian's words were undeniably malicious.

A flash of anger crossed Li Xiaorou's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, stood up abruptly, and ran towards Lu Fengnian, tears streaming down her face as she spoke:

"Fengnian, I know you have a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and I'm sure you still have feelings for me."

Didn't you always want to hold my hand? Now you can hold it.

If you agree to marry me, I will not only let you hold my hand, but I can also give myself to you right now...

Lu Fengnian was disgusted and slapped Li Xiaorou hard across the face.

Li Xiaorou was so hit that she spun around three times, feeling dizzy and disoriented, and stumbled along.

Lu Fengnian strode forward, grabbed her by the neck, lifted her up like a chick, and strode toward the village entrance.

Li Xiaorou snapped out of her daze and struggled desperately, shouting, "Lu Fengnian, what are you doing? Let me go!"

However, Lu Fengnian remained unmoved and walked briskly.

Li Xiaorou continued shouting:

"Fellow villagers, please come and save me! Lu Fengnian is trying to assault me!"

"Lu Fengnian is bullying me, a weak woman, by abusing his power!"

…………

Li Xiaorou's voice was quite loud, and the villagers of Mao'er Village nearby were disturbed and came out one after another.

Everyone was astonished to see Lu Fengnian carrying Li Xiaorou with one hand and walking briskly.

However, no one stopped them; they all followed behind Lu Fengnian to see what he was up to.

Lu Fengnian didn't stop walking. He went straight to the muddy pond at the entrance of the village, and with a forceful movement, threw Li Xiaorou into the pond.

Li Xiaorou was stuck in the mud, struggling but sinking deeper and deeper, looking utterly pathetic.

Struggling and cursing, he yelled, "Lu Fengnian, you're a bastard! You'll die a horrible death..."

The villagers looked astonished.

Lu Fengnian bowed slightly to the villagers, saying, "This woman just came to my house and actually asked me to give two taels of silver to marry her."

She has absolutely no self-awareness. I'm sending her where she should be now to bring her to her senses.

Rotten people should stay in the mud.

Upon hearing these words, the villagers who had been trying to pull Li Xiaorou out of her predicament immediately stopped what they were doing and began to look at her with disdain, some even spitting at her.

…………

The next day.

Early in the morning, Lu Fengnian left Mao'er Village with his family, Cao Meng, and his two subordinates.

Around 9:00 AM, we arrived in Qinghe County and went directly to Fuyuan Leather Shop.

Fang Tong immediately put down what he was doing and led Lu Fengnian and the others to a winery that wasn't too far away.

Because Fang Tong had given prior notice, the shopkeeper was waiting inside the winery.

Lu Fengnian and his family inspected the distillery thoroughly. After confirming that there were no problems, they readily agreed on the transfer price.

Both parties signed and sealed the agreement, and Lu Fengnian paid thirty-six taels of silver, thus completing the transaction.

From then on, the winery belonged to the Lu family.

The backyard of the distillery was spacious, and Liu Yunjuan immediately decided that she would return to Mao'er Village later, say hello to the villagers, pack her things, and move her home to the county.

With little time left before the new recruits assembled at the Liuzhou camp, and having settled matters at the winery, Lu Fengnian was about to leave Qinghe County and head to the prefectural capital.

The family naturally parted with reluctance and deep affection.

Finally, Fang Tong sent out a horse-drawn carriage to take Liu Yunjuan, Lu Manyue, and Lu Xiaoyu back to Mao'er Village to pack their belongings and move.

Lu Fengnian and Cao Meng went to the military camp in Qinghe County.

Upon meeting Yang Mingxiong, he learned that news of Wu Sansheng and Ma Hui being intercepted and killed en route had already reached Liuzhou city.

The prefect of Liuzhou was furious. After an emergency discussion with the garrison commander Zhao Rulong, he immediately dispatched Commander Lei Hu, along with two centurions, to Qinghe County, determined to wipe out Blackwater Village.

Yang Mingxiong gave Lu Fengnian a thumbs up, "Brother Lu, your plan is brilliant, killing two birds with one stone! I admire you!"

Lu Fengnian smiled slightly, "Commander Yang, you flatter me. This matter would not have been possible without our concerted efforts."

Yang Mingxiong looked puzzled. "I'm very curious, how did Brother Lu manage to persuade Ye Zhengtang?"

From the night before last until today, Ye Zhengtang has been busy with this matter, firmly pinning the responsibility for the deaths of Wu Sansheng and Ma Hui on Heishui Village, and making sure all the evidence is watertight.

Even if the bandits of Blackwater Village cried out their innocence until the heavens heard, they couldn't escape being framed.

Lu Fengnian shook his head. "I didn't try to persuade him much. I just explained the consequences, and Ye Zhengtang made his own choice."

He was indeed stubborn, but he cared deeply for the people of Qinghe County and was one of the few good officials.

The people of Qinghe County will benefit the most from what we have done, and they will naturally make the right choice.

Yang Mingxiong was about to ask another question, but Cao Meng became impatient. "Why do you talk so much? My master has something to do and has to rush to the city as soon as he's done."

"I've finally made it to Qinghe County, so you should take this opportunity to properly entertain me and my brothers."

Lu Fengnian then said, "Commander Yang, you two chat for a while. I have a few things to take care of. After I finish, I will set off for the prefectural city."

…………

Lu Fengnian went directly to the county government office.

The guards at the county government gate recognized him immediately upon seeing him. When they learned that he was looking for Ye Zhengtang, they immediately helped to convey his request, and their attitude was very attentive.

Soon, Ye Zhengtang came out of the county government office.

"Chief Constable Ye, I apologize for disturbing you." Lu Fengnian bowed slightly to Ye Zhengtang.

Let's talk somewhere else.

Ye Zhengtang nodded slightly and immediately walked towards the teahouse diagonally opposite.

Lu Fengnian followed closely behind Ye Zhengtang into a private room on the second floor of the teahouse.

"Congratulations, Chief Constable Ye, you're about to wipe out the bandits of Blackwater Village." Lu Fengnian took his seat with a smile on his face.

Ye Zhengtang remained expressionless. "You dragged me into this mess, got your revenge, and achieved your goal. Aren't you quite pleased with yourself?"

Lu Fengnian shook his head. "I have too many opportunities to kill Ma Hui and Wu Sansheng. With my archery skills, even if they are imprisoned in the state capital, I am capable of shooting them dead."

I have no need to drag you into this to achieve my goals.

My real purpose is to eliminate the bandits of Blackwater Village.

Ye Zhengtang raised his eyebrows. "I don't believe you."

Lu Fengnian, sometimes I wonder, how could a country scholar possess such cunning?

Lu Fengnian raised his head slightly, "If the world is at peace, I am willing to continue studying hard and pass the imperial examinations."

But in this world, even if I am learned and knowledgeable, I will never have a chance to succeed.

I'm afraid I could only watch helplessly as my sister was bullied by Wang the Cripple.

It's not that I'm good at scheming; it's just that in today's world, I'm forced to protect myself out of necessity.

"For ordinary people like us, if we don't struggle to survive, who will give us a way to live?"