The Villain's Counterattack

Chapter 317 They Dare Not

The Li and Yan families are among the most prominent families in Rongjing County. With the main family above them, it is inevitable that there will be many intermarriages. The mistresses of the two families are also of extraordinary origin. Being well matched has never been a derogatory term, but a real reality.

Two beautiful middle-aged women in gorgeous attire came slowly with two pretty girls of about sixteen or seventeen years old. Chunhua, the head of the four maids, led them into the hall. Xia Xing was tuning the zither beside them, and the sound was crisp and pleasant, but the tune was quite unusual. Qiushi served them fragrant tea on the other side.

Murong Fu and Cao Yi didn't even look at them. They pointed at a map and even argued loudly, "Impossible! This map is the official Rongjing County defense map. How could it be wrong?"

"Precisely because it is an official product, it cannot be 100% credible. You must know that deceiving superiors and bullying subordinates is a common thing. The officials in charge of this matter may not conduct on-site inspections. Even if they do, they may not be able to discover the secrets that the subordinates do not want him to know, such as this place!" Murong Fu pointed to a place. Cao Yi's expression changed slightly, and his eyes could not help but look at the four women below.

"A river channel?" Cao Yi was not a boastful talker. As a member of the Cao family, he had also stayed at the border for several months and was not a complete novice in marching and fighting. Murong Fu had even more experience in battles in the previous world and could spot the omissions in an ordinary map at a glance.

"If it were just the river, we wouldn't be worried. But look at this place. Doesn't it feel particularly desolate? Rongjing County isn't very big, and yet there's a large, desolate, abandoned area here. Do you think that makes sense?" Murong Fu gently drew a circle with his finger and asked, "Do you see anything?"

Cao Yi was unusual. He pointed to another place and said, "If that's the case, this place might be unusual too, right?"

Murong Fu couldn't help but clap his hands in approval upon hearing this. "Very good, very good. You can see this point. Being a second-rate city defender shouldn't be a problem. At least without an absolute advantage in manpower and equipment, it won't be easy to defeat you. What you lack is experience. There is indeed a problem here, but it's not the government or the aristocratic families, but the locals."

The two of them discussed, oblivious to the others, leaving the four beauties alone. The two mistresses were fine; after all, they had experience and knew they needed help. The two young ladies, Li Yan, had been pampered and spoiled. The sudden change in the lives of these once high-ranking noble ladies left them feeling apprehensive but unable to vent. Today, they accompanied their mother to meet the newly appointed magistrate. Although seeking help, they didn't take him too seriously. After all, they had served under more than one magistrate, and every one of them had greeted them with a smile.

In Rongjing County, the Li and Yan families were absolute tyrants. The Yan family's daughter suddenly coughed and said, "Isn't it impolite for the host to ignore a guest who has come to visit? Is this the etiquette of a scholar, a model of the Jinshi of the Great Song Dynasty?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Fu and Cao Yi exchanged a smile, then his gaze turned coldly towards the four guests. With a faint smile on his lips, he said, "I am indeed rude, but honestly, it would be against etiquette for me to personally receive you. It's just that I'm unmarried, so I really can't find anyone suitable to receive you. But if I were to turn you away, I'm afraid it would be a bit unkind, after all..."

Upon hearing this, the hearts of the two mistresses, Li and Yan, tightened. Murong Fu pointed at Miss Yan and said, "Forget it. I was planning to let you stay a little longer. Now that you've spoken, I'll ask you a few questions. If you answer well, I won't be able to save you even once. Otherwise, you'll be on your own."

The two mistresses quickly stood up, bowed to Murong Fu, and said their best wishes. Without waiting for them to speak, Murong Fu said directly, "I am Murong Fu, born on the 10th of this year. I lost my father at a young age and was raised by my mother. I have no doubts about the abilities of women. My mother was able to support such a large family business and even expand the Gusu Murong clan. In my mind, there are not many men in the world who can compare to her."

"I will not underestimate you two, but I will not let personal interests override public interests, nor will I be biased. Although I am new here, I am the Rongjing County Magistrate after all, and many matters must be handled impartially." Murong Fu asked expressionlessly, "Did you know that the sons of the Li and Yan families plotted against the son of the former county magistrate, causing him to kidnap the daughter of the native tribe leader while drunk?"

The two mistresses couldn't help but show a hint of shock on their faces when they heard this. Just as they were about to deny it outright, Murong Fu said, "This question is very important. You only have one chance to answer it. I will use your answer to determine whether it is still necessary to discuss it with you. After all, someone who sits down and discusses things is at least worth wasting my time."

The mistresses of the Li and Yan families looked at each other and could only nod slightly. As the mistresses of the family, they still knew something about the family affairs. Even if they didn't know it beforehand, it would be impossible to hide it from them afterwards.

The two young ladies couldn't help showing a look of shock on their faces when they saw this. They didn't know that the murder of the former magistrate and his entire family was actually orchestrated by their two families. Their faces suddenly changed, and they suddenly remembered the identity of the person in front of them.

He is also an official appointed by the imperial court and is currently serving as the magistrate of Rongjing County. He must have some feelings of sympathy for his fellow man.

But they also knew that their mother would never deny it. If she did, she would most likely be kicked out by the new magistrate. After all, a head of the family who knew everything was not qualified to be on equal footing with others.

"The Li and Yan families are among the most prominent families in Rongjing County. On the surface, they're constantly competing and entangled with each other, but secretly, they're actually allies. Don't rush to refute me; I can tell from your coming together. But two families are still two families, and the fact that you've each sent spies to the government office shows you're not as close as one could be." Murong Fu waved his hand, interrupting them. "Let me ask you, are you aware that the Li and Yan families are colluding with the natives to intercept transportation and plunder food and fodder sent to the border?"

"Don't deny it. Just say whether you know or not." Murong Fu's tone was quite serious. The young lady of the Li family stood up and bowed deeply to Murong Fu. "Is this how you think of our two families? You won't even give us a chance to explain?"

Murong Fu smiled and nodded slightly, saying, "That makes sense. So, tell me, have I really wronged your two families?"

The Li family's mistress hurriedly interrupted her daughter and said, "Ling'er, you are a girl, and there are some things that Master will never let you know. Although I don't know what Master is thinking, it is possible that Master and others have robbed the army's food and fodder. Although I don't know much about this matter, I know that both the Li and Yan families are involved."

The mistress of the Yan family also said that she knew a thing or two, and even gave out the two native tribes and the approximate time and military strength.

Murong Fu nodded in satisfaction and suddenly asked, "Do you know if there are any other aristocratic families and indigenous forces in Rongjing County who are colluding with Tubo and attempting a rebellion besides the Li and Yan families?"

The four girls were horrified when they heard this. The two mistresses were horrified and quickly denied it. They could not bear the charge of colluding with foreign races to plot treason.

Murong Fu waved his hand and said, "Everyone here is trustworthy. I simply want to know more information so I can prepare for any future events. I have no ill intentions, and you don't deserve my efforts. I'm not afraid to tell you that I'm a Jinshi, but I come from a martial arts family. I have close ties with the Beggars' Sect, the world's foremost gang. I've also gained a lot of valuable intelligence in Yazhou Prefecture. Even if a rebel army were to attack, I'd be confident I could escape unscathed."

Seeing the expressions of the four women, Murong Fu sighed helplessly and waved his hand, saying, "It seems that you really don't know much. Well, that's all for today. You can leave."

The two mistresses were horrified. They had been at the county government office for too short a time. If they were kicked out like this, it would be immediately known that they had no support from the current county magistrate. Miss Yan was filled with rage, but even more of it was fear. After all, it was she who broke the original tacit understanding and ended the visit early.

Without Murong Fu saying anything, the four maids asked them to leave. Only then did the four girls realize that this delicate maid, who was even more beautiful than themselves, was not just a pretty vase, nor was she just good at playing the piano and making delicious tea. She was also a rare master.

"Boss, you're so clueless. Don't tell me you don't understand why the two mistresses brought their daughters here." Cao Yi winked at Murong Fu, who took a sip of the tea and shook his head. "A mere county tycoon, do you really think you're from a wealthy family? When did your vision become so short-sighted?"

"So, how about taking a gamble and seeing what they'll do next?" Cao Yi tapped the map with his finger and circled the main residences of the Li and Yan families. "My guess is they'll keep the two young ladies here."

Murong Fu shook his head and said, "They wouldn't dare. I took over the government office forcefully before, and later arrested or expelled the undercover spies sent by the two families. My subordinates even took over the county soldiers and changed your previous orders. If they still think I'm the same weak and incompetent corrupt scholar-official magistrate as before, then there's really no hope for me."

Just as he expected, the two mistresses did not bribe Murong Fu's men to keep the two young ladies, nor did they take them away. Instead, they made them kneel in front of the government office and left two maids to accompany them.

"Tsk tsk, that's a statement." Cao Yi quickly figured out what they were thinking, but is this gesture really useful?

They indicated to the outside world that they intended to surrender to the new magistrate. Although they had not reached a consensus, their stance had been made clear, which made other forces more or less wary. At least they did not dare to continue plundering and suppressing them before confirming Murong Fu's stance.

Murong Fu pondered for a moment, then casually issued an order, ordering the Li and Yan families to each send two second-rate masters to escort the two young ladies home.

This is also a gesture!