"If this news is true, then perhaps our situation can turn around," Li Jixian said in a lowered voice after a moment of contemplation.
"My Lord, what do you mean?" Pang Yue blinked in surprise, then quickly walked to the door and closed all the windows and doors.
"A small mind is not a gentleman, and without poison, one is not a true man!" Li Jixian gritted his teeth fiercely and then lowered his voice.
Although he still hadn't revealed his detailed plan, Pang Yue couldn't help but tremble all over.
"Since Wang Fu refuses to help us, we cannot be blamed for abandoning righteousness!" Li Jixian's eyes were filled with ruthlessness as he spoke. After all, at this moment, it wasn't just him; almost all the officials in Hebei East Circuit were in a precarious situation. Han Mo's suggestion was indeed very ruthless, striking directly at their vital point. If Xu Churen had directly attacked the corrupt officials, they might have been able to mobilize the wealthy families under their command to resist Xu Churen. However, the situation was different now. The original conflict between these officials and Xu Churen had quietly transformed into a conflict between these officials and the wealthy households! After all, no matter how eloquently these officials spoke, Xu Churen had not taken a single grain of rice or a single copper coin from their hands. Ultimately, they had signed loan documents with these corrupt officials. If there was a problem, it was only natural that they would be the ones to demand repayment.
"But my Lord, even if we bring him down, will anyone be willing to step forward for us?" Pang Yue had never really considered the extent of Wang Fu's influence before. After all, in the past few years, anyone who dared to oppose Wang Fu, without the protection of powerful backing, had met with a dismal end.
"This, we have to gamble on ourselves!" Li Jixian said, a hint of helplessness in his voice. If he had any other choice, he wouldn't resort to such an extreme path. But the problem was, at this moment, he truly seemed to have no other way. Xu Churen was pressing them relentlessly, and Wang Fu was completely indifferent to their plight.
"The deficit in Hebei has been long-standing, yet now Xu Churen wants us to bear it all. Does he not understand that he is forcing us to our deaths? If we hesitate now, I fear we will be left with nothing but a dead end!" Li Jixian became increasingly indignant, but at this moment, he truly had no way to deal with Xu Churen. A higher rank always suppressed a lower one, and Xu Churen was far more than just one rank higher. The Commissioner of Hebei Circuits was already a high-ranking regional official, holding both military and administrative power over both Hebei West and Hebei East circuits. If he dared to openly oppose Xu Churen at this juncture, wouldn't that be giving Xu Churen an opportunity to eliminate him?
"My Lord, that may be true, but as the saying goes, even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake! Does Xu Churen really dare to dismiss all the hundreds of officials, big and small, in Hebei Circuit?" Pang Yue said, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. That was Wang Fu! The mere thought of them taking action against Wang Fu made his legs tremble uncontrollably.
"You are too naive! Don't forget, this is the Great Song Dynasty! Do you think this world lacks people like us? How many people are waiting for assignments outside the Ministry of Personnel in Bianliang every day, you know that yourself! Believe it or not, the moment your and my positions become vacant, someone will immediately fill them!" These words carried a clear threat, and Pang Yue immediately knelt on the ground.
"My Lord, I meant no offense. My intention is, should we not find a patron first..." Seeing the killing intent in Li Jixian's eyes, Pang Yue trembled all over.
"What you say has some merit. I think it's best if my target is too big. Why don't you go back tonight and pretend to be ill!" Li Jixian said in a lowered voice after carefully observing Pang Yue for a long time.
"Are you suggesting I go to Bianliang?"
"That's right. We are all in the same boat now. We have only one condition: to have Xu Churen transferred. Whether it's Prince Yun or the Crown Prince, as long as they agree to our terms, we will act immediately!" He held more than a few pieces of dirt on Wang Fu anyway. Li Jixian decided to cast aside all pretense of decency, openly admitting to a 'broken pot, broken behavior' mentality, and willing to serve anyone who could offer them benefits.
"Yes!" At this point, Pang Yue understood that if he dared to refuse now, Li Jixian would be the first person to want him dead.
"I don't need to tell you how important this matter is. If even half a word leaks out, not only will you and I be finished, but more than half the officials in Hebei East Circuit will also be finished. I am doing this for everyone's sake!" Seeing that he had agreed, Li Jixian's attitude finally softened.
"My Lord speaks the truth. Your subordinate understands. You are only thinking of everyone!" Pang Yue immediately forced a gentle smile onto his face. Although he knew in his heart that this old man was clearly afraid of his past actions being exposed, as Li Jixian had said, they were all in the same boat. If Li Jixian fell into trouble, they would all go down with him.
"Only you understand my hardships! Alright, this matter is entrusted to you. Be extremely careful when you leave the city, and absolutely do not cause any disturbance!"
"My Lord, rest assured, your subordinate understands!" Pang Yue quickly bowed respectfully, reaffirmed his loyalty, and then turned to leave Li Jixian's study.
Meanwhile, in the county office of Neihuang County, Zhong Yanchong and Han Mo were leisurely playing chess.
"I say, Commissioner Zhong, why are you hiding in my small county office instead of attending to your duties?" Since the official granaries of Hebei East Circuit were sealed, Zhong Yanchong had not left his residence for seven consecutive days, spending his time playing chess with Han Mo in the latter's county office.
"Don't play coy with me, boy. You know perfectly well why I'm hiding here."