"The Liu family has a problem."

After walking out of Yuanming Tower, Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang stood on the steps in the evening breeze and paused to wait. The two red lanterns above their heads shed red light.

Liu Ashan drove a carriage out from the alley next to it and stopped in front of them. Ouyang Rong was the first to step forward. Before boarding the carriage, he turned to Xie Lingjiang and suddenly said this.

This is a declarative mood.

Xie Lingjiang's eyes were curious. She entered the dimly lit carriage. When Liu Asan drove the carriage to start slowly, the lady dressed in men's clothing curiously asked the young county magistrate who was concentrating with his eyes closed:

"what is the problem?"

Ouyang Rong didn't open his eyes and said:

"The Liu family knelt down too quickly and too decisively tonight. Although their words were still annoying, they were submissive to me on the inside, just like they shouted that they didn't need their bodies but were very honest... It's no different from kneeling down to beg for food.

No, this is not like their previous style."

What kind of strange metaphor is this? Xie Lingjiang was a little speechless:

"Is there something wrong with agreeing too quickly? Isn't it because Senior Brother is too domineering and they are forced to submit to Senior Brother?

"The Liu family has been suppressed and marginalized by senior brother for so long. It is not impossible that the knees are weak. As long as such local tyrants and evil gentry are not pushed into a hurry, they will be given a way to survive. They will naturally act according to the wind and be weak and flattering. This is what senior brother said before.

.”

"Then what if there is no way out and we are desperate?"

"What's the meaning?"

Ouyang Rong opened his eyes and said:

"I just made the decision to repair the Broken Wing Canal in two phases in the morning. Immediately after the discussion in the morning, a mole came to report the matter. In the afternoon, Liu Zian rushed over to apologize. In the evening, Liu Ziwen put aside the previous suspicion and expressed his sincerity.

Many people came over to shake hands and make peace.

"Is this still the same Liu family that used Di Gongzha and disaster relief food to support me before? The speed of surrender and peace talks is a bit dazzling. Someone is in a hurry, isn't it?

"If you insist that the Liu family was tamed by my senior brother, it's not unreasonable, but the contrast is still too fast. Before today, the Liu family was as stable as an old dog. It's more likely that some change happened that caught them off guard and made them confused.

.”

Ouyang Rong turned around and analyzed.

Seeing that the junior sister was speechless for a moment, he said calmly:

"I guess it's very likely that the decision to build the Zheyi Canal in phases made them anxious. To be more specific, it was decided to complete the first phase of the Zheyi Canal to connect water within two months. This may have touched the Liu family's pain point.

.”

Xie Lingjiang said thoughtfully: "Senior brother, did you base your judgment on the extension conditions that Liu Ziwen proposed to Zheyi Canal at the table just now?"

Ouyang Rong nodded and waved his hand:

"Don't listen to Liu Ziwen's nonsense. I'm almost sleepy after listening to it. No matter whether what he said makes sense or is illogical, I only see how his last request will affect our existing Zipyi Canal plan.

What kind of influence? This 'influence' is probably what the Liu family wants to achieve, and I will treat the rest as smoke bombs!"

Xie Lingjiang was a little stunned. He couldn't help but lean forward and asked:

"But what harm will the broken-wing canal hit them after it is phased in?"

Ouyang Rong was silent for a while and slowly shook his head:

"I don't know, but it is probably the core interest of the Liu family. A powerful family like the Liu family can only bow their heads if huge interests are involved."

He seemed to remember something and said doubtfully:

"After the first phase of the Zheyi Canal is completed, the current main road of Butterfly Creek may be diverted. The Liu family's biggest industry is the sword furnace on the west bank of Butterfly Creek. Is it possible that the water will be diverted as the superstitious people in the county said?

Will Butterfly Creek affect sword making at Guyue Sword Shop?"

Ouyang Rong couldn't help but think of the doubts raised by someone after the new construction was announced in public on the street in front of the county government that day.

He thought for a while and then shook his head:

"That's not right. The Broken Wing Canal will always be opened. The water diversion of Butterfly Creek is determined. This is a conspiracy. The Broken Wing Canal is now in the interests of most people in Longcheng County. It has become a general trend and the Liu family cannot stop it.

And haven’t they invested 10,000 yuan in it now? What are they doing, adding fuel to the fire?

"Or do you just don't want the Broken Wing Canal to be opened in the short term? But what's the use of racing against time to forge a few more swords? No, this doesn't look like the core interests of the Liu family. So what are they trying to do?

"

The young county magistrate looked puzzled.

Xie Lingjiang pondered and suddenly said:

"Is it possible that you are worried that once the first phase of Zheyi Canal is completed, senior brother will not worry about flooding problems in a short period of time?

"And the Liu family heard some definite news before, and they bet that senior brother is worried about the flood in the short term, and will go to Di Gongzha to beg them for the only life-saving straw, so that they can control senior brother."

Xie Lingjiang became more and more fluent as he talked, and felt that this direction was very possible:

"And now this road may not be able to pass due to the phased plan of Zheyi Canal, so Liu Ziwen was anxious today and hurried over to find ways to stop senior brother!"

Ouyang Rong asked: "But when they come here tonight, they not only want to invest 10,000 yuan in the county government, but also contract the construction of Di Gong Gate. Is it just to prevent me from controlling the water? The Di Gong Gate is built better than Zheyi Canal."

If the first phase is to be faster, wouldn’t it be putting the cart before the horse?”

"Elder brother, think about it, if you really comply with Liu's request tonight and suspend the phased construction of Zheyi Canal, will the Di Gong Gate be the only water conservancy construction project in Longcheng County in the short term? By then,

Couldn't Mrs. Liu use it to manipulate you at will?

"So Di Gongzha is not a compromise of interests to senior brother at all, but a bait. If you take it, you will be trapped!"

Ouyang Rong smiled bitterly and said:

"This direction does make sense, but there is still a flaw. For the Liu family, is it their core interest to manipulate me? Can they not hesitate to consume so many resources for this? Can they still swallow their anger and keep their heads down?"

He laughed and said:

"If this is the case, it's like abandoning a chariot and replacing a cannon when playing chess. It's a bit stupid. Besides, I didn't agree to Liu Ziwen's request. The Zheyi Canal will still be built in phases, and the Di Gong Gate will be repaired immediately. You can't threaten me.

Isn’t Liu Ziwen now at a disadvantage to his grandma’s family?”

Xie Lingjiang was speechless for a moment, feeling that what his senior brother said made sense.

She couldn't help but sigh: "What is Liu Ziwen going to do? Is he really giving in and choosing to cooperate honestly... But senior brother thinks there is something wrong with him..."

Ouyang Rong turned around and asked, "Am I bullying others tonight?"

When he mentioned this, Xie Lingjiang smiled in his eyes and said crisply: "It's a bit burning, but senior brother is so domineering...

"What's the point?"

"Very manly."

She enunciated the last few words a little slowly and looked at someone.

Unfortunately, Ouyang Rong was not thinking about this at the moment, so he immediately explained:

"I did it on purpose, deliberately putting on a high airs, but I didn't expect Liu Ziwen to be so tolerant, so I couldn't help but go too far, but he still agreed to all conditions... The more he acted like this, the more suspicious I became.

People are so pushy."

Ouyang Rong sighed, wondering if he was suspicious.

Xie Lingjiang couldn't help laughing: "Senior brother, if Liu Ziwen hears these words, he might be angry to death."

Ouyang Rong shook his head, frowned and said:

"I don't care if he is angry or not. No matter how weak he is, I will not look down on him. Moreover, I just want to find out what kind of medicine he is selling in the gourd and what interests of the Liu family are affected by Zheyi Canal...

"

The street lights outside penetrated through the gaps in the curtains, and there were some interlaced lights and shadows inside the carriage. Xie Lingjiang stared at the profile of her senior brother who was concentrating with clear eyes. She suddenly felt that from this angle, his face was somewhat pretty.

She gently reminded:

"No matter what it is, senior brother, please be careful from now on. Senior brother rejected Liu Ziwen's proposal and continued to stage the Zheyi Canal. He also earned a Di Gong Gate from the Liu family in vain, in case they really have something unknown.

If you have a little thought, it may have angered them now."

After a pause, Xie Lingjiang said seriously: "From now on, every time you go out, I will follow you. You are not allowed to run away from me."

"The Liu family dare not bear the crime of harming an official of the imperial court."

"But it's hard to guard against hidden arrows."

"That's right, okay."

Ouyang Rong came back to his senses and glanced at his junior sister. Without thinking much, he nodded lightly and agreed. He immediately changed the subject:

"Junior sister just said something that makes a lot of sense."

"What words?"

"De Gongzha may not be a compromise to me."

"What do you think, senior brother?"

"Junior sister, do you still remember that old Cui Tou?" Ouyang Rong suddenly mentioned.

"Of course I remember." Xie Lingjiang said a little curiously.
To be continued...