Chapter 967 Ransom

"Get someone to count the wealth of these families so that I can control the scale. I can punish them to such an extent that their hearts bleed, but they won't be forced to the point of desperation and rebel again."

Chu Yang explained.

This is too cruel...

Everyone in the room couldn't help but sigh, this is simply murder without a knife. These families are originally the homes of merchants and regard wealth as their lives. Is it more uncomfortable to deprive them of their wealth than to kill them?

If you are smart enough to do a rough calculation, this ransom alone is estimated to be in the millions of Tongbao...

"Let them choose whether they want money or their lives. Those who are really unwilling to spend money don't need to waste food to feed them. They can be sent directly to the West. We are not running a charity."

Chu Yang picked up the tea cup and said lightly.

"My subordinates know what to do."

Yang Ke nodded to express his understanding.

After everyone left, Qin Yuqing smiled at Chu Yang and said, "Seeing that you handle these things in an orderly manner, how about following me to Fengtian and being my assistant?"

Chu Yang put down the tea cup and said leisurely: "I will be your deputy, what price will you give me?"

"A price?" Qin Yuqing was stunned, and then said angrily: "With our relationship, you want to talk to me about money? Chu Yang, are you so vulgar?"

"If you don't talk about money, how about talking about feelings?"

Chu Yang said narrowly.

Qin Yuqing blushed and feigned anger: "I don't want to pull him down!"

Thinking of the lovely wife and concubine in Chu Yang's family, living together and flying together, Qin Yuqing couldn't help but feel blocked in her heart, and her face was a little disappointed.

Seeing the change in Qin Yuqing's face, Chu Yang quickly made up for it: "It's not that I don't want to, but I still have important things to do. I plan to find a clean place to retreat for a while to improve my strength."

"Is it important? If you find it difficult, I can help."

Qin Yuqing frowned.

Chu Yang shook his head: "There are some things that I must do personally. If necessary, I will naturally ask you. But when the time comes, don't pretend that you don't know me."

Hearing what Chu Yang said, Qin Yuqing was slightly disappointed. In her opinion, Chu Yang was indeed a talented person. If he could go to Fengtian to help her, she would definitely feel much more relaxed, and... forget it, everyone has their own ambitions. , why bother?

"By the way, let's go to the City Lord's Mansion to have a look."

Qin Yuqing was silent for a while and said to Chu Yang.

"Okay, let's go."

Anyway, nothing happened now, so Chu Yang nodded and agreed.

The two came to the City Lord's Mansion and found that Dongfang Ling and Wei Pengyuan were interrogating someone. Chu Yang walked over and asked, only to find out that the news leaked from the City Lord's Mansion was actually related to a servant named Wan Fu.

It was this servant who leaked the news about the problems in the city lord's palace, which made the three major families want to rebel and almost caused chaos in Lanjiang City.

It was actually not difficult to investigate the details behind the scenes. Dongfang Ling became the hands-off shopkeeper and left everything to Wei Pengyuan.

Dongfang Ling gave orders in a decent manner, it really looked like that.

Chu Yang and Qin Yuqing looked at each other and nodded. Although this girl is still a little immature, she may not be able to shoulder the heavy burden of Lanjiang City in the future.

Chu Yang told Dongfang Ling how to deal with the three major families. Dongfang Ling listened carefully and seemed a little dissatisfied when he heard that he could be released only by paying a fine.

"Chu Yang, can these people let go so easily? It's too easy for them!"

Dongfang Ling's eyes contained murderous intent.

She was originally a jealous person, and now she wanted to mess up Lanjiang City, so naturally she didn't like the three major families.

Chu Yang smiled bitterly and could only analyze Dongfang Ling from the beginning. Coupled with Qin Yuqing's persuasion, Dongfang Ling reluctantly accepted the result.

"Let them confiscate all the money and get out of here. Lanjiang City doesn't need such a rebellious family!"

Dongfang Lingwu didn't calm down and said angrily.

"Don't worry, even if they don't die, they still have to shed their skin!"

In the next few days, it will be about how to deal with the affairs of the three major families.

When it came time to pay the fine, the three major families naturally had many opinions, but the clan members clamored for redemption, and civil strife almost broke out. In the end, the stewards obeyed and gave up most of their family wealth.

In this incident, the City Lord's Mansion not only frightened the restless forces in the city, but also gained a large amount of wealth all at once. The original undercurrent in Lanjiang City gradually calmed down.

However, after this incident, the news of Dongfang Hao's death became more and more intense, spreading throughout the city.

After all, paper can't cover up the fire. Qin Yuqing and Chu Yang discussed with Dongfang Ling several times and finally decided to make the news public.

In fact, the current status of Lanjiang City may not cause major turmoil once the news is announced.

With Chu Yang in the middle, Qin Yuqing personally in charge, and the city lord's escort team with strong soldiers and horses, even if the major families in the city rebounded, they could completely suppress it.

A few days later, the city lord's palace officially issued an obituary, announcing Dongfang Hao's death.

Of course, the matter of the demon species would cause panic and should not be made public. The obituary only stated that Dongfang Hao died of severe injuries due to failure in promotion.

For a time, the entire city of Lanjiang was desolate, and there was an atmosphere of sadness everywhere. This belated news of his death reminded people that Dongfang Hao once worked diligently, loved the people, and was considerate of the people, but now he did not die well, and they couldn't help but shed tears. They paid their respects spontaneously.

In order to save money and manpower, the funeral was very simple. Some Confucian scholars in the city also wrote articles to mourn and praise Dongfang Hao's achievements during his tenure, which was considered a final conclusion of his political achievements.

...

Time flies, and another half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Chu Yang and Qin Yuqing came to the City Lord's Mansion together. The two looked solemn, and it was obvious that they came here to discuss important matters.

"You said you would consider the things you said before. How are you considering them now?"

Seeing Dongfang Ling, Chu Yang said straight to the point.

"I have thought a lot, but I still don't want to succeed the position of City Lord."

Unexpectedly, Dongfang Ling suddenly said something earth-shattering.

This result was unexpected for Chu Yang and Qin Yuqing, especially Qin Yuqing, who stood up and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Your father has devoted countless efforts to Lanjiang City. Can you bear to leave him without a successor?"

"My father doesn't want me to live like this. He chose a son-in-law for me before, just to find someone I can rely on, so that I can stay away from the power struggles of intrigue. He never mentioned that he wanted me to be the city lord."

Dongfang Ling was very calm, and it didn't seem like he made the decision on impulse.

"This..."

Qin Yuqing looked at Chu Yang, and didn't know what to say for a while.

Chu Yang also had a hard time saying it. Dongfang Hao had named Dongfang Ling and entrusted him with it...

"You don't want to be the city lord, so what arrangements do you have?"

Chu Yang asked Dongfang Ling tentatively.

Dongfang Ling lowered her head, thought for a long time, and finally mustered up the courage to look at Qin Yuqing: "Sister Qin, I want to go to Fengtian City with you, is that okay?"

For some reason, Qin Yuqing suddenly felt that Dongfang Ling's eyes were a little strange, which made her feel like a thorn in her back.

"You can also go to Fengtian City if you become the city lord. We are still good sisters and can meet at any time."

Qin Yuqing calmed down and forced a smile.

But Dongfang Ling shook her head after hearing this: "I mean, I want to be with you every moment, even if I can be a maid serving tea and water in front of you."