The twist in the plot.
Old Ma collapsed on the ground. Although he didn't hear what the government official and Li Yuan were saying, he always felt it wasn't good, so he began to shout like a ruffian, "Help! Help!! Murder!!"
This was at the government office, and if he shouted for help, some official would surely come out.
But he was wrong.
No matter how much he screamed, the gates of the government office remained closed.
During this time, Tian Bao wanted to go and gag Old Ma, but Li Yuan stopped him with a look.
Li Yuan just let Old Ma shout heart-wrenchingly.
A moment later, the government office was still tightly shut. Li Yuan couldn't help but squint his eyes...
It was real...
Old Ma had been crying and yelling for so long, yet no one came out.
The order in Shanbao County no longer relied on the government office...
The villagers seeing this began to show panic on their faces, and someone asked, "Brother Yuan, what's going on?"
Li Yuan's expression shifted slightly, pretending to be casual, he said lightly, "Oh, it's nothing. That was my Brother Cai. We just recognized each other. He told me to handle this matter. It's no problem if we kill someone."
That person said, "How is that possible? Is there no law?"
Another villager also couldn't believe it, "It can't be true. Previously, Monk Pan committed a crime and was directly beheaded."
Li Yuan didn't waste words, stepped forward, and grabbed Old Ma from the village, giving him a slap that left him speechless, immediately breaking his other hand as well.
Old Ma screamed in misery, but the gates of the government office never opened.
Finally, fear flooded his eyes.
Li Yuan glanced at everyone and said, "Take him back first."
As he finished speaking, he slightly turned his head to look at Tian Bao.
Seeing the young man looking at him with eyes full of admiration and fervor.
"Brother Yuan, rest assured, I'll escort Old Ma back."
Li Yuan nodded, took out two large coins, and handed them to Tian Bao, instructing, "Exchange these for copper plates, give ten to each person, and keep the rest for yourself."
Tian Bao said, "Brother Yuan, I don't want much money... I, I..."
The young man stammered a few times, and said, "I just want to follow you."
Li Yuan patted his shoulder, saying, "Living well is much better than just getting by."
"Brother Yuan, then I... I..." Tian Bao stuttered a few more sentences, but ultimately didn't say, "Then I'll live with you."
He's not a woman, how could Brother Yuan lead him? Why would he?
Tian Bao respectfully said, "Yes, Brother Yuan."
Immediately, a group of people escorted Old Ma back the way they had come.
But Li Yuan stayed behind.
At this moment, he seemed calm, but deep down he was a bit anxious.
The words of Cai Ze were still echoing loudly in his mind...
What does it mean that the Chief Clerk is dead, and now the two families and one faction maintain order in Shanbao County?
What does it mean that no one cares about murder, and I can quietly dispose of someone?
This world...
No, it needs to be clarified.
Watching the villagers leave, Li Yuan closed his eyes to sort out his thoughts, took a deep breath, and turned to knock on the government office's door again.
Seeing no response, he hesitated, pacing back and forth, then gritted his teeth, and picked up the drumsticks again, beating the drum, "Boom boom boom."
Soon, the door opened again.
The government official that came out was still Cai Ze.
Cai Ze looked impatient, ready to scold, but upon seeing it was Li Yuan, he paused and asked, "Brother Li, is there anything else?"
Li Yuan clasped his hands together, politely smiling, "Seeing that it's almost noon, I wanted to have a simple meal with Brother Cai... Brother Cai and I hit it off, let's drink a big one."
Cai Ze also smiled, he looked Li Yuan up and down, noticing the iron bow on Li Yuan's back, he asked, "Brother Li, are you a local of Shanbao County?"
Li Yuan laughed, "I'm a local, originally lived in the county, moved to the Little Ink Workshop three years ago, and have been hunting since."
"A hunter... Not many hunting permits were issued by the County Magistrate, and none were given to anyone with the surname Li," Cai Ze said.
Li Yuan said, "It was signed by the previous County Magistrate."
"The previous County Magistrate..." Cai Ze's expression moved slightly, suddenly asking, "What was your father's name?"
"Li Zhao."
Cai Ze was taken aback, then laughed heartily, stepping forward to pat Li Yuan's shoulder, "No wonder you looked familiar, turns out you're Uncle Zhao's son.
When I first joined the government office, Uncle Zhao was still working there, later, I think he did something for the County Magistrate and was seriously injured, that's why he retired..."
Li Yuan was also taken aback.
He knew his father used to work as a government official, but he had retired many years ago, and when he died, possibly due to the plague, no friends came to mourn him.
At this time, having such a connection with the government official could only be beneficial to him.
Li Yuan feigned excitement and said, "Brother Cai, who would have thought we'd have such fate?"
Cai Ze laughed, squeezed his arm, and said, "Good lad, your addressing me as Brother Cai is spot on, as is my calling you Brother. Haha, let's drink up, we should drink till white."
...
A moment later.
Li Yuan was pulled into the Celestial Fragrance Building by Cai Ze, who called for a young courtesan to accompany them in drinking.
Li Yuan felt a pang of pain in his heart, but to get some important information, he couldn't go against Cai Ze's wishes.
He could only pay close attention to the fruits and wines offered in the building; if he felt the expenses were exceeding his budget, he planned to immediately call a halt... even if it meant losing face, there was no other way.
But before that, he went ahead and asked questions.
First, he offered a toast, then said, "Brother Cai, nowadays, one just wants stability. Now... what's the situation with the county?"
Cai Ze laughed and pointed at the courtesan, "You might as well ask her. They know too."
Li Yuan said, "Young lady, may I inquire?"
The courtesan giggled upon hearing "young lady," then smoothly slid her lithe body into his arms, her hips settling on his thigh, and said, "I'm not called young lady, I'm Yun Niang."
Li Yuan felt the sensation on his thigh and didn't resist; he's no gentleman, nor a shy, innocent young man. What harm in having a young woman he's unfamiliar with sit on him?
Mostly because... he spent money!
These hips, he's paid dearly for them.
"Yun Niang, may I ask?"
"Young man, drink up this cup, and I shall speak."
Li Yuan downed it in one gulp.
Yun Niang said, "Currently, the county is dominated by two families and one sect.
These two families are the Wei Family and the Sun Family.
The sect is the Blood Saber Sect.
Our Celestial Fragrance Building is located in Silver Creek Square, which is under the protection of Blood Saber Sect.
The Blood Saber Sect is formidable, not only overseeing Silver Creek Square but also Zichong Square and Wutong Square.
These three are considered the best squares among Shanbao County's twelve districts."
Li Yuan said, "Then... what about the government?"
Yun Niang laughed, "Drink another cup, and I'll continue."
Li Yuan downed it in one gulp.
Yun Niang said, "There's nothing to hide from you, young man. Our Celestial Fragrance Building only knows the Blood Saber Sect, not the government. It was so in the past, and it is so now.
Only previously, when the County Magistrate and County Captain were around, Zichong Square and Wutong Square were under government management, but now they're naturally under the Blood Saber Sect.
The Wei Family and Sun Family are the same; they each had a square before, now they have three.
As for poor places like Little Ink Workshop, neither families nor sect care, just let them be."
This...
Li Yuan immediately understood that the information he remembered was shallow and limited.
Perhaps only those who linger in these grey areas truly know the real situation.
Then what exactly is the relationship between Social World Influence and the government?
In his original memory, as well as pre-transmigration, it seemed the government could easily wipe out Social World Influence, because in a Low Martial World, martial arts experts could be overwhelmed by sheer numbers; in a slightly stronger world, the Dynasty with countless resources could likely train more experts than Social World Influence...
But now it seems, in Shanbao County, the government has always been in a lower position, and the real power lies with these two families and one sect.
In the next moment, suddenly recalling something, he shook his leg and said, "Yun Niang, go toast Brother Cai, don't worry about me."
Yun Niang shifted her hips unwillingly, got up reluctantly—compared to Cai Ze, Li Yuan was younger with hidden strength, and sitting in his lap felt like no loss at all.
She swayed her hips, about to sit in Cai Ze's lap.
But Cai Ze directly raised his hand, stopped Yun Niang, and laughed, "One lady moving back and forth is boring, let's call another one."
Li Yuan: ...
He took a deep breath and said, "Brother Cai, my purse..."
Cai Ze frowned, interrupted him, and asked, "How much money did you bring?"
Li Yuan smiled bitterly, "To be honest, Brother Cai, I have forty-eight large coins, not a coin more..."
Cai Ze said, "That'll do."
Then he pointed at Yun Niang again, laughed, and said, "But take good care of my brother here."
Yun Niang giggled, "Sure."
With that, Yun Niang went out to call for another girl.
Li Yuan felt extremely pained; Sister Yan had given him one hundred large coins, and it seemed he'd spend it all in just one day.
This won't do, he must get something in return, make it worthwhile.
He quickly said, "Brother Cai, to be honest, when I was a child, I lived in Silver Creek with my parents, and now that I'm grown, it's not easy to come back for a visit.
In my heart, there's always a bit of homesickness.
Brother Cai, as you often are in Silver Creek, do you know if there are any available places in Silver Creek Square to stay? I wish to move back..."