The playboy county magistrate

"I'll tell you today which path the Liu family should take; it's none of your business, you little brat, to tell me what to do!"

Liu Yunrou slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with only deathly stillness.

The pain on my face is nothing compared to the chill in my heart.

She finally understood that the family's sense of duty was nothing but empty rhetoric.

My grandfather, father, and brothers only ever had their own self-interest in their eyes.

"My granddaughter knows she was wrong."

Liu Yunrou spoke softly, her tone flat and indifferent, reflecting the utter despair that comes with complete heartbreak.

"The granddaughter was wrong to harbor wishful thinking, wrong to attempt to persuade a deluded person, wrong to tarnish the reputation of an honest official, and wrong to carry out a ridiculous and despicable scheme."

The Liu family head's anger flared up again, and he slapped Liu Yunrou hard across the other cheek.

"Fool! If you were even half as smart and sensible as your sister Ruyan, you wouldn't still be waiting to be married at home! With such good qualities, you can't even marry into a good family. What sins did my Liu family commit to raise such a useless piece of trash like you!"

"Guards! Keep a close eye on your young lady and don't let her wander off. If she ruins my grand plan, everyone in this courtyard, including your families, will be executed!"

"Grandfather! You can't imprison me! You promised that as long as I cooperate with the family..."

The head of the Liu family snorted coldly, "You messed things up yourself, and you still have the nerve to negotiate with me?" He then flicked his sleeves and hurriedly walked out, giving instructions to the steward beside him as he went.

"Pass on my order: immediately contact the heads of the other clans!"

"Since the new policy claims to be winning over the people by equally distributing land and benefiting all, then I will destroy those hearts!"

"Three days later, taking advantage of the autumn harvest and land reclamation in various villages and prefectures, and the distribution of next year's grain seeds, they secretly incited displaced people to engage in armed conflicts, burn grain seeds, and destroy fields. They then blamed the new policies for being implemented too hastily and for the officials' harshness. They also spread rumors that the new policies, while seemingly beneficial to the people, actually exploited them. They claimed that everything they did now, seemingly for the good of the people, was nothing but a sugar-coated bullet. In the end, they would impose heavy taxes and oppress the people!"

This is no longer a contest of strength; it is a massacre of countless people, a destruction of peace and stability in Pingzhou. All for personal greed and the disgrace of one's clan!

"Grandfather, you are causing chaos in this region and ruining your own future!"

Liu Yunrou heard everything they said, and her voice trembled with despair.

"Once civil unrest breaks out, innocent people will suffer, and the entire Pingzhou will be destroyed! How cruel it is to drag countless lives down for one's own obsession!"

The head of the Liu family had already reached the door. Upon hearing this, he turned his head and gave her a cold glance, his eyes devoid of any warmth.

"Womanly compassion! Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles, nor are they afraid of making small sacrifices. The suffering of countless people is insignificant compared to the century-old legacy of my Liu family!"

Liu Yunrou stood frozen in place. A gentle breeze ruffled the strands of hair at her temples. The lingering pain on her cheek and a chill ran through her heart.

She finally realized that she was born into a profit-driven and ruthless family.

All manners and warmth are merely pretenses to be exploited. All helplessness is a fate for which no one pities.

The world was vast, yet she had nowhere to stand and nowhere to go.

……

Meanwhile, inside the Pingzhou Prefectural Government Office.

Holding the latest intelligence report, Tang Zheng entered the room with a solemn expression to report.

"Second Young Master, the investigation confirms it. After the plot was discussed at the villa in the western suburbs last night, the head of the Liu family did not stop. Today, he secretly contacted other families, seemingly gathering manpower in secret to plot something big."

Gu Pan'er finished copying the last clause of the new policy's accountability details at the desk closest to Li Xuanzhi, then looked up and said coldly:

"When their honey trap fails, they'll inevitably resort to desperate measures, and they'll naturally have to find another way."

Li Xuanzhi nodded calmly, "Knowing fear means hiding one's talents and lying low, waiting for the right opportunity. If one judges that there is no way out, one will only take risks."

His voice was clear and cold, each word firm and resolute, and he continued speaking.

"This group will never admit defeat easily, and they will definitely use people's livelihood as a pretext this time. Tang Zheng."

"Yes, sir!"

"Immediately issue the order: distribute grain seeds to all counties, and have officers and soldiers guard the entire process of measuring the fields. Strictly prevent any deliberate sabotage or covert disturbances. Deploy all shadow guards to closely monitor the movements of the retainers of all ethnic groups. Anyone found inciting refugees or creating unrest must be arrested immediately and evidence collected on the spot!"

"Yes, sir! I'll take care of it right away!"

As dusk fell, the setting sun withdrew its last rays, and night enveloped the entire city of Pingzhou.

The bustling streets and alleys of the day gradually quiet down, and the lights of thousands of homes come on.

The lights illuminated the peaceful and tranquil lives of every household, a result of months of hard work and dedication under the new policies.

But the Liu family's deep courtyard was devoid of any warmth or human warmth, only chilling cold and restless malevolence remained.

The Liu family compound was heavily guarded, with guards constantly moving back and forth.

In the shadows, figures moved about, all of them family guards, heavily paid assassins, and hired killers who were secretly gathering and waiting for orders.

Each gate and courtyard was guarded by designated personnel, strictly prohibiting anyone from leaving the mansion without permission, and forbidding anyone from passing messages privately.

Having learned his lesson from his scheme being exposed, the head of the Liu family was now on high alert. He had the entire Liu mansion surrounded like an impenetrable cage, guarding against anyone disrupting his entire plan.

Inside the boudoir, the candlelight flickered.

Liu Yunrou sat quietly by the window, a faint red mark still lingering on one side of her cheek.

The burning pain of that slap during the day has long since faded, but the chill and despair in my heart have only grown deeper and linger.

The night breeze gently stirred the paper window, and the candlelight flickered softly. The dappled light cast shadows that made her delicate features appear and disappear, revealing endless struggle and torment in her eyes.

The poetry, literature, etiquette, and family values ​​she learned from childhood were nothing more than shackles imposed by the aristocratic class to imprison people's hearts and protect their private interests.

The reputation and achievements of the Liu family in governing the country, which they have touted for generations, are nothing more than a fig leaf for their successive annexation of land and exploitation of the people.

She used to be ignorant and obedient, thinking that protecting the family and obeying the elders' orders was the foundation of her life.

But now, seeing with her own eyes the peace and prosperity of the people under the new policies, and hearing their heartfelt praise and gratitude, she truly understands what the right path is and what it means to care for the common people.

The distribution of grain seeds and the measurement of land reclamation three days later are the reliance of the entire prefecture's people for their livelihood for the year.

It is also the only hope for countless poor families and farmers to survive the harsh winter and look forward to a good harvest.

If the attack succeeds, rumors will spread. Pingzhou, which has just stabilized, will inevitably fall into turmoil and chaos once again.

The displaced people are restless and fearful. Countless innocent people will be displaced and become victims of power struggles and conspiracies.

As a member of the Liu family, she was born burdened by clan rules and the shackles of bloodline. She could not escape, nor could she shake them off.

Although she was a woman, she was also someone who had studied the classics and knew good and evil.

They can see the suffering and distinguish right from wrong.

Blood ties may be personal, but the common people are for the public good. Personal favors may be indulged, but justice cannot be violated.

"If I remain silent, I will be aiding and abetting evil."

Liu Yunrou murmured softly, her voice trembling slightly.