In a chaotic and famine-stricken era, I picked up an empress to be my wife.

Shen An had a bad feeling!

The relationship between Liu Wenyuan and Ma Tianming was far worse than he had found out.

They've only just met late at night, and they're already trying to fight!

Shen An quickly took several steps back.

"Magistrate Liu, I have not come here to be your enemy!"

"Hmph, you lackey, trying to fool this county magistrate?" Liu Wenyuan said as if he'd heard a joke. "You were sent by Ma Tianming to persuade me to negotiate a partnership with those bandits, right? Let me tell you, don't even think about it!"

A collaboration between mountain bandits? Shen An's heart skipped a beat, realizing that there were things he didn't know about in the county government.

But his purpose in coming here was to kill Ma Tianming, and he had little interest in that.

Seeing that Liu Wenyuan's men had rushed over, Shen An decided to show off. He drew his crossbow from behind his back and shot an arrow at the flowerpot in front of the door.

With a loud "bang," the flowerpot exploded.

Liu Wenyuan's servants were stunned for a moment, and all stopped in their tracks.

Liu Wenyuan's expression also changed. He hadn't expected that Ma Tianming, a lackey, would possess such a powerful weapon.

Shen An took a step forward: "County Magistrate Liu, can you now hear my purpose?"

Liu Wenyuan's expression remained unfriendly: "Using force to intimidate people? You do have some tricks up your sleeve. It's not convenient outside, let's talk inside the courtyard!"

"good!"

Shen An followed him into the courtyard.

Liu Wenyuan's servants surrounded him with sticks in hand, but no one dared to step forward.

After the courtyard gate closed, Liu Wenyuan stood still: "Speak."

Shen An glanced around: "Let them leave too."

After a moment's hesitation, Liu Wenyuan waved his hand and everyone left.

Shen An spoke up: "County Magistrate Liu, you and Ma Tianming are irreconcilable enemies. I have come here today to join forces with you to deal with him."

The biggest difficulty you face in dealing with Ma Tianming is that you don't have the money to cultivate relationships.

"And I can give you money so you can secretly recruit people."

How could Liu Wenyuan possibly believe that?

He sneered, "Give me money? Then show me the money."

Shen An took out three silver notes and placed them on the table: "Three hundred taels."

Liu Wenyuan's pupils contracted.

They really couldn't produce it!

Seemingly showing some sincerity, he paused for a moment before asking, "Do you really want to cooperate with me?"

"Ma Tianming asked me to falsify the number of corpses, trying to pin all his past misdeeds on me."

If I don't fight back, I'll die at his hands sooner or later.

"Looking across the entire Qingyang County, the only one who can rival him is Magistrate Liu," Shen An said bluntly.

"What you're saying is consistent with his usual style." Liu Wenyuan's doubts lessened somewhat, but he still had questions: "But you're just a low-level foreman, where did you get so much money?"

Everyone asks this question, but Shen An is immune to it. He gives the same answer: "I was lucky. I dug up a few corpses and got some valuable items."

Liu Wenyuan was skeptical: "The reason is plausible."

However, I still can't completely trust you unless you can produce another three hundred taels.

Based on his understanding of Ma Tianming, if this were a scheme orchestrated by Ma Tianming, he would never be willing to spend so much money.

Without hesitation, Shen An took out three more silver notes and placed them on the table: "Since Magistrate Liu wants them, I will give them to him."

Liu Wenyuan stared at the few silver notes and swallowed hard.

As a county magistrate, his monthly salary was limited, but the money piled up in front of him was more than his salary for two years.

He desperately wanted a powerful ally to help him deal with Ma Tianming.

He wanted to agree immediately, but he was afraid of being too hasty, Shen An said.

"Do you believe me now?" Shen An asked.

Liu Wenyuan held up one finger: "Answer me one more question. If you answer it to my satisfaction, I'll trust you."

"explain."

"I gave you a travel permit before. You're so rich, you could have just run away. Why insist on fighting Ma Tianming to the bitter end?"

"If I run away, I'll be a wanted criminal. Hiding and surreptitious is not the life I want."

If I can bring him down, and if Magistrate Liu remembers this favor and gives me a little help, I can also get a government job and have a way out.

Looking at his face, Liu Wenyuan felt that something was off.

But given the current situation, if he doesn't kill Ma Tianming, he'll eventually become a scapegoat just like the man before him.

Regardless of this person's ultimate goal, as long as they can get rid of Ma Tianming, this cooperation is worthwhile.

He gritted his teeth and said, "I'm satisfied with your answer. I believe you. If you can really kill Officer Ma, I'll help you take his place!"

"Alright, then tell me a way to get rid of Ma Tianming. I believe that if you really want to get rid of him, you must have thought of many ways." Shen An asked.

Liu Wenyuan nodded: "Ma Tianming himself is nothing, the difficulty is that the county magistrate will not let it go after we kill him, but I have a way to make sure that no one can trace it back to us even after he is dead."

Tell me about it.

"Last month, the county magistrate of Lou County retired and returned to his hometown. The county magistrate has always wanted to reward Ma Tianming for his merits and take advantage of the chaotic times to promote him to a higher rank."

I can use the money you give me to pull some strings and, in accordance with the magistrate's wishes, assign a task related to the Western Barbarians to Ma Tianming.

On the surface, it's giving him a chance to make a contribution, but in reality, it's handing him over to you.

"If you kill him halfway there, and then blame it on the Western barbarians, no one will investigate further, and even the county magistrate can't hold you accountable."

Upon hearing this, Shen An finally relaxed a little.

That's definitely a good idea. If it works, his money won't have been wasted!

However, Shen An still shook his finger: "I'll only provide the money; you can handle hiring the assassin as well."

"No way! You've absolved me of all responsibility, leaving me with absolutely no protection!"

Liu Wenyuan also shook his finger: "This matter requires a division of labor between the two of us; neither of us can shirk our responsibilities."

Shen An's words just now were merely a test.

Rather than hiring an assassin, he preferred to end Ma Tianming's life himself.

But he didn't rush to agree: "Go take care of your business first. We'll talk about the rest after Ma Tianming actually takes the job."

"That's possible, but the money isn't enough. Ma Tianming is a relative of the county magistrate's concubine. If I want him to take on this task, I'll need to make some connections in various places."

"How much more do you need?"

"Add another four hundred taels, and we'll have a total of one thousand taels."

"After this is done, I can arrange for you to raid Ma Tianming's house. Whatever they find is yours." Liu Wenyuan promised.

Shen An didn't believe the second half of his statement, but still took out four more silver notes and handed them over: "How long will it take?"

"As early as tonight, at the latest within five days. If it works out, Ma Tianming will find someone to temporarily take over his duties as head constable, and you will receive the news as well."

"Okay, I hope you keep your word."

Shen An got up and left, but turned back at the door, his eyes flashing coldly: "If you're going to cooperate with me, don't try anything funny."

"If you dare to do anything underhanded, I have a way to make you die even faster than Ma Tianming."

Liu Wenyuan felt a chill that went deep into his bones.

He was astonished to find that although the man in front of him was just a lowly corpse carrier, he seemed to have an indescribable murderous aura about him, as if he could do what he said.

His initial ulterior motives vanished instantly.

After Shen An left, he took advantage of the darkness to find someone to help him.

The city gates were already closed, so Shen An found an inn in the county town and stayed there for the night.

The next day at noon, Ma Tianming and Ma Qiang arrived at Qingtian Village with a group of corpse carriers, totaling 150 people.

Ma Tianming stood not far away, watching Shen An register the new corpse carriers.

The two of them were secretly laughing.

He's just a scapegoat, yet he acts like he's an official.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the two found Zhao Feng and questioned him.

Zhao Feng told them about Shen An braiding hair and selling it to merchants in the capital.

After listening, Ma Tianming patted Zhao Feng's buttocks and pressed her against the earthen wall: "Zhao Feng, you did a good job. Keep working for me well, and I will definitely take you as my concubine in the future."

Zhao Feng appeared shy and lowered her head, but was secretly delighted.

"However, I always felt that this dead man's hair had other uses."

Ma Tianming frowned and said, "Ma Qiang, you have been staying in Qingtian Village for the past few days under the pretext of assisting Shen An in managing the newly arrived corpse carriers."

You and Zhao Feng, one in the open and one in the shadows, continue the investigation.

"Don't worry, cousin. If he has any other little secrets, we'll dig them all out!" Ma Qiang sneered.

Zhao Feng puffed out her chest: "I guarantee I can dig it out too! We'll make sure Shen An has nowhere to hide!"

Seeing that Zhao Feng was well-developed, Ma Tianming was envious. Zhao Feng noticed this and took his hand, pointing to the dilapidated house next to them: "Officer, come here, I'll serve you."

Ma Tianming was very interested and was about to go when Ma Qiang suddenly pointed to the village entrance: "Old Li is here!"

Looking up, a fat constable rode up on a fast horse.

Ma Tianming beckoned Old Li over, who wiped his sweat and said, "Officer Ma, the magistrate and Registrar Qian have summoned you. It seems they have important matters for you to handle. You should return as soon as possible!"

"Haha, cousin, it must be because you've become a county magistrate!" Ma Qiang immediately congratulated him, "Cousin, congratulations in advance!"

Zhao Feng was overjoyed. If Ma Tianming became the county magistrate, she would be the county magistrate's wife!

"Hahaha, that must be it! Go back!"

Ma Tianming pinched Zhao Feng's chin: "I'll go to the county first. You and Ma Qiang continue to keep an eye on that guy."

"Once I become a county magistrate, I'll come back and have some fun with you!"

Zhao Feng nodded repeatedly, watching Ma Tianming mount his horse, already imagining the wonderful days she would have as the county magistrate's wife...