Protect Our Clan Leader

Soon!

Inside the main hall of the Wang family’s front house.

Wang Shouzhe and Lei Yangqiu were sitting face to face, sipping tea and chatting casually from time to time.

Lei Yangqiu kept emitting hearty laughter, occasionally endorsing Wang Shouzhe’s viewpoints, as if a subordinate facing a leader.

The two old men in their seventies and eighties were standing with their heads lowered, their hands folded and hanging down, standing tremblingly as if waiting for the decree of fate.

These two elders, naturally, were the clan elders of the Liu and Zhao clans.

After three rounds of tea.

Lei Yangqiu asked cautiously, “Brother Shouzhe, as the Town Protector of Ping’an, there are some things I have to manage, whether I like it or not, with so many eyes above watching me. I just want to ask, how does Brother Shouzhe plan to deal with the remnants of the Liu and Zhao clans?”

“Deal with?” Wang Shouzhe leisurely sipped his tea and said, “Protector Lei is joking, the Wang family is a law-abiding traditional prominent family, we don’t have the power to deal or not deal with other families.”

Lei Yangqiu knew that Wang Shouzhe was not easy to provoke and was somewhat prepared. He immediately said: “Brother, let’s not beat around the bush. Everyone knows what happened between your Wang family and the Liu and Zhao clans in the extraterritorial domain, and since it’s a done deal, no one will pursue it.”

“However, some things on the surface still need to be handled properly, so as not to be blamed by those above. I can’t bear it.”

“Protector Lei must not talk nonsense, what’s this extraterritorial mess?” Sipping his tea, Wang Shouzhe glanced at the two elders and said resoundingly, “I’ll say it again, our Wang family is a law-abiding prominent family. We always stay away from illegal practices.”

The two elders immediately trembled, their bodies shaking.

Lei Yangqiu grumbled to himself. Indeed, With Wang Shouzhe’s abilities, He could annihilate people while remaining lawful. Of course, he wouldn’t risk doing illegal things.

Lei Yangqiu smiled bitterly at Wang Shouzhe’s indifference: “How about this, I will propose a solution, Brother Shouzhe, just listen.”

Wang Shouzhe made no comment.

“The situation is like this. There are precedents for the kind of thing that has happened among your three clans in the Great Qian Land, and even in Longzuo County or Changning garrison. The traditional approach is that if one side withdraws from the clan dispute and flees to another place, the other clan should not pursue further,” said Lei Yangqiu judiciously.

“Now, only the old, weak, women and children, and underage men remain of the Liu and Zhao Clans. I think we could follow some precedents, all their assets could be bought by the Wang family at half the price. Then the remaining members of the Liu and Zhao clans can take the money to a far-off jurisdiction, buy some land, and maintain their lives. And they swear never to return to Longzuo County.”

After saying this, Lei Yangqiu carefully observed Wang Shouzhe’s expression.

Unexpectedly, Wang Shouzhe didn’t say a word, continuing to sip his tea, looking completely aloof.

Lei Yangqiu was quite helpless, but as the Town Protector, he had to get involved in this mess.

He continued to persuade: “Leader Wang, look, the remaining people, old, weak, women, and children, after leaving the jurisdiction, even if they can establish themselves elsewhere, they will just be a small insignificant family. There is absolutely no chance they could come back to become a Rank 9 prominent family in this lifetime.”

“A hundred years later, nobody will probably remember the Wang family!”

“If you, Leader Wang, plan to drive to extinction these old, weak, women, and children, your clan’s reputation will be harmed once this news spreads.”

“Hehe~ Brother Lei, you always make me out to be the bad guy in your words. Those are not acceptable! Although I can’t bear to part with my old neighbors, the Liu and Zhao clans can leave anytime they wish to relocate, no one is stopping them,” Wang Shouzhe said with a smirk.

This Wang Shouzhe is really hard to communicate with, Lei Yangqiu felt extremely frustrated.

If he hadn’t been governing Ping’an and received so many favors from the Liu and Zhao clans, he really wouldn’t want to get involved in this muddle right now.

Looking at the current situation, without your agreement, Wang Shouzhe, would they dare to randomly sell their clan’s property and run away?

There are countless people in this large family, both old and young. Aren’t they afraid of encountering “ambushing bandits and river pirates” on their journey and ultimately leaving no remains behind?

“Three folds. I’ll make the decision for them. After all, they were the ones at fault first. They’ll liquidate their assets at a third of the price and give them to the Wang family.” Lei Yangqiu said, “Leader Wang, give me a straightforward answer; if it’s a go, it’s a go, if not, I’ll get out of here immediately and stop meddling in your business. Even if Shangfeng is to blame, I won’t get involved.”

Wang Shouzhe hesitated slightly, feeling that he had exerted enough pressure, and then said lightly, “Since Operation Lei has spoken, I should give you face.” Lei Yangqiu heaved a sigh of relief, thanking him for his face. Before he could speak, Wang Shouzhe spoke again and said, “However, I have two conditions.”

“Brother Shouzhe, say what they are. I’ll try to mediate.” Lei Yangqiu said earnestly.

“Firstly, whichever county they migrate to must be decided by our Wang family. I will keep an eye on the situation there.” Wang Shouzhe stated.

Lei Yangqiu agreed without hesitation, “That’s not a problem. However, Leader Wang, as much as possible give them a way to survive; don’t send them to a county where they can’t survive.”

“Send them to Liu Clan’s Northern Ridge Province and Zhao Clan’s Southern Desert County then. They’re only a few thousand to tens of thousands of miles away.” After Wang Shouzhe casually designated a place, he continued, “Secondly, they must leave behind their male youths aged between twelve and sixty. They should serve hard labor for five years in our Wang family to atone for their ancestor’s sins.”

Lei Yangqiu’s face soured, thinking to himself that Wang Shouzhe was indeed ruthless.

Without those young men, wouldn’t the Liu and Zhao Clans face additional hardship in such remote and unfamiliar counties? They would probably be targeted and bullied by the local families.

And after serving five years of hard labor, how many of those young men would still have the spirit left in them? How would they harbor any more ambition to contend for power?

It’s over!

The Liu and Zhao Clans are essentially finished. In the future, they would at most be an ordinary Profound Martial family, and nobody would remember the Wang family or Ping’an Town anymore in just seventy to eighty years, let alone a hundred.

The two elderly clan leaders also wore extremely uncomfortable expressions.

Wang Shouzhe’s strategy is to completely extinguish their potential for a comeback. He plans to never let the Liu and Zhao Clans rise again.

However, if they don’t agree, it’s likely that not a single person from the Liu and Zhao Clans will be able to leave Ping’an alive.

“Let it be, let it be. The Liu and Zhao Clans should be thankful that Leader Wang is offering them a chance of survival.” Lei Yangqiu concluded, “Everything will be done according to Leader Wang’s plan.”

As for him, Lei Yangqiu, he believed he had done right by the deceased Liu Zhde and Zhao Bojun. He couldn’t possibly offend Wang Shouzhe, who had a promising future, for the sake of those two dead ancestors, could he?

“Yes, Lord Lei.” The two clan elders, despite feeling desolate, were in no position to determine their own fate. In unison, they bowed and thanked Leader Wang, “Thank you, Leader Wang, for giving us a way to survive.”

“In that case, there is no need for me to keep you for a meal, Officer Lei.” Wang Shouzhe poured tea, seeing his guests off.

Lei Yangqiu led the two remaining Elders and bid Wang Shouzhe farewell with a smile, “I have bothered Leader Wang too much, farewell, farewell.”

As they reached the main hall’s entrance, Wang Shouzhe’s voice once again reached them, “Officer Lei, before you leave, don’t forget to take their Prominent Family seals. Some families are not worthy of such honor, even if given the opportunity.”

Lei Yangqiu was taken aback and hurriedly bowed his head, “Of course, of course, we will follow everything Leader Wang says.”

When Lei Yangqiu got into the carriage and watched the Wang family’s doorway gradually disappear into the distance, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

“After today, the Wang family will definitely hold the power in Ping’an Town.”

What Lei Yangqiu did not know was that, after they left.

Wang Shouzhe carelessly pulled out a small notebook system and seriously updated one item in the reputation column.

[Clan Reputation]: [Township Hope (too) Covering the Sky with a Single Hand]