Chapter 241: Adding Sand (Thanks to the book friend Wenxiangshishu69 for the reward!)

After the small episode of the martial arts competition, Ye Mingsheng handed over the 3,000 captured bandits to Chen Dechang, and at the same time successfully received Chen Dechang's new appointment - the fifth-rank general of Fengzhou.

Ye Mingsheng, who already knew the answer to his appointment, was not surprised.

However, what surprised him was that along with his appointment came the appointment of He Jingyun!
Chen Dechang appointed He Jingyun as the deputy general of Fengzhou, and concurrently the fifth-rank Yingyang general of the Zhenwu Army!
Chen Dechang's sudden move made Ye Mingsheng sense something bad...
After completing the appointments of Ye Mingsheng and He Jingyun, Chen Dechang left Fengshan County with the people satisfied.

A few days after Chen Dechang left, Ye Mingsheng, who was ready to go, received the military supplies promised by Chen Dechang one after another. Along with these military supplies, there was also a grain of sand mixed in by Chen Dechang!

Liang Xuezhan, now 31 years old, was born in Zhaowu Camp. He had been in the Longxiang Imperial Guard for five years, and had served in positions such as captain and sentry leader. Later, he was transferred to the position of commander of the official army in Liaoyang. He was one of Chen Dechang's old subordinates when he was in Liaoyang.

It is said that Liang Xuezhan was a calm person by nature and was particularly good at defending a city. In the fifth year of Anhe, when the Luobi people invaded Liaoyang, he was stationed at Qi'anbao on the border. With more than 500 people, he blocked 5,000 Luobi cavalry for ten full days, buying enough time for the evacuation of the military and civilians in the rear.

This time, Chen Dechang returned to Liaoyang as the commander of the Zhenwu Army and recruited Liang Xuezhan into his army again.

Not long ago, Ye Mingsheng used Huo San's intelligence system to investigate and learn about the middle-level military officers of the Zhenwu Army. Among them was Liang Xuezhang. He never thought that Liang Xuezhang would be transferred to his command and serve as the commander of the third battalion...

Although it was a bit surprising that Chen Dechang would send Liang Xuechang, Ye Mingsheng, who had long anticipated that Chen Dechang would interfere, was also prepared.

The Third Battalion, which was taken up by Liang Xuechang, had three sentinels including Ye Tie, who were all his confidants. Half of the captains, captains and other military officers were all recruited by Ye Mingsheng from Yejia Village.

In such an environment, Ye Mingsheng believed that even if Liang Xuezhan had great abilities, he could not do anything and could only work for him honestly!

Although under Ye Mingsheng's plan, Song Wenhui was forced to relax the siege on the Gongsun family, giving the Gongsun family a chance to breathe.

But at the same time, this also means that Song Wenhui has the energy to deal with other things, such as Fengshan County, which is not far from the provincial capital Dongning Prefecture...

Ye Mingsheng had already taken this situation into consideration when he was making comprehensive considerations!

Although he understood that what he did would draw Song Wenhui's attention to himself and prevent him from growing wildly and unrestrained like before.

But Ye Mingsheng also knew that as long as his power continued to grow, even if he did nothing, Song Wenhui would not tolerate his existence and would take action against him sooner or later!

After receiving a report from Huo San that Song Wenhui was quietly placing people in Fengshan County and seemed to be plotting something, Ye Mingsheng made a prompt decision and decided to lead the army to leave Fengshan County and go to Fengzhou!
Fengshan County is too close to the provincial capital Dongning, and is the core area where Song Wenhui has the strongest control. The reason why Ye Mingsheng was able to develop before was because the Gongsun family was in front to attract firepower.

Although Ye Mingsheng has some strength now, compared with Song Wenhui who has been operating in Liaoyang for decades, he is still a dwarf...

Therefore, among the thirty-six strategies, running away is the best one!

Fengzhou is located in a remote area. Even if Song Wenhui wants to take action, he may be out of reach. This is just the right time for Ye Mingsheng now to integrate the resources in his hands, store up grain, and slowly become king... However, before going to Fengzhou, Ye Mingsheng still has one thing to do!
At one o'clock in the afternoon, in the Fengshan County government office.

After finishing the last official business, Ma Runchuan yawned out of boredom, and couldn't help but start to think in his mind, should he go to his mistress's house to eat wild food tonight, or go home to smell the flowers at home...

When Ye Mingsheng first warned him, Ma Runchuan sometimes thought about things he shouldn't have thought about.

But after learning that Xing Dalin's hometown was burned, killed and looted by thieves, and having witnessed Ye Mingsheng's brutal methods, he became much more honest. Every day he lived a regular life between the county government office and home, and occasionally went to his mistress's house to eat some wild food.

Because Ma Runchuan was sensible, Ye Mingsheng did not make things difficult for him, and they got along well with each other. He allowed Ma Runchuan to continue to be the county magistrate. Under Ma Runchuan's governance, Fengshan County was peaceful and stable.

Even if ordinary farmers don’t have good food, they at least have something to eat and coarse linen clothes to wear. It’s not like other places in Liaoyang where ordinary farmers can’t survive and are forced to rebel...
Hearing footsteps outside the room, Ma Runchuan did not look up, and habitually said lazily:
"What's going on?"

As soon as Ma Runchuan finished speaking, he heard a hearty laugh in his ears.

"Ma, County Magistrate, how are you these days?"

Hearing a voice that was both strange and somewhat familiar, Ma Runchuan seemed to remember something. He was stunned at first and then slowly raised his head. The next second, what caught his eyes was Ye Mingsheng's smiling face.

Seeing the appearance of Ye Mingsheng, the evil star, Ma Runchuan's face fell for a moment, then he forced himself to cheer up, stood up quickly with a forced smile, and saluted Ye Mingsheng:

"I didn't know Lord Ye was coming. I'm sorry for not welcoming you. I hope Lord Ye will forgive me!"

"It's okay! Magistrate Ma and I are old friends!" Seeing the change in Ma Runchuan's expression, Ye Mingsheng smiled and waved his hand and said:

"I don't want to be friends with a bastard like you!"

Although he thought so in his heart, Ma Runchuan certainly didn't dare to say it in front of Ye Mingsheng. He could only nod and bow, saying yes repeatedly.

After the greetings, Ye Mingsheng started to pull Ma Runchuan and chat about family matters. He sometimes asked about Ma Runchuan's health, sometimes about Ma Runchuan's children's academic performance...

Finally, he also discussed poetry and songs with Ma Runchuan. Ye Mingsheng's actions made Ma Runchuan confused and at a loss. He didn't know what Ye Mingsheng was trying to do. Facing Ye Mingsheng's vigilance, he couldn't help but relax.

Feeling that Ma Runchuan seemed to be so resistant to him, Ye Mingsheng's eyes condensed, and finally he was about to "show his true colors" and slowly said:
"Master Ma, you are nearly 40 years old this year, right? I wonder what you think of your future?"

(End of this chapter)