The best county magistrate

When the last ray of afterglow was swallowed up by the night, the delegation finally came to a stop at the foot of the majestic city of Northern Liao.

On both sides of the city gate, Junior Tutor Pu Guochang and City Lord Zhang Wenshi had been waiting for a long time, with some expectation and respect in their eyes.

Yang Xuanchen slowly stepped down from the carriage. Although the long journey made him a little tired, his eyes still sparkled with dazzling brilliance.

The two men from Bei Liao came forward with gentle smiles on their faces.

Park Guochang spoke first, his tone was full of long-lost kindness, "Master Xiao Yang, you must have been exhausted on the journey."

Yang Xuanchen looked at him with suspicion. This guy was so cold and he looked down on him before. Why did he suddenly change his personality?

He glanced at Zhang Wenshi who was standing next to him. Why did the old man have such a stern face? Did he not welcome him?

Although he had doubts in his heart, he still smiled and replied, "Master Pu, City Lord Zhang, you two are waiting here, how dare we say we are tired."

"The scenery of the Liao Dynasty has already made me feel relaxed and happy."

Zhang Wenshi bowed and continued the conversation, "Lord Yang, it is an honor for our Xiongguan City to have you visit us. Please allow me to lead the way for you and take you to appreciate the customs and practices of our city."

Park Guk-chang also echoed, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ordered me to prepare a welcoming banquet for you. I hope you enjoy it. Please move over."

One wants to take me to experience the majestic city, and the other one is ordered to treat me to a meal. What kind of hospitality is this?

Aren't they supposed to be a group? Why do they feel like two groups of unrelated people are showing off at the city gate?

The simultaneous invitations from Park Guk-chang and Zhang Wen-shi put Yang Xuan-chen in a dilemma. If he agreed to either one, he would offend the other party before figuring out the facts.

I haven't even arrived in Huajing City yet, but someone is already eager to trip me up. How vicious!

Yang Xuanchen pondered secretly in his heart, but did not show any expression on his face.

He coughed lightly, breaking the brief silence, and said gently: "Master Park, City Lord Zhang, I, Yang Xuanchen, appreciate your kindness."

"But the long journey has indeed made everyone a little tired. Why don't we let each other make our own arrangements tonight, and I'll treat you two to an apology tomorrow, okay?"

When Park Guochang heard this, a hint of barely perceptible disappointment flashed across his eyes, but he quickly returned to normal.

"The prince has booked the best inn in Xiongguan City for Lord Xiao Yang!"

Zhang Wenshi nodded slightly, his attitude still maintaining a polite coldness.

"Sir Yang, since you need to rest, I will not disturb you. After you have rested, I will take you to visit Xiongguan City."

Yang Xuanchen nodded slightly to express his gratitude: "Thank you both for your understanding. After I take a short rest, I will visit you in person to show my respect."

Although the conversation between the three people at the city gate seemed friendly on the surface, they each had their own plans in secret.

Yang Xuanchen's caution, Park Guochang's expectation, and Zhang Wenshi's indifference were all fully revealed in this brief exchange.

Following Park Guk-chang's guidance, Yang Xuanchen was brought to a quiet guest room.

The guest rooms are elegantly decorated. Outside the window is the night view of Xiongguan City. The moonlight shines on the city wall, making it look particularly peaceful.

After Park Guk-chang left, Yang Xuanchen gently closed the door. He walked to the window, looking at the night outside in deep thought.

He must find out the true intentions of Park Guk-chang and Zhang Wen-shi as soon as possible, as well as the possible conflicts and interests between them.

Only in this way can we find a foothold in this complex situation.

"Dong dong dong."

A knock on the door interrupted Yang Xuanchen's thoughts.

"Come in."

"Master, why did you reject Park Guk-chang earlier? I'm still hungry now. Why don't we go have a good meal?"

As soon as Zhao Xue entered the room, she started scolding him, causing Yang Xuanchen to roll his eyes.

"Xiaoxue, don't make a fuss. Your master has his own plans." Yu Wei pulled Zhao Xue to sit at the table and glanced at him with her beautiful eyes.

The issue at the city gate is obviously a difficult problem. It doesn’t matter who you choose. It’s better not to choose and take the initiative into your own hands.

Only by taking the initiative can you make use of all available people and things in the following period to achieve your goals.

"Xuanchen, what are you going to do next?"

Yang Xuanchen sighed and sat down next to Yu Wei, "Don't worry! I won't see anyone!"

"Will this make them think we are arrogant?" Yu Wei asked.

Yang Xuanchen smiled slightly, with a sly gleam in his eyes, "When have I, Yang Xuanchen, ever been afraid of these little tricks!"

He cleared his throat and continued, "That guy Park In-jae must be having a hard time, otherwise, with Park Kuk-chang's temper, he wouldn't have smiled at me."

"Judging from Park Kuk-chang's attitude today, they must be asking something of me, and it's not small!"

"What about Zhang Wenshi?" Zhao Xue asked.

"Zhang Wenshi?" Yang Xuanchen stroked his chin and thought for a few breaths. "An Yansi reported that Zhang Wenshi is from the Sixth Prince's faction."

"This Sixth Prince of Northern Liao is quite interesting. Ever since he was frightened by Park In-jae, he has been studying how to farm in recent years."

"Farming? A prince goes to the fields to farm?" Zhao Xue couldn't believe the authenticity of the information.

A gleam of light flashed in Yu Wei's beautiful eyes, "Hide your strength and bide your time?"

Yang Xuanchen nodded, "This possibility cannot be ruled out. According to age, the Sixth Prince is already thirty-one, two years older than Park In Jae."

"In terms of ability... well, it is said that he is a good farmer."

"Pfft." Yu Wei and Zhao Xue laughed out loud at the same time.

"Before leaving Shangjing City, I have been looking through the files of the Dark Swallow Division over the years, and I found a suspicious point among them."

After hearing what Yang Xuanchen said, the two girls couldn't help but ask at the same time, "What's the doubt?"

"The Sixth Prince's biological mother was originally a noble concubine, but somehow she was demoted to a noble lady."

After Yang Xuanchen mentioned this, he looked at the two women separately and continued.

"The palace fight was lost, and it stands to reason that Concubine Cheng, ah, Concubine Cheng Zhang Zeqian's family will definitely be implicated."

"But I found that the Zhang family had no influence at all, which is intriguing."

"If I have the chance to meet Noble Cheng and the Sixth Prince, perhaps some of the mysteries can be solved."

"Aren't we here to celebrate Queen Mother Jin's birthday? Why do we have to get involved in this kind of thing?" Zhao Xue asked curiously.

Yang Xuanchen knocked on the table with his knuckles, "First of all, our safety comes first!"

"Secondly, we are a goose that lays golden eggs. Whoever gets us will find a way to get rich."

"Only with wealth can you consolidate your existing power, or even take it a step further. The fight between parties cannot be separated from money, so it is the wisest choice to win me over at this time."

"Ah! If you look at it this way, the Sixth Prince sent Zhang Wenshi here, and he acted so cold. Could it be that he just wanted to disrupt the situation?" Yu Wei asked.

Yang Xuanchen thought for a few breaths and shook his head slightly, "In my opinion, the Sixth Prince also wants to win me over, but he is just using Zhang Wenshi to confuse Park In Jae on the surface."

He didn't continue speaking, but instead stood up, walked to the window and looked out.

"If my guess is correct, the Sixth Prince is in Xiongguan City, and he is in this inn!"

Yu Wei and Zhao Xue were shocked when they heard this. This place was booked by Crown Prince Park In-jae to entertain the Great Yan delegation. How could the Sixth Prince of Northern Liao be here?

"It is incredible that a prince is willing to work in the fields."

"If he doesn't have other intentions, then he has fallen into depravity. I have every reason to believe that he will not be willing to be ridden over by Park In-jae!"

"So! When Park In Jae was busy with Ju Cai Xuan and Park In Fu was busy with Han Sang Wu, it was the most appropriate time for him to come here to see me."

"Besides, it's only now! I have no reason to refuse his offer!"