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Chapter 145 The Second Prince Seeks the County Magistrate

The conversation between the Second Prince and Ma Shidao did not last long, because the two had almost the same goal—the arrival of the second day of the eleventh month.

However, despite their apparent harmony, both of them harbored ulterior motives.

The second prince secretly plotted, hoping to use Qiao Feng's strength to achieve great military exploits.

Regardless of the final outcome, he will profit from it.

If the war is won, the credit will naturally go to Liu Shengpei; but if it is lost, the responsibility will fall on Qiao Feng.

In this way, he can enjoy the glory of victory without having to bear the consequences of defeat.

Liu Shengpei was secretly pleased with his choice to come to the border.

At the same time, Ma Shidao also had his own plans.

He hoped to successfully lure the Western Rong people into Beisheng territory through cooperation with the Second Prince, and take this opportunity to eliminate the Second Prince.

This would not only eliminate a potential threat to his master, but also allow him to gain more power and status in the future.

Therefore, although the Second Prince and Ma Shidao had reached a temporary consensus, their true intentions were hidden even more deeply.

This situation of mutual exploitation and ulterior motives is destined to trigger a fierce struggle, and only time will tell what the outcome will be.

No one could have imagined that their conspiracy had been completely exposed to Qiao Feng.

"General, they've gone too far..." Wang Dezhu slammed his fist on the table in anger after watching the surveillance footage of Liu Shengpei and Ma Shidao's conversation with Qiao Feng.

"What's there to be angry about? What's there to be angry about? Once Hao'er and the others make their move, they'll be in for a beating. Not only those bastards from Xirong, but these two won't escape either." Qiao Feng showed no emotion after reading the report.

"General, are we really going to wait until the Western Rong people invade?" Wang Dezhu became more and more angry as he thought about it.

Given this situation, if the Second Prince were to make the decision, he would likely demand that General Qiao and the others fight with all their might, regardless of the consequences.

"Don't worry, let's see if there's any way after Hao'er and the others have finished their training in a few days. If all else fails, we can secretly tell the Third Prince about that person's betrayal, so that the two of them can't form an alliance..." Qiao Feng said calmly.

After hearing this, Wang Dezhu couldn't help but praise, "General, your move is truly brilliant."

"Judging from this situation, the Second Prince will definitely cause some trouble tomorrow. We should send someone to follow him," Qiao Feng said calmly.

Sure enough, Liu Shengpei went to Xiyang County to see Magistrate Lin early the next morning.

As soon as Liu Shengpei left the military camp, someone came to report to Qiao Feng.

So a dark figure quietly followed the Second Prince.

"This humble official pays his respects to the Second Prince. I was unaware of your arrival and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me." Magistrate Lin knelt down and respectfully bowed to the Second Prince, who was seated at the head of the table.

Magistrate Lin had planned to go to Jinwan Village early in the morning, but just as he was about to leave, the guards came to report that a man claiming to be the Second Prince had come to visit.

By the time he was about to go and greet him, the Second Prince had already hurriedly entered the guest hall.

Looking at Magistrate Lin's submissive and obsequious demeanor, Liu Shengpei couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

He flicked his sleeve lightly, paused deliberately for a moment, and then slowly said, "Magistrate Lin, because of your lax governance, my third brother has not only lost the grain and fodder that was being delivered to the army camp for this winter within your jurisdiction, but now my third brother is still missing. Do you know your crime?"

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Lin felt a surge of disdain, but he maintained a respectful expression on his face.

He knew that this incident was probably caused by the Second Prince deliberately trying to cause trouble.

He immediately knelt down and kowtowed, hoping to let the man vent his anger first. He said, "Your Highness, please calm down. I know I am guilty! But this was purely an accident. I have already sent people to search for the whereabouts of the Third Prince."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shengpei sneered and said, "Hmph, Magistrate Lin, don't try to deny it."

I have determined that you bear an undeniable responsibility in this matter.

If it weren't for your mismanagement, how could my third brother have gotten into trouble in your jurisdiction?

Now, you must give this prince an explanation.

After saying that, he slammed his hand on the table as a warning.

Magistrate Lin cursed inwardly, realizing that the Second Prince was clearly trying to use this opportunity to threaten him.

However, the second prince was in no hurry to reveal his thoughts, so Magistrate Lin had no choice but to wait and see what the second prince's purpose was.

He dared not show his impatience with the second prince on the surface, and could only bow his head and admit his mistake, expressing his willingness to take full responsibility.

He verbally expressed his remorse, but in his heart he was plotting how to deal with the crisis.

"I know I'm guilty. I've already sent more men to search for the Third Prince. Please, Second Prince, give me a little more time," Magistrate Lin said, wiping non-existent sweat from his forehead.

"My father heard that my third brother had an accident here, and he couldn't eat or sleep. He specially sent me here to find him. If you can't find my third brother, you can forget about being the county magistrate!" Liu Shengpei shouted angrily, slamming his fist on the table.

Liu Shengpei's fury was not aimed at finding the Third Prince, but rather at waiting a while so that he could ask Magistrate Lin to produce more grain.

Magistrate Lin was well aware that the Second Prince did not genuinely want to find the Third Prince. As for his purpose, he only needed to wait for the Second Prince to reveal it.

"Second Prince, I will do my best to find the Third Prince's whereabouts. I am in a hurry to lead men out to search for the Third Prince. Second Prince, please take care and don't see me off." Magistrate Lin replied in accordance with Liu Shengpei's words, and then looked like he was in a hurry to leave.

Liu Shengpei's face darkened. Was Lin Bin trying to stop him from saying what he was going to say next?

"Magistrate Lin, don't rush, His Highness has something to tell you." Liu Shengpei had no choice but to speak up to stop him.

Magistrate Lin withdrew his foot after taking a step, lowered his head respectfully, and said, "I wonder if the Second Prince has any further instructions?"

"The batch of grain that the Third Prince was escorting was lost within your jurisdiction. You either find the grain or replenish it yourself. You have ten days to deliver it to the military camp." After saying this, Liu Shengpei flicked his sleeves and left.

Magistrate Lin was speechless; so this was what they were waiting for!

Anyway, this label has been pinned on him!

They came to demand an explanation, but their real purpose was to force him to hand over the grain.

How come he didn't know that the army camp was short of food?

I haven't heard the Third Prince mention this matter either, so I guess he has a way to resolve it!

Never mind, let's go to Jinwan Village first!

This time, he only brought one constable with him, and the two of them rode horses towards Jinwan Village.