The news of Liang Xiao's assassination attempt gradually spread throughout half of Jinling, causing a city-wide sensation!
Grateful for Liang Xiao's policies of defending Luzhou, promoting smallpox prevention, and land reclamation, a large number of citizens went to the Prefectural Office the next day to petition for increased protection for Marquis An Guo, Liang Xiao. The petitioners were mostly young men and women.
Prefect He Jingyun had no choice but to personally appear and publicly guarantee enhanced protection for Liang Xiao, after which the citizens dispersed.
Looking at the indignant young men and women, He Jingyun was filled with emotion.
The Gongyang family was powerful and accustomed to their ways, but the younger generation in Jiangnan was not without hope!
Liang Xiao's positive influence in Jiangnan, starting from the defense of Luzhou, to the climax of the Jiangnan Spring Banquet, and then to the news of the assassination attempt, was like a prairie fire, unstoppable!
"Father, I imagine the Huichun Sect didn't expect to hoist a rock only to drop it on their own feet, did they?" He Qiushui said with a happy face.
Gu Pingting, residing at the He household, also had a smile in her eyes.
He Jingyun laughed heartily, "Of course. Marquis An Guo is protected by the Heavenly General, blessed with great fortune. How could mere villains from the Huichun Sect succeed?"
However, He Jingyun's expression quickly changed, and he warned He Qiushui, "You may admire Marquis An Guo, but you are not allowed to act recklessly again!"
"I know, I'm not worthy..." He Qiushui said, blushing.
Gu Pingting, standing nearby, also felt a pang of sadness.
Why did she ever go to trouble him!
If she had made a good impression on him, perhaps there would have been a chance.
But upon thinking of Qin Xian, Princess Ningshuang, and Princess Christine from the Western Regions, Gu Pingting's thought vanished.
I am indeed not worthy...
Just then, a yamen runner reported, "Prefect! A message from the prison says that all five of those demon monks from the Huichun Sect have died from poison!"
He Jingyun's expression changed drastically, and his good mood vanished. He flicked his sleeve and rushed to the prison, "These are crucial criminals we finally captured. I must investigate this matter personally!"
Hearing that Marquis Dingguo, Gongsun Ye, was expected to arrive in Jinling today, Liang Xiao did not go out to sightsee. He stayed at the Zhuo Manor waiting for news.
His bookshop in Jinling was also opening today, and it was certain to face obstruction from the Gongyang family's people.
After all, the Gongyang family held important positions throughout Jiangnan, and their associates from the Ouyang family, the Dugu family, and the He family from the capital were colluding with them...
Hong Jie and the other two had been staying at the Zhuo Manor, not stepping out the door, which put Liang Xiao's mind at ease.
Jian Nanfeng happily reminisced with his disciples.
Only Jian Qinwan quietly stayed by Liang Xiao's side, blushing, occasionally pinching his arm and thigh, holding a grudge in her heart.
This womanizer was becoming more and more audacious. She would get revenge on him sooner or later, and let him know what a female Rakshasa was!
Liang Xiao returned to his room and wrote some plot points for "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," intending to show them to the old lecher Zhuo Zifang in a few days. He was certain that Zhuo Zifang would absolutely enjoy it.
At noon, the shopkeeper of Liang's bookshop finally came to report to Liang Xiao.
"Second Young Master, the Assistant Prefect and the Registrar are not allowing us to complete the most crucial registration procedures for the bookshop!"
Liang Xiao frowned.
In the Great Gan Dynasty, the Prefect's deputy was usually the centrally appointed Assistant Prefect, who held considerable power. The Registrar was in charge of documents.
The Assistant Prefect was clearly acting against He Jingyun, resolutely refusing to let his bookshop open.
"What did Prefect He say?" Liang Xiao asked.
The shopkeeper replied, "Prefect He probably doesn't know yet. Our people went to find him, but they said he went to the prison to investigate!"
Liang Xiao nodded, "Come with me to see the Assistant Prefect!"
In the west courtyard of the Prefectural Office, Assistant Prefect Gongyang Lufeng exchanged glances with the Registrar beside him.
"Without approval from the Ministry of Revenue, we will simply block Liang Xiao's bookshop's registration. This way, if his bookshop dares to open, the Grand Tutor will have an excuse to smash it directly! At that time, the materials they stockpiled in advance will rot in the warehouse because they cannot start construction, resulting in a complete loss!"
Gongyang Lufeng spoke with increasing pride.
His family had suffered so much humiliation from Liang Xiao, and he had finally found an opportunity to cause trouble for Liang Xiao!
"Assistant Prefect, Marquis An Guo has arrived!"
A guard reported. Gongyang Lufeng had no intention of standing up. He calmly sat in his seat, pretending to review documents.
Only when Liang Xiao pushed the door open did Gongyang Lufeng pretend to stand up and say with a smile, "Marquis An Guo, I am truly sorry, I have been incredibly busy."
Liang Xiao stared at Gongyang Lufeng, smiling, "It seems the Assistant Prefect is even busier than the Prefect. I am impressed. I would like to ask, why did you reject the bookshop's application?"
"Jinling is a special city, the foremost city in Jiangnan. The opening of facilities like bookshops requires official permission, which must be reported by me to the Ministry of Revenue for their decision," Gongyang Lufeng replied proudly.
"Then why didn't the Assistant Prefect report it?" Liang Xiao asked again.
"You do not have the approval document from the Ministry of Revenue, so it is inconvenient for me to report it for you," Gongyang Lufeng sneered.
Liang Xiao's face fell, "After obtaining the document from the Ministry of Revenue, I still need your help, and then you will report it to the Ministry of Revenue? What kind of logic is this?"
This old fool was clearly working with the Ministry of Revenue to keep the decision-making power in this regard firmly in their hands!
As he spoke, Liang Xiao looked around at the accompanying personnel, the Registrar, and the guards of the Prefectural Office, "Did you all hear that?"
"We heard," everyone responded.
"Marquis An Guo, please do not make things difficult for me. I am merely doing my duty."
Gongyang Lufeng remained calm and unyielding.
"Slap!"
Liang Xiao suddenly slapped him. Gongyang Lufeng's eyes went stars, and a bloody tooth flew out!
Everyone was startled, "Marquis An Guo, please calm your anger..."
Gongyang Lufeng touched his burning cheek, shocked and angry, "I am a member of the Gongyang family and an official of the court. How dare you act so arrogantly here! Give me a reason for hitting me!"
Liang Xiao said in a deep voice, "Obstructing official business."
Gongyang Lufeng's expression changed drastically, "Nonsense! I was acting on official business! If you do not give me an explanation today, I will personally go to the capital to sue you, even if I have to die at the palace gates!!"
"As an official of the court, you must have seen an imperial edict, right?" Liang Xiao pouted, took out his imperial edict, and spread it open, "Take a good look at what it says."
Gongyang Lufeng stared at the contents of the imperial edict for a long time and gasped.
"It is specially decreed that my loyal subject Liang shall establish imperial bookshops in Luzhou, Chuzhou, Jinling, Suzhou, Taizhou, and other places to benefit the local populace. Without Liang's permission, no one is to interfere or obstruct, otherwise Liang shall punish them himself..."
Gongyang Lufeng's face grew increasingly grim.
He had wanted to cause trouble for Liang Xiao, only to find that he had inadvertently dug a pit for himself!
"I will clear the way immediately. The bookshop can open, it can open!" Gongyang Lufeng hurriedly said with a forced smile, enduring the pain.
Liang Xiao sneered, "Your help is no longer needed. How can I fail the Emperor's expectations? I must make a judgment on your and the Registrar's abuse of power. The Registrar will be replaced immediately, and Prefect He will temporarily act as Assistant Prefect. You will go home and await the Emperor's arrangement!"
Liang Xiao's words were like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, leaving Gongyang Lufeng stunned.
According to the imperial edict, Liang Xiao indeed had the power to temporarily replace officials of the fifth rank or below!
"I was unaware of the imperial edict. Please forgive me, Marquis An Guo..." Gongyang Lufeng was still unwilling and bowed his head to admit his mistake, but he was still driven out by Liang Xiao.
The two bookshops in Jinling finally opened successfully. The Ouyang family's bookshop had to prepare funds to purchase books from Liang Xiao's bookshops at any time.
Gongyang Lufeng, tail between his legs, ran back to report to Grand Tutor Gongyang He.
At the same time, Gongyang He also received news of the failed assassination attempt on Liang Xiao.
"What? He might be the Heavenly General himself?!"
Everyone present slammed the table in shock!