In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 362 The Hanging Radish

Because of their business dealings, the Zheng family had many channels for purchasing warhorses. As far as Wang Wenshu knew, the prefectural governor's mansion had a considerable number of warhorses stored there.

Therefore, Wang Wenshu could be almost certain that the cavalry that left the city must be related to the Zheng family!

Recently, the conflict between the Wang and Zheng families has intensified...

"not good!"

Wang Wenshu was suddenly startled and exclaimed, "That cavalry is probably after my Wang family."

Upon hearing this, Wang Lang's expression immediately changed. Was Zheng Qing targeting the Wang family? Did he intend to start a war with the Wang family?

"No, no!"

At this moment, Wang Wenshu shook his head: "The Wang family manor is heavily guarded. Zheng Qing is not a fool. He should not attack the Wang family manor."

Wang Wenshu was quite confident in the security of his manor. With the manor's defenses, even a thousand troops would not be able to take it down in a short time.

As for taking over the Wang family manor with a troop of cavalry, that's even more impossible.

As we all know, cavalry is more suitable for field battles, while infantry is far more effective than cavalry in siege warfare. Unless Zheng Qing sends out cavalrymen who are all mid-level third-grade martial artists, it would be absolutely impossible for them to take down the Wang family manor.

Zheng Qing is not a fool; on the contrary, he is extremely intelligent. Otherwise, he would not have been able to contend with the Wang family for so many years. Zheng Qing would never do something that would lead him to his death.

But if they weren't after the Wang family, what was Zheng Qing's intention in sending a cavalry unit out of the city?

After a moment of contemplation, Wang Wenshu suddenly looked at Wang Lang and asked, "From which direction did the cavalry leave the city?"

"North Gate!"

"I understand!"

Wang Wenshu slapped his forehead, his expression instantly turning serious: "If nothing unexpected happens, Zheng Qing should be heading towards the Taishan bandits. It seems that Zheng Qing intends to wage a full-scale war against my Wang family!"

The Taishan bandits are a force supported by the Wang family, and the Zheng family couldn't possibly be unaware of this. Yet, Zheng Qing suddenly headed towards the Taishan bandits. Combined with the closing of the city gates, Wang Wenshu had reason to suspect that Zheng Qing was about to start a war with the Wang family!

Realizing this, Wang Wenshu said directly to Wang Lang, "Go and invite the clan elders over. Tell them I have something important to discuss with them."

"Yes."

Wang Lang dared not delay and turned to leave quickly.

Soon after, three elderly figures were helped into the room by the Wang family's servants.

At this moment, Wang Wenshu had already dismissed the two concubines in the room. Upon seeing the three old men enter, he, sitting in the armchair, hurriedly said, "Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, Third Uncle."

The so-called clan elders were the elders of the previous generation of the Wang family, namely Wang Wenshu's uncle.

Although these elders were not clan leaders, their influence within the clan was considerable. Whenever a major event occurred in the family, Wang Wenshu needed to consult with them.

Manjushri.

The old man, whom Wang Wenshu called Uncle, sat down in the armchair with the help of a maid and asked, "What is it that you suddenly summoned us for?"

While being questioned, the old man pulled the maid who was supporting him into his arms, let her sit on his lap, and gently inhaled the fragrance from her hair.

The other two old men followed suit and began to grope the maid.

These clan elders were all martial artists in their youth, and although they are now old, their physical condition is still much stronger than that of ordinary elderly people. Not to mention anything else, at least they have no problem indulging in women.

As for why someone needs to help me...

These maids are just sitting around doing nothing anyway, wouldn't it be better for them to do more work?

"Is such that."

Wang Wenshu seemed accustomed to the actions of the three elders and said, "Half an hour ago, the city gates of the prefecture suddenly closed..."

Wang Wenshu quickly relayed the news reported by Wang Lang.

After hearing this, Wang Wenshu's uncle stopped teasing the maid and frowned, saying, "You mean, Zheng Qing is going to deal with the Taishan bandits?"

"Not bad!"

Wang Wenshu nodded solemnly.

"Has Zheng Qing lost his mind?"

Wang Wenshu's second uncle said, "How dare he lay a hand on the Wang family's power?"

It is not hard to tell from this man's words that he has no respect for Zheng Qing, the prefect, and this is indeed the case; the Wang family has never thought highly of Zheng Qing, the prefect.

In the eyes of the Wang family, the Zheng family was no better than nouveau riche. If Zheng Qing hadn't been an official appointed by the imperial court and had the support of the court, he probably would have died in the wilderness on his first day in office. How could he have secured his position as prefect?

"Zheng Qing is getting more and more restless!"

Wang Wenshu's uncle also spoke up: "Ever since this man took office in the prefecture, he has been opposing our Wang family. Does he really think our Wang family is a pushover?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Wenshu secretly shook his head. Despite the arrogance of these three clan elders, they wouldn't dare to actually deal with the Zheng family.

Wang Wenshu had proposed to get rid of Zheng Qing several times, but without exception, all three clan elders refused.

The reason is simple: they are afraid of the imperial court!

During the era when the clan elders were in power, the Wang family suffered the most severe suppression from the imperial court. At that time, the Wang family could hardly breathe under the suppression of the imperial court, which made them extremely afraid of the imperial court and dare not offend the imperial court in the slightest!

It wasn't until the cold disaster struck and the imperial court's control over Qingzhou was greatly weakened that the Wang family gained a precious respite.

"The three clan elders."

Wang Wenshu suppressed the jumbled thoughts in his mind and said, "The reason I summoned you here today is to ask for your opinion: should our Wang family send people to support the Taishan bandits?"

Upon hearing this, the three clan elders fell into deep thought. The Taishan bandits were quite important to the Wang family, because a large portion of the loot they plundered would be handed over to the Wang family. Furthermore…

The Taishan bandits could also do some shady things for the Wang family, and they were unwilling to give up the Taishan bandits unless absolutely necessary.

only……

After pondering for a moment, Wang Wenshu's uncle asked, "Even if we send people now, I'm afraid it won't be enough time to provide support, will it?"

"It's definitely too late!"

Wang Wenshu's second uncle shook his head and said, "Wenshu has already said that the force leaving the city is cavalry. Even if we send men now, it is impossible for them to arrive before the cavalry reaches Lijiapo."

The Wang family manor is located south of the county town, while the Li family hill where the Taishan bandits are stationed is located to the north. Even if they were to go directly to provide support, it would be impossible for them to arrive in time.

Moreover, the Wang family couldn't take a direct route because the county town was already closed. The people the Wang family sent out would have to take a long detour to get to Lijiapo, and by the time they arrived, the Taishan bandits' corpses would probably be cold for half a day.

"So we'll just leave the Taishan bandits alone?"

Wang Wenshu asked, "I have a good impression of Wang Taishan, the leader of the Taishan bandits. I even once thought of marrying him off as one of my illegitimate daughters. I also know that Wang Taishan has always wanted to marry a daughter of the Wang family, but I have not agreed in order to make Wang Taishan work hard."

To put it bluntly, Wang Taishan was like a donkey, while the Wang family's daughter was like a carrot dangling in front of him by Wang Wenshu, making Wang Taishan, this donkey, work hard for the Wang family.