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Lu Liucheng couldn't stand Wang San's smug attitude. However, Lu Liucheng wasn't afraid. In the Capital City, he was one of the few who could walk with his head held high.

Zhao Hai gripped his knife and stepped forward, ready to strike.

"My young master is the young heir of the Mansion of Marquis of Pacifying the South, son of the newly appointed Grand General. Are you sure you want to arrest the heir of the Marquis of Pacifying the South on the orders of this Wang San?" Qiu Chan walked into the crowd with her people, displaying the token of the General's mansion, and looked at Zhao Hai.

"Anyone can claim to be someone. I might as well say I'm a Prince," Wang San completely disbelieved Qiu Chan's words and continued to urge, "Zhao Hai, hurry up."

In truth, Wang San was also nervous. His family had previously warned him not to offend the newly appointed Grand General. However, looking at their modest attire, he thought they probably weren't the son of a Duke.

"Young Master Wang, this lowly one doesn't dare," Zhao Hai, though doubtful of Qiu Chan's words, worried about the possibility of them being true. Inwardly, Zhao Hai lamented, feeling caught between two forces he couldn't afford to offend.

"Coward," Wang San spat at Zhao Hai, then stepped forward and drew Zhao Hai's knife, intending to arrest Lu Liucheng himself.

Lu Liucheng wasn't afraid of Wang San and swung his staff to block him.

Wang Qi and Wang Liu, who were with Wang San, exchanged glances, both showing a hint of fear in their eyes. If they had truly offended a powerful figure, Wang San, as the main heir, might be safe. But they, as children from branch families, would surely not be spared.

As the two were thinking of what to say, Jiang Chong appeared with a squad of soldiers. "Young Master, why are you here?" he asked.

Jiang Chong's words confirmed the truth for everyone. No one dared to claim Jiang Chong's military uniform and demeanor were fake.

"Jiang Chong, these people not only beat me but also want to throw me in jail," Lu Liucheng said. Upon hearing this, Jiang Chong fixed an unfriendly gaze on the three men. How dare these small-time thugs lay hands on the heir of the Marquis of Pacifying the South?

"Men, take them away," Jiang Chong waved his hand, and the three were immediately arrested and taken to the military camp's prison. Bystanders applauded at this sight, as the three from the Wang family had been too overbearing and annoying. Previously, people couldn't stand up to them and had to endure. Now that the Wang family members had hit a brick wall, people dared to cheer.

Zhao Hai hurried back to the Prefectural Office with two of his subordinates to report the incident to Liu Ping.

Liu Ping immediately gave Zhao Hai two kicks, berating him for assisting the Wang family in harming people from the General's mansion. It was like he had a death wish. Liu Ping changed his clothes, intending to go to the General's mansion to apologize.

However, his advisor informed him that Lu XuanNing had gone to receive command of a hundred thousand naval troops and was not in Hai City. Liu Ping sent his wife, Madam Xia, instead. Her mission was threefold: to pay respects, to apologize to Li Xia, and to inquire about the Lu family's intentions regarding the matter.

Li Xia guessed Madam Xia's intentions. Having been in Hai City for some time, she had a good grasp of the major powers in the city. The Chen, Wang, and Zhang families were the most influential in Hai City.

The Chen family was the largest local merchant family, controlling seventy percent of the shops and trade in Hai City. They also had two fleets that went to sea, bringing back great wealth each time. The Chen family was the wealthiest in Hai City. Nearly half of the city's population relied on the Chen family for their livelihood, making it no exaggeration to call them the local emperors of Hai City. Moreover, several daughters of the Chen family were concubines to powerful families in the Capital City.

The Wang family had held the position of patrol inspector for generations, managing the city's security and protection. They had connections with all walks of life and an extensive network in Hai City.

The Zhang family mainly dealt in sea pearl business. The Zhang family members were skilled in water, employing a group of pearl divers who could collect high-quality pearls each year. It was rumored that the Zhang family did business with pirates.

These three families were the local powers in Hai City. Every newly arrived prefect who wanted to settle peacefully in Hai City had to visit these three families. Only with their recognition and support could one assume office safely.

Madam Xia's visit also expressed Liu Ping's intention to downplay the incident and resolve it peacefully.

"A strong dragon cannot overcome a local snake," Li Xia chuckled lightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with this statement.

"Lady Lu, I know you're from the Capital City and are used to dealing with important figures. But even small creatures have their ways of survival. They have deep roots in Hai City, and a direct confrontation wouldn't be good. Isn't it better for everyone to get along harmoniously?" Madam Xia spoke as if she had Li Xia's best interests at heart.

"I understand what you're saying, Madam Liu. However, I'm just a woman. This matter will have to wait for my husband to return and make a decision. So, the three from the Wang family will have to stay in jail for two more days. When the Marquis returns in three days, we'll decide," Li Xia, not beating around the bush with Madam Xia, finished speaking and served tea to see her guest off.

Madam Xia was somewhat displeased. She had spoken so kindly, yet Li Xia seemed unmoved by either soft or hard approaches. It was like casting pearls before swine, not recognizing good intentions.

"I hope Lady Lu will consider my words carefully," Madam Xia stood up, bowed, and took her leave with Liu Ting.

Qiu Ling entered shortly after. "My Lady, should we just eliminate the Wang family?" Although Lu XuanNing had taken most of the troops, they still had enough manpower left. Dealing with the Wang family wouldn't be a problem.

"After dealing with the Wang family, there's still the Chen family, the Zhang family, and the Liu family. There's no rush, let them jump around for now," Li Xia wasn't in a hurry.

"My Lady, I'll make sure to uncover all of the Wang family's criminal evidence." Knowing that the young master had been bullied, Qiu Ling began to investigate the Wang family's affairs vigorously. What they discovered was shocking: the Wang family, relying on their hereditary position as patrol inspectors, had greatly expanded their influence, forcibly buying and selling, taking advantage of many people. This was how they had built their power in Hai City.

Meanwhile, Madam Xia returned and reported everything that happened at the General's mansion to Liu Ping.

"This Lady Lu, she really has no opinion of her own," Madam Xia complained.

"If she has no opinion, then there's no woman in this world who does," Liu Ping said. He had read about all of Li Xia's accomplishments in the North from official reports.

"My Lord, is this Li Xia really that formidable?" Madam Xia was curious.

Liu Ping briefly recounted Li Xia's achievements. After hearing this, Madam Xia also set aside her contempt.

"My Lord, what should we do about this situation?" Madam Xia had received a set of precious ruby hairpins from Wang family's wife.

"The General's wife said that women can't make decisions, so let's wait for General Lu to return," Li Xia had given them an excuse, and they would use it. As for the habitually arrogant Wang family, when Liu Ping first arrived in Hai City, he had also considered dealing with them.

However, the Wang family's influence in Hai City was deeply rooted. Trying to move against the Wang family might result in him meeting with an "accident" and disappearing, like previous newly appointed prefects.

After understanding the situation clearly, Liu Ping decisively chose to cooperate with them. He would serve his term and leave, turning a blind eye as long as these people didn't go too far.

Now that the Wang family had offended Lu XuanNing, things were different. Lu XuanNing wasn't just an appointed prefect; he had two hundred thousand troops under his command. As long as he controlled these troops, no one in Hai City could stop him from doing what he wanted.

He had the confidence to disregard these local powers of Hai City.