Liu She leaned back, rested his chin on his hand, and laughed. “This matter you speak of is indeed potentially dangerous, but who’s willing to step forth first and bear the consequences? Each family consolidated its military strength until it totaled 40,000 men. If we unite as one, Prince Changshou, that thief of the country, will tremble in fear. I bet even the emperor who reigns from Chenzhou will have difficulties eating and sleeping. Moreover, the heroes have their pride will never submit completely to anyone…”

Huang Song had visited Liu She with Cheng Jing for two main reasons.

Either they collaborated with Liu She to nominate a renowned “alliance chief” who could hold the fort and command respect, or they named Liu She as the “alliance chief” to head the efforts to defend the emperor and fight a decisive battle with Prince Changshou.

If they went with the former, Liu She didn’t mind participating.

If it was the latter, he could only sigh about how young people lacked more and more in moralities with each passing generation.

They would even go to the extent of implicating the elderly. Don’t the consciences of the young hurt?

“The magistrate’s words are reasonable, but if we put this matter aside, the alliance army will eventually become disunited.” As Huang Song’s spokesman, Cheng Jing’s words conveyed Huang Song’s opinion. When he observed that it was inappropriate for Huang Song to speak, Cheng Jing would help him reply. “My lord intends to propose a nomination for an alliance chief in two days. Only, my lord fears that he is lowly in status and that his words don’t carry weight. Thus, we hope magistrate Liu can help by saying a few words.”

He knitted his brows. Had they not come to encourage him to be the alliance chief?

If his role was merely to stand by and give some comments, he wouldn’t mind.

Since it wouldn’t cost him anything, he would consider it as doing a good deed.

Only… he was somewhat worried. He was uncertain about who this brat, Huang Song, had in mind to be the alliance chief.

If it was Liu She himself, it’d be hard for him, as the responder, to back out. It would seem like a self-directed, boastful attempt. This would arouse suspicions of him selling himself.

Liu She had to be cautious to prevent any misjudgments. Liu She had no choice but to be wary.

He nonchalantly asked, “Does Bogao have anyone in mind to nominate?”

These words were directed at Huang Song. Cheng Jing was in no position to reply on his behalf.

Luckily, Huang Song was well-prepared. He calmly sat up straight.

He replied, “Indeed, Bogao has someone in mind. He is the county chief of Zhe County, Xu Bei. What does the magistrate think of him?”

Within Dongqing there were six prefectures and 21 counties, each prefecture having three counties. The remaining three counties were autonomous. Their land areas weren’t any less important than a prefecture.

The three counties were Hu County, Zhe County, and Shanghai County.

Hu County, although it appeared to belong to Dongqing’s imperial family, it belonged to Liu She. This was a known fact to all.

As for Zhe County, this land had always been deemed as the large territory of the aristocratic Xu family. It was similar to the Meng family and Cangzhou’s relationship.

Then the question emerged, who was this Xu Bei from the Xu family?

When this young punk was spoken off, others were somewhat clueless. However, if Xu Bei’s ancestor was mentioned, everyone in the five countries knew who he was.

During the dawn of the Xia dynasty, one of the top officials had been equally famous as Meng Jing of the Meng family.

After his death, he’d been given the posthumous title of “Marquis Guannei.” He was commonly known as General Xu.

Because the Xu family were few in numbers, they kept a low-profile. From the previous dynasty to the present, those who assumed official positions were few and their social standing was low.

Nonetheless, they valued quality over quantity, and they chose the path that led to elitism. Although there were few officials represented by the Xu family, each of them deserved respect.

In name, the Xu family did not belong to the four great families of Dongqing. In terms of overall power, the Xu family wielded more than all of them.

Xu Bei was the son of the first wife and the eldest great-grandson of the Marquis Guannei, General Xu.

He was born of a noble bloodline and well-nurtured. He also possessed great abilities. Thus, to nominate this man as the alliance chief to defend the Emperor was the best choice.

Except… Liu She furrowed his brows as he considered carefully. He was somewhat hesitant.

“Nominate Xu Bei?”

Huang Song was stunned and asked him, “Does Magistrate Liu perceive this man to be unsuitable?”

Liu She signaled with his hand and laughed speechlessly. “No, no, no — I’m not saying that Xu Bei isn’t good. Truthfully this child is not bad. He has a prestigious family background, strong military force, a noteworthy reputation, and his talents are known throughout… but… County Chief Huang seems to forget that, besides Xu Bei, the Xu family has another legitimate grandson. If we nominated Xu Bei instead of Xu Fei, I’m afraid either of the brothers would be displeased and internal conflict would erupt. This will not bode well.”

The head of the Xu family was Xu Bei’s grandfather. This elderly man was old in years, but he was full of vitality.

That man was close to 70 years old, but he possessed clarity in sight and hearing. He looked like he was primed for longevity, even outliving his two legitimate sons.

Each of his legitimate sons had one son each. They were his eldest grandson, Xu Bei, and his second grandson, Xu Fei.

Based on seniority and legitimacy, Xu Bei had more rights. The trouble was that the old man of the Xu family was biased towards his younger grandson, Xu Fei. He’d displayed outrightly on many public occasions that he favored his younger grandson. He’d also mentioned that Xu Fei had the aura he had in his younger days.

Because of Old General Xu’s favoritism, the relationship between both his legitimate grandsons was tense. The internal conflict between them was incessant.

To put it plainly, this was because the household was not governed strictly. All of this was the consequence of not distinguishing between seniority.

If there was no harmony in the house, how could they bring peace to the world?

From Liu She’s viewpoint, no matter who he nominated, he was bound to offend the other.

Huang Song was quiet. He wore an aggrieved expression as he looked at Liu She.

“Then… who does the magistrate perceive to be the most suitable nominee?”

Liu She kept silent.

Supposing they ignored the two Langjuns from the Xu family, the next highest-ranked amongst the alliance army with the highest reputation was none other than Liu She himself.

Nonetheless, his purpose for coming over this time had been to watch the commotion. He hadn’t come to be in the limelight. He had no intention to fight.

Huang Song and Liu She exchanged questions and answers while Cheng Jing secretly observed Liu She. The more he focused on his brows, the more nervous he got.

They returned with nothing accomplished.

Liu She was renowned to be a sly fox when immersed in official circles. He was apt at cunningly escaping situations, so how had he fallen for the trap so easily?

On the way back, both wore somber expressions, each of them lost in their thoughts.

He mumbled as he said, “This Magistrate Liu guards his heart very well.”

Cheng Jing approved in his heart. When he revealed Prince Changshou’s schemes directly, Liu She’s facial expression had not shown one bit of surprise. It was evident that the other party also understood in his heart. Certainly, Liu She was aware of the potential dangers found in the alliance army defending the emperor. Still, this man had stayed home and refused to go out. He did not interact with others on a whim and constantly appeared detached from the affairs of the world. His mouth was tightly shut as if detached from the affairs of the world. Liu She’s attitude made it obvious that he would not participate in their plans.

“The chief of the alliance army is a tricky position to undertake. No one will be suitable, but someone to assume the role. As the saying goes, ‘brother, you may seek death, but it is not for me.’ For someone like Magistrate Liu, an elder who is comfortable in an official setting, would he be ignorant of this reasoning? He refused to fall for the plot which was within our expectations. My lord need not be discouraged.” Cheng Jing was not disheartened by this result. “Let’s discuss it when we return.”

Huang Song’s facial expression turned solemn. “If so, when the alliance gathers, do we raise the issue of choosing an alliance chief?”

Cheng Jing remarked, “We will mention this, naturally we must. However, my lord does not need to nominate someone. Let them fight it out.”

From Cheng Jing’s perspective, some were already desperate to choose their alliance chief. However, they were shy and refusing to speak up.

If Huang Song started this topic, he would garner the support of many. Of course, there would be some who’d reject choosing an alliance chief. Likewise, Huang Song would be hated by this group of people.

“Based on Youmo’s judgment, who is worthy to be the alliance chief?”