```
If Li Mingqi was strongly opposed, Chen Yuan could only reluctantly give up the Tie Family's one hundred silver taels. After all, his swagger in Ping'an County relied on the County Magistrate, Li Mingqi.
He hadn't thought about hiding it because such matters couldn't be kept secret; sooner or later, Tie Qinghua would certainly use his name to establish a foothold in Ping'an County. If Li Mingqi learned of it only then, it wouldn't be so simple.
Of course, Chen Yuan didn't think that someone of Li Mingqi's stature would care about such a trivial matter.
After Tie Xuan's death, the Tie Family no longer caught Li Mingqi's eye.
A County Magistrate held high authority; in Ping'an County, he was a supreme existence. Bothering with a minor force like the Tie Family was beneath his dignity.
"Tie Qinghua seeks your protection..." Li Mingqi's gaze shifted suddenly, and he let out a light chuckle.