strokinit Chapter 64 Attending the Meeting
Chapter 64 Attending the Meeting
The back hall of the Fengming County government office was brightly lit by candlelight.
He Dashan, dressed in a gray-black martial arts robe, stood slightly bowing in front of Chen Wenyuan.
"Counselor Chen, my master Zhao sent me with a message: the entire Guzhu Gang is willing to serve the imperial court and obey the orders of the county magistrate and the counselor."
"If we manage to take down the Black Tiger Gang this time, all affairs at the East City Wharf will be entirely at your command, sir!"
Chen Wenyuan sat behind his desk, his face calm and expressionless. After listening to He Dashan's words, he simply nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the other man almost imperceptibly: "Yes, I understand."
His voice was calm and steady, revealing no emotion.
"The Black Tiger Gang has been entrenched in the east of the city for many years, with deep roots and connections behind them. We must proceed with caution and meticulousness, lest we leave behind clues that could become a source of trouble. Be careful."
An uncontrollable look of surprise flashed across He Dashan's face!
Consul Chen's attitude... clearly indicates tacit approval!
Although Zhang Yuan sent a message and the gang leader Zhao Hengjiang made a decision, it was only after personally meeting with this powerful county government advisor and obtaining his approval that he truly felt reassured.
Just as the gang leader predicted, Zhang Yuan was the one that Counselor Chen pushed to the forefront!
"Yes! I understand! I will handle it perfectly and will not cause you any trouble!"
He Dashan clasped his hands in a fist salute and responded in a loud voice. Then, without saying another word, he turned and quickly left the back hall.
Watching He Dashan disappear outside the door, Chen Wenyuan's calm expression slowly turned into one of contemplation.
He picked up the teacup beside him and gently stroked the warm porcelain surface with his fingertips.
"The Guzhu Gang...wouldn't come uninvited." He muttered to himself, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes. "Was it...Qingyang who invited them?"
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips, carrying a hint of understanding and a subtle sense of satisfaction.
"Heh, this kid... whether it's Wang Quanfu, that merchant, encouraging him to pave the way behind the scenes, or Li Decai, that old fox, secretly pushing things along, he knows how to mobilize external forces for his own use and how to leverage external power... In the end, this is a good thing."
He put down his teacup, straightened his blue official robe, and got up to walk deeper into the back office.
He needed to give the county magistrate a brief explanation of the Guzhu Gang's stance and movements.
Just as they reached the moon gate connecting to the rear government office, the curtain was lifted, and a tall, composed figure walked out from inside.
It was Wang Wei, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of Weiyuan镖局 (escort agency).
Behind Wang Wei, Fengming County Magistrate Wang Mingyuan personally saw him off, his face showing obvious politeness, even respect, and saying, "Take care, Chief Escort Wang, we will need your help in the future."
With the affable smile typical of businessmen, Wang Wei cupped his hands in greeting to the county magistrate: "Lord Wang, please wait a moment. In the future, when I open my business in Fengming County, I will have to rely on your and your colleagues' help."
His gaze shifted and he saw Chen Wenyuan walking towards him. His smile widened. "Oh, Counselor Chen is here too? Perfect timing. I, Wang, am here. I would like to ask for your patronage in the future, Counselor. Please take good care of my small escort agency."
Chen Wenyuan immediately put on the same warm smile and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Chief Escort Wang, you are too kind. The Weiyuan Escort Agency has a great reputation, and its establishment in Fengming is a blessing for our county. I, Chen, will do my best."
His answer was impeccable, but his gaze subtly swept between Wang Wei and Magistrate Wang Mingyuan.
Wang Wei laughed heartily, exchanged a few more pleasantries with the two men, and then strode away.
Only after Wang Wei's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Chen Wenyuan's gentle smile gradually fade.
The slight sense of relief I felt just now because of He Dashan's "borrowing the momentum of Qingyang" was instantly replaced by the enormous doubt brought about by what I saw before me.
A镖头 (bodyguard/escort) who could command such respect from the head of a county? There's no such镖头 in this world!
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, and an answer that he had vaguely guessed before but now suddenly understood was about to emerge!
He slowly turned his head, his gaze sharp as lightning, and looked at Magistrate Wang Mingyuan beside him, whose expression had returned to calm. His voice was extremely low, yet carried an all-knowing certainty: "Zhenwu Guard?"
Wang Mingyuan glanced at Chen Wenyuan with a complicated expression, but did not answer directly. He simply nodded almost imperceptibly and uttered three words in a lower voice: "Sixth rank."
These three words, like a heavy hammer, completely confirmed Chen Wenyuan's guess.
A sixth-rank Zhenwu Guard!
This status far surpasses that of a county magistrate!
Wang Mingyuan seemed unwilling to discuss the matter further, waving his hand to change the subject, his tone becoming somewhat serious: "Counselor Chen, how much do you know about the Black Tiger Gang in the east of the city?"
Chen Wenyuan's eyes suddenly lit up!
He instantly understood the magistrate's intention in bringing up the Black Tiger Gang.
This is no coincidence!
He immediately followed up on the conversation, his gaze unconsciously glancing again in the direction Wang Wei had left. A meaningful smile returned to his lips, and he solemnly bowed to Wang Mingyuan:
"I have come here for this very reason."
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The morning mist had not yet dissipated, carrying a chilly feeling of moisture.
Zhang Yuan pushed open the mottled wooden door of the courtyard.
At the door, Zhang Jian's only remaining left hand tightly gripped a sheathless short dagger, while his empty right sleeve fluttered slightly in the morning breeze.
Zhang Jiumei stood silently to one side, her eyes calm as a deep pool, a short dagger also hanging at her waist.
The boys, including Zhang Shi and Zhang Zhu, stood up straight with their eyes burning.
As Zhang Yuan walked out, everyone fell silent, all kneeling on one knee in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, as if welcoming a general about to go to war, and a solemn atmosphere instantly filled the air.
Zhang Yuan's gaze swept over their resolute faces, he nodded slightly, said nothing, and turned to leave.
The crowd quickly stood up and followed closely behind, their steps steady, leaving only the dull echo of their footsteps on the bluestone slabs.
At the alley entrance, a simple blue-canopied carriage was already waiting.
Xiao Yang, sitting on the carriage shaft, saw Zhang Yuan emerge and gestured for him to get in. "Get in. I managed to get an invitation to the gathering; I'll go with you."
Zhang Yuan sat inside the car, eyes closed, lost in thought.
The wheels rumbled, rolling over the silent street.
Outside the car window, in the shadows on both sides of the street, a series of agile figures dressed in short jackets and holding weapons moved and gathered silently like ghosts. They were Zhang Zhenshan's former subordinates who had been dismissed from their posts and summoned back to the countryside.
Their eyes were wary, their aura restrained, yet they exuded a fierce, battle-hardened aura, adding to the somber atmosphere of their early morning outing.
The carriage drove smoothly out of the city gate.
Zhang Jian, Zhang Jiumei, and others quietly broke away from the group outside the city gate and quickly disappeared into the paths leading in different directions.
Their mission had already been arranged.
The carriage eventually stopped outside the "Tingtao Pavilion" on the banks of the Chensha River.
This building is built by the water, with flying eaves and brackets, and has an extraordinary presence.
The lower level is a spacious training ground, while the upper level is a banquet hall with carved railings and painted beams.
Looking out from the railing, the Chensha River glistens, and the outline of the East City Wharf is clearly visible in the distance.
Li Jintang was already waiting outside the pavilion.
Today he wore an even more luxurious brocade robe, exuding an extraordinary air. However, when he looked at Zhang Yuan, the shadow of being punched away that day still seemed to linger with a hint of complexity.
Zhang Yuan and Xiao Yang got off the bus.
"Brother Qingyang." Li Jintang smiled and cupped his hands, then looked at Xiao Yang beside him.
Upon hearing Zhang Yuan introduce Xiao Yang, Li Jintang nodded in acknowledgment and then said, "Brother Qingyang, Young Master Xiao, please follow me."