"That expert is none other than Chai Li, the vice Gang Leader of the Changfeng Gang."
This junior officer was proficient in storytelling; he narrated the cause and effect so appropriately detailed and with dramatic pauses, maintaining suspense that captivated everyone present.
Yang Ge was so amused that he gave him a thumbs up and said, "Hey, you really are a talent!"
The junior officer bashfully cupped his fists and hid his smile.
Just then, a subtle sound reached Yang Ge’s ears.
He slightly raised his head to glance at the roof tiles above and was about to speak when he sensed something. The words at the edge of his lips changed as he said to Fang Ke, "Credit him for his performance, our department indeed needs such talents!"
Having unearthed such information and sorted out the leads within just half a day of entering the city indeed proved his remarkable talent.
Fang Ke noticed the change in Yang Ge’s eyes and, upon hearing his words, he picked up the teapot and added half a bowl of tea for the junior officer who just reported: "Keep it up, do not let down the master who has fostered you!"
The junior officer’s eyes sparkled with joy as he hurriedly cupped his fists and said, "Don’t worry, shopkeeper, the master honors me, Liu, and I will definitely live up to it!"
The rest of the junior officers watched Liu with envy...
Yang Ge lightly tapped on the table, pulling everyone’s attention back to the main topic: "Continue!"
"Master, I have found out..."
The five junior officers vied with each other to report the information collected by their subordinates during the day to Yang Ge.
Some focused on the history and organizational structure of Changfeng Gang.
Others focused on the old lairs and behavioral patterns of key Changfeng Gang members.
Although they had been in the city for a short time, they all had findings to show.
The group led by Gu Tong was originally the base of the Jinyiwei from Lu Ting and was the team where Yang Ge had invested most of his efforts.
Now, it seemed that they had not let down Yang Ge’s hard work over the past six months, as each had developed some insights from the scouting directions Yang Ge had initially taught them.
After listening to their statements, Yang Ge had gained a fairly clear understanding of the Changfeng Gang.
The Changfeng Gang, true to its name, was the largest faction in the region west of the river!
In Jiangdu alone, there were eight Qi Sea Realm masters and more than eighty core fighters, with peripheral members numbering in the hundreds. Their network was deeply entangled, extending from landlords and gentry in neighboring towns to the government offices and guards – the insignia of the Changfeng Gang had unfettered access everywhere.
In some ways, Changfeng Gang wielded more power in this region than many local governments!
Handling such a powerhouse, one must use an overwhelming advantage to secure a victory in one stroke; it would be a mistake to get drawn into a prolonged battle with them!
If a prolonged battle ensues, their department would inevitably be the losing party!
After Gu Tong and the junior officers finished their reports, Yang Ge was about to summarize when he heard Fang Ke next to him ask, "Is everyone done?"
Gu Tong and the junior officers nodded simultaneously.
Fang Ke picked up the teapot and filled Yang Ge’s cup slowly, saying, "Then you might like to hear me out... In May, Xiong Jun’s younger daughter, Xiong Zijin, was married to Yang Huairong, the eldest son of the current Jiangdu Magistrate and former representative of Yangzhou, Yang Yuting. Yangzhou is a key location in Jiangnan, historically managed by the core members of the Zhe faction. Fortunately, the current Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Liang Yi from Jiangzhe, was once the mentor of Lord Yang."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Gu Tong held up his empty tea bowl for quite some time, seemingly forgetting to set it down.
Yang Ge squinted, pointed at Fang Ke, and laughed, "Look, that’s the real deal secret service style!"
The junior officers snapped out of their trance and awkwardly chuckled while cupping their fists towards Fang Ke, hailing him as "sharp-eyed" and "discerning."
Fang Ke pressed down their clumsy flattery and sternly said, "I’m not scaring you, but rather I want to remind you that this case is unlike any other. This local government, its soldiers, and even its stationed troops, the Poyang Naval Force, will not be our support but rather our obstacles. If we want to clean up the Changfeng Gang smoothly, we must act cautiously, think thrice before acting, and plan firmly before moving!"
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Yang Ge "tsked" and slapped Fang Ke on the shoulder with a chuckle, "Who are you squeezing here? Watch your back!"
No wonder this guy is clever; knowing he couldn’t persuade him privately, he tried to influence him openly.
Fang Ke shuddered under his slap, his face flushed red and nearly cried out in pain.
Being one rank below in officialdom really makes a difference!
I talk to you about power, you talk to me about reason.
I talk to you about reason, you respond with force.
That’s just bullying!
Sore...
"Alright, quit playing the victim, I’m well aware," Yang Ge said as he retracted his hand and cheerfully sipped from his tea bowl, "Same old saying, ’Wear the pants that fit.’ We’ll do what we can manage!"
The junior officers sighed in relief upon hearing this and together raised their bowls, murmuring, "The master is wise!"
Only Fang Ke still sulked, grumbling to himself, ’Do what we can manage? I think he’s just throwing Sichuan pepper on a grave—just fooling ghosts!’
Yang Ge put down his bowl, waved his hand, and said, "All right then, everyone go rest. Tomorrow Qin the Shopkeeper and his team will arrive. With them in the spotlight and us in the shadows, you can intensify your effort to dig deeper into the intelligence. We’ll take action the day after tomorrow at the latest. Let’s cut through the chaos quickly and decisively!"
The officers stood, bowed ceremoniously, and took their leave.
Fang Ke lingered until the very end, wanting to say something more, but he saw Yang Ge wave his hand and say, "Talk about it tomorrow!"