Even if Emperor Xiping truly had cultivated a face impenetrable as steel, uncaring of how the world viewed him... did he not care about the fate of the Wei dynasty, the legacy of the Zhao Family?
Their struggle for power within the court and the chaos wrought by pirate raiders off the coast might be fabrications.
But if the Ming Sect really repelled those pirates in Jiangzhe... then the loyalty and spirit of the people would be real, and so would the foundation for a rebellion!
The combination of the Ming Sect’s ancestral craft of insurrection and the wealth of Jiangnan with its abundance of fish and rice was a formidable adversary that even Wei at its zenith would not wish to face.
This wave was still Yang Ge’s forte, forcing the imperial court to respond, starting from the bottom up!
And Yang Yinghao’s agreement to Yang Ge’s request was naturally a matter of mutual benefit.
Yang Ge’s aim was to protect the common people of Jiangzhe.
As for Yang Yinghao, naturally, he was after the loyalty of the people of Jiangzhe...
...
Facing Yang Ge’s gratitude, Wu Eryong instinctively tried to stand up but was stopped by a dismissive wave of Yang Ge’s hand.
Wu Eryong could only sit back down on the small bamboo chair, clasp his hands and say, "I’m just running errands, unworthy of Second Master’s thanks!"
Yang Ge raised his teacup in salute and said, "I cannot tell you in detail the significance of what you’ve accomplished with this trip, but if I say you deserve it, then you assuredly do... The common folks along the coast of Jiangzhe should all thank you!"
His unremarkable words hit Wu Eryong like thunder, sending goosebumps crawling up toward his scalp in waves.
At that moment, even if he were asked to die for Yang Ge, he wouldn’t frown!
He breathed heavily, trying to calm himself for a few breaths before once again clasping his hands and saying, "I... am humbled!"
He wanted to say he wasn’t worthy, but feared that Yang Ge would say something that made his scalp tingle.
He genuinely feared getting carried away and leaving behind Lianhuan Fort’s business to follow Yang Ge into Jiangzhe...
"Let’s skip the formalities."
Yang Ge slowly shook his head, "If you need any help in the future, just say the word. Whatever I can do, I won’t hesitate!"
Wu Eryong replied hastily, "You overstate it, Second Master!"
"Have some tea."
Yang Ge once again raised his tea cup in a gesture.
Wu Eryong nodded vigorously, picking up the tea cup in front of him and drinking it down like liquor, not even registering the taste of the tea.
"By the way, did you come over today because you need my help with something?"
Yang Ge put down his tea cup and smiled, "If there’s anything, just tell me, there’s no need for pretense between family."
Wu Eryong, as if waking from a dream, took an envelope from his bosom and handed it to Yang Ge with both hands, "Second Master, this is an urgent letter from Young Master Yang Ge from Jiangzhe..."
He added a particular emphasis on the urgency.
"From Yang Tiansheng?"
Yang Ge took the letter, checked the seal, then opened the envelope and pulled out the letter...
The first glance at the unfolded letter revealed a mass of hasty scrawl, as if the clamor of voices surged at him!
Imagining that fellow tilting his head back, hands on hips, talking animatedly and without pause, Yang Ge unwittingly quirked the corner of his lips.
But when he read more closely, the sight of "Yang Ge," "You really should die," "You owe me two plates of scallion beef," made the smile nearly crawl from his mouth to his eyes.
Yet after he read further, the smile between his brows swiftly disappeared.
’...Ambush... trap... Dongying ninjas... elite Dongying raiders... narrow victory?’
He clenched his fist, feeling a mix of guilt, dread, and an outrageous fury.
Yang Tiansheng... was his only son.
If something were to happen to him, Yang Ge dared not imagine how he would face Yang Tiansheng’s parents.
Yang Ge carefully put away the letter, lifted his teacup, and asked softly, "Are there any ships heading south to Jiangzhe today or tomorrow?"
Wu Eryong answered without any hesitation, "Whenever Second Master needs, there will be one!"
Yang Ge, "Then tonight, find me a ship, I’m heading south to Jiangzhe!"
Wu Eryong was taken aback, "You’re personally heading down south, Second Master?"
"Hmm..."
Yang Ge didn’t hide it, "There’s been a problem on Yang Tiansheng’s side, I’m going down to lend him a hand."
Wu Eryong immediately said, "Do you need manpower? I dare not promise too much, but Lianhuan Fort still has three to five hundred good hands!"
Yang Ge hesitated for a few seconds before shaking his head, "For now, there’s no need to involve Lianhuan Fort. If I need help, I’ll speak with Jin Cheng."
Wu Eryong wanted to say more, but after opening his mouth, he instead clasped his hands and said, "I will arrange the ship right away, I’ll send Second Master south tonight!"
Yang Ge clasped his hands in return, "I’ve troubled you again..."
Wu Eryong stepped to the side, refusing to accept his thanks, "If Second Master still considers me as a brother, then never again mention the word ’trouble.’ From the bottom of my heart, I admire heroes and great men like Second Master. Being able to serve Second Master is a blessing I’ve cultivated over several lifetimes!"
Yang Ge shook his head and chuckled, "Don’t speak so lowly of yourself, Lianhuan Fort has its merits as well."
...
At the same time, far in the capital, Shen Fa also received intelligence about the downfall of the Ming Sect in Jiangzhe.
When he saw the name "Yang Tiansheng," he too immediately thought of Yang Ge in Lu Ting.
’Could this be that rascal, pulling strings from behind the scenes again?’
He pondered to himself and ordered his subordinates to bring all the intelligence related to Yang Ge from the past month into his office for his personal review.
But in the end, he could find no link between Yang Ge and the Jiangzhe incidents.
At least, he found no evidence that could corroborate Yang Ge’s involvement in this affair.
Yet his intuition told him that Yang Ge must be connected to this matter...
Otherwise, why out of so many branches and divisions of the Ming Sect, was it the one affiliated with the deeply connected Yang Family of Fengyang that met this fate?
This type of intuition that didn’t require evidence for confirmation made him feel both helpless and weary.
He slumped in the main hall of his office, gazing up at the ceiling beams with a lifeless stare, emanating a strong sense of despair: "I’m truly foolish, truly..."
Previously, he thought he had Yang Ge under control.
Now, it appears as though he was the one being controlled by Yang Ge, doesn’t it?
Just look at how recklessly that man creates havoc!
He never thought about the consequences, never even feared any consequences.
Yet there he was, foolishly and eagerly cleaning up after him...
And if he didn’t?
The Emperor would certainly have Yang Ge killed!
If he didn’t have Yang Ge killed, where would the Emperor’s face be left?
If the Emperor wanted Yang Ge dead, Yang Ge would surely bring down Wei.
That guy was missing a screw in his head and knew nothing of fear!
If it really came down to a fight...
Even if Yang Ge died, Wei would undoubtedly be greatly weakened!
This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.
What could he do?
What else could he do?
Of course, he had to forgive that damned snake!
No!
That damned snake had now turned into a shrewd old toad!
Stepping on it wouldn’t just disgust others!
It would disturb them...
Heaven have mercy, when he initially brought Yang Ge into the imperial guards, he clearly intended for Yang Ge to serve Wei loyally!
How did things end up like this?
"Ah, what grievances, what grudges!"
The more Shen Fa thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt and soon he felt utterly unwell.
Such a mess, how could he, "merely" a commander, clean it all up?
Who could he clean up after?
Was it the political faction from Jiangzhe, the Ming Sect, or Yang Ge?
He surely couldn’t clean up after the Emperor, could he?
After agonizing over it for a long while, Shen Fa suddenly exclaimed fiercely: "Damn it, if I can’t clean up the faction, the Ming Sect, or Yang Ge, can’t I at least deal with those damn officials?"
As long as no one reported it further up, then nothing happened!
The Emperor’s dignity was preserved.
Yang Ge got what he wanted to done.
The Emperor angry with Yang Ge?
Yang Ge’s already been demoted to a mere laborer, what more could he be angry with him for?
"Ah, I’m really foolish, truly..."