Just in time, the fan-wielding Wei Xin entered and saluted with his fists, "Incense Master, Lord Yang, someone has come asking for an audience outside. They claim to be ’Captain of the Five Peaks’, Wang Zeng, seeking an audience with Lord Yang."
Upon hearing this name, Yang Ge and Yang Tiansheng exchanged glances.
Yang Tiansheng cleared his ear and said, "Who did you say wants to see Yang Ge? Say it again!"
Wei Xin was about to repeat himself when Yang Ge said in a deep voice, "How many people have come?"
Wei Xin turned and replied, "Just one person."
Yang Ge: "Let him come in."
Wei Xin: "Yes, Lord Yang."
He turned and quickly left the room. Yang Tiansheng with a furrowed brow said in a low voice, "Ge, I’m worried this visitor bodes ill."
Yang Ge put away the map on the table and slowly sat back in the Taishi Chair, "If he dares to come, why shouldn’t I dare to meet him?"
Without saying anything more, Yang Tiansheng just picked up the Lengyue Treasure Blade that was beside him, placed it next to Yang Ge, and then sat on the other side of the hall.
Soon after, Wei Xin led a person into the hall, "Incense Master, Lord Yang, I’ve brought Wang Zeng."
Yang Tiansheng waved his hand, "Go on with your business."
Wei Xin bowed and retreated.
At the head of the room, Yang Ge, without uttering a word, squinted and scrutinized the newcomer from head to toe: bald head, long beard, scarred face, about forty or so in age, tall and burly, dressed in a high-quality black outfit, with official-style satin long boots underfoot, heavy with evil Qi...
As he was sizing up the visitor, the newcomer scanned the room before focusing on Yang Ge. He saw Yang Ge, a towering figure nearly seven and a half feet tall, with the build of a tiger, long limbs, a stern face, and a compelling gaze. Seated motionless in the Taishi Chair, he exuded a profound and stately aura, and the visitor internally exclaimed, "What a Yang Erlang!"
"Is this ’Divine General’ Yang Erlang, Lord Yang himself?"
After Wei Xin had stepped back, the guest took the initiative to salute with his fist in a neither humble nor haughty manner.
Yang Ge nodded, "I am."
The visitor: "My name is Wang Zeng. The brethren of the sea have honored me with the nickname ’Captain of the Five Peaks’."
Yang Ge slowly nodded, saying softly, "I know you, I’ve heard you have eight thousand Dongying pirates under your command, and you have quite a reputation on the high seas."
Wang Zeng: "In Lord Yang’s presence, I am unworthy of such mention."
Yang Ge chuckled, "If you dare to meet with me, what else is there not to dare?"
Wang Zeng’s expression remained unchanged, "If possible, I wouldn’t wish to meet with Lord Yang, but I must."
Yang Ge smiled, "Why must you?"
Wang Zeng replied solemnly, "There has been a misunderstanding between you and me, Lord Yang, and so I had to come."
"A misunderstanding?"
Yang Ge leaned back in the Taishi Chair and picked up his teacup, "What misunderstanding? Is it a misunderstanding that you’re the leader of Dongying pirates? Or that you’re in cahoots with Geng Jingzhong? Or perhaps, that you’re about to ravage the southeastern coast, is that the misunderstanding?"
Wang Zeng saluted with his fist, "Let Lord Yang be informed: although Wang, compelled by livelihood, turned to piracy, I have never once plundered a single inch of Wei’s territory. My usual means of survival have been the merchant ships of Dongying and Western nations. When Geng Jingzhong sent men to find me, he merely suggested putting on a play for the court to see, as a means of opening the door to Wei’s foreign trade."
Yang Ge laughed dismissingly, "So, you’re portraying yourself as a patriot from a good family?"
Wang Zeng stood up straight, his voice resolute, "I dare not claim to be from a good family, but even as a bandit, I have never violated any Wei laws. When Dongying pirates were rampant along Wei’s southeastern coast, I even assisted Prince Ning in quelling the pirate scourge. I dare not claim merit, but at least I have committed no wrong!"
Yang Ge frowned slightly, speaking in a heavy tone, "Since you’ve come to see me, you should know what kind of business I’m in. You wouldn’t be trying to fool me with words that fall apart upon a touch, would you?"
Wang Zeng gestured with an open hand, "If Lord Yang doubts my words, feel free to send people to investigate. Should there be any bloodshed committed by me within Wei’s borders, Lord Yang can arrest me on the spot!"
Yang Ge tapped the armrest of the Taishi Chair thoughtfully before suddenly calling out, "Wei Xin!"
Wei Xin quickly entered, saluting with his fists, "Lord Yang."
Yang Ge grabbed the Lengyue Treasure Blade beside him and threw it, scabbard and all, saying, "Go to my men and tell them, immediately notify the family that all plans targeting ’Captain of the Five Peaks’ Wang Zeng are to be suspended until further notice."
Wei Xin caught the Lengyue Treasure Blade with both hands, "As you command, Lord Yang."
He turned and hurried off with the blade in hand.
Meanwhile, Wang Zeng below the hall felt a chill down his spine...
Earlier when he was at sea, after hearing about many deeds of this ’Divine General’ Yang Erlang, Lord Yang, he concluded that this man, who had killed even Geng Jingzhong, certainly would not spare him, the leader of the pirate infestation. Thus, he made the risky decision to land and personally pay a visit to Lord Yang Erlang in Hangzhou.
Unexpectedly... it turned out to be the right move!
This Yang Erlang had indeed been planning to make a move against him!
That was a close call, truly a narrow escape. Luck must be on his side for longevity and prosperity!
"Please, take a seat," Yang Ge said, easing his tone and gesturing toward the seat on the right with an inviting hand.
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"Thank you, Lord Yang!"
Wang Zeng saluted and bowed, his tone now even more respectful than before.
Seeing this, Yang Tiansheng from the side called out, "Serve the tea."
Upon hearing his voice, Wang Zeng, who had just sat down, seemed to finally remember that there was another person in the room. He turned to Yang Tiansheng with a cheerful salute, "My apologies for the oversight, you must be the eldest son of the Yang Family of Fengyang. Years ago, I had the pleasure of sharing a drink with your father!"
Yang Tiansheng let out a cold snort and crossed his arms, turning his face away.
Wang Zeng, seeing this response, just smiled more broadly, "The temperament of Lord Yang’s son is identical to his father’s!"
Yang Tiansheng nearly lost his composure, but Yang Ge timely tapped the Taishi Chair, saving his prestige, "Let’s get to it, then. What’s the matter!"