The troops returning from Zhoushan merged into Hangzhou amidst the earth-shaking sounds of gongs and drums, gradually dissolving into parts.
After a brief rest and reorganization in Hangzhou and disposing of some miscellaneous spoils of war, they would escort the fallen heroes back home in batches with the money they were paid.
As soon as Yang Ge and Yang Tiansheng returned to their lodging, Yang Tiansheng, in a fit of grief and indignation, grabbed Yang Ge’s throat with both hands, "I never expected you, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, to also spend money on buying rankings..."
"Hold on!"
Yang Ge instantly caught the loophole and counter-grabbed him, "’Also’? Were those so-called ’Five Bravos of Zhoushan’ a stunt you pulled off?"
Boy, he was still wondering who had time on their hands to spread such news so quickly.
They hadn’t even reached Hangzhou yet, and their reputation had already preceded them.
Who would have thought it was this numbskull!
Struggling fiercely, Yang Tiansheng proclaimed self-righteously, "To come back home rich and not be known is like walking in brocaded clothes at night..."
How cleverly he had played his little game. Yang Erlang, Yang Erlang, one could tell from the title that he’s the second in the family. If he just put out his name, Yang Tiansheng, wouldn’t that solidify his status as Yang Dalang? Wouldn’t that justifiably make him the elder brother to Yang Erlang?
Yang Ge was speechless, "Are you crazy? Are you even aware of your own status? This kind of thing that can only be understood and not spoken about, if you bring it out into the open, where does that leave the court’s dignity? Are you eager to have the court send troops after your Ming Sect?"
Yang Tiansheng retorted, "You don’t know anything, you ass. If I can’t make a noise about doing something bad, nor about doing something good, then am I not doing good deeds for nothing?"
Yang Ge fired back, "Do as you do, but what’s the real story? The people of Jiangzhe have their own judgment. By doing this, aren’t you just poking the court in the eye?"
New novel chapters are published on freewёbn૦νeɭ.com.
Yang Tiansheng shot back, "The White Lotus Sect can take their shots, so the Ming Sect can’t?"
Yang Ge, "And you still say you’re not stupid? What kind of life does the White Lotus Sect lead, and what kind of life does your Ming Sect lead? Can that be the same? What, is the Ming Sect going to rebel again?"
Yang Tiansheng: "You can’t handle it, stop holding on, let go..."
Yang Ge: "I won’t let go, if I don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll barely be able to tell who’s in charge!"
Yang Tiansheng: "Scoundrel, take a punch from me!"
Yang Ge: "I won’t take it..."
That day, the conversation between the two made Fang Ke, who followed them in, so embarrassed that he had to use his toes to scratch out a three-room apartment on the floor.
Can you two not conspire so loudly...
I’m a vice commandant of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, after all!
After a few exchanges of bashing fists, Yang Tiansheng managed to pin Yang Ge against the doorpost with a simple joint-lock maneuver, "This was dad’s idea, if you have the guts, go settle the score with him!"
Yang Ge was stunned, then realized, "Oh... so you’re looking to surrender as well?"
Yang Tiansheng: "What do you mean ’also’? We’ve been talking with the court all along..."
Yang Ge turned his head towards the inconspicuous Fang Ke, "Is that so?"
Fang Ke held back the urge to roll his eyes, "Do you think too highly of me? Could I possibly have a say in such major affairs?"
Yang Ge: "You’re a vice commandant and you’re still small?"
Fang Ke: "Do you not have any idea how I got to be a vice commandant?"
Yang Ge:...
Gathering a surge of True Qi, he shook off Yang Tiansheng’s grip and scratched his head, looking at Fang Ke with confusion, "Why would you, a hound of the court, follow us to a gathering of commoners and rebels? Shouldn’t you be off reporting your achievements where you have to, receiving your rewards where you have to? Surely, you don’t expect me to pay out of my own pocket for your farewell party? Do you officials have no shame?"
With just a short speech, Fang Ke found himself overwhelmed by so many issues, he didn’t even know where to begin.
After pondering for a good while, he decided to be straightforward, "Since the affair in Jiangzhe is done, why don’t you go back to the yamen with your men? We’re on official business, all expenses paid by the state, plus extra allowances for transportation. Isn’t that more comfortable than squeezing onto a merchant ship on your own?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Ge slowly narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "What now? Are you planning to escort me back to the capital to stand trial?"
With a scoundrel’s honesty, Fang Ke spread his hands wide, "You know the answer, don’t you? I’m just a rat in a bellows, caught between you and Shen. Squeezed from both sides, anyone displeased could come hit me with a couple of punches. What can I do?"
After a brief silence, Yang Ge shook his head, "Xiang Wudi has also challenged me to a fight. You guys go back first!"
Fang Ke nodded, "No hurry, we’re all on official business, and no one’s rushing us back home, so we’ll wait for you to join us."
Caught between the two, Yang Tiansheng looked left and right, "What kind of riddles are you two playing at?"
Yang Ge frowned slightly, exhaled gently, and tried to speak calmly, "You’re a smart man, you should know that when I say you should go first, it’s for your own good!"
Fang Ke shook his head, "If it were anything else, I would just advise you and let it be, but not with this. Even if you don’t see me as your subordinate, we’re still friends after all. I can’t just watch you blunder headlong down a dead-end road!"
In understanding Yang Ge, no matter Shen Fa or Yang Tiansheng, they would all have to stand behind Fang Ke.
Even if Yang Ge didn’t let slip a single superfluous word, and even managed his expressions extremely well...
But on that day in Nansha Bay Strait, under the morning sun, as he watched Yang Ge wandering among the corpses with heavy steps, he had already guessed what was on Yang Ge’s mind.
The less Yang Ge said afterwards, the more he casually tried to downplay the impact of the situation, the more certain Fang Ke was about his own guesses!