"Heard about it? The imperial court has entered the fray, flooding the Jingxiang Region with top internal court experts to track down and surround the followers of the Five Poisons Cult, district by district..."
"Heard it. My seventh uncle is the Sect Leader of Juque Gate in Yueyang. He kept sending messages asking me to come back, saying the court is offering a big reward!"
"Oh? Li, you’re actually the grandnephew of ’Bulldozer’ Ding, the Sect Leader. My apologies, my apologies!"
"Laugh it off, laugh it off..."
As the year ended, the salted fish who had gone home for the New Year began trickling back to the inn in pairs and small groups. Dozens of them gathered in the inn, making merry over tea, gossiping, and chattering non-stop with the cheerful air of celebration.
Yang Ge sat behind the counter, holding a crooked-mouthed teapot, cracking sunflower seeds, sipping tea, and snacking with gusto, all without leaving his spot but still knowing everything under the heavens.
Right then, the flea rubbed his hands and came up with a sheepish grin, asking in a low voice, "Second Master, have you heard?"
Yang Ge, tossing sunflower seed shells casually, asked, "Heard what?"
The flea, bowing his head deferentially, whispered, "The old head of Lianhuan Fort might not make it much longer..."
Yang Ge paused his seed-cracking and immediately put down the seeds, frowning, "Where did you hear that from?"
The flea spoke slowly, "Second Master, a new player called Jinfanwu has emerged in Jianghuai. The head is named Zhuang Chu, backed by the seven grand families of Jiangdong. Recently, they’ve secretly taken over many strongholds of Lianhuan Fort. The younger head of Lianhuan Fort, Li Jincheng, led a team to argue their case but got sent back beaten. The assailant was the Righteous Alliance’s Left Protector, ’Iron Pen Judge’ Xie Yanping. It’s rumored in the lodge that the old head of Lianhuan Fort might not have long to live..."
"Hold on a sec."
Yang Ge muttered ’Zhuang Chu’ to himself, feeling it sounded familiar but couldn’t recall where he’d heard it. Then he asked, "Isn’t Jiangdong supposed to have eight great families?"
The flea nodded, "The Xiang Family didn’t get involved in this mess."
Yang Ge’s frown relaxed slightly, "Then how has the Righteous Alliance’s reach extended to Jianghuai? Isn’t their territory in Shandong?"
The flea continued nodding, "’Iron Pen Judge’ Xie Yanping, externally claims to be from the Taihu Lake Bagua Clan, but our lodge records show he originates from the Kuaiji Xie Clan."
Yang Ge’s eyes flickered for a moment and he nodded, "Got it... Thanks for letting me know!"
The flea grinned, bowing, "Second Master, you’re being too formal. Just ask me if there’s anything unclear in the future. Whether it takes a day or six, I’ll have an answer for you!"
Yang Ge drew out his words, "Oh, so Louwailou sent you to deal with me, huh?"
The flea jumped in shock, quickly saying, "Second Master, you know me, I’ve always been a scaredy-cat, please don’t frighten me..."
Yang Ge laughed, "One thing at a time, I’ll remember your kindness, but if you mess up again, I’ll still chop you down. Don’t want to be chopped? Then behave and stop causing trouble!"
The flea secretly swallowed and forced a smile, "Got it, we’ll ensure no more mischief."
Yang Ge waved his hand, "Off you go, back to your games!"
The flea, "Ai, off I go then, call me if you need anything!"
He turned and scurried back to his mahjong table, taking his seat and draining his teacup in one gulp...
Yang Ge picked up a few more sunflower seeds and then called towards the backyard, "Miaomiao, Miaomiao, where are you?"
"Ay, coming!"
Zhao Cha dashed out from the backyard like a gust of wind, lips greasy, clearly having snuck some treats from the kitchen again.
Yang Ge felt that putting this guy in charge of the kitchen was like putting a mouse in charge of the rice!
"You keep an eye on the shop."
He set down the crooked-mouth teapot, turned, and came out from behind the counter, "I need to step out."
Zhao Cha nodded, "Go ahead, I’ve got the shop!"
Yang Ge:...
...
The construction site for the expansion of Lu Ting had already extended to the Bianhe Wharf.
A large number of stone bars were being transported by construction workers, mingling with the traders frequenting the docks, creating a bustling crowd with shoulder-to-shoulder traffic, already resembling the atmosphere of a provincial city.
It took Yang Ge several rounds around the dock before he found Wu Eryong, who was inspecting the wharf with his men.
"Eryong? What brings you here!"
Upon seeing Yang Ge, Wu Eryong hurriedly came forward and greeted, "You could have just sent someone to inform me, how could you come here yourself!"
"Cut the nonsense."
Yang Ge tilted his chin, "Find a quiet place, let’s have a word."
"Ah."
Wu Eryong hastily stepped aside, making a "please" gesture, "Please follow me..."
The two walked one after the other into a relatively tidy small courtyard by the dock.
As soon as Wu Eryong entered, he shouted, "Lai Xi, quickly brew a pot of that Longjing you brought from home after the New Year, Lai Fu, hurry to town and prepare a table of food and drinks..."
"That’s enough!"
Yang Ge interrupted him, "Just make some tea, no need for the fuss!"
"Oh..."
While Wu Eryong was agreeing, he stealthily signaled to the two subordinates who had come out to meet them.
The two subordinates nodded and discreetly withdrew; Yang Ge was preoccupied and didn’t notice this interaction.
"I want to ask you..."
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As soon as they entered the main hall, Yang Ge got straight to the point, "Has Lianhuan Fort been having any trouble lately?"
Wu Eryong was stunned for a moment, then instinctively smiled, "Not at all, the fort has been doing quite well recently, thanks to your great fortune, all our subordinate factions are making a fortune daily... "
"Acting, keep acting with me!"
Yang Ge’s face turned serious, "If I knew nothing, would I be asking you? What’s going on with Jinfanwu?"
He had only thought of it on the way here, that during the New Year, this fellow had rushed back to Lianhuan Fort in such a hurry that he hadn’t even stopped for a drink.
Wu Eryong’s face suddenly lit up with realization, "Oh, those dead men walking? Well, when you’re in the jianghu, who doesn’t have a dozen or so enemies? Our Lianhuan Fort is large and attracts attention, it’s normal to have a few enemies. Don’t worry, we can handle it..."