Nearly a hundred well-trained Imperial Guards went to take care of a gang of thugs who only knew how to block the road and collect protection fees, it was just like using a cleaver to kill a chicken.
Yang Ge had barely half-closed his eyes when Fang Ke, Gu Tong, and others returned.
The two who came to report back saw Yang Ge wrapped in a large cloak, resting in the river breeze, and felt a slight stir in their hearts, unconsciously lightening their steps.
As they reached Yang Ge, Gu Tong habitually slowed his pace, falling behind Fang Ke by a stride.
But Fang Ke stopped, turned his hand back, and pulled him forward.
Gu Tong looked at Fang Ke, puzzled.
Fang Ke gestured towards Yang Ge with a "please" motion.
Gu Tong was stunned for a moment, then respectfully clasped his fist towards Fang Ke to show his understanding.
Fang Ke smiled.
Gu Tong turned around, wiped his hands on his clothing, stepped forward, clasped his fists and bowed slightly, calling softly, "My lord."
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Yang Ge opened his sleepy eyes and glanced at the figure standing in front of him, "You’re back, how did it go?"
Gu Tong replied respectfully, "My lord, it’s all taken care of!"
"About a dozen rascals with blood on their hands were dealt with on the spot."
"Those who committed crimes were all crippled by breaking one arm, and they will be escorted to the Suzhou Government Office first thing tomorrow to be dealt with according to the law."
"The rest of the insignificant ruffians had two fingers chopped off each and were sent away..."
"We seized silver coins totaling one thousand two hundred and thirty-nine and seven hundred sixty-seven cents, along with various antiques, paintings, and weapons."
Fang Ke gave him an opportunity, and he grasped it, reporting in great detail while gesturing for those behind him.
Several Imperial Guards immediately carried several iron-bound wooden chests onto the ship and opened the chests in a line in front of Yang Ge.
After listening to Gu Tong’s report, Yang Ge yawned before asking, "Is there a ledger?"
Gu Tong quickly produced a ledger from within his robes and presented it with both hands, "My lord, there’s only this year’s ledger."
Yang Ge took it but didn’t look through it. He casually placed it beside him and then pointed at the iron chest with the silver coins, saying, "Take the small change back and share it among the brothers who were assigned the task just now."
"Send the whole amount and those antiques and paintings to the prefecture tomorrow. Let them sell it off themselves. The silver obtained, together with this cash, will be used to set up a porridge stand at the docks, bearing the inscription ’This porridge stand is generously sponsored by passing merchants’... Gu, you will be responsible for this matter to the end. Do it well, and I’ll credit you with a merit!"
Gu Tong gratefully clasped his fist and bowed deeply, "I thank my lord for your cultivation!"
Yang Ge waved his hand, "Fang Ke."
Fang Ke immediately stepped forward, "At your service!"
Yang Ge said, "Display the banners, tell the brothers on duty to patrol more at night. If someone comes to see me, you handle it. Don’t bother me anymore,"
Having said that, he picked up the ledger lying beside him and, yawning continuously, walked slowly towards his own cabin boat, "In the middle of the night, can’t one even rest a bit..."
Fang Ke, Gu Tong both said in unison, "We respectfully see off my lord!"
Only after Yang Ge was far away did the two straighten up.
Glancing at the opened iron-bound wooden chests, Gu Tong whispered, "Fang, do you think we should leave a group of brothers here to watch over those corrupt officials? Otherwise, once they get their hands on this silver, won’t it be like casting meat buns to dogs? Though my lord means well, we can’t let those officials ruin it!"
"Casting meat buns to dogs?"
Fang Ke chuckled disdainfully, "For that, they’d have to dare to open their mouths first!"
"You mean..."
Gu Tong, pondering Fang Ke’s words, whispered, "Shall I go intimidate those officials tomorrow?"
Fang Ke clicked his tongue and shook his head with a sigh, "Gu, if you’re not that sharp, it’s best not to overthink things. Just do as the lord says and don’t improvise... Didn’t you see that ledger?"
Gu Tong nodded perplexedly, "I did see it, the Haihe Gang has been paying a large amount of silver monthly to bribe those officials, that’s why I said dealing with the silver is like casting meat buns to the dogs!"
Fang Ke bowed in the direction Yang Ge had left, "Then do you think the lord knows about this?"
Gu Tong thought for a moment and hesitantly nodded, "Perhaps the lord yet... doesn’t know? He hasn’t had time to look at that ledger, right?"
Fang Ke said, "From now on, stop trying to guess what the lord is thinking. It’s not your forte. What the lord values in you are not your brains. Just do your duties loyally, as long as you don’t reach out where you shouldn’t or speak out of turn, what’s yours will be yours."
Gu Tong wanted to nod but was still somewhat unconvinced, and clasped his hands, "Just let me throw lime under my coffin and become an enlightened ghost then—I can’t clearly understand this matter and it will keep me awake at night!"
Fang Ke was silent for a while, then pointing at the crate full of antiques and paintings, he said, "How much do you think these items are worth?"
Following his gaze, Gu Tong stuttered in reply, "Fang, you know I’m just Gu..."
"Assume these items are worth a thousand silver coins!"
Fang Ke intensified his tone, cutting off his stuttering, "But once they reach those officials, these items could be worth three thousand, four thousand silver coins... perhaps even more!"
Gu Tong looked again, shocked at the antiques and paintings, "Are they that valuable?"
Fang Ke irritatedly pointed at the antiques, "Haven’t you understood yet? These items are an opportunity our lord is giving to those city officials to spit out what they’ve swallowed. If they handle it well, our lord will turn a blind eye, forgiving and forgetting. If not, they’ll meet the same fate as the Haihe Gang!"
Upon hearing this, Gu was profoundly shocked and exclaimed in a lost voice, "I thought the lord was no longer seeking trouble with those officials!"