The Salt and Iron Bureau, Zhao Zhongyang

Translator: CinderTL

Xu Sanyan wandered alone around Taian City, listening to the scattered news around him, familiarizing himself with the city's layout, and gradually getting to know this ancient town.

As the sky darkened, Xu Sanyan finally returned to the Wu residence, which could now just as well be called the Xu residence.

The vast compound was only staffed by three maids, one of whom was responsible for cooking, while the other two took care of Wu Jue's son. Since the residence was usually unoccupied, there were not many servants employed.

Come to think of it, Xu Sanyan had yet to meet Wu Peng, but he had no interest in doing so.

"Fourth Master, have you eaten? Shall I have Xiao He bring you something?" Madam Wu saw him and hurried over to greet him.

"I've already eaten," Xu Sanyan replied, having grabbed a quick bite from a street vendor earlier.

"How much silver has Wu Jue saved over the years?" Xu Sanyan asked.

Madam Wu's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself and replied naturally, "There's about two hundred thousand taels of silver in cash. We spent quite a bit on buying the house and other necessities."

This silver was essentially her lifeline for the rest of her days, but if Xu Sanyan demanded it, she wouldn't dare refuse.

She was well aware of the cruelty and ruthlessness of these bandits. If he were displeased, it wouldn't matter that she had once shared his bed.

Xu Sanyan nodded slightly to himself and turned back toward the house. "I'm tired. Let's sleep."

Madam Wu lowered her eyes. "This humble servant will attend to you..."

…

Two days later.

Xu Sanyan was stretching his limbs in the courtyard when Big Yellow Tooth approached and gave a slight bow. "Fourth Master."

"Speak," Xu Sanyan said softly.

"Yes. The leader of the Ginseng Gang is named Shen Xing. His exact cultivation level is unknown, but it's speculated that he's at the peak stage of Inner Qi. The gang has about seven to eight hundred disciples, most of whom are ordinary people who make a living by foraging for herbs in the mountains. The gang controls six medicinal shops in the city."

"Where did you get this information?"

"I paid a Ginseng Gang disciple for it," Big Yellow Tooth replied.

Xu Sanyan nodded. "Go and call Wang Laizi."

"Right away."

At noon, Big Yellow Tooth brought Wang Laizi into the residence. Wang Laizi couldn't help but marvel at the spacious compound, thinking to himself how wealthy this new deputy gang leader must be.

"Greetings, Gang Leader," Wang Laizi wisely omitted the "deputy" title.

"Report," Xu Sanyan said, seated at the head of the hall.

"Yes. I've found out that the Yelang Society is backed by Master Zhao from the Salt and Iron Bureau. As for the origin of their goods, they likely come from Master Zhao. The Yelang Society is only responsible for selling the stolen goods."

Xu Sanyan understood the situation. "How strong is the Yelang Society?"

Wang Laizi smiled confidently. "They're decent, but it depends on who you compare them to. Compared to us, they're far inferior."

"What about the strength of their leader?"

Wang Laizi hesitated. "I'm not entirely sure, but he's probably also an Inner Qi Realm expert."

Xu Sanyan now had a clear picture. "Alright. Gather as many brothers as you can. Each will receive one hundred taels of silver. Wait for me in the western part of the city tonight."

Wang Laizi was thrilled. One hundred taels! He couldn't earn that much in a month. He loudly replied, "Yes, Gang Leader!"

Xu Sanyan changed into clean clothes and headed to the headquarters of the Guanshan Blade Society with Big Yellow Tooth.

…

Late at night, at the residence of Master Zhao from the Salt and Iron Bureau.

Zhao Zhongyang was sleeping with two concubines in his arms.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Bang, bang, bang."

The sudden noise startled Zhao Zhongyang. He snapped, "Don't you know I'm busy? Knocking in the middle of the night! If this isn't important, I'll have your skin peeled!"

He thought it was one of his servants reporting something urgent.

"Hehe... Master Zhao seems to be in high spirits," Xu Sanyan's voice came from outside the door.

He had deliberately waited for Zhao Zhongyang to finish before knocking. Few bandits were as polite as he was.

"Who's there?"

Zhao Zhongyang was startled. This wasn't the voice of his servant.

Xu Sanyan pushed the door open and walked in. Zhao Zhongyang had no martial skills, and although there were a few martial artists guarding the residence, they were only at the Qi Refinement stage and couldn't detect Xu Sanyan's presence.

"I have a small matter to discuss. Master Zhao, finish what you're doing, and we'll talk afterward," Xu Sanyan said, unceremoniously sitting down on a chair and pouring himself a cup of tea.

Zhao Zhongyang observed Xu Sanyan's expression and quickly regained his composure. The fact that this man had entered without alerting the guards meant his skills far surpassed those of the household's protectors.

Since he hadn't killed Zhao Zhongyang immediately, it was clear he wasn't here for revenge but to discuss something.

"Hehe, this friend, please wait a moment while I put on some clothes."

Having figured this out, Zhao Zhongyang was no longer panicked. Even without martial arts, he had risen to his position and was no mere fool.

"No rush," Xu Sanyan said, spinning the teacup in his hand but not drinking from it.

Zhao Zhongyang waved at the two concubines behind him. "You two, leave."

"Yes."

The two women hastily threw on some outer garments, covering their chests as they ran out. Xu Sanyan glanced up at them. Not as voluptuous as Madam Wu.

Zhao Zhongyang finished dressing and walked over with a smile, his earlier anger completely gone. "What brings you here at this late hour, friend?"

Xu Sanyan got straight to the point. "I've heard that the Yelang Society has some connections with you, Master Zhao."

Zhao Zhongyang's heart immediately understood. "Hehe, just a cooperative relationship."

"How much does Master Zhao take from the Yelang Society?" Xu Sanyan asked bluntly.

Zhao Zhongyang's eyes flickered. "Are you here to discuss business?"

"Yes," Xu Sanyan nodded.

Zhao Zhongyang gave a slight nod. "But what about the Yelang Society?"

Xu Sanyan smiled lightly. "No need to worry, Master Zhao. After tonight, the Yelang Society will no longer exist."

Zhao Zhongyang's heart skipped a beat. These were cold-blooded killers. But his expression remained calm. "This official and the Yelang Society have always split the profits sixty-forty, with me taking sixty percent."

Zhao Zhongyang deliberately referred to himself as "this official" to remind Xu Sanyan that he was a government official. Killing an official would be tantamount to rebellion.

Xu Sanyan had no intention of killing him. Eliminating the Yelang Society would be seen as a mere conflict among martial factions, but killing an official would be a different matter entirely. It would make all officials wary and lead to an all-out effort to exterminate them.

For officials, this was a line that couldn't be crossed.

Xu Sanyan smiled. "From now on, our Guanshan Blade Society will cooperate with you, Master Zhao. We'll only take thirty percent!"

Zhao Zhongyang's eyes twitched slightly. So these people were from the Guanshan Blade Society. He had naturally heard of the city's four major gangs.

"Hehe, do you know how much silver that ten percent represents?" Zhao Zhongyang asked with a smile.

Xu Sanyan shook his head. "The amount doesn't matter. I have one more condition, though it's a small favor for you, Master Zhao."

"Oh?"

Zhao Zhongyang raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it."

"Every month, I want three precious medicines." This was Xu Sanyan's true objective.

Zhao Zhongyang shook his head slightly. "Impossible. The Ginseng Gang only produces a limited number of precious medicines each month. I can give you one at most."

"Two! And I'll reduce my share by half a percent."

"Deal." Zhao Zhongyang raised his teacup, and the two men drank together.

For Zhao Zhongyang, it didn't matter who he cooperated with. What mattered was making more money.

Just as Xu Sanyan was about to leave, he suddenly thought of something and turned to ask, "Master Zhao, do you know how the County Captain and the Registrar get along?"

Zhao Zhongyang's expression shifted slightly, and he chuckled. "In official circles, no one is particularly close, nor are they particularly distant. It all depends on how you handle things."

Xu Sanyan nodded faintly. "Then I won't disturb your rest any longer. I'll send someone to see you tomorrow. You can discuss the arrangements with him then."

Xu Sanyan placed his hand on the table and pressed down lightly before turning to leave.

After he had gone, Zhao Zhongyang was still frowning in thought when he suddenly heard a "crack." The entire table split, and the tea set on it fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

"Hehe, young but quite shrewd."

Zhao Zhongyang shook his head with a smile, though there was no trace of amusement in his eyes. He naturally understood the intent behind this gesture—it was nothing more than a warning.

(End of the Chapter)

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