Chapter 67: Wind and Rain in Suzhou City

  Li Dong stands respectfully beside the desk.

  Another man sat behind the desk, he was over forty years old, with some white hair on his temples, his eyes were bright and piercing, his nose was straight, and the small goat beard under his chin moved up and down as he spoke, giving him a wise appearance.

  This man was Yang Jian, the Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangnan Circuit.

  Yang Jian put down the brush in his hand and leaned on the armchair, "Xi Sima, this time you go to Suzhou City, you only need to remember one thing, that is military power. You must firmly grasp the military power in your hands. Suzhou City has 200 regular soldiers for guarding the city, and each state and county has 200 martial arts officials and police officers. These 400 people, you need to win over firmly. As for the family generals of various states, you need to pay close attention, don't let anyone's power become too great. As for political power, you can't ask about it. You are a military general after all, I understand you best. Marching and fighting is naturally first-rate, but when facing government affairs, your brain with few roots will surely be unable to handle it. You only need to understand that with military power, Suzhou City will be firmly controlled in our hands, even if that old thing Xue Wei Hai opposes us."

  Dong Liang stood with his hands clasped together and a smile spread across his face as he heard the delightful news.

  "Don't smile! Once you arrive in Suzhou City, although you're just a military general and only a sixth-rank official, others will still fear you. I have no other requests, but one thing is absolutely forbidden: you must not randomly kill or rape people. If something really happens, even if I don't punish you, that old thing Xue Weihai will secretly plot against you. One careless move and your life will be left in Suzhou City."

  "Yes, yes, Lord Yang, I, Weng Mou, dare not be presumptuous," Weng Dongliang hastily bowed his head.

  "All right, let's set off then. Remember the two words 'military power' in your heart, don't break the law, and don't monopolize state affairs," Yang Jian waved his hand and closed his eyes, rubbing his temples with his fingers.

  Recently had a run-in with those corrupt officials in Jiangnan Dao, it's really a waste of brain cells. Hope everything is safe and sound in Suzhou City.

  Dong Liang carefully retreated, walking out of the study with a smug smile spreading across his coarse face. He was indeed very pleased with himself, for although he was only a military governor, going to Suzhou City was a plum assignment. With his identity, it was equivalent to being an imperial envoy, and once he arrived in Suzhou City, who would dare not listen to him?

  Arrived at the school grounds, he gathered 500 soldiers, mostly his own subordinates, and boarded three large ships to head towards Suzhou City.

  The city of Suzhou is in chaos.

  No matter whether it is the Huabang, Xinhui or Taihu gang, its essence is a union of guilds, and only law-abiding officials will allow them to exist.

  Now the Blood Hand organization has destroyed the inn, naturally causing outrage. Xue Wei Hai even orders his subordinates to pursue the Turkic warriors and the Blood Hand organization throughout the city.

  The Blood Hand Gang, although belonging to the Boatmen's Guild, actually directly belonged to Yang Rongguang. The Boatmen's Guild was originally an organization that managed laborers entering Suzhou City docks for work. After many years of development, the organization had grown and expanded into other areas. For example, young men from outside Suzhou City who wanted to find a job in the city during their spare time would need to go through the Boatmen's Guild to get permission. They would give the guild some benefits, and the guild would arrange work for them. If they were bullied or had their wages withheld by employers, the Boatmen's Guild would also intervene.

  The current gang manages not only major docks but also market stalls and street performers, similar to urban management.

  The head of the boatman's gang is called Lv Hu, Lv Hu was absolutely a legendary figure in Suzhou city thirty years ago, his kung fu skills were extremely powerful, known as the invincible hand that fought half of Suzhou city, he relied on his martial arts to establish the boatman's gang. Now Lv Hu has grown old, most of the time he likes to think and play politics, rarely fighting anymore.

  Yang Rongguang's joining was agreed by Lü Hu, and it was also Lü Hu who promoted Yang Rongguang to the position of Grand Canal General Manager, not for any other reason, but because Yang Rongguang had a good background and a strong backing.

  Lü Hu had thought it through clearly from the start. He wanted to expand the Boatman's Guild, but relying solely on brute force wouldn't work; they needed people and they needed to use their brains.

  If we talk about martial arts, the new gang is absolutely the first in Suzhou City. The people in the new gang are all from Suzhou City and surrounding areas, including Jiangnan area's famous green forest heroes. Since the establishment of the new gang, they have not become the largest gang in Suzhou City with absolute strength. Their martial arts skills are very strong, but the aspects involved are only limited to professions such as escorting, guarding, and bodyguarding. To be honest, it's a bit poor.

  Why? Because they have no backing, won't use their brains, the Suzhou city government will not sit and watch such an organization grow, once the new gang has violated the law, they will immediately take action, absolutely no tolerance.

  The rapid development of the Shuihuzhuan is absolutely due to Yang Rongguang's credit. Because Yang Rongguang has an official background, and also has the Emperor of Jiangnan as his backer.

  Yang Rongguang is now dead, and his crimes are very serious, namely treason and betrayal. The key point is that the Jiangnan region is also very angry.

  This time the government pursued and captured the Turkic warriors, and actually uprooted the Bloody Hand Organization from its roots. Many of the people in the Bloody Hand Organization were core members of the Boatmen's Guild, who had followed him to kill their way out back then, but now they were being hunted down and killed by the government, which made Lv Hu very heartbroken.

  But the heart aches, Lü Hu made an effort with money and pulled strings, but the government was absolutely unwilling to budge. He found the county magistrate, who said that there were orders from above. He found the prefectural judge, who also said that there were orders from above.

  On top... on top...

  It's getting ridiculous!

  Is it really a tragic history?

  Lü Hu was startled for a moment, then suddenly sighed. It seemed that he had underestimated the old man after all. The old man who spent his days fishing, drinking tea, and playing chess, although he kept a low profile and didn't interfere with politics, but once he spoke up, he had absolute authority.

  Although the entire city of Suzhou belongs to Yang Jian, however, everyone is still afraid of that old man.

  Lü Hu decided to give up, although the boatmen had grown in strength over the years, they had also been led by Yang Rongguang into the struggle for official power, which was not a good thing and not a small matter.

  This time's cleaning also hopes that the boatmen can be more stable.

  Lv Hu hid, and Suzhou city was left to its bloody rain and violent winds.

  The happiest thing is Lu An, the leader of Qingbang.

  Lu An is also a fatty, and the slogan that has been hanging in his mouth all day is "winning people with virtue", but this time he really didn't have any virtues, secretly sending all the materials of the rival Fang Bang to the government.

  The arrest is still ongoing.

  Xue Weihai was not happy, taking the opportunity to suppress the boatmen's guild, his true intention was to eliminate all of Yang Rongguang's loyal followers, as for the struggle between gangs, Xue Weihai had never taken it seriously.

  Boats occasionally crossed the river surface.

  Xue Weihai sat under a bare willow tree, holding a fishing rod.

  The fish around were frightened by the passing boats and scattered in all directions.

  Nature doesn't bring fish to the bait, but Xue Wei Hai doesn't mind.

  Before long, a vegetable vendor quietly walked over and said in a low voice: "Returning to Lord Xue, it has been investigated that this time coming to Suzhou City is Dong Liang, bringing 500 soldiers and horses, serving as the military affairs officer."

  "Oh?" Xue Weihai exclaimed in surprise, and then a circle of smiles bloomed on his ancient, waveless old face.

  The vegetable vendor went back to selling vegetables, but Xue Weihai no longer fished. He slowly put away the fishing rod in his hand, looked up at the sky and laughed loudly, then beckoned with his hand towards a not-too-distant place.

  A sampan came paddling over.

  Xue Weihai jumped onto the awninged boat and said: "Go, go to Taihu Lake, see that little brat Song Kai."

  In the cabin of the awning boat, Zhou Ce was holding a worn-out military book, studying it carefully.

  Xue Wei Hai said this, he put down the military book and smiled: "But has there been news from Hangzhou City?"

  Xue Weihai nodded, "It's Rong Dongliang who has come."

  "Is it Dong Liang? This person's martial arts skills are very high, one-on-one combat, I'm afraid even I wouldn't be his match. Moreover, he is extremely loyal to Yang Jian. However, this person isn't too bright... thinking about it..." Zhou Ce furrowed his brow in analysis.

  Xue Weihai burst out laughing and sat down, "So it seems that Yang Jian has believed this matter, he let Xie Dongliang come, his intention is very clear. First, he absolutely trusts Xie Dongliang, fearing that there will be traitors in Suzhou again. Second, he also trusted me, Xie Dongliang must have grasped the military power and political affairs. It seems that Yang Jian has put his heart at ease with me, as long as I pay enough taxes every year."

  Zhou Ce also burst out laughing, "Yang Jian is indeed a suspicious person by nature, but he thinks things through thoroughly. In any case, with Xiang Dongliang here, Suzhou City won't betray us."

  Xue Weihai nodded, "Next is the matter of taxes, I hope that little rascal Song Kai can help me get through this."

  Zhou Ce also knew the reason, nodded, "Nowadays, the imperial court is also in a tight spot, it's impossible to secretly support our military training funds again. However, maintaining an army for one day requires 300 taels of silver. If there's a flaw in our finances, Yang Jian will surely discover our intentions."

  "I hope Song Kai can solve this problem," Xue Wei Hai said with a light smile.

  Zhou Ce also burst out laughing, "Needless to say, in terms of business, he still has some talent."

  The awning boat swayed towards Taihu, soon it reached the shore. Xue Weihai led Zhou Ce and several others to walk towards the tea garden. When they walked halfway, they saw more than a dozen people wearing green shirts walking towards them with big strides.