Chapter 142 - 109: Lu Jing’an Is Dismissed

Chapter 142: Chapter 109: Lu Jing’an Is Dismissed

The extra edition had just come out this morning.

By afternoon, the Bai Family’s blockade order had already been issued.

Their speed and efficiency were appallingly fast.

In this day and age, a political decree couldn’t be implemented without months of buck-passing and bureaucratic wrangling.

The Bai Family’s efficiency was nothing short of a miracle.

Beneath a slate-gray sky, leaden clouds hung low.

The shadows of the Ironclad Ships fractured the surface of the Canglan River, breaking it into patches of murky ripples.

Anyone with eyes could see that the Bai Family had to be pulling the strings.

Who else could it be?

But knowing was one thing; who would dare to breathe a word of it?

The word "rebel" was the sharpest of blades.

For the Defense Command to mobilize was perfectly justifiable.

Suppressing chaos and quelling rebellion was their duty, after all.

On the River, an Ironclad Ship was slowly sailing into the distance.

The thick smoke spewing from its smokestack trailed into a long, gray ribbon, like an indelible scar.

Lu Jing’an stood on the stone steps by the docks, watching the ship’s shrinking silhouette, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"The boomerang came back fast."

Lu Jing’an’s voice was soft, nearly lost to the wind.

It was no wonder Lu Jing’an felt this way.

Not long ago, he had used nearly identical tactics against the Li Family.

He had blockaded the river, charged exorbitant fees in the name of "protection," and instigated infighting on Xiao Mountain, pushing the Li Family to the brink step by step.

Now, the Bai Family was using his own playbook against him, only faster and more ruthlessly.

Blockading the waterways and land routes was just the first step.

Next, the Bai Family would likely do exactly what he had done to the Li Family.

All Lu Family merchant ships would be hit with heavy tariffs.

Anyone doing business with the Lu Family would also face relentless extortion.

The Bai Family would repay him in kind for everything he had done to the Li Family.

...

Defense Command, third floor of the White Tower.

Beyond the heavy mahogany doors, the light was dim.

The blinds were half-drawn, slicing the afternoon sun into narrow golden threads that fell across the dark-brown lacquered wood floor.

The air hung heavy with the mixed scent of cigars and old paper. ℴ

Commander Bai leaned back in his large leather chair, fingers tapping languidly on the armrest. 𝚏𝗋ℯⅇ

He wore a crisp general’s uniform, its collar buttoned up tight. The gold stars on his epaulets gave off a cold, hard glint in the gloom.

"This little method the Lu Family came up with is actually quite good."

Commander Bai seemed to be talking to himself, his voice low.

But it carried a metallic, grating quality that was jarring in the quiet room.

"Get the job done without getting your own hands dirty. We should use tactics like this more often."

Having said that, he turned his gaze to Bai Lang, who was standing at attention on the other side of the desk.

Bai Lang stood ramrod straight, his face gaunt, his gaze as calm and sharp as a fire-quenched blade.

"Have you told Li Chongshan everything?" Commander Bai asked.

"I have," Bai Lang replied, his voice flat and emotionless.

"Li Chongshan asked me to convey his gratitude to you, Commander.

He has also revealed the locations of the Li Family’s remaining hidden assets.

I have already sent men to retrieve them.

They will all be transported back to the Defense Command shortly."

Commander Bai nodded slowly, then asked, "And did you also tell him about my intention to ’borrow’ his head?"

"I did." Bai Lang didn’t even bat an eye.

"Li Chongshan said that as long as he can drag the Lu Family down with him, you are welcome to his head at any time, Commander."

"Hah..." Commander Bai let out a low laugh, devoid of any warmth. "It seems he truly despises the Lu Family."

After a pause, he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk and lacing his fingers together.

"In two days, you will personally oversee the execution.

This kind of scum, who colludes with Demon Beasts and slaughters the common people.

He must be publicly executed to appease the masses."

"Yes." Bai Lang inclined his head.

"And remember," Commander Bai added, his gaze sharp as a hook, "do it in the name of the Defense Command."

"Understood."

Bai Lang agreed again.

Having settled the matter, Commander Bai suddenly leaned back and roared with laughter.

The sound echoed through the sealed office, sounding somewhat ghastly.

"The Lu Family handled this matter beautifully! It’s just a pity—"

Commander Bai cut off his laughter, his gaze turning icy in an instant.

"That credit should have belonged to me."

Just then, two discreet knocks sounded at the door.

"Come in."

An adjutant pushed the door open, clicked his heels together, and saluted before reporting respectfully, "Commander, a Lu Family Ironclad Ship defied the ban half an hour ago. It forcibly left port and is now heading upstream."

A red light flashed in Commander Bai’s eyes, like a candle flame flaring in the depths of his pupils.

"Does he really think that just because the law is far away, I can’t touch the Lu Family?" Commander Bai’s voice grew low and menacing, like a blade being drawn across a whetstone.

"Issue the order: Lu Jing’an has violated a wartime directive. Effective immediately, he is stripped of his position as Director of the Water Patrol Bureau, never to be reinstated."

Having spoken, he turned to Bai Lang, the corner of his mouth twisting into a nearly cruel smile.

"Bai Lang, you will go to Yin Mountain County and take his position as Director."

"And remember—don’t crush the Lu Family all at once.

I want them to understand, with perfect clarity, the consequences of offending me.

I want the Lu Family’s foundations squeezed dry for me, drop by drop, until nothing is left."

"Yes, sir!"

Bai Lang showed no hesitation, as if he were merely accepting a routine transfer order.

The adjutant, however, hesitated for a moment before reminding him in a low voice, "Commander, Lu Jing’an’s position was an appointment from the Hu Family. If they were to intervene, I’m afraid..."

"The Hu Family?" Commander Bai scoffed, casually picking up a letter opener from the desk and twirling it between his fingers.

"The Hu Family can barely fend for themselves right now. Why would they have the energy to worry about a single Lu Jing’an?