Chapter 171 - 118: Digging Your Own Grave

Chapter 171: Chapter 118: Digging Your Own Grave

"Once things are in order, I will personally lead the team onto the boats.

If they are not in order, going would be a pointless sacrifice.

If you gentlemen are truly serious about eliminating that Snake Demon, then do not delay me here. Allow me to get to my work."

With that, there was no room for negotiation.

The men exchanged glances, but in the end, they could only bow and take their leave.

As they walked out the main gate of the Water Patrol Bureau, the bleak winter sun was shining on the sign.

The three gilded words—Water Patrol Bureau—shone with a blinding glare.

Boss Sun glanced back. Inside the Government Office, the grounds were paved with blue bricks.

The corridors were empty; he could only hear Lu Jing’an’s voice in the main hall, giving orders to Director Liu.

Steady, clear, and utterly dispassionate.

Someone suddenly stomped his foot. "Let’s go! Let’s find Third Master Lu!"

"Yes, yes! We’ll use Lu Lutong’s ships! Director Lu can’t possibly ignore his own third uncle’s business!"

As if grasping at a final straw, the group hurriedly hailed some rickshaws.

The rickshaw pullers, seeing a group of well-dressed bosses, raised their prices by thirty percent.

But no one haggled. Seven or eight rickshaws sped away over the stone-paved roads, where the snow was melting.

The rickshaw bells rang chaotically, drawing glances from pedestrians.

However, the main gate of Lu Lutong was shut tight.

A thin layer of frost covered the bronze lock, a clear sign it hadn’t been opened in days.

The docks were deserted. The tarps that usually covered stacks of goods were rolled up, revealing the wet, black mud underneath.

Two cargo ships were moored at the bank, icicles clinging to their ropes, bobbing with the river’s waves.

"This... this..." Boss Sun’s vision went black, and he nearly lost his footing.

Boss Zhou of the silk shop caught his arm, his own voice dry.

"To the Lu Family’s residence! We’ll go see Third Master Lu directly!"

When the group arrived, the old gatekeeper was dozing in the porter’s lodge, his hands tucked into his sleeves.

Startled awake by the sound of banging on the gate, he rubbed his eyes and poked his head out.

"Apologies for the trouble, but we’ve come to see Third Master Lu."

Boss Sun forced a smile, pulling a Silver Coin from his sleeve and pressing it into the man’s hand.

The old man felt the Silver Coin, then lifted his eyelids slightly. "Wait here."

With that, he pulled his head back in and slowly shuffled inside.

That wait lasted for the time it takes two incense sticks to burn.

The winter days were short. The sun was already slanting westward, stretching the shadows of the eaves long across the ground.

The men stood outside the gate, stomping their feet and blowing on their hands to stay warm, but none dared to complain.

Finally, the old gatekeeper returned and opened the gate a crack. "Come in. The Third Master is in the main hall."

As if granted amnesty, they filed in one by one.

They went around the spirit screen, crossed the courtyard, and saw the doors to the main hall were open, the interior dim.

Lu Huaisan was seated in the Grandmaster’s Chair at the head of the hall, slowly sipping from a teacup.

Lu Huaisan wore a cotton robe of date-red satin with a floral pattern, his sturdy frame filling the chair completely.

It was an outfit that should have appeared benevolent, but the faint, not-quite-a-smile curve of his lips gave him an oppressive air.

There were no guest chairs set up in the hall.

The men stood where they were, a bit awkward for a moment.

Boss Sun gave a dry laugh and bowed with his hands clasped. "Third Master Lu, we wish you peace and health."

Only then did Lu Huaisan set down his teacup. The porcelain made a soft TAP against the mahogany table.

"What a rare sight to see you all here."

Lu Huaisan’s voice was loud and resonant, booming in the hall.

"The Lu Family has grown accustomed to peace and quiet lately. We didn’t prepare so many chairs on such short notice. I’m afraid you’ll have to stand."

"Not at all, not at all!" The men waved their hands dismissively.

Lu Huaisan picked up his tea again and slowly blew on the foam.

Lu Huaisan’s fingers were thick and short, but as he pinched the blue-and-white porcelain cup, they conveyed a strange sense of calm stability.

The steam wafted up, obscuring half his face.

The hall was so quiet you could hear the CRACKLE of the silver charcoal in the brazier.

After a long silence, Lu Huaisan spoke again. "The gatekeeper tells me you were looking for me."

Lu Huaisan raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over each of their faces one by one.

"I am a simple man, and I truly cannot imagine what business you gentlemen have with a ’disgraced man’ such as myself."

"You’re too kind, Third Master!" Boss Sun quickly took a step forward, his back bent even lower.

"What happened a few days ago was all a misunderstanding!

Our subordinates had their hearts clouded by greed and made baseless accusations!

We went to the Water Patrol Bureau this morning to explain the situation. We’ll accept any punishment and pay any compensation. We wouldn’t dare try to shirk responsibility!

We came to your door today, Third Master, to bear the thorns and beg your forgiveness!"

"’Bear the thorns and beg forgiveness?’" Lu Huaisan raised an eyebrow and suddenly smiled.

"I may not be a well-read man, but even I have heard the story of ’bearing the thorns and begging forgiveness.’

For that to count, you have to take off your shirt, carry thorny branches on your back, and come to the door in person to atone."

Lu Huaisan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and stared at Boss Sun.

"This... is an honor I simply cannot accept."

Everyone could hear the barbs in his words.

The men’s faces turned shades of pale and blue.

One of them grit his teeth and suddenly fell to his knees with a THUD.

"Third Master! It was all our fault, every last bit of it!

You are a magnanimous man, please save us!

As long as you’re willing to let Lu Lutong’s ships set sail and transport my batch of raw silk.

Tomorrow—tomorrow I will really come to your door with thorny branches on my back!

I swear it!"

With one man kneeling, the others quickly followed suit.

A whole crowd of shopkeepers, men who could typically command the winds and summon the rains in the marketplace, now knelt on the blue-brick floor.

Their foreheads pressed against the cold ground, their posture so humble it was as if they were in the dirt.

Lu Huaisan watched them, the slight smile on his face slowly fading.

He leaned back in his chair again, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

After a long time, he sighed, his voice full of difficulty.

"I understand the difficult position you are all in.

But right now, I am still a disgraced man. The seals on Lu Lutong haven’t even been removed.

If I were to secretly sail the ships and transport goods, that would be adding a crime on top of a crime.

If someone were to report it to the higher-ups then..."

He paused, his gaze turning distant and somber.

"These shoulders of mine are narrow; I cannot bear a second trip to prison."

"They won’t! They absolutely won’t!"

Boss Sun shot his head up, his voice urgent.

"We’ll go to the Provincial City right now! We’ll explain everything in person!