Chapter 360: The Constable Captain Places His Bet

Old Seven had always handled dirty work for Yin Xingtian and had killed quite a few people.

He was considered one of the Six Gates’ priority surveillance targets.

Because of that, Old Seven truly did bear considerable dislike and resentment toward the Six Gates. Even after taking office for more than half a year, he had never once come to pay a visit. As for the official gifts he sent to the authorities, they were no more than routine formalities.

No wonder Constable Captain He had discovered traces of Five Poisons Sect disciples in Qinghe Commandery, yet had chosen not to inform Old Seven. Instead, he had waited until after Old Seven left before telling Wangchuan.

Wangchuan’s personal visit today brought real satisfaction to Constable Captain He and Constable Captain Yu.

Constable Captain He said to Wangchuan, “As for the matter in Qinghe Commandery, one could say it is difficult, yet one could also say it can be resolved quite easily. It all depends on how your Caobang chooses to handle it.”

Wangchuan’s eyes lit up, and he cupped his fists respectfully.

“I ask the two honored sirs to point me toward a way through the fog.”

Constable Captain He glanced at the Gold Notes in his hand, quietly tucked them into his robe, and said, “The Beggar Sect does indeed have some influence in Qinghe Commandery, but Qinghe Commandery also has another considerable local force, namely the prestigious Lu Family. If you can gain the Lu Family’s support and join forces with them against the Beggar Sect, then the Beggar Sect’s days will become very difficult.”

“The Lu Family?”

Wangchuan froze for a moment, then pressed further.

“A prestigious local family in any place should not dare openly declare war on the Beggar Sect. After all, the Beggar Sect is still the largest faction under heaven.”

“This Lu Family is somewhat different.”

Constable Captain He’s gaze was steady as he patiently explained, “The Lu Family is in the business of silver banks and remittance houses. They have close ties with the court, close ties with the Ministry of Revenue, and they are also very well connected in the Jianghu. The key point is that they have a good relationship with your Caobang hall, and there is substantial cooperation between you every year. In truth, you do have a way to reach them.”

“...”

A thoughtful look entered Wangchuan’s eyes.

At that moment, Constable Captain Yu spoke with a smile.

“Do you know whose goods were on the cargo ships your Caobang hall lost this time?”

The moment he heard that, it struck Wangchuan like sudden enlightenment, and he blurted out, “Could it be this Lu Family?”

“One of the Lu Family’s money houses is managed by the family’s young master, Lu Ping’an. This shipment is said to have carried not only one million taels of silver, but also a large amount of important cargo besides... By staging this matter with a single hand, the Beggar Sect heavily wounded the Caobang and at the same time dealt a serious blow to the Lu Family as well.”

“The Lu Family can demand compensation from the Caobang for their losses, but as for this bitter grievance, they still have not found an outlet for it.”

“...”

Wangchuan instantly understood.

The Lu Family was a natural ally standing on the Caobang’s side.

As long as the Lu Family could be won over—or, to put it more bluntly, dragged into the conflict—the Caobang would no longer be fighting alone.

Constable Captain He continued at that point.

“As long as the Lu Family is willing to enter the fray in person and employ official methods, the Six Gates’ forces in Qinghe Commandery will certainly have to go all out... By then, no matter how formidable the Beggar Sect may be, they will still have to avoid the edge of that force. Otherwise, all of them will end up arrested, thrown into prison, and executed after the Autumn Assizes.”

“...”

A smile appeared on Wangchuan’s face.

“Many thanks to the two honored sirs for showing me the way through the fog!”

“If the Caobang is able to break free from its predicament this time, there will certainly be repayment for the two of you.”

“Hahahaha...”

“We are only taking a person’s money and helping him dispel his troubles.”

Constable Captain He patted his chest and said with a grin, “That said, this matter will not be easy to handle. The position your Hall Master Yin now occupies once belonged to the sworn elder brother of the Lu Family’s Patriarch. That is also the reason the Lu Family has delayed taking action for so long. They are probably still hoping to bring back the one who went to the capital.”

That was yet another crucial piece of intelligence.

Only now did Wangchuan fully understand the tangled complexity of the situation in Qinghe Commandery.

That one thousand taels of gold had not been wasted!

“Many thanks to the two honored sirs for your guidance. Wangchuan will take his leave for now and will come again in the future to pay his respects.”

“Mm.”

“Go on, then.”

The two Constable Captains watched Wangchuan depart.

“This young man has strategy, courage, and a sense of responsibility. He will become someone important in the future.”

Constable Captain He said.

Beside him, Constable Captain Yu nodded in agreement.

“The key thing is that he is still so young. Judging from his spirit and bearing, he is already no weaker than we are. His talent and natural aptitude are quite impressive! You really do know how to play the board. To find a chance this early to extend him a favor... it could only be you.”

“Ever since the Blood Moon Incident, the situation has become more and more complicated. That monster still has not been found. As for the fifteenth day of the seventh month next year, I suspect the situation will be even more severe. I am merely leaving a path open for myself as well.”

“So you are preparing to enter the game personally and involve yourself in the grudge between the Caobang and the Beggar Sect?”

Constable Captain Yu asked him.

Constable Captain He drew in a deep breath and said, “Among all those affected by the Blood Moon Incident, the Caobang suffered the worst. Strictly speaking, they should not be the side I choose, but you know my temperament. I cannot stand those false faces that kick a man when he is down. The Beggar Sect is incapable of accomplishing anything, yet more than capable of ruining everything!”

At that point, he paused slightly before continuing.

“If the Beggar Sect is allowed to throw the Jianghu into chaos, our investigations will only become more difficult, and next year’s fifteenth day of the seventh month will look even less promising! It would be better to take this opportunity to unite all sides properly, suppress the Beggar Sect, and blunt its momentum!”

“That is true enough.”

The two Constable Captains did not know that Wangchuan, though already outside the courtyard, had not gone far and had heard every word clearly.

《Xuanwu Art》 at Perfect Mastery had greatly enhanced his five senses, and at this moment it brought him an unexpected benefit.

The instant Wangchuan stepped out of the Six Gates and into the sunlight, he felt an immense sense of relief and joy, like clouds parting to reveal the sky.

Constable Captain He was preparing to enter the game personally...

That meant a force within the Six Gates was already trying to intervene in Qinghe Commandery and help the Caobang deal with the Beggar Sect.

With the Six Gates helping in secret, there should not be too much trouble on the Lu Family’s side.

A way to break the deadlock was now in sight.

When he returned to the hall, Wangchuan immediately arranged for this information to be delivered to Old Seven.

After all, he himself was unfamiliar with Qinghe Commandery.

As for whether the Lu Family could actually be persuaded, that would still depend on Old Seven and Hall Master Yin.

At the same time,

using his authority as Deputy Hall Master, Wangchuan issued orders to the Main Helm, the Leishui Branch Helm, and the Jinhe Branch Helm: recruit more men and send manpower to the hall here.

No matter when Qinghe Commandery could break free from its current deadlock, Sanhe Commandery had to replenish its forces as quickly as possible.

If nothing else,

the three branch helms had to be brought up to the standard of the Sanjiang Branch Helm.

As long as their foundation became strong enough, they would be able to remain calm no matter what situation arose.

Chen Ergou personally made a trip to the Main Helm to deliver the order.

Carrier pigeon messages were sent to notify the other two branch helms.

At the same time, Wangchuan instructed Wang Yuehui and Fei Zai to continue recruiting more men.

That included Lin Xun and Bai Yuhui as well...

He also sent word reminding them to keep bringing in manpower. As for whether they were willing to follow through, that was up to them.

Once all these arrangements had been made,

news came from Zhao Heiniu’s side.

Ye Baiyi had already fully mastered 《Archery》 and 《Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar》, and even 《Five-Finger Rapid Shot》 had begun to show progress. All of them had entered a bottleneck state, and he had begun cultivating 《Underwater Killing Techniques》 and 《Water-Submerged Breath Regulation Art》. Before long, he would be able to break through to second rank.

Wangchuan silently entered the Weapon Room and continued hammering Thousand-Forged Scales, cultivating 《Hundred Ingenious Thousand-Forging Technique》.

When Deputy Hall Master Lin Cunxin heard that Wangchuan had already spent two straight days hammering away in the Weapon Room, seemingly intending to take up the Blacksmith profession again, he was utterly baffled.

“The old Hall Master generally liked practicing calligraphy after killing people; Old Seven usually liked tinkering with his Heart-Piercing Crossbow. But this Wangchuan...”

“He’s rather unusual.”

“He likes blacksmithing?”