Hundred Households Office, in the council hall.
At this time, the hall was already crowded. At the main seat sat Thousand Households Luo Bingsheng, followed in rank by two Hundred Households and the office advisors—all the top echelon of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Linjiang City.
Gu Chuan entered with his men, and upon seeing the array of faces, couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. A sensation came over him, as though he'd returned to the days when he first set foot in Linjiang Prefecture years ago.
That year, right after assuming office, he suppressed the South City Hundred Households Office with an iron fist. He then launched a sweeping reform against the Martial World gangs in South City—he'd almost succeeded,
But at the critical final moment, just like today,
The entire Embroidered Uniform Guard came down upon him, and alone, he stood powerless. In the end, he had no choice but to compromise—and that concession lasted for years. In these years, he'd made ample preparations, promoted many newcomers into the Guard, and within the Thousand Households Office, he'd cultivated his own faction. Now, he even had an unexpectedly outstanding subordinate: Gu Zhan,
Today, the very same scenario repeats itself,
He understood in his heart,
This was a contest between himself and the corrupt government of Linjiang Prefecture.
"Greetings, Lord Luo." Gu Chuan cupped his hands in salute.
Luo Bingsheng smiled faintly and said, "Hundred Households Gu, you're here—please, take a seat!"
Gu Chuan returned the gesture, took a seat, crossed his legs, and slowly sipped a cup of tea.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew heavy.
Sipping his tea, Gu Chuan pretended as if nothing was amiss, not uttering a single word,
And Luo Bingsheng, as Thousand Households, though intent on openly suppressing Gu Chuan today, found it ill-suited to take the initiative. An awkward silence took hold. Quietly, he cast a meaningful glance toward one of the Hundred Households.
This Hundred Households was Luo Bingsheng's top confidant—his name was Gao Jun. Well into his sixties, he had followed Luo Bingsheng since his youth and was the most senior member in Linjiang Prefecture's Embroidered Uniform Guard. Because of his loyalty, he also enjoyed a high status.
Noting Luo Bingsheng's predicament, he looked at Gu Chuan with a genial smile and said, "Hundred Households Gu, surely you know why Lord Luo has gathered all of us here today, don't you?"
Gu Chuan shot Gao Jun a sidelong glance, a flicker of disgust in his eyes,
Back then, it was also Gao Jun who acted as Luo Bingsheng's lapdog, leading the charge to suppress him. When Gu Chuan fought with the South City Martial World gangs, it was Gao Jun who worked behind his back, cutting the compensation for the dead and the manpower, causing his final effort to fall just short of success.
Gu Chuan gave a cold laugh and said, "I suppose, it should be about the great merit my South City Hundred Households Office achieved today, shouldn't it? Lord Luo, aren't you being a bit hasty? I haven't even finished writing my official report yet; the merit and reward process hasn't even started. But since Lord Luo is paying such close attention, I might as well skip the paperwork and make a verbal petition right here!"
Luo Bingsheng's expression froze.
Gao Jun's face also stiffened momentarily; he forced a smile and said, "I'm afraid you've misunderstood, Hundred Households Gu. The actions of your South City office were a bit excessive today. The reason you were summoned is to ask about the incident in detail,
Hundred Households Gu, your subordinates have certainly attracted the full attention of the Prefecture Government. If this matter isn't handled properly, it could easily trigger public outrage and severely damage our Embroidered Uniform Guard's reputation!"
Gu Chuan gave Gao Jun a flat look and said unhurriedly, "Lord Gao? Why don't you describe in detail exactly how such an incident would spark public outrage?"
Gao Jun replied, "The South City Hundred Households Office killed people without authorization, and the victim happened to be a highly influential merchant of Linjiang City. If this gets out of hand, Hundred Households Gu, Xing Kuan is one of our top merchants—many depend on him for their livelihood. The taxes he pays every year…"
"That's enough!" Gu Chuan interrupted in a stern voice. "Does Xing Kuan even qualify as a legitimate merchant? Lord Gao, allow me to ask—which legitimate merchant dares lead men to invade land and besiege Embroidered Uniform Guards in broad daylight? This is your idea of a bona fide merchant?"
Gao Jun said awkwardly, "Hundred Households Gu, these matters may just be misunderstandings—after all, there's no evidence…"
"We've lost sixty or seventy men from the South City Hundred Households Office, and you're telling me there's no evidence?"
Gu Chuan slammed the table, pointing straight at Gao Jun as he yelled furiously, "How about if I murder your whole family tonight and then tell you there's no evidence so you can just let it go—how does that sit with you?"
Gao Jun's face turned crimson with rage. "You…"
"Enough, enough," Luo Bingsheng hurried to smooth things over. He said, "Hundred Households Gu, don't be rash. It's natural for you to be upset, suffering such heavy losses tonight at the South City Hundred Households Office. But this matter does have to be resolved."
"Resolved in what way?" Gu Chuan asked in a deep voice. "The Embroidered Uniform Guard was beset by a gang of Martial World people, and yet you, Lord Luo, aren't interested in investigating those Martial World characters, only in making trouble for my Hundred Households Office. What does this mean? Are the laws of Great Xia written to shelter such brazen men of the Martial World? Are the laws set for them?"
Thus questioned without mercy by Gu Chuan, Luo Bingsheng's face turned even more unsightly. But aware of Gu Chuan's formidable background, he swallowed his anger and said, "This matter will naturally be thoroughly investigated by the Hundred Households Office and the Prefecture Government. You will certainly have a satisfactory answer, Hundred Households Gu. However, there is another matter that must be dealt with immediately!"
Gu Chuan narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
Luo Bingsheng spoke in a grave tone: "Gu Zhan, Small Banner Officer of the East Courtyard in the South City Hundred Households Office, killed an official on the street. This is the most heinous incident Linjiang Prefecture has seen in decades—his methods were savage, utterly without respect, possessing no regard for the law. Such a crime warrants execution…"
Gu Chuan cut him off immediately. "So what you mean, Lord Luo, is that under the laws of Great Xia, officials are free to harm their colleagues without resistance, and subordinates who fight back deserve to die? Quite a feat, Lord Luo—to rewrite the law of Great Xia at will! Or perhaps you, as a Thousand Households of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, have never read our laws? Are you dissatisfied with His Majesty, or do you take issue with the Court, or are you hoping to ally yourself with rebels?"
"Gu Chuan!"
Luo Bingsheng, furious, roared, "You've gone too far! How can you dare utter such things? My loyalty to the Court is plain for all—the sun and moon bear witness!"
"If so loyal, why do you distort the law?" Gu Chuan pressed him further.
Luo Bingsheng raged, "You…"
"Lord Luo, Hundred Households Gu," Gao Jun again stepped in to mediate, "Both of you are loyal, patriotic officials—everyone knows this. Let us not invite ridicule for a moment's outburst."
With that, Gao Jun looked again at Gu Chuan and said, "Hundred Households Gu, you're young and full of achievements, with boundless potential. In the future, when you rise to high office and look back on the bonds of camaraderie, you wouldn't want such unpleasant memories to linger long.
Speaking of which, Lord Luo truly values and admires you, Hundred Households Gu. Just a few days ago, he was telling me he's about to retire, and preparing to request that the Garrison Commandant's Office let you take over the Thousand Households post!"
Gu Chuan squinted slightly and said in a low voice, "What conditions?"
Gao Jun smiled. "What conditions could there be? With your capabilities, Hundred Households Gu, there's no one better suited to become Thousand Households. It's just… Linjiang City can't afford further chaos, and after this recent upheaval, pressure is mounting from all directions. Even if Lord Luo wishes to recommend you for promotion, there's little he can do. So, he hopes you'll show some understanding!"
Gu Chuan pondered for a moment, then slowly sat down. "In what way should I be understanding?"
Gao Jun replied, "This entire disturbance stemmed from Small Banner Officer Gu Zhan. Naturally, it should be up to him to put an end to it. What are your thoughts, Hundred Households Gu?"