Wuxia: Drinking with Spring Breeze

"Have a sip of water, calm yourself down!"

Yang Ge pinched the teapot, poured a cup of tea, walked down from the hall, and personally handed it to Fang Ke, then lightly tapped his shoulder, "Being a Bailiff is just your starting point, not your end. Shen sees potential in you, and so do I. As long as you perform well, who’s to say that my position might not be yours one day!"

Fang Ke hurriedly clutched the tea cup and bowed deeply again, "Being granted the position of Bailiff is already more than my ancestors could have dreamed of, how could I dare..."

Yang Ge forcefully pulled him up, "There are no outsiders here, no need for such formalities... I’m entrusting Gu Tong and the others to you. I’m giving you strong soldiers, don’t turn them into weaklings!"

Fang Ke patted his chest loudly, "Rest assured, Sir, from now on, the brothers under my command will be your sharp blades. Wherever you point, that’s where we will strike. If any one of them disgraces you, feel free to take my head for it!"

Yang Ge, "With your words, I’m now reassured!"

He turned and walked back up to the hall, thinking of asking when the two Deputy Commandants and a host of Bailiffs were to officially start duty, when suddenly he remembered something and turned to ask, "By the way, did you find out anything about the Jiangzuo Changfeng Gang situation I asked you to look into?"

Fang Ke looked at Yang Ge in surprise, not expecting that despite having dealt with three major grain merchants and numerous officials, he still remembered this grudge!

The next second, he lowered his head and spoke loudly, "Such a minor matter, why should you worry, Sir? As soon as I have overseen the office here in the right district, I will immediately take our brothers to Jiangnan and ensure the Changfeng Gang gives you a satisfactory response!"

"No need."

Yang Ge, lying back in his chair with arms crossed, said indifferently, "Your power is too slight, I’d rather go there myself!

The people in the Changfeng Gang, merely having a hiring relationship with the three major grain companies, were not deeply involved.

When the imperial court was punishing these grain companies, they either used money or sought people to protect themselves.

In any case, they were not implicated by the downfall of these grain companies...

But how could someone not pay the price for doing wrong?

For such bullies who recklessly oppress others just because they have the power, he never forgives!

Moreover, being in the position of a Commandant did not give him much of a feeling of security.

He needed to find something irritating, to tell those eyeballing him, "If you can’t kill me, better not mess with me!"

The Changfeng Gang was neither too small nor too big, just right!

Fang Ke opened his mouth to advise otherwise, but the words were swallowed back up.

He figured he understood Yang Ge; if it were so easy to persuade him, Yang Ge wouldn’t have reached his current position.

After contemplating for a moment, he tentatively said, "Sir, you’ve just taken office, and the whole office here needs to be smoothed out and adjusted. Why not make an example out of the Changfeng Gang? Dealing with them would provide a satisfactory answer to both your superiors and subordinates, wouldn’t it?"

The Jiangzuo Changfeng Gang, a major Jiangnan gang that operates on waterways, dealt in big businesses such as smuggling salt, tea, silk, and porcelain, and even had a hand in the Canal Transportation.

But these issues, to say they were big might not be an exaggeration, yet to call them minor wasn’t quite right either.

It was the kind of situation where if the officials didn’t bother you, turning a blind eye and laughing it off would suffice.

But once the officials decided to come after you, just one charge would be enough to obliterate a family!

And by taking down the Changfeng Gang, the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard system would benefit immensely...

Yang Ge, having realized this, gave Fang Ke a thumbs-up: "Well thought out!"

This approach was indeed more imposing than him going alone, down south to confront the Changfeng Gang.

A smile of relief flashed across Fang Ke’s face as he respectfully bowed, "To be able to alleviate your worries is my honor, Sir!"

Yang Ge stood up, carrying the sandalwood box containing his official robe, and headed out, "Go about your duties. After the Deputy Commandants and the Bailiffs sent from home arrive, notify me to come over."

Fang Ke followed him, "Where are you heading, Sir?"

Yang Ge looked at him in surprise, "Where else? Back to the inn! If we delay any longer, the inn will start admitting guests!"

Fang Ke: ...