In the evening.
The Golden Street of Jiangning was brightly lit.
In the small courtyard behind the Golden Tower, 'Martial Tyrant' Gao Huiyun invited 'Heaven Measuring Ruler' Meng Zhutao along with some of her trusted subordinates to a banquet. When a certain piece of news came from the mouths of their subordinates, both of them were a little surprised. Then they dismissed the subordinates who accompanied them to eat and drink, and ordered the servants to quickly remove the banquet and serve tea.
After a while, the first person to arrive was "Tuohe Loose Practitioner" Xu Longbiao, followed by "Sky Blade" Tan Zheng. The first thing they said when they arrived was "something happened". Then, they sat down and chatted for a while. Meng Zhutao jokingly mentioned to Tan Zheng:
"Why didn't Young Li come with Master Tan?"
Tan Zheng shook his head and waved his hand helplessly: "Master Meng, don't be so petty. The Monkey King is young and impatient, but he's still a junior. You've taught him a lesson, so don't take it to heart. But then again, although he's a Manichaeism Protector, he's still a messenger sent by General Liu Guangshi. Such a big thing happened, of course he'll have to discuss it with the envoy group first. "
After the chaos in the Golden Tower, because they couldn't catch the murderer, Li Yanfeng used this as a pretext twice to accuse Meng Zhutao of shielding his fellow apprentices. The first time in the New Tiger Palace, Xu Zhaonan, as a peacemaker, gave Li Yanfeng a lot of compensation. A few days ago, when Li Yanfeng vaguely mentioned this matter again, Meng Zhutao flew into a rage on the spot.
At that time, Meng Zhutao directly invited Li Yanfeng to fight. Li Yanfeng's martial arts skills were first-rate, and he was also young and energetic, so he directly agreed. In the end, in the fight, the "Monkey King", who was already good at fist techniques, was beaten to the ground by "Sky Measuring Ruler", who had abandoned his weapon. Only then did the onlookers understand how powerful Meng Zhutao was, and they also understood that this man, who was in charge of the criminal law in the Turning Wheel King's faction, was tyrannical and could not be taken lightly.
After casually chatting about Li Yanfeng and taking two sips of tea, Jackdaw Chen Juefang hurried over. He sat down and took a sip of tea. The first thing he said was, "Damn it, something's not right."
Meng Zhutao picked up his teacup and said, "I received news in the afternoon that your men got into trouble again. There's someone called … Yang Hanzhou. He ran over and injured Yan Tiehe of the Yan Fortress. This matter can be big or small. Either we fight with Shi Baofeng, or you and I deal with Yang Hanzhou first … Are you familiar with this Yang Hanzhou? Are they relatives? "
Chen Juefang was slightly taken aback, then he waved his hand and said, "That's just a small matter, I don't have time to deal with it. What's going on in Yi Garden? I've received news that the 'Undying Guard' is on standby. Duke Xu has ordered Yuan Zhan to leave the city. I've heard that his goal is to mobilize troops. Currently, the other families are making their moves. How is it? Are we going to fight over that 'reading club' now? "
"Not really." Tan Zheng shook his head.
Xu Longbiao also shook his head. "I've heard some news, but it's not necessarily accurate. I heard … that Prince of Fairness tacitly acknowledged his relationship with the reading club?"
"I heard it was vague," Tan Zheng said.
"Me too." Chen Juefang nodded.
"If he didn't admit it, why did it suddenly become like this?"
"I've received more information," Gao Huiyun said from the side. On the side, Gao Huiyun said, "Duke Xu and Duke Shi joined forces to flip out at He Wen because of the Book Club. Their plan should be to get the five parties to agree, and then take advantage of the conference to work together to get rid of the hidden danger that is the Book Club. I don't know why, but He Wen refused to take a stand, and even quarreled with Lunatic Zhou. He Wen told everyone that what was written in the Book Club's notebook was not without reason, and that everyone should think about it."
Everyone fell silent, looking at each other. Chen Juefang looked around. "What kind of reasoning is that?"
No one spoke for a moment. Meng Zhutao took a sip of tea. "He Wen must be crazy."
"There should be three possibilities." Xu Longbiao, who was older and more knowledgeable among the crowd, held his cup and slowly said, "First, Duke Xu and Duke Shi used the reading club to force Mr. He to express his position, but Mr. He seized the opportunity to push the boat with the current and set them up … Everyone knows that although this reading club's ideas are a bit radical, their influence has already begun to grow. Most importantly, each of the five parties in the Fairness Party has people who agree with this reading club's ideas. Even if many people don't agree, they've more or less seen their things. Then, our Prince of Fairness wants to take advantage of this opportunity to rope in this group of people and gather them under his banner."
"Duke Xu and Duke Shi forced him to express his position, but in the end, he turned around and stole people from the other four parties?" Meng Zhutao frowned.
Tan Zheng laughed. "Four rounds of the Jiangning Conference have already been held, and all sides have restrained themselves. I said before that it wouldn't always be like this, that there would definitely be a day when swords would be drawn. I just didn't expect that the first to make a move would be He Wen? "
"It's not that Shi Baofeng didn't have any tricks up his sleeves. He didn't participate in yesterday's meeting, and today's Yi Garden gathering seems to be his first move to create some variables. I just didn't expect the variables to be so big," Meng Zhutao said. "Elder Xu, continue."
Xu Longbiao nodded. "The first possibility is that the Prince of Fairness pushed the boat with the current. Then, in the second possibility, perhaps we can feel that he really feels that the views of the reading club are very reasonable, and he just wants to be reasonable?"
After he said this, everyone looked at each other again. Chen Juefang laughed. Gao Huiyun said, "What is the third possibility?"
"The third possibility is none other than … our Prince of Fairness really is the mastermind behind the founding of the reading club. But in this case, when Duke Xu and Duke Shi interrogate him, he should deny it. How can a schemer be so honest?"
As he said this, everyone laughed. Some nodded, but Meng Zhutao shook his head. "These days, Old Chen and I have been more involved in dealing with the reading club. He's in charge of the arrests, and I'm in charge of the interrogations and killings. I discovered that this reading club has a special characteristic … those who hold these booklets and feel that they have already joined the reading club actually don't know who the person who wrote these things is. In other words, regardless of whether it is or not, if the Prince of Fairness stands out and says that he is, people will really believe it."
He looked at the crowd, and the teacup in his hand twirled slightly. "Among the five sitting here today, if there is a member of the reading club, I won't be able to tell at all … if that's the case, the Prince of Fairness' actions today are not just about the four sides …"
Meng Zhutao paused slightly. "If he is not the mastermind behind the reading club, today's actions are about the five sides, including the reading club. Everyone, think about it. In the past, there were often rumors that behind the reading club, it was actually Ning Yi from the Southwest who did something to the Fairness Party. If this is true, as the Prince of Fairness, I will definitely feel a thorn in my back. His actions have caused half of them to be at a loss as to what to do. "
The crowd was silent. Meng Zhutao said, "And according to Old Xu, if there is another possibility, that He Wen really founded the reading club, then his actions today are to wave the flag … he is taking advantage of the opportunity of the conference to declare to all the reading club members … that I am here."
His voice was low and unhurried. At this point, everyone's expression became somewhat solemn. Gao Huiyun said, "He is the noble Prince of Fairness, why would he create a reading club? The thinking of the reading club … is incompatible with the five families. All day long, they talk about the Fairness Party this and that, sooner or later they will be finished. Even He Wen's territory has been scolded. What, he even plans to rebel against his own? "
"Logically speaking, the possibility isn't high," Xu Longbiao said.
"Then is He Wen deliberately taking advantage of the situation? Attacking the four of us while ruining the Southwest's plans? "
"This possibility isn't high either." Meng Zhutao shook his head. "It sounds carefree, but in reality, the Prince of Fairness is fighting one against four and flipping the table. If he isn't crazy, why would he do this? Didn't he see that the four of us have already begun to mobilize troops? If he really waited until the four of us destroyed one of his families, would he say it was a misunderstanding? That he made a joke on the spur of the moment? "
"…"
The courtyard behind the Golden Tower that faced the river was brightly lit. The decorations for tomorrow's Double Yang Festival had already been hung under the eaves outside. The faint noise of the guests in front could be heard, and the room was silent for a time. Xu Longbiao stood up with his hands behind his back, shaking his head and muttering.
"Something's not right …"
From beginning to end, this matter gave off a feeling that something was wrong. If He Wen really had something to do with the Book Club, then what he would harm next would be the interests of the other four families, and even the interests of his own group. And if he had nothing to do with the Book Club, then there was really no need for him to come forward at this time. This made Xu, Shi, Zhou, and Gao nervous, because even if he, as the Prince of Fairness, could take over a portion of the Book Club's power, the other four families would still suffer here. And with the risk of suffering, everyone would launch a counterattack.
The Jiangning Conference had only begun four rounds, and everyone's demands had yet to be finished. Why would he, as the leader, stir up a storm that had no benefits at all?
At this moment, while Xu Zhaonan's subordinates were puzzled by the situation at the Golden Tower, the well-informed people everywhere in Jiangning had more or less sensed the strange movements in the night. The higher-ups of the Fairness Party began to grow nervous, and some forces even began to show signs of preparing to fight. At the northern end of the city, Yin Ping, Yue Yun, and Zuo Xiuquan, Duan Siheng, and the others had already been summoned to discuss the news that had come from outside.
The gathering at the "Garden of Happiness" had not ended. He Wen, who had ignited this fire, as well as Gao Chang, who was rumoured to be on good terms with He Wen, had also sent out orders, requesting some of the elites under his command to prepare for a fight, not to mention Xu Zhaonan, Shi Baofeng, and Zhou Shang.
In this matter, no matter what considerations each party had, once they shed all pretenses of cordiality here, what would erupt would not only be a disaster that would affect Jiangning, but a five-way melee that would directly affect the entire Jiangnan.
At the southwestern end of the city, Lu Xian spurred his horse to a seemingly dirty and messy courtyard under the command of the "King of Hell". He unsheathed his weapon, and after passing by a few sentries, he whispered to a familiar guard beside him, "Something's not right … what exactly happened?"
"It's not a small matter. They say that the Prince of Fairness has gone mad …" The guard whispered, and then said, "Go in, Duke Wei has been waiting for a while."
"How are you feeling?" Lu Xian handed over a small ingot of silver.
The guard accepted it, "I met a few groups of people, and gave very detailed instructions. They were all troublesome matters. But I didn't scold anyone. "
Lu Xian nodded, and entered the room inside. He saw the "Assassin" Wei Yiwen standing by the window with his hands behind his back.
"I called you over to confirm with you what happened at the Five Lakes Inn a few days ago." In the room that looked like a study, there was only a dim light from an oil lamp. Wei Yiwen stood by the window and simply said, "At that time, you said that you met someone from the southwest. Try to recall it carefully and tell me everything again."
"Yes …" Lu Xian nodded, "This matter, mainly started from the suspected Y-Demon from the southwest …"
At this time, the situation in the city outside had become tense. Lu Xian knew that Wei Yiwen had called him to ask about this matter, so he carefully recalled the details of that day in the rain. When he finished recounting the noteworthy parts, Wei Yiwen nodded and thought for a moment.
"Five Lakes Inn, there are really people from the reading club?"
"I dare not fabricate this matter, they were indeed caught …"
"But that day, you said that the connection between the southwest group and the Five Lakes Inn's reading club might not be that big."
"… This matter has too many implications. I just feel that we still need to … investigate carefully to be sure …"
Lu Xian was slightly hesitant. That day, he had hidden in the rain to eavesdrop. Among the information he had obtained, the Black Flag members did not mention anything special about the Five Lakes Inn, and in his subsequent observations, the reading club in the Five Lakes Inn and the Black Flag who happened to live there seemed to be two coincidental but parallel clues. After all, the consequences of this matter were too great, so he did not dare to make any direct conclusions. At that time, Wei Yiwen had asked him to continue investigating, but in a mere few days, he did not find the whereabouts of the Black Flag members in the city.
In the darkness, Wei Yiwen scratched his head.
"You reported to Shi Weiyang about the whereabouts of that uneducated child. Shi Weiyang rushed over excitedly, but the people of the Five Lakes Inn had ulterior motives and blocked Shi Weiyang from the front. The uneducated brat escaped from the back and happened to run into more experts from the southwest. Then, everyone fought. Not a single one of the reading club or the Black Flag was caught, only Shi Weiyang was covered in dirt … all of this … was a coincidence …"
He scratched his head and muttered to himself. Lu Xian frowned as he recalled.
"That day, after all …"
"Do you know what happened today …"
"I … am not very clear. I only heard that Yi Garden was in an uproar …"
"He Wen is very strange," Wei Yiwen said. "That day at the Five Lakes Inn, Shi Weiyang, who had suffered a setback, used this as a pretext to make a fuss. Yesterday, he went to the Five Lakes Inn and captured a group of people, forcing them to confess under torture, saying that they were a stronghold of the reading club … Since we have your information, of course we know that this is nonsense. But Shi Baofeng, together with Xu Zhaonan, forced He Wen to abdicate, forcing him to say that he had nothing to do with the reading club, but … He Wen refused to comment and his attitude was very ambiguous … Lu Xian, you are the most capable of thinking among my subordinates. Why do you think …"
"This …"
Lu Xian's mind quickly turned, thinking of many possibilities in a moment. But before he could speak, Wei Yiwen had already turned his head to look out the window at the courtyard.
"… In the name of the southwest's orthodoxy, what the reading club usually says is actually not important. What's important is that the one they want to replace is the Prince of Fairness. And as the Prince of Fairness himself, to joke about this kind of thing … You can see that because of his attitude, all the families have already begun to mobilize their troops and make preparations. Because if the reading club really is related to him, then the whole of Jiangnan will start fighting, and it won't just be Jiangning City that will go up in flames … Then I can only think of two reasons why he is so fearless …
"The first is that He Wen has already cast aside us and formed an alliance with one or two of Gao Chang, Xu Zhaonan, or Shi Baofeng. He feels that victory is within his grasp, so he might as well lay his cards on the table and start fighting … Oh, Shi Baofeng shouldn't be his ally, because today's incident was provoked by Shi Baofeng. If that's the case, then we can still consider going to Shi Baofeng for a chat …
"As for the second possibility … when you were at the Five Lakes Inn that day, you were at least able to confirm that the people from the southwest had come. Then, regardless of what happens with the reading club, perhaps He Wen has already formally negotiated an alliance with the southwest and wants to flip the table, cast aside the other four families, and do something grand and spectacular. If this is the case … this …"
Wei Yiwen faced the window and spoke very quickly. It didn't even sound like there was any cadence. It was only when he reached the last few sentences that his tone gradually lowered. His thoughts and doubts seemed to be immersed in the darkness outside the window. When Lu Xian heard this conjecture, his hair stood on end.
"It's the southwest … getting involved … they're too far from here …"
Wei Yiwen shook his head and muttered, "The southwest is full of lunatics. Ning Yi is the greatest lunatic, and He Wen also came from there. There's something wrong with his head. If not for this, why would he have founded the Fairness Party … Don't look at how they're usually a little more normal, but for the sake of that little desire in their hearts, they'll do anything …"
For a moment, Lu Xian didn't know how to respond to Wei Yiwen's summary of the southwest.
In the gloomy room, the two discussed the recent situation. Wei Yiwen ordered, "… There won't be any fighting in the near future. What everyone needs to consider is the major event that will affect all of Jiangnan. It will take some time to mobilize troops from all over the country. The small scene in the city is only to put pressure on He Wen. But as I said, He Wen is a lunatic, he doesn't have any humanity … How about this, you saw those Black Flag people that day. I'll transfer another group of people to you. Put more effort into finding them as quickly as possible. "
"…" Lu Xian hesitated for a moment, then said, "This lowly officer accepts the order."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
In the dim light, Wei Yiwen calmly said.
… …
The city sank into the darkness like a ship carrying the radiance of the stars.
On the night of the eighth day of the ninth month, when countless threads were stirred up by that ambiguous quarrel and began to faintly roar beneath the surface of the water, there were even more minute clues that intersected in this enormous undercurrent. Some clues would also suddenly be carried by this enormous undercurrent and pushed to the surface.
On this night, after directing the incident at Wenshui Wine Shop, arranging for the injured Yan Tiehe to be sent to a suitable medical center, leaving behind some people to keep watch, and then having dinner with Military Advisor Wu Chennan, Shi Weiyang finally brought his entourage back to Zhongan Square.
Upon returning home, he found that the atmosphere in the square had become somewhat strange. The elite guards were all wearing armor and the two sides of the square were under martial law. It was clearly the prelude to war.
"… Uncle Jin is so good to me?" Shi Weiyang felt a little overwhelmed by the favor. "Could it be that he knew I was going to make trouble tonight and made preparations for me? But this scene … there's no need … "
Wu Chennan slightly creased his brow. After some thought, he said, "Perhaps the Undying Guard is used to being rude and unreasonable. Knowing that there was a grudge in the afternoon, they aren't willing to apologize, so they plan to charge over tonight and accuse the victim first?"
The two discussed for a while, but they couldn't come up with a plan. It wasn't until he met Jin Yongsheng in a room in the side courtyard that Shi Weiyang roughly learned of the huge change that had happened in the city.
For the scheme he had set up previously, his father had directly asked the "King of Fairness" during the meeting. The "King of Fairness"'s answer was not satisfactory, so his family had directly assumed a fighting stance, wanting to challenge the "King of Fairness"'s authority.
"… Putting pressure on the King of Justice? My father is so … domineering? "
Shi Weiyang was a little dumbfounded. In the past, his father had only taught him how to use money and power, and had even beaten him up because he didn't know how to be polite and modest. He didn't expect his father to be so tough when facing a true expert.
There were quite a lot of people in the courtyard where the shopkeepers worked. Jin Yongsheng, who had just carried out a large number of deployments, didn't have the energy to explain too much to Shi Weiyang. He only said, "Now there are four families and one family exerting pressure."
How domineering …
Shi Weiyang sighed and shook his head. Then, he frowned and thought for a moment.
"… Then … Old Jin, about Second Master Yan's matter, we originally agreed to go to the Immortal Guard tonight. If we four families join forces, then this matter …"
Jin Yongsheng rubbed his forehead and pondered for a moment.
"Be careful. Just put on a show. Don't really fight," the old shopkeeper said. "It should … not be a problem."
Shi Weiyang wasn't interested in the Reading Club. At this moment, he only cared about the scheme he had set up. After getting a positive answer, he left in satisfaction. That night, he led a group of minions and marched majestically towards the encampment of the Immortal Guard of the Chakravarti King.
On the surface, Jiangning City was still a warm night before the Chong Yang Festival. However, the elites of the five families had received orders and were in a threatening posture. Seeing Shi Weiyang's domineering action, almost everyone was shocked.
Just like how no one could understand why He Wen was the first to start this conflict, no one could understand why, when both sides were threatening each other and a fight was about to break out at any moment, the first to raise a flame and act as though it was about to ignite a barrel of explosives was actually the Shi Family, which had always had a wide range of guests …
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