It was close to noon, and the warm winter sun shone unreservedly on the earth. Nearly ten li south of Lanyan City, between two small towns, a luxurious manor stood on the map of Lanyan City. At this time, there was a continuous stream of carriages entering the manor. They were all nobles from Lanyan City, and some of the carriages even had golden purple flowers embedded on the wheels.
There were a total of four entrances to the manor. The main gate faced west, and two golden statues of goddesses glowed dazzlingly under the sun. These two statues were gilded, symbolizing wealth and nobility. Carriages entered one after another under the stone statues, and the owner was welcoming them. He was a man in his thirties, and although he looked like a rat, he wore a brocade robe embroidered with gold. He was the man who had once tried to kidnap Qin Yin in the Dragon-Seeking Forest — Liu Jun, the chief of the Copper Dagger Gang!
Several private soldiers in armor stood behind Liu Jun, longswords at their waists. Their expressions were ruthless, and even their smiles seemed very stiff in the face of a group of nobles. Perhaps they were more suited to an expression of anger.
Gurgle … Gurgle …
A carriage embroidered with tiger patterns entered the manor under the protection of nearly a hundred guards. Liu Jun hurried forward with a face full of smiles, saying, "General Weiyuan, welcome to my humble abode. I, Liu Jun, apologize for not going out to meet you!"
The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a general with thick eyebrows and big eyes walked out. It was General Weiyuan, Tang Xiao. As the son of Tang Lan's cousin, Tang Xiao had long since been promoted to a high position. As a second-rank General Weiyuan, he could be considered to be famous in Lanyan City. He was in charge of nearly thirty thousand troops from the Seven Seas City, and his name was known far and wide.
"Lord Liu Jun is too polite."
Tang Xiao smiled faintly, saying, "Since it's Lord Liu Jun's birthday, how can the Seven Seas Tang Sect not come to congratulate you? Unfortunately, His Highness the Seven Seas King is busy with official business and can't make it, so I, a lowly General Weiyuan, have come to congratulate you on his behalf. Men, bring Lord Liu Jun a birthday gift."
A few soldiers quickly worked together to carry a huge wooden plank over. The things on the plank were covered with red cloth. Tang Xiao smiled and said, "My Lord, don't you want to see what His Highness the Seven Seas King has prepared for you?"
Liu Jun beamed with joy as he walked forward. After pulling off the red cloth, he discovered that it was a Pi Xiu made of gold. It weighed at least a hundred pounds, which was already very valuable. Not to mention, the carving was very detailed and lifelike, which made its value even more difficult to estimate. For a moment, Liu Jun was grinning from ear to ear. "Your Highness is too polite. How can I enjoy this?"
Tang Xiao laughed out loud. "Lord Liu Jun, there's no need to be so polite. We are in a cooperative relationship. The Seven Seas Monarch has a message for me to convey to you."
"Oh, what?"
"Recently, the demons and the Yihe Kingdom have been restless, and the survival of the empire is at stake. Therefore, His Highness has decided to expand the army and recruit the warriors in the province. This requires more provisions, weapons, salaries, and other materials. Therefore, His Highness the Seven Seas King has decided to increase the commission of all the restaurants, casinos, and workshops that the Tang family cooperates with you by 10%. I hope that Lord Liu Jun can consider the overall situation of the country."
"This …"
"Why, can't I?" Tang Xiao narrowed his eyes and asked with a smile.
"Yes, of course. Since His Highness the Seven Seas King has spoken, it's a small matter. General, please report to His Highness that this additional 10% of income will be sent to the Seven Seas King's Mansion from this month onwards. His Highness can rest assured."
"Good, good." Tang Xiao patted Liu Jun's shoulder and laughed. "Your Highness is far-sighted. You will definitely achieve great things in the future. Then … shall I go in and drink your birthday wine first?"
"Please come in! Please come in! "
Looking at Tang Xiao's back, Liu Jun couldn't help but clench his fists. His face was livid as he whispered, "This group of vampires. It's not easy to do business, and they actually increased the commission. Sigh …"
A private army leader behind him said, "Boss, this can't be helped. How can we not bow our heads when we are under the low eaves? Half of Lanyan City is under the control of the Tang family. If the Tang family doesn't protect us, I'm afraid more than half of our shops can't be opened at all. This 10% of income can be considered as filling the appetite of the King of Hell."
"Hmm, that's the only way." Liu Jun gritted his teeth and asked, "Are all the people from the six ministries here?"
"The people from the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Appointments, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Justice are all here. Basically, they are all officials with the rank of assistant minister. However … the people from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works are still nowhere to be seen."
"Last month, the Minister of War, Xue Ling, chose three maids from us to be his concubines. Don't worry. We have him under our control. It's impossible that he won't come."
"Heh, Boss is wise!"
In less than a few minutes, the neighing of warhorses could be heard from outside the manor. The people from the Ministry of War had indeed arrived. Moreover, there were nearly two hundred of them. The person who was wearing battle armor was the Minister of War, Xue Ling. He actually came to offer his birthday congratulations in person.
Liu Jun hurriedly stepped forward, cupped his fists, and laughed. "The Minister's presence brings light to my humble abode. You really give me too much face. Please come in!"
Xue Ling held the reins and did not dismount from his horse. He spurred his horse and led his entourage into the manor. When he passed by Liu Jun, he turned to look at him and said with a smile, "Boss Liu, what a grand show of extravagance. Such a birthday banquet is probably comparable to a noble's birthday!"
"Aha, Minister, what are you talking about? Please come in, please come in!"
Watching Xue Ling leave, Liu Jun's expression became even uglier. The leader of the private army behind him said angrily, "What an arrogant and conceited Xue Ling. He didn't even dismount from his horse. He doesn't take us seriously at all!"
Liu Jun turned around and looked at him coldly. "He is the Minister of War with hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses. We are the underworld ruffians of Lanyan City. Why should he take us seriously? Correct your attitude. We are businessmen. We get rich through harmony. Don't fight with others for a moment of pride. "
"Yes, I understand."
Liu Jun turned around and looked at the road outside the manor. He said, "The people from the Ministry of Works probably won't come. I don't have much of a relationship with the Minister of Works, Ouyang He."
"It's almost time. Boss, let's go into the main hall to prepare for the birthday ceremony. Don't let the guests wait too long."
"Okay, let's go."
…
The extravagance of the manor's main courtyard was in no way inferior to that of the Ze Tian Palace. Qilin patterns were engraved on the huge pillars, and ancient patterns were engraved on the surface of the pillars. The patterns were glimmering, and only when the guests got closer to take a look did they discover that those patterns were actually all sorts of valuable precious gems that were embedded on the stone pillars! The wealth of the Bronze Dagger Gang had already reached the point where it could rival half a province!
The main hall was very spacious. Young girls in faintly discernible gauze dresses walked through the crowd with plates of fruits and wine. These young girls were at least above average in beauty. The Copper Dagger Gang made its fortune through human trafficking. Naturally, they had no shortage of beautiful women. The fertile land of the Qin Empire had produced countless beautiful women. Now, they were brought to a place like this. They were dressed in revealing clothes and allowed the guests to grope them, but they didn't dare to resist at all.
Liu Jun slowly walked into the main hall with a wine cup in his hand. He smiled and said, "Everyone, please be quiet."
When the host spoke, the crowd quieted down from the noise.
Liu Jun continued, "Everyone, I am sincerely grateful that you could attend my birthday in the midst of your busy schedule. As a token of appreciation, everyone who enters the hall today can choose one of your maids to take with them."
Instantly, the hall was filled with jubilation. Many guests were already drooling over the maids beside them. Now that Liu Jun said such a thing, it was simply too extravagant!
Thus, many people began to fight over the maids beside them.
The banquet began and everyone took their seats. The Ministry of War's Minister Xue Ling, General Weiyuan Tang Xiao, Su Family's Commander Su Long and the others were arranged to sit at the same table. They were accompanied by Liu Jun personally. After three rounds of wine, everyone looked drunk.
At this time, a member of the Tiger Head Gang with a copper dagger on his waist walked in and whispered into Liu Jun's ear, "Dragon Head, something bad has happened. There are traces of the empire's army on the main road. All of them are cavalry, and there are people in all four directions of the manor!"
"What!?"
Liu Jun trembled, "Which army is it? Don't they know that the Ministry of War's Minister is here?"
"It's … it's Lin Muyu's Valiant Dragon Corps."
"How many people are here?"
"Too many to count." The Tiger Head Bronze Dagger Gang member's face was ashen, "Boss, do we need to use our private army to protect the manor? Soldiers are trained for a thousand days to be used in a single moment! "
"Protect the manor?" Liu Jun sneered, "Do you plan to use that motley crew to block the empire's official army?"
"Then what should we do?"
"Let me think."
Liu Jun looked at everyone at the banquet and suddenly cupped his fists, "Lords and generals, this lowly one has a presumptuous request."
"Oh?" Xue Ling smiled slightly, "Boss Liu, please speak your mind."
Liu Jun said, "One of the armies stationed at Lanyan City, the Valiant Dragon Corps, is approaching this lowly one's manor with ill intentions. This lowly one is a proper businessman, if … if Commander Yu wants to make things difficult, please help this lowly one!"
"Lin Muyu is here?"
Xue Ling gritted his teeth, "Let's see what he says when he arrives. Boss Liu, don't panic."
"Yes, thank you, Lord Minister."
Tang Xiao, Su Long, and the rest all stood up. Hearing that Lin Muyu had brought the Longdan Army Camp over, they immediately sobered up.
… …
The heavy and concentrated sound of hooves could be heard from outside the manor's hall, and not long after, the sound of footsteps on marble could be heard. A group of generals from the Valiant Dragon Corps walked in with a dense group of soldiers. Lin Muyu was dressed in a white Royal Forest Armor and walked at the front, followed by Tang Xiaoxi, Wei Chou, Situ Sen, Situ Xue, and the rest. Behind them was a group of soldiers with longbows in their hands, the white diamond arrows glinting in the sunlight.
Liu Jun did not even see the person clearly before he rushed forward and knelt on one knee, his voice trembling, "This lowly citizen Liu Jun pays his respects to Commander Yu. May I know why Commander Yu has brought so many soldiers to my humble abode today?"
"First, raise your head and look at me." Lin Muyu's voice was indescribably calm.
Liu Jun raised his head, the more he looked at this kid, the more familiar he felt. He murmured, "You are … you are …"
"Have you forgotten about Du Yiming? And that girl you wanted to knock out in the middle of the night? Don't tell me you've forgotten everything about Chapter 2? "
"You …"
Liu Jun stumbled back on the marble floor as if he had seen a ghost. "How can it be you, how can it be you?"
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