novelraw Chapter 142: Yang Feiyue’s Methods
Chapter 142: Yang Feiyue’s Methods
Yang Feiyue truly had his capabilities.
He coordinated operations across Heilong County, Huishui County, and Rongcheng County, wiping out the Green Bamboo Gang’s core leadership and inner disciples.
No one knew how Yang Feiyue negotiated with the authorities, but all of the Green Bamboo Gang’s personnel escorting goods outside were immediately branded by the officials as wanted fugitives. From then on, they were forced to roam as desperate men on the run.
Early the next morning, Yang Feiyue once again led men into Rongcheng County, openly taking over the Green Bamboo Gang’s docks, hall, and all the resources in its storehouses.
The Rongcheng County Magistrate personally received Yang Feiyue, stating that the government would purge the wicked and vindicate the victims and guards who had suffered under the water bandits.
Only at this moment did Su Wangchuan realize that Yang Feiyue’s actions had most likely gained the support of the Caobang. Otherwise, the authorities would never have cooperated so fully.
With the Caobang’s involvement, the matter was quickly settled.
Across the three counties, Jianghu figures and merchants traveling to and from the docks were all abuzz:
“The Yulong Gang is getting stronger and stronger.”
“They took Heilong County first, and now they’ve moved into Rongcheng County…”“Impressive!”
“They’ve really turned this stretch of water into an ironclad stronghold.”
“It looks like the Yulong Gang is about to grow into a Second-Rank gang.”
“…”
Just then, more good news arrived:
Lin Xun successfully advanced to a First-Rank Martial Artist!
Song Minshu successfully advanced to a First-Rank Martial Artist!
Helm Leader Qin Ming successfully advanced to a First-Rank Martial Artist!
In one stroke, the Yulong Gang gained three First-Rank Martial Artists.
Then word spread that both Lin Xun and Qin Ming wished to compete for the position of hall master of the Rongcheng County dock hall.
Gang Leader Yang Feiyue found himself deeply troubled.
On this day, he unexpectedly came to the Huishui County hall and appeared behind Su Wangchuan, who was in the middle of training.
Su Wangchuan was deliberating whether to cultivate 《Iron Shirt》 or 《Iron Sand Palm》.
Both techniques consumed health, and training 《Iron Shirt》 was best done offline, using the same method he had used to cultivate 《Fish Scale Technique》 before.
Suddenly, a cough sounded behind him.
“Ahem!”
“Wangchuan.”
Su Wangchuan snapped back to reality. He turned around, surprise flashing across his face, and immediately stepped forward to cup his hands in salute.
“Gang Leader! When did you arrive? This subordinate was discourteous.”
Yang Feiyue’s temples were streaked with gray, yet his tiger-like presence had not diminished in the slightest. With a smile, he said,
“I have long wanted to come and see you.”
“If not for your early vigilance in the fleet ambush incident, and your arrangement for inner disciples to act together with Fei Zai, our Yulong Gang would have suffered a tremendous setback.”
“It was this subordinate’s fault. When I first grew suspicious, I should have reported to the Gang Leader at once instead of acting on my own. I nearly caused a great disaster.” Su Wangchuan took the initiative to admit fault.
“The water stronghold falls under Hall Master He’s jurisdiction. You had your concerns. I understand.” Yang Feiyue waved a hand. “Let us not speak of that matter. I have come this time to reward merit.”
At this point, he smiled and announced:
“Your arrangements spared the gang from a major loss and provided critical clues that allowed us to take down the Green Bamboo Gang smoothly…”
“You may not know this, Wangchuan. The murderer left behind by Fei Zai and the others was originally from Rongcheng County before he turned bandit. The person he followed was the hall master of the Green Bamboo Gang’s dock hall.”
“And that hall master once let something slip during a drunken conversation with our Hall Master He before the new year—he revealed that the Green Bamboo Gang secretly maintained a group of killers who did their dirty work.” Yang Feiyue’s gaze turned cold as he spoke.
“They had no idea that they had already exposed themselves. I went to visit personally to give him a chance… Who would have thought that the Green Bamboo Gang would remain obstinate, treating me as a fool? So I invited some friends from the yamen. Following the trail, we captured that entire group, confirmed the Green Bamboo Gang’s banditry of murdering for profit, and then wiped them out in one stroke.”
“…”
Shock flickered in Su Wangchuan’s eyes.
He had not expected Yang Feiyue to possess such hidden intelligence.
Nor had he imagined that the wanted murderers had already been secretly swept up in a single net.
In that case, the man Fei Zai and the others had captured truly had been the key.
Without realizing it, Su Wangchuan had facilitated the destruction of the Green Bamboo Gang and helped the Yulong Gang establish itself in Rongcheng County.
“Gang Leader, your methods are formidable.”
“This subordinate is full of admiration.”
Yang Feiyue let out a hearty laugh.
“Wangchuan, you are truly my lucky general. This time, we seized the entire foundation of the Green Bamboo Gang’s goods and assets. I have personally prepared a gold note worth one hundred taels of gold for you. In addition, I have brought you all of the Green Bamboo Gang’s First-Rank and Second-Rank martial arts manuals.”
Only then did Su Wangchuan notice that Yang Feiyue was holding a small box.
He took it in both hands.
“Many thanks, Gang Leader.”
“You deserve it.” Yang Feiyue looked at him with satisfaction.
“Recently, both Lin Xun and Qin Ming have been vying for the position of hall master of the Rongcheng County dock hall. Neither is willing to yield. What do you think of this matter?”
“This subordinate is young and does not dare to offer judgment. I believe the Gang Leader must have a more comprehensive assessment.”
Su Wangchuan naturally did not dare to overstep.
Yang Feiyue nodded slightly.
“Lin Xun has been with the Yulong Gang for half a year. He is a veteran and has rendered great service. He is indeed capable of standing on his own.”
“But Qin Ming is a capable fighter I recruited from the Prefectural Government. When we were attacked by the Nu Tao Gang, he joined the gang in our hour of need. I also made him a promise at the time. It is difficult to go back on my word.”
Su Wangchuan could sense Yang Feiyue’s dilemma.
One was a seasoned veteran, pressing strongly for the position.
The other was a First-Rank Martial Artist who had joined in a time of crisis and now needed a proper appointment.
He remained silent.
Yang Feiyue sighed and paced.
“I would like to ask you for a favor, Wangchuan. Please persuade Elder Lin Xun. I plan to have him and Qin Ming go together to take charge of the Rongcheng County hall. Qin Ming will serve as hall master, and Lin Xun will assist in the capacity of an elder. What do you think?”
“What about the helm leader position?” Su Wangchuan immediately understood that Yang Feiyue still favored Qin Ming for the hall master position, so he countered gently. “Has the candidate for the dock’s helm leader been decided?”
“The helm leader… Wangchuan, what do you mean?” Yang Feiyue’s eyes lit up. “The original plan was to appoint a formal Martial Artist, but it has not yet been announced.”
“If it has not been announced, then you might consider having Elder Lin Xun concurrently serve as the helm leader of the dock branch helm. The dock branch helm has some monthly benefits. Elder Lin Xun might find it easier to accept.” Su Wangchuan knew that after seeing the tangible benefits he himself had gained upon assuming the hall master position, Lin Xun had grown eager to secure more of the gang’s resources.
A helm leader’s position was, at the very least, a step forward.
Yang Feiyue nodded thoughtfully.
“Appointing him as branch helm leader is not impossible… If this arrangement can foster sincere cooperation between the two First-Rank Martial Artists in Rongcheng County, it would resolve a major matter for our Yulong Gang. Rongcheng County could stabilize from then on. However, I still need you to confirm that Elder Lin Xun will accept this arrangement willingly.”
“This subordinate will consult Elder Lin Xun at once and give the Gang Leader an answer by tomorrow at the latest.”
“Good! I shall await your good news.”
Yang Feiyue smiled.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yang Feiyue departed.
Su Wangchuan immediately logged off to contact Lin Xun.
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