"My Lord Prince, you honor me with your visit from afar!" Lord Dong of Yongcheng placed the freshly brewed tea on the table. His gaze flickered towards the man seated on the chair, and flattering words spilled from his mouth like a rehearsed speech.
Lu Wuxie, accustomed to such rhetoric, took a sip of the tea. "They say the tea in Yongcheng is unlike any other. Indeed, its fragrance is most invigorating."
Dong Qing, hearing this, nodded with a forced smile. Though he tried to conceal his wariness, a hint of it still showed.
Lu Wuxie cast him a casual glance and chuckled. "Prefect Dong need not be so tense. I am not here under imperial decree to conduct any investigations. Rest assured."
A breath Lu Wuxie had held back escaped Dong Qing's throat. He cupped his hands towards Lu Wuxie and bowed. "Then, is Your Highness here for sightseeing?"
"No." Lu Wuxie placed his teacup on the table and casually dipped his finger in some water, writing three characters on the surface.
Dong Qing leaned in. When he saw the three characters, his expression darkened. "The Beichuan Gang?"
Lu Wuxie nodded and asked, "Does Lord Dong know of this gang?"
"Yes, yes!" Dong Qing quickly replied. "It is said that the Beichuan Gang began their business at the port a few years ago, and they are quite formidable."
"And have you heard any news of the Beichuan Gang these past few days?" Lu Wuxie inquired.
"These past few days?" Dong Qing pondered for a moment, then quickly said, "Ah yes, it seems the Beichuan Gang's ships have not been seen at the port recently. I heard there was some major internal affair within the gang."
"What affair?" Lu Wuxie asked, feigning ignorance.
"It seems... they are electing a new gang leader," Dong Qing said, scratching his head. "It's rather strange, though. I heard their leader, despite being middle-aged, was quite robust. Why would they suddenly be electing a new leader?"
Lu Wuxie narrowed his eyes, looking at the evasive Dong Qing. He continued, "So, is the gang now without a leader?"
"Yes... it should be..." Dong Qing answered, then suddenly grasped Lu Wuxie's implication. He shivered and asked, "What does Your Highness mean by that? Is Your Highness planning to dismantle the Beichuan Gang?"
"What, is that not permissible?" Lu Wuxie countered, not answering Dong Qing directly.
Dong Qing shook his head as if it were a rattle. "No, no, it is not permissible."
"Why not?"
"Your Highness, it's not that I'm obstructing you, nor do I wish to defy your wishes. The Beichuan Gang's influence extends throughout Jinzhou and the port of Yongcheng. If you intend to apprehend the entire Beichuan Gang, the strength of my small prefect's office alone will certainly not suffice." Dong Qing spoke, a hint of apprehension coloring his words.
Lu Wuxie, seeing through his thoughts, smiled. "Then... how would Prefect Dong plan for it to be sufficient?"
Dong Qing swallowed several times, thinking for a long moment. "Your Highness does not possess military authority. If you wish to dismantle the Beichuan Gang, you must return to Jincheng and seek an audience with the Emperor..."
"Well spoken, Dong Qing!" Lu Wuxie interrupted with a cold laugh. "Not only did I uncover the Beichuan Gang's illegal trade of khat grass, which is strictly forbidden by the court, but they also nearly cost me my life! You are quite clever, arriving only now and immediately suggesting I return. Speak! What benefits did the Beichuan Gang offer you? Or do you intend to eliminate me on my journey back to Jincheng?"
"Your... Your Highness, this official is wrongly accused!" Dong Qing, startled by Lu Wuxie's words, almost fell to his knees. He trembled, quickly cupping his hands in a salute.
Lu Wuxie remained silent, his gaze fixed on him.
Dong Qing furtively glanced at the man opposite him, his body trembling again. "This official was unaware of the Beichuan Gang's connection to khat grass. Had I known, I would never have uttered such a regrettable statement."
Saying this, Dong Qing raised his hand and slapped his own cheek twice.
Seeing this, Lu Wuxie slightly raised his hand to stop Dong Qing. "Dong Qing, regarding this matter of khat grass, do not pretend you are unaware. This substance has flowed all the way to Jincheng, can your Yongcheng truly be clean?"
Dong Qing's face contorted with a bitter expression. He stampered for a long time, unable to utter a coherent sentence. Finally, he sighed. "Your Highness, to be frank, this official is also compelled by circumstances and can only turn a blind eye."
"How so?" Lu Wuxie knew that his previous intimidation had broken Dong Qing's resolve. After all, he had only recently taken office, valued his official hat more than his life, and was not a seasoned politician. He was easily manipulated.
Dong Qing sighed, his face etched with helplessness. "In truth, the Beichuan Gang has always been arrogant at the Yongcheng port. This official has long wanted to deal with them, but on one hand, matters at the port are handled by dedicated personnel from the court, and on the other hand, the Beichuan Gang and..."
He bit his lip, afraid to continue.
Lu Wuxie completed his sentence. "But they have connections with Governor Guo."
"Your Highness's perception is truly sharp!" Dong Qing, hearing this, quickly nodded, his fawning words spilling out once more.
Lu Wuxie frowned slightly, appearing somewhat impatient.
Dong Qing, reading his expression, quickly continued, "Indeed, the Beichuan Gang is protected by the Jinzhou Naval Governor. This official is merely a humble local magistrate, capable of handling wrongful convictions or improving the lives of the Yongcheng populace. As for matters at the port, this official's hands are tied, and I can only watch helplessly. Your Highness's earlier statement about wanting to deal with the Beichuan Gang... my words were indeed out of concern for Your Highness's safety... and... and..."
"And your own head!" Lu Wuxie finished Dong Qing's unspoken words.
Dong Qing, seeing this, offered a bitter smile and said no more.
He had indeed heard that Lu Wuxie was arrogant and unrestrained, acting recklessly. But seeing him today, he felt that this man was not as depraved as the rumors suggested, even possessing a certain brave drive.
"If that is the case, I ask you, when did the Beichuan Gang become associated with Governor Guo?" Lu Wuxie asked again.
Dong Qing pursed his lips and pondered for a good while. "Initially, the Beichuan Gang was a small faction, engaging in minor trade at the port. Later, they changed their leader, and somehow managed to establish ties with Governor Guo. In just a few short years, they became the foremost gang at the port, and no one from Jinzhou to Yongcheng dared to provoke them. Some time ago, something happened within the gang, and the leader suddenly died. They are currently without a leader, but with Governor Guo's protection, no one dares to touch the Beichuan Gang. Your Highness's arrival this time, this official must speak from the heart. The mountains are high and the emperor is far away. Not to mention Your Highness, even the Crown Prince... to eradicate the Beichuan Gang would not be a task accomplishable by a single person."
Lu Wuxie looked at Dong Qing. His analysis was indeed what Lu Wuxie had considered earlier. The Beichuan Gang's influence in Jinzhou and Yongcheng was deeply entrenched. Today, he had merely come to gather information. It seemed that if he wanted to shake this Beichuan Gang tree, he would have to wait for Lan Heng to devise a long-term plan.
"By the way..."
"My Lord!" Lu Wuxie was about to ask something else when the voice of a minor runner interrupted him.
Dong Qing quickly turned to the newcomer and shot a fierce glare at the runner, as if to say, 'Have no eyes!'
The runner had never seen Lu Wuxie, but observing his lord's respectful demeanor, he knew the man seated in the armchair was either wealthy or of high status. He immediately knelt, unsure of what to do.
Lu Wuxie glanced at the runner. "Speak, what is it?"
The runner looked at Dong Qing.
Dong Qing nodded, signaling him to proceed. "The head of the Meng family, Meng Yuan, has come to pay his respects."
Upon hearing Meng Yuan, a hint of amusement flickered across Lu Wuxie's face. He knew that just a few days ago, the Yue family had faced trouble and was thoroughly investigated by the court. The tea magnates of the entire Southern Yue Kingdom had fallen, and the Meng family had taken over. Now, the presence of Meng Yuan, the head of the Meng family, here was quite interesting.
"Let him in," Lu Wuxie said, observing Dong Qing's less-than-pleasant expression.