East Courtyard, inside a grand hall.
All three Small Banners, except for Gu Zhan, arrived one after another with their Captains. More than twenty high-level officials from the East Courtyard gathered in this hall, and the hall, once quite spacious, suddenly felt a bit crowded.
Once everyone had arrived, Gu Zhan wasted no words and went straight to the point: "Colleagues, I summoned you here today for one thing. There has been a major development in the Mud Bottle Lane land encroachment case—we've already identified several main suspects. Today, I'm asking you all to go apprehend these people…"
Just then, a cold snort came from outside the hall.
"Since when do you, Gu Zhan, have the authority to give orders in the East Courtyard?"
Lei Yun gripped two Iron Galls in his hand and entered with a squad of Embroidered Uniform Guards. Though his hair was snow-white, as a martial arts master he was still full of vigor. His eagle-like eyes exuded inherent authority.
Everyone in the hall rose to their feet and saluted him.
Only Gu Zhan remained seated at the head of the room. He replied calmly, "Chief Banner Lei, this official is here discussing critical matters. If you have nothing important, then you may leave; do not disturb us."
Lei Yun's expression darkened instantly as he said coldly, "Gu Zhan, this is the East Courtyard. What I do here is not your concern!"
After saying this, Lei Yun scanned the hall and said gravely, "Have you all forgotten how to work together? Return to your posts immediately. Without my permission, no further private gatherings are allowed."
The Embroidered Uniform Guards showed troubled expressions.
Gu Zhan sneered and said, "Chief Banner Lei, I'm afraid you really have no authority over this matter today."
Lei Yun replied coldly, "Who gave you the right to speak to me in this way?"
"Would Lord Hundred Households' authority be enough?"
Gu Zhan slowly stood up, took out Gu Chuan's order and the official document, and proclaimed in a loud voice, "By order of Lord Hundred Households, I am in full charge of the Mud Bottle Lane land encroachment case. All Embroidered Uniform Guards in the East Courtyard must obey my command unconditionally!"
Having said this, Gu Zhan walked toward Lei Yun, looked at his ashen face, and asked, "Chief Banner Lei, is this authority sufficient? Do I now have the power to convene an East Courtyard Assembly of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"
Lei Yun's face was livid.
He looked around at the others in the hall, and in an instant, he understood. This was a trap set by Gu Zhan, who intentionally kept him in the dark about Gu Chuan's order, just waiting for him to intervene and be humiliated in public, stripping away his prestige.
And in this opportunity, Gu Zhan's influence would rise rapidly. If the land encroachment case was resolved, Gu Zhan might even overshadow him completely.
Yet, faced with the Hundred Households' command in Gu Zhan's hand, Lei Yun was helpless. Though filled with rage, he dared not oppose Gu Zhan, because opposing him now meant opposing Gu Chuan.
"Hmph, you brat—let's see what happens next!"
Lei Yun snorted coldly and turned to leave at once.
Gu Zhan gazed at Lei Yun's retreating figure, eyes narrowing slightly. He then continued, "Gentlemen, as I was saying just now, we've already gathered quite a few clues in the land encroachment case. Shortly, I will hand each of you a list; follow the names and arrest the people accordingly!"
A gang may be an organization,
but it's certainly not just a random group of street ruffians thrown together.
Every legitimate gang maintains a respectable public identity. For instance, the top levels of the Celestial Water Gang present themselves as proper businessmen. Take Liu Hong, whom I killed not long ago—he owned several taverns and gambling houses, all entirely proper businesses.
Now, even after the Embroidered Uniform Guard's harsh interrogations, we've only managed to lock on to a group of suspects. We can't directly convict many higher-ups in the Celestial Water Gang; we must proceed step by step, gathering solid evidence before making arrests.
At this stage, those I can detain are the ones involved in the land encroachment and poisoning cases. From these people, I'll dig further for evidence.
He wasted no time,
and immediately distributed the prepared lists to the Small Banners, each with clear instructions on whom to apprehend.
Soon, people in the hall began to leave in succession,
Chen Fei remained by Gu Zhan's side and said, "My lord, those high-ranking figures in the Celestial Water Gang have surely scrubbed themselves clean of any connection to the land encroachment case. Even if we arrest these people, there's no guarantee we'll uncover any useful evidence!"
Gu Zhan let out a faint laugh, "Does the land encroachment case really matter?"
"Huh?"
Chen Fei was confused. "My lord, aren't we investigating the land encroachment case?"
"No," Gu Zhan's eyes narrowed as he replied, "Our true target is the Celestial Water Gang. As long as we can catch people, we'll find something on them. The specific nature of the evidence isn't important; as long as it hits the Celestial Water Gang, it's enough."
With that, Gu Zhan didn't care whether Chen Fei understood. He beckoned, "Let's go—arrest them!"
...
East Courtyard, in Lei Yun's study.
A staff officer entered and saluted: "My lord, Gu Zhan has already left with his men. Aside from those still loyal to us, all three other Small Banners are now following Gu Zhan's lead. If this continues, the East Courtyard will be in Gu's hands one day!"
Lei Yun's face was grim as he replied, "Do you think I don't see that? Right now, Hundred Households Gu is backing him—what can I do?"
The staff officer spoke softly, "My lord, Hundred Households Gu supports a fierce Gu Zhan—but if Gu Zhan were a dead man, Gu Chuan would cease to care!"
Lei Yun frowned. "What do you mean—are you telling me to kill Gu Zhan? Are you insane? He holds official status. If I kill him for no reason, I'll destroy my entire family line!"
The staff officer hurried to explain, "Of course you can't do it, my lord—but others can. For instance, the Celestial Water Gang."
Lei Yun waved a dismissive hand. "Indeed, the Celestial Water Gang once wanted Gu Zhan dead. But things have changed: he still wields his rank, and now has Hundred Households Gu's support. The Celestial Water Gang isn't stupid—they won't kill Gu Zhan now. If they did and failed, the trouble would only multiply!"
The staff officer shook his head. "At the moment, the price for the Celestial Water Gang would be too high, true. But the way Gu Zhan is acting now, he's determined to fight the Celestial Water Gang to the death. When their losses accrue, do you really think they'll keep restraining themselves?
When the time comes, as long as you promise to help from the shadows and make sure they can kill Gu Zhan in one strike, they'll work with you. They'll also give you a large sum of silver. Not only will you rid yourself of Gu Zhan, but you'll make a tidy profit—why not?"
Lei Yun's eyes brightened. "Then what should I do for now?"
"Help Gu Zhan," the staff officer replied. "Don't hinder him—in fact, help him in secret. Make sure he meets with nothing but smooth sailing. Ideally, even help him acquire evidence of some top leader of the Celestial Water Gang committing a crime. At that point, the Celestial Water Gang won't sit still—they'll come to find you, and that will be Gu Zhan's doom."
A strange light flickered in Lei Yun's eyes as he said slowly, "That makes sense. If you wish to destroy someone, you must first let him become swollen with pride. Let him be pleased with himself—for a few days more."