Chapter 136: The City Overrun by Thieves

When asked about the Wu family of Zhenhai, Chen Zuqiang tried to maintain composure but stammered for a long while before saying, “Sir, the Wu family of Zhenhai… they are the local powerful clan. They colluded with the sea bandits and plundered the people. This time, they even conspired from within and without, breaking through Zhenhai County’s defenses…”

Long Chen watched Chen Zuqiang quietly, letting him speak at his own pace.

“The people of Zhenhai detest them to the bone. Together with the government forces, they rebelled, wiping out the Wu family, but still, Zhenhai County’s walls were breached.”

Long Chen nodded and asked, “But didn’t you just say no one was colluding with the sea bandits? How is it that the Wu family was working with them?”

Chen Zuqiang looked embarrassed and stammered, “The Wu family has been killed, so this subordinate said no one was colluding with the bandits.”

Long Chen suddenly understood, “Indeed, that explanation makes sense.”

Chen Zuqiang smiled awkwardly, and the officials from the governor’s office nearby chuckled as well.

Fearing further questioning, Chen Zuqiang quickly said, “Sir, the welcome banquet is ready; please take your seat.”

Long Chen smiled, “Very well.”

Chen Zuqiang led him to the rear office, where several neat tables were laid with food and wine. Long Chen took the seat of honor, with Governor Chen Zuqiang sitting beside him.

“Let us all raise a glass to Lord Long,” Chen Zuqiang said.

He lifted his cup, and the officials followed suit. Long Chen drank with a cheerful smile.

Beside him, Zhang Qian’s face was solemn, while Wu Jian stood guard, not touching a drop.

As the toasts flowed, Long Chen seemed to grow familiar with Chen Zuqiang’s group, and the atmosphere relaxed.

“Governor Chen, the emperor has only granted me a thousand troops, while the sea bandits number a hundred thousand. The disparity in forces is vast; I fear victory may be elusive.”

Long Chen put an arm around Chen Zuqiang’s shoulder while holding his wine cup.

Chen Zuqiang replied, “Sir, the bandits are powerful. I advise against engaging in battle; it’s best to wait for them to retreat on their own.”

Long Chen hesitated, “The emperor has ordered me to eradicate the bandits. If I avoid battle, I fear I cannot fulfill my duty.”

Chen Zuqiang’s face flushed, but Long Chen knew he was not drunk.

Helpless, Chen Zuqiang said, “Sir, our governor’s office only commands three thousand troops in total, which is still insufficient.”

Long Chen said, “Therefore, I intend to petition the emperor to recruit soldiers locally. Governor Chen, could you arrange this local recruitment?”

Chen Zuqiang promptly agreed, “No problem, sir. As you command, I will see to it.”

“However, the locals fear the bandits; I cannot guarantee we will find enough recruits.”

Long Chen poured a cup of wine for Chen Zuqiang, who hastily cupped it with both hands, “Understood, sir. I only need your assistance in organizing it.”

The banquet was joyful, and everyone drank heartily. Maids lit the candelabra, a troupe of musicians took the stage, followed by dancing courtesans.

Chen Zuqiang pointed to one dancer, saying, “Sir, what do you think of that one?”

Long Chen understood Chen Zuqiang’s meaning and smiled, “Very good. But since we have just arrived and the bandits have not yet been subdued, let us hold off for now—keep her in reserve for me.”

Chen Zuqiang laughed, “Understood.”

After the performances, it was already the hour of the Dog.

Chen Zuqiang said, “Sir, your resting quarters have been arranged. Please take your rest.”

Long Chen politely declined, “The troops are outside the city. I fear trouble might arise, so I’d rather rest outside the city and return tomorrow.”

Before Chen Zuqiang could insist, Long Chen, accompanied by Zhang Qian, Wu Jian, and the cavalry guards, left the governor’s office. Chen Zuqiang and the officials saw them off outside the city walls.

“Governor Chen, please return. Tomorrow I will come into the city to recruit soldiers.”

Long Chen patted Chen Zuqiang’s shoulder.

Chen Zuqiang bowed, “Sir’s refusal to stay at the governor’s mansion greatly unsettles me.”

Long Chen smiled, “Once the bandits are pacified, give me a large room—and tonight, I want all the dancers.”

Chen Zuqiang’s face brightened with joy, “Noted, sir! I shall remember!”

After parting, Long Chen returned to camp, where Gu Du Jiali was on patrol, the fires blazing all around.

“Sir has returned.”

Gu Du Jiali had been anxious, fearing for Long Chen’s safety.

Zhang Qian asked worriedly, “Sir, you drank so much wine with them.”

Long Chen smiled, and Wu Jian said, “Sir did not drink any; this is his unique skill.”

Chen Zuqiang’s identity was suspect; how could Long Chen have drunk their wine? Not a single bite of the food was touched.

Zhang Qian was puzzled, “Wu Captain, you seem very familiar with Sir?”

Wu Jian smiled awkwardly without answering. He certainly couldn’t say, “He’s my young general, of course I know him.”

Long Chen said, “I’m fine—I didn’t swallow a drop of that wine.”

“You all rest. I’m going to relieve myself.”

Zhang Qian immediately followed towards a dark corner. Gu Du Jiali looked surprised, “Sir is relieving himself, and General Zhang is following?”

Wu Jian smiled awkwardly, “Princess ordered General Zhang to protect Sir closely. Close protection means together.”

Gu Du Jiali’s face was full of question marks. It was the first time she had seen such close protection: “That’s a bit too close.”

Long Chen walked to the riverbank, where faintly glowing creatures swam beneath the clear flowing water.

“Step aside; I am waiting for someone.”

Long Chen waited for Feng He to arrive.

Zhang Qian objected, “No, what if there’s danger?”

Long Chen smiled, “My cultivation is higher than yours now, isn’t it?”

Zhang Qian still hesitated, “At least I can block a knife for you.”

This…

Feng He stepped out from the shadows with a smile, “General Zhang’s loyalty shines like the sun and moon. No wonder Sir trusts you so much.”

Zhang Qian drew a dagger, wary. She didn’t fully trust Feng He.

“What’s really going on in Qianjiang Commandery?”

Long Chen asked.

The West Factory’s men had infiltrated the city to gather intelligence, so Long Chen’s own scouting seemed redundant.

Yet, in matters of warfare, firsthand experience at the front lines was essential.

Feng He said, “It’s complicated. This city has been taken over by the sea bandits, but the actual ruler is Xu Zhi. Sir, you even visited Xu’s residence during the day. Quite bold.”

Long Chen had indeed toured Xu’s mansion earlier and bought back Wu Xiangyun, which Feng He witnessed.

Long Chen asked, “Besides Xu Zhi, who else? What about Governor Chen Zuqiang?”

Feng He replied, “Besides Xu Zhi, there are two others—Yuan Tengfei and Wang Zhong. The three of them jointly control Qianjiang Commandery, with Xu Zhi as the leader.”

Zhang Qian couldn’t help but ask, “You say Qianjiang Commandery is controlled by sea bandits, but the city appears orderly and the people’s lives seem unaffected.”

She had seen the city yesterday; at least on the surface, everything seemed normal.

Long Chen said, “Qianjiang Commandery is their hub for fencing stolen goods. They must maintain order, so it looks decent.”

In other words, these men treated the city as their base for selling loot and had to keep the place intact.

Just like Xu’s mansion during the day, where a black market thrived with all manner of dealings.

Feng He said, “Exactly. They see this as their turf. To attract buyers and fence goods, they keep the city’s order well.”

Long Chen asked, “What about Governor Chen Zuqiang?”

This was Long Chen’s greatest puzzle: if Chen Zuqiang was part of the bandits, why had he reported to the authorities?

This question remained unanswered.