Old Qi, a man in his forties with weather-beaten skin, looked every inch the seasoned farmer.

His expression was stern and unyielding.

Hearing Fang Zheng speak, Old Qi’s reluctance was evident: “Master, there are houses waiting to be built back in the county. If I leave, I fear the workers won’t meet our standards.”

Fang Zheng waved his hand dismissively: “Nonsense!”

“It’s time you learned to delegate! If you insist on overseeing everything yourself, how will you ever achieve greatness?”

“Old Qi! A man needs ambition. What’s the purpose of building ten thousand ordinary houses? No one will remember your name.”

“We’re in the business of building wonders! Work hard and leave the rest to me!”

Old Qi’s silence spoke volumes of his acquiescence.

He felt a twinge of unease as he thought about the county office and Taoyuan Theater he had constructed.

The master had a penchant for these ostentatious, unusual creations… It was only the lack of outsiders in Taoyuan County that spared those two oddly-shaped buildings from open criticism.

His reputation was suffering quite a blow!

He wondered what kind of spectacle he’d be compelled to create in Jianjiang. With any luck, it was sparsely populated.

Seeing no further objections, Fang Zheng made a grand gesture!

“We depart!”

…

On a painted pleasure boat gliding across Cheng Lake in Jianjiang.

Xie Xian carefully carried a bowl of medicinal soup to a cabin.

Spotting the patient on the bed, he called out, “Second Brother, it’s time for your medicine!”

Zhou Tie’s face was ashen, his lips cracked and dry. Upon seeing Xie Xian, he mustered a weak smile: “Cough… cough… thank you… Old Xie.”

Xie Xian’s exasperation was palpable: “You could have ridden a horse, it wouldn’t have cost you much time. How did you manage to fall from a boat?”

Zhou Tie looked sheepish: “You don’t understand… I heard that oaf Zhang Biao gets seasick… hehe, so I insisted on taking a boat. Cough… cough!”

Xie Xian regarded Zhou Tie with disbelief.

After Zhou Tie finished the medicine, Xie Xian retrieved the bowl and lowered his voice: “Old Zhou, it’s just us here. Tell me truthfully, did you purchase that Martial Arts Champion title? What was the cost?”

Zhou Tie’s eyes widened, and he struggled to raise a trembling finger at Xie Xian.

“You… you… I thought we were friends, and here you are, doubting me?”

Xie Xian looked abashed: “Please, don’t misunderstand. I’m merely disappointed about missing the capital exams myself. Now, rest.”

He turned to leave, bowl in hand.

Zhou Tie hastily called after him: “Old Xie… I know you all think poorly of me…”

“Let me share a secret with you… cough… I created a set of blade techniques while inebriated on that boat. I call it the Mad Wolf Blade Technique! Three moves… just three, and if Zhang Biao faced me in combat, I swear his head would roll!”

“Keep this to yourself, cough! This is my hidden talent. When we return to the county, I’ll prove my worth to everyone! Hehe!”

As he spoke, Zhou Tie’s gaze drifted to the ceiling, his eyes glazed with fantasy, an odd chuckle escaping his lips.

Witnessing this display, Xie Xian made a swift exit.

Just as he reached the door, he nearly collided with Lian Gui, who was about to enter.

Noticing the soup bowl in Xie Xian’s hands, Lian Gui inquired, “Has he taken his medicine? How is he faring? Everyone is assembled, waiting for you.”

“Oh, he’s in fine spirits! Claims he’s developed some blade techniques, three moves to defeat Zhang Biao!”

“Hahahahahaha”

“Hahahahahahahaha”

Hearing the raucous laughter outside, Zhou Tie’s face flushed crimson.

He slammed his fist on the bed and shouted,

“Curse you all!!”

The angry outburst sent Xie Xian and Lian Gui hurrying away, stifling their laughter.

They made their way to the main hall of the modified pleasure boat, now dominated by a massive table.

Chairs encircled it, ready to seat dozens.

This was where they gathered for meals and strategy sessions.

The seat at the head remained conspicuously empty, clearly reserved for Fang Zheng.

After a quick survey of the room confirmed full attendance, Xie Xian strode to his place.

No sooner had he sat down than he spoke: “It’s rare for us all to be gathered like this.”

“We may not have many more meetings on this boat. Let’s plan one final operation before we depart. Has anyone made progress recently? Speak up.”

Shen Zhaoxuan’s smug expression was unmistakable: “Progress? What progress? Pilfering grain? How much can we truly acquire? Give me a bit more time, and I’ll have every sect in Jianjiang under my control!”

“Just this morning, I eliminated a branch of an organization calling themselves the Water God Sect.”

“In my opinion, the rest of you might as well cease your efforts. You’re expending energy fruitlessly.”

“Listen to my proposal – remain for another month! By then, I can procure more grain than you can imagine!”

“We’ll execute one final operation, then disappear!”

As Shen Zhaoxuan’s words hung in the air, a palpable tension descended on the group.

Xie Xian fixed Shen Zhaoxuan with a long look before speaking slowly: “The master’s orders were clear – no rash actions. You’re causing significant disturbances. Are you trying to invite disaster upon us all?”

Lian Gui’s face split into a wide grin as he exclaimed: “Well, well! Old Shen has become arrogant! Looking down on us now that he commands five thousand men? Do you believe the master will approve of your actions when he arrives?”

All eyes turned to Shen Zhaoxuan.

He swallowed nervously, his confidence faltering: “Don’t misconstrue my words!”

“I merely wished to avoid returning home in disgrace. I was concerned about facing the consequences.”

“Moreover, I’ve stated before – I cannot maintain strict control over all these individuals I’ve gathered!”

Xie Xian’s voice cut through the tension: “The master’s original plan was for us to return. We all desired one final operation to preserve our dignity, but your current actions will make it exceedingly difficult to conclude matters cleanly.”

“Furthermore, you haven’t requested funds in quite some time.”

“Five thousand men require substantial resources. Where are you acquiring all this money and food?”

Shen Zhaoxuan fell silent for a moment: “Indeed, we all remained to avoid the shame of returning empty-handed.”

“With five thousand men under my command, I now have considerable influence. Some government officials have approached me, seeking to form alliances.”

“That’s why you need not worry about resources or provisions.”

Xie Xian’s brow furrowed: “They’ve seen your face? Aren’t you concerned about being manipulated?”

Shen Zhaoxuan shrugged with feigned nonchalance: “Of course I’m cautious, but they have no leverage over me.”

“I never reveal my face in public. They have no knowledge of my true identity.”

“Our Self-Reliance Sect’s motto is ‘Love the country, love the family! Dedicated and devoted!’ When have we ever transgressed?”

“Our followers are welcomed as heroes in the streets. Who wouldn’t desire such recognition?”

“The small sects I’ve eliminated are the true menace, involved in all manner of nefarious activities.”

“So, Old Xie, you can rest assured. Our position is secure.”

“In fact, the Jianjiang Prefect himself is hosting a grand banquet in my honor tonight!”

Lian Gui’s voice rose in alarm: “Have you lost your senses? You believe a mask renders you invulnerable? What if they decide to apprehend you? Should we all prepare for imprisonment?”

“You speak nonsense! On what grounds would they arrest me?”

“Since when do officials require justification? Have you forgotten the master’s capabilities?”

“This is intolerable, I should inform the master…”

Xie Xian felt his patience wearing thin: “Enough! Cease this bickering! Old Shen, decline the dinner invitation… Something about this situation feels amiss. Fabricate an excuse and withdraw.”

“As for those five thousand men under your command, disperse them as quickly as possible. I don’t care about your methods, but we need to extricate ourselves from this situation promptly!”

Shen Zhaoxuan’s face darkened: “You suggest we flee ignominiously? You know the master – he’s not concerned about us causing trouble, he’s worried we won’t cause enough!”

“We’ll be objects of ridicule if we return in this manner! Disbanding the men isn’t the primary issue, but doing so abruptly – I cannot maintain control over the rank and file. I require time!”

“If we disband suddenly, someone else will inevitably assume leadership. Once that occurs, the future of the Self-Reliance Sect becomes unpredictable.”

“If it devolves into a mob of fanatics, then we’ll face genuine peril!”

“How much time do you need?”

“A month, at minimum. I must systematically remove the troublemakers one by one.”

Xie Xian drummed his fingers on the table, deep in thought for a long moment: “Very well, one month. But expedite the process.”

Shen Zhaoxuan nodded his assent.

“What of the rest of you?”

Wei Cai rose to his feet: “I also require additional time. We’ve only completed half of the tunnel, and recently, the Sun and Wang families have significantly increased security at their granaries.”

“Our operatives cannot make any substantial moves, so progress has slowed considerably.”

“I can’t fathom why those wealthy families have suddenly fortified their granaries so thoroughly.”

Bai Rui interjected: “They must be concealing something significant.”

“Haven’t you noticed? The gruel in those disaster relief tents outside the city grows thinner by the day.”

“I conducted a covert inspection of the official granary last night. It appeared full, but…”

As he spoke, Bai Rui produced a small cloth bundle from his robes and emptied its contents onto the table.

An assortment of rice grains spilled across the wooden surface.

“Observe, everyone. At least half the rice in that granary is moldy and unfit for consumption! The remainder is old and of poor quality.”

“Why is the gruel becoming thinner? The answer is obvious. The official stores are depleted!”

“The Sun and Wang clans are conducting clandestine grain sales. Rice that once cost four taels a stone now fetches a catty if one is fortunate! The price has increased exponentially!”

Xie Xian heaved a weary sigh: “Moldy rice should not be present in an official granary. There’s only one plausible explanation.”

“The officials and merchants are colluding, exchanging good rice for spoiled grain surreptitiously.”

“It appears we selected our targets judiciously after all!”

Shen Zhaoxuan let out a dry chuckle: “In that case… We need not show restraint. I’ll lead my men on a nocturnal raid and seize their entire stock!”

“Regardless of their increased security, how formidable can their defenses truly be?”

Xie Xian immediately vetoed the idea: “Absolutely not! This situation has escalated beyond our control.”

“Concentrate on completing the tunnel. Amass more sandbags over the next few days. In approximately ten days, we’ll appropriate whatever grain we can manage.”

“Subsequently, we shall return to the county without delay!”