Chapter 71: Talk About Perfect Timing—they’re All Here, Scoop ’em Up In One Go
Teahouse.
Inside the private room.
Wang Changhai sat with his legs crossed, leisurely drinking fine tea and savoring delicate pastries, humming an out-of-tune tune. His life was utterly blissful, and his mood was exceptionally pleasant and good.
The storms outside had nothing to do with him, nor did the chaos in the Loyalty Hall.
He had already received the news that Huang Wei had been arrested.
But what could be done about it? Huang Wei had brought it upon himself.
Back in the Main Hall, Huang Wei had been arrogant and disdainful, clearly opposing Lin Fan. He had long predicted that Huang Wei was doomed.
Last night, Lin Fan came to his house for dinner and patted him on the shoulder, telling him.
“Hall Master, keep a low profile during this time. I think highly of you and will ensure you get promoted.”
This… sounded so familiar.
It seemed he had said something similar to someone before.
But that wasn’t the point.
The point was…
Suddenly, the private room door was pushed open.
Wang Changhai, who had just finished his dessert and was dusting off his hands, looked up at the newcomer and, like a startled cat, his hair stood on end. He jumped up, grabbed a chair, held it high, and retreated several steps, his back against the wall, shouting angrily.
“Sun Yaowei, what the hell do you want?”
He hadn’t expected Sun Yaowei to appear before him.
Instantly, many possibilities flashed through his mind.
A fight.
This was going to be a fight.
Sun Yaowei, who had entered the room, flashed a fawning smile, poked his head out the door, glanced left and right to confirm no one was there, and immediately closed the door.
Then…
*Thump!*
He knelt as if he had been told to.
Sun Yaowei said with a sycophantic smile, “Grandpa…”
“…?”
Wang Changhai, still holding the chair, was bewildered by the situation. Had this kid taken the wrong medicine?
……
Loyalty Hall, Main Hall.
When the five Hall Masters and the Gang Leader used to have meetings, it was always lively.
But now, it was very quiet.
Only three people.
Chen Qingshan sat on his Gang Leader’s throne and looked at the two Hall Masters below.
Ma Jiang.
Yanzhao Han.
“Where is Wang Changhai?”
Chen Qingshan could no longer stand it. He slammed the armrest of his seat and roared angrily.
Ma Jiang, who usually liked to pick at his fingernails with a dagger, sat obediently. “Gang Leader, he is no longer one of us in the Loyalty Hall. He’s latched onto that dog-son-of-a-bitch surnamed Lin and hasn’t paid any attention to us for a long time.”
Yanzhao Han’s only eye was still bluish-purple; the injury from that punch had not yet subsided.
“Gang Leader, the current situation is extremely unfavorable for us. Huang Wei was brazenly apprehended right at his doorstep without any hesitation,” Yanzhao Han said angrily, his chest filled with suppressed rage.
At this moment, Chen Qingshan felt a sense of oppression that made it difficult to breathe.
Had he not tried?
Of course, he had tried.
He had approached Prefect Li and County Magistrate Zhou, but the effect was minimal. Prefect Li hadn’t even granted him an audience. As for County Magistrate Zhou, he had seen him and accepted his benefits.
But to this day, there had been no movement at all.
It couldn’t be that he took the benefits and didn’t act, right?
As officials, people should have some principles.
Ma Jiang said, “Gang Leader, we can’t just wait for that Lin guy to come to us. We must take the initiative. I’m prepared to mobilize dozens of swordsmen and set up a net. When the moon is dark and the wind is high, we’ll take care of him directly.”
Yanzhao Han agreed, “Good idea. We’ll all go together then. He’s quite good at fighting, isn’t he? Let’s see how many he can fight then. We’ll wear him out.”
After speaking, both of them looked at Gang Leader Chen Qingshan.
This was a major matter that needed to be handled perfectly.
Chen Qingshan tapped his finger on the armrest unconsciously. After a moment of thought, he slowly looked up and said:
“The so-called Hundred Day Operation poses no significant threat to us for now. Huang Wei was caught because he was dishonest, and that Lin guy found an opportunity. But we must not act on impulse. If we give him grounds to criticize, the consequences would be unimaginable.”
Yanzhao Han said, “Gang Leader, we understand all that. Just tell us, are we going ahead with the assassination?”
“Yes, we must. He is clearly trying to kill us now. But this matter must be kept secret. Can those swordsmen keep their mouths shut? If they fail and get caught alive, it won’t be good.”
Chen Qingshan had also developed a killing intent towards Lin Fan. After dealing with Lin Fan, he didn’t intend to let Wang Changhai live either.
Those who betrayed the Loyalty Hall must die.
Yanzhao Han said, “Gang Leader, please don’t worry. I’m not stupid. I didn’t handle this myself; I had people under me do it. If it fails and something happens, it has nothing to do with me.”
“Hmm…” Chen Qingshan nodded, feeling quite reassured by Yanzhao Han’s handling of the matter.
Caution ensures a safe journey.
There were too many instances of capsizing in smooth waters.
Of course, he wouldn’t provide manpower, only verbal encouragement. If Yanzhao Han and Ma Jiang were caught by the Public Security Bureau, that would be their problem, not his.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside.
“Hands on your heads and squat down, all of you!”
“Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy.”
A domineering and arrogant voice boomed.
It instantly captured the attention of Chen Qingshan and the others who were plotting.
Lin Fan, leading a group of constables, appeared in the courtyard, and all the surrounding subordinates were ordered to squat down.
As they looked at Lin Fan, Lin Fan looked back at them.
“Oh, what a coincidence! You’re all here. I thought I’d only get to meet Gang Leader Chen,” Lin Fan said with a bright smile, striding into the hall.
Yanzhao Han and Ma Jiang’s eyes were filled with anger.
But they dared not provoke him.
Chen Qingshan’s face turned ashen. He forced himself to stand up calmly and said sternly, “Squad Leader Lin, what is the meaning of this? Why are you barging into the Main Hall of my Loyalty Hall with so many people? What do you want?”
“Nonsense!” Lin Fan sneered. He walked nonchalantly to the tea table nearby, casually picked up a fresh pear from the fruit platter, and took a bite, juice splattering. “Of course, I’m here for you.”
He then turned around and gestured casually with the pear in his hand to the constables behind him.
“Keep an eye on everyone. Don’t let anyone escape.”
“Yes, Squad Leader.”
The numerous constables responded in unison.
Their voices were like thunder.
They resounded loudly.
Following Squad Leader Lin on business was like a wild charge, with no regard for anyone. It felt damn good.
Chen Qingshan was trembling with rage, panic flashing in his eyes. “Squad Leader Lin, this is going too far. You’re arresting us without any evidence. Aren’t you acting too lawlessly?”
“Lawlessly?” Lin Fan laughed. “Heh, Gang Leader Chen is indeed Gang Leader Chen. You’ve seen through the truth of the world at a glance. To arrest you, I am indeed acting lawlessly.”
Chen Qingshan was so angry he couldn’t speak.
Ma Jiang, suppressing his anger, approached with a servile smile. “Master Lin, let’s talk things through. There’s no need to…”
*Slap!!!*
Lin Fan slapped him backhand.
“Talk your ass! Why are you coming out to embarrass yourself when you should be picking your fingernails?”
Ma Jiang was slapped so hard his head tilted, and a red handprint instantly appeared on his face.
He was stunned.
He was dumbfounded.
He hadn’t expected the other party to slap him in public without even letting him speak.
Lin Fan didn’t even look at Ma Jiang. Instead, he looked at Yanzhao Han. Under his gaze, Yanzhao Han immediately lowered his head, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Seeing Lin Fan made his eye sockets ache.
Hmm.
Lin Fan was quite satisfied.
The intimidation was perfect.
Very good.
Lin Fan threw away the pear, clapped his hands, and commanded.
“Someone, arrest them and take them back to the Public Security Bureau for interrogation.”
The constables stepped forward immediately.
Chen Qingshan resisted.
“Let go of me! I’m telling you to let go! Lin, you have no evidence, no basis. Why are you arresting me?”
“Is there no law and order? Is there no legal system?”
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