Chapter 391: Governor

In that case, it was better to admit fault from the very beginning.

“When a family grows this large, it’s inevitable that a black sheep or two will emerge. I imagine this isn’t something Patriarch Wu would wish to see.”

Su Mu said slowly.

“Thank you for your understanding, Governor Su.”

Wu Sanshui breathed a silent sigh of relief.

He had genuinely worried that Su Mu, being young and impetuous, would seize this pretext to wage a relentless, unending battle against the Wu Family.

In that scenario, even if he had the means to protect the Wu Family, the outcome would inevitably be one of mutual destruction. He did not wish to see such a result.

“We will discuss Wu Qiuyuan’s matter in a moment. First, let’s talk about Wu Yifan.”

Su Mu said coolly, “Wu Yifan seized property through trickery and force. The evidence is conclusive. The Taiping Bureau has sentenced him to thirteen years in prison. Does Patriarch Wu have any objections?”

“None!”

Wu Sanshui said without a moment’s hesitation.

Before coming here, he had already considered all sorts of possibilities. He had even been prepared for Su Mu to demand Wu Yifan’s life.

Now, it was only a prison sentence, which was undoubtedly far better than he had imagined.

‘It seems Su Mu doesn’t want to fight to the bitter end with the Wu Family either.’

‘That makes things easier.’

‘The worst thing would be an unwillingness to negotiate. As long as there’s room for discussion, anything can be resolved.’

“Because of Wu Qiuyuan’s betrayal, the Wuling Taiping Bureau and the Hujue Pass Taiping Bureau both suffered grievous losses. Several people were killed in action. All damages and compensation for the bereaved—”

Su Mu continued.

“I will bear the costs!”

Wu Sanshui said in a low voice, “Governor Su, have someone tally the losses. I will pay according to the highest standards of compensation in all of Da Xuan!”

“It is clear the Wu Family has no intention of betraying Da Xuan.”

A slight smile touched the corners of Su Mu’s lips.

The weight in Wu Sanshui’s chest finally lifted.

To be honest, he had already prepared for the worst.

It now seemed the situation was far better than he had anticipated.

‘A problem that silver can solve is no problem at all!’

Su Mu looked at Wu Sanshui and nodded in satisfaction.

‘Since the man knows how to adapt to the situation, there’s no need to beat a dead horse regarding Wu Qiuyuan and Wu Yifan.’

‘In any case, Wu Qiuyuan is dead, and it’s unlikely Wu Yifan will ever walk out of a Taiping Bureau prison in this lifetime.’

“I believe in the Wu Family’s loyalty to Da Xuan. But the other lords at court may not be so easily convinced.”

Su Mu continued, “Because of Wu Qiuyuan, Hujue Pass was attacked by the Demon Court, and the Imperial Court was forced to negotiate a peace treaty.”

Wu Sanshui gave a bitter, internal laugh. ‘This is all related to Wu Qiuyuan? Did he even have that kind of influence?’

‘But since Su Mu said it, all I can do is listen.’

‘There’s no point arguing with Su Mu about something like this; it would be a fruitless debate.’

“You must be aware of the annual tribute the Imperial Court promised the Demon Court, Patriarch Wu?”

Su Mu asked.

“I am.”

Wu Sanshui nodded.

“To demonstrate the Wu Family’s loyalty, you will be the ones to pay this annual tribute. Is that a problem?”

Su Mu said.

Wu Sanshui hesitated.

‘To be honest, the amount of the annual tribute was so small that Wu Sanshui felt the Demon Court was being ridiculously petty, as if they’d never seen real silver before.’

‘The Wu Family could cover the entire tribute on its own.’

‘But being able to afford it was one thing; actually paying it was another entirely.’

‘This was a matter for the Imperial Court. Why should the Wu Family be the one to foot the bill?’

‘It made no sense.’

“Since you have spoken, Governor Su, then my Wu Family, even if we must sell the very pots from our stoves, will help the Imperial Court resolve this burden!”

Wu Sanshui said in a low voice, putting on a show of gritting his teeth in determination.

“While we’re at it…”

A smile spread across Su Mu’s face as he continued, “The Imperial Court intends to build a Bailu Academy in Songjiang Prefecture of Xiangzhou. How about you help me resolve that matter as well, Patriarch Wu?”

Wu Sanshui took a deep breath. ‘Since I’ve already yielded, I might as well settle everything in one go.’

“Governor Su, the matter concerning Wu Qiuyuan and Wu Yifan—”

This time, Wu Sanshui did not agree at once. Instead, he asked a question.

“It ends here.”

Su Mu said slowly.

“Done!”

Wu Sanshui said in a low voice, “In that case, I will handle the matter of the Bailu Academy!”

“Patriarch Wu is truly a wise man.”

Su Mu said, giving Wu Sanshui a long, meaningful look.

‘If Wu Sanshui had refused even one of his conditions, he would have found an excuse to continue investigating the Wu Family.’

‘And once an investigation began, things like asset seizure… well, who could say what might happen.’

‘But Wu Sanshui’s clean and decisive acceptance of his terms made it difficult for Su Mu to press the issue further.’

‘Indeed. To have become Patriarch, this Wu Sanshui had to be a formidable man.’

‘He was willing to suffer a huge financial loss just to resolve this matter quickly.’

“You flatter me, Governor Su.”

Wu Sanshui said, “We are all officials serving the same court. In time, Governor Su, you will naturally come to know that I am utterly and devotedly loyal to Da Xuan.”

“Now that matters are settled, I won’t take up any more of Lord Wu’s time.”

Su Mu lifted his teacup, a clear gesture of dismissal. “It would be best for Patriarch Wu to fulfill his promises as soon as possible. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what might happen.”

“Rest assured, Governor Su. I will see to this matter personally, and it will be implemented with the utmost speed.”

Wu Sanshui said in a low voice.

‘His son is still in their hands. How could he dare play any tricks?’

“Oh, and one more thing. I’d like to ‘borrow’ someone from you, Patriarch Wu.”

Just as Wu Sanshui was about to leave, Su Mu suddenly spoke up. “I will soon be taking up my post as Governor in Xiangzhou Songjiang Prefecture. Patriarch Wu, might you be willing to lend Brother Wu Yiqi to me? He could serve as the Inspector for the Inspection Bureau in Xiangzhou Songjiang Prefecture. We’re already acquainted, so it would make conducting business more convenient.”

Wu Sanshui froze for a moment, not understanding Su Mu’s intention.

‘He already had one son in the hands of the Taiping Bureau. Did they intend to take Wu Yiqi as a political hostage as well?’

‘However, serving as an Inspector in Xiangzhou Songjiang Prefecture didn’t seem to fall under the Taiping Bureau’s jurisdiction.’

After a moment’s thought, he nodded. “I will handle the arrangements. After my son is transferred, I must ask Governor Su to look after him.”

With that, Wu Sanshui departed in a hurry. He was unwilling to remain for even a second longer in a place where he had so thoroughly lost face.

Watching Wu Sanshui’s retreating back, a smile spread across Su Mu’s face.

‘Good. The biggest obstacle to taking up my new post has been resolved.’

‘With the Wu Family acting as the deep-pocketed mark, the Bailu Academy would certainly be built without a hitch.’

‘Furthermore, with an old acquaintance like Wu Yiqi serving as Inspector, he could keep an eye on the local government, preventing them from interfering with the Taiping Bureau.’

There was just one final matter to attend to. Once it was done, he could set off for Xiangzhou Songjiang Prefecture and assume his new post.

…

「Wuling City, Outer City.」

The headquarters of the Hunting Gang.

A middle-aged man with a sinister, vulture-like face sat in the center. His triangular eyes stared down at a kneeling man as he said coldly, “Sun Dazhao, this quarter’s silver is a full thirty percent less than last year’s. You must have embezzled it. Why don’t you just confess everything now?!”

“Gang Leader, I swear, I really didn’t embezzle anything.”

Sun Dazhao said bitterly, “The outskirts of Daxing Mountain have been turbulent recently. Fewer Hunters have been leaving the city, so naturally, the amount of silver collected has decreased.”

“Still making excuses?”

The middle-aged man sneered. “I know you’ve never accepted me since Gang Leader Liang died. That’s why you feign compliance while undermining my orders at every turn. My magnanimity has only encouraged you to push your luck! If you don’t hand over the embezzled silver today, don’t blame me for giving you the ‘three stabs, six holes’ punishment, as per our gang’s rules!”

“But I really didn’t take it!”

Sun Dazhao cried, professing his innocence.

‘Since he never took it, how could he possibly produce that much silver?’

‘This Zhang fellow was clearly just trying to make trouble for him.’

‘Back when Gang Leader Liang was still alive, he had promoted him to Vice Gang Leader. But after Gang Leader Liang’s unexpected death, this Zhang character had appeared out of nowhere and violently seized the position of Hunting Gang Leader.’

‘He had already purged nearly all of Gang Leader Liang’s trusted men.’

‘And now, it was finally Sun Dazhao’s turn.’

‘It wasn’t that Sun Dazhao hadn’t tried to resist, but his own skills were weak. He was no match for Zhang.’

“Gang Leader Zhang, don’t push me too far! I am well-acquainted with Captain Yu and Chief Zheng!”

Sun Dazhao said through gritted teeth.

‘He knew both Captain Yu Xiujiang of the East City Bureau and Constable Zheng Wang, and their relationship was quite good.’

“So what if I am pushing you? Even if they were here, they couldn’t protect you!”

The man surnamed Zhang sneered, “Since you’re so stubborn, don’t blame me for being merciless! Men, administer the punishment!”

Several burly men, wielding hunting knives, walked up to Sun Dazhao.

The color drained from Sun Dazhao’s face.

“Yu Xiujiang and Zheng Wang can’t protect him. But what about me?”

Just as the Hunting Gang members were about to carry out the ‘three stabs, six holes’ punishment on Sun Dazhao, a voice suddenly rang in their ears.

A gust of wind swept through the hall, and a figure abruptly appeared beside Sun Dazhao.