The lean man leading them was named Lu Hao, the head of a small gang on the canal. For the past ten years, he and his gang had been bullied by gangs led by He Maocai and others in the Yan family's faction, and he had once been beaten half to death and thrown into the river.
Now, with the backing of a big shot like Zhu Mo, he naturally wanted revenge. As a native of Jiangnan, he had long heard that young master Zhu Mo was determined to clash with the Yan family. How could he not understand? At this moment, he felt that impersonating a Yan manor steward was quite thrilling. He couldn't help but become more and more excited as he played along, laughing:
"Idiot! You think you can see Butler Shou just because you want to? And Third Master? If you're Third Master, I'm Third Master's dad! Let me tell you the truth! This ship of silver belongs to the Yan family, and the Junior Cabinet Secretary is waiting for it! Butler Shou said that Master Yan San is still waiting in Jiujiang! Look at you, you dare impersonate Third Master?"
*Slap!*
Another loud slap echoed.
Lu Hao spat and shouted, "Guards! Strip off his official robes! Throw him into the canal to feed the turtles!"
"Spare me! Kind sirs, spare me!"
Yan Maoqing had just shouted "kind sirs" when he saw the displeased look on the other's face, and quickly changed his tune, "No, no, no! Yan family boss! I beg you to spare my life...!"
That's more like it...
Lu Hao ordered his men to tie him up, and then bound the followers, boatman, and sailors, about a dozen people, together with a long rope and threw them onto the bank. Then they all boarded the ship and slowly headed north.
Yan Maoqing was completely bewildered. He stared blankly as they sailed away, utterly disheartened, his eyes hollow. He muttered to himself, "How could this happen? How could this happen... I'm the Yan family... Why would the Yan family rob the Yan family... Could this really be the Junior Cabinet Secretary's intention...?"
...
Zhu Mo led the officials from Jiangnan all the way to the North Suburb's transfer point.
The sun was already setting, but looking around, the usually busy transfer point was devoid of any ships. The canal was empty. Amidst the wisps of cooking smoke, everyone was sweating profusely, murmuring to each other in small groups.
Zhu Mo checked the time, got out of the carriage, and walked to the riverbank alone. With his hands behind his back, he seemed to be struck by poetic inspiration, a faint smile still on his face.
The officials, their foreheads dripping with sweat, squinted at the river surface and then at Zhu Mo. Thousands of thoughts raced through their minds...
But Zhu Mo was already a divine figure in Jiangnan. The officials, observing his demeanor, dared not show any dissatisfaction.
The soldiers, however, were very disciplined. As per Zhu Qi's instructions, they had already concealed themselves in the reeds along the riverbank.
After an unknown amount of time,
The sky was almost dark.
The weary officials finally saw a large ship slowly approaching from the distance.
On the ship's flagpole, a golden embroidered character fluttered—
"Yan"!
A dozen burly men with sabers stood at the bow. Upon seeing so many people in official robes on the bank, they were also quite startled and immediately fell into disarray.
A few local officials began to shout—
"Young Master Zhu! That ship is flying the Yan character!"
"Yes! Why is it the Yan character?!"
"What Yan...?"
"Which Yan?"
"This matter seems sinister..."
"..."
The officials exchanged whispers amongst themselves, but Zhu Mo chuckled, thinking: Wu Ming and Wu Liang brothers have found some capable people this time... Not only is the timing perfect, but their acting skills are truly superb! Especially that lean man at the bow, damn it, he's practically an Oscar-worthy actor! He even looks a bit like that actor named...
Zhu Mo gave a signal, and Zhu Qi, understanding, waved to the officer under the tree behind him.
The officer took out a small flag and shouted, "Brothers! The enemy is here! Kill them!"
"Kill them!"
"Kill them~~"
"..."
With a command, the soldiers hidden in the reeds charged out together. The momentum was immense; over a hundred people made it seem like several thousand were charging. The officials, having never witnessed such a scene, were pale with fear, their legs trembling uncontrollably.
...
Lu Hao was unfazed, maintaining a calm demeanor. He checked the time and observed from a distance, knowing it was young master Zhu Mo's cue. He immediately shouted:
"On the bank! Who are you people? How dare you interfere in my business?!"
Zhu Mo deliberately grunted, drew his saber with a clang, and shouted:
"We are Jiangnan soldiers! Who are you people?!"
Lu Hao was already very familiar with these lines. He suppressed a smile and sternly retorted:
"We are Yan manor stewards! You've all misunderstood! We are family!"
At this moment,
Many strong men on the ship also stepped forward, and many laughed loudly—
"Haha! Family!"
"Thank you, soldiers, for helping our Yan family!"
"We will definitely report this to Butler Shou, and every soldier present today will be rewarded!"
"Excellent! This is like the Dragon King temple being flooded by his own family!"
"Those wicked bandits earlier were truly ferocious, but now our own people have arrived!"
"We were planning to report to the authorities, but this is perfect, isn't it?!"
"..."
Amidst the laughter and merriment,
The officials on the bank turned ashen—
What the hell is going on?!
Who are these people from the Yan family?! Why are they so foolish!
Don't they know Zhu Mo is their Yan family's enemy!
Damn it!
They're such simpletons!
Isn't this clearly embarrassing the Yan family?!
What's wrong with the Yan family?
Why are they so careless...
Some more prudent officials were filled with bewilderment—
This is impossible!
The Yan family's ship? Why is it a large ship from the Maritime Trade Office?
The direction is also wrong!
Is this ship really carrying silver?
These people don't look like Yan manor stewards either?!
...
Zhu Mo looked at the officials' strange expressions and felt like laughing his head off—
This frame-up is complete!
Most people will believe they are Yan manor stewards...
Actually, even if they don't believe it, it's useless. Would anyone dare to arrest them for questioning?
Don't forget, I'm the one who calls the shots here!
He immediately sheathed his saber, laughed heartily, and clasped his hands towards Lu Hao, saying:
"Oh! So you're from the Junior Cabinet Secretary's family! A misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding!"
After speaking,
He turned back to the officials and said with a serious expression:
"Gentlemen! It turns out to be a misunderstanding! They are Yan manor stewards! It seems Eunuch Yang's people made a mistake..."
Then,
He shouted to the ship:
"What's going on?! Why are the Yan manor stewards here?! What happened?!"
Lu Hao, understanding, replied according to the script he had memorized:
"Reporting to the esteemed sir! We were busy on the canal this afternoon when we suddenly heard that someone was using the Yan family's name to smuggle a ship of silver! Butler Shou often instructed us never to engage in illegal activities! Moreover, someone dared to use our Yan family's name to commit evil deeds?! So we chased after them and drove away the villains... We were just about to dock and report to the authorities!"
Oh...
Upon hearing this, the officials couldn't help but realize the situation.
Many still didn't believe it, but as Zhu Mo was the highest-ranking official present, no one dared to question him.
Zhu Mo immediately shouted:
"We are the officials! Hand over the ship to the soldiers, and you can leave now! Oh, right! You are righteous citizens, and I will inform the Jiangnan Governor's yamen to reward you!"
He immediately said:
"Lord Zheng, record a merit for them! Everyone must be rewarded! Tell your Butler Shou! I will personally write to the Junior Cabinet Secretary to commend you!"
Hahaha~
"Thank you, esteemed sir!!"
"It would be even better if the esteemed sir knew our Junior Cabinet Secretary!"
"Hand over the ship!"
"Everyone come down!"
"The silver ship has been handed over to the authorities!"
"..."
The sailors on the ship laughed heartily and soon all disembarked. The soldiers then boarded to take control.