Chapter 104: Taking Control of the Gu Family

Inside the side hall of the Gu family manor.

This time, Captain Li was treated with great respect. Almost every member of the Gu family who was at home had gathered, including the head of the house, Gu Wen, and his younger brother, Gu Zhang, both of whom were present to host their guest.

Li Yun was exceptionally offered a seat at the secondary table. The entire household treated him with profound courtesy, and Master Gu even poured tea for him personally, forcing a smile onto his face. "Captain... Captain Li, may I ask the purpose of your visit today? Is it perhaps..."

He took a deep breath before continuing, "Is there any news regarding Master Wenchuan?"

Last time, Gu Wenchuan had used what was essentially a rogue’s tactics to round up nearly all the officials in Xuanzhou, leaving only the Assistant Prefect, Xu Du, to manage the affairs of the prefecture. That night had terrified the Gu family. After all, their own hands were not clean; if the Prefect, Master Tian, and the others failed to hold their ground and revealed things they shouldn't have, the Gu family would surely face severe punishment from the imperial court. Even Gu Jin, who held an official position in the capital, would be implicated.

Although Gu Wenchuan had returned to the capital days ago, the final judgment for Prefect Tian and Cao Rong had yet to be announced, and consequently, there was no word on how the Gu family would be dealt with. In other words, the other shoe had yet to drop. This was the most agonizing period, for at any moment, the iron fist of the imperial court could descend, instantly reducing the Gu family—a mere shrimp in the grand scheme of things—to ruin. Even the third master of the Gu family in the capital was living in constant dread. They had been discreetly inquiring everywhere, but news remained elusive.

Li Yun was taken aback, only then realizing why the Gu family was making such a fuss over him today. He chuckled and said, "Master Gu has misunderstood. Ever since Master Wenchuan left, I have had no contact with him."

Master Gu’s face collapsed. After a moment of silence, he stood up, sighed, and said, "Then please, Captain Li, enjoy your tea. I have been so restless lately, unable to sleep for nights on end. I must go and rest for a while." With that, he turned to leave.

"However," Captain Li said with a smile, "I do have some speculations that I might share with you, Master Gu."

Gu Wen stopped and looked at his assembled family. After a moment of hesitation, he waved his hand. "Everyone, leave."

The hall cleared until only the two of them remained. Gu Wen looked at Li Yun, appearing somewhat nervous. "Captain Li, please... speak."

"There is no need for the Gu family to worry too much," Li Yun said with a smile. "How Prefect Tian and his associates are handled is currently a matter of contention among the great figures in the capital. But at this juncture, no one should be looking to fight to the death. To ensure that certain prominent figures do not suffer a loss of reputation, I suspect this matter will likely stop at Prefect Tian and Commandant Cao."

In political struggles, someone must eventually compromise. It is more probable that both sides will make concessions. For instance, while Gu Wenchuan’s side would certainly want to use this to implicate the Crown Prince or escalate the situation, the Crown Prince—or rather, Young Master Pei’s side—would not permit such a thing. In the end, the already captured Prefect Tian might mysteriously die in his cell, and the matter would come to a sudden halt.

Master Gu looked at Li Yun, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something more. "Master Wenchuan... is there truly no news?"

Li Yun shook his head. After taking a sip of tea, he continued, "However, the reason I came today is to discuss a different matter with you, Master Gu."

Master Gu sighed. "I have no heart for anything else right now."

"You must find the heart for this, Master Gu," Li Yun said with a smile. "A few days ago, the newly appointed Prefect, Master Cui, arrived in Qingyang and commissioned me to clear out the bandits and mountain brigands within the borders of Xuanzhou. As an official of the court, I cannot disobey, but I had no place to start until I began with Shidai. Upon arriving in Shidai, I realized I had no leverage to work with because Master Cui provided neither funds nor supplies, and I have no manpower."

Li Yun smiled again. "Master Gu is the wealthiest man in Shidai, and surely its most charitable soul. I would like to ask for your assistance in this matter."

Master Gu had lost all interest. He sighed and asked, "How much money does Captain Li want? I shall have my accountant issue it to you."

"It would be best if the Gu family could provide the funds," Captain Li said, shifting his tone with a smile. "But it would be even better if you, Master Gu, took the lead in gathering the other wealthy households of Shidai to donate to the cause. If you do, I can guarantee that within six months, the bandits and outlaws of Shidai will be completely eradicated."

Master Gu sighed. "I have no energy for anything lately; I really have no interest in this. Since you have the official mandate from Master Cui, perhaps you should take this matter to the new Magistrate of Shidai."

Li Yun remained unfazed and replied with a smile, "If the Shidai County Office gets involved, it will be a different story. If we manage to clear out the bandits, that would be fine, but if we happen to seize any... items... while the officials are watching..." He paused. "Would this new Magistrate show you the same courtesy as I do, Master Gu?"

Gu Wen’s complexion changed instantly. He turned and stared directly at Li Yun. "What do you mean by that, Captain Li? What could possibly be seized from a bandit stronghold?"

"That, I cannot say for sure," Li Yun continued. "However, some time ago, when I led my team to suppress the Ten Kings Stronghold and was fighting with those bandits, I did hear the chieftains of that stronghold say a few things."

Gu Wen frowned. "What did they say?"

Captain Li picked at his ear and laughed. "It has been too long; I can no longer remember clearly." He looked at Master Gu and smiled. "Since the Gu family is currently so anxious and has no interest in participating in the bandit suppression, I shall take my leave. I will find another way to handle this."

The Gu family was the richest in Shidai and among the top three in all of Xuanzhou. Their business was vast, and their collusion with the Ten Kings Stronghold was something Li Yun had already noted in his ledger—an account he would settle with them sooner or later. Since the Gu family was linked to the Ten Kings Stronghold, it was highly likely they had connections to local Shidai strongholds as well. Some of those bandit dens might even be under their direct patronage!

Seeing that Li Yun was about to leave, Gu Wen took a deep breath, reached out to pull at Li Yun's sleeve, and said, "Since Captain Li is suppressing bandits for the sake of Shidai, the Gu family, as residents of this town, is duty-bound to help with the fundraising. I shall see to it tomorrow."

He looked at Li Yun and whispered, "Captain Li, it is no surprise that bandits, when cornered, might bite back and make false accusations."

Li Yun blinked and smiled. "Naturally. Those vicious criminals are not to be trusted."

Master Gu breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Furthermore, Captain Li, during the two days Master Wenchuan stayed at my home, we did our utmost to protect him. We deserve some credit for that... And that fire—it had nothing to do with the Gu family. If the time ever comes, I hope you will act as a witness for us."

Li Yun thought for a moment and nodded. "That is only fair. That night, the fire started inexplicably; I certainly did not see anyone from the Gu family set it."

Master Gu was overjoyed. He escorted Li Yun all the way to the main gate of the manor. Before they parted, he handed Li Yun a wooden box and saw him off with great ceremony. "Rest assured, Captain Li, the task Master Cui has entrusted to you is a duty the Gu family will not shirk. Once the business in Shidai is settled, please put in a good word for the Gu family before Master Cui."

Li Yun did not stand on ceremony. After accepting the box, he smiled and said, "Do not worry, Master Gu. If the bandit suppression in Shidai goes smoothly, the Gu family will have rendered a great service."

He glanced left and right, then lowered his voice. "Master Gu, I wonder if there are any strongholds in Shidai that might be... inconvenient to suppress? If so, do let me know in advance."

The muscles in Master Gu’s face twitched, but he shook his head. "What are you saying, Captain Li? Since we are suppressing bandits, we must root out evil entirely."

"Everything is convenient, everything is convenient," Li Yun said with a nod. "Very well, I shall begin the work of suppressing the bandits then."

With that, Captain Li walked away from the Gu residence with his hands behind his back, appearing perfectly at ease.

Master Gu watched his receding figure, clenched his fists tightly, and cursed viciously. "You scoundrel, you rogue!"

After cursing, he turned to his son, Gu Cheng, and after a long silence, he sighed. "Go. Send out invitations. Tomorrow, I am hosting a dinner for the Zhang, Zhu, Wan, and... and the Cheng families."

Gu Cheng looked at his father, then lowered his head. "Yes, Father. I will go at once."

...

In the room at the inn, Li Yun placed the wooden box on the table and opened it. Inside was a jade sculpture of a Xiezhi, the mythical beast representing justice. The jade was translucent and the carving was exquisite. The Xiezhi was known for its ability to distinguish right from wrong and was a symbol of the justice system—a fitting object, one might say, for Li Yun’s current profession.

"Imagine someone carving this sort of thing," Li Yun said, closing the box and shaking his head. "It must have been hard to find."

Li Zheng, who had arrived a few days earlier, had returned to Li Yun's side. Hearing this, he opened the box to take a look and asked with a smile, "Second Brother, is this thing valuable?"

"It could probably buy a house in Qingyang," Li Yun said. "If you want it, it’s yours."

"I don't want it," Li Zheng said, waving his hand. "Keep it for yourself, Second Brother."

Li Yun poured a cup of water, downed it in one gulp, and asked, "You’ve been here for a few days. Have you found any information? Which are the largest strongholds in Shidai?"

"The largest is the Seven Tigers Stronghold, located on Mount Xianyu."

"Seven Tigers Stronghold..." Li Yun stroked his chin and smiled. "I suspect they just stole the naming convention from the Ten Kings Stronghold."

"How many men do they have?"

"It's not entirely clear," Li Zheng replied. "But there should be forty or fifty of them. It's a significant scale."

Li Yun nodded slowly. "Scout the location first. Once the money arrives, we’ll go and take down these seven tigers."