The world is like a prison, my body is holy

Chapter 186 Tight on the Inside, Loose on the Outside
Before receiving a reply from Master Hunkun, Wang Wen could not make decisions on the Zhengyi Academy project on his own.

However, Wang Wen didn't need to consult anyone about the internal reform project of the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion. Once he made up his mind, he quickly and vigorously launched the project.

In order to smoothly navigate this reform, Wang Wen adopted a policy of strict internal control and relaxed external control.

The demon-suppressing guards below continued their training and missions as usual, largely unaffected by the reforms.

However, officers at all levels were constantly shuttling between the General's Office and the South City Camp, attending meetings large and small every day without rest.

The Imperial Academy was in complete chaos. Some wanted to go to the Earth Net Hall, some wanted to go to the Mountain and River Hall, some questioned why others were allowed to go to the Heavenly Palace while they could only go to the Earth Net Hall, and some said they were going to the Heavenly Craft Hall, but then changed their minds and wanted to go to the Medicine King Hall instead...

Wang Wen practically lived in the temple, yet he still couldn't handle these restless old children who caused trouble every day. He was constantly overwhelmed by all sorts of trivial matters.

However, he didn't blame these old folks for being so petty...

This reform has already touched upon the vital interests of these elderly people, and even their future path to enlightenment. Everyone must be cautious and think twice before acting.

And this wasn't even the worst-case scenario he had envisioned.

The worst-case scenario he had imagined was that the high-ranking monks in the temple would collectively resist this reform due to their sectarian prejudices.

Although there was a bond formed from rescuing these high-level sorcerers from Heizhugou, it's unlikely that these sorcerers would cause the situation to become too ugly.

However, if even half of the people do not cooperate with this reform, it will increase his workload significantly!
Right now, they are not resisting his general direction, but they are unsure how to maximize their interests. They have already developed feelings for each other over the past six months.

Wang Wenxin will always remember their friendship...

The high-ranking officials within the General's Mansion were all aware that their department had been making a fuss about the reforms lately.

But to outsiders, it's a completely different story!
To outsiders, the General of Demon Slayer's Mansion has been frequently mobilizing its troops lately, with a large number of fully armored officers and soldiers running back and forth between the Guangji Bridge government office and the South City Camp every day.

This, coupled with the recent announcement from the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion that all major merchant guilds and powerful forces traveling along the Grand Canal should report to the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion...

Throughout Yangzhou, the talk of the town was that the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion was about to take down some fool again.

After the news spread that Wang Wen had overthrown the Huainan Transport Bureau with a single blow at the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion, and that the Emperor not only did not punish him but also bestowed upon him a Demon-Slaying Sword capable of beheading corrupt officials and demons, no one in the entire Jianghuai region, or even the entire southern region of the Great Zhou, would doubt the power and strength of the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion!

As for why the people of Yangzhou all had a gloating, gossipy attitude, it was because the General of Demon Suppression's Mansion not only targeted large, powerful merchant groups and forces, but also avoided causing trouble for ordinary people. They even turned away a few well-known local businesses in Yangzhou who came to offer them tribute.

The attitude of the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion, as seen by the people of Yangzhou, naturally led them to believe that General Wang Wen, the Demon-Slaying General, still cherished his hometown.

As long as Wang Wen doesn't act arrogantly in the local area, no matter which powerful merchant group or force the Demon-Slaying General targets, the people of Yangzhou will definitely show their support...

As soon as the news spread, several large merchants located near Yangzhou, like wild horses that had been stabbed in the backside, rushed to Yangzhou with boxes of gold and silver, fearing that they would fall behind and become the chicken that warned the monkeys.

……

"Father, what brings you here?"

In the main hall of the general's mansion, Wang Wen, who was engrossed in writing, heard familiar footsteps and looked up in surprise at Huang Xingde, who was striding in. He quickly put down his pen and got up to greet him.

Jin Jiu followed closely behind Huang Xingde, indicating that he dared not stop or say anything when this ancestor came.

Wang Wenchao waved his hand at Jin Jiu: "Go, brew a pot of that 'Dragon Ball Snow' tea that someone gave you, for your old man. I think that tea is quite good. Also, bring a box of that 'Auspicious Cloud Soaring Dragon Pastry' that someone gave you..."

Kim Gu nodded, clasped his hands, and took his leave.

Wang Wen pulled Huang Xingde, who was looking around, to sit down: "Dad, please sit down. I've been so busy these days that I haven't had time to come home. Is something wrong at home?"

Huang Xingde sat down with his hands tucked in his pockets, and asked with a smile, "What have you been busy with lately? Busy taking people down as examples?"

After not seeing him for more than ten days, the old man was strutting around again, looking as proud and imposing as if he had become ten years younger.

Wang Wen asked in astonishment, "What? Who are you going to target? Dad, what have you heard?"

Huang Xingde stared at him, even more astonished than he was: "Isn't it all the talk outside that you're mobilizing troops, preparing to take down those big merchant guilds and powerful forces?"

Wang Wen hissed and replied, puzzled, "I do have that plan, but I don't have time to deal with those local tyrants right now... What are they saying about me outside?"

Now that he's in that position, no one will bother him with such trivial rumors anymore.

To put it bluntly, even Xu Wu no longer looks down on those once-admired merchant groups and powerful forces. After spreading the word, he no longer pays attention to these trivial matters.

Huang Xingde scratched his disheveled forehead: "We thought you were the one who spread this rumor. People outside are saying that you've been sharpening your knives these days, preparing to pick a big, ignorant merchant group or powerful force and destroy it!"

Wang Wenxin thought for a few moments and quickly understood everything.

He chuckled and said, "Dad, you underestimate your son too much. These kinds of people are hardly worthy of your son's painstaking efforts to deal with them."

Huang Xingde thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile and said, "That's right. You've already dealt with Gu Yue, so dealing with these other people will be a piece of cake... Your senior uncle has sent a letter and will arrive in Yangzhou soon."

Wang Wen's smile vanished quickly: "The Grand Master of the Canal Gang is here to talk to me?"

Huang Xingde shook his head: "We don't know either, but even your eldest uncle can't do anything about it, so don't go against him."

At that moment, Kim Gu personally brought in tea and snacks.

Wang Wen remained silent, his eyes filled with a sinister lightness as he tapped his fingers lightly on the tea table.

After a moment of contemplation, he said softly, "Bai Zimo, come see me!"

A beam of white light, carrying a thick layer of moisture, shot into the hall from outside the gate, landing and transforming into Bai Zimo's eerie figure, who clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "General!"

Wang Wen: "Take a naval force and make a trip to Qingjiangpu, the headquarters of the Canal Gang. Raise your flags and bring back the head of the Canal Gang's Enforcement Hall Master. Anyone who dares to obstruct us will be killed!"

"puff!"

Huang Xingde was sipping his tea and looking at Bai Zimo with surprise when he heard his words. He turned his head and spat out a mouthful of tea.

Seeing this, Bai Zimo grinned and fawned, crossing his hands, saying, "Grandpa, is the well water in the yamen too hard for you to drink? I have a clam spirit under my command who is extremely skilled in water-condensing techniques. The water she condenses is sweet and clear, perfect for making tea. I will send her to your residence to serve you later."

It has been in the general's mansion for almost a year, so it can naturally distinguish between the big and small kings.

Huang Xingde's attention was instantly drawn back to him. He turned to look at Wang Wen, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

The clam spirit used magic to conjure water to brew tea; serving this to guests would be incredibly prestigious.

Wang Wen chuckled and said, "You do have some sense. I remember you have a golden koi spirit under your command, right? That pushover who doesn't like to eat meat. Send it to the old master's mansion later so he can keep it for fun." He was smiling, but Bai Zimo felt a chill inexplicably in his heart.

The naval barracks were underwater, and Wang Wen had never been there. It was also impossible for them to bother Wang Wen with such trivial matters.

But Wang Wen knew that it had a koi spirit under its command who was a pushover and didn't like to eat meat...

Without hesitation, it immediately bowed deeply and respectfully, saying, "Yes!"

Wang Wen waved his hand: "Go quickly and come back quickly!"

Bai Zimo clasped his hands and bowed again, then transformed into a streak of white light and dashed out of the hall.

Huang Xingde couldn't wait to ask, "These are the monsters under your command?"

Wang Wen smiled and nodded: "They're just a bunch of good-looking but useless things... Before Grand Master Uncle arrives in Yangzhou, please send someone to deliver a message to me so I can go and welcome him."

Huang Xingde: "You're so busy, how can you find the time?"

Wang Wen: "I will arrange my time accordingly."

Neither the father nor the son mentioned that unfortunate leader of the Cao Gang's Enforcement Hall.

Huang Xingde actually felt that Wang Wen's reaction was a bit too intense, but since the child was older, he didn't want to talk too much about everything.

Of course, he also felt that the Grand Canal Gang had made a terrible mistake...

Wang Wen also felt that the practices of the Canal Gang were utterly disgusting.

He has already offered to reduce the protection fee charged to the canal gang by 20%, which can be said to both preserve past friendship and save face for the canal gang.

But the Cao Gang actually sent Jiang Jin to talk to him?

What do you mean?
Row!
Grand Master Jiang Jin, whom Wang Wen acknowledges.

Even when Jiang Jin told him after arriving in Yangzhou that the Canal Gang would not pay his general's mansion a single cent from now on, Wang Wen did not say a word.

But when Jiang Jin from the Cao Gang came to talk to him about it, he denied it.

To what extent they don't know each other depends on what tasks the Canal Gang assigned to Jiang Jin.

At this stage, he simply denies the matter, so he kills a leader of the Cao Gang's law enforcement hall to vent his anger.

Jiang Jin is the deputy head of the Enforcement Hall. Since your Cao Gang sent him to talk to my Demon-Slaying General's Mansion, I will assume that he can represent the entire Cao Gang.

But how can a deputy hall master represent the entire canal gang?

At least a hall master would be qualified, right?

If the task assigned to Jiang Jin by the Canal Gang was to ask him not to accept protection money from the Canal Gang out of consideration for Jiang Jin, then...

All the high-ranking members of that gang should die!
As long as Jiang Jin becomes the leader of the Cao Gang, Wang Wen can, out of respect for him, waive the protection fees collected from the Cao Gang.

In short, Wang Wen values ​​loyalty and righteousness!
But he won't accept being blackmailed by sentiment!
After chatting idly for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Huang Xingde suddenly asked, "By the way, what are you going to do with the Giant Whale Gang?"

Wang Wen glanced at him suspiciously, about to ask a question, when it suddenly dawned on him... Wang Erhu's biological father, Wang Qiang, had died at the hands of the Giant Whale Gang.

The Giant Whale Gang is a large gang in the martial arts world that mainly deals in maritime trade, with its headquarters located in Hangzhou.

Back when the Giant Whale Gang came to Yangzhou to establish their presence, Huang Xingde and Wang Qiang, acting on the orders of the former leader of the Qinghe Gang, led their team to fight against the Giant Whale Gang members.

In that battle, Wang Erhu's biological father, Wang Qiang, was fired after taking a knife for Huang Xingde.

But this matter was something that not only Wang Wen, the stepson, couldn't remember, but even Wang Erhu's biological son didn't really care.

What Wang Erhu resented over the years was why, when the two brothers went out on business together, his biological father was dismissed, while Huang Xingde survived and smoothly rose to the position of leader of the Qinghe Gang.

As for the Giant Whale Gang...

When gangs operate, people inevitably die.

Unexpectedly, Huang Xingde still remembered this matter...

Wang Wen quickly changed the subject: "What do you think should be done?"

With Huang Xingde's experience, he hadn't even noticed his doubts just now... Perhaps it was because he never doubted how a son could forget the hatred of killing his father.
He hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly, "If you really want us to say it, then of course we should find all those people who came to Yangzhou back then, including the leaders of those Giant Whale Gangs, and kill them all without leaving a single one alive!"

"But this matter was settled back then. The Cao Gang paid the compensation and the Giant Whale Gang paid the funeral expenses. Now, bringing up the old matter again and retaliating in a big way is really unethical."

"Those who live and die in the martial world are born and die in the martial world. Once you've taken this job, you have to accept your fate and uphold the code of conduct..."

"Of course, we're just saying. You're a son, and you're not a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person of the martial arts world). How you handle this is up to you!"

Wang Wen thought about this seriously for a long time before nodding in approval: "I know what to do."

He felt that Huang Xingde made sense. Every profession has its own destiny and its own rules. If you hold a knife, you have to be prepared to be cut.

There's no such thing as you being the only one who can attack others, but others can't attack you!

Moreover, the Giant Whale Gang paid for the funeral expenses according to the rules and did not eliminate Wang Erhu and his gang.

To start settling scores now would be truly unethical...

Of course, the reason he could view this matter so rationally was because he wasn't the real Wang Erhu and didn't experience the pain firsthand.

However, if this happened to him today, he would not accept any funeral expenses.

As long as he didn't accept the funeral expenses, then whatever revenge he takes is morally justifiable...

Huang Xingde looked at him, suppressing the urge to press for details, and stood up, saying, "Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now. We recently hired a new chef, who was said to be the former head chef of Tianxianglou Restaurant in Hangzhou. His skills are genuinely quite good. Try him when you get home."

Wang Wen stood up and nodded in response, "Okay, I'll see you off!"

He escorted Huang Xingde to the gate, then returned to the main hall and summoned Jin Jiu: "Tell your brother Gou to contact the Giant Whale Gang and tell them that their protection fee has tripled. Let the Giant Whale Gang investigate the specific reasons themselves. If they can't find out, they can come to the yamen and ask me in person."

(End of this chapter)