Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 216 Who doesn't have a network of connections?
Seeing the Dongjiang Gang members' expressions of utter frustration, Shen Tang remained outwardly calm but inwardly overjoyed.

Before Lu Xingzhou returned, this would have been a very troublesome situation, but as soon as he came back, it seemed like he didn't do anything, and the situation became very simple.

In fact, Lu Xingzhou also felt that helping the Heavenly Sword Sect devise a plan was simpler than helping the Yama Palace. This is because a power struggle is never just a contest of strength between the two sides; external connections with other forces are also a crucial factor, and in this regard, the most powerful aid is Zhao Dan's strike.

This is something you never need when you're on the demonic path; it's something your opponents use. But you can use it very comfortably in the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Whether Gu Zhanting felt guilty towards his daughter or it was the result of the Imperial Advisor's interference, the imperial decree to "support" her, even if it was just lip service, could be interpreted in countless ways.

Zhang Rongzhi took the main seat, while the Shi family uncle and nephew sat resentfully at the lower level. The other elders and others left, along with a group of Dongjiang Gang elites downstairs. The atmosphere in the private room finally resembled that of a normal conversation.

Zhang Rongzhi said calmly, "It's perfectly normal for multiple companies to be in the same industry. For example, there are at least eighty or a hundred companies in Xia Prefecture that sell medicinal herbs. Competition among them is perfectly normal. Competition can also promote the efficacy and quality of medicines, lower prices, and benefit the people. Sect Leader Shen understands the greater good. He knows that his bodyguard business might conflict with the Dongjiang Gang, so he wants to discuss an industry standard to ensure harmonious competition and mutual benefit."

Shi Tielong was extremely aggrieved. Anyone can speak eloquently, but the truth is that the Dongjiang Gang used to have a monopoly on this business in the county, and now they are inexplicably being asked to take a share. Who would be happy about that? Why should they?

Of course, from another perspective, why should you have a monopoly? Why can't others do it? Ultimately, it comes down to strength.

Lu Xingzhou said leisurely, "No one has ever stipulated that only certain people are allowed to do it and others are not allowed to do it. There's no such logic. The imperial court and the people are also more willing to see competition among themselves, resulting in more cost-effective options. I'm quite puzzled, though. The Dongjiang Gang has been in this business for so long, they should be confident that they do it better than anyone else. Anyone who comes into this business should be suppressed. Why are they so nervous..."

That goes without saying, who wouldn't want a monopoly?

Having said that, Shi Tielong could only reply, "Who said our gang is afraid of challenges? We came to this banquet precisely to see what your sect has to say."

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "In front of the prefect, of course we want to form an industry consensus, just like the medicinal herb industry in Xia Prefecture, to avoid vicious competition. For example, the consensus in Xia Prefecture is that everyone's medicinal herbs or pills should be judged by their efficacy and price. We won't mention things like burning down other people's medicinal herb gardens or secretly adding poison to other people's medicinal herbs, which are prohibited by law. There are also some things that are not mentioned in the law, and we need to establish our own rules... For example, we can't engage in malicious price wars. It hurts the enemy a thousand but also hurts ourselves eight hundred. It doesn't benefit anyone, does it?"

Shi Tielong said coldly, "According to Elder Lu, what kind of rules should our profession establish?"

"Then it naturally comes down to the efficiency and safety of transportation."

Shi Tielong's forehead veins throbbed. The transportation business was nothing like the elixir business; with elixirs, a preliminary comparison could be made on the same day. But in this kind of business, if everyone took on their own jobs and compared which was safer and more convenient, or even waited until one or two accidents occurred before verification, how long would that take? Would their Dongjiang Gang's business be cut in half for no reason during this time, leaving them unable to do anything?
Besides, in the end, when you compare them, it's all the same. Who can really beat whom?
Zhang Rongzhi stroked his beard and said, "That's also my opinion. You can discuss and decide on the details yourselves."

"Fuck you..." Shi Tielong said angrily, "Comparing efficiency and safety, when will we ever get a result?"

Lu Xingzhou looked at him with surprise: "Is there anything wrong with no result? Could it be that Chief Shi isn't trying to do business amicably, but just wants to suppress us?"

"you……"

Lu Xingzhou interrupted, "If you want quick results, that's easy too."

Shi Tielong swallowed back what he was about to say and coldly asked, "What brilliant idea does Elder Lu have now?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "If you want to quickly prove who is safer and more efficient, it's actually quite simple. In this line of work, besides experience, the most direct test is the strength of the accompanying guards, right?"

"so?"

"So we can hold a public contest and let the winner decide. The people of Xiazhou can tell at a glance who is stronger and who is weaker. Isn't that the most straightforward way?"

Shi Tielong's heart stirred, and he said calmly, "In the world of escorting goods, it's not just about one's own strength, but also about the support of friends outside."

"It makes sense, but how can it be proven?"

"If you want to have a martial arts contest, you can invite outside help."

Shen Tang couldn't help but interject, "Chief Shi has a good plan."

Shi Tielong rolled his eyes: "Sect Leader Shen, are you afraid?"

Shen Tang feigned anger: "There should be some kind of answer."

Shi Tielong said leisurely, "Since we're comparing our respective strengths, having too few people won't showcase our sect's capabilities. How about each side send ten people?"

He calculated clearly that, including Shen Tang herself, the Heavenly Sword Sect currently had a total of four people at the third rank or above. Even if they defeated all four, it would still be a six-to-four score.

In fact, Shi Tielong's ideal goal was to completely shut down the Tianxing Sword Sect. That would mean forgetting about the escort business; it would crush the entire Tianxing Sword Sect's reputation into the mud, ensuring they could never compete with the Dongjiang Gang for the title of number one power again.

Shen Tang's chest heaved with anger: "Chief Shi is quite the schemer!"

Shi Tielong said leisurely, "The proposal was put forward by Elder Lu of your sect, so it is only right for me to propose a number of people."

Lu Xingzhou, his face flushed, slammed his fist on the table and said, "Ten it is! I'm not afraid of you!" Zhang Rongzhi said, "Have you all discussed this clearly? Once the arena is set up, the whole county will hear about it, and there will be no turning back."

The young couple slammed their fists on the table: "It's settled then, are we afraid of him?"

Then, as if remembering something, Shen Tang blushed and said, "If there aren't enough people, can one person fight in multiple matches?"

Shi Tielong suppressed a laugh: "Of course."

Zhang Rongzhi sighed, looking at the young people with a regretful expression, saying, "Since that's the case, I'll act as a witness. You may invite your own outside helpers. The martial arts arena in the city will open in three days."

Shi Tielong suppressed his joy and led his men away, while the young couple also left indignantly.

It seems that Shi Tielong was frustrated at the beginning, but in the end he got an unexpected result. It can only be said that young men and women are too impulsive. How can they do great things at this age?
Little did they know that as soon as they returned to Danxia Mountain, they burst into laughter and bent over.

Shen Tang clutched her stomach and pointed at Lu Xingzhou: "I didn't realize you were such a good actor."

Lu Xingzhou laughed: "If you're not good enough at acting, how can you fool my princess?"

"Go away~" Shen Tang glanced around, making sure no one was there: "So you admit you lied to me?"

Lu Xingzhou pushed her wheelchair leisurely up the mountain: "What have you managed to scam? You haven't even managed to scam her body yet."

Shen Tang said angrily, "All you ever think about is this!"

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "It's all just acting, but don't let things go wrong. At least I wouldn't dare let Mr. Ye take on ten enemies for us; she'd kill me. She's just a pillar of strength, so she's not afraid of any second-rank officials."

"I won't let other women show off for me!" Shen Tang snorted. "So what if it's a second-rank official? Do you really think I'm afraid?"

There was a deeper meaning in Lu Xingzhou's eyes.

In this battle, the catch might not be limited to only second-grade items.

"What did you say? Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou have gone mad, they really dare to settle things in the arena?" In another residence in the city, Master Xuanhe of Lingyun Sect looked at Shi Tielong in front of him with a mixture of surprise and delight: "Is it some kind of trap?"

Shi Tielong laughed and said, "With the prefect in front of us, even if there were a trap, it wouldn't be on the arena. I think it's just that young people can't handle being provoked."

"Very well, very well." Master Xuanhe suddenly stood up: "I'll immediately inform the sect leader and see if Spring Mountain Pavilion can send some people. Prince Jin will definitely be very interested in this. They think it's at most a contest between third-rank officials, hehe..."

Ah Nuo, licking a string of candied hawthorns, hopped and skipped into what appeared to be an ordinary house.

Several men inside were lifting stone weights to strengthen their muscles and bones. When they saw Ah Nuo, they were all startled, and the stone weights almost fell to the ground: "Master Ghost Child, what brings you here..."

"Don't call me that name, it's too embarrassing!" Anuo almost cried: "Where's Ying Shuang? Have him come here for a moment."

Ying Shuang rushed out of the house: "Little Miss, since the county seat has been changed, our main force has moved here. What are your orders?"

Anuo said, "Send someone to inform the Blood Refining Sect. Spring Mountain Pavilion will send a powerful expert to Xia Prefecture within three days, either a second-rank or a first-rank expert. If they can't intercept them on their way here, they can always set up an ambush on their way back."

Ying Shuang's eyes welled up with tears: "How did this matter get involved with the Blood Refining Sect of Spring Mountain Pavilion?"

“That’s none of your business.” Anuo chuckled. “Everyone has a few enemies, after all… We’re a pitiful new force with no allies, so finding some adversaries for them shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Ying Shuang: "..."

Anuo took a bite of a hawthorn: "Oh, by the way, I heard that the Charming Maidens' Joyful Union Sect and the Azure Wave Sect had some deep-seated conflicts in their early years. I wonder if they're interested in the Azure Wave Sect's second-grade furnace cauldron. It's a pity they're a bit old..."

Ying Shuang: "..."

"Listen carefully, don't mention our business. They ran into their enemies while wandering around, it has nothing to do with our honest business-oriented sect... Who told them to run around with enemies on their backs?" Ah Nuo leisurely licked her candied hawthorn and went back: "Everyone has a network of connections..."

Ying Shuang twitched her lips. Actually, this really wasn't part of the Judge's network of connections.

The righteous and demonic paths have been fighting for so many years, which one doesn't have enemies... It just so happens that the Judge is very clear about the relationships between these enemies of the demonic path. He is clearly eliminating his opponents, and in the end, the Blood Refining Sect and the Joyful Union Sect might even owe Lu Xingzhou a favor...

(End of this chapter)