Dugong

Chapter 92: Killing with Power
According to the laws of the Great Yong Dynasty, one could not enter officialdom without passing the imperial examination.

Emperor Yongning was certainly not within the scope of the law, so an imperial edict could be issued directly to confer the title, but it was not advisable to launch a major offensive.

Even a minor official issuing an imperial decree to bestow titles would attract the attention of the entire court.

Gong Jing's idea was excellent. He suggested giving the person a low-ranking, insignificant official position, which would be handled by the Zhenfu Division without even needing to issue an imperial decree.

When Li Ping'an learned of this, his elder brother Li Yunping was already working at the Dongshi government office.

The clerk was responsible for registering merchants and issuing city-registered business certificates; it was a low-ranking but powerful position.

Li Yunping was completely illiterate, and could barely write. His job consisted of drinking tea, chatting, and collecting money, while all other matters were handled by the clerk.

"Eunuch Xia, please inform the municipal government when you have time."

Li Ping'an instructed his subordinates to take good care of the person and then stopped asking about anything else. Even if the person's position was insignificant and caused trouble, he could easily resolve it by simply lifting his eyelids.

"Send someone to investigate Commander Gong's background again. The Imperial Household Department and the Garrison Command have always been at odds; they won't be friendly for no reason!"

After dealing with the trivial matters, let's get back to business.

Today, Li Ping'an summoned his adopted son and father-in-law to discuss the enlistment of martial arts heroes in the Beijing garrison. After half a year of rumors circulating, Hengchang Trading Company has already sold 50,000 taels of fodder.

Not just anyone is qualified to spend money; one must have influence in the martial arts world or the local area, and there are only one or two slots available in each prefecture.

First, there were limited official positions for military officers in the capital garrison, while there were far too many martial arts heroes eager to become officials. Second, competition drives up prices; it's better to not sell than to sell at a low price.

Li Ping'an instructed, "Xiao Yu, arrange a date and place so we can take a look at these young heroes of the martial world."

Selling official positions and collecting money was only a secondary objective; the more important goal was to gain control of the capital garrison from top to bottom.

With the support of the Imperial Clan Court, Prince Cheng could easily recruit his cronies, while Li Ping'an, starting from humble beginnings, could only gather his own followers from various sources.

Little Yu asked, "What does Godfather think?"

"Let's see how good it is, and show off our power."

Li Ping'an said, "We need to make them understand that this is the capital city. If they listen to us, they'll get promoted and make a fortune; if they don't, then..."

Xiao Yuzi chimed in, "Should we just send them back to the countryside?"

Beside him, Eunuch Fei said in a sinister tone, "Eunuch Yu is too kind-hearted. Anyone who dares to disobey our godfather is a bandit who rules the land!"

Li Ping'an nodded slightly. Martial arts sects that are not recognized by the imperial court can be charged with more than a dozen crimes if they arbitrarily seize land, recruit disciples, and teach martial arts.

Xiao Yuzi suddenly realized what was happening and bowed to accept the order.

"Godfather, I will make all the arrangements."

……

February 2nd.

The dragon raised his head.

Dingxianglou, the most bustling restaurant in the East Market, closed its doors to customers. Rumor had it that a big shot had booked the entire place, and yamen runners were patrolling early in the morning.

Anyone who dares to take even half a step closer will be punched, kicked, and driven away.

It's approaching noon.

One by one, the young heroes, carrying knives, swords, hammers, and clubs, respectfully presented their invitations to the yamen runners and only entered Dingxiang Tower after receiving permission.

When you first arrived in the capital before the New Year, you weren't like this at all.

For example, Sha Jingfeng, the young leader of the Yellow River Gang, has always been fond of chivalry and helping the needy. While drinking at a tavern, he saw the yamen runners extorting money from the shopkeeper.

Enraged, he kicked the constable to the ground and, before the shopkeeper could speak, delivered a series of punches, killing one and injuring two others.

Sha Jingfeng didn't care about this at all. That night, he boasted to a few young heroes that the capital was a den of dragons and tigers, and that he hadn't seen any masters since he arrived.

The martial arts school only teaches basic farming skills, not even true internal energy, yet each student earns dozens of taels of silver. "Let's give up being officials, come directly to the capital and open a martial arts school. First, we'll challenge other schools to make a name for ourselves, then establish our reputation and take on students..."

Sha Jingfeng's get-rich-quick dream hadn't even ended when the head constable of the Six Doors burst in, severely injuring him with a single blow, and dragging him back to the yamen by the scalp.

The constable then asked the young swordsman at the table what his relationship was with the murderer.

According to the rules of the martial arts world, one should help a friend in need. However, after glancing at the archers outside, they all shook their heads and said, "We don't know them!"
After this incident, the young heroes who came to the capital to make their way in the city immediately became much more obedient.

Among the young heroes were many clever ones, and they were willing to spend money to treat others to wine. They quickly made contact with the yamen runners and learned the truth after asking around.

There were originally several large gangs in the capital, such as the Beggars' Gang, the Iron Palm Gang, and the Canal Gang. Martial arts schools would also teach internal energy, and if you spent more money, you could learn second- or third-rate internal skills.

Until three years ago, two gangs were wiped out, and the other gangs slunk away from the capital.

Rumor has it that the late emperor, by speaking the imperial decree, ensured that there were no gangs in the capital for ten years!
The young heroes listened to the drunken bailiffs boasting about the secrets of the capital, which were three parts true and seven parts false, and were already astonishing. In a daze, they glimpsed a corner of the heavenly palace.

Xiao Yuanqiu murmured, "No wonder my father wanted me to become an official. No matter how skilled I am in martial arts, if I don't become an official, I'll always be a commoner or a vagrant."

Having truly understood the reasoning behind it, Xiao Yuanqiu asked the constables how to please her father-in-law.
Everyone agrees: it's money.

Xiao Yuanqiu touched the silver notes in his pocket. Originally, all of them were to be used as embezzled funds, and he planned to use 30% of them to smooth things over.

"It's a pity that we are far apart and cannot discuss this with Father in time."

Following the rules taught by the yamen runners, Xiao Yuanqiu lowered his head, slightly bent over, and carefully climbed to the third floor of Dingxiang Tower.

In the past, when Xiao Yuanqiu went upstairs at the restaurant in Faquan County, he had to make a loud thumping sound to announce to all the diners that the young master of the Tianjian Sect had arrived.

Now I step very quietly when I go upstairs, so as not to make any noise that might disturb my superior.

As Xiao Yuanqiu walked past the corner on the third floor, the first thing she saw was the young eunuch surrounded by a crowd, sitting at the head of the table, leisurely sipping tea.

A dozen or so young heroes lay on the ground, all groaning in pain.

Xiao Yuzi whispered, "This is the son of the Heavenly Sword Sect Master. His father is quite influential in Quzhou and has a good relationship with Master Li."

Li Ping'an nodded and said, "We have high hopes for Master Li. The person he recommends will be good. Let him give it a try."

Xiao Yu bowed and accepted the order. He walked up to Xiao Yuanqiu in a few steps, and somehow his posture changed from looking up at his godfather to looking down at the young hero.

“Our godfather wants to see your skills. Go all out. If you can withstand three or five moves, you’ll have plenty of benefits in the future.”

Xiao Yuanqiu dared not refuse, and he kept in mind the rules taught by the yamen runners, bowing to his superiors whenever he had something to say.

"This humble citizen has overstepped his bounds."

Having said that, he circulated his inner energy to his palm. Without touching the sword hilt, the sword at his waist popped out of its sheath on its own and thrust towards the red-robed eunuch.

"interesting!"

Li Ping'an raised an eyebrow. In his eyes, the young heroes of the martial arts world were no different from ordinary people. They could smash heads with a wave of their hand, but the martial arts they used were all exquisite.

With the sword's edge almost within reach, he wiped his palm in the teacup, drawing his inner energy to condense the tea into a three-inch sword aura, which he then flicked out with his finger.

Xiao Yuanqiu watched helplessly as the extremely delicate water sword shattered his fine steel sword into several pieces, finally landing on his chest and dissipating into powerless water droplets.

Glancing at the wailing young heroes around him, Xiao Yuanqiu knelt down and kowtowed.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir."

"Not bad, she's a polite person."

Li Ping'an gave a wink, and Xiao Yuzi immediately understood, taking out a sword with an intricately patterned scabbard.

"This sword is named Sun Piercer. It was once part of the royal collection of the previous dynasty. Your godfather bestows it upon you. From now on, perform your duties well..."

(End of this chapter)