Prime Minister

Chapter 268, Section 267: [Who Am I?]

The Yangzhou branch of the Canal Gang was located in Daningfang, Dongcheng.

Sang Chengze arrived here alone, carrying a bundle, and couldn't help but feel as if he had been transported to another world.

These two months were like a tempering process for him.

On that misty morning, he was arrested by the government's top officers and taken away, where he endured nearly twenty days of torment in a dark, damp, and cramped cell. He thought Xue Huai would not forgive him easily, but the ending was completely unexpected.

Sang Chengze, having grown up in a complex and rough environment, was not as simple and reckless as he appeared. After calming down, he began to suspect that Xue Huai had bewitched him. However, Xue Huai's subsequent teachings and guidance completely won him over.

From childhood to adulthood, his father and brothers never asked him what he thought. It was as if everyone assumed he was a good-for-nothing who indulged in debauchery and wasted his life. His two older brothers, in particular, were happy to see this happen. They secretly gave him money and helped him deceive their parents, as long as he continued to mess around outside.

How could Sang Chengze not understand what this meant?
The two older brothers were simply worried that he would seize power in the gang, so they racked their brains to make him a complete waste.

Originally, Sang Chengze didn't want to fight, but Xue Huai's words ignited the flame in his heart—what's the point of his own brothers fighting tooth and nail for a few measly things? Unless, as Xue Huai described, the canal gang could continue smoothly for another hundred years, and his name, Sang Chengze, could be forever engraved on the Grand Canal!
Sang Chengze took a deep breath and strode forward.

"Third Young Master?"

"It really is the Third Young Master!"

"Brothers, the Third Young Master is back!"

Since this is a branch of the Grand Canal Gang, there must be many informants around. Especially recently, with the Grand Canal Gang and the salt merchants of Lianghuai at odds, this important branch cannot be taken lightly.

A few shouts instantly broke the afternoon silence, followed by a flurry of footsteps and more figures emerging.

Sang Chengze had a bad reputation among the upper echelons of the Canal Gang, but the lower-level members thought differently. This was because the Third Young Master was generous and wouldn't bully them. Therefore, when Sang Chengze appeared, the members of the branch gang cheered to welcome him.

"Third Young Master, you're finally back!"

An older man squeezed to the front, his face full of excitement.

Looking at the familiar faces before him, Sang Chengze felt a surge of indescribable emotion. He smiled and said, "My dear uncles and brothers, I'm back! Is Uncle Wang Kui here?"

Someone immediately replied, "Yes, the leader is inside. Please come in, Third Young Master!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Sang Chengze walked calmly into the courtyard with his back straight.

The leader, Wang Kui, was a man in his forties, with a burly build and a dark complexion. He had a hideous scar on his left cheek that ran from his brow bone to his cheek. He looked up when he heard the commotion outside and saw Sang Chengze walk in.

"Chengze?"

Wang Kui suddenly stood up, his eyes wide with surprise. He strode forward and grabbed Sang Chengze's shoulders with both hands, exclaiming in astonishment, "You're alright? The government has finally let you out?"

Sang Chengze felt a slight pain as Wang Kui gripped his large, fan-like hand, but he could feel the genuine concern and excitement in the other's eyes.

He felt a warmth in his heart and solemnly said, "Uncle Kui, I'm fine now. Magistrate Xue sentenced me to work as a servant in the government office to make up for my mistake, so we're even now."

Wang Kui said incredulously, "Do menial tasks?"

He was one of Sang Shichang's most trusted confidants, and had practically watched Sang Chengze grow up, so he naturally knew the boy's temperament well.

Seeing him nod calmly with no sign of resentment or anger on his face, Wang Kui couldn't help but feel very curious. To be honest, he couldn't imagine that the usually spoiled Third Young Master would willingly do things like serving tea and water.

Sang Chengze pressed Wang Kui back into his chair and sat down beside him, smiling slightly. "Uncle Kui, I suffered a great setback in Yangzhou this time and was imprisoned. I thought my life was over. It was Lord Xue who gave me a chance to turn over a new leaf, so I have no resentment in my heart."

Wang Kui couldn't help but raise his hand and rub his eyes.

Actually, he felt something was wrong the moment he saw Sang Chengze. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he felt that the kid had become somewhat unfamiliar and was very different from before.

"Since you don't hold a grudge, then I won't say any more."

Wang Kui said with great emotion, "I wasn't at the branch headquarters the day you were arrested by the government officials. I was almost scared to death when I found out afterwards. If something had happened to you this time, how could I have explained it to the old leader? Fortunately, you are safe and sound. It's really a blessing! I'll have someone arrange a feast right away. Let's have a good time today and help you wash away the bad luck."

"Wait, Uncle Kui."

Sang Chengze hesitated slightly before saying, "I want to ask Uncle Kui for a favor."

Wang Kui laughed heartily, "You've really changed, kid. You weren't this polite before. So, what's up?"

Sang Chengze then asked, "Uncle Kui, have the men down below been targeting merchants in Yangzhou lately?"

Wang Kui nodded and said, "That's right. Young Master Jiang mentioned it earlier, and that bird association is really despicable. They actually dared to challenge our canal gang, so I arranged for some people to cause them some trouble. This is also to help you vent your anger."

"Uncle Kui."

Sang Chengze emphasized his words slightly and said seriously, "Let's put this matter aside for now."

Wang Kui was taken aback. He carefully examined Sang Chengze's expression but found no trace of grievance or helplessness. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why?"

"The canal administration has no problem dealing with those merchants; they have a legitimate excuse to manipulate them. But our canal gang is different. If we anger the government, our brothers will definitely suffer. Do you think the canal administration can force the Yangzhou prefectural government to bow down then?" Sang Chengze chuckled self-deprecatingly, then said, "Even when I was imprisoned in the prefectural government for so long, the canal administration was powerless. What about others? Uncle Kui, listen to me. This matter is very complicated. Our canal gang doesn't need to rush in. We should observe the situation first."

Wang Kui thought for a moment, then sighed, "Chengze, you've finally matured. Alright, let's do it your way. Let the brothers behave themselves for now. But this matter was also authorized by your eldest brother, not entirely because of Young Master Jiang's suggestion..."

"give it to me."

Sang Chengze said solemnly, "Uncle Kui, don't worry. I will go back to Huai'an tomorrow and explain the pros and cons to my father."

Wang Kui said with satisfaction, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I'll have someone arrange a feast to celebrate for you right away!"

……

As evening approached, Sang Chengze had just gotten out of bed. Although he had only slept for a little over an hour, he felt refreshed and incredibly relaxed. This was naturally because Wang Kui had agreed to his request, which allowed him to complete the first task assigned by Xue Huai with great ease.

Suddenly, a servant's voice rang out from outside: "Third Young Master, Young Master Jiang has arrived."

Sang Chengze's gaze sharpened slightly, then he calmly said, "Understood."

A moment later, he arrived at the front hall and immediately saw Jiang Fangzheng, whose expression was somewhat solemn. He greeted him as before, "Brother Jiang."

"Chengze."

Jiang Fangzheng stood up, looked him up and down, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for what happened this time. I didn't expect that Magistrate Xue to be so unreasonable. No matter how many times I went to the government office, I couldn't see him. In the end, I had to ask Councilor Song to make the trip himself. But Councilor Song said that you were willing to stay in the government office to make amends, so he couldn't force you to come out."

Sang Chengze said, "Brother Jiang, what is our relationship? Why be so formal?"

"Too."

Jiang Fangzheng smiled and nodded, then said, "I just heard Chief Wang say that you plan to have the brothers of the Canal Gang lie low for a while?"

Sang Chengze frankly said, "That's right. Brother Jiang, Prefect Xue is different from ordinary officials. I'm worried that he might directly take action against his subordinates, and..."

Seeing that he seemed hesitant to speak, Jiang Fangzheng couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

Sang Chengze stared at him intently, Xue Huai's analysis and speculation flashing through his mind. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Brother Jiang, I don't think the Grand Canal Gang necessarily has to go against the Lianghuai salt merchants."

Jiang Fangzheng's heart sank.

As early as when Song Yi returned empty-handed, he had a vague suspicion that an unexpected change had occurred in Sang Chengze, because based on his understanding of Sang Chengze, this playboy would definitely not be able to tolerate being imprisoned.

When they met again after two months, he became even more certain that what Song Yi said was true. Sang Chengze was indeed different from before. He just didn't know what he had gone through in the past two months.

Therefore, Jiang Fangzheng said with a slightly serious tone, "Chengze, what do you mean by that?"

“Brother Jiang, I admit that what you said before made sense. The establishment of the Lianghuai Salt Association did indeed harm the interests of the canal gang.”

Sang Chengze suppressed his smile and said calmly, "But then I thought about it again. The contribution money of the canal gang was unreasonable to begin with. It was said to be the contribution money that the salt merchants voluntarily paid, but in fact it was the canal gang's extortion and encroachment on them. No one is willing to endure it forever."

Upon hearing this, Chiang Fang-cheng was completely stunned.

Is this still the same good-for-nothing young master who only knows how to indulge in pleasure?

Jiang Fangzheng was finally at a loss, because in his plan, Sang Chengze was a very useful person. If he could not keep him under his control, he would not be able to use the power of the canal gang to cause Xue Huai enough trouble.

Now that the chess piece has developed its own ideas, Jiang Fangzheng was both surprised and furious. He took a deep breath and said, "Chengze, tell me the truth, does Xue Huai still have something on you? If so, just say it. We're brothers, and as the elder brother, I will definitely help you."

Sang Chengze smiled and shook his head, saying, "Brother Jiang, you misunderstand. I wasn't coerced by Lord Xue; I've just figured some things out. For the Grand Canal Gang, the salt merchants of Lianghuai paid a considerable amount in their share, and losing it now is indeed a loss. But it's not enough to make the Grand Canal Gang completely turn against them, because doing so would only severely damage the Grand Canal Gang's reputation. How many people would be willing to cooperate with the Grand Canal Gang in the future?"

Jiang Fangzheng frowned and said, "But do you know what will happen to them in the future—"

"Brother Jiang!"

Sang Chengze interrupted him directly and said calmly, "I will return to Huai'an tomorrow to explain the situation to my father before making a decision."

Looking into his determined eyes, Jiang Fangzheng knew it would be difficult to persuade him today, so he could only shake his head and say, "Chengze, you have disappointed me. I did not expect that just because you were imprisoned by Xue Huai for two months, you would lose all your usual decisiveness and domineering spirit. This is not like you at all."

"Brother Jiang, everyone grows up eventually, right?"

Sang Chengze suddenly put on a smiling face, as if what Jiang Fangzheng had just seen was just an illusion.

Suppressing his agitation, Jiang Fangzheng said with disappointment, "Since that's the case, I won't force you."

As he turned to leave, Sang Chengze pretended to try to persuade him to stay for a few moments, and eventually personally saw him off to the gate.

Watching the carriage depart amidst a dozen or so guards, Sang Chengze's lips curled into a slight smile as he murmured, "All these years you've treated me like a dog, did you really think I didn't know? Sooner or later, Third Master will show you what it means to be the master!"

(End of this chapter)