Yingchun Tower was Chu Huaijun’s territory. He had given half of the shares to Chief Defense Envoy Liao Zihui, so inviting Liao Zihui for a meal here couldn’t have been more appropriate.
In a private room on the third floor, a table laden with delicacies from land and sea was set before them, but Chief Defense Envoy Liao Zihui hardly touched his chopsticks.
Gorgeously dressed women sang and played instruments nearby. Liao Zihui maintained a faint smile but hardly spoke.
At a cue from Chu Huaijun, one of the women who was singing sat on Liao Zihui’s lap.
Chu Huaijun had thought this would ease the awkward atmosphere, but unexpectedly, the faint smile on Liao Zihui’s face vanished completely.
Liao Zihui was somewhat different from usual today.
Seeing the Chief Defense Envoy’s brow gradually furrow, Chu Huaijun quickly dismissed the others.
Only Liao Zihui and Chu Huaijun remained in the private room. Liao Zihui took a fountain pen from his shirt pocket and placed it on the table.
Chu Huaijun glanced at the fountain pen, then at Liao Zihui. He realized there were some things Liao Zihui found inconvenient to say, and some actions he found inconvenient to take. Chu Huaijun tried to read Liao Zihui’s expression for answers, but Liao Zihui’s face was virtually devoid of expression.
"’Huaijun, don’t be so nervous,’ Liao Zihui said, his tone even. ’I already know about the Three Heroes Gang matter. The blame isn’t entirely on you, but you weren’t careful enough in handling some things. There are matters for which I need to give an account to my superiors. However, personally, my trust in you hasn’t changed.’"
Liao Zihui’s tone and attitude sent a chill down Chu Huaijun’s spine. He had expected Liao Zihui to discuss their next countermeasures with him, during which he planned to propose annihilating the Three Heroes Gang. However, Liao Zihui clearly had no intention of discussing anything. His few words had instilled a profound sense of fear and crisis in Chu Huaijun.
Chu Huaijun adjusted his thinking. Adopting a tone often heard in the Outside Provinces, he said to Liao Zihui, "Chief Envoy Liao, the situation with the Three Heroes Gang is a conspiracy with many participants. Shen Jinzhong, the Great Gold Seal of the Three Heroes Gang, has now become a puppet of these people. The Three Heroes Gang must be completely eradicated to stop this conspiracy from succeeding!"
Liao Zihui nodded. "Since you claim it’s a conspiracy, I expect you to thoroughly investigate its origins and implications."
Chu Huaijun was nervous. He desperately wanted to smoke a cigarette, but looking at Liao Zihui’s demeanor and the current atmosphere, he didn’t dare take one from the pack.
"I’m still investigating this, but before the situation worsens, the Three Heroes Gang must be..."
"Then wait until your investigation is complete," Liao Zihui interrupted. "The Three Heroes Gang is a Great Clan Gate with tens of thousands of disciples throughout Puluo State. If this Gang faces any upheaval, these tens of thousands of disciples will become an enormous hidden threat to Puluo State. We do not wish to see such threats materialize."
"Chief Envoy Liao, what I am doing is also to eliminate hidden threats," Chu Huaijun explained.
Liao Zihui gave a slight nod. "I can see your efforts. However, every action taken by the Defense Agency must have clear objectives and a coherent approach. From your current actions, I can neither discern your objectives nor understand your methods. I think you need to further analyze the difficulties you’re facing and concentrate your efforts on solving the crux of the problem. Of course, this isn’t an easy task. If it’s too difficult for you, I might consider forming a partnership with someone more capable."
After speaking, Liao Zihui picked up the fountain pen, returned it to his shirt pocket, and left the private room.
The sound of a steam car starting came from downstairs. Liao Zihui had left, just like that.
Chu Huaijun pulled out a cigarette and stuck it between his lips.
It wasn’t just Chu Huaijun who couldn’t understand; Liao Zihui himself wasn’t entirely clear on what he had just said. Whether he understood or not wasn’t important. Liao Zihui had previously served in the Outside Provinces, where he often had to make speeches. He frequently didn’t comprehend his own words, but that never affected the atmosphere or the intended impact.
The important thing was that speaking this way was the safest.
In the steam car, the seat behind the front passenger was usually Liao Zihui’s, but today someone else occupied it. This man was Sun Junfu, from the Outside Provinces. His rank was comparable to Liao Zihui’s, but on this occasion, his status was special: he was here to conduct an inspection.
He was very dissatisfied with Liao Zihui’s recent performance, particularly regarding the handling of certain matters at Black Stone Slope. Cheng Mingke, the former Border Defense Envoy of Black Stone Slope, had been a capable subordinate of Sun Junfu’s. It was through Sun Junfu’s repeated recommendations that Cheng Mingke had secured the valuable opportunity to take up a post in Puluo State. As it turned out, not long after assuming his duties, Liao Zihui had him sent back to the Outside Provinces.
Sun Junfu’s face was grim. He said to Liao Zihui, "Chief Envoy Liao, we’re old acquaintances, so I’ll be blunt. I believe there’s a serious issue with your attitude towards your work. I think Chu Huaijun’s approach is sound. Factions like He Yuxiu and the Three Heroes Gang are openly defiant and should be eliminated promptly. Why do you consistently choose to compromise and retreat?"
Liao Zihui thought. Judging by what Sun Junfu had just said, he clearly didn’t understand the situation in Puluo State at all.
Liao Zihui offered a humble smile. "Puluo State has its own unique circumstances, and within that..."
"Old Liao," Sun Junfu interrupted, "we all know Puluo State has unique conditions; let’s not dwell on objective reasons. If you are subjectively demonstrating apprehension, or even cowardice, how can you justify the trust placed in you? How can you live up to the significant responsibilities you’ve been given?"