Words Failed to Meet

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Open up!"

The yamen runners and constables held torches and weapons as they pounded urgently on the door.

As for the Kong family's attendants and the experts from Mingde Academy, they had all spread out around the perimeter, their eyes brimming with killing intent.

They were all people of the jianghu—but more importantly, they were members of the Kong family, and they knew what rules meant.

The meaning of rules was not to obey them strictly, but to know when they should be followed and when they should not.

They could pressure the Jinan Prefecture yamen. That was the Kong family's status.

But when officials were carrying out their duties, they could only cooperate, not overstep and take matters into their own hands. Otherwise, they would be breaking the rules and could easily draw unwanted attention—especially at a time like this.

Yet as he watched the constables continue pounding on the door, the middle-aged Confucian scholar leading the Kong family furrowed his brows.

These constables looked fierce as wolves and tigers, and their show of force was impressive, but they were also very particular about the rules.

The copper lock could have been twisted off with one hand, yet it had not suffered the slightest damage.

The middle-aged scholar immediately guessed the reason.

The Jiangzhe Merchant Guild was immensely wealthy and wielded considerable influence throughout the south. Even in Jinan City, it had close ties with Prince De's Residence. It was said to be working with them to prepare a fleet for overseas voyages.

These constables did not want to offend the Kong family. But why would they be willing to provoke the Jiangzhe Merchant Guild?

"Hmph!" The middle-aged scholar's expression darkened. He snorted coldly through his nose, casually took out a copper coin, and flicked it