Balancing Grace and Authority

Even Zhang Lin was startled.

The last time Xie An demonstrated his strength before Tang Qingyun by lifting seven hundred jin, he had looked somewhat strained. Now, however, he did it with far greater ease. Such divine strength had already made Zhang Lin shrink back in awe, both respectful and fearful.

I must make sure to build a good relationship with this mysterious old man from now on.

As for the other disciples present, they had previously followed Zhang Biao and grown accustomed to being idle and unruly. They had never taken this newly appointed old steward seriously. But after witnessing the old man display such astonishing strength, every one of them clicked their tongues in shock and trepidation.

A seven-hundred-jin stone lock!

Across the entire black market, only Chief Steward Lin Yun and Incense Master Wei could lift one with a single arm. Zhang Biao absolutely could not do it.

When they saw Xie An's cold and vicious gaze as well, they became even more certain that this old man was not easy to get along with. From now on, they would have to keep their tails tucked between their legs.

Only Liang Zhi narrowed his eyes, no one knowing what he was thinking.

Wang Xiang lowered his head and gritted his teeth, thinking darkly that the newly appointed steward arranged by those above was indeed not someone to be trifled with.

Xie An continued to put on a fierce and ruthless act. "I don't care how you conducted yourselves when you followed Zhang Biao before. From now on, since you've chosen to follow me, you will work diligently and conduct yourselves properly. I cannot stand filth in my sight. If anyone disagrees with this old man's principles, you can leave right now and seek employment elsewhere. This old man will not stop you."

Xie An knew that, in troubled times, people were hardly ever good at heart.

And that was even more true of a jianghu sect like Tiger Wolf Gate.

The very words "tiger" and "wolf" were enough to reveal the sect's style.

Like wolves and tigers.

Without using some forceful methods, how could he keep his subordinates in line?

Sure enough, Xie An's display greatly intimidated the group of subordinates.

However, to Xie An's surprise... not one of them stepped forward to state their position.

Only after Liang Zhi spoke first did he say, "Your subordinate Liang Zhi is willing to render the steward every service at his command."

Only then did the others follow suit.

"Your subordinate Wang Xiang is willing to attend the steward day and night."

"Your subordinate Xiao Liu is willing to render the steward every service at his command."

"Same here..."

Xie An breathed a sigh of relief. His gaze lingered on Liang Zhi for a moment longer. "All of you, go down and get to work. Liang Zhi, you stay."

Xie An had seen through it: Liang Zhi was the leader of this group, and he held considerable prestige among his subordinates. If Xie An wanted to command them effectively, Liang Zhi was the key.

It was therefore necessary to keep him behind for a private conversation.

Xie An did not want his poor management of his subordinates to cause problems for the black market's business right after he arrived. Otherwise, if Incense Master Wei and Chief Steward Lin Yun found out, they would only think him incompetent.

At his age, Xie An was no longer hot-tempered. But he also knew that when it was time to act with thunderous decisiveness, he absolutely could not be vague.

His conduct and attitude on his first day in office were especially important.

The disciples clasped their fists and withdrew one after another.

Seeing that Xie An's effort to intimidate his subordinates had begun to bear fruit, Zhang Lin also found an excuse to leave with Zhou Xing, saying only that he would come back later to call Xie An to lunch.

The moment they walked out of the courtyard, Zhou Xing could not help saying, "Boss, this newly appointed steward... really has some tricks up his sleeve."

Zhang Lin nodded deeply in agreement. "Indeed. He usually looks refined and courteous, but when it is time to bare his claws, he doesn't hesitate in the slightest. He's a ruthless character. And with Elder Tang Qingyun's regard for him, I'm afraid he'll establish himself soon, perhaps even overshadow me."

Zhou Xing was somewhat indignant and made a throat-slitting gesture. "Then should we..."

Smack!

Zhang Lin thumped him hard on the head. "Has water gotten into your brain? He was recommended by me, and we get along well. If he prospers in the future, I'll benefit from it too. The jianghu isn't about fighting and killing—it's about human relationships and social dealings. You'd better learn something."

Zhou Xing drooped his head. "I understand."

"You understand nothing."

"..."

The reception hall.

Xie An sat in the chief seat, while Liang Zhi stood respectfully before him.

Xie An had been sizing up Liang Zhi all along, yet he had not seen the slightest sign of fear in the old man's eyes. Instead, he appeared very calm.

With such composure, Xie An felt that Liang Zhi had something going for him.

If the other man had immediately become afraid of him, he would have been easier to handle. Xie An could simply have used force. But in this situation, he would have to spend more effort.

After a long silence, Xie An finally asked, "How many years did you follow Zhang Biao?"

"Five years."

"Mm. You were in charge of the black market's accounts before this?"

"Yes."

"Bring the ledgers here for me to see."

At last, a rare trace of panic flashed through Liang Zhi's usually composed eyes. Yet he did not dare object. After answering that he understood, he left, and not long afterward returned carrying a pile of account books.

There were more than a dozen ledgers, reaching nearly two chi in height.

Liang Zhi had assumed that this old steward was merely putting on a show and going through the motions. He had not expected the old man to truly examine the books carefully, one by one.

Drip.

Sweat immediately began to run down Liang Zhi's forehead.

Even in the bitter cold of winter, the fine beads of sweat could not be stopped from trickling down.

He had served as the black market's accountant for five years. How could he possibly not have skimmed some money?

It was just that he was highly skilled with accounts and had hidden everything carefully. Moreover, Zhang Biao had been a crude man who had never examined the books closely. That was how Liang Zhi had managed to muddle through.

Who could have expected that this newly appointed steward... would seem so difficult to deal with?

The problem was... Xie An thought the same thing.

Since he could not intimidate Liang Zhi with strength, he would start with the accounts.

Having lived through the information explosion of his previous life, Xie An understood human nature far beyond the ordinary person of this era. He still possessed enough discernment to see through this.

But Xie An did not understand bookkeeping...

For a full hour, Xie An carefully examined five ledgers without finding anything wrong. The accounts were far too complicated; they were nothing like the simple work of a pawnshop.

For example, the ledgers recorded the sale prices and commissions of all kinds of weapons and medicinal supplements. How could Xie An know the proper prices of weapons and medicinal supplements he had never even heard of? Besides, the prices of the same weapons and medicinal supplements fluctuated at different times, making them extremely difficult to verify.

He truly could not find any problems...

But the intimidation had already achieved its effect.

From the corner of his eye, Xie An saw Liang Zhi covered in sweat. He knew the accounts had problems, and immediately put on an air of calm confidence as he bluffed Liang Zhi. "Liang Zhi, you've tampered with the ledgers quite a bit. If I hand this over to the Incense Master and Chief Steward, I'm afraid... your life may not be spared."

Liang Zhi panicked immediately. How could he know that Xie An could not understand the accounts at all? How could he know that Xie An was bluffing him?

A person with a guilty conscience was already half guilty in his own mind.

Moreover, Xie An had previously displayed peerless martial arts and a savage, ferocious expression. Now he had examined the ledgers for an entire hour and even threatened to report him, saying that his life would not be spared... Liang Zhi was frightened into wetting himself.

Plop.

Liang Zhi dropped to his knees and confessed everything. "Please, Steward, show mercy. Although I made some minor alterations, I absolutely did not commit any major embezzlement, nor did I violate the black market's rules. It was only because my elderly mother is seriously ill, and her medicine costs so much, that I developed a little greed!!"

Xie An secretly let out a great sigh of relief.

It really worked!

However, Xie An did not respond. Instead, he slowly lowered the ledger and looked down coldly at Liang Zhi kneeling on the ground.

The more he acted this way, the more terrified Liang Zhi became.

Bang, bang, bang.

Liang Zhi began pounding his head against the floor. "I was wrong. I absolutely won't be greedy again. Please, Steward, don't report me to the Incense Master and Chief Steward. From now on, I am willing to follow your lead in everything."

Xie An's gaze turned stern. "The matter of your elderly mother being seriously ill—is that a lie meant to deceive me?"

Liang Zhi pointed two fingers toward the heavens. "Your subordinate has not uttered a single false word. If I have, may heaven strike me with thunder and lightning, and may I die a terrible death."

Xie An nodded, and his attitude finally softened somewhat. "In consideration of your filial devotion, this steward can forgive you. But to prevent this from happening again, I need you to write a letter of guarantee, stating your wrongdoing and promising there will be no next time. I will keep the letter. As long as you work honestly from now on, I will not tell anyone."

Liang Zhi's entire body went limp on the floor.

He was no novice. How could he not know that Xie An was doing this to bring him completely under control? With this confession in Xie An's hands, Liang Zhi would be unable to refuse anything Xie An asked him to do in the future.

But he had no choice.

He had thought that no matter how difficult the new steward was, he could continue maneuvering around him. He had not expected this man's methods to be so seasoned and ruthless.

On his very first day in office, he had already seized Liang Zhi completely.

In the end, Liang Zhi dejectedly wrote the letter of guarantee and, at Xie An's demand, even pressed his fingerprint to it.

Xie An pocketed the letter of guarantee, and only then felt satisfied.

This was not because Xie An was heartless. It was because in the jianghu, without a few methods at his disposal, a person would sooner or later be played to death.

Surviving in troubled times meant facing treacherous hearts. This was no mere saying.

Of course, Xie An had no intention of using this to threaten Liang Zhi. He only wanted to manage the black market properly after taking office and establish himself securely.

Having a sword in hand but not using it was completely different from having no sword at all.

This was what it meant to balance grace and authority.

He had already established his authority. Now it was time to bestow grace.

Xie An rose from his seat and personally helped Liang Zhi to his feet. "Although you tampered with the ledgers in many places, you kept them in perfect order. That shows you are a capable man worthy of being entrusted with important duties. Unfortunately, Zhang Biao could not distinguish right from wrong or recognize talent, and so he buried your abilities. As long as you perform well from now on, it may not be impossible for you to be promoted to deputy steward someday."

Liang Zhi abruptly raised his head and looked at Xie An in disbelief, his eyes slightly burning.

When he had worked under Zhang Biao, Zhang Biao had berated and cursed him at the slightest provocation, never treating him like a human being. Although this newly appointed steward was stern and seasoned, he had actually recognized that Liang Zhi possessed great talent.

They said that a scholar would die for the one who truly understood him. Liang Zhi had not reached that point yet, but he was still deeply moved to be appreciated by someone.

He suddenly felt that this newly appointed steward had a grand vision, and that following him offered a real future.