The banquet welcoming Zhu Sheng was held at Yanggu County's most famous Gathering Immortals Tower, and the display was quite grand. By rights, Jiang Che, a deputy commander with official rank but no actual post, was not qualified to sit at the high table.
Those seated at the high table had to be officials holding at least a Ninth Rank Martial Position, such as Liu Zhi and Gou Buren.
Thus, when Zhu Sheng patted Jiang Che on the shoulder and introduced him, he drew everyone's attention.
"Since Captain Zhu holds Deputy Commander Jiang in such high regard, I presume he is a man of outstanding ability." Magistrate Zhao Mingcheng, dressed in a scholar's robe and wearing a genial expression, praised him with a smile.
"Your Excellency overpraises me. I dare not accept such praise."
Jiang Che was equally modest.
The surrounding officials followed Zhao Mingcheng's lead and offered their own praises.
Liu Zhi stood nearby, smiling without a word, while Gou Buren gave Jiang Che a long, searching look.
But this was only a minor interlude. Soon, everyone passed over him, and Zhao Mingcheng personally began introducing the identities and posts of those present.
"This is Clerk Lu Guan."
"Assistant County Magistrate Yang Xian."
"North City Commander Song."
"Captain Chen of the Constables' Office."
Everyone exchanged greetings one by one. Zhu Sheng, too, made polite conversation with them without changing expression, showing not the slightest oddity. Yet everyone present knew full well that he could not possibly be feeling good.
For those Zhao Mingcheng had introduced were clearly closer to him. Most of them were obviously members of his own faction. This was both a welcoming banquet for Zhu Sheng and a display of Zhao Mingcheng's strength.
In terms of authority, Zhu Sheng and Zhao Mingcheng—one civil, one martial—were more or less equals. After all, in these unsettled times, with bandits rising everywhere, the county captain's authority had naturally expanded as well.
But their spheres of influence were another matter entirely. Of Yanggu County's four major districts, only the western and southern districts, along with the County Garrison, were controlled by men Zhu Sheng had brought with him. The other half was Zhao Mingcheng's territory.
Even the Three Classes and Six Offices directly under the county captain were not yet under Zhu Sheng's control.
When it came to power and influence, he was far behind.
At the banquet, everyone conversed merrily, and the atmosphere was harmonious indeed. Zhao Mingcheng, seated in the place of honor, watched the scene with an unfathomable smile on his face. Jiang Che had been observing everyone all along, and when his gaze happened to meet Zhao Mingcheng's—
Zhao Mingcheng even smiled at him.
Knock, knock.
Zhu Sheng picked up a silk cloth and wiped the corner of his mouth, then heavily tapped the tabletop twice with his fingers. The noisy crowd realized that Zhu Sheng was likely about to say something, and they immediately fell quiet.
Yet some turned their gazes toward Zhao Mingcheng.
Pretending not to notice, Zhu Sheng cleared his throat. The smile on his face gradually faded as he said calmly:
"People say that in recent years, bandits have run rampant throughout Yanggu County, disasters have struck one after another, and the common people have been left struggling in the midst of fire and water. At first, I naturally did not believe it and thought it was merely rumors growing wings.
"But just two days ago, my family was seized and murdered by the villains of Crouching Tiger Mountain. Commander Jiang then went deep into the matter on my behalf, and only then did I discover that the bandit scourge had become this rampant.
"Therefore, before all my fellow officials today, I, Zhu, shall make my position clear.
"During my term of office, I will certainly wipe out every bandit scourge in this county. I will bring those vicious men who prey upon the people and harm their neighbors to justice, and return a bright, clear sky to the people of Yanggu County!"
No one had expected Zhu Sheng, who had been laughing and chatting moments before, to suddenly change his expression and begin speaking of the county's bandit problem, even declaring that he would stamp it out. At once, they looked at one another, exchanging glances.
Cough, cough. Zhao Mingcheng covered his mouth and coughed twice. He swept his gaze across the crowd, then nodded.
"I have also heard of Captain Zhu's family being seized, and I am likewise filled with indignation. Since when did our Yanggu County become the backyard of these bandits?
"This is a calamity for the people, and an even greater disgrace for officials such as ourselves.
"I deeply admire Captain Zhu's heartfelt words. However, Captain Zhu has only just arrived and does not understand the true circumstances. The bandits of Crouching Tiger Mountain are incomparably arrogant and exceedingly powerful.
"They have entrenched themselves in Yanggu County for so many years without ever being eradicated. They are truly difficult beyond measure.
"The previous county captain provoked those bandits, making the situation even more unstable and inviting their retaliation. That was why he was transferred away. I took over that mess and only managed, with great difficulty, to stabilize the situation.
"To act rashly would be unwise indeed. In my view, prudence should come first. We must proceed slowly and deliberately."
Zhao Mingcheng's words immediately made everyone understand. On the surface, he supported Zhu Sheng, but in truth, he opposed him. Soon afterward, many officials at the table joined in urging restraint.
"Indeed, the magistrate speaks reasonably."
"Captain Zhu, do not act impulsively, or you will be the one truly harming the people."
"Yes, yes."
Seeing that Zhu Sheng's expression had turned somewhat ugly, Zhao Mingcheng smiled and smoothed things over.
"Today is a welcoming banquet for Captain Zhu. Let us not discuss official business, hahaha."
Time slowly passed. Zhao Mingcheng, Zhu Sheng, and Assistant County Magistrate Yang successively excused themselves from the banquet on the grounds that they could not hold their liquor. Yet once the three of them left, the atmosphere at the feast became even livelier.
Captain Chen, in particular, drank himself drunk with Jiang Che. They threw their arms around each other's shoulders, just short of swearing brotherhood on the spot.
Creak.
The private room's door was pushed open from outside. Several men in brocade robes entered, each with a smile on his face, clasping their hands toward the crowd.
"What a coincidence. So all you gentlemen are here."
"Hahaha, everyone, eat and drink to your heart's content. This old man has already made arrangements; several more jars of aged wine will be brought up shortly."
"I heard that today's banquet was to welcome Captain Zhu. Kou came uninvited, so I ask you all to excuse me. May I ask which one is Captain Zhu?" Among them, a middle-aged man in a green robe asked with a smile.
Captain Chen waved his hand.
"Gang Leader Kou, you came a step too late. Captain Zhu and Magistrate Zhao have already left."
"I see."
The man called Gang Leader Kou nodded, a trace of disappointment flashing across his face. He then offered an apology and prepared to leave, only to be held back by the drunken Captain Chen.
"Though Captain Zhu has left, several commanders at his side are still here. Since Gang Leader Kou wishes to meet Captain Zhu, you ought to build a good relationship with these brothers."
"Hahaha, Captain Chen is right. I have been discourteous." Gang Leader Kou smiled.
"This is Commander Gou, currently the South City Commander and also the commander of our Yanggu County Garrison."
"This is Commander Liu, currently the West City Commander."
"And this one is even more remarkable—Jiang Che, Deputy Commander Jiang, a favored man before Captain Zhu." Captain Chen introduced them one by one.
The man surnamed Kou clasped his hands to each in turn, his attitude amiable. After chatting briefly with Liu Zhi and Gou Buren, he had initially paid little attention upon hearing that Jiang Che was merely a deputy commander.
But when he heard that Jiang Che was a favored man before Captain Zhu, his attitude changed at once, and he behaved much more warmly.
"May I ask who this Gang Leader Kou is?"
Jiang Che pretended not to know, confusion appearing on his face.
"This Gang Leader Kou is no simple man. In Yanggu County, he is one of the foremost figures. You have heard of the Cao Gang, haven't you? Hahaha, this gentleman is the Gang Leader of the Cao Gang." Captain Chen introduced him enthusiastically. Clearly, his relationship with Kou Yuansheng was far from ordinary.