Jiang Che was naturally no stranger to the name Kou Yuansheng, Gang Leader of the Cao Gang. Ever since learning that the Cao Gang had been the one stabbing him in the back all along, he had kept Xu San'er investigating them.
However, they were still strangers for now, so he could not show anything unusual.
"So it is Gang Leader Kou. Jiang had long heard of you." Jiang Che smiled faintly.
"Ah, what are a few scraps of fame worth? Commander Jiang is the truly promising young talent." Kou Yuansheng was equally forthright as he picked up his wine bowl, intending to drink with Jiang Che.
"Not only is Commander Jiang Captain Zhu's favored man, he is also the Deputy Commander of the West City. Most of Gang Leader Kou's Cao Gang businesses lie in the West City, so you truly ought to have a good drink with Commander Jiang."
Captain Chen chimed in at the right moment.
"Is that so? Then I shall have to rely on Commander Jiang's care in the future." Kou Yuansheng laughed heartily.
Jiang Che shook his head.
"Jiang is merely a deputy commander. Even if you seek someone's care, Gang Leader Kou should seek out Commander Liu."
Liu Zhi did indeed value him, but he could not let success go to his head and truly place himself above Liu Zhi.
"Hahaha, quite right, quite right."
Those who entered were either leaders of jianghu forces like Kou Yuansheng or heads of the great lineages within Yanggu County.
Though their targets were county officials such as Zhu Sheng and Zhao Mingcheng, they would not show contempt toward a room full of mid-level officials like commanders and chief clerks. Both sides conversed merrily.
After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes.
After speaking with most of the others for a while, Kou Yuansheng found an opportunity to approach Jiang Che again and said with a smile:
"I never expected Commander Jiang to be from our Yanggu County as well. What a pity that you and I have only met now. It is truly a great regret."
"Jiang was previously nothing more than an unknown nobody. It is perfectly normal that Gang Leader Kou did not know me."
Jiang Che was not surprised in the slightest that Kou Yuansheng had managed to investigate his origins.
What truly puzzled him was that the other man seemed genuinely not to recognize him.
But upon thinking it over, it seemed right enough. If Kou Yuansheng had been the one targeting Jiang Che, he would never have lived to see the day he entered the Auxiliary Barracks. It should have been someone beneath him who bore a grudge against Jiang Che's family.
"Commander Jiang, Kou has a favor to ask. I wonder if you might be willing to help?" After a few pleasantries, Kou Yuansheng finally revealed his purpose.
"Gang Leader Kou, speak freely. So long as it is within Jiang's ability, there will be no second word from me." Jiang Che patted his chest in assurance.
"I wish to meet Captain Zhu. Could Commander Jiang build a bridge and make an introduction?"
Though Jiang Che had potential, he was still only a deputy commander. Whether he could rise higher remained unknown.
But Zhu Sheng was different. As county captain, he wielded tremendous authority, especially over jianghu forces like the Cao Gang, even though he had only just arrived.
So long as Zhu Sheng could gain a firm foothold, he would assuredly become one of Yanggu County's top figures.
Kou Yuansheng needed to pay his respects in advance and present silver.
And from what he had learned just now, Jiang Che was clearly the most suitable choice.
Jiang Che showed hesitation, his brows drawing together slightly.
"Gang Leader Kou, you know as well that Captain Zhu has only just taken office and is extremely busy with affairs. This favor... I fear it will not be easy to grant."
Not easy did not mean impossible. Kou Yuansheng naturally understood the implication and raised one finger.
"How about one hundred taels?"
"One hundred taels?" Jiang Che calculated the value of one hundred jin each of beef, ox blood, and ox bones. One hundred taels would absolutely not cover it, so he shook his head.
"This brat's appetite is a little too large." Kou Yuansheng frowned slightly. By market rates, one hundred taels of silver for an introduction was by no means a low price, yet Jiang Che was still dissatisfied.
"Then name your price, Commander Jiang."
Kou Yuansheng's tone cooled slightly.
Meeting Zhu Sheng was not something that absolutely required Jiang Che's introduction. Liu Zhi and Gou Buren could do it as well.
If Jiang Che truly opened his mouth like a lion, Kou Yuansheng could hardly be blamed for brushing off his sleeves and leaving.
Jiang Che naturally knew Kou Yuansheng would be dissatisfied, but he did not care. This was a one-hammer deal anyway. Why refuse something for nothing?
"Gang Leader Kou, you are putting Jiang in a difficult position. I have been staying at Zhu Manor these past few days, so meeting him would not be difficult."
"But making an introduction would mean staking Jiang's own reputation on it."
"Hehehe..." Kou Yuansheng smiled without speaking.
Jiang Che's meaning was perfectly clear.
Meeting Zhu Sheng was possible.
But he had to pay more!
Otherwise, Jiang Che would find a way to ensure that they either could not meet or would not meet well.
"Jiang's parents both died, and I am the only son in the household. I have neglected my ancestors these past years. This time, having returned, I had planned to properly arrange a ceremony for them, but I am still short on sacrificial offerings."
"How much are you short?"
"Not much. To Gang Leader Kou, it is a small matter. I only need one hundred jin each of beef, ox blood, and ox bones." Jiang Che stated his request with a smile.
"Beef..." Kou Yuansheng narrowed his eyes. These things were worth far more than one hundred taels, especially since slaughtering draft oxen was forbidden, making them extremely difficult for ordinary people to obtain.
Still, it was something he could afford.
"Fine. So long as I can properly meet Captain Zhu, Kou will cover the difference."
"Jiang plans to conduct the sacrifice tomorrow, so this..."
"Fine. Early tomorrow morning, everything will be delivered to Commander Jiang. Consider it a way for you and me to become friends."
"Hahaha, good. Everyone who knows Jiang knows that I love making friends most." Jiang Che was delighted. In a single day, he had gathered all the sacrificial offerings, and without paying any price at all.
Sure enough, to make better use of the Sacrifice Heavenly Stele, he still had to leave the military camp.
"That Kou Yuansheng is very close to Zhao Mingcheng in private. Since you are associating with him, be careful." On the way back, Jiang Che traveled with Liu Zhi, who brought up Kou Yuansheng.
"I understand what you mean, Commander. I will not incur Captain Zhu's displeasure." Jiang Che nodded.
"It is good that you can grasp the proper measure. Do not lose the greater for the lesser."
"This subordinate has received your instruction."
Liu Zhi gazed ahead and continued:
"You must also be careful when you take office at the training grounds tomorrow. There are many thorns in the West City. You have taken some people's positions, so there may be unpleasantness."
"However, you must suppress them. I have given you sufficient authority. Do not disappoint me."
"This subordinate will certainly satisfy you, my lord."
Jiang Che smiled at those words.
Early the next morning, Jiang Che took Zhu Sheng's token to the storeroom in the rear courtyard to collect Deer Blood Grass and the Bone Strengthening Flower. It was the token Zhu Sheng had given him before, though Zhu Sheng had never taken it back.
With it as proof, Jiang Che was spared much needless explanation.
Ten stalks of Deer Blood Grass and one Bone Strengthening Flower were now in hand. Jiang Che did not ask for anything more. Zhu Sheng had rewarded him with these things because Jiang Che had escorted him the entire way and "risked his life" to save Zhu Qingqing.
If he opened his mouth like a lion, Zhu Sheng might say nothing on the surface, but he would no longer value Jiang Che inwardly.
And what Jiang Che lacked most right now was a great backer like Zhu Sheng.
Only then could he run wild through Yanggu County without restraint!
"Commander, someone outside seeks an audience. He has brought a carriage and says he is from the Cao Gang." Geng Dabiao hurried over to report the matter to Jiang Che.
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