Chapter 20

After Zhang Xianyang finished speaking, he ignored Gu Anming and rose to leave.

Gu Anming quickly blocked Zhang Xianyang and said, "The reason we approached Third Young Master is because you're straightforward, loyal, and respectful of the underworld's rules. I know this has hit you hard. But if you don't get to the bottom of it, you won't be at peace either, will you? Are you really willing to let the Old District Gang bear the charge of betraying the country for glory?"

Zhang Xianyang paused, turned back to look at Gu Anming, and raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

Gu Anming smiled. "Nothing. I just think that if Third Young Master Zhang doesn't believe me, why not investigate what really happened yourself? Unless you've already decided that Wang Qi and Wang Zhaoyi are traitors, but don't dare believe it."

Zhang Xianyang raised a brow. "Reverse psychology doesn't work on me."

"The Old District has always been closed-off and hostile to outsiders, especially wary of Yanjing's forces. We received reliable information long ago, but because of the Old District's special circumstances, we never acted. This time, it was also because Mayor Gu Zhaohuan strongly recommended the Old Zhang Family that we at the Intelligence Bureau decided to contact you. We hope to use the Old District's own strength to resolve this matter."

After a pause, Gu Anming continued, "This is a conflict among the people. We still hope it can be resolved among the people."

Zhang Xianyang immediately sneered, "Lies. If you really thought that, why didn't you go straight to my father? Why come persuade me? Besides, this happened more than two years ago. Why bring it up now of all times? Don't think that just because our Old Zhang Family agreed to the Old District redevelopment plan, you can push your luck. If you want to meddle in the Old District's local affairs, you're still too green."

"I'll say it again. No one from the Old District Gang would deal with the Japanese, sell out the country, or traffic antiques. If you don't believe it, go argue with Third Uncle Wang yourself."

Gu Anming was speechless. If he had the ability and nerve to go directly to the Old District and question them, he would not have secretly contacted Zhang Xianyang.

Since the founding of the nation, Yanjing had dreamed of bringing the Old District firmly under its control. Unfortunately, an invasion war and a civil war had strengthened the local forces there. The armed forces that had already taken shape were not something the government, besieged on all sides at the time, could easily eliminate. To preserve domestic stability and unity, Yanjing had no choice but to tolerate the Old District's de facto autonomy. That tolerance lasted for more than sixty years. Under the development of these powerful families, the Old District had long become a state within a state. Though gangs stood everywhere within it and forces were intricately entangled, there had never been any opening for outsiders to interfere.

Then, a few months earlier, the Old District redevelopment plan submitted by the newly appointed Mayor Gu Zhaohuan gave Yanjing hope of intervening in the Old District—or rather, of communicating and cooperating with its local powers. And this case of trafficking cultural relics was the perfect bait.

In the best-case scenario, if the Zhang Family could secretly cooperate with the Intelligence Bureau and bring down Wang Qi and Wang Zhaoyi, then the Old District Zhang Family's weakness—using outside help to suppress rivals—would fall into their hands. By then, even if the charges against the Wang father and son were true, the Zhang Family would be unable to clear itself of the "crime" of "colluding with outside forces." Using that as leverage, Yanjing could easily seize control of the Old Zhang Family, the leading gang in the Old District.

Thus, the Intelligence Bureau's people had gone through several twists and turns to secretly infiltrate the Old District. Rather than wanting to bring criminals who harmed national interests to justice, the government was more eager to use this matter to learn how the Old District's local forces viewed the nation and the government.

As for why they had approached Zhang Xianyang instead of communicating directly with Zhang Linmo, that had been Gu Zhaohuan's suggestion—the entire Old Zhang Family was made up of man-eating Northeast tigers who did not even spit out bones. Only Zhang Xianyang had been spoiled into being comparatively naive and easy to fool.

After all, with Zhang Linmo's domineering nature and deep scheming, if Gu Anming dared approach him, Zhang Linmo would definitely beat him up under the pretext that the Old District's affairs did not allow outside interference. Then he would drag him to the Tang Association for an open confrontation, openly exercise his authority as a gang boss, and directly question Wang Qi and his son. He would also use the opportunity to further establish the Zhang Family's leadership in the Old District. Not only would the Intelligence Bureau fail to establish ties with the Zhang Family, it would end up humiliated and making a wedding dress for someone else.

And if Gu Zhaohuan intervened and introduced Gu Anming to Zhang Linmo, then the matter would go through official channels. Whether Wang Qi had actually participated in smuggling cultural relics or not, Yanjing's attempt to interfere with the Old District's local forces would become an established fact, likely provoking fierce resistance from those forces. At that point, Yanjing would be left in a passive position. It was safer to persuade Zhang Xianyang to act as the intermediary. That way, they could advance or retreat as needed, and there was a good chance of winning the Old Zhang Family's favor. Then the Old Zhang Family could come forward to deal with Wang Zhaoyi's trafficking of cultural relics... Even if things did not develop as perfectly as Yanjing hoped, the Zhang Family would still owe the Intelligence Bureau a favor.

Yanjing's plans had been meticulous. Yet they had not expected the Old District gang brothers' intense national pride and sense of dignity. Nor had they anticipated the powerful disgust and vigilance that Zhang Xianyang, living a second life, felt toward Yanjing. With his life on the line, even though Zhang Xianyang had begun to suspect Gu Anming's words, he would never use treason as a pretext to suppress Wang Qi and Wang Zhaoyi. On the contrary, he had done everything he could to defend their innocence. Such actions clearly did not fit Gu Anming's designs or expectations.

Watching Zhang Xianyang storm away, Gu Anming rubbed his chin and felt that things were slipping out of control.

Author's note:

This chapter had a little too much information. I wasn't sure whether I explained it clearly.

Waa...

Chapter 20

Though Zhang Xianyang had righteously lectured Gu Anming, he could not guarantee the integrity and backbone of the Wang father and son—especially Wang Zhaoyi. After all, people's hearts were hidden behind their bellies, and the invasion war had ended too long ago. It was possible that the Old District's younger generation had forgotten the bloody hatred of those years. Then there was Wang Zhaoyi's terrible habit of always fighting against underworld rules...

Zhang Xianyang only felt a dull ache at his temples. Thinking about such weighty matters as human nature and morality was still far too difficult for him.

With worries on his mind, Zhang Xianyang naturally had no interest in having fun with the flagship store employees. After informing the store manager, he ordered Zhang Han to drive him home.

After all that running around, it was already past eight in the evening when Zhang Xianyang arrived home. That was not especially late for anyone, but visiting someone else's home at that hour—especially someone whose family was not all that familiar with yours—was honestly rather strange.

Zhang Xianyang stared in astonishment at the current mayor, Gu Zhaohuan, who was sitting on the living-room sofa and chatting pleasantly with his father.

He had just finished scheming against the nephew, only to turn around and encounter the even more troublesome uncle. Zhang Xianyang's expression naturally did not look very good. Since they were not yet familiar with each other, though he was burning with anxiety, he did not want to mention Wang Qi and his son in front of Gu Zhaohuan. He could only sit to the side with a belly full of words and silently listen to the two old foxes exchange meaningless pleasantries.

Zhang Muyang quietly leaned over and asked in a low voice, "Didn't you say you had plans tonight? Why are you back so early?"

Zhang Xianyang quietly replied, "Something came up."

At that moment, Gu Zhaohuan cut in with a smile. "I suppose my reckless nephew approached Third Young Master and spoiled your fun?"

Zhang Xianyang turned to him, raised a brow, and smiled. "So you knew?"

To be honest, Zhang Xianyang was rather surprised by Gu Zhaohuan's actions. He had originally thought Gu Zhaohuan would put on an act and hide the matter. The two families had only just formed an alliance, yet someone from the Gu Family had already plotted against the Zhang Family. No matter how one looked at it, that was awkward. If mishandled, it might even anger the Old Zhang Family and make them abandon the idea of cooperation entirely. Yet before Zhang Xianyang had said anything, Gu Zhaohuan had laid it all out himself.

Sensing Zhang Xianyang's surprise, Gu Zhaohuan smiled. Half explaining and half assuring him, he said, "Zhang the Eldest is also from a powerful family. You must understand the meaning of being unable to help oneself. No matter what, I am a member of the Party. When those above give orders, it is difficult for me to refuse. Cooperating with my superiors' work is my duty, especially when it involves my own family. Some things may go against my wishes, but I must still do them. But I have my own principles. Since we are now allies, I naturally cannot stand by and watch my ally fall into trouble. That is why I came to visit so late at night. It may be presumptuous, but it is also a small token of my sincerity."

Zhang Linmo leisurely swirled the teacup in his hand, watching the tea leaves rise and fall in the water. He smiled. "Mayor Gu is thoughtful."

Gu Zhaohuan replied calmly, "It is nothing. Only what I should do."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Though I should not say this, speaking as a friend, I must offer one piece of advice. Whatever Yanjing may be planning, the evidence of Wang Qi and his son illegally selling national cultural relics is indeed irrefutable. As the leader of the Old District, Zhang the Eldest surely would not watch his own brothers betray the nation and their ancestors?"

A glint flashed through Zhang Linmo's eyes, but he smiled without revealing anything. "This is an internal gang matter. Forgive me, but it is not convenient to discuss it for now."

Gu Zhaohuan curled his lips in understanding. "I see. It is getting late, so I'll take my leave first."

Zhang Linmo exchanged a few more polite words out of courtesy before rising to see Gu Zhaohuan out. Behind him, Zhang Xianyang, who had long since run out of patience, immediately asked, "Dad, what are we going to do about Third Uncle Wang?"

Zhang Linmo said leisurely, "Yanjing has ulterior motives and has never truly gotten its hands into our Old District. Naturally, I won't believe what they say. Besides, Old Wang and I have known each other for many years. That old bastard loves using tricks behind people's backs and making himself obnoxious, but he is not someone who cannot distinguish priorities. More importantly, don't forget what the Old Wang Family is best at..."

The three Zhang brothers blurted out, "Sowing discord?"

Zhang Linmo shook his head and said calmly, "Forging cultural relics!"

Hearing this, the Zhang brothers' hearts stirred slightly. Zhang Xianyang cautiously said, "If that's true, then Wang Zhaoyi has helped our Old District vent some anger—"

Zhang Linmo frowned deeply and said in a grave voice, "According to underworld rules, gang members cannot trade with Japanese devils. That is an iron rule."

Seeing Zhang Linmo's solemn expression, Zhang Xianyang's heart stirred. He probed, "Dad, you knew about this, didn't you?"

Zhang Linmo said nothing. He turned and calmly instructed, "I have something to discuss with your second uncle. Go back to your rooms and rest first."

The three Zhang brothers looked at one another. Though each had his own curiosity, they understood that matters at this level were not something they could listen in on or question. They could only head upstairs to rest with their stomachs full of doubts—

They called it resting, but none of them had the mind to sleep. After lying in bed for a while, Zhang Muyang and the others went to the basement to practice their boxing forms. Though Zhang Xianyang lay on his bed with his eyes closed, resting his mind, the Brain AI had actually dragged him into the Consciousness Space for a brutal training session. By the time he opened his eyes again, it was already the next morning.

It was late autumn, and the autumn wind had painted the earth in a brilliant layer of gold. After washing up, Zhang Xianyang descended the stairs in loose, comfortable loungewear. Seeing Zhang Muyang preparing to go for a run, he smiled. "Morning, Big Brother."

Zhang Muyang turned around and smiled faintly. "Yangyang? Why are you up so early today?"

"It's all because of the Brain AI. It says my physical fitness is too poor and is forcing me to start training like Big Brother from today onward," Zhang Xianyang complained unhappily.

Zhang Muyang frowned and asked hesitantly, "Like me? Won't that be too intense?"