Page 26

In their eyes, Zhang Xianyang was nothing more than a wild child raised in a small family with a little influence in some backward region. He had never seen the prosperity and grandeur of Yanjing, nor enjoyed the privileges reserved for truly elite families. Even if he'd been spoiled, it had only been to a limited extent. If they lowered themselves to coax him a little, Zhang Xianyang, who'd grown up without his biological father, would surely let himself be fooled into going to Yanjing.

But the Zhang Xianyang standing before them now was a spoiled young master who could throw his weight around in the Old District, making life easy for those who obeyed him and hard for those who didn't. His personality was still crude, domineering, and ill-mannered, but with the support of the Zhang Family bigwigs, he'd managed to make their lives miserable, completely derailing their original plan.

Reality and the intelligence they'd received were nowhere near aligned, so their defeat and retreat had been inevitable.

Li Cunzhou, convinced he'd figured out what had happened, failed to notice his eldest son Li Mobei's unusual silence. He immediately took out his phone and reported the situation to the man in charge of the plan, his father, who was far away in Kyoto—the current head of the Li Family, Li Chong'en.

The two discussed the matter at length over the phone. Li Chong'en decided they needed to take their time and told Li Cunzhou to stay in the Old District, get a clear picture of the Zhang Family's situation, and wait for an opportunity to act.

Li Cunzhou, on the other end of the phone, naturally thumped his chest and promised he'd do it. He even swore on his military honor that he would "integrate theory with practice" and complete the mission of tricking Zhang Xianyang into returning to Kyoto.

Sitting silently beside him, Li Mobei watched Li Cunzhou vow to his grandfather that he would bring that little bastard Zhang Xianyang back to the Zhang Family. He gave a self-mocking curl of his lips.

While Li Cunzhou was making confident plans against the Old Zhang Family, the newly appointed mayor, Gu Zhaohuan, was busy too. When he heard that the Li Family had been defeated and sent packing, the gleeful mayor immediately drove to Zhang Family Villa to visit Zhang Linmo, the head of the Zhang Family. Of course, since he wasn't close enough to the Zhang Family to casually pry into their affairs, Mayor Gu used the all-purpose excuse of discussing plans to renovate the Old District.

After some pleasantries, the two adults took their seats. Gu Zhaohuan, who couldn't very well come right out and say, "I'm here to hear the latest gossip about the Li Family," discussed the Old District renovation with Zhang Linmo in a perfectly serious manner for about thirty minutes. His main point was that Zhang Linmo should put the renovation plan into effect as soon as possible. The Zhang Family head, who had secretly ordered countless high-tech metals and nonmetallic materials, as well as large-scale equipment, was also eager to build the Old Zhang Family's secret base. So the two sides hit it off and agreed to begin implementing the renovation plan at the start of next month.

The most important practical details had been settled. With his curiosity growing, Gu Zhaohuan made a roundabout inquiry about the Li Family's arrival in the Old District, using a tone that carried no hidden meaning whatsoever. To show his sincerity and concern as a partner, Gu Zhaohuan explained the Li Family's standing in Kyoto before Zhang Linmo could say anything.

"The old master of the Li Family was one of the meritorious officials who helped the current leadership rise to power. He's also very close to the current leader, so the family is among the most influential in Kyoto's social circles. Li Cunzhou, who came to the Old District this time, is the eldest legitimate son of the Li Family head. His wife is Zhang Yaxian, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Kyoto Zhang Family. Li Cunzhou currently..."

Zhang Linmo listened to Gu Zhaohuan ramble on without a word, unconsciously turning a pair of jade spheres in his hands. He didn't comment at all.

Gu Zhaohuan didn't care in the least that Zhang Linmo was the strong, silent type. The Kyoto Li Family and the Kyoto Zhang Family joining forces to scheme against the Old District Zhang Family was as plain as the nose on your face. Even if Zhang Linmo didn't say a word now, Zhang Xianyang had already slighted the Li Family during the ancestral rites. Zhang Linmo's failure to react at the time had itself been a blatant slap in their faces.

Besides, Gu Zhaohuan couldn't imagine that a man with Zhang Linmo's explosive temper would put up with someone scheming against the Old Zhang Family like this.

Once Gu Zhaohuan had finished all his rambling, Zhang Linmo finally spoke. "Has your nephew from the Intelligence Bureau gone back to Kyoto?"

Gu Zhaohuan, whose curiosity had been running high, was stopped cold by Zhang Linmo's question. He silently swallowed his frustration, then smiled and said, "Thanks to the information you gave me, Big Brother Zhang, my nephew has returned to Kyoto to report for duty."

He still wasn't quite ready to give up, so he added an oblique offer of support. "I heard about what happened this morning, too. The Li Family and the Zhang Family really didn't handle this well. I'd heard rumors that Big Brother Zhang once sent someone to assassinate Li Cunzhou. The Li Family spun a pretty tale to explain it, but I never imagined the truth was so disgraceful. If you agree, our Gu Family can help clear the Old District Zhang Family's name at the right time."

Zhang Linmo smiled faintly and nodded in thanks. "I appreciate your concern, Mayor Gu."

After a pause, he said casually, "Since the Old District renovation plan was approved, I've heard a little about what's been going on at City Hall. But I'm a rather old-fashioned man, and I've never liked dealing with strangers. I'll have to trouble you to take care of things from now on, Mayor Gu."

In other words, you don't need to worry. I'll still let you have a share of the Old District renovation project.

Seeing Zhang Linmo's show of goodwill, Gu Zhaohuan was a little overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. He immediately smiled and replied, "Rest assured, Big Brother Zhang. Our cooperation has been pleasant so far, and it'll only get better."

Zhang Linmo didn't particularly care about that. His ultimate reason for agreeing to the Old District renovation plan was to use it as cover for building the Zhang Family Base. So whether Gu Zhaohuan cooperated wholeheartedly or had ulterior motives made little difference to him.

Zhang Linmo was confident that the Old District, controlled for a hundred years by the family forces led by the Old Zhang Family, wouldn't be pried out of his hands.

That was all there was to say. Gu Zhaohuan glanced regretfully at the black lacquered, gilt-decorated antique clock, whose hands had just reached three in the afternoon. He really couldn't bring himself to ask if he could stay for dinner, so he rose awkwardly and said, "It's getting late. I won't disturb you, Big Brother Zhang."

Having learned his lesson from Gu Zhaohuan's shameless cheek, Zhang Linmo didn't dare exchange more pleasantries. He immediately stood to see him off. "A man who devotes himself to public service should get some rest too, Mayor Gu. I won't keep you."

Gu Zhaohuan: "..." You could at least invite me to stay for dinner! I still haven't had enough of that Manchu-Han Banquet!

After seeing Gu Zhaohuan off, Zhang Linmo, who had already decided to focus on building the Zhang Family Base while carrying out the Old District renovation plan, immediately summoned the three Zhang brothers to his study. He decided to hand most of the gang's affairs over to Zhang Muyang.

"You're eighteen this year. When I was your age, I'd already taken over the Zhang Family and the Old District. The Old Zhang Family has always raised its children this way, so you're no different. You just lack a little of the confidence to stand on your own. This is the perfect chance to gain some experience."

He then turned to Zhang Xiyang, who was standing to one side. "As the saying goes, brothers who stand together can break gold. Right now, I'm going to put all my energy into building the secret base. Your second uncle will also shift most of his attention to renovating the Old District and building Game City to provide cover for me. You two brothers will take care of the gang's affairs. Don't be lazy—help your brother out, and consult your eldest cousin about anything that comes up."

The two boys obediently nodded.

Zhang Linmo turned to Zhang Xianyang and added, still concerned, "I don't care what you want to do with those two people from the Li Family. Just remember to keep yourself safe. They say a cornered dog will leap over a wall, and even a rabbit will bite when pushed. If you push them too far, be on your guard in case they try something. Don't let them catch you off guard."

Zhang Xianyang smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, Dad. I know what I'm doing with those two."

Of course he did. In his previous life, he'd been fooled for more than a decade. He knew all about it now.

That was the thing about being lied to: after a while, you got used to it. The same went for being fooled.

Zhang Linmo studied Zhang Xianyang's expression for a while. The boy seemed sincere, so he let the matter drop.

The Old Zhang Family didn't take the two men from the Li Family seriously, but Li Cunzhou and his son were eagerly gathering information about them. They looked into everything, from the Old Zhang Family's history to the habits and deeds of its current members. Then they started investigating who in the Old District was at odds with the Zhang Family, who held a grudge against them, and even secretly met with a few people. One of them was Wang Zhaoyi, Wang the Eldest, who was rumored to be at odds with the Zhang Family both openly and behind closed doors. The Li father and son thought they'd been discreet, but the Old District was a small place, and its residents had known one another for nearly a century. Everyone knew what everyone else was doing. Seeing the two Li men scamper around like that, some people who meant well informed the Zhang Family. When they saw the Zhang Family wasn't taking action, they left it alone too.

Meanwhile, after keeping a close watch on Li Cunzhou and his son, Zhang Muyang—who had taken over most of the gang's work—spent half a day thinking it over, then picked up the phone and called Wang Zhaoyi.

"Something's come up. Come meet me!"

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Author's note: Wah, wah, my editor told me the book will go VIP on Thursday, but I haven't saved up any chapters yet. So there might not be an update tomorrow. Please forgive me!

Thanks to Feng Guo Qiangwei and Demeter for the gifts!

And now, can our male lead please step up? Everyone, give some applause for our male lead, who's been barely noticeable this whole time!

To ensure their conversation remained confidential, Zhang Muyang booked a private room at a club owned by his family. To show how seriously he took the matter, he arrived ten minutes early and waited patiently. But before he'd even sat down, Wang Zhaoyi came rushing in, looking even worse than he had a few days ago, with a bruised and swollen face.

Zhang Muyang glanced at Wang Zhaoyi and asked calmly, "Was it your third uncle who hit you, or Big Brother Feng?"

Wang Zhaoyi's expression darkened. He gave an arrogant snort and asked, "What did you call me here for?"

Seeing Wang Zhaoyi so obviously avoid the question, Zhang Muyang went along with it and changed the subject. "I heard someone from the Li Family came to see you?"

Wang Zhaoyi was pouring a pot of Biluochun tea down his throat. At this, he raised his brows indignantly and slammed the teapot onto the table with a bang. With a challenging look, he asked, "What are you getting at? Don't tell me you think I'd betray my own side and help outsiders deal with your Old Zhang Family?"

One of the Old District's defining traits was its strong dislike of outsiders. So no matter how fierce the infighting got, everyone stood united when facing an external enemy. That was why Li Cunzhou and his son had accomplished absolutely nothing despite scurrying around the Old District for so long.

Zhang Muyang's mood was excellent. He curled his lips slightly and said, "Actually, I want to ask you to be patient and keep in touch with the Li Family."

Wang Zhaoyi gave Zhang Muyang a deep look and sneered. "You want me to play spy against spy?"

Zhang Muyang neither confirmed nor denied it. He said in a low voice, "I won't ask you to do it for nothing."

Wang Zhaoyi's eyes lit up, and his hands began rubbing together unconsciously. After thinking it over for a while, he said seriously, "That's a pretty big ask. My reputation could be ruined if this goes wrong. I'm still not healed from the fake antique business the other day. If the Tang Association elders catch me selling you out, I'll be as good as dead."

Zhang Muyang asked outright, "What do you want?"

Wang Zhaoyi straightened up, looked Zhang Muyang up and down for a while, then rubbed his chin and grinned slyly. "I want to beat you up. You're not allowed to fight back."

Zhang Muyang agreed without a moment's hesitation. "Fine."

Wang Zhaoyi grew suspicious instead. He thought it over, then asked cautiously, "You agreed that quickly?"

This time Zhang Muyang didn't bother answering. He'd realized Wang Zhaoyi was incredibly long-winded, indecisive as a woman. No wonder his father said Wang Zhaoyi was weak-willed. He could make a lot of noise, but he'd never amount to much.

Seeing Zhang Muyang's eyes go unfocused again and his expression turn blank, Wang Zhaoyi knew they'd reached the end of the conversation. He immediately stood and said, "There's a gym downstairs. Let's go work out now—and I'll say it again, you're not allowed to fight back."

Zhang Muyang nodded firmly.