Misty rain shrouded Hangzhou.
Surrounded by a large contingent of Western Factory agents, Wei Heng strode into the residence where the Imperial Envoy overseeing tax inspections was staying, his face dark and still as water. A sleek black satin Cloak covered his Vermilion Four-Clawed Python Robe, its skirts billowing with each sweeping stride, his domineering presence on full display!
"I was unaware of your arrival, Director, and failed to come out to welcome you. Please forgive me..."
A pale, plump, round-bodied eunuch serving as Imperial Envoy hurried out at the news, smiling before he spoke and bowing with clasped hands from a distance. The same vermilion Python Robe on him possessed none of a dragon's imposing majesty; instead, it looked rather like a ridiculous costume.
At the sight of him, Wei Heng frowned almost imperceptibly. He stopped and returned the salute with a perfunctory, expressionless clasp of his hands, then ignored the man's smiling stream of chatter and asked directly, "Eunuch Wang, we can exchange pleasantries later. Where is Chief Clerk Wang Dashi?"
The man's expression stiffened, but he dared show neither hesitation nor displeasure. Hastily stepping aside, he gestured for Wei Heng to enter. "Chief Clerk Wang is examining the account books in the rear hall..."
Before he finished, Wei Heng swept past him and strode straight toward the rear hall. The accompanying Western Factory agents dispersed, guarding every part of the residence with hands on their sabers, treating the Imperial Envoy's guards as though they did not exist.
At this sight, the man dared neither grow angry nor speak... The struggles within the inner court were far more brutal than those in the outer court.
Since Eastern Factory Director Huang Jin's corpse had sunk into the Bian River, Wei Heng, director of the Western Factory, had become the