The next day, Wang Gang received an invitation from County Vice Magistrate Liu Cheng. Looking at it, he smiled faintly and arrived on time that evening.
No one knew what the two had discussed, but when Liu Cheng left the restaurant, his expression was ugly and tinged with anger.
On the third day, the Wang Family's two troubled shops were sealed! The excuse was bullshit; this was blatantly aimed at making trouble for them.
Liu Cheng even made a special trip to look that day and happened upon Wang Gang. He smiled coldly, waiting for Wang Gang to come begging.
Although the Wang Family had operated in Suzhou for years and had built up many ties of goodwill, its head was gone, and it had no backing at court. Every favor called in meant one fewer left, not to mention that Liu Cheng had backing of his own.
Liu Cheng could already foresee the outcome: both sides would take a step back, someone Wang Gang invited would play peacemaker, and the matter would ultimately come to nothing.
That night, Liu Cheng held his newly taken concubine, imagining how he would mock Wang Gang, and drifted into a deep sleep.
"Ah! My hair!"
Early the next morning, Liu Cheng was startled awake by his concubine's terrified scream. Turning his head, he saw that her beautiful, long black hair was gone, leaving only uneven stubble that looked as though a dog had gnawed at it.
"What happened!"
Liu Cheng looked around in alarm and found a heap of hair scattered messily beside him, with a glaringly red invitation lying among it.
He opened it and read, "Let us meet at the Drunken Immortal Tower." It was signed: Wang Gang!
He flew into a rage, hurled the invitation away, and roared, "Wang Yukun, what are you trying to do!"
After smashing things in a frenzy, he calmed down. This was a threat-a death threat!
Since someone could slip into his bedroom without anyone knowing and cut off his concubine's hair, that person could naturally cut off his head as well.
Fear crept over him after the fact. He had never imagined Wang Gang would act so brazenly, without following the rules at all!
Liu Cheng sat down in silence, his expression shifting, his face ugly!
"Master, what damned villain would dare do this!"
"Master, you mustn't let that heartless wretch get away!"
"Master, why won't you say anything!"
His concubine wailed endlessly beside him. Liu Cheng felt nothing but irritation and rose to leave.
"Master, I can't show my face outside like this!"
His concubine caught his sleeve and sobbed out her complaint. Her piercing voice made him even more impatient. He shook her off and snapped, "Then don't go outside!"
With that, he swept his sleeve and left, leaving only his concubine's whimpering sobs behind.
Liu Cheng remained distracted all day, making one mistake after another in his official duties. He could only toss the documents aside, regretting somewhat that he had provoked someone like Wang Gang, who refused to follow the rules!
As the sky darkened and the end of the office day approached, Liu Cheng slapped the desk and rose! He decided to attend the meeting!
I, Liu Cheng, studied bitterly for ten years by a cold window to earn this standing and position. I cannot lose them just like this!
I still have a future and ambitions. If I lose my nerve today, I will be nothing but a mediocrity from now on!
Wang Yukun, you think you can frighten me? You are merely a stone blocking my path. Once I move you aside, you will become my stepping stone!
A true man born between heaven and earth must not shrink back in fear at every turn!
"Someone come!"
At Liu Cheng's call, a clerk came forward to await his orders.
"Go fetch the county commandant!"
The clerk acknowledged the order and left. Before long, a burly man entered, saluted, and asked, "What are your instructions, County Vice Magistrate?"
The county commandant and county vice magistrate were both deputies to the county magistrate, so he had no need to be so deferential. But the commandant had risen through the miscellaneous ranks and could hardly compare to someone like Liu Cheng, who held a metropolitan examination degree.
Liu Cheng recounted what had happened over the past few days, omitting only the part about his concubine's hair being cut off.
The commandant had fought and clawed his way up from the bottom himself. How could he fail to understand the workings of this? Liu Cheng had simply been caught red-handed with an ugly show of greed, then refused to let the meat at his lips fly away and instead pressured the other party. He simply had not expected to tread on a hard nail.
"These are all matters for you scholars. I wouldn't understand!" The commandant did not want to get involved. The Wang Family was not easy to provoke either, so he could only play the fool.
"I won't trouble you to take action in this matter. I wish to settle things peacefully, but the other party has formidable men under him. I fear negotiations may be difficult!"
Liu Cheng naturally knew what the man was thinking, but since he was asking a favor, he could hardly expose him.
"That's easily handled! I have a constable named Lei Kun under me. He is highly skilled in martial arts; three or five ordinary men couldn't get near him. He also has a wide circle of friends and frequently associates with chivalrous folk of the jianghu. If he goes, this is certain to succeed!"
"Good, summon him at once!" Liu Cheng was overjoyed.
The Drunken Immortal Tower.
Lei Kun followed behind Liu Cheng with a glum expression. He truly did not want to come. The Wang Family seemed to have little influence among Suzhou's officials, but he knew that its relatives by marriage were the Murong Family.
And the Murong Family was renowned throughout the martial world. What sort of people did they associate with? Shaolin, the Beggars' Sect, and the like. They paid no attention whatsoever to ordinary little gangs.
It was said that the Murong Family's madam doted on this younger brother most of all!
Today's affair was simply calamity falling from the sky, and it would likely be hard to resolve peacefully. When immortals fought, why did they have to make things difficult for a little ghost like him?
He pondered as he walked and had made his decision by the time they reached the entrance to the Drunken Fragrance Tower!
If he offended Liu Cheng, he would at worst lose his official post. But if he offended the Murong Family, he might have to make arrangements with King Yama ahead of time!
"Constable Lei, I'll be counting on you shortly!" Liu Cheng patted Lei Kun's shoulder, his tone amiable.
Lei Kun forced a smile and thought, You probably won't want to count on me in a moment!
The two entered the restaurant, and a waiter immediately greeted them and led them upstairs to a private room.
Liu Cheng secretly clenched his fists, his palms slick with sweat. Although he knew Wang Gang would not dare act here, he was still somewhat worried.
Lei Kun's expression was grave as well. He was considering what posture he should kneel in to retain a little dignity if the talks fell through.
"Here we are. Please enter, officers!"
Looking at the open doorway, Liu Cheng took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Upon entering, he found no murderous atmosphere or axemen waiting to one side. Instead, several pretty young women were singing softly and dancing gracefully. Liu Cheng recognized the woman leading the dance: Qinghe, the courtesan queen of the Clear Wind Tower.
What the hell was this? What was Wang Yukun trying to do?
"Hahaha... has County Vice Magistrate Liu arrived? I've been awaiting you for quite some time!"
Just as Liu Cheng was puzzling over this, laughter came from the inner room, followed by Wang Gang striding toward him!
"You honor me greatly by accepting my invitation, County Vice Magistrate!"
As he spoke, Wang Gang took Liu Cheng by the arm without allowing any protest and invited him to the table. Even after sitting down, Liu Cheng had not recovered his wits and felt utterly dazed.
Lei Kun, however, breathed a sigh of relief at the sight. As long as there was no fighting, his official post was safe.
Wang Gang beckoned Qinghe over and said with a smile, "Everyone says Miss Qinghe is peerless in song and dance, but I believe her tea skills are best of all!"
Qinghe smiled faintly and began grinding the tea, mixing the paste, and whisking it, completing the movements in one seamless sequence, as graceful as drifting clouds and flowing water.
Only when the tea reached his lips did Liu Cheng come to his senses. Though he did not know what Wang Gang was playing at, this was undoubtedly a gesture of goodwill. He simply settled down to enjoy the dancing, listen to the music, and savor the tea.
When the piece ended, Wang Gang clapped his hands, and waiters filed in to serve the dishes.
"These are stir-fried dishes!" Liu Cheng looked astonished.
"I hear you lived in Dongjing for quite some time, County Vice Magistrate. Why not taste these dishes and see how they compare to Fan Tower's?" Wang Gang raised a hand, inviting him to take up his chopsticks.
Liu Cheng gave an awkward smile and picked up some food. He had indeed lived in Dongjing for a time, but a money-devouring den like Fan Tower was hardly somewhere he could afford to visit.
The moment the food entered his mouth, Liu Cheng found its flavor distinctive and rich. He could not help praising it. "This dish is excellent!"
"Do you think these stir-fried dishes could become popular in Suzhou City, County Vice Magistrate?"
"Naturally! When that happens, I imagine the Drunken Immortal Tower's entrance will be as busy as a marketplace!"
"Haha, then how about I give you a ten-percent stake, with no investment required?"
"Ah!" Liu Cheng looked stunned. Only after a long moment did he ask, "Why?"
Wang Gang stood by the window, gazing into the distance, and said slowly, "I once heard a saying: unite every force that can be united!"