Wang Zhenyu didn't realize that as his status rose and his power expanded, his overbearingness also grew stronger, starting to show through...

  He Shi Dao and Gu Hu were both stunned as soon as they received the invitation. The majestic Xiangxi Town Guardian was hosting a banquet for private salt merchants? It didn't seem right no matter how you looked at it! He Shi Dao, who was over 40 years old, cautiously asked: "Brother Long, besides our two families, has the Town Guardian invited anyone else?"

  Wang Zhenyu didn't share his thoughts with Long Tingjiu, after all, such a pie-in-the-sky idea would be unbelievable if spoken. If Long Tingjiu were to run and tell He Shidao and others about his ideas, Wang Zhenyu estimated that under suspicion, He Shidao and others not only wouldn't dare come but also would flee with their families overnight, thinking they themselves had ill intentions.

  So, Long Tingjiu couldn't explain clearly and could only tell He Shidao that it was a good thing. However, not being able to explain clearly didn't matter, as there were over a hundred soldiers standing outside. Gǔ Hǔ was somewhat dissatisfied with this, as he had always been the type to yield to softness but not to force, and what he disliked the most was when officials used their power to bully people. However, He Shidao wasn't some young whippersnapper like Gǔ Hǔ, so after thinking for a moment, he decided to placate his son-in-law by telling him that he had to go. The reason was obvious: the other side was the Garrison Commander of Xiangxi, and unless they didn't plan on staying in this region anymore, it would either be good fortune or bad luck, but they couldn't avoid it. Moreover, with these soldiers standing at the door, even if they wanted to slip away now, it was already too late, and whether they went or not was no longer up to them.

  The single men of the Light Stick Gang all rushed over with various tools, and when they heard that the gate of their leader's house was filled with soldiers, they thought someone had come to take their leader away. Gu Hu had no choice but to come out and thank his brothers, then persuade them to return home one by one.

  Wang Zhenyu made thorough arrangements, hiring three sedan chairs for He Shidao, Gu Hu, and He Ying to ride in, with a large contingent of soldiers escorting them all the way to the county yamen where he was staying. This gave He Shidao and the others great face, and He Shidao's eldest son, He Wenhuan, rode horseback alongside his father, this fifteen-year-old boy already as robust as an adult.

  Wang Zhenyu did not go out of his way to welcome them and deal with these Jianghu people, the necessary official authority still had to be maintained.

  He Shidao, Gu Hu, He Ying and He Wenhuan entered in a line, the table in the main hall was already filled with dishes. Wang Zhenyu only arranged for Long Tingjiu to accompany him, except for Song Haomin and Zhu Cihang, no other guards were arranged, which made Zhao Dongsheng very dissatisfied, but he had no choice. However, He Shidao and others felt very relaxed because of this, after all, if there were armed soldiers standing around them, who would have an appetite to eat, and their palms would be sweating.

  He Wen Huan had never eaten such a good meal before and started eating without care, the taste was actually quite good.

  Wang Zhenyu took a closer look at this brave and clever young man, who was indeed the young marshal. At such a young age, he already had this kind of courage, and it was clear that he was born to be a pillar of talent.

  He took another look at He Shi Dao, who was over 40 years old and already had a face full of wrinkles, looking like he hadn't had an easy life.

  Kokuryuu, on the other hand, exuded a strong aura of a tiger, with his sturdy muscles and short, compact attire making him appear extremely powerful. As for Kokuryuu's wife, Katsuei, she indeed had an air of a heroic woman about her, with her bright, piercing eyes also observing this town's guardian officer.

  Wang Zhenyu looked at the four men, and they were also observing this young and somewhat overbearing town guard. After all, as a dock runner, He Sidao was very clear about Wang Zhenyu's great victory in defeating the bandits in southeastern Guizhou, his clever capture of Hongjiang, and his recent recruitment of the stick army. Moreover, Long Tingjiu, who had been wandering alone in ancient Zhang for a long time, had also joined this man's command, which made people involuntarily admire him. But as soon as they met, this town guard turned out to be a young man in his early twenties, and He Sidao was filled with mixed emotions for a while.

  Wang Zhenyu looked at the four of them with a gentle expression: "I know you are from the Ge Lao Association, and I am also a straightforward person who doesn't like to beat around the bush. Please come in. Firstly, I want to make friends with the famous Gǔ Hǔ brothers from Xiangxi; secondly, I want to discuss a business deal with the He and Gu families, I wonder if you are interested?"

  Gu Hu was dissatisfied with Wang Zhenyu's youth, and the fact that he had previously sent a large number of soldiers to invite him also made him unhappy. On the spot, he shouted: "You are the garrison commander, with great power and authority, you can do whatever you want with this business, what can I, Gu Hu, do? As for making friends, my friends are all poor and humble, you are such a high-ranking official, I, Gu Hu, am not worthy of your friendship."

  Wang Zhenyu did not mind Gu Hu's rudeness, he just smiled and looked at He Shi Dao.

  He Shidao immediately rebuked: "Tiger cub, you must not be rude."

  Gu Yutou was already unhappy, and after being scolded by his father-in-law, his temper immediately flared up. He slammed the table and shouted: "So he sent a large army to surround our house, and that's courtesy? What kind of courtesy is that? Isn't it just because he's a garrison commander? Isn't it just because he has troops in his hands? It's nothing but death, I'm not afraid."

  Gu Yuhu's outburst made the entire banquet fall silent. Song Haomin and Zhu Zihao instinctively placed their hands on the holsters at their waists, but without Wang Zhenyu's order, they didn't dare draw their guns. As for Zhao Dongsheng, Wang Hu, Zhao Chong, and other guards standing outside, they were not so particular, with bullets loaded in their guns, waiting for Wang Zhenyu's angry shout to charge inside.

  He Shidao secretly cursed in his heart, this son-in-law of mine is good at everything else, but his temper is too explosive. Having suffered so much loss without changing, and now being so rude to the Town Guardian Envoy, trouble is brewing.

  Wang Zhenyu was indeed startled by Gu Huo's sudden outburst, which was too abrupt and unbridled. Doesn't this old brother know where he is? No wonder the later king of Xiangxi, Chen Quzhen, wanted to get rid of him; with a temper like that, it's a path to certain death.

  However, there is also an advantage to this kind of person. Later on, Wang Zhenyu didn't have much contact with this type of person, that is, they love face and talk about righteousness. In other words, if you can really get along with them, it's not bad either.

  My great cause in western Hunan would have been impossible without their support.

  Thinking of this, Wang Zhenyu stood up and gave a long bow to Gu Hu: "Brother Gu Hu, I was too reckless. I've only heard of your reputation all along, but we didn't have much interaction. Afraid that my tiger skin would be despised by the two of you, I reluctantly came up with this plan. It's not right for me to do so, and I'll punish myself with three cups of wine. Please don't take it to heart, Brother Gu."

  After finishing, three cups of rice wine went down the belly. Wang Zhenyu's attitude made He Shidao and Long Tingjiu extremely surprised. Gu Hu's anger also dissipated a lot, but he had just lost his temper and didn't say anything else because of his pride. His father-in-law kept staring at him, while his wife He Ying occasionally kicked him with her foot. He could only stand up: "General Wang, you said that, I was wrong to suspect you, this friend is settled then. I'm a rough man, just consider what I just said as fart."

  Wang Zhenyu waved his hand repeatedly and smiled: "It's nothing, it's nothing. I was too rash, actually inviting you two here is mainly because I'm new to the military and political affairs of Xiangxi, and many things still need the help and support of friends from all sides. Especially this dock side, can't leave without the care of our own people. Although we didn't have much contact before, but hearing Long Shifu mention He Lao Da and Gu Hu brothers' righteousness, I still admire them deeply. The life of Jianghu children, quick to take revenge, such a life Wang Mou can only envy."

  He Shi Dao hastily replied, "What is there to envy about our current situation? We are all struggling to make a living on the edge of danger. As for the future, we still need to rely on the care of the Town Guardian. As for helping out, it's even more impossible to discuss. If there's anything we can do to serve, as long as the Town Guardian gives the order, we will do our best."

  Wang Zhenyu clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "Refreshing, refreshing, let's have a drink!"

  With a cup of wine down, Wang Zhenyu continued: "Actually, there's nothing else to say. It's just that the Xiangxi Town Garrison Command is going to establish a Salt Affairs Bureau. From now on, whether it's public or private salt, as long as it's within my territory, it will all be managed by this department. This salt business involves too many things, so we need someone who can uphold justice to take care of it. So I was thinking of asking Mr. He to serve as the director of this bureau, and brothers Gu Hu to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Salt Army, what do you think?"

  He Shidao was overjoyed upon hearing this, could such a wonderful thing really happen to himself?

  "Father-in-law, what kind of errand is this?"

  His wife He Ying was both angry and amused: "Silly Hu, you've accepted the appointment, now you're an official."

  "What are you saying, Director, Commander? Gu Hu doesn't understand, but he still understands the meaning of being an official. He himself was a humble villager and yet became an official, overjoyed, Gu Hu excitedly said to Wang Zhenyu "Director Wang, just now I was wrong, didn't know my place, you can hit me or scold me, as long as you feel better. Don't worry, not to mention business, within Gu Hu's capabilities, if you have anything, just give the order."

  Wang Zhenyu felt very comfortable after hearing it, and this was exactly the effect he wanted. This really proved a saying: people just can't bear others being good to them. When he first subdued the Ye family in Wuhan, he relied on this; when he became sworn brothers with Liu Hongsheng in Shanghai, Du Yuesheng also relied on this; when he united with Hong Shang in Hongjiang, it was still this; now it has worked again, and it's really a trick that can be used everywhere.

  He Shidao was much calmer than Gu Hu, there is no free lunch in the world. He Shidao knew that giving gifts to others was a way of asking for something in return.

  He calmly asked: "It is our honor to serve you as the guardian of the town, but salt affairs have always been a big deal since ancient times. We are from humble origins, how can we live up to your kindness? I don't know, what do you need us to do for you?"

  Wang Zhenyu liked to deal with this clever person: "I only have two requests, if you can do it, then the salt affairs will be handled by me as the town guard for one day, and the Gu and He families will take care of it for one day. If not, I won't say anything."

  Gu Yutao also calmed down. He wasn't a fool, just younger and not as mature as his father-in-law He Shi Dao: "Lord Wang, you said it, we'll do our best."

  "Firstly, I hope all the Red Gang brothers in the entire Xiangxi region will be under the door of He's family and Gu's family. For this goal, I can send people to cooperate with you to do some things; however, I won't do it for nothing. I hope that from now on, the Red Gang brothers will be one family with me, don't eat inside and crawl outside, don't be mischievous; of course, if something happens, I will naturally ask Gu's family and He's family to take responsibility."

  He Shidao and Gu Hu exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Unifying the various gangs of Xiangxi would be a huge force.

  "Secondly, regarding the salt industry, whether it's official or private salt, I want to see benefits. Specifically how much benefit is up to you, but I will appoint a person named Ma Xicheng as the deputy director of the Salt Administration Bureau. You must guarantee that 70% of the salt tax goes to the Town Guardian's Office, 20% goes to this person, and the remaining 10% belongs to yourselves. As for private salt, I won't ask about it, but there needs to be a limit - I don't want private salt to exceed half of official salt. Half of the benefits will go to Ma Xicheng. Can you do that?"

  He Shidao and Gu Hu were overjoyed. The profit from the official salt tax was only two or three million, but the profit from private salt was much higher, around five million per year. The two of them immediately stood up: "We are willing to serve you with all our might! We will brave boiling water and walk through fire without hesitation!"

  Then, according to the Qing dynasty's rules, he had to kowtow to Wang Zhenyu, which startled Wang Zhenyu so much that he hastily got up and supported him.

  He Wen Huan, with a mouthful of oil, looked very serious. For Wang Zhen Yu's just a few words, he had his father and brother-in-law, who were towering figures in Sangzhi, wrapped up neatly and obediently. His young heart felt a strong sense of admiration.

  "He suddenly shouted: 'Dad, I want to follow Lord Wang.'"

  He Shidao was startled by his son's shout and scolded, "You rascal, no respect for your elders or superiors, daring to make a disturbance in front of Lord Wang. Go back and I'll flay you alive!"

  Wang Zhenyu didn't mind these things, he was very interested in He WenHuan from the moment he entered the door. He smiled and said: "You want to follow me, but I don't lack anything except a horseman by my side?"

  He Wen Huan said: "Then I'll be a groom. I'm good at raising horses anyway, as long as I can follow you, sir."

  Wang Zhenyu smiled: "Why do you want to follow me?"

  He Wen Huan replied without hesitation: "You are more powerful than my father and brother-in-law, you will definitely be a great hero, following you, I can also become a hero."

  King Zhenyu burst out laughing at this, and He Shidao finally let out a sigh of relief.

  "Alright, you're He Wen Huan, right? I'm taking you in as a soldier. From now on, you'll be my groom."