Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 298 Hongmen Banquet

The fragrance of osmanthus, even before it has fully bloomed, has already brewed into a subtle and rich aroma in the moisture, quietly permeating the streets and alleys of Guangzhou.

However, even faster and more penetrating than the fragrance of osmanthus were the invitations from the Governor's Office.

At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight appeared, the gates of Guangzhou opened, and a line of armored knights shot out like arrows.

They were a pair, their expressions solemn, their eyes fixed straight ahead, and their warhorses were all tall and strong northern steeds, quite different from the ponies commonly seen in the south.

What they were escorting was the invitation to the "Guangzhou Banquet," an invitation that was enough to stir up the entire Lingnan region—a series of invitations sent in the name of the Governor-General to various prefectures and counties in Guangdong, reaching the desks of powerful officials, gentry, and clan leaders...golden invitations.

Wherever the horse caravan passed, the hustle and bustle of the city fell silent.

Early risers and travelers alike stopped and stared, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity, awe, and subtle speculation.

……

Every detail of the invitation itself was meticulously planned.

The paper used was gold-flecked Xuan paper, a royal tribute.

The paper is thick and heavy, with fine fibers. Even under the not-so-strong sun of the South, the fine gold leaf still reflects a dazzling light, exuding both nobility and an undeniable sense of oppression.

The characters were written by Lu Xiang-sheng himself.

His calligraphy style is influenced by Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan, with vigorous strokes and strong, powerful lines, conveying a sense of battlefield life between the lines.

The ink is "Top-grade Tribute Ink" made by the Cheng family of Xin'an. Its ink is deep and rich in color, and it will not fade for a thousand years, symbolizing that they are as firm as they are and that their promises are worth a thousand pieces of gold.

The invitation itself adopted the most humble approach, using extremely modest language:

"With the Guangdong region newly pacified, coastal defense faces numerous challenges, and maritime trade and taxation are crucial to the nation's foundation. I, Xiang Sheng, have been appointed by the Emperor to inspect the southern frontier. However, being new to the area, my knowledge of local customs and governance is still limited. I truly rely on the guidance and assistance of you gentlemen, respected elders, and other local figures to live up to His Majesty's grace. Therefore, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, a modest gathering will be held at the Governor-General's residence for both land and sea voyages to discuss new coastal defense policies and to enjoy the southern moon together. I respectfully invite Your Excellency to attend and not refuse."

With just a few words, he not only clarified the topic but also expressed his "reliance," transforming what should have been a meeting where superiors would summon officials into a grand gathering where local dignitaries would be invited to "discuss national affairs."

The "softness" in the words contrasts subtly with the "hardness" of the invitation itself, creating a variety of interpretations for each recipient.

……

Inside a secluded, secret room in the backyard of the Guangdong Provincial Administration Office.

This place is the private space of Provincial Governor Zhang Bingwen. Inside, in the jade incense burner, the finest agarwood is burning, and the smoke swirls around, shrouding people's faces in a blur.

Zhang Bingwen is over fifty years old. He has a shrewd face, but his goldfish eyes are puffy with bags from years of staying up late and indulging in sensual pleasures.

At this moment, he was toying with the glittering gold invitation in his hand, his fingertips tracing the gold flecks on it, a barely perceptible sneer playing on his lips.

Two people were sitting opposite him.

One of them was Qian Shilong, the Provincial Judicial Commissioner of Guangdong. He was tall and thin, with a gloomy face and sharp eyes like a hawk, as if he could see through the secrets in people's hearts at any time.

The other person is Zhou Tingbo, the newly appointed prefect of Guangzhou. He was the protagonist of the "Chaozhou fire" a month ago, but was later "transferred" to this more prominent position by Lu Xiang-sheng.

On the surface, he still looked shaken and lingeringly frightened, but deep in his eyes, he concealed a calm and confident demeanor.

“Look,” Zhang Bingwen said slowly, turning the gold ingot between his fingers. His voice was hoarse from the smoke. “Our Governor Lu’s handwriting is becoming more and more restrained. His posture is also becoming more and more subdued. After touring around and getting thwarted everywhere, it seems he has finally realized that the waters of Guangdong are not something a single dragon like him can stir up.”

Qian Shilong let out a cold snort, his nostrils flaring as he looked disdainful: "What 'discussing important matters'? That sounds nice! It's nothing more than him realizing that without our approval, Lu Xiang-sheng can't even issue a single decree outside of Guangzhou! He's at his wit's end, trying to 'pay homage' to us, hoping to get a share of the fat meat we've been eating for decades!"

Zhou Tingbo then put on a distressed expression and bowed, saying, "I was careless in Chaozhou and almost made a big mistake that implicated my colleagues. Fortunately, the Commander-in-Chief is magnanimous and will not pursue the matter. At this banquet, we must give the Commander-in-Chief face and must not be negligent."

He paused, then seemingly casually changed the subject, a sly glint in his eyes:
"However... whether it's coastal defense or taxation, it's ultimately a local affair in Guangdong. We've been operating here for generations, with deep-rooted connections and networks that far surpass what a mere outsider military leader like him can match. We understand the ins and outs of this better than he does."

At that time, we might as well each prepare a few foolproof plans and present them to the Commander-in-Chief for his consideration. On the one hand, this would demonstrate our dedication and willingness to share the nation's burdens; on the other hand, it would let the Commander-in-Chief know who truly holds the reins in Guangdong.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Bingwen's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He slapped his thigh, slammed the gold invitation card he was holding onto the table, and made a gesture that sealed the deal:
“Tingbo’s words resonate with me deeply! That’s exactly right! At the banquet, we should toast him with wine, flatter him with words, elevate him to a high position, and give him the respect due to a high-ranking official.”

But on the new policies, we must give him a resounding rebuff! We must make him understand that nominally he is the governor-general, but in reality, he is just a passing figure. This Guangdong, after all, is still our Guangdong!

"Good!" A hint of a smile appeared on Qian Shilong's sinister face.

The three of them looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.

……

Panyu, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall.

The extravagance here surpasses even that of ordinary government offices.

The huge plaque of "Chen Clan Ancestral Hall" is carved from a single piece of golden nanmu wood and hangs high in the center of the ancestral hall, exuding a magnificent aura.

Inside the ancestral hall, the clan patriarch Chen Haiping, holding the equally gleaming golden invitation, let out a wild, unrestrained laugh. His laughter crashed against the tall beams and pillars, echoing endlessly in the empty hall.

He was the same Panyu tycoon whose son had clashed with Lu Xiang-sheng's personal guards in the street a month ago, and who later sent his steward with 50,000 taels of silver and a Western clock in an attempt to "settle" the matter.

Chen Haiping held the gold ingot high, as if it were a get-out-of-jail-free card, and triumphantly shouted to the dozens of uncles and elders of the clan seated below:
"Did you see that, my uncles? The Governor-General's personally written gold invitation! It was among the first batch sent to our Chen family! What does that mean?"

He paused deliberately, basking in the admiring gazes of the crowd, before continuing:

"That petty incident of offending a distinguished person a month ago is long gone! The governor refused the 50,000 taels of silver because he was being modest and wanted to put on a show for outsiders. But he accepted that Western clock! What does that mean? It means that Lord Lu is aware of the power and influence of the Chen family in Guangzhou! Now that he needs to get things done and discuss important matters, the first family he thinks of is our Chen family! This is a tremendous honor! It is a glory for our Chen clan, bringing honor to our ancestors!"

An elderly clan elder with graying hair immediately stood up and echoed, his face full of flattery: "The clan leader is wise! He has great foresight! It seems that this newly arrived Governor Lu is nothing special. No matter how tough he sounds, he is ultimately pragmatic. As long as enough money and face are given, even a huge problem can be turned into a small one."

This banquet is a golden opportunity for our Chen family to build a closer relationship with the Commander-in-Chief! Coastal defense and taxation—these are official positions, and the profits involved are far greater than simply smuggling salt or seizing some mudflats!

“That’s right! Our Chen family’s fleet is all over the South China Sea. Who knows more about coastal defense than us? As for taxation, the taxes we pay are equivalent to half of their treasury! We should be the ones to decide on this new policy!” Another branch head also stood up excitedly.

Inside the ancestral hall, laughter and joy filled the air instantly, creating an extremely lively atmosphere.

They seemed to have already envisioned how, through this "cooperation" with the governor, the Chen family's business empire would openly expand from the gray area to the official level, becoming a truly behemoth that was both an official and a businessman.

……

On the surface, Guangzhou appears to be a city of peace and prosperity.

Business travelers continue their journeys, and the bustling city life remains as vibrant as ever.

Every household is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and people are buying mooncakes and fresh fruits. It seems that everyone is immersed in the festive atmosphere of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.

Night fell, and the stars and moon disappeared.

Under the pretext of "preventing pirates from taking advantage of the Mid-Autumn Festival to launch an autumn flood and conducting troop rotation and training," several elite infantry battalions and a full-strength cavalry battalion of the Guangzhou New Army quietly set out under the cover of night.

Their actions were swift and silent.

There was no commotion, no bugle calls, only the low commands of the officers and the subtle rustling of the soldiers' armor plates.

At the foot of Baiyun Mountain, the highest point overlooking the entire city; the Pearl River ferry, the throat controlling the waterway in and out; the three official roads leading out of the city to the east, west, and north... almost at the same time, all the water and land routes connecting Guangzhou to the outside world were firmly controlled by these troops.

The soldiers skillfully constructed temporary fortifications, erecting antlers and barricades, and an atmosphere of grim determination permeated the night.

The orders these soldiers received were simple and ruthless:
"From this moment forward, until His Excellency the Governor issues further orders: all checkpoints are open to entry but not exit. Anyone attempting to breach a checkpoint, regardless of who they are, their status, or their reason... shall be killed without exception!"

A massive encirclement has been formed. Guangzhou has become a dead end, a place where one can only enter and not leave.

……

At the same time, in the backyard of the Governor's Mansion, on the huge drill ground.

The night was deep, and hundreds of burly soldiers stood silently in the darkness, in groups of ten.

They were literate individuals carefully selected from the entire army a few days prior under the pretext of "forming the Governor's Personal Guard Battalion".

For days, they have been undergoing closed-door, seemingly tedious drill training, and no one knows their true purpose.

At this moment, this unit had its name—"Execution Team".

Dressed in black like a ghost, Lu Jianxing stood alone in front of them.

Behind him, dozens of Jinyiwei officers, also dressed in black, silently carried several heavy, sealed wooden crates to the front of the line.

"Open the boxes and distribute them." Lu Jianxing's voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

The wooden crate was opened, revealing paper bags tightly sealed with greaseproof paper.

The Imperial Guard officers quickly distributed paper bags and maps to each squad leader.

A team leader took the cold paper bag, which felt heavy in his hand. He could feel that it contained thick paper and some kind of hard object, but the oil paper seal was sealed with wax, making it impossible to see anything inside.

An unprecedented sense of solemnity weighed on his heart.

He and his brothers thought it was just another emergency nighttime assembly, but they never expected such a bizarre scene.

Only after the last batch of supplies had been distributed did Lu Jianxing slowly speak, his extremely penetrating voice seemingly piercing into the marrow of every soldier:

"Before this moment, none of you knew your mission tonight. After this moment, you must forget your original identities. You are the Governor's sword, His Majesty's hand. Your name is 'Execution Team'."

He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping over the faces before him, their outlines blurred in the darkness, yet filled with astonishment and tension.

"Now, open the paper bags in your hands on my command!"

"Thorn-"

The sound of hundreds of people tearing open butter bags at the same time was particularly jarring in the silent training ground.

Inside the paper bag was a list written in cinnabar.

By the faint starlight, the soldiers gazed at the names on the list—names that usually resonated with them—the Provincial Governor, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, the head of some clan… Their breathing quickened instantly.
"Clearly identify your target!" Lu Jianxing's voice suddenly turned icy cold. "Tomorrow, the Mid-Autumn Festival, you will mingle throughout the city, appearing relaxed, but in reality, keep a close watch on your target's residence. Once the banquet begins, you will hear three cannon shots fired from the city. Remember, three shots!"

"At the first cannon shot, launch an immediate attack! Coordinate with the Imperial Guards patrolling the streets to seal off your respective target residences, establish security, and prevent anyone from entering or leaving! Control all key roads!"

"Break down the door! Arrest the ringleaders according to the list; no one can be wrong, no one can be missed!"

Lu Jianxing's voice carried a bloodthirsty undertone, "If you encounter any form of resistance, whether it's from servants or guards, or from clan and village militias who come after hearing the news, do not ask for permission, do not hesitate! Kill them without mercy! Do you understand?"

After a brief silence, a thunderous response erupted from the training ground. The voices were suppressed and low, yet filled with a fierce power that had been suppressed to the extreme.

"understand!"

(End of this chapter)