Anti-fraud manual for the cultivation world

Li Gu was secretly delighted; it seemed his request for fake medicine was working. He quickly asked, "What about those medicinal herbs?"

Qin Zhen quickly replied, "All imported medicinal herbs are unloaded at Chuqimen Wharf and traded with the Thirteen Gangs; that's the rule. But this medicine ship arrived in the middle of the night and didn't unload at Chuqimen; instead, it went to Yinglongmen Wharf. This clearly breaks the rules, and it must have been done by the Hankou Gang."

Li Gu spoke up, "I know Yinglongmen; it's a dock controlled by the Yangtze River Gang. But what about the Hankou Gang?"

Duan Musheng snorted coldly: "The Hankou Gang is a medicinal herb gang headquartered in Hankou. Previously, their business was mainly in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, but recently they've started going against the current and trying to extend their reach into Jiangzhou. Hmph! They don't respect the rules of Jiangzhou at all, trying to bypass the Thirteen Gangs to sell their medicine. They've got some nerve. I'm preparing to teach the Hankou Gang a lesson. Since Officer Li is interested, then let's just leave it to Officer Li."

Li Gu has now basically figured out the situation.

In short, the Hankou Gang entrusted the Yangtze River Gang to transport a batch of medicinal herbs into Jiangzhou, but this threatened the interests of the Thirteen Gangs. At the same time, the Jinzhu Gang, in order to disgust the Yangtze River Gang, reported this matter to Cai Xinzi.

But Cai Xinzi didn't really want to get involved. She just sent Niu Jinmazhi to check on things, extort a little money from him, and then planned to let it go.

The Thirteen Gangs want to get involved, but doing so could potentially lead to conflict with the Yangtze River Gang, so they are still hesitant.

Now that Li Gu has stepped forward, the Thirteen Gang is naturally happy to pass the buck to him.

Li Gu said in a deep voice, "If that batch of medicine is legitimate, it has nothing to do with the imperial court, no matter which gang they contacted, and I can't take it from them."

Qin Zhen quickly said, "That batch of medicinal herbs is definitely not genuine. I can smell it. It has a strong musty smell and can no longer be used to make medicine. The Hankou gang transported a batch of moldy medicine to Jiangzhou because Jiangzhou is a mixed bag and the imperial court's control is lax. They plan to manufacture and sell counterfeit medicine here."

Upon hearing the words "fake medicine," Li Gu was no longer sleepy.

Although he didn't know what kind of fake medicine the Hankou gang planned to make, Li Gu wanted it as long as it was fake.

"I see, then we can certainly put this into practice." Li Gu chuckled. "I take down the fake drug dealer, gain my boss's favor, and you eliminate a competitor—a win-win situation."

Duan Musheng cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "I'll leave this matter to Constable Li."

After he finished speaking, he waved his hand, and a gang member in green stepped forward and handed him a small porcelain bottle.

Duan Musheng placed the porcelain bottle in Li Gu's hand: "This is a bottle of 'Righteous Qi Pill,' which has a very good effect on disordered true qi. Consider it a small token of our Thirteen Gang's appreciation."

Li Gu didn't hear any system alarms, so it seems this is a genuine bottle of medicine.

However, it doesn't matter if it's fake medicine, as long as Duan Musheng says it, fake medicine can become real medicine.

Li Gu was now penniless and needed anything, so he didn't stand on ceremony. He put the bottle of medicine into his pocket, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Wait for my good news. I've identified the fake medicine from the Hankou gang. But I'm not a greenhorn anymore; I need to prepare properly before I go. Please don't rush me."

Duan Musheng smiled and nodded.

Watching Li Gu walk away, the smile on his face instantly vanished. He muttered to himself, "Young people are really bold. Is he really not afraid of retaliation from the Hankou Gang? We local bullies don't want to offend the government and won't easily kill people from the imperial court. But this out-of-town dragon isn't afraid to offend the Jiangzhou government. Killing a constable is like child's play for him. Maybe we won't see this Constable Li again in a few days."

Qin Zhen exclaimed, "Oh dear! If Chief Duan is killed, won't he be unable to help us?"

Duan Musheng looked at Qin Zhen with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot: "Are you stupid? If he is really killed by the Hankou Gang, the other constables will feel the same way, and for the sake of the reputation of the Six Doors, they will have to kill all the henchmen sent from Hankou to Jiangzhou. The situation will only be more favorable to us."

After saying that, he shrugged and said, "The dead Constable Li might be more useful than the living one."

Qin Zhen lowered her voice and said, "Then should we kill him and frame the Hankou Gang?"

Duan Musheng shook his head again: "You are really hopelessly stupid. If we take action and leave even the slightest clue that someone notices, we won't be able to stay in Jiangzhou anymore. We can't take that risk. We can only watch from afar and see if Officer Li is tough enough."

After he finished speaking, he suddenly remembered something and smacked Qin Zhen on the head with a "bang," causing her to crouch down, clutching her head and trembling all over.

Duan Musheng scolded irritably, "You're still a child, how come you're already talking about murder to cover up crimes and framing your opponents? You've never learned anything good since you were little. Our Thirteen Gang isn't a gang, it's a business guild! You better learn how to do business! The younger generation is really outrageous."

Qin Zhen clutched her head: "Weren't we a cultivation sect? How did we turn into a business guild? Isn't our goal to attain immortality and ascend to heaven?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Musheng was slightly taken aback, and his whole body relaxed: "Sigh! When I was your age, I also thought I could achieve immortality and ascend to heaven, but... after practicing for more than seventy years, I realized that I had no talent, and there was no hope of ascending to heaven in this lifetime... Earning more money and living a better life is my only pursuit now... Listen to me carefully, the most important thing for a person is to know his own limitations."

----

Li Gu walked out of the herbal medicine street with light steps, looking carefree.

But in his mind, he was making quick calculations.

The Hankou gang is definitely not to be trifled with. Since they dared to cross the river, they must be capable. Trying to snatch teeth from the tiger's mouth is quite risky.

But as he just told Duan Musheng, the biggest risk in life is being complacent and staying at the bottom without moving forward.

He was determined to get his hands on the fake medicines from the Hankou gang.

However, I can't be foolish like last time and go to the Chuqimen medicinal herb street to buy medicine, putting myself in danger again.

So the question is, how can we ensure safety while still getting counterfeit drugs?

Just as he was lost in thought, two people walked out from the street, put their arms around his shoulders, and said with a smile, "Come on, let's go for a drink. I promised to treat you."

Li Gu turned his head and saw that it was Niu Xin and Ma Zhi.

Li Gu was just about to ask them about Yinglong Gate when they showed up at his door, saving him a lot of trouble: "Let's go!"

"Invite Miss Zhang along as well."

So, half an hour later, the four of them arrived at Wangjiang Tower, the most famous restaurant in Jiangzhou.

Wangjiang Tower is located at the confluence of the two rivers, at the street entrance opposite Chaotianmen Wharf. It is a full five stories high. Standing on the top observation deck, you can see the two rivers in the distance. The open view and refreshing river breeze are invigorating.

As soon as Li Gu sat down, he saw a poem inscribed on the opposite wall, titled "Climbing the Jiangzhou Wangjiang Tower".

The two rivers swallow up the autumn mountains of Chu; I lean alone against the railing, a cup of wine in hand.

The turbid waves divide the Shu River east and west, while the long winds blow down on the Ghost Prefecture day and night.

A thousand sails chase the clouds into the distance, while sorrow flows away with the passing water.

I drunkenly inscribed my new poem on the stone wall; tonight I find myself in the ancient Yu Tower.

……

Li Gu exclaimed "Huh?" and thought to himself: The poets in this world are quite skilled. I can't even copy poems by Li Bai and Du Fu as appropriately as this.

Just then, Niu Xin laughed and said, "This poem was written by Prefect Hong! Prefect Hong is truly learned."

Li Gu: "!"