The playboy county magistrate

"No need to mobilize troops, no need to encircle them." Li Xuanzhi stood up, his blue robe sweeping across the ground. "Come with me to Guiyunfang."

Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the flow of people on Zhuque Street gradually increased.

The vermilion gates of Guiyunfang were wide open, and the noise inside was deafening.

The crisp sound of dice hitting the bowl, the soft clatter of chips clinking, and the intermingling of cheers and sighs from the crowd poured out of the neighborhood.

Countless wealthy young men and idle members of prominent families gathered here, gambling away fortunes and never stopping.

In front of the gate, several burly thugs stood with their hands on their hips. Their fierce eyes swept over the passersby, exuding an intimidating aura that made ordinary people dare not take a step closer.

Li Xuanzhi, dressed simply in blue, walked with unhurried steps straight toward the gate.

"stop."

The thugs at the door immediately reached out to stop him, looking him up and down with disdain and speaking in an arrogant tone.

"This is a place for distinguished guests to enjoy themselves; poor, bookish scholars, get out of the way and don't get in the way!"

Tang Zheng stepped forward, his aura slightly sharp. Just as he was about to speak, Li Xuanzhi raised his hand to stop him.

Li Xuanzhi raised his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping over the thug, and said softly:

"Tell Lei Biao that I've come to discuss a business deal with him."

"How dare you! Do you think you can just see my master whenever you want?"

The thug sneered, his face full of disdain.

"Get out of here if you know what's good for you, or I'll break your legs!"

Before the words were finished, a rough, deep voice came from inside the workshop. "Let him in."

Everyone turned around at the sound and saw a burly man with a dark complexion slowly walking out.

This man had broad shoulders and a thick back, with calluses on his hands. His eyes and brows carried the fierce and ruthless air of someone who had spent many years in the martial world; he was none other than Lei Biao, the owner of Guiyunfang.

Lei Biao stared intently at Li Xuanzhi with his tiger-like eyes, a mixture of scrutiny and apprehension in them.

He had long since memorized the appearances of all the noble officials who came and went in Jinling City, and he was all too familiar with the young and handsome face before him.

He never expected that this upright official, who held a high position in the imperial court and was responsible for investigating and punishing corruption, would actually step into his filthy gambling den.

Lei Biao suppressed the turmoil in his heart, his expression remained unchanged, he turned to the side and raised his hand, his tone carrying a deliberate sense of distance.

"Your Excellency, the Imperial Censor, graces my humble abode with your presence. However, Your Excellency is known for your integrity and has always abhorred the filth and corruption of the marketplace. May I ask what brings you here today?"

He deliberately revealed the other party's identity. Firstly, to test their intentions, and secondly, to draw a clear line, implying that officials and civilians should not interfere with each other.

Li Xuanzhi, without glancing to the side, stepped straight into the brothel. He passed through the noisy crowd at the gambling tables and went directly to a quiet private room on the second floor.

After taking his seat, Li Xuanzhi slowly began to speak.

"Lei Biao, are you aware that the foundation of Guiyunfang was destroyed along with Ren Jianxiao's downfall?"

Lei Biao's face darkened, his hand clenched slightly, and he said in a deep voice:

"You jest, sir. No matter who falls from power in the capital, Guiyunfang continues to operate smoothly. I conduct business honestly and have never broken the law, so how could I be expected to perish?"

"Be honest and dutiful?" Li Xuanzhi asked calmly, his gaze sharp as a torch.

"They run illegal gambling dens and loan sharking operations. They absorb illicit funds and launder stolen money. Over the years, Guiyunfang has been supplying illicit funds to the Left Prime Minister's residence and countless powerful families in the capital. Every single case is documented. You're telling me this is legitimate business?"

Lei Biao's body trembled, and his heart tightened suddenly.

These transactions were extremely secretive, known only to him and his confidants from the deceased families, yet Li Xuanzhi knew everything about them.

"Sir, have you come today to punish me?"

Lei Biao's eyes suddenly turned fierce, and his aura of violence surged. The short blade hidden in his hand was already pressed against his sleeve.

"If that's the case, sir, you're overestimating yourself. My Guiyunfang has dozens of men spread throughout the streets and alleys of the south of the city. If it really comes to a fight to the death, sir, you might not come out on top."

Li Xuanzhi remained calm, showing no fear whatsoever, and said softly:

"If I wanted to take you, I could have sent troops to surround the town last night; there would have been no need for me to come here today."

He leaned forward slightly and spoke in a calm tone.

"Lei Biao, you may seem to be sitting on a throne and holding sway over a region, but in reality, you have enemies on all sides. The remaining powerful and influential people in the capital resent that you have so much wealth that you refuse to hand it over, and the local gentry in Nanjing are wary of your immense power and wish they could eliminate you at any time."

"By holding onto this gambling den, you may seem to be protecting your source of wealth, but in reality, you are guarding a dilapidated building that could collapse at any moment. If you don't submit today, you will be devoured and divided up by various forces tomorrow. All your brothers will be displaced, and you yourself will face certain death."

Lei Biao's pupils contracted sharply. Every word the other person said precisely struck at his anxiety and fear of the past few days.

These past few days, he has appeared strong and mature, as if he has everything under control, but in reality, he is restless day and night, constantly worried about being swallowed up and purged.

"What does Your Excellency mean?"

"Submit to me," Li Xuanzhi said directly, his tone firm and composed.

"I will wipe the slate clean of all Guiyunfang's past transgressions. Its revenue, finances, and manpower will all be preserved. There is no need for disbandment or restructuring."

Li Xuanzhi continued, "You will remain the head of Guiyun Workshop, in charge of all affairs and maintaining its daily operations."

Lei Biao was stunned, his face full of astonishment.

He had assumed that surrendering meant handing over his property and giving away all his wealth. He never expected the other side to arrange things this way.

Seeing the other person's shocked expression, Li Xuanzhi slowly smiled.

As long as the other party is interested, everything is negotiable.

"However, you have to agree to three conditions."

"First, from this day forward, all the silver flowing through the workshop will be under my control and managed. No one may hoard or use it for personal purposes."

"Secondly, all those who come and go from the gambling den, and who have any unusual words, secret transactions, or suspicious movements, shall be recorded and reported monthly."

"Third, eradicate the evil practices in the neighborhood, prohibit forcing good people into debt, prohibit harming the innocent, and prohibit indiscriminate killing."

Lei Biao remained silent for a long time, the fierce light in his eyes gradually fading as he weighed the pros and cons repeatedly.

He was arrogant and fierce, but by no means stupid.

The road before him is now his only way to survive, and also his best way out.

By attaching themselves to Li Xuanzhi and being protected by the imperial envoy, Guiyunfang could completely clean up its act and escape the encirclement and suppression from all sides.

And he and his brothers were able to establish a stable foothold in Jinling.

Lei Biao took a deep breath, suppressed his fierce aura, bent his knees slightly, and bowed solemnly.

"Your subordinate, Lei Biao, is willing to lead everyone in Guiyunfang to submit to our lord! From this day forward, we will follow your lead without question, remain loyal and unwavering, and never betray you!"

Li Xuanzhi nodded slightly and patted Lei Biao on the shoulder with satisfaction.

"Do your job well, and I will not let you down, nor will I let down the brothers under your command."

"Your subordinate will heed Your Majesty's instructions!" Lei Biao replied in a deep voice.

Li Xuanzhi hadn't expected things to go so smoothly today.

He thought that given Lei Biao's temper, it would take at least ten or eight moves to finish him off.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. If Lei Biao were really a brainless brute, how could he have made a name for himself in a place like Jinling, where all sorts of people mingle?

"Alright, I'm leaving now. I have other things to do. If you need anything, just come to the inn."