Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Lu Zhishen paused, realizing that Gao Zhao had deliberately lured him out, wanting to say something.

He glanced into the room, realizing it wasn't convenient to say this in front of Lin Chong, so he frowned and stepped forward, muttering, "What are you doing, acting so suspiciously? Just say what you have to say!"

"Remember paying gold? That's stealing your crops..."

"I remember! You already said that once last time!" Lu Zhishen quickly waved his hand to interrupt him, finding this person extremely annoying. He had only been stealing some vegetables, so why was he making such a fuss? He was obviously a narrow-minded and petty person!

"Last time you said he was working at a notorious den of iniquity in the south of the city, and that he had powerful backers, and told me to wait for your news! What? Is the time right now?"

Gao Zhao nodded and then shook his head, sighing, "Actually, the time isn't right yet, but we can't wait any longer."

Lu Zhishen frowned, puzzled, and asked, "What do you mean? Are you going to die? Then you'll be ridding the people of a scourge!"

Gao Zhao's expression was grave. He paid no heed to Gao Zhao's mocking words, appearing as if he were deeply concerned about the world and the hardships of the people. He sighed softly and said slowly, "That Fu Jin is truly the source of chaos; humanity has been extinguished!"

"Previously, he organized the Beggars' Sect, engaging in the cruel practice of harvesting and mutilating living beings, harming young children with methods so cruel and outrageous! Now, he has taken over the den of iniquity, committing even more heinous acts, setting his sights on the students of the Imperial Academy, luring them into indulging in sensual pleasures and extravagant lifestyles, causing them to incur enormous debts from which they cannot extricate themselves!"

The mocking expression on Lu Zhishen's face slowly faded, his thick eyebrows suddenly stood on end, his eyes widened, and his tiger-like eyes were filled with anger. He said sternly, "This scoundrel is truly wicked and deserves to die! But you scholars are no better. Instead of studying in school, you go and hang out in places like that. You deserve it!"

Gao Zhao was pleased to hear that he had also been categorized as a scholar. He thought to himself that this fellow had some discernment, being able to recognize him as a scholar. He figured that the fellow must have been impressed by his talent!

"Alas...you don't understand!" Gao Zhao sighed softly, looked up at the sky, and lamented, "We scholars, from a young age, study diligently by the window, oblivious to the world outside, focusing solely on our studies, and with such simple minds, how could we know about these shady dealings outside!"

Lu Zhishen sensed that his words were off-track and that he was even boasting. Just as he was about to retort with a sarcastic remark, he heard him continue:

"If that's all there is to it, I don't need to be in such a hurry. At worst, I can teach them a lesson and make them not dare to do it again!"

"Oh, could there be another reason?" Lu Zhishen's curiosity was piqued by his words, and his attention immediately shifted, forgetting all about mocking him.

Gao Zhao nodded, and said mysteriously, "I suspect that Fu Jin's ambitions are far more than just a little money."

"What does that mean?" Lu Zhishen took a half step forward, looking surprised and suspicious. "Does he have some kind of conspiracy?"

"Think about it, if it were just for money, why would he bother with the students of Biyong? Some of them might rise to prominence and become officials in the court in the future. And now, all of them are in his hands."

Gao Zhao spread his palms out as if to make a gesture, then clenched them tightly and said in a deep voice, "As long as one of them passes the imperial examination and enters officialdom in the future, the huge gambling debts and romantic debts they owe will be the handle to control them."

In the future, these students can act as intermediaries, colluding with court officials to weave an even larger network of connections. With collusion between superiors and subordinates, engaging in corruption and bribery, the wealth they accumulate will be countless.

Lu Zhishen's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. His earlier anger turned into a more serious expression, and his thick eyebrows furrowed even more tightly. He said in a low voice, "That's exactly what this scoundrel is planning. If he succeeds, wouldn't the people of the world suffer?"

"Indeed! That's exactly why I dared not wait any longer!" Gao Zhao said sternly and righteously, "So even if the time is not ripe, I will eradicate this cancer!"

Lu Zhishen did not doubt his words. His previous experiences had taught him that although Gao Zhao was not a good person, he still had some sense of justice. He immediately said in a deep voice:

"What a treacherous and cunning villain! His schemes are even more vicious than those of openly armed robbers. What else is there to say? I'm off to that den of iniquity right now, and I'll give him three hundred blows with my staff!"

"Don't be in such a hurry!" Gao Zhao waved his hand and said, "I didn't come here today to have you come with me to that den of iniquity. This matter is not that simple!"

Lu Zhishen said unhappily, "You scoundrel are indecisive and drag your feet when you do things. What's so difficult about you? I'll just beat you up, no need for further words!"

"That payment isn't the real issue; he has powerful backers!" Gao Zhao said seriously. "Our attack this time will be easy, but we'll inevitably face retaliation from his forces afterwards. Although your martial arts are high, you can't fight against overwhelming odds. Besides, spears are easy to dodge, but arrows are hard to defend against. I'm afraid you won't be able to stay in this capital city!"

"Then I'll just go somewhere else! What's there to be afraid of!" Lu Zhishen said, his neck stiff and his face completely unconcerned. "We can't let Fu Jin get away with it and continue committing evil!"

"Sigh..." Gao Zhao sighed, pointing with his finger, "You monk! Why do this?"

Lu Zhishen straightened his back, his gaze sweeping over everyone. He felt that even if Gao Zhao was no good, he should still be called a "hero".

But Gao Zhao said, "They only stole a little bit of your vegetables, and you're willing to give up your place to live just to avenge a single vegetable? You're truly narrow-minded and vindictive! What a waste!"

Lu Zhishen stumbled, almost straining his back. He looked at Gao Zhao with a complicated expression, speechless for a long time. He really didn't know how this idiot's brain was structured!

Is this about revenge? This is about upholding justice and helping the weak!

"You scoundrel, your heart is truly filthy! I hate him for harming children and harming scholars, not for a few scraps of vegetables!"

"Oh, I see!" Gao Zhao feigned sudden realization and laughed, "I thought you were only good at fighting for women! I didn't expect you to have such a strong sense of justice! In that case, we're on the same level!"

Lu Zhishen's eyes widened in anger, and he was about to unleash a torrent of curses, but then he remembered that he had killed Zheng Tu for Jin Cuilian, and that he had reached Peach Blossom Mountain to save Liu Taigong's daughter...

"Bullshit! You scoundrel, you're deliberately misinterpreting me, you're slandering me!"

"Fine, even if I was wrong, okay? You're so petty!"

Gao Zhao waved his hand and said, "Since you're really willing to risk everything to get paid, then let's get started tomorrow!"

Lu Zhishen was about to scold him again when he heard this, so he turned his head to look into the room and whispered, "Should we bring Brother Lin along too?"

"Brother Lin, you're not..." Lu Zhishen started to speak, but then stopped. Some things can't withstand close scrutiny.

Gao Zhao whispered, "Don't worry, I have another expert on my side, but he doesn't know our identities! You also need to keep it a secret."

Lu Zhishen nodded, knowing that this was no small matter and should not be publicized.

Having achieved his goal, Gao Zhao said no more and turned to leave. As he walked along the road, he pondered the arrangements for Lu Zhishen and Yang Zhi. Suddenly, he was surprised to discover that this entrepreneurial team of Erlong Mountain was only missing Wu Song!