Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Late night

Seven miles outside the East Water Gate, the area remains bustling and noisy, with crowds of people and bright lights. This is the Rainbow Bridge Wharf, the largest wharf in Bianliang City!

Because large cargo ships were not allowed to enter the city, they had to be transferred to smaller boats here to be transported into the city, which made this place Tokyo's largest distribution center for goods.

In addition, the control outside the city was relatively relaxed, so this place became a melting pot of all sorts of people.

The Bian River flows eastward with great force, its surface dotted with boats, large and small cargo ships, all moored close together on both banks, their masts like a forest.

The shoreline was lined with inns and warehouses, and the signs of teahouses and taverns fluttered in the wind.

Vendors carrying loads and laborers carrying goods shuttled back and forth, creating a lively scene with bustling voices and rumbling carts.

After finishing their work, the laborers, exhausted from their work, exchanged their money and found a small shop. They ordered a few bowls of cheap wine and two flavorful side dishes, and started chatting casually.

The topics they discussed were varied, ranging from the harshness of the foreman to the stinginess of the employer. They then shifted the conversation to the extravagance of high-ranking officials in the imperial court, with a group of people discussing anecdotes such as how Grand Tutor Cai ate chicken but not the meat, only the chicken tongues, with envious expressions.

Suddenly someone whispered, "I felt something was off while I was moving the ballast tonight..."

"Shut up!"

"Are you out of your mind?!"

"Be careful what you say!"

……

The crowd's expressions changed drastically, and they all spoke up in rebuke, turning their heads to look around, afraid of being overheard. The man also quickly shut his mouth, looking terrified, and dared not say another word.

After this commotion, everyone lost interest in chatting. They hurriedly finished the remaining wine in their bowls, got up to pay the bill, and left together.

However, just as they were about to leave the dock, a sudden, rapid sound of horses' hooves thundered towards them.

Amidst the rising dust, the leader appeared, riding a tall horse and wielding a silver spear, exuding an imposing and heroic aura.

Behind them followed a dense mass of cavalry and infantry, their armor gleaming, spears and lances standing tall, raising clouds of dust as they headed straight for the dock.

The bustling crowd on the dock suddenly came to a standstill. Laborers and vendors stopped what they were doing and hurriedly moved to the side of the road.

"The Imperial Guards are coming!"

"What happened?" People whispered among themselves, and many of the idle men on the dock suddenly became tense, instinctively trying to slip away to the alleyway or the riverbank.

Gao Zhao reined in his horse, his gaze sweeping across the entire dock, and said in a cold voice, "The Emperor has heard of many illegal activities here and has specially ordered us to come and rectify the situation. We hope for your cooperation!"

The panicked laborers and vendors breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. It was an order from the government! Then everything was alright!

The Emperor is a very good person, kind-hearted, and would never make things difficult for them. What I fear most are those corrupt officials below who, by abusing their power, oppress the people!

Gao Zhao turned his gaze to the few laborers around him. The others were fine, but one of them looked flustered, his eyes darting around, and he seemed at a loss. He looked like he had a guilty conscience!

"Take him away! Take him aside and interrogate him!" Gao Zhao pointed, and the guards beside him immediately stepped forward.

"Innocent, innocent..."

The man was terrified and struggled desperately, but to no avail. His companions dared not help him and stepped aside to make way. The guards stepped forward, twisted his arm, and subdued him, taking him away for interrogation.

Just then, a fat man came running from the dock, sweating profusely, his fat jiggling with each step. He approached Gao Zhao with a forced smile, bowed heavily, and said obsequiously, "Oh, sir..."

"Snapped!"

Before he could finish speaking, Gao Zhao raised his hand and lashed out with his whip, causing the fat man to let out a miserable howl, stagger backward, and look terrified.

"Who are you? Are you the person in charge here?" Gao Zhao looked down at everyone with an arrogant air, as if he regarded all living beings as ants.

Realizing the other party was not someone to be trifled with, the fat man dared not try to get closer to him any further. He quickly bowed and replied, "Reporting to your Excellency, I am the manager here. What are your orders, sir?"

"Go, bring your boss here!" Gao Zhao's tone was contemptuous, making no attempt to hide his disdain. "You dog-like creatures, how dare you keep me waiting!"

"Your Honor, our head of the community is not here..."

"Snapped!"

Another lash of the whip fell, and Gao Zhao said calmly, "If I don't see anyone within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, I'll take this place down!"

The steward, enduring the pain, looked around, then at Gao Zhao's condescending demeanor, bowed, and turned to run off to find someone.

But this person in front of me is different. His young and arrogant face shows that he is a spoiled brat who doesn't know his place. This kind of person has never suffered a loss and thinks that he is the boss. If you push him too far, he is capable of doing anything!

He dared not gamble on whether this spoiled brat was a fool or not, no matter how powerful their backing was, he couldn't afford to take the risk!

Gao Zhao led his troops forward slowly, glancing left and right along the way. Among the horses, whether merchants or laborers, they were all silent and trembling, bowing their heads and not daring to look directly at him.

The reprimand given to the manager just now was a great example to warn others, and it was very effective!

Gao Zhao thought about it for a while before he understood the reason.

He didn't mean anything by hitting people; it was purely his nature. He had finally gotten this opportunity, so of course he wanted to show off his power!

As for being able to intimidate everyone, it was purely an unexpected gain... no, it was all the result of the young master's foresight!

That's exactly what I think! They're so good at understanding human nature, and their plans are so far-reaching!

"Young master, that man has confessed!" The guard who had been interrogating the laborer ran over and whispered, "That fellow said there's something wrong with the cargo in the hold of the largest cargo ship!"

Gao Zhao frowned slightly, his gaze suspicious: "You confessed so quickly? You're not lying to me, are you?"

The guard hurriedly replied, "It's true, that man is timid. I didn't even use torture; I just threatened him a couple of times and he confessed everything."

Gao Zhao pondered for a moment, recalling the porter's nervous and guilty appearance, and felt that it was highly credible. He immediately asked the guards to point out the location of the large ship.

Following the direction the guard pointed, a large cargo ship was quietly moored on the bank of the Bian River, quite conspicuous.

The ship was painted with the logo of an ordinary trading company, and looked no different from the ordinary cargo ships coming and going at the dock. The gangplank was set up on the shore, and two men dressed in short clothes stood with their arms crossed at both ends of the gangplank, seemingly guarding the cargo.

Gao Zhao immediately ordered, "Yi Sun-sin, take a team to inspect that ship."

The officer who had taken care of Gao Zhao when he first entered the army camp immediately responded, waving to dozens of people before rushing toward the cargo ship.

As soon as they reached the cargo ship, the two men guarding the goods blocked their way, shouting loudly to prevent them from getting closer.

Gao Zhao, growing impatient, shouted, "Yi Sun-sin! Are you a pig?!"

Upon hearing this, Yi Sun-sin knew the young master was displeased, and immediately roared, "Draw your weapons! Anyone who obstructs us will be killed without mercy!"

swish

Dozens of men drew their weapons at the same time, exuding a murderous aura. The two men guarding the goods instantly became docile, took a few steps back, and made way for them.

"Investigate!" Yi Sun-sin waved his hand, and the Imperial Guards filed in.

"Stop!" Another loud shout rang out, and a group of burly men rushed over. The leader was tall and imposing, with a menacing aura.

"Greetings, Chief!" The people at the dock bowed.

Gao Zhao turned his gaze, narrowed his eyes slightly, and smiled.