However, Ma Wu wasn’t very familiar with Xu Shouming’s background, and was unsure about choosing a suitable location for rental.
Luo Zhengnan ca up with an idea: "Master Wu, why not offer the Jiang Xiang Gang’s main hall and see Chief Envoy Liao’s reaction."
Ma Wu was taken aback: "Old Luo, isn’t the Jiang Xiang Gang’s main hall your territory? How can you offer it to them?"
Old Luo waved his hand repeatedly: "If Chief Envoy Liao takes a liking to it, I’ll give it to him. I don’t want to stay there even for a day."
Luo Zhengnan spoke the truth. Ever since hearing that Xiao Zhenggong was alive again, seeing the Jiang Xiang Gang’s main hall always gave him the creeps.
But the task force envoy from the Outside Provinces staying at the old site of Jiang Xiang Gang—is that appropriate?
Ma Wu discussed this with Liao Zihui, expecting him to refuse, but surprisingly, Liao Zihui was very pleased: "Junyang, it’s decided, at Jiangxiang Manor!"
Ma Wu reminded: "Chief Envoy Liao, you said this, if Envoy Xu blas us later, you’ll have to cover for ."
"Who would he bla?" Liao Zihui sneered, "He ca to Puluo State on a mission, brought over a hundred people, wanted his own territory and plaque, we provided it all.
With so many people, it’s naturally hard to find a place for them. We found such a suitable place for him, what does he have to bla us for?
This all stems from Xiao Zhenggong, who is the Gang Leader of Jiang Xiang Gang. Operating from the original site of Jiang Xiang Gang is just appropriate, isn’t it?
Junyang, the rent you must collect from him, not a penny less, don’t be polite. If you’re shy to ask, I’ll help you ask!"
From Liao Zihui’s reaction, it was clear about their relationship, and Ma Wu understood how to deal with Envoy Xu.
Xu Shouming indeed didn’t pick a place, and even expressed gratitude to Ma Wu. Once his people were settled, Xu Shouming wasn’t in a hurry to begin the investigation, instead he invited several old friends over to drinks and reminisce.
He indeed had quite a few friends in Puluo State, like Shen Jinzhong of the Great Gold Seal from Three Heroes Gang, Han Yaon the head of Qingyun Society, Bai Wuchuan the leader of the White Crane Gang; his relationships with these people were quite good.
At the banquet, Xu Shouming politely said: "I, Xu, have returned to Puluo State with a mission, whether it can be completed or not depends entirely on your support.
I intend to capture the private detective Spider Bin, all these incidents involve him, if any of you see traces of Spider Bin, please inform ."
The crowd imdiately agreed: "Envoy Xu, rest assured, as soon as there’s news on that fake Foreign Devil, we’ll inform you right away."
This was a pretense, just like saying "I’ll treat you to dinner another day," equally insincere.
Xu Shouming didn’t call these old friends just for idle chat, he pulled out a contract: "Whoever can find clues about Spider Bin, just clues, not the person, this Contract Book will be theirs. With this Contract Book, transportation fees in Puluo State are halved!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd could no longer sit still.
In Puluo State, only Li Qi and Ma Wu’s deals had their transportation fees halved. Others trying to save on transportation needed to ship through them, incurring differences not to ntion needing to secure good relations to get help.
Now presented with such an opportunity, they all considered taking real action.
Especially the White Crane Gang, they’re a Body Cultivation Gang, Spider Bin was once their disciple and so of his networks also ca from the White Crane Gang.
However, Bai Wuchuan was concerned, was this Contract Book genuine?
He knew the relationship between Xu Shouming and Liao Zihui wasn’t very good, and matters of transportation fees were ultimately controlled by Liao Zihui.
But this was indeed true, even though the fees were under Liao Zihui’s control, at this critical juncture, if Xu Shouming asked, Liao Zihui would certainly have to comply. He couldn’t make things difficult for Xu Shouming on transportation fees, or else he’d face backlash.
Driven by interests, it took less than three days for Bai Wuchuan of the White Crane Gang to deliver news: soone saw Spider Bin at Pine Bridge.
Pine Bridge was Li Qi and Ma Wu’s territory, Xu Shouming didn’t rush to act but first notified Ma Wu: "Junyang, I plan to catch soone at Pine Bridge, traffic needs to halt for two days, can you accommodate this?"
With Xu Shouming putting it this way, Ma Wu naturally couldn’t refuse, so he agreed to the matter.
Xu Shouming sealed off Pine Bridge, neither searching nor capturing, and then through the White Crane Gang, he spread the word outside.
The ssage spread was that Spider Bin may not be captured, but everything in his possession and pockets must be obtained.
What did this an?
Spider Bin understood clearly himself.
Indeed, he was in Pine Bridge, since the day traffic was sealed off till now, he stayed hidden in the city, not daring to surface.
Was he afraid to run? Didn’t he have the chance to break through to New Land?
Yes, but Spider Bin didn’t dare to gamble. If he failed and ended up in the Defense Agency’s hands, he was certain he’d be finished.
He wanted to wait out the Defense Agency, but upon receiving the ssage from the task force, Spider Bin wavered.
"What’s in hand" referred to the legendary general Zhao Xiaowan, whose Long Spear had been in his possession, yet till now, he hadn’t learned how to use it.
"What’s in the pockets" referred to the entrance to Inner State, and Xu Shouming ca specifically for this, as rumors had reached Spider Bin’s ears before.
If it was the Defense Agency coming after him, Spider Bin would’ve kept holding out; the traffic lockdown would pressure the Defense Agency heavily, eventually unable to control the situation, leading the case to fade away.
However, the task force was not the Defense Agency; they wouldn’t leave with an unfinished case, this couldn’t be muddled away. Since Xu Shouming had arrived, he certainly must provide Outside Provinces an explanation.
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