Chapter 260: Beyond the required respect, this supervising master also wants to ask you for one more thing

"Chen… Chen Yan?!"

"How could he be here?!"

Shi Hanzhang recognized at a glance who this handsome, spirited young man was.

Having seen his portrait countless times, he had long etched the man's face firmly into his mind.

But why does this particular one appear now?

"Wait!"

Lu Ziyue froze, as if realizing something, stared straight at Chen Yan, then suddenly had a flash of insight and, surprised, said, "The big figure Lao Xu invited couldn't be the newly appointed supervising master of the Mingjing Department, could it?!"

The big figure who can open the eastern side is the newly appointed supervising master of the Mingjing Department?

The newly appointed supervising master of the Mingjing Department, is he the big figure Xu Zhixiang mentioned who can open the eastern side?

"If he assists, it would be more than just opening a passage to the Qi State..."

Li Lvtong's mind raced, his eyes brightened, and he shouted in his heart, "It's practically completely unobstructed!"

If Chen Yan is drawn into smuggling, what's the difference from a guard stealing with his left hand while his right hand does the same?

Not only the east, but all forms of smuggling throughout Great Zhou could be carried out recklessly, without the need for the previous painstaking caution...

"I've seen Supervising Master Chen!"

Not only Li Lvtong grasped that layer; the other three did as well, and immediately all bowed to Chen Yan, showing their respect.

"You all are prominent figures in Chang'an's business world; no need for extra courtesy!"

Chen Yan smiled calmly, lifted his hand slightly, and said.

"I didn't expect, Supervising Master, that you are also interested in this smuggling trade...."

Lu Ziyue beamed, stepped forward, and flattering said, "With your involvement, we can surely reach a higher level and earn even more!"

The top leader of Great Zhou's largest supervisory agency, also a fellow opportunist and greedy money‑seeker, could not fail to be a pleasant surprise.

"Supervising Master, rest assured, we will not lack any of the required filial respect...."

"We will deliver it to your residence on time!"

Li Lvtong laughed, his cheek fat quivering, rubbed his hands, and said respectfully.

"Hahaha!"

"No wonder Chamber Head Li's business is so huge; truly sensible!"

Chen Yan heard that, burst into hearty laughter, raised his hand to point at Li Lvtong, and praised.

Indeed, every successful merchant has a reason...

Proceed.

"Of course... " Li Lvtong nodded, smiling, "With the Supervising Master's protection, we are safe, aren't we?"

Compared with profits that can grow geometrically, what do those respects even amount to?

Once this supervising master of the Mingjing Department is satisfied, they can earn with peace of mind, spend without worry, and have no lingering concerns...

"Well said!"

Chen Yan clapped his hands sharply, approving.

He paused, then shifted his tone, and said, "However, besides respect, this supervising master also wishes to ask you for one more thing..."

He said so, with a slight curve at the corner of his mouth.

His words were full of deep implication.

"Supervising Master, what are you talking about?"

Lu Ziyue bowed his head, flattering, "As long as we can provide what you ask, we will certainly present it to the Supervising Master!"

"No further questions!"

Having said that,

he respectfully spread his hands, looking like a loyal subject ready to be chosen.

"Exactly!"

Fang Zuqian and the others also nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Their eyes all shone with anticipation.

Meanwhile, Xu Zhixiang, who watched from the side, silently slipped away without a sound.

"Rest assured, you will certainly be able to provide..." Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, smiling warmly.

"What could it be?" Lu Ziyue, unable to contain his excitement, asked further.

Whether he or Li Lvtong and the others, they were already eager to cooperate with the Mingjing Department...

Chen Yan cleared his throat, and before the whole attentive crowd, said slowly, "The Human Heads on your collars!"

"What?!"

Shi Hanzhang was startled, eyes wide, unable to believe his ears, almost thinking he misheard.

Human Heads on the collar?

Yours?

What does it mean?

"You didn't come to cooperate with us, but to capture us!"

Lu Ziyue reacted the fastest, almost instantly grasping Chen Yan's intention.

This guy is clearly hostile!

"Cooperation?"

Chen Yan, amused, half‑smiling, said loudly, "I, Chen, am the supervising master of the Mingjing Department; how could I collude with you smugglers and traitors?"

"This time we come to seize you, using your heads to halt this smuggling surge, to uphold the law of the state and the principles of the dynasty!"

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve sharply.

He stood with a dignified, righteous bearing.

He didn't even think; Chen Yan has plenty of ways to earn silver, does he still need to engage in smuggling that harms Great Zhou's national strength for profit?

You fool!

"Xu Zhixiang!"

"What's going on!"

"You've gone completely mad!"

Lu Ziyue lifted his eyes to scan, finally spotting Xu Zhixiang, who had already retreated far away, and couldn't help but curse.

At that moment, Lu Ziyue finally realized a terrifying question…

They were sold by Xu Zhixiang!

But everyone is involved in smuggling, each has their own master behind them; they're clearly grasshoppers on the same boat!

What benefit could come from doing this?

"Hou Mo Chen Lao Zhuguo has reached a cooperation with Chen Yan?"

A speculation rose in Li Lvtong's mind, but he shook his head sharply to reject it, "No, how could he do such a self‑destructive act?"

The Duke of Liang State wants to sacrifice them as Surrender bargaining chips, swallowing the entire smuggling market?

But that's essentially killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred oneself.

Having heard Chen Yan's earlier words, and with Yuwen Hu still behind him, it's impossible to permit the smuggling trade to continue, harming Great Zhou's interests…

"Everyone, my apologies!"

Xu Zhixiang stood beside an Embroidered Attire Envoy, bowed his hands toward the four, and said, "My whole family—wife, children, elders—are in the hands of Supervisor Chen; it was truly unavoidable!"

"No wonder they chose this out‑lying manor; now I see!"

Lu Ziyue suddenly understood, sneering.

This is not Chen Lao Zhuguo's intention at all, but Xu Zhixiang's personal action after being coerced.

To protect his own family, he sold them to the treacherous supervisor of the Mingjing Department.

"Grand Supervisor Chen, even if you bought off Xu Zhixiang, what then?"

Shi Han Zhang lifted his head, his eyes filled with ferocity, and coldly said, "Do you really think the guards we raise are vegetarians?"

"Is it that easy for you to take them down?"

As he spoke, his peripheral glance also flicked toward Ya Ge, where four household guards had gathered.

The Mingjing Embroidered Attire Envoy is a master, and their guards are also hand‑picked, none of them weak.

"Then the huge sums spent each year aren't wasted!" Fang Zuqian agreed.

A soldier trained for a thousand days is used for a moment; after investing so much silver, isn't it all for this instant?

Even if the Mingjing Department is formidable, it will still lose a few teeth.

"I, as supervisor, know those are near‑top masters in the jianghu…"

Chen Yan placed his hands behind his back, unperturbed, and calmly said, "But to resist, one must first be able to stand up."

Shi Han Zhang felt a bad premonition rise in his heart and instinctively blurted, "What do you mean by that?!"