Chapter 193: Armed (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

"Wan Yun..." Shi Bading immediately grew anxious: "That bastard is definitely setting you up..."

"Who is setting up whom is not certain," Xu Yuan said.

Shi Bading's eyes rolled: "If you say so, then fine!"

He added a low warning: "Little brother, take it easy; best not to cause a death."

The group entered the yamen; the captains waited on standby while Xu Yuan and Shi Bading went to see He Youxing.

Before even entering the door, they heard Qu Jinpeng arguing with Xie Qingman.

Xie Qingman spoke in a sour tone: "This was chosen by the Shanhe Office; what right do you, Old Qu, have to play dirty? Could it be that I can influence Lady Fu Shuanghui's decision?"

Upon entering, Xu Yuan grabbed Old Qu, whose beard trembled with anger: "Regardless, isn't this going too far? Does it mean that no matter what the Cham Bureau deals with, it must ultimately be dumped on Xu Yuan?"

This not only made Xie Qingman's face look ugly, but He Youxing also felt he could no longer hold his ground.

But this was exactly the effect Qu Jinpeng wanted.

The Shanhe Office chose Xu Yuan; ultimately, it was your decision, He Youxing, to let the Shanhe Office choose, and these are the consequences.

Although He Youxing is somewhat innocent, you still bear some responsibility.

Last time, Xu Yuan helped Shi Bading greatly and saved your face, He Youxing!

"Ahem," He Youxing coughed: "Inspector Xu has indeed been working hard lately. How about this? For this mission... Inspector Xu, feel free to state any demands; as long as the Bureau can satisfy them, this official will certainly support you."

Old Qu's beard stopped trembling.

When the Shanhe Office chose Xu Yuan, Qu Jinpeng understood it could no longer be changed.

The reason for the big argument with Xie Qingman was solely for He Youxing to say those words.

To strive to secure the best conditions for Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan pretended to think for a moment, then spoke: "For the team leader position, I wish to select Inspector Wan."

Wan Yun, standing nearby, wore a look of utter shock.

I didn't say a word; how did this get dragged onto me?

Last time, when I said I wanted Inspector Xu assigned to me and that I also wanted to ride on the merit, it was purely to provoke someone, not my sincere words!

Xie Qingman immediately stepped forward: "No!"

Qu Jinpeng and Xu Yuan both looked at He Youxing.

He Youxing's expression changed; I had just solemnly guaranteed it, and now you come to sweep away my face?

"Why not? During the last discussion, Inspector Wan said such words."

Xie Qingman remembered... there was no way to oppose it anymore.

He Youxing waved his hand without hesitation: "It is settled. Xu Yuan, do you have any other demands? State them all together."

"I want to bring my own men; insiders are familiar and easier to use. Additionally, I wish to pick a few items from the Cham Bureau's warehouse."

"That is only right."

This time, Wan Yun stepped forward: "You have several inspectors under your command; if you bring them all, won't there be too many people?"

Wan Yun currently has only one squad under him.

With such a large crowd following Xu Yuan, he, the official team leader inspector, would be left with only a handful of men, making it very embarrassing for Lord Wan.

Xu Yuan said: "Regarding this mission, the Shanhe Office was vague. But we all know clearly that it must be difficult to handle; bringing more people is better safe than sorry."

Wan Yun's opposition was very weak; he truly could not find any strong reason.

It felt like... Wan Yun made a symbolic protest, then finally gave in.

Seeing Wan Yun had nothing more to say, He Youxing immediately wrote an official document on the desk and handed it to Xu Yuan: "Go to the warehouse to pick items; once selected, proceed to the Shanhe Office."

As everyone came out, Xu Yuan symbolically asked Wan Yun: "Does Lord Wan wish to go along to pick a couple of items?"

Wan Yun swept his sleeve: "You go alone."

These were conditions Xu Yuan fought for; Wan Yun disdained to share in this benefit.

Besides, what good items could there be in the yamen's treasury?

This is not the Southern Jiaozhi Bureau.

Xu Yuan knew this would be the result and felt a smile in his heart: This is your own choice to refuse.

Xu Yuan first went to the front courtyard, calling all the brothers: "Follow me."

Everyone did not know what was happening, but since the lord said so, they followed.

Di Youzhi, Mao Dabin, and Qin Ze each had a squad; dozens of people chaotically followed Xu Yuan to the warehouse.

The clerk in charge of registration at the warehouse was startled by this scene.

Xu Yuan produced the official document approved by He Youxing; the other party read it for a long time, stammering and unwilling to let them enter.

Xu Yuan then gave a signal; Qin Ze, looking fierce, pressed his hand on his sword and stepped forward, roaring: "Can't you read the document? The Master of Laws said 'several, several'! He did not specify a quantity! Brothers, pick as many items as you wish!"

The clerk stepped back two paces, trembling and saying: "I, I must go ask the Master of Laws..."

Qin Ze flew into a rage and drew his sword: "Are you saying all our brothers are here to deceive you?"

Only then did Xu Yuan calmly stop Qin Ze and say to the clerk: "You open the warehouse first; this mission is urgent, and the Shanhe Office keeps urging us.

We will select items first; you go ask your questions; we will not stop you."

"This..."

The clerk was still hesitating when Qin Ze clanged his sword halfway out: "You are deliberately making things difficult for us!"

"Do not draw weapons, do not draw weapons..." The clerk retreated repeatedly: "I will open the door."

As soon as the door opened, Xu Yuan waved his hand: "Select items."

The captains rushed in in a swarm.

The clerk quickly called a colleague to handle registration and hurried off to find He Youxing.

These ruffians might as well empty the warehouse.

Xu Yuan entered and first pointed to the mother-and-child iron cannon sitting aside: "Move this cannon away first!"

"Hurry up, all of you!"

Once Master He arrives, there'll be no chance left!"

Xu Yuan himself quickly selected a matchlock.

Made by the Northern Capital Artisan Workshop.

There were no other artisan items in the store—artisan items couldn't be stored at all; they'd long been divided up—but many matchlocks and hand cannons remained.

These items were originally prepared for the agency's gunpowder unit.

Even the matchlocks made by the Northern Capital Artisan Workshop break easily.

Each of the Three Agencies has a dedicated gunpowder unit.

The Zhan City Agency also has a Check-Inspector, and his unit is a full-time gunpowder unit.

Aside from them, it's hard for anyone else to obtain a matchlock; they must earn a minor merit to be granted a hand cannon.

Now, everyone has one.

Though the store held many gunpowder weapons, it was only dozens—now swept clean by this group.

Xu Yuan had indeed long wanted to replace his matchlock with a better one.

But in truth, from a practical standpoint, this desire wasn't strong.

For Master Xu's current combat power, a matchlock is merely a useful supplement.

When he raised this request with He Youxing—he only said to pick a few items, not specify a number.

It was for the sake of his own men, so they could all be equipped with matchlocks.

Combat power would visibly surge.

Xu Yuan led his men out, moving swiftly: "Run, all of you!"

They laughed and joked, shouldering matchlocks, following their lord as they sprinted out the Zhan City Agency's main gate.

Wan Yun and his unit waited outside the gate, assembled.

Wan Yun was still giving his men orders: "Don't let Xu Yuan's band of brutes outdo us!"

Then over a dozen Captains saw a large crowd burst out, each man shouldering a matchlock!

Look at us: we have nothing!

Their gazes turned uneasy.

We followed the wrong man…

(End of Chapter)