Chapter 335: The Canal Office Harasses My Da Fu

The helmsman's face was covered in blood, and strange "heh-heh-heh" sounds issued from his throat, yet he could not speak.

His eyes were filled with venom, staring fiercely at Xu Yuan.

He recognized this patrol officer from the Purification Bureau; the original Cheng Branch Hall had been destroyed precisely because of this man!

Falling into his hands, the helmsman knew he was surely doomed.

The things done within the Dark Hall had left too many traces.

It was just that the helmsman did not understand: having fed evil spirits for several months, even if a sparrow flew over at midnight before, it would let out a few shrill screams—tonight, with the Purification Bureau launching a massive surprise attack, why did it not even let out a fart?

You and the Purification Bureau are natural enemies.

"Heh heh," Xu Yuan saw the look in the helmsman's eyes and sneered: "It seems you are still unrepentant unto death."

Xu Yuan spoke the word "death" twice, and Di Youzhi stepped forward, placing a hand on the helmsman's neck, his palm wiping around in a circle.

The sword pill pierced through from his palm.

The helmsman's neck was severed entirely.

His head fell to the ground with a "gudong" sound, and blood from the neck cavity sprayed up more than a foot high with a "pu" sound.

One of Di Youzhi's spirit cultivators, prepared in advance, stepped forward and immediately captured the soul.

After some processing, the helmsman's soul took on a dazed appearance, answering every question.

"My lord, you may begin the interrogation."

Xu Yuan nodded and asked where the craft objects of the Pingtian Society were hidden.

That soul, in a daze, spoke out the location; Xu Yuan asked nothing else and turned to go find those craft objects.

Shi Bading let out a "hei" laugh and continued interrogating that soul: "Where are all the wealth you hoarded hidden?"

This was tacitly approved by Lord Xu.

The Pingtian Society branch hall had been destroyed; this Dark Hall had not been established for long, so it could not have accumulated much wealth.

After Shi Bading extracted the information, he charged forward at the head of the group.

Di Youzhi and the others immediately led their men to follow behind.

In the helmsman's room, Xu Yuan found the secret compartment beneath the bed.

Inside were two craft objects: one was a redwood and brass earpiece of the same style as the Holy Maiden, and the other was a set of two folded ledgers.

The Pingtian Society had a total of three quite famous craft objects; their standard was not high, but they were very easy to use.

The other type was the "Abacus."

No matter how complex the accounts, once the abacus beads were flicked, "pili-pala," the calculations could be cleared up.

Xu Yuan's own redwood and brass earpiece had already been destroyed, but this thing was indeed very useful.

Xu Yuan therefore took it without hesitation.

Those two folded ledgers were the true target of Xu Yuan's destruction of the Dark Hall.

Writing on one of them would cause the same characters to appear floating on the other.

This was a craft object used to maintain contact and communication.

But the ledger was only this big; once filled with writing, the craft object would be useless.

Xu Yuan took the items and came out; over at Shi Bading and Di Youzhi's end, they had already divided the wealth within the Dark Hall.

Everyone received a share, with amounts varying according to the rank of their position.

However, whatever anyone found individually during the initial surprise attack belonged to them personally and did not need to be turned in.

Xu Yuan called Miao Yan, who had guided them, before him: "This place is now entrusted to your Three Ladies Society.

There are still some pitiful people here who were captured or deceived by them; I, this official, entrust them all to you to settle them well." Then he waved his hand: "Withdraw the formation!"

After everyone from the Purification Bureau had left, Miao Yan rubbed his hands, looking at this three-courtyard mansion with delight: "This is now all property of our Three Ladies Society!"

This was the benefit given to the guide.

But it was also because Lord Xu now regarded Miao Yan as one of his own people.

Serving the Ancestral Grandmother diligently and handling affairs for the lord during this period had indeed yielded returns.

Otherwise, even though many people had died in this courtyard, making it inauspicious, it would absolutely not have been given to him like this.

Returning to the Nancheng patrol station, everyone went to rest.

Only Da Fu did not sleep.

Not only did he not sleep, but he also opened his eyes wide, guarding outside the door of Fan Zhezi.

He guarded until dawn.

Xu Yuan had slept for half the night; when he got up and opened the door, Da Fu suddenly flapped its great wings and leaped up: "Gaga-ga—"

This was urging Fan Zhezi to fulfill the promise made last night.

"Ai ai ai!" Xu Yuan grabbed with both hands, catching Da Fu by the neck: "Stop making trouble! I remember! After I finish eating, I will go and ask for those insects for you."

Da Fu flapped its wings fiercely: What are you eating? I haven't eaten either; I'm waiting for you to find food for me...

Xu Yuan pointed with his finger, and the beast-tendon rope bound Da Fu tightly.

"Ga!" Da Fu protested.

The beast-tendon rope slid up again and tied its beak shut as well.

Lord Xu finally found some peace, ate the lavish breakfast sent by the members of the Three Ladies Society, and only then released Da Fu: "I am going to the Canal Office right now."

Today is still not a day of Forbidden Gazing.

Today's taboos are:

Forbidden to set off firecrackers, beat drums, sing joyfully, or read books.

They all seem related to sound; one does not know what reason lies hidden beneath.

Xu Yuan originally planned to deliver the ledger to the Dragon and then set off for Ghost Wushan, but being entangled by Da Fu, he could only think of a way to fulfill his promise.

Perfect timing to check out the shop on the dock that the Canal Office had promised him.

Taking only Lang Xiao Ba with him, Lord Xu did not head straight for the Canal Dock; instead, he went first to the Shanhe Office to find Zhu Zhanlei.

Communication with the Canal Office was handled through Zhu Zhanlei; this time, he would have to step forward again.

Zhu Zhanlei was listless: "These past few days have been so boring; I don't want to do anything..."

Xu Yuan understood. In front of Zhu Zhanlei, he took a thousand taels in silver notes and handed them to Lang Xiao Ba: "Run to Xie Liu Lane and give these silver notes to Miss Bai. Tell her this is a deposit from Young Master Zhu.

Then go directly to Nancheng Gate; we will wait for you there."

"Yes!" Lang Xiao Ba accepted the order and left.

Zhu Zhanlei immediately perked up: "But since Brother Xu has business, I must step forward to help!"

The two walked at a leisurely pace, while Lang Xiao Ba rushed as fast as he could.

Surprisingly, both parties arrived at Nancheng Gate at nearly the same time. Without further delay, they left the city and headed straight for the Canal Dock.

They found the shop first; there was no surprise, but no disappointment either.

This was just a very ordinary shop on the Canal Dock.

The location was neither good nor bad; the size was neither large nor small.

It was sufficient to open a shop and leverage the dock's location to sell goods, but a separate warehouse would be needed to store the merchandise.

Xu Yuan walked around the shop for a look; there was no space for expansion, as all the neighboring plots were occupied.

This matter of the shop could be put aside for now; he would consider it after solving the problem of the true seed.

Choosing a good business would be another source of income for the "Business Method"!

Then the three of them went to the Canal Office.

Zhu Zhanlei entered first. Xu Yuan and Lang Xiao Ba waited outside for quite a while before a clerk came out and led them in as well.

The one who received them was merely a scribe in the office. He spoke to Xu Yuan in a strictly official manner: "We did indeed capture dozens of those strange insects alive, but since these creatures are highly infectious, the price cannot be cheap."

"How much per insect?"

"Two thousand taels."

"How much did you say?" Xu Yuan's voice rose several octaves.

"That is the price. Buy it or leave it!" The scribe rolled his eyes.

Xu Yuan rubbed his nose, finding it hard to swallow his anger.

The Canal Office was clearly retaliating.

He had used that piece of evidence to knock down a shop from them.

Buying a single insect for two thousand taels, just so Dafu could have a bite?

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and said to the scribe: "Is the River Warden in? I wish to speak with the Warden personally. After all, we are all in Zhangcheng; it is better to resolve grievances than to create enemies."

The scribe snorted: "The River Warden is busy with official duties; not just anyone can see him whenever they wish."

Zhu Zhanlei was about to speak up to mediate, but Xu Yuan grabbed him: "Let's go. I'm not buying!"

The scribe was sharp-tongued: "Hey! As if we were begging you to buy!"

After coming out, Zhu Zhanlei could not help but worry: "That goose of yours is no pushover. Are you really not buying?"

Xu Yuan looked back at the Canal Office: "Of course she is no pushover. The one with the headache shouldn't be me, but the Canal Office."

Dafu, it's not that I don't want to buy it for you; the Canal Office is making things difficult for us. They just don't want you to eat!

Look, what should be done about this matter?

(End of this chapter)