Chapter 150

"What is the current situation in Songnan Prefecture?"

After returning to Songnan Prefecture from Cangyun Mountain, Shen Yu immediately summoned Liang Ruyue and He Yinshan to ask about the situation. He had been away for several days and did not know how things had been handled in Songnan Prefecture.

Standing beside him, Liang Ruyue also felt a sense of the impermanence of fate. As a dignified Hundred-Household of the Black-Clad Guard, after struggling and climbing to where he was, he had actually ended up in a government office serving as a lowly head constable.

Ever since he was rescued by Shen Yu, Liang Ruyue had immediately returned to the Black-Clad Guard to report. But in the Black-Clad Guard camp, he was classified as someone who had died in action, and after he returned, his superiors almost thought someone was impersonating him.

Later, an investigation revealed it was indeed him, but this made things rather difficult; the position of Hundred-Household was like a radish in a hole—it wasn't something they could just give away because he wanted it.

The Hundred-Household of Songnan Prefecture had only just been promoted after he disappeared; you couldn't just kick the person out because he had returned.

While they were hesitating, Shen Yu extended an olive branch to Liang Ruyue and personally went to discuss it with his superior. Facing this Prefect who temporarily held the Dongning Army in his hands, the Black-Clad Guard Colonel did not dare to cause too much offense.

It was just a favor, after all. Besides, the Black-Clad Guard usually had to sneak around if they wanted to interfere in such matters; they hadn't expected someone to come forward on their own. Of course they would agree; they had to agree.

Just like that, while Liang Ruyue was still dazed, he was sent to Shen Yu's side and, in a muddle, was appointed by him as the head constable of Songnan Prefecture.

He was a dignified Black-Clad Guard Hundred-Household, someone who used to have status and an official rank, yet now he had become a common head constable. Who could he reason with? Even being a head constable of the Capture Gate would have been better!

However, Shen Yu did not care what purpose he had come with, nor did he care how much he complained, as long as the person was useful.

He still had many things obtained from signing in that he couldn't use himself but could give to others. It wouldn't be long before, after a barrage of sugar-coated shells, he didn't believe he couldn't turn him into one of his own people and have him work hard here in the future!

"Tell me, has this period gone smoothly? Are there any problems?"

"My Lord, everything else is fine, but there have been many obstacles in rectifying the brothels, gambling dens, and similar places. Many of the girls rescued from the brothels were sold back into them by their own families. If your subordinate hadn't been keeping a close watch, they might have really been fooled!"

"Behind these brothels and gambling dens, there is the same boss: Shang Jin!"

"Shang Jin? That person known as the 'Great Master'?"

"Correct. Your subordinate heard of this person back when I was still a Black-Clad Guard Hundred-Household; he is a ruthless character. More than half of the brothels, gambling dens, and underground banks in all of Songnan Prefecture belong to him!"

"Oh?" Raising his eyebrows in surprise, this piqued Shen Yu's interest. These were all profitable businesses; to be able to snatch such a large piece of fat from the mouths of major powers showed that this person was extraordinary!

"My Lord, this person has superb methods, and he has recruited a large number of desperate criminals under his command, with many experts by his side. Most importantly, this person treats his subordinates with absolute sincerity!"

"As long as it is someone his trusted aides fancy, even his most favored concubine can be given up without hesitation. As for the experts he has recruited, he is even more generous, placing no restrictions on them and letting them take money and beauties as they please!"

Speaking of this, Liang Ruyue couldn't help but sigh. Who wouldn't be willing to follow such a person? To be honest, even he was a little tempted.

"Is that so? I didn't expect there to be such a figure in Songnan Prefecture!" Frowning slightly, seeing the small to know the great, it was enough to see this person's ability to win people's hearts. It was no wonder he had so many people loyal to him and could build his industry to this extent.

To give is to gain; only by giving can one gain. But how many people in this world have such boldness!

In the information provided by the Shadow Guard, there was very little mention of this person. After all, the Shadow Guard was used by the Governor's Office to monitor families, sects, and other forces in various places, rather than managing both the underworld and the righteous path like the Black-Clad Guard.

Moreover, previously, Shen Yu's attention had been on the major families and those wealthy but heartless gentry, so he had been somewhat negligent regarding other areas. He hadn't expected there to be such a figure in Songnan Prefecture.

However, treating his trusted aides well did not mean this person was a good man; on the contrary, his wealth and status were all obtained by exploiting common people. The more silver and beauties the experts under him consumed, the more it meant he had to exploit others doubly to get it back.

Furthermore, this person's methods were ruthless, but he acted without drawing attention, which was why his reputation was not prominent. The more someone like this was, the harder they were to deal with.

"Since we know who the boss of these gambling dens and underground banks is, then have my men keep a close watch on them. Once they show the slightest flaw, wipe them all out at once!"

"Yes, my Lord!"

And at this moment, this person known as the 'Great Master' was in the Zhuyia Art House. This was one of his properties, and every girl inside was beautiful as a flower and peerless in talent. The threshold here was naturally very high; it could be said that everyone who could come here was either rich or noble.

However, because of the new Prefect's great purge of the entire Songnan Prefecture, the Zhuyia Art House, which used to be bustling with visitors, had become much quieter in the past few days.

But at this moment, the entire Zhuyia Art House was closed to guests, and everyone was revolving around one person.

In the best room, a young gentleman was lying horizontally on a chair, with over a dozen girls carefully serving him, each of whom could be called a peerless beauty.

Not far outside the door, Shang Jin was saying something to a scholar who looked like a private secretary, facing a standing, graceful young girl with bright eyes and white teeth.

"You want to avenge your father and brother, but you know very well in your heart that this Prefect of ours has unfathomable strength. Relying on yourself, you can't even hurt a hair on him, so you can only use external force!"

Gently pinching the fair and crystalline face opposite him, a trace of covetousness appeared in Shang Jin's eyes. Even he had to admit that the young girl in front of him was indeed a stunner with enough capital to be proud of.

It was just a pity that he couldn't touch such a woman, and he dared not touch her!

"Do you know how much effort I spent to invite the gentleman inside? Go and serve that gentleman well. You have learned a lot during this time; use all your skills to make him obedient to you. Believe me, your revenge will be avenged soon!"

Reaching out, he pulled the girl's already revealing clothes even lower, and then Shang Jin said softly, "Go, think of your father and brother who died miserably; they are all watching you!"

"I know, you don't need to remind me!" Taking a deep breath, a look of determination flashed in the girl's eyes. She walked forward slowly, opened the door, and then strode inside.

Watching this scene, a look of ruthlessness flashed across Shang Jin's face, and then he said coldly, "How did the matter go?"

"Don't worry, Master. Although this Prefect seems to have ruthless methods, he cares deeply for the common people; he will definitely come!"

"That is excellent!" Clapping his hands lightly, Shang Jin couldn't help but feel a bit smug. "This little girl is obedient on the surface, but inside she is an impulsive and hot-tempered one. When she sees her enemy, she will definitely not be able to help herself!"

"And this gentleman of ours is one who cherishes the fair sex. He might not care about ordinary women, but she is different; her identity is the greatest temptation, which will surely make this gentleman unable to stop himself. At least, until the novelty wears off!"

"Our Prefect acts decisively; how could he be soft-hearted when facing an assassination? By then, with his beloved woman killed, this gentleman is not someone to be trifled with either. When the snipe and the clam fight, we naturally reap the profit!"

Clenching his fists slightly, as if everything was under his control, Shang Jin's face was filled with greed and ambition, and there was an indescribable excitement.

"This little Prefect doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth and still wants to rectify the gambling dens and brothels; what great boldness! But I will not only make him roll out of Songnan Prefecture, I will also hold the entire Songnan Prefecture in my hands!"

"Speaking of which, I should thank this Prefect. If he hadn't eliminated so many families and wiped out so many gangs, how would I have dared to make such a big move! He has worked hard for many days, only to make a wedding dress for me!"

"Yes, Master, you are wise; how could that little Prefect be your opponent!"

Lowering his head respectfully, the secretary revealed a cold smile in his eyes, and a faint killing intent flashed and vanished.

"What you want is for the snipe and the clam to fight, but what I want is for them to die without end, to let Shen Hengzhi perish completely in endless pursuit. However, not only must Shen Hengzhi die, you must die too!"