Chapter 187: The Prince Arrives

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Duan Fengyun began to explain his plan to the group:

"The current site of the Dragon Gate still needs repairs, so we will temporarily use this restaurant of Chouchou's as our base of operations.

However, Chouchou, you need to find people as soon as possible to repair the original dilapidated buildings and items on your side.

Throw away what isn't needed, replace what needs replacing, and don't feel bad about the money.

If the money isn't enough, just tell me, and I will find a way.

Chouchou, I require the reconstruction to be completed within fifteen days; can you do it!"

For the massive old site of the World Trade Union, fifteen days was indeed a very harsh timeframe.

Duan Fengyun only wanted to pressure Wen Chou Chou; if it truly couldn't be finished in fifteen days, he wouldn't say anything.

Wen Chou Chou patted his chest and said:

"Leader, don't worry.

I will definitely do my utmost to get it done in fifteen days."

"Good, with your word, I am at ease."

"Then, Leader, regarding the structure of the sect, how have you considered that?"

Wen Chou Chou asked a question that everyone present was concerned about.

Duan Fengyun had already thought about this question back when he decided to establish the Dragon Gate.

"The Dragon Gate will be set up with one leader and three halls.

The one leader will be the sect leader, a role I will take on.

The three halls will use the names of the halls once held by Shuang, Yun, and Feng: Tianshuang Hall, Feiyun Hall, and Shenfeng Hall.

The three Hall Masters will be held by Shuang, Yun, and Feng respectively.

Under each Hall Master, a Vice Hall Master position will be set up, with the specific personnel to be selected by the respective Hall Master.

Chouchou, you will continue in your accustomed role, responsible for managing the sect's affairs and then reporting to me.

The orders of the three Hall Masters are equivalent to my own, and the three Hall Masters have the right to execute first and report later, without needing to explain to me beforehand.

This is how I envision the core structure of the sect for now; do you have any opinions?

If the Dragon Gate grows stronger in the future, I will think about how to adjust the structure then."

"Junior Brother Duan, you!"

Nie Feng and the other two had no thoughts on who should be the sect leader.

As for the three of them continuing to be Hall Masters, living freely without having to worry about so many sect affairs, they were actually relieved and relaxed.

But what Duan Fengyun said later, that they possessed the same power of life and death as him, was not a good thing for a sect.

Duan Fengyun knew what the three wanted to say, and he smiled:

"Shuang, Yun, Feng, we have been brothers for so many years; do you think I don't trust you?

Besides, this is only the initial structure; once the Dragon Gate is on the right track, I will make major changes.

The Dragon Gate has just been established, and there are many things that need to be done.

As Hall Masters, you can't just dump everything on me alone.

If I see you living carefree lives while I am busy to the point of exhaustion, that won't do.

We are brothers; we must shoulder things together.

Don't you agree!"

It must be said that Duan Fengyun's silver tongue was truly formidable, moving Nie Feng and the others with emotion and reasoning with them.

After hearing this, the three had no objections and directly acquiesced to Duan Fengyun's idea.

Seeing that the three were silent, Wen Chou Chou began the second question.

"Then, Leader, what about recruiting soldiers and buying horses?

Right now there are only five of us, and including Young Master Long Er, that's only six.

For the six of us to try and recruit soldiers everywhere, that is nothing short of wishful thinking.

Although the four of you have peerless martial arts, it is impossible to run to so many places in a short time."

Duan Fengyun had already thought of a solution to this problem as well.

He still held the title of Prince of Equal Rank on his head; it would be a waste not to make good use of this identity.

"Chouchou, you don't need to worry about this.

I am, after all, a Prince of Equal Rank conferred by the Supreme; we can just wait here for people to come to us by using the imperial court's resources to recruit for me.

I will write a letter in a moment and find the local magistrate here to send it to Huangcheng."

Upon hearing this, Wen Chou Chou immediately stood up and called for the waiter.

The waiter came in and asked respectfully:

"Gentlemen, have you all finished eating?"

Wen Chou Chou patted the waiter on the head and shouted angrily:

"What gentlemen? From today on, this Master Duan is our boss.

Go quickly and fetch brush, ink, paper, and inkstone; Master Duan needs to write a letter."

The waiter was a bit dazed; he hadn't expected that in the short time it took to eat a meal, this restaurant would have changed owners.

But for someone like him who worked for others, there was no need to worry about such things.

Moreover, it seemed this new Master Duan had a good personality and looked very wealthy; following him should be much better than following Master Wen.

Thinking of this, he hurriedly nodded and bowed:

"Very well, I'm going right now, Master Duan, please wait a moment!"

The waiter ran out in a hurry, his footsteps thumping rapidly away.

Then, with a series of thumping sounds, the waiter arrived at high speed, quickly bringing the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone that had been requested.

Duan Fengyun immediately wrote a letter and then sealed it up.

"You all wait here for me; I am going to find the county magistrate to have him send a message for me."

Duan Fengyun instructed the group.

This matter could only be handled by him and could not be entrusted to others, so he decided to make the trip himself.

Duan Fengyun arrived at the county government office, and seeing Duan Fengyun reeking of alcohol, the yamen runner stepped forward to drive him away.

"Get lost quickly! This is an important government office; why is a drunkard like you running here?

Be careful, or you'll get a taste of the disciplinary rod and have your backside blossomed."

Duan Fengyun smiled, reached out, pulled the yamen runner over with a suction force, and said:

"Go call your county magistrate and tell him someone is looking for him.

If he doesn't come, he should be careful, as neither his official hat nor the head on his shoulders will be safe."

Duan Fengyun released his grip, and the yamen runner ran into the office in a panic to report.

The county magistrate, who had been drinking tea in his seat with a swagger, heard the panicked report from the yamen runner, called for the yamen runners on both sides, and rushed out aggressively.

He wanted to see exactly what kind of person had the audacity to come to the government office to cause trouble.

"Bold commoner, do you know what place this is?

You dare to come to the government office to cause trouble? Someone, tie him up for me!

If I don't give him a few dozen disciplinary rods, he won't know the severity of this official."

After the county magistrate finished his speech, he ordered the yamen runners to step forward and bind Duan Fengyun tightly.

"My dear county magistrate, it won't be too late to speak after you look at this thing."

Duan Fengyun happily took out a token from his bosom and threw it to the county magistrate.

The county magistrate took Duan Fengyun's token; he wanted to see what kind of medicine Duan Fengyun was selling in his gourd.

When he saw the words on the token, he fell to his knees in front of Duan Fengyun with a thud.

"Your Highness, this humble official failed to welcome you from afar; I hope Your Highness will forgive my crime.

It is all because this humble official was blind and did not recognize Your Highness; this humble official deserves to die."

As the county magistrate spoke in shame, he kowtowed vigorously.

When the yamen runners on the side saw the county magistrate kneeling, they all knelt down and prostrated themselves.

What Duan Fengyun threw to the county magistrate was exactly the Prince token that the Supreme had given to the four martial brothers not long ago.

And on his Prince of Equal Rank token, besides the five words "Prince of Equal Rank," there were also seven large characters: "To see this token is to see the Emperor."

So, when the county magistrate saw this token, he was scared out of his wits.

A few days ago, his close friend, who had topped the imperial examinations, was sent to this area to serve as a prefect.

And his close friend had seen the Supreme's attitude toward the four men including Duan Fengyun in the imperial court.

After drinking, his close friend had been in high spirits and told him about what happened in the imperial court that day.

At the time, he even joked that if he ever met these four princes, especially the Prince of Equal Rank, he must treat them well.

If the Prince of Equal Rank said a single word for him in front of the Supreme, it would be worth decades of his diligent work.

If the Prince of Equal Rank were to casually complain about him, let alone his official hat, he probably wouldn't even be able to keep his head.

The two of them were just talking; in the vast jianghu, how could they possibly run into the Prince of Equal Rank and the others?

But he never expected that only a few days later, he would actually run into the Prince of Equal Rank in his own jurisdiction.

As for the authenticity of this token, he did not doubt it at all.

Regarding the identity of the Prince of Equal Rank, the imperial court had not released any news.

Logically speaking, he shouldn't have known about this, and if it weren't for his close friend's notification, he would definitely have offended the Prince of Equal Rank today.

Seeing the terrified county magistrate, Duan Fengyun smiled and said:

"You all get up first; the ground is so hard, it's uncomfortable to kneel.

Magistrate, you don't need to be afraid.

This Prince has come today just to trouble you to do one thing for me."

Seeing Duan Fengyun wanting them to get up, the county magistrate hurriedly stood up, and the yamen runners followed suit.

The county magistrate wiped the cold sweat from his face and said:

"Your Highness, you are joking.

Whatever matter you have, tell this humble official as soon as possible; this humble official will certainly go through fire and water without hesitation."

Duan Fengyun took out the envelope from his bosom and handed it to the county magistrate.

"Rest assured, I won't make you do anything life-threatening.

I just want you to find someone to deliver this letter to the Huangcheng for the Supreme."

The county magistrate took the envelope and immediately said to the yamen runner on the side:

"Did you hear that? Immediately and at once, follow His Highness's request and deliver this letter to the Huangcheng.

Ride our fastest horse and be sure to deliver it to the Supreme as soon as possible; if you delay His Highness's important matter, your entire family will suffer."

"This subordinate will go right now."

The yamen runner took the letter and immediately walked into the county office; before long, a fast horse galloped away from in front of them.

"Your Highness, may I ask if there are any other instructions?"

The county magistrate asked obsequiously.

"Nothing else; I will head back first and will trouble you again if there is anything."

"Your Highness, why not come inside and sit for a while, and let this humble official fulfill the duties of a host?"

The county magistrate said ingratiatingly.

"No need, I'm a bit dizzy from drinking too much wine. I'm very familiar with this place, so there's no need for you, my lord, to play the host."

"That Jianghu Tavern up ahead is the restaurant I own. If you, Magistrate, would like a drink, just come find me."

"I'll be going now. If you have any matters, just send someone to find me."

"Oh right, my name is Duan Fengyun. Just give this name when you come looking for me."

"This humble official respectfully sees off Prince Duan."

The county magistrate respectfully saw Duan Fengyun off.

After Duan Fengyun left, the county magistrate wiped the cold sweat from his face; he had finally sent this great deity away.

The county magistrate said to the yamen runner at his side:

"You all heard the restaurant the Prince mentioned just now, right?"

"That is the Prince's business. From now on, no matter what dinner parties you have, you must go to the Prince's place."

"Also, tell those who come to us for business that any dining or banqueting must be done at the Prince's place."

"If I discover anyone who hasn't gone, I will certainly give them a taste of trouble."

"Yes, my lord."

With the intervention of the authorities, the restaurant, whose business had been growing increasingly bleak, was about to flourish once again.

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