Chapter 150: Sowing Discord

With no other choice, Luo Gan knew he had to first eliminate the major threat of Huang Changjun before he could spare any energy to deal with Liang Shidu. Just as Liu Buwen had said, one could only accomplish tasks successfully by focusing single-mindedly. This was likely what was referred to as the artisan spirit.

Luo Gan glanced at the layout of the street. In reality, sixty percent of the shop owners held deep grievances against them, and quite a few had even explicitly expressed their support for overthrowing Huang Changjun and Lord Long.

Lord Long, draped in a general's uniform, was no pushover. Truly believing himself to be some high-ranking official and treating ordinary people as mere dirt, his exploitation of the surrounding shops was even more outrageous. When questioned about it, he would shamelessly claim that he was acting on behalf of Heaven. He paid little attention to the blacksmith's shop, while Mabei scurried around doing his bidding—he was nothing more than a tyrant of Chang'an.

As for Huang Changjun, after wrecking the Odd-Job House, he immediately began plotting his next scheme. He planned to reignite the conflict between Lord Long and Luo Gan, and then use the local ruffians to utterly destroy the Odd-Job House's business, leaving them with no means of livelihood.

Learning of Huang Changjun's movements, A-Zhen rushed back to deliver the news to Luo Gan and Liu Buwen, who were deep in a secret discussion.

A-Zhen: "That scoundrel Huang Changjun... is plotting against us yet again. We cannot let this go on."

Liu Buwen's expression was grave. Just moments before, he had been earnestly advising Luo Gan to resolve the issue through peaceful means if possible. Seeing how things stood, however, the situation was not as he had anticipated. Their opponent was not a kind soul who would back down after gaining a slight advantage, but a ruthless tiger determined to drive them to extinction.

Luo Gan: "Based on this, Buwen, do you still wish to speak on their behalf?"

Liu Buwen shook his head and sighed.

"The ancients said that subduing the enemy without fighting is the best strategy, but at present, it seems that striking them down in one decisive blow is the superior course of action."

A-Zhen seized the moment to showcase his competence.

"Tomorrow, Huang Changjun is going to visit the racecourse for leisure. I believe we can set an ambush there and wipe out the enemy in a single sweep."

Luo Gan was quite surprised. He had not expected that after merely asking A-Zhen to conduct a brief investigation, the young man could come up with such a plan. It was truly remarkable.

" Oh? Visiting the racecourse? I wouldn't have thought he had such refined tastes. However, our influence within Chang'an City is not yet strong enough, and using such a crude method is bound to draw unwanted attention."

A-Zhen: "Don't we still have the Duke of Song? With a prince and high official as our backing, what is there to fear from a mere local tyrant?"

Indeed, Luo Gan had not yet discussed the matter of the Duke of Song with everyone in detail; after all, the fewer people who knew, the more initiative they retained.

"The Duke of Song's current situation is not very optimistic. Given that his troubles just happened and he has only recently emerged, alarming him is not a wise choice."

A-Zhen lamented: "A minister who cannot help is useless, even if he holds a high title."

Liu Buwen: "One cannot put it quite like that. After all, the name alone carries weight. Unless it is ruffians like Huang Changjun or Lord Long who choose to ignore it, others will still hold us in a certain degree of respect."

Luo Gan gazed out the window at the spring rain. The weather was gradually growing warmer, bringing a sense of relief to the heart, while the faint chirping of swallows could be heard echoing from afar.

"It matters not. I naturally have ways to deal with them."

Yanshan and Xiaozhi rushed off in different directions to begin preparations for the battle. Yanshan headed over to Lord Long's domain, finding him sitting squarely inside the blacksmith's shop, having profited handsomely of late.

Lord Long: "Oh! Look who has arrived?"

Mabei shouted loudly: "You see the General, why haven't you knelt down yet?"

Yanshan and Xiaozhi tactfully dropped to their knees, performing the kowtow with all proper etiquette, which greatly delighted Lord Long.

"Ah, we are all family here. What fine treasures have you brought me this time?"

Yanshan was startled, never expecting Lord Long to be so blunt and utterly shameless, wearing his greed completely on his face without any attempt at concealment.

"Good news, of course. Our Association Master learned that the General has been riding high of late, and specifically sent us to help Lord Long dispose of some weapons from the blacksmith's shop."

Lord Long: "Weapons? Dispose of? You mean to say the things I make are mere scrap? Otherwise, why would they need disposing of!"

Seeing Lord Long fly into a rage, Mabei stamped his foot heavily against the floor.

"Apologize at once! If you cannot explain yourself, you won't walk out of this door today!"

Xiaozhi's expression remained unchanged as he replied magnanimously.

"How could they be scrap? Our Association Master simply thought that since Lord Long is now a great general, he should select a proper mansion of his own within Chang'an City. How could a mere blacksmith's shop like this possibly befit the status of General Long?"

Shortly afterward, a batch of weapons hauled from Lord Long's blacksmith's shop arrived at the Odd-Job House, timed deliberately at dusk to avoid prying eyes.

Luo Gan briefly outlined his plan to the others.

"The purpose of these weapons is actually quite simple. My first step is to drive a wedge between Lord Long and Huang Changjun. If those two were to join forces, they would form a formidable alliance that even the combined strength of this entire street could not defeat."

While Yanshan and Xiaozhi remained baffled, Liu Buwen had already grasped Luo Gan's underlying intention.

"Borrowing a knife to kill."

Luo Gan nodded with satisfaction.

The next day, A-Zhen led a few men to the racecourse where Huang Changjun was visiting, naturally bringing along the blades hauled from Lord Long's shop.

Meanwhile, Sima Ge, whose stance remained ambiguous, went out that day along with his two disciples and Xiaozhi, claiming they were going to the racecourse to seek inspiration.

At the very moment the two groups intersected, A-Zhen disguised himself in the attire of Xiaozhi's carpenters and workers.

A-Zhen: "Did you hear me clearly? We rush in and kill them outright, no questions asked. After fighting for a bit, follow me and run for your lives without looking back!"

Huang Changjun was chatting merrily with those around him, and several retainers regarded him as if he were an immortal.

Huang Changjun: "Let me tell you all, before long everyone here will enjoy immense wealth and glory. This is merely the beginning; the development of the market streets depends entirely on us, and in the future, princes and nobles will look upon us with awe!"

Huang Changjun delicately pinched a piece of rouge powder between his fingers, looking quite different from ordinary men, while his retainers beamed with radiance.

A-Zhen led his men in a direct charge.

"Charge! Cut down this fake man!"

Huang Changjun turned pale with fright. Some of the surrounding retainers failed to react in time and were instantly cut down by A-Zhen's blade. Many others drew the swords at their waists to fight back, and before long, A-Zhen shouted for his men to retreat.

Watching from a distance, Xiaozhi caught the drift and instructed everyone to stand beneath the trees while he went to buy some food.

Numerous people came running from the racecourse covered in blood, dashing past the carpenters and leaving them astonished to find people dressed almost identically to themselves. Just as the two disciples hesitated, Huang Changjun slashed out from behind, cleaving one of them into a bloody figure who collapsed and died with a miserable cry. The other was likewise killed on the spot by several blows from the retainers.

When Xiaozhi returned from afar with the food, he witnessed the horrifying scene before him, turned pale with shock, and bolted.

Back at the Odd-Job House, A-Zhen and the others changed out of their clothes and washed themselves. After burning the blood-stained evidence, Luo Gan turned his gaze toward Liu Buwen.

The flames flickered between the two of them. On Liu Buwen's face appeared unease and terror, while Luo Gan wore an expression whose true nature was impossible to read.