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"Dong Weng! Dong Weng! There's news from the garrison..."

Early in the morning, the legal advisor rushed over, startling County Magistrate Cao. "What's going on? Are they planning to send troops from Panyu?"

There has been a lot of fighting on the coast of Dongning recently. I heard that the coalition forces have gone to besiege Luoling Island. County Magistrate Cao is really worried. If the leader surnamed Sun was not still staying in the county and several workshops were not operating steadily, he might have abandoned his post and fled.

As a result, after a hurricane, the situation changed. Not only did the people who were besieging the Red Flag Gang camp leave, but it was also heard that Luoling Island had also won a great victory.

It was not until this time that County Magistrate Cao learned that the navy had also sent ships and had suffered a complete annihilation.

County Magistrate Cao now felt mixed emotions. On the one hand, he felt that the Red Flag Gang was really powerful and he had followed the right people. On the other hand, he was afraid that Panyu would be furious. If the imperial court really came to suppress the bandits, what should he do?

Therefore, when Master Yang came running to report the news in such a hurry, he felt uneasy at first.

Master Yang quickly said, "It's not about sending troops. It's a rumor. Some people say that the Red Flag Gang is the remnant of General Qiu..."

County Magistrate Cao's expression changed: "Master Liu knows about this?"

Are there any remnants of General Qiu in the Red Flag Gang? Of course there are! County Magistrate Cao knows full well that the Mr. Tian currently in charge of Dongning is none other than Tian Yu, the former death row inmate in Panyu Prison.

But it would be fine if I just knew it, but now Commander Liu of the salt field knows everything, so isn't that the end of everything?

Seeing his boss frightened, Master Yang couldn't help but understand what he was thinking: "Don't panic, Mr. Dong. It's not a bad thing that Master Liu is willing to pass on the news to us!"

"Ah?" County Magistrate Cao looked confused and didn't understand. If everyone in the nearby garrison knew about it, how could it not be a bad thing?

If the atmosphere hadn't been so off, Master Yang would have been eager to wave his feather fan and act like he was giving orders. "Think about it, Dong Weng. If Lord Liu really had something against us, why would he have informed us privately? And he only spoke of rumors without getting to the bottom of things. Isn't he just trying to use us to tip off the Red Flag Gang?"

Can you even say that? County Magistrate Cao opened his mouth and trembled as he said, "But everyone in the garrison knows about it. How could the higher-ups not know about it? What if the imperial court sends a large army?"

This is a matter of life and death. Not to mention that General Qiu is being charged with treason, Tian Yu is also a death row prisoner appointed by the imperial court. What good can he expect from hanging out with a group of traitors?

Master Yang shook his head repeatedly. "There's no telling how many tricks there are in General Qiu's case. Who would really believe he's collaborating with bandits? Besides, bandits are rampant right now, with soldiers everywhere. We don't even have enough time to suppress them, let alone how many troops can we mobilize to fight the Red Flag Gang? We've already won one battle. If they win another, the Red Flag Gang will dominate the South China Sea. Wouldn't we be able to profit from it then? Dong Weng, don't forget the old story of Xi Qingnian..."

County Magistrate Cao shuddered. What was the story of the Xiqing Year? Wasn't it just that a wealthy tycoon from the sea had colluded with a local prefect, controlling a state, three or five large counties, and even the garrisons, and they all obeyed his orders.

Later, when the incident happened, the imperial court sent troops to fight, but he was able to escape unscathed.

What a grand ceremony and commotion! Could it be that Master Yang thinks the Red Flag Gang can act like this?

The thought that the other party might truly dominate the region, forcing even the imperial court to retreat, immediately made County Magistrate Cao's bones lighten. Dongning was the Red Flag Gang's backyard, and Cao had been so dedicated and dedicated, so he must be considered a meritorious official, right?

But even though he thought so, County Magistrate Cao didn't dare to speak out loud. After pondering for a long time, he whispered, "What if we lose the fight?"

Master Yang: “…”

If you're afraid, just say it. Why are you pretending? With a light cough, Master Yang said, "Dong Weng has been in charge of Dongning. He hasn't treated the people harshly or exploited them. Instead, he's curbed the powerful and wiped out bandits. How could he have done anything to offend the court? As for those workshops, who knows their origins..."

County Magistrate Cao understood immediately what he was saying. This was a way to disassociate himself from the bandits! After all, the Red Flag Gang hadn't attacked the prefectures or plundered the countryside. They'd simply opened a few workshops and set up a low-interest loan bank. Wasn't that all good? He was still a good official serving the country and the people. He had paid all the taxes he owed, and the few wealthy families he had confiscated had solid evidence. He could call himself "honest judge" wherever he went. What was there to be afraid of?

When he thought of this, County Magistrate Cao couldn't help but smile, "Master, it's true. A man of integrity has nothing to fear. What do I have to fear?"

Seeing him getting complacent again, Master Yang hurriedly said, "Dong Weng, don't forget to inform Chief Sun. We also have to keep an eye on those wealthy families in the county and not let them cause any more trouble."

Magistrate Cao paused twirling his beard, then quickly put on a solemn expression: "Indeed, we still have to keep a close eye on them."

At times like this, his importance can be shown, and the Red Flag Gang must value him more.

Even Magistrate Cao knew the news, not to mention how it went viral. In the past few days, the Tang family's gate had been nearly broken down.

"Brother Tang, have you heard? There are actually remnants of General Qiu... General Qiu in the Red Flag Gang!" Probably because he had something to hide, the visitor didn't even dare to utter the word "Qiu Ni".

Tang Yansheng chuckled: "So what if there is?"

"We all have money deposited in the bank. Do you want to withdraw it first..." The man's voice suddenly lowered, and he looked like he was negotiating.

"You can take it if you want, but I won't touch it." Tang Yansheng answered straightforwardly.

"You, aren't you afraid that the Red Flag Gang will collapse?" the man shouted, unable to contain himself any longer. "If this news gets out, what if the imperial court sends a large-scale army?"

Tang Yansheng did not answer but asked, "Although I am not a seaman and do not know the intricacies of it, I would like to ask, who is the best naval commander in this dynasty?"

Is there any need to ask? The man naturally continued, "Of course it's General Qiu..."

As soon as he said this, he was stunned. Yes, who didn't know the reputation of General Zhenhai? No wonder the Red Flag Gang was able to build such a strong foundation in such a short time. They were all the remnants of Qiu Sheng's army, so how could they not be powerful?

As he pondered this, another thought came to his mind. He said carefully, "Are you saying that the imperial court may not be able to take down the Red Flag Gang?"

"I didn't say that." Tang Yansheng chuckled, "We're just businessmen, why should we join in on this fun?"

Why join in the fun? Didn't you say cement was a good business? Now we're ready to invest money, so who wouldn't be afraid of fighting?

After enduring for a long time, he finally spoke: "Brother Tang, about the cement workshop..."

"The hurricane has passed, and you still can't tell what the concrete courtyard is like?" Tang Yansheng turned serious when he mentioned business. "Anyway, those workshops and banks opened in Dongning aren't under the Red Flag Gang's banner. We're well-behaved and law-abiding, so what do we have to be afraid of?"

The man blinked at that, then suddenly realized. "Yes, the Red Flag Gang has already worked hard to clean themselves up. As long as there's no major chaos, there's always a way to deal with them." Besides, if they're truly defeated, the cement formula might even leak out. The business world is like a battlefield; don't miss out on opportunities!

As soon as he figured it out, he immediately showed a guilty look on his face: "That's why people say that Brother Tang is so open-minded. I was just mistaking it..."

Seeing him surrender, Tang Yansheng breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure if the Red Flag Gang could win, but the Tang family was already tied to them, so how could they retreat? Of course, these fickle fence-sitters had to be suppressed. But then again, it also depended on how the Panyu naval camp would react...

…

"Sir, now that the news has spread, the army seems to be a little unstable."

Everyone was watching the navy's reaction, but the navy itself was somewhat in a state of panic.

If the news of the "remnants of the Qiu Party" got out, the imperial court would naturally be furious, but the soldiers and generals below would be in trouble. Qiu Sheng was a truly victorious general who loved his soldiers like his own sons and was extremely prestigious in the army.

When he was wrongfully murdered, everyone was in danger and dared not speak out, but now that there was suddenly evidence of "collaboration with bandits", who could not help but be shocked and angry? In addition, the newly appointed Lieutenant General Xu was imprisoned, which made the public even more angry. They couldn't help but curse out the things they didn't dare to say that day.

How could a commander-in-chief not have anticipated such a thing? Wang Ling sneered, "It's precisely because they don't believe it that they'll fight so desperately. Can Qiu Sheng's reputation be easily borrowed? If we can vent all the resentment on those red bandits, it would be the best."

The servant had never thought there was such a theory. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Your Excellency, please understand. But what if there are indeed defectors among the bandits?"

Some of General Qiu's former subordinates had resigned or rebelled. The Red Flag Gang had been able to rise so suddenly in just over a year, even to a close naval engagement with a skilled fighter like Xu Xianrong. Who knows, perhaps there were still remnants of the "Qiu rebels"? Wouldn't that have further disrupted the morale of the army?

Wang Ling glanced at his confidant and said, "Do you know what makes those pirate gangs at sea so brave and good at fighting?"

"This... is probably because the bandits are fearless and unafraid of death?" The captain was confused, but answered quickly.

"They rely on desperate criminals, bandits who burn, kill, and plunder!" Wang Ling changed the subject, "How many pirates do you think don't hate Qiu Sheng?"

The captain shuddered and cried out, "That's right! If the Red Flag Gang really had Qiu and the remnants of Qiu Ni, they would definitely not be able to form an alliance with the other bandits! Your Excellency is truly far-sighted and divinely strategizing!"

This flattery was so sincere that even Lord Wang couldn't help but raise his lip. "After such a fierce battle, how many men and ships can the Red Bandits still have? The only thing they can attack is the Qingfeng Gang. Shen Sandao suffered at the hands of Qiu Sheng back then. If they can still form an alliance, it would be a miracle. The enemy is weak, we are strong, and we have the overall situation. What is there to be afraid of?"

These words are so well-reasoned and admirable.

No wonder Lord Wang can remain in a high position and stay out of trouble.

With this reassurance, and a little guidance, why worry about the army's morale being unstable? It's a pity that the Red Flag Gang was born at the wrong time. If it had emerged later, the court might not have had the time to deal with it.

But it’s okay, it’s a great opportunity to grab the credit!