The people from the Hundred Households Office came quickly and left just as quickly.
The person who came to announce the transfer orders spoke very politely, merely going through formalities. After reading the orders, they left them behind and then departed, refusing even the red envelope that Rong Yichu quietly offered.
At this time, in the conference hall.
All the senior members of the South City Hundred Households Office were gathered together.
Seven transfer orders.
Three orders for promotion to Hundred Households, and four for promotion to Chief Banner, directly transferring Gu Zhan’s seven most trusted aides.
The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat oppressive.
They all knew this was Wan Yan’s open scheme, meant to sideline Gu Zhan, and although they were visibly promoted, they couldn’t feel any happiness.
It’s just a promotion in name but a demotion in effect.
They were all seasoned officials well-versed in the political arena.
Although their official positions in South City weren’t high, they held real power. Now being transferred elsewhere, even if it’s as a nominal head, they were mere figureheads.
Moreover, they understood clearly,
their current status was due to Gu Zhan’s backing.
Once Gu Zhan was sidelined and lost his influence, he would surely be suppressed. With even a slight misstep, he could lose his position, and by then, neither would they keep theirs. More importantly, if Gu Zhan fell from power, they couldn’t escape the ensuing purge.
So, this overt transfer order was essentially a death warrant.
"My lord... what do we do now?" Ma Lang asked grimly.
Gu Zhan squinted his eyes and replied, "I can refuse Wan Yan’s arrangements, but you cannot. If you refuse, it would be defying the Garrison Commandant’s Office, and just for this reason, you could be stripped of your official positions. Besides, I have no way to help you refuse since this is an appointment by the Garrison Commandant’s Office."
Ma Lang took a deep breath and said, "What then, my lord? Wan Yan is clearly trying to sideline you. With us transferred away, surely he’ll arrange his men here. If something happens, we won’t be able to come back and help. Also, in the other cities, we definitely won’t hold any real power."
"Actually, this isn’t the most worrisome issue," Rong Yichu said slowly. "Wan Yan’s style is to take unconventional approaches, and his deadly moves are often delayed. What worries me most now is his backup plan."
Rong Yichu couldn’t help but recall a recent incident involving the Rong Family, where Wan Yan struck a deadly blow. He took a deep breath and said, "If his tactics are merely to sideline and weaken our lord’s influence, then there’s nothing to worry about – it won’t take long to overturn Wan Yan’s men and even spare energy to help you regain power in other cities.
However, judging by Wan Yan’s methods, it surely won’t end here. He won’t give us a chance to breathe, and his follow-up scheme should be what we guard against."
Gu Zhan nodded slightly and said, "If I’m not mistaken, the next move will definitely be from the noble families. Wan Yan has been using me as a knife from the beginning, and this time won’t be an exception."
A major upheaval occurred at the South City Hundred Households Office.
Three Chief Banners and four Small Banners left, and three Chief Banners and four Small Banners arrived, causing turbulence at the South City Hundred Households Office, nearly leading to chaos. However, Gu Zhan’s suppression quickly stabilized the situation.
Just as the storm began to subside, another major event occurred in South City.
Dozens of presidents of the South City Commerce Association collectively came to the South City Hundred Households Office to meet Hundred Households Gu Zhan.
These so-called presidents of the commerce association were merely their public identities; in fact, they were the leaders of various gangs in South City.
In the conference hall.
Many gang leaders came to complain to Gu Zhan.
"Lord Gu, the Prefecture Government is pushing us to a dead end, you have to think of a way!"
"Yes, Lord Gu, in the past, the lease contracts were directly renewed for us. But this time, the Prefecture Government handed them all over to the noble families, leaving nothing for us."
"There are hundreds of people under me waiting to be fed!"
"In just a few days of shutdown, a lot of trouble has already erupted under my command. It’s really not our intention to trouble you, but we have no other choice!"
"Without money, people’s hearts will scatter!"
Gu Zhan’s face was grim,
He predicted Wan Yan would have a follow-up move, but didn’t expect it to be so ruthless. Striking twice, both hitting the vital points.
The first blow sidelined the Hundred Households Office, causing him to be overwhelmed. The second blow hit straight at his foundation.
What allowed him to have full control over South City, apart from the South City Hundred Households Office, was the close relationship with various gangs in South City. These gangs relied on him, establishing a Special Service Battalion cooperation model, supporting each other.
And now,
Wan Yan directly transferred the territories of these gangs from official hands to those of the noble families, severely hurting the gangs. If not handled well, these gangs would become disunited.
By then, the so-called Special Service Battalion system would become a joke. South City would descend into chaos and be divided by the noble families. In the territories controlled by the families, the Special Service Battalion system couldn’t be implemented.
Gu Zhan said nothing.
Rong Yichu was soothing the gang leaders for him.
After a long time, the gang leaders gradually calmed down.
Gu Zhan looked at the gang leaders and said, "You’ve always supported this official wholeheartedly. This friendship is always remembered by me. Don’t worry, even in these times, I won’t abandon you."
"Thank you, Lord Gu!"
"With your assurance, my lord, I’m relieved."
"Lord Gu, we all rely on you. Since you took over South City, our commercial associations have thrived. We all understand clearly and are determined to stand by you. If needed, we’ll fight for you without hesitation."
"Yes, Lord Gu. Just say the word, and we’ll follow you into the fray!"
Gu Zhan nodded slightly and said, "Your intentions are clear to me. Go back and do your best to calm down your people. Also, be prepared; this martial world is like this. You should understand what I mean – success or failure rests on the knife in hand."
"Understood."
"Understood, Lord Gu, we’re just waiting for your orders."
The gang leaders gradually left one by one.
Silence settled in the hall.
Gu Zhan turned to Rong Yichu and said, "Inform the current heads of each noble family in South City that this official will host a banquet at the Baihua Building tomorrow night."
Rong Yichu asked, "My lord, are you going to?"
Gu Zhan snorted coldly and said, "I won’t let Wan Yan walk away with his nose in the air. Since he dares to ignore my warnings and use me as a knife again, then I’ll turn the tables on him!"

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