The First Lackey Under The Empress

“I’ll go with you.”

Madam Ning stood up from a hidden compartment beneath the deck, shielding her daughter completely behind her.

[I hope readers remember our domain name here: Taiwan Novel Network → 𝚝𝚠𝚔𝚊𝚗.𝚌𝚘𝚖]

This action caused her defense to crumble, her heavy breasts filling the eyes of the Cao Gang's number one killer.

Zuo Rong's eyes showed surprise at first, then were attracted by the dignified woman's temperament. Although Madam Ning had already borne several children, in ancient times where marriage was generally early, even as a mother, she was still not old.

Especially coming from a wealthy family and being the governor-general's wife, her quiet eyebrows and outstanding figure caused Zuo Rong, who was used to playing with women in the Cao Gang, to be greatly amazed. He looked down at her and said:

“Does Madam know who we are?”

Fearless in the face of danger, the quiet and dignified Madam Ning said calmly:

“Anyone who dares to attack us would never do it just to rob us of money. After thinking about it, the greatest use for my daughter and I is nothing more than as bargaining chips to negotiate with my husband.”

“Haha, no wonder you're the governor-general's wife, you're different from the whores on the pleasure boats.” Zuo Rong laughed loudly and suddenly slapped her.

With a “smack,” Madam Ning's head turned to the side, a handprint appearing on her fair cheek.

Zuo Rong squatted down slightly, leaning on his staff with his left hand, his right hand's rough fingers lifting the governor-general's wife's chin, his eyes cold: “I hate women who think they're clever the most.”

As he spoke, his big hand slid down, about to reach into Madam Ning's collar to knead and grab wantonly.

Madam Ning stared at him, and said calmly:

“The person behind you must exchange something in order to negotiate with my husband. When the time comes, I can ask my husband to tell your master to exchange your life.”

Zuo Rong's fingers paused, his expression fierce, his body moving closer, he smiled sinisterly:

“Tell me, can you two be used as bargaining chips twice? Guess again, would a desperado like me abide by your officialdom's stinking rules? Oh right, I forgot to say, I like to eat them young.”

As he spoke, his eyes glanced at the girl behind the woman.

Madam Ning bit her lip, her eyes filled with bloodshot staring at him, and suddenly smiled sweetly:

“Let the child go out, I'll talk to you alone.”

Zuo Rong was stunned, but his eyes revealed a look of weighing the situation. Just then, a voice came from outside the cabin: “Lord Rong, a ship is approaching from behind!”

The Cao Gang's number one killer frowned, stood up, left the sentence "Tie these two up", then drew the dark black staff from the ground and strode out of the cabin.

He raised his head and was surprised to see a ship that looked like a merchant ship had noticed the movement here and was quickly approaching.

On the deck, a young master in brocade clothes could be vaguely seen standing at the front, with a woman beside him, and a large number of family guards.

“Trouble…” Zuo Rong said unhappily, “Let our ship intercept them and kill them. You guys immediately steer the ship and prepare to leave.”

No matter which family's young master it was, since they were so bold as to approach, he might as well kill them all.

…

Zhao Du'an stood at the front of the deck with a surprised expression, still holding a half-eaten bowl of rice and chopsticks in his hand.

He pointed forward with his chopsticks and asked curiously, “Did we encounter water bandits robbing? So fierce?”

There are mountain bandits in the mountains and water bandits in the water. This was the first time he had encountered such a thing on his way south.

Hai Gonggong shook his head and said, “It was far away just now, and this old servant didn't see it clearly, but I vaguely saw the flag of the Cao Canal Yamen raised on the ship.”

Zhao Du'an was stunned:

“It's a ship transporting Cao grain? No… this is obviously carrying people, so it's an official ship from the Cao Canal Yamen? Who is so bold as to intercept and kill an official ship?”

“We'll know when we go over and take a look.”

The old eunuch said lightly, then gave a light “eh” and said with interest:

“The other party seems to want to strike first.”

Zhao Du'an looked over and saw that the blood-stained ship hadn't moved, but the nearby "black ship" was crossing paths with it, and sailed straight towards them.

On the black ship, the Cao Gang's killers unsheathed their long knives, full of murderous intent, waiting for the ships to get close before jumping over and launching a slaughter.

Isn't… the folk customs of Jiancheng Road so fierce? Zhao Du'an clicked his tongue and said casually:

“Old Hou, say hello to the other side.”

“Yes!” Hou Renmeng grinned, waved his hand, and a group of Pear Blossom Hall elites took out crossbows and fired in unison in a volley.

“Puff puff puff!”

The arrows were like locusts, instantly felling several Cao Gang killers like cutting wheat.

“Something's wrong! It's the government army!” The masked men on the black ship were shocked and hurriedly dodged.

However, Song Jinxi, who looked like a monkey, smiled coldly, and led several palace guards like arrows, stepping on the water and rushing onto the black ship. He was too lazy to even draw his knife, and with a punch and a kick, he slaughtered all the killers.

In the distance, Zuo Rong, who was about to steer the ship away, suddenly shrank his pupils and thought to himself:

Could it be that there were a total of two ships escorting Madam Ning? Were they together?

Without time to think about it, Zuo Rong became ruthless in his heart. He had already picked up the heavy black iron rod, wrapped in the biting cold wind, and ran a few steps to the stern of the ship, and stepped heavily!

“Bang…”

The bow of the ship rose, and the stern sank. He actually used his own strength to shake the entire ship.

Immediately, using the force like a cannonball, he jumped high, the masked killer carrying the iron rod did not pay attention to the black ship being slaughtered, but like a falcon flying in the air, in mid-air, he extended his "claws" and grabbed towards the young master in gorgeous clothes who was standing at the bow of the ship with a look of watching the excitement!

Capture the leader first!

As long as this leading young master is killed, the remaining guards will collapse without a fight.

Zuo Rong was in mid-air, seeing that the brocade-clad young master was still standing loosely, and the surrounding guards were also in a relaxed posture, without any vigilance, he couldn't help but despise him in his heart, as if he had foreseen the scene of smashing his head with a stick.

Zhao Du'an looked strangely at the masked killer rushing over, and muttered:

“He's still a master, this leap is at least a middle-grade Divine Seal, or even higher.”

Hai Gonggong folded his sleeves, like the young master's old housekeeper:

“Being able to mobilize such a group of people is not a small figure in the local area.”

Zhao Du'an nodded and said lazily: “Then break both legs and leave him a breath.”

Zuo Rong was getting closer and closer, and suddenly a strong unease arose in his heart. The corner of his eye finally caught sight of a swordsman carrying a wine gourd and holding a curved knife, who stood up suddenly, swaying drunkenly, and leaped up.

“Puff!”

Lang Shisan's bright curved knife swept past, and two legs like hemp stalks fell into the river. Zuo Rong's eyes went black, and he felt a sharp pain in his dantian, almost fainting, and screamed loudly.

Lang Shisan casually smashed the Cao Gang killer's Qi Sea, which he had painstakingly cultivated for decades, and threw him on the deck, and then casually tore off the mask on his face, and said:

“Master, I don't recognize him.”

Zhao Du'an glanced at him and didn't recognize him either. He smiled and raised his boots, stepped on Zuo Rong's chest, and in the latter's horrified and unbelievable gaze, smiled and said:

“Who are you?”

…

In the cabin.

Madam Ning and her daughter were rudely dragged out, their hands and feet tied with hemp ropes, and then thrown into the cabin.

They only heard a burst of shouts and screams outside, and then the whole ship shook. The mother and daughter rolled on the floor, hitting the cabinet in the corner.

“Mother…” The girl's face was full of tears, and she had a big bump on her head, but her mouth was blocked by her mother's stern gaze.

The mother and daughter huddled together, hearing frightened shouts from outside. The "water ghost" killers on the ship seemed to be stimulated, and jumped off the ship in fear to escape, but were immediately forcibly dragged back by some force.

After that, it seemed that another group of people boarded the ship, and footsteps came from outside the door.

“Creak.”

The cabin door was opened again. The mother and daughter looked up and saw that the sunlight pouring in was particularly dazzling, and a stranger stood in the light.

“Da… Young Master, there are no other survivors on the ship, they were all killed by that group of people, only these two are left, they should be the targets.”

“Mm.”

The young master bathing in the light stepped in, revealing a face that was outstandingly handsome.

Zhao Du'an's expression was strange, and he smiled and said, “Who are you people?”

The dignified and quiet Governor-General's wife looked at him with suspicion, always feeling a little familiar, but couldn't remember ever seeing him, and cautiously closed her mouth and did not answer.

“Tsk, she's still mute,” Zhao Du'an clicked his tongue, rolled his eyes, and said with a smile:

“Old Hou, throw this little one into the river, it's fine if she drowns if she doesn't speak.”

Hou Renmeng grinned and was about to do it.

Madam Ning couldn't hold it anymore, and her eyes showed sadness and grief. In her opinion, this strange young master's villainous style was so strong, that her daughter and she had just escaped from the wolf pack, and now they had entered the tiger's den:

“Young Master, there’s no need to press us so hard. We are the wife and daughter of the Canal Transport Superintendent of Jianning Prefecture, and we encountered an ambush on our way back.”

The villainous smile on Zhao Du'an's face slowly froze, and a great bewilderment emerged in his small eyes.

… …

A moment later.

Inside the ship cabin, which had been tidied up and restored to its cleanliness.

Zhao Du'an sat cross-legged beside a dining table, staring at the mother and daughter kneeling opposite him. With a solemn expression, he handed over a cup of hot water and said:

“So, Madam Ning has no idea about the identities and intentions of these people?”

Through their conversation, the Superintendent's wife, having learned of Zhao Du'an's identity and background, had the ropes removed from her body. Amidst her lingering fear, her face revealed both the joy of surviving a disaster and surprise and curiosity towards the person before her.

Madam Ning held the jade cup with both hands, her expression serious:

“I do not know, but from their conversation, it was clear that they were ordered to capture us mother and daughter in order to coerce my husband.”

Assassinating court officials, kidnapping officials' family members, to threaten a Superintendent with real power of the second rank!

“Outrageous!”

The word popped into Zhao Du'an's mind, giving him a new understanding of the dire situation in Jiancheng Prefecture.

At this moment, a knock came from outside the door: “My Lord, the interrogation has yielded results.”

“Enter.”

The cabin door was pushed open, and the chief secretary Qian Kerou walked in, closing the door behind her. She leaned closer, lowered her head, and whispered something into Zhao Du'an's ear.

Zhao Du'an's expression changed: “Understood, you may leave.”

After Qian Kerou left, he first picked up the hot water in front of him and took a sip before slowly saying, under the curious gazes of Madam Ning and her daughter:

“They are from the Canal Gang, subordinates of He Xiaolou, led by a man named Zuo Rong.”

“Is it them?!” Madam Ning was stunned, her eyes filled with both astonishment and understanding.

“This official is visiting Jiancheng Prefecture for the first time and does not know much about this place. Madam, could you enlighten me?” Zhao Du'an asked.

Madam Ning explained:

“The Canal Gang… Your Lordship should know that in order to manage the canal transport, the government needs a large number of people to load and unload at the docks and transfer the grain. The government cannot afford to support so many people, so it often recruits laborers from the local populace… As more and more people came to work, a Jianghu emerged. Over time, large and small Canal Gangs formed.

At times there were hundreds of them. The things they did evolved from self-preservation to, later on, taking advantage of the canal transport for profit.

For example, they would use ships that transport canal grain to intercept passing merchant ships, claiming that the merchants were delaying the canal transport. Canal transport is a major matter, and anyone who delays it will lose their head. Those merchants would have no choice but to pay to avoid trouble…

Later, they gradually unified, leading to the current situation. The things they do are slightly more respectable, but they are still not benevolent people after all.

The leader of the Canal Gang in Jiancheng Prefecture is named ‘He Xiaolou.’ He has considerable power and employs many Jianghu people. Because he relies on the canal transport for a living, he has always been submissive to my husband.

Indeed, he has a formidable Jianghu fighter under him called ‘Master Rong,’ but I have never met him. I didn't think of it in the rush just now.”

The Canal Gang… similar to the Green Gang in my previous life's history? Well, a similar underground force to the Red Flower Society in the capital?

He Xiaolou… sounds familiar. The information I read when I came mentioned him, but not in much detail…

Zhao Du'an didn't expect that the first trouble he encountered here wasn't the Canal Transport Superintendent Ning Zechen, nor the local powerful families, nor even his old rival Prince Jing and his son, but a Canal Gang leader… like Du Yuesheng?

Alright.

“Since the Canal Gang is submissive to Superintendent Ning, how could they suddenly do such a thing?” Zhao Du'an asked curiously.

Madam Ning shook her head and said bitterly:

“This concubine does not know. I can only find out after entering the city and asking my husband. Fortunately, we were rescued by Shao Bao, otherwise…”

As she spoke, she was about to shed tears.

Zhao Du'an smiled: “This official came here to help Superintendent Ning. There's no need to thank me. It is this official who arrived a step late, causing Madam to be frightened.”

At this moment, the young girl, nestled beside her mother, with a face still bearing a hint of baby fat and resembling her mother, suddenly blinked her eyes and boldly said:

“Are you that Envoy Zhao? My father often talks about you.”

“Oh? What does the Superintendent say about me?” Zhao Du'an asked curiously.

Madam Ning's expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly tried to scold her, but the innocent and lively girl had already blurted out, proudly:

“Father said you are amazing, even being a live-in son-in-law, you are better than him. Father only became Mother's live-in son-in-law, but Envoy Zhao of the capital became His Majesty's live-in son-in-law.”

Madam Ning was so embarrassed that she wanted to disappear. Her face turned red: “No… my daughter is young and speaks without thinking…”

Zhao Du'an laughed loudly, stood up, felt the ship setting sail, pushed open the door, and looked towards the distant, faintly visible city, thinking:

She is quite a delightful person.

… …

… …

Jianning Prefecture.

The Canal Transport Yamen, where the official offices are located, is magnificent and even more impressive than the Prefect's Yamen. In the folk, it is even called the Canal Platform.

Behind the official office, in a courtyard full of Jiangnan water town architectural style, gray tiles, white walls, and a patio surrounded by colorful flowers and plants.

Canal Transport Superintendent Ning Zechen was practicing swordsmanship.

Ning Zechen was already fifty years old, but he did not show signs of aging. He was physically strong, with thick black hair, neatly trimmed sideburns, and a dignified appearance. He possessed both the elegance of a scholar and the official authority cultivated from being in a high position.

At this moment, he was only wearing a loose practice suit, and the sword in his hand was covered with water. When he wielded it, it whistled through the air with power and majesty.

At the end of a set of swordsmanship, he heavily chopped out, and the wet blade rolled up pieces of petals. The plants in the flower bed were all tilted by the wind of the sword.

“The Superintendent has a good mood.” A middle-aged man dressed as a clerk walked in and said with a smile.

Ning Zechen sheathed his sword and picked up the towel on the table with some emotion, wiping the sweat from his neck, sighing:

“I'm old, I've regressed too much. You should know that when I was young, I once wanted to be a wandering knight. Later, I led sailors and practiced some military skills. Although I have no talent for cultivation, I can be considered a good hand. Now… I can only perform swordsmanship for others to watch.”

The middle-aged man, dressed as a clerk, but in reality, the Superintendent's advisor and “strategist,” smiled:

“The Superintendent's current position is a million times more beneficial to the country and the people than a mere wandering knight, isn't it?”

“Heh, that sounds nice, but I'm constrained everywhere. I seem to have great power in my hands, but there are not many people I can use. How can that be as carefree as a wandering knight?” Ning Zechen sighed and asked:

“Is there any news about Madam's journey?”

Wen Shiye said: “According to the letter sent last time, calculating the days, she should arrive in these two days.”

“I say, Madam should have stayed in Linfeng for a longer period with the child. This Jianning Prefecture is not peaceful. But she insisted on coming back.”

“After not seeing each other for several months, Madam must also be missing the Superintendent. Family reunion is always good.”

Ning Zechen nodded and asked: “Let's talk about the main business.”

“It's about the obstruction of the new policy in the measurement of fields in the Shen family… The Shen family has not come forward publicly, but they have clearly threatened the tenant farmers and have been resisting…” Wen Shiye reported.

He did not bring any paper or text in his hand, but relying only on his memory, he described the details of the entire event without any errors.

Ning Zechen listened quietly, his face displeased. After listening, he snorted coldly:

“The Shen family is the largest clan in the local area, and the other clans are watching how the Shen family will compete with the imperial court. Like this, you send people to find the gangs and ruffians in the city. Do not let the government officials come forward, as long as this group of gang people do this and that…”

Wen Shiye said helplessly:

“Superintendent, we are, after all, the government, and you are also the Canal Transport Superintendent. Using these shady means, I'm afraid it will give people something to talk about and cause the officials in the court to impeach you.”

Ning Zechen said disdainfully:

“Impeach? A group of petty officials in the court, plus a group of speech officials who only know how to shout blindly, what else can they do besides whining and barking beside His Majesty's ears? What's the use?

Each one pays attention to gentlemanly methods, huh, they are all a group of useless scholars who have never done any real work. They speak nicely, but can they accomplish anything?

Just do as I say, let them impeach me. Although our current Majesty is a woman, she is a decisive person and will naturally block it for me.”

Wen Shiye had no choice but to nod: “Alright…”

At this moment, suddenly, a clerk rushed into the courtyard and reported:

“Superintendent, the Canal Gang's He Xiaolou has sent someone to deliver a letter, specifying that you must personally read it.”

… …

Typesetting: Update first, then revise.