Chapter 113: Dead Men Don't Split Money

Chapter 113: What Money Does a Dead Man Divide?

“Sao Hong, Chu Yao.”

Two maids acknowledged the order and stepped forward, one kneeling on a single knee, the other prostrating with knees bent.

Wu Gong pinched a thumb-sized glass vial from his sleeve and tossed it to the heroic-looking maid, Chu Yao.

Chu Yao parted her red lips, her tongue curling lightly, and swallowed the glass vial whole.

“I recall those of the Martial Dao sequences value nothing more than their pure flesh and blood. This time, this young master shall utterly ruin his foundation, so he knows the consequence of opposing my Wu Clan.”

“This servant understands.”

Beside her, Sao Hong blinked her limpid autumn-water eyes and giggled, “Young Master, killing him just like that, isn't it a waste? Why not capture him back and let you… train him a bit?”

The woman's face was thick with visible lust; her fingertips slid gently over Wu Gong's leg.

“I heard in the great clans of the North, the passion of the cut sleeve is considered an elegant affair. One more male servant means that much more pleasure.”

Wu Gong lifted Sao Hong's chin with his toe, gazing at her flushed cheeks, and laughed cursingly, “You little slut, what new tricks did you learn in whatever Yellow Millet Dream Realm you entered?”

“This servant only feared she couldn't serve the Young Master well.” Sao Hong looked tearful, pressing that foot against the softness of her chest.

“You are thoughtful,” Wu Gong smiled, his brows seeming moved, “Then bring the man back. I haven't personally 'processed' a clan hound in a long time; this time, I'll add a new sister for you.”

The Wu Clan Steward kneeling in the hall could no longer feel the pain in his forehead, only waves of chill coursing through his body.

His expression struggled; after a long while, his loyalty to the Wu family overcame his fear, and he spoke in a trembling voice.

“Young Master, the Chengdu Prefecture County Yamen has sent word: if the feud between the two families damages so much as a single blade of grass, the bill goes to Jinling. It's a covert warning not to disturb the populace. If we strike again, I fear we'll provoke them.”

“So what if they're provoked?”

Wu Gong's brows twitched, “Just an old pedant on his last legs who only dares hide in the yamen making tofu. What is there to fear? Such high-sounding rhetoric is just to leave himself a hypocritical reputation of loving the people like his own children.”

“He wants me to pay compensation? This Young Master will oblige him!”

Wu Gong's gaze was haughty, his arrogance rampant, “Go send a set of the Four Treasures of the Study to our County Magistrate. Tell his lordship to write freely; whatever amount he wants, I, Wu Gong, will pay him that much!”

The Jiaofangsi, that elegant small courtyard housing the top courtesan, Du Shisan Niang.

Today, a wooden sign reading 'Three Yangs Bring Prosperity' hung before the courtyard gate.

“Director.”

Qi Zhu, wearing a tailored black round-collared robe, stood respectfully outside the courtyard gate.

The round-collared robe was the traditional attire of men in the Great Ming Empire, but on Qi Zhu, it only accentuated her sharp, capable bearing.

The courtyard gate creaked open; Du Shisan Niang stood by the door, bleary-eyed, leisurely arranging her disheveled spring radiance.

Qi Zhu glanced at the other woman's obviously superior peaks, disgust unconcealed on her face, and strode in with the bearing of a man.

She disliked this place.

But after Li Jun returned from the Gu Mansion, seeing the Shudao Logistics Group in shambles, he turned on his heel and left, using public funds to rent this courtyard as an office.

Absurd as these actions were, the Gu Mansion side voiced not a word of reproach.

Qi Zhu could only helplessly come daily to report on time.

In the warm pavilion, Li Jun wore a comfortable silk short tunic, leisurely sipping a cup of fragrant tea.

“Director, this is the headquarters' reconstruction progress and the Security Department's major expenditures for the past three days, please review.”

Qi Zhu handed over an electronic dossier; Li Jun took it, glanced at it, and casually tossed it aside.

“How has Qian Zhongxiao been cooperating with you these days?”

“Very obedient.”

At the mention of this name, deep admiration welled up on Qi Zhu's face.

Her Director, after entering the Gu Mansion once, not only avoided any blame from the master but actually forged a connection with that Steward Qian, whom she viewed as unreachable.

Qian Zhongxiao's change in attitude left her dumbfounded; his every word and deed were submissive, reporting everything, great or small.

Only executing after obtaining Qi Zhu's permission.

He even secretly called Qi Zhu 'godmother' in private, causing Qi Zhu, who had originally planned to destroy him step by step, to momentarily hesitate to strike.

“Obedient is good. How are the other businesses progressing?”

Qi Zhu naturally knew what 'other businesses' Li Jun referred to, and smiled, “Director, rest assured, everything is arranged. Before the new owner takes office, we'll make a killing. The fastest payment arrives within seven days.”

Li Jun hummed, handing a handwritten note to Qi Zhu.

“When the first dividend arrives, don't send it to Qian Hai yet. Take the money to the black market to launder it clean, then deliver seven million to the location on this note.”

Qi Zhu took the note, glanced at it, then tore it to shreds and swallowed them down, the entire process without a shred of hesitation or a single question.

“As for the rest, you take it yourself.”

For me?

Qi Zhu's face froze; she hurriedly said, “Director, we're not giving them a single copper?”

Li Jun said indifferently, “No need.”

Qi Zhu puzzled, “Doing this, Qian Hai will surely badmouth you to the master; trouble will be endless then.”

“This is only the first dividend. As long as we keep cooperating with Qian Hai, there will be a constant stream of income later. No need for this.”

Qi Zhu currently thought Li Jun was blinded by greed, intending to swallow this dividend alone, and hurriedly tried to persuade him.

But before she finished, she heard Li Jun say, “What money does a dead man divide?”

Qi Zhu's expression froze; a chill rushed from her soles to her crown.

Li Jun intends to kill Qian Hai?

Killing a partner right after opening shop, what logic is this?

Leaving aside whether Li Jun can kill him, if Qian Hai dies, the master loses their inside man, and this deal collapses immediately.

Isn't this cutting off one's own financial path?

A heap of doubts choked Qi Zhu's throat, yet Li Jun had not the slightest intention to explain.

“Some things you don't need to know. Just treat this cooperation as a one-off; steel your nerves and scoop it all up.”

Li Jun's expression was solemn, “Once you have the money, get the hell out of Chengdu Prefecture immediately.”

Towards Qi Zhu, Li Jun held no killing intent.

As long as she handled things cleanly, sparing her life was no great matter.

Just as Qi Zhu stood stunned in shock, Li Jun had already risen.

The quick-witted Du Shisan Niang entered from outside, holding that ink-black long saber, upon which lay the neatly folded 'Night Patrol' martial uniform.

This famed courtesan of the Jiaofangsi seemed to sense something; as she dressed Li Jun, she whispered, “Director, please take care of yourself.”

Who claims players lack feeling? 'Tis but your flesh that fails.

Li Jun laughed, “Rest assured, tonight I'll still listen to you sing and dance.”

The courtesan hurriedly shook her head, “Spare me, Lord; I have other sisters who are also well-versed in this art.”

"Then you arrange it. I rest easy when you handle matters."

Li Jun spoke, seized his long saber, and strode toward the courtyard gate.

Outside this Teaching Workshop, a crowd was already waiting for him.