Moma Liangshan

Chapter 85: Feigning Indifference to Lure the Enemy, Reuniting in Yuncheng

After the auction, Wang Hao's fame soared. Although Cui Zhigong was his superior, he dared not be negligent in the slightest when he received Wang Hao's invitation. The banquet was meticulously prepared, with both the dishes and drinks carefully selected. Cui Zhigong even restrained his official airs to personally greet the guests, but there were still only four attendees. The round table, four feet in diameter, was exquisitely crafted, with lifelike landscape reliefs. Wang Hao and Cui Zhigong sat facing each other, with Zhao Mingcheng and Cui Shaogong on either side. Wang Hao was very direct, saying, "Everything is ready except for the final push! Before the end of the year, I will cross the Bohai Sea to the north and land in Liaodong. Changshan Island is strategically located, and I must requisition it!" Cui Zhigong said calmly, "It's just a mere island; as the Pacification Commissioner of Jingdong East Circuit, I can handle that! I'll send a document to the Prefect of Dengzhou, and he will surely satisfy you, young master." Wang Hao emphasized, "Landing in Liaodong is for the Emperor's mission, so the requisition of Changshan Island must be carried out strictly according to the court's regulations from beginning to end!" Cui Zhigong realized his oversight and said, "Young master, your composure and humility will surely lead to great achievements! I will personally report the matter of Changshan Island to the Three Departments and Six Ministries; there will be absolutely no mistakes." Wang Hao then looked at Cui Shaogong and said, "If there are no unforeseen circumstances, the day I return from Liaodong will be the day the position of Registrar of Laoshan County becomes vacant!"

Cui Zhigong immediately became alert and asked, "Young Master, do you already have a plan?" Wang Hao smiled slightly and said, "According to the court's custom, when a county magistrate is far from his jurisdiction, the registrar should act as the county magistrate, is that right?" Cui Zhigong nodded and replied, "That's right!" Wang Hao continued, "In Laoshan County, I am the county magistrate, Feng Gu is the registrar, and Zhu Heng is the county lieutenant. My journey north to Liaodong is the only opportunity for these two to seize power in Jiaozhou." Cui Zhigong suddenly understood and said, "Young Master, are you planning a feigned retreat?" Wang Hao said, "Zhu Heng and Feng Gu both have powerful backers. Without solid evidence, how can we expel them from Jiaozhou?" He then continued, "Although Jiaozhou is directly under the Emperor's jurisdiction, after I leave, no one will be able to reach the Emperor's ears. As the highest-ranking official in the Eastern Circuit of Jingdong, and with the power of oversight, Lord Cui, someone will naturally send the evidence of Zhu Heng and Feng Gu's crimes to Qingzhou. Lord Cui only needs to handle the case impartially to bring these two to justice."

Zhao Mingcheng suddenly spoke up, saying, "Young Master, are you so confident that Zhu Heng and Feng Gu will be unable to restrain themselves and engage in rampant corruption?" Wang Hao replied, "Cai Jing and Gao Qiu are insatiably greedy. As their protégés and former associates, if we want to please our patrons, we can only pander to their tastes!" After a moment of silence, Cui Shaogong looked at Wang Hao, hesitated for a long time, and finally said, "When I go to Jiaozhou in the future, I hope Young Master will give me your assistance!" For a wealthy young master like Cui Shaogong to take such initiative was already quite remarkable. Wang Hao, not one to use his power to intimidate, said, "Brother Shaogong, you flatter me. It is up to us to work together and plan for the future!" With that, he raised his wine cup and said, "A toast to Lord Cui, Brother Shaogong, and Brother Mingcheng!" The cups clinked, and the four of them drank together.