The twenty-second chapter.

Duan Mingyu sighed with regret. He had to admit that He Sanhu possessed an uncanny ability to foresee danger, though he still taunted him, saying, "The Twelve Zodiacs? Is that all you've got?"

He Sanhu’s rage overwhelmed his reason. He lunged forward once more, shouting to his band of bodyguards, "What are you standing there for? Get him!"

"Who is causing a disturbance here? Arrest them all at once!"

A voice that sounded like music to Duan Mingyu’s ears echoed nearby. *Cheng Zhiyuan, you slow-poke! Why show up only now? If you hadn't arrived, I would have been done for.*

Zhang Qihou was horrified. Who could possibly stand against the machinery of the state? "Damn it," he cursed, realizing that no one had uncovered the connection between Duan Mingyu and the Prefect. He shouted, "Third Brother, it’s Cheng Zhiyuan! We can’t win this now. Let’s retreat. A gentleman takes his revenge in ten years’ time!"

He Sanhu glared at Duan Mingyu with venom, then signaled the bodyguards of the Yangwei Security Firm to retreat quickly. Within moments, they had vanished entirely.

Only then did Cheng Zhiyuan arrive, breathless, leading a contingent of yamen runners. He asked with concern, "Brother, do you know who they were?"

Duan Mingyu replied candidly, "The Yangwei Security Firm. This won't be easy to resolve."

Cheng Zhiyuan sighed, "Those tough nuts to crack... Ah, there is unrest within my jurisdiction. I am ashamed."

Duan Mingyu forced a smile. "I am just grateful you arrived in time, Brother Cheng. Otherwise, my companion and I would have been in grave danger today!"

Cheng Zhiyuan looked at Xu Zuye and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Xu Zuye? Is it really you?"

Xu Zuye smiled faintly; the moment he had dreaded had finally arrived. He cupped his hands in a salute. "Prefect, it has been a long time."

Duan Mingyu looked at Xu Zuye, stunned, then patted him on the shoulder with a grin. "Old Xu, you’ve got quite the background!"

His expression shifted instantly. "If you don't give me a full explanation later, I’m banning you from alcohol for three days and making you kneel on a keyboard for a whole night."

Xu Zuye rubbed his nose, feeling utterly dejected.

Duan Mingyu turned back to the official. "Brother Cheng, thank you for this. Shall we proceed as planned?"

"Naturally," Cheng Zhiyuan replied. "Giving a few words in public—what could be difficult about that?"

Duan Mingyu gestured for him to lead. "After you, Brother Cheng."

"No, no, Brother, you first."

*Damn it, will this ever end?* Duan Mingyu thought. *If not for the fact that you just saved my life, I’d slap you into next week.*

In the end, Duan Mingyu walked ahead alone. Cheng Zhiyuan lagged slightly behind, walking alongside Xu Zuye. He asked curiously, "Are you working under Brother Duan now?"

Xu Zuye nodded. "I didn't realize it back when I was living by the sword, but this life of counting money and getting rich actually feels quite nice."

Cheng Zhiyuan asked, "How will you explain your past to him later?"

Xu Zuye replied impatiently, "Can you finish asking your questions all at once? You’re such a pedant. I’ll just tell him the truth, obviously."

Seeing Cheng Zhiyuan still hovering, Xu Zuye added, "If you have anything else to say, spit it out!"

Cheng Zhiyuan possessed a refined air and didn't mind the rudeness. He asked cordially, "There is one more thing I find quite curious."

"What is it?"

"What exactly is this 'keyboard' you mentioned earlier that one must kneel on?"

Xu Zuye coughed and scolded, "You don't even know that? How are you even a Prefect?"

Cheng Zhiyuan cupped his hands, looking ashamed. "Please, enlighten me!"

"Actually, I have no idea either."

Cheng Zhiyuan: "..."

The three men arrived at the shop while chatting and laughing. Business was already booming; the staff were overwhelmed, sweating profusely as they tried to keep up with the crowd.

The arrival of Cheng Zhiyuan and his men cast an ominous shadow over the customers. *Something is happening,* they thought. *Something huge must be going on for the Prefect himself to show up.* The customers stopped their transactions to watch, which finally gave the exhausted staff a moment to breathe.

Duan Mingyu, seeing the crowd fall silent, was satisfied. He cleared his throat and announced, "Everyone, today is the Dragon Boat Festival, and it coincides with our grand opening—a truly auspicious occasion. We are honored to have Prefect Cheng here to deliver a congratulatory speech. Let’s give him a round of applause!"

A murmur rippled through the crowd, followed by polite applause. It seemed this Cheng Zhiyuan fellow was indeed popular with the people. Duan Mingyu unobtrusively slipped the speech notes into Cheng Zhiyuan's hand.

Cheng Zhiyuan took the paper, cleared his throat, and read aloud: "In the current society, we follow an excellent economic model centered on public ownership, with various forms of economy developing in tandem. The commodity economy is the foundation of the nation and must not be neglected. Therefore, I hope the masses will deeply implement the spirit of the Eighteenth Congress, increase consumption, and safeguard the comprehensive construction of a moderately prosperous society. Thank you."

The crowd was stunned. Xu Zuye was stunned. Cheng Zhiyuan was stunned. The entire place fell into a deathly silence; everyone except Duan Mingyu stood frozen as if struck by a paralysis spell.

After a long while, someone’s wooden clog clattered to the floor, the *thwack* snapping everyone out of their trance.

"Excellent! Well said!" Suddenly, thunderous applause broke out, and cries of praise filled the air.

A scholar leaned toward a white-clad gentleman next to him and asked furtively, "Brother, what did the Prefect just say? I truly don't understand. Did you?"

"No."

"Then why are you cheering?"

"The Prefect is speaking, so it must be correct. If we don't understand, it only means our own studies haven't reached the required depth. If we don't cheer, won't people look down on us?"

"Brother, your words are wise." The scholar, suddenly enlightened, joined the chorus of cheers: "Well said! Well said!"

Cheng Zhiyuan bowed in shame, descended from the stage, and clutched the speech tightly. He grabbed Duan Mingyu, on the verge of tears, and whispered, "Brother, I didn't understand a single word in that speech. I am truly baffled—deeply baffled."

Duan Mingyu replied helplessly, "You didn't understand? Truly?"

Cheng Zhiyuan, seeing the crowd looking so inspired, blushed. "Actually, I understood a little. What I meant was, why was your speech so brief?"

Duan Mingyu put on a knowing expression. "Brother Cheng, you may not know this, but a speech is like a woman's skirt—the shorter, the better."

"Yes, yes, yes! You are absolutely right, Brother!" Cheng Zhiyuan replied, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Duan Mingyu patted his shoulder. "Good. Now that this is settled, shall we go to the Huibin Pavilion for a few drinks?"

"Yes, let's go!" Yang Zhaoniang popped out from somewhere and clapped her hands.

*What a glutton,* Duan Mingyu sighed. He turned to Yang Yanguang, who was standing nearby. "Master Yang, would you care to join us?"

Yang Yanguang waved his hand. "I shall pass. Let Zhaoniang go."