Gu Family Manor
Capital
"Three hundred thousand…" Marques Gu Yang gnashed his teeth as he stared at the numbers in front of him. "We lost a total of three hundred thousand gold in just two weeks? How is this possible? Who would dare miss with our Golden Orchid like this?"
His subordinate lowered his head. "At first, we didn't notice the fakes. However, most merchants working with us immediately notice that the goods were fake. It was made perfectly that it would be really hard to identify them. The only problem is that… it would change its color after a few hours. So circulating it back in the market isn't possible."
"How about the investigation? Didn't they see anything? Any clues? Some other bandits are doing this! We need to find out who they are and deal with them before this blows up!" The Marques and his family had been managing the Golden Orchid in secret.
"Shall I send a message to him?" his subordinate said. "He would surely ask questions."
"No. I want you to fix this before it gets out." They couldn't just report some half-baked news to him. If he wanted to keep his life and his family's life, he needed to solve the matter first before he reports this matter to the one who owns Golden Orchid.
When the robbery didn't stop, even after they already heightened their security and tried to find the culprit, Marques Gu was forced to call an emergency meeting with his subordinates in Golden Orchid.
"The robberies didn't stop." The Marques son, Gu Chen said. "Father, if this goes on, we will have to— "
"I know! You didn't have to tell me!"
"Marques, what are we going to do about the gold now? Clearly, our enemy is very experienced bandit. We need to have a plan!"
Marques Gu Yang squinted without seeing anything. He got up on his chair and looked out of his window. The view of a huge river can be seen from the third floor of his house. It is enough to make anyone in awe. However, this wasn't the time to appreciate the view.
It was time to think of a way to get rid of the group of robbers who had been targeting Golden Orchid. The Marques put his hand behind his back. "Since someone is targeting us, I believe we should announce this to the Kang-ho." Kang-ho, the feared society of people who could harness their ability. The Marques had a hunch that whoever it was that was targeting them had something to do with the Elementalist.
Only those people would dare do something like this!
"The elementalists coalition? Why?" someone asked. "Marques with all due respect…"
"I don't mean the coalition. I meant the elementalists who owe us money. We asked for their protection. Starting today, I want you to continue all the transport. While Chen'er will deal with the Kang-ho. Three days from now, I want someone to spread the news that we are going to transport some magic stones. I want to increase the security around the capital and show everyone that we even hired some talented warriors to guard the package."
"So you wanted to draw them out?"
"Precisely." It was a trap. He wanted the group responsible for the robberies to show themselves and the best way to do that is to give them a huge bait.
Sadly for him, the culprit isn't really a fan of magic stones.
….
Duke Li Qiang's Mansion
"Eh… no." Li Qiang eyed the liquid in the flask. He lifted it towards the candle and watched it turn from black to a blood-red color.
"Its magic stones."
"I don't want magic stones. I can't use it, anyway." He only wanted money. Money that he can use to buy iron and food and land and something useful to him. Moreover, the trap was pretty obvious. Whoever plans this must be very stupid. "I am interested to know what would they do once this plan fails." Li Qiang smirked and started humming.
"Duke, you seemed too languid these past few days. Aside from bothering Lady Wang, you aren't doing anything."
"Ah… tell me about the rumors this time."
"Well, the nobles are still laughing at you for marrying a widow. They thought it was an insult to the royal blood. Some women were also sneering at General Wang for marrying a lecherous fool. After you intentionally asked me to spread the fact that you were beaten by Ouyang Jing, people were once again talking about your stupidity and cowardice."
Li Qiang turned towards Dou Lin. "Oh? Nothing new?"
"What?"
"I was expecting something new. I don't know… something nice, intriguing. Something that is going to make them interested in me."
"You didn't get my point." Dou Lin stated.
"Point?"
"Never mind. Anyway, you should be receiving a few invitations. I am sure those nobles would want to hear you boast and make you their laughingstock."
"Decline." Li Qiang uttered. Since he came into the capital and was beaten by Ouyang Jing, he refused to go out of his mansion and socialize. Now that he thought about it, he really owed his current freedom to Ouyang Jing.
Everyone in the capital knew that Li Qiang was arrogant. How could he stay calm after Ouyang Jing beat him until he fainted? Li Qiang was so frustrated he decided to start making weapons to get back at Ouyang Jing!
Or at least that is what everyone thought.
"Ah, right… "he gestured for Dou Lin to leave. Then he said, "Someone come…" After a few seconds, a male attendant entered his room. "Prepare some gifts and flowers. Send them to Lady Wang. Include some jewelry and clothes, too."
It would be very good to let that foolish brother of him know that Li Qiang was starting to like the fiery general.
After the attendant left, Li Qiang changed into the commoner's clothing and altered his looks before he jumped out of his room. He should go ahead and visit the capital.
And annoy some nobles who thought he was stupid.
Just the thought of it made him giddy.
.....
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