Water Margin 02

"Militia Commander? Isn't that just an empty title? I won't do it, I won't." Fang Zhiyi played the original role of Gao Yanei to absolute perfection.

Gao Qiu frowned, his hands still toying with rare and precious treasures.

"Having been sick this time, I've figured things out. Rather than wasting my life away, it's better to do something practical. That way, I can bring some honor to you in the future, Father."

Gao Qiu cast a somewhat surprised glance at the playboy, then nodded with a hint of gratification.

Although he was an adopted son, Gao Qiu truly regarded Gao Lian as his successor, which was why he had always been so indulgent of his behavior. Hearing these words now brought him immense comfort.

"So... what do you want to be? Just name it."

An official position that an ordinary person could never reach in a lifetime only required a single word from Gao Qiu.

Fang Zhiyi sighed in his heart and then said, "I don't even know what official positions are available. It would be best if it had some... real power."

The original Gao Yanei knew absolutely nothing. If he asked for something specific directly, the old thief Gao Qiu would definitely get suspicious.

Sure enough, Gao Qiu laughed heartily twice before saying, "How about I arrange for you to be a Superintendent in the Marshal's Office?"

"What kind of position is that?" Fang Zhiyi blinked, his face full of a thirst for knowledge.

Gao Qiu explained, "Your father serves as the Grand Marshal of the Marshal's Office, in charge of the Palace Command and other departments. This Superintendent is a military officer subordinate to the Marshal's Office, responsible for commanding some soldiers. However, you won't have to worry too much; naturally, there will be people to handle matters for you. How about it?"

"Doing things like this, the fall of the nation isn't far away," Fang Zhiyi shook his head inwardly, but outwardly he still acted a bit picky: "Are there any other positions? This one doesn't sound very majestic. Those ministers wouldn't be afraid of me."

Gao Qiu glanced at him and actually thought of a position.

"There is one position, but it's a bit arduous. Are you sure you want to go?"

Fang Zhiyi frowned. "Who are you looking down on? Of course I want to go! What position?"

"An Agent of the Imperial City Department."

Fang Zhiyi froze for a moment, stormy seas already turning in his heart. The Imperial City Department??? But he still put on a confused expression, and Gao Qiu patiently explained, "This Imperial City Department consists of the Emperor's own people. An Agent is responsible for gathering intelligence, and can even overstep authority to handle certain..." Gao Qiu began to laugh. "This way, others will have no choice but to fear you."

Fang Zhiyi nodded repeatedly, thanked Gao Qiu, and swaggered away.

Gao Qiu looked at his back and smiled, wondering how many days this novelty would last. But it didn't matter; inserting him into the Imperial City Department was something he could do with a mere wave of his hand.

"No, your current identity is already very formidable. At the very least, with Gao Qiu around, no one dares to touch you. Why go looking for things to do?" Little Hei asked.

Fang Zhiyi, however, narrowed his eyes. "Look, I've been an emperor, I've been a rebel, I've been a powerful minister, and I've been a general... The only thing I haven't been is a government hound... Shouldn't I experience it?"

"I just feel like you're up to no good."

"Watch your words, we're in the same boat now."

Gao Qiu's influence was indeed immense. In just two short days, a servant came to inform Fang Zhiyi that he could go report to the Imperial City Department.

Fang Zhiyi strutted into the Imperial City Department with an arrogant attitude as if he were number one in the world. As expected, Gao Qiu had already instructed the officials here. Seeing the Yanei arrive, every single one of them wore a face full of smiles.

Of course they knew Gao Yanei's reputation, and they also knew this guy was an ignorant incompetent. Unfortunately, he had a good father whom no one could afford to offend. As long as they let him have his fun, it would be fine. Therefore, they agreed to every single request Fang Zhiyi made.

That very afternoon, Fang Zhiyi put on a grand show of picking out a few subordinates for himself and taking them out to "gather intelligence."

"Tsk, messing around in the Grand Marshal's estate is one thing, but now he's come to throw his weight around in the Imperial City Department," an official muttered.

A colleague patted his shoulder. "Be careful what you say!"

At this time, the water-margined Mount Liang was not peaceful either. Stirred up by a transmigrator, the originally united heroes had clearly split into three factions. The Song Jiang faction, led by Song Jiang, included members like Li Kui, Hua Rong, Wu Yong, and Dai Zong. The faction led by Shao Jiang consisted of the original crews from Erlong Mountain and Taohua Mountain, and even people like Lin Chong had sided with him. Meanwhile, a portion of the people, such as Lu Junyi and others, remained neutral.

"Relying on Mount Liang as a stronghold to expand outward, gradually encroaching upon the territory of the Northern Song Dynasty, and finally marching the army to Bianjing..." Shao Jiang was making plans, his face full of grand ambitions. "The key is, Song Jiang must die... I also need to deepen the others' disgust for Song Jiang."

The system prompted, "Host, Song Jiang has already prepared the arrangements to secretly travel to Bianjing to meet Emperor Huizong of Song... If you want to make a move, this is the perfect opportunity."

Shao Jiang pondered for a moment and gave a sinister smile. "Of course we're going to make a move, but not against Song Jiang... Rather, once he leaves, it'll be the perfect time to seize power. He can't die just yet, otherwise the others will develop a rift with me as well. After all, they are all sworn brothers with Song Jiang. Right now, things are at least passable on the surface. Once Song Jiang leaves, the task of presiding over the overall situation will likely fall on Wu Yong's shoulders. This Wu Yong... back in the day, he forced quite a few people into becoming bandits..."

The pen in his hand circled a certain name.

"This blade will definitely be the most suitable."

"Yanei? Are you sure you want to present this deer to the Emperor?" A subordinate's face was full of doubt. Fang Zhiyi waved his hand impatiently. "Nonsense, would I speak blindly? Hurry up and get it ready. Whether you brothers get promoted and strike it rich depends on this."

"But..."

"But what? With my dad around, what the hell are you afraid of!"

Hearing him bring out Gao Qiu's name, the several subordinates said no more.

Fang Zhiyi had led them wandering around the city for a bit before running out of the city, where they happened to bump into a hunter. Without a second word, Gao Yanei bought the sika deer the hunter had caught.

Actually, it was quite bizarre. After all, if Gao Yanei wanted a deer, he could have just robbed it. He actually bought it?

What was even more absurd was that the Yanei insisted to the death that this deer was an auspicious omen to be presented to the Emperor. Wasn't this just pure nonsense!

But Fang Zhiyi's next instructions left the men covered in cold sweat.

"You guys take advantage of the dark to bring this deer into the city. Inlay some jade ornaments wrapped in gold foil onto its antlers. Remember now, carve some auspicious words on the jade, things like 'The Son of Heaven is wise and sagely, the country is prosperous and the people are at peace'... Understood?"

"Yanei, this is..." The subordinate wanted to remind Fang Zhiyi that this was deceiving the sovereign, but seeing the other party's eyes, he forcibly swallowed his words back down.

"I'll say it again. You brothers' futures are in my hands. Whether you do it or not, think it over yourselves."

The meaning of these words was very obvious. Could it be that a few minor characters like them would dare to go snitch? Even if they exposed the evidence of the Yanei committing fraud, was Gao Qiu someone to be trifled with? At most, the Yanei would be symbolically locked in confinement, but the few of them would be...