Chapter 286: Negotiation

Chapter 286: Negotiation

Lian Wujing's fingers lightly traced the rim of his teacup, his gaze casually sweeping across Cheng Ge's slightly pale face.

"Censor Cheng has been ill for many days, I've been truly concerned. The weather in Yuanzhou has been changeable lately, and it's understandable that as a newcomer you're not yet used to the climate. However..."

He paused briefly, as if making a casual remark. "During recuperation from illness, the worst thing is to let your mind be troubled by worries.

Listening to trivial matters will only wear you out. Better to focus on resting and recovering."

Cheng Ge held his teacup, feeling the warmth of the porcelain against his fingertips. He lowered his eyelids and gave a few soft coughs.

"I appreciate your concern, Lord Lian. However, duty calls, and even while ill, I can't afford to be completely negligent.

Some whispers and such inevitably reach me; I just hope they don't cause any real alarm."

Lian Wujing smiled slightly, like an elder humoring a naive junior, drumming his fingers lightly on the table.

"Your diligence, Censor Cheng, is truly exemplary. However, local affairs are sometimes like plants in a garden; they have their own way of growing.

Too much pruning might instead damage the roots and upset the harmony of this region. So it's wise to rest when needed and let things take their natural course."

He picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and his tone became increasingly casual: "Censor Cheng, young and talented, with a great future ahead. Chengping Province isn't as grand as the capital, but it has beautiful mountains and clear waters.

If you can get along well with this place, whether you return to the capital to report on your duties or take up a post elsewhere in the future, I imagine everything will go much more smoothly."

Cheng Ge's gaze fell on the tea leaves rising and sinking in his cup, the hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"I am grateful for your intention to guide me, My Lord. But I've always been simple, only knowing to do my duty for the Emperor. As for the future, I'll leave it to the court; I dare not presume."

The smile on Lian Wujing's face faded slightly. He set down his teacup, his tone turning sharper.

"It is good that you have lofty aspirations, Censor Cheng. However, when sailing a boat or riding a horse, one must pay attention to the wind and currents.

Sometimes the wind is strong and the waves high, not something a small boat can withstand. I hope the Censor... will think twice before acting."

As his words fell, he did not wait for Cheng Ge's response but only subtly glanced toward the hall outside.

Soon, two servants dressed in plain cloth entered, carrying two camphor wood chests.

Silently, they placed the chests on the table between the two men and lifted the lids.

Seeing this, Cheng Ge's gaze automatically swept over the chests.

When he saw what was inside the chests, his fingers holding the teacup tightened almost imperceptibly.

The chests were uncovered, brazenly stacked with bundles of brand-new banknotes, each of a staggering denomination.

On top of the banknotes were scattered dozens of gleaming gold ingots.

Such a colossal fortune was presented so blatantly before an Imperial Inspector.

Even though Cheng Ge had mentally prepared himself, he was still shocked by Lian Wujing's audacious move.

This was no longer a hint; it was a blatant showdown.

Cheng Ge slowly placed his teacup on the table, making a soft "clink."

He raised his eyes, looking calmly at Lian Wujing, his voice betraying neither joy nor anger: "Lord Lian, what is the meaning of this?"

Seeing that he had finally stopped beating around the bush, Lian Wujing leaned forward slightly.

His voice lowered, carrying a cold bluntness: "Lord Cheng is a smart man. You should know what happened to the two censors before you met their end."

A cold smile curved at the corner of his mouth. "Let the mistakes of the past be a lesson to you.

You're still young and promising, Lord Cheng; take it as a warning and not follow their example."

Cheng Ge's eyes narrowed, flames flickering in their depths.

"I believe I have made myself very clear," Lian Wujing said casually, leaning back against his chair and tapping the chest of gold with his fingertip.

"This is my welcoming gift. If Lord Cheng accepts it, from now on in Chengping Province, you and I will be in the same boat, sharing fortune and misfortune.

If not..." He drew out his words, the unfinished threat hanging in the air.

Cheng Ge looked at him in silence, then lowered his eyes, scanning the treasure that would drive anyone mad.

The next moment, he slowly raised his hand, his fingertips lightly brushing across the gold and silver.

Then, he picked up a stack of banknotes, rubbing them between his fingers.

He spoke softly, his tone almost a sigh, yet with a hint of cold mockery:

"These are truly wonderful things... A few light pieces of paper, who knows how many fortunes they can buy, and how many lives they can buy off."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Lian Wujing, and he slowly leaned forward.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he scattered the thick stack of banknotes over Lian Wujing's head like confetti.

In an instant, the brand-new banknotes fluttered down like spirit money at a funeral, scattering in a rustling cascade.

A few banknotes brushed past Lian Wujing's cheek and landed on the shoulders of his official robe.

Lian Wujing sat motionless, his face expressionless, only the corner of his eye twitching slightly.

After a moment, he raised his hand and gently brushed off the banknote that had fallen on his shoulder.

"Lord Cheng speaks well. In this world, sometimes human life is indeed more worthless than weeds.

Who knows which wind might blow, and one day you wake up and... you're just gone."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Ge gave a low chuckle: "Indeed, maybe one day it will be gone."

His gaze meaningfully swept over Lian Wujing's head, and his tone suddenly shifted: "Let alone the official's cap on your head..."

As he spoke, he casually picked up a heavy gold ingot from the chest, played with it between his fingers, then let his wrist go slack, sending the ingot rolling off the table edge.

With a crisp clang, the gold ingot hit the ground and bounced a few times.

It rolled straight to Lian Wujing's feet, bumped against the toe of his boot, then wobbled to a stop at his feet.

Cheng Ge's gaze followed the gold ingot and finally settled on Lian Wujing's neck. He said, word by word:

"...The head on your neck might also decide to... relocate in an instant."

The hall instantly fell into a dead silence, the floor littered with banknotes, the gold ingot having rolled to his foot.

And the almost palpable killing intent between the two men made the air feel thick and heavy.

Lian Wujing slowly lowered his head, glanced at the gold ingot by his boot, then raised his head again to look at Cheng Ge.

Then, a slow smile spread across his face; he kicked the ingot away with his foot, but there was no warmth left in that smile.

He rose unhurriedly, smoothing his robes as if the tense confrontation had never happened.

"Since... that is the case," he said in a flat tone, though his gaze at Cheng Ge was as sharp as a blade.

"Today I've seen what needed to be seen. I suppose Censor Cheng's health is no longer a concern."

As he spoke, he picked up his own cup of tea, which had long gone cold, and tilted his wrist, slowly pouring the cold tea onto the ground before Cheng Ge.

The murky tea poured over the scattered banknotes, and also spread into a dark stain on the floor.