SFS Chapter 9 Inspection
Chapter 9 Inspection
The main hall of the Canal Gang, the study of the gang leader.
Li Canglan sat upright in his armchair, his fingers lightly tapping the table, producing a rhythmic sound. Zhou Meng stood beside him, his expression solemn. Lin Mo stood below with his hands at his sides, his expression calm.
"Zhao Kun has confessed." Li Canglan finally spoke, his voice low. "He admitted to embezzling the tribute silk and trying to frame Manager Qian to silence him."
Zhou Meng snorted coldly: "This fellow has guts, knowing he can't deny it. But where are those tribute goods now? Is someone behind him directing him?"
Li Canglan shook his head: "He only said that the tribute had already been sold through secret channels, and most of the money had been transferred. He refused to reveal the specific whereabouts or the person who received it, claiming that if he did, his entire family would be in danger." He paused, then turned his gaze to Lin Mo, "Lin Mo, this matter arose because of you. Do you think what Zhao Kun said is true or false?"
Lin Mo bowed slightly: "Chief, Third Master... Zhao Kun is meticulous in his actions. If we hadn't been lucky enough to obtain that secret letter, we might not have been able to do anything to him. The reason he's clenching his teeth right now is simply because he's hoping for the best, thinking that the Chief is hesitant to use severe torture on him, or... he's waiting for outside help."
A hint of appreciation flashed in Li Canglan's eyes: "You're very perceptive. He is indeed waiting, waiting for a signal that can rescue him or shut him up." He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bustling docks outside. "That batch of tribute was intended for a certain nobleman in the capital. Our shipping guild cannot bear the responsibility for its loss. It must be recovered, or at least there must be a clear explanation."
He turned around and looked sharply at Lin Mo and Zhou Meng: "If Zhao Kun won't talk, then we'll force him to reveal those 'tributes'."
Zhou Meng frowned: "What does the gang leader mean?"
"Set up a trap." Li Canglan's lips curled into a cold smile. "Make it public that Third Leader Zhao Kun needs to recuperate due to a sudden illness, and Second Leader, you will temporarily manage some of his affairs. At the same time, secretly arrange for a batch of 'important goods,' claiming it's another, even more crucial batch of tribute, to be shipped out via the dock soon. The person in charge of escorting it..." His gaze fell on Lin Mo, "...will be the newly promoted C-class warehouse manager, Lin Mo, ostensibly in charge."
Lin Mo's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood Li Canglan's plan.
This is to lure the snake out of its hole, or to stir up trouble and alert it.
Although Zhao Kun is imprisoned, his cronies may not know exactly how much he has confessed. Now that the news has been released, and with new "tributes" and Lin Mo, who previously brought down Zhao Kun, involved, those accomplices hiding in the shadows will either choose to take the risk and strike again to make amends or silence him, or they will be unable to restrain themselves and come to contact him to find out the truth.
"Lin Mo, are you scared?" Li Canglan asked.
Lin Mo raised his head, his eyes calm and unwavering: "The leader has given the order, and Lin Mo will obey."
"Good!" Li Canglan nodded approvingly. "This matter is confidential and should only be known to the three of us. Zhou Meng, you are responsible for selecting absolutely reliable and capable personnel and secretly making arrangements. If anyone makes any unusual moves, take them down immediately. Lin Mo, tomorrow you will take over Warehouse C under the pretext of inventorying the warehouse and familiarizing yourself with the affairs, and 'inadvertently' reveal that important goods will be handled soon. I will have the details arranged."
"Yes!" Zhou Meng and Lin Mo replied simultaneously.
The plan was thus finalized.
Over the next two days, the canal gang appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging beneath.
The news that the third leader was "seriously ill" and taking a break to recuperate quietly spread, sparking much speculation.
Lin Mo, the newly appointed manager, also began to appear in the C-class warehouse. He did not make a big fuss, but simply checked the goods and familiarized himself with the process step by step. Occasionally, he would whisper a few words with a few seemingly trusted gang members, the content of which vaguely involved things like "there is an important shipment in a few days" and "the gang leader personally gave instructions".
These subtle movements, like pebbles thrown into a calm lake, quietly create ripples.
Late the next night, outside the water dungeon.
A dark figure, like a ghost, silently bypassed several sentries and, under the cover of shadow, approached a relatively secluded corner of the outer perimeter of the water prison.
His movements were extremely skillful, as if he knew the guard arrangements of the Caobang headquarters like the back of his hand.
However, he was unaware that in the deeper darkness behind him, another pair of eyes were coldly watching his every move.
The dark figure groped around at the base of the wall for a moment, gently prying off a loose brick. He then took out a small bamboo tube from his pocket and carefully inserted it into the hole. After doing this, he cautiously looked around, then quickly retreated along the same path, his figure soon disappearing into the intricate shadows of the buildings.
Lin Mo didn't follow immediately. He remained where he was, fully activating his senses to confirm that there were no further abnormalities before drifting like a wisp of smoke to the corner of the wall. He didn't touch the bamboo tube, but simply noted its location and the method. Then, he quietly retreated, sending the pre-arranged signal to Zhou Meng, who had been directing operations from the shadows in the main hall.
Half an hour later, the mole responsible for delivering the message was captured on the spot by Zhou Meng's trusted elite troops as he tried to slip out of the main hall.
After an overnight interrogation, the man quickly broke down and confessed under Zhou Meng's methods.
He was a spy planted by Zhao Kun among the main guards in his early years. This time, he was ordered by the outside world to risk his life to pass a message to Zhao Kun in the water dungeon, informing him that the outside world was trying to rescue him and that he must hold on and not reveal any more information. Inside the bamboo tube was a note that read "Keep silent, await rescue".
The source of the information points to an inn called "Yuelai" in the south of the city.
On the third day, everything proceeded as planned.
A large number of boxes, sealed with the character "贡" (tribute) and escorted by elite members of the canal gang, were transported into a separate warehouse specially cleared out by the Bingzi Warehouse.
Lin Mo, accompanied by several trusted henchmen, personally patrolled the warehouse inside and out. The security appeared tight, but he deliberately left one or two "gaps" that seemed to be exploitable.
The fish have spotted the bait, and the net has already been quietly cast.
That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.
The area around Warehouse C was quieter than usual, with only the occasional sound of patrolling footsteps.
Just past midnight, several dark figures, like raccoons, stealthily slipped into the dock from the side closest to the river. They were clearly very familiar with the canal gang's defenses, skillfully avoiding several patrol teams, and heading straight for the independent warehouse where the "tribute" was stored.
Outside the warehouse, two guards leaned against the wall, seemingly exhausted due to the late hour.
The leader of the shadowy figures made a hand gesture, and two men behind him silently crept forward, their hands flashing with cold light as they prepared to finish off the two guards.
However, just as the blade was about to reach their bodies, the two guards, who had seemed to be dozing off, suddenly opened their eyes, nimbly slid backward, and easily avoided the fatal blow, while letting out a short whistle!
"Let's do it!"
Zhou Meng's deep, powerful shout rang out from the shadows.
In an instant, torches blazed, illuminating the area around the warehouse as bright as day. Dozens of elite members of the Canal Gang, who had been lying in ambush, surged out from all directions, swords drawn and bows strung, surrounding the few dark figures.
Lin Mo's figure also appeared at the warehouse door. He held an ordinary steel knife in his hand and looked coldly at the intruders who were surrounded in the center and seemed a little panicked.
"Put down your weapons and surrender!" Zhou Meng stepped forward with his sword and shouted sternly.
The dark figures stood back-to-back in a circle, gripping their weapons tightly, clearly unwilling to be captured. The leader's gaze swept fiercely across the surroundings, finally settling on Lin Mo, a flash of resentment and determination in his eyes.
"Charge out!" he roared, charging ahead with his blade toward what appeared to be the weakest point in the encirclement.
The battle erupted instantly.
These men were skilled in martial arts and ruthless in their attacks, clearly desperate criminals. However, Zhou Meng had brought only the best fighters from his gang, and they outnumbered him by a wide margin. In a short time, two of them were hacked down by a flurry of blows, and the remaining men were also covered in wounds and forced to retreat continuously.
Seeing this, the leader knew there was no way to escape. A glint of madness flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly pulled out a dark, iron lump from his pocket, about to throw it.
"Watch out for gunpowder!" someone exclaimed.
At this critical moment, a figure darted into the battle like a ghost—it was Lin Mo!
He did not attack the leader directly, but instead flicked his wrist, sending the steel knife flying from his hand and transforming into a streak of cold light that struck the man's wrist with perfect accuracy.
"Ah!" The leader screamed in pain as his wrist snapped, and the iron lump slipped from his grasp and fell to his feet.
Before he could make another move, Lin Mo had already closed in, his fingers like swords, striking several acupoints on the man's chest with lightning speed. The man's body stiffened, and he was instantly unable to move.
Seeing their leader subdued, the others instantly lost their will to fight and were quickly subdued and tied up by Zhou Meng and his men.
Zhou Meng walked up to the immobilized leader, tore off his mask, revealing a ferocious face with a knife scar.
"It's you, 'River Rat' Hu San!" Zhou Meng sneered. "Zhao Kun really has a few good dogs to raise!"
Hu San gritted his teeth and remained silent, his eyes filled with resentment.
Zhou Meng stopped looking at him, turned to Lin Mo, and patted him on the shoulder: "Good lad, you're quite skilled! And your reaction was even faster! If you hadn't acted in time, the gunpowder would have gone off and there would have been big trouble."
Lin Mo shook his head slightly: "Second Master, you flatter me. It's my duty."
At this moment, a member of the gang stepped forward, picked up the iron lump, examined it, and reported: "Second Boss, it's the 'Thunderbolt' from the Thunderfire Hall, and it's quite powerful."
Zhou Meng's face grew even colder. He waved his hand and said, "Take them all away and interrogate them thoroughly! Find out how many accomplices they have!"
He walked to the boxes containing the "tribute," casually opened one, and found it filled with ordinary stones. He turned to everyone involved in the operation and said in a deep voice, "Today's events were a trap set by the gang leader to lure out the traitors and investigate internal threats. Brothers, you've all worked hard; the gang leader will reward you handsomely for your contributions. However, this matter concerns the stability of the gang, and no one is allowed to divulge it. Violators will be punished according to gang rules!"
"Yes!" the gang members responded in unison, their gazes towards Lin Mo now filled with even more awe.
This newly promoted young manager is not only exceptionally courageous but also incredibly skilled, and his future in the gang is limitless.
The operation has been successful; the perpetrators and the stolen goods have been caught red-handed.
Some of Zhao Kun's henchmen have been identified. Although the whereabouts of the core tribute and the people behind it have not yet been fully revealed, the first step has been successful.
After listening to Zhou Meng's detailed report in Li Canglan's study, a look of satisfaction finally appeared on his face.