Chapter 848: True Purpose
It had to be admitted that of the four people on the second floor, Zhang Heng paid the least attention to this young man named Cornu because he had the lowest sense of existence among them.
As soon as Cornu opened his mouth, however, he immediately attracted everyone’s attention. Zhang Heng had also heard a lot of things related to the Beehive from Soap and Aris. He knew that the most mysterious force in the southeast city was extremely good at collecting information.
What surprised Zhang Heng most was not the fact that the other party knew what he had for breakfast but that he paid attention to him. From the surface, Cornu showed that top forces in the southeast city had the ability to monitor his every move. And at the same time, they were warning him not to try to lie to them.
On the other hand, Zhang Heng also noticed that Cornu emphasized the close relationship between Zhang Heng and Commodus. And Clint was considered as Zhang Heng’s political ally. The only flaw in Zhang Heng’s plan was that the relationship between him and Clint was not strong. He provided Clint with a win-win solution, and he also believed that Clint would be willing to accept his proposal. Since this method was working, it would mean that the major forces in the southeast city led by the Jewish gang could also use the same method to make Clint side with them.
After Zhang Heng analyzed the situation in the southeast city, he found out that the top forces here had political ties with the government. The Jewish gang, the Golden Crown, and the Beehive had used more than violence to rule this place. They spent an obscene amount of money every year to pay the Senate’s influential. The purpose was to maintain their status as semi-rulers of this place.
This was probably the reason why Lockheed and others were not as panicked as the people below after hearing that a thousand imperial guards were about to be stationed here.
But even if Zhang Heng knew that Cornu had done that out of good intentions, he had to fight back to make sure that he put on a complete show. After Cornu was done talking, Zhang Heng said, “You were busy hanging out with a woman last night. Hence, you woke up in the afternoon, and you had your lunch after that. You ate olives and grilled fish for lunch. While you had your meal, you engaged in a fight with someone. Other than that, I have reason to believe that you did not seem too very satisfied with your performance last night. So, you are looking for ways to last longer in bed.”
Cornu’s face turned pale. He then hurriedly said to the girl next to Zhang Heng, “Don’t believe what he said. That’s nonsense. He’s just trying to get back on me after I exposed him.”
“Don’t worry, of course, I believe you more.” The girl flashed a sweet smile.
At this time, Lockheed had also finished his last piece of venison. As if he didn’t hear the conversation between Zhang Heng and Cornu, he put down his fork, pointed at a seat, and said, “Sit down.”
Zhang Heng sat down, and the girl who came up with him sat down by Lockheed’s side again. But she quietly shifted her hips, moving a little farther away from the other side of Cornu.
Lockheed did not use the napkin on the table to wipe the oil stains off his mouth. This was his eating habit all these years. When he was young, there was nothing for him to eat at home. Reluctant to eat the food he stole outside, he often licked the food twice to make sure that some residue would be left in his mouth, pretending to have eaten. After that, he would return home and distribute the food to his brother and sister. Over time, he developed the habit of eating and not wiping his mouth.
Although his life had gradually improved since and had become the leader of the Jewish gang, he could never change this habit. For this reason, his wife and children had started complaining.
“What do you want?” Lockheed looked at Zhang Heng on the opposite side and asked directly.
“The three major forces and the patrol team have joined forces to establish a new order for the southeastern urban area,” Zhang Heng replied.
“It’s impossible.” Lockheed shook his head.
However, he did not explain why it could not be done. He just waved his hand and asked the waiter to pour Zhang Heng a cup of wine. He then continued, “I can understand that you want to get your first task done perfectly. However, I’m not very satisfied with the approach you have taken. And I don’t want to dwell on these trivial matters anymore. I was hoping you could dismiss the people hired by the patrol team. I promise that the security in the southeast city will be improved. By the time you leave here, you will get the achievements you need, and we can all end this farce as soon as possible.”
In all fairness, the conditions provided by Lockheed were acceptable. He did not mention what Zhang Heng had done, nor did he intend to pursue the damage Zhang Heng caused to the order of the southeast city. And he was even willing to send Zhang Heng away with glorious achievement.
However, what he did not expect was that Zhang Heng insisted on sticking to his plan. “Sorry, I am not going to give up my plan.”
Lockheed frowned. “Do you know that even if you and Clint manage to persuade the emperor to station the Imperial Guards here, you still need the approval of the Senate? I am willing to treat you with courtesy, not because I am afraid of the one thousand Imperial Guards, but I just don’t want to give the Senate’s insatiable senators more money. If we continue to fight, the only people that will benefit are the senators. Let’s take a step back. Even if you win in the end and you get the senators’ approval, then what?
“You are not the first who wants to destroy us, nor will you be the last. The dynasty is constantly evolving, and the emperor’s head on the gold coins has changed so often. But we are still here. Of course, you can use the army to arrest us or even kill me and ruin the Jewish gang. As long as the people here are given enough time, they will rebuild everything we have built.” Lockheed paused. “We are all old people, and old people always wish that all the problems can be solved by relatively peaceful means. At the same time, we are not afraid of death too.”
“Uh, sorry for the interruption. I’m young, and I’m quite afraid of death,” Cornu said, “But you can just ignore me. I’m just a nobody that delivers messages.”
After listening to Lockheed’s words, Zhang Heng said, “You have misunderstood me. I personally respect you very much. I have no intention of destroying you or the Jewish gang, nor will I change your way of life. I just hope that the patrol team can be included in managing this place instead of being spectators like before.”
“It turns out that what you want is not just to score political points, but you also want to cultivate your strength in this neighborhood.”
Lockheed’s words revealed Zhang Heng’s true purpose.
And Zhang Heng did not hide it. In fact, he generously admitted to it, “I have heard your story about how you started from scratch and eventually became the uncrowned king of the southeast city. I, like the other young people in this neighborhood, am deeply inspired. So, I wish to create my own business here too.”
“You’re quite honest,” Lockheed nodded when he heard Zhang Heng’s explanation. “It’s good for young people to be ambitious, but your identity is the big problem here. You were not born here, and you rely on the patrol team to help expand your territory. This is not a fair competition. Hence, I can’t just sit there and watch you grow.”
This time it was Zhang Heng’s turn to frown. He did not expect Lockheed to be so stubborn. This old man possessed the skill to make peace with the nobles in the Senate. Why couldn’t he tolerate the existence of a new force that wouldn’t be much of a threat to the Jewish gang?
At this moment, the boss of the Golden Crown, who had been closing his eyes meditating, opened his eyes. “Mr. Lockeed is saying that if you want to establish your influence here, you first need to prove that you belong to this place. So that we can consider accepting you.”
“How can I prove it?”
“It’s effortless. After you return to the emperor’s side, we want you to kill someone for us.” At this point, Lockheed finally told Zhang Heng the true purpose of asking Zhang Heng to go to the second floor.
Zhang Heng raised his eyebrows when he heard the request. He almost thought that his relationship with Balance Blade was exposed. Fortunately, Lockheed on the opposite side added, “Veteran Divo Braille, we need you to find a way to end his political career and strip him of his position as a senator. He is too greedy, and we can no longer satisfy him. In exchange, we can allow you and your patrol team to develop here, but you can’t go overboard as before. If you agree, then we can talk about the places that the patrol team is allowed to govern.”