On the Verge of Eruption

At the eastern edge of Wen County, truck after truck—rare sights throughout the county—crossed more than half the city before finally stopping in neat rows around a factory complex.

One by one, agile soldiers climbed up and down, carefully carrying out and transporting large wooden crates.

"Mr. Shirakawa, look. This is the factory complex I prepared."

Gu Sheng climbed out of the vehicle with Shirakawa Rin. Today was the day Shirakawa Rin’s shipment arrived, and both men had brought their subordinates.

"This location is excellent. Mr. Zhang really put a lot of thought into it."

After looking around, Shirakawa Rin nodded in satisfaction. In the future, the Wen County Arsenal would also belong partly to the Shirakawa Trading Company. Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to help Gu Sheng make arrangements and prepare everything so carefully? It was all driven by profit. The two men had the same interests, and that was the key to their cooperation.

"Mr. Shirakawa, please come this way."

Gu Sheng led Shirakawa Rin into the completed factory grounds.

"Mr. Zhang certainly has a lot of experience with these things!"

Looking at the surrounding buildings, Shirakawa Rin saw practicality revealed in every detail. This was the work of someone capable of accomplishing great things. At the same time, he became slightly wary.

One man’s hero was another man’s enemy. The more outstanding Zhang Xianzong was, the more apprehensive Shirakawa Rin became. The war between the Empire and the Central Plains would erupt again sooner or later. He wondered what Zhang Xianzong would choose then: remain as close to the Empire as he was now, or part ways with it.

Gu Sheng smiled. "You’re too kind, Mr. Shirakawa. These weren’t my designs. They were all my subordinates’ work. I merely nodded along. Professional matters are better left to professionals. For a crude fellow like me, it’s enough if I can understand what I’m looking at."

"Then I wonder which gentleman planned it. Shirakawa Rin is very interested."

Shirakawa Rin was genuinely interested. A factory with such a reasonable layout—especially the powder workshop, which already had measures in place to prevent even sewage pollution—was extremely rare even in their homeland. Most places polluted first and dealt with the consequences later. Who would have imagined such a rational recycling process?

"Haha, Mr. Shirakawa, you’ve met him before. Do you remember the group that caused trouble at my wedding banquet?"

Gu Sheng laughed and patted Shirakawa Rin on the shoulder. "Among them, two understood the bigger picture and knew when to advance or retreat, so they pledged allegiance to the commander. But I also thoroughly tested their abilities. One of them was Fang Yun. He’s extremely capable, especially in chemistry. This place is his work."

As he spoke, Gu Sheng deliberately lowered his voice again. "I’ll tell you something, but don’t spread it around."

"What is it?"

Shirakawa Rin became interested—genuinely very interested.

"Do you remember the explosion in the city that day?"

Gu Sheng put on a mysterious air. "That was his work. He made the explosives himself, using nothing but materials ordinary people could obtain. Impressive, right?

"Even under such crude conditions, he managed to make explosives that terrifying. Now that he has a factory workshop like mine, how much do you think he’ll be able to accomplish?"

"So that’s how it is. Congratulations, Mr. Zhang, on gaining such a great talent."

Shirakawa Rin’s eyes flickered. He forced a faint smile and congratulated Gu Sheng with a smile that did not reach his eyes. In truth, murderous intent was surging through him. He did not want Fang Yun to remain alive.

An explosives expert who could also design and operate factories—a talent capable of supporting a large factory, or even several, all by himself. It was easy to imagine that under his leadership, the Wen County Arsenal would never lack gunpowder or explosives. That ran completely counter to Shirakawa Rin’s previous plans. Such talents were rare even in the Empire. Fang Yun could not be allowed to stay alive.

"Brothers, move it!"

Officers directed the work from the side, while Gu Sheng and Shirakawa Rin stood on an elevated part of the factory, looking down at everything and chatting with laughter.

"Chief of Staff, something’s wrong! Commander Gu has brought troops here."

Gu Sheng was speaking animatedly with Shirakawa Rin when an officer suddenly ran in. Gu Sheng took a closer look and recognized the man he had sent to watch the gate. He said Gu Xuanwu had arrived, which meant Yue Qiluo’s information had been correct. This Commander Gu really had come looking for trouble.

"Bang!"

The gunshot startled the workers and Gu Sheng’s soldiers into stopping. They stood frozen in place, at a loss. Squad after squad of soldiers filed in, every gun aimed and loaded, all of them looking aggressively ready for a fight. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Gu Xuanwu walked out with Wu Xin beside him.

"Stop everything! Throw down whatever you’re holding!"

Gu Xuanwu roared at the soldiers gathered around the large wooden crates. "Your regimental commander is confused, and now you’re confused too? Don’t you know these things were sent by the Japanese?

"Don’t you know what kind of people the Japanese are? Do you think there could be anything good in these crates?

"Bang, bang, bang!"

Cursing as he walked to one of the crates, Gu Xuanwu slapped it several times with force. Then he pointed at the officers he recognized and gave them a furious tongue-lashing. "Not bad! Aiding the wicked, are you? Are you still soldiers under my command, Gu Xuanwu?

"Where’s Zhang Xianzong? Tell him to get his ass out here! He dared ignore my orders. Just watch how I deal with him this time."

"I’m here!"

Gu Sheng’s voice came from the side. Dressed in military uniform, he walked alone at the front. Shirakawa Rin, Mei Daizi, and Ryoko followed half a step behind him.

"Zhang Xianzong, you’re something else! You’re ignoring even my orders now? Didn’t I order you not to let their goods into the city? What do you mean by this, huh?"

Gu Xuanwu pointed at Gu Sheng and the people behind him, including Shirakawa Rin, and shouted furiously. "I’ve always followed rules and procedures. I gave you face before. As long as they didn’t cause trouble in Wen County, I let them stay.

"But they broke the rules first by bringing Opium into Wen County. You can’t tell me you don’t know how harmful this stuff is!"

"The person selling Opium was merely a subordinate of the Shirakawa Trading Company. He’s already been dismissed. I personally dealt with him yesterday. He didn’t die, but he’s not exactly in good shape either."

Gu Sheng sighed. "Mr. Shirakawa has guaranteed to me that from now on, not only will the Shirakawa Trading Company refrain from bringing Opium into Wen County, but no Opium from the Japanese side will be allowed in."

"Commander Gu, Shirakawa Rin can vouch for that. Our Shirakawa Trading Company’s main business isn’t Opium. Before, it was merely my subordinate Mr. Ling acting on his own. Something like this definitely won’t happen again."

Shirakawa Rin stepped forward as well, but his appearance instantly changed Gu Xuanwu’s expression.

"What are you supposed to be? This is a conversation between brothers. What are you butting in for?"

Gu Xuanwu directly rebuked Shirakawa Rin. Without even looking at his livid face, he merely roared at Gu Sheng, "You believe a Japanese man’s word too? Your brain must be addled!

"When something goes wrong, they just find some unlucky fellow to take the fall. If you ask me, I could play their game even better than they do."