Chen Mo called two good-looking prostitutes to accompany him for drinks. Perhaps due to the chaos of the times, the current cost is far less than during peaceful periods. Chen Mo found another private room to discuss matters. It seemed like Wu Mountain was not here for the first time. After entering the room, he immediately sat down with his legs apart, then pulled a prostitute into his arms, holding her waist, toasted Chen Mo with a drink, and said, "Chen, you’re generous." There’s a saying online that there are four great bonds in life: sharing a gun, sharing a room, splitting spoils together, and also... Since he needed to inquire about someone else’s business, Chen Mo naturally couldn’t put on airs. He also pulled a woman into his arms, picked some snow pears, and toasted Wu Mountain in return. The money couldn’t be spent in vain. The brothel girls were very professional, immediately letting out coquettish voices, commenting on how bad the young master was, squirming in Chen Mo’s embrace, and even feeding him wine with a beauty’s cup. Taking advantage of the small episode just outside, Chen Mo casually asked Wu Mountain about the Qinghe Gang. From Wu Mountain’s mouth, Chen Mo learned. The Qinghe Gang has eight halls, each managed by a Hall Master, collectively known as the Eight Great Vajra. Every four of the Vajra are in charge of one county’s businesses, and the Qinghe Gang’s businesses in Pingting County include brothels, gambling dens, aquatic products, money houses, and so on. The Qinghe Gang is involved in almost every gray industry. "I don’t know which Plague God the Qinghe Gang has offended recently, but one of the Eight Great Vajra, Brother Shahu, was actually... killed." Wu Mountain said, "Even the cashbox was robbed." After saying that, Wu Mountain picked a lotus seed, smiled at the girl in his arms, and said, "Don’t tell your mama about this, okay?" "Oh, you’re terrible." The girl winced and patted Wu Mountain’s shoulder, "I’m not a big mouth." This matter was almost known to everyone in the city, not considered a secret, so even talking about it in a brothel under the jurisdiction of the Qinghe Gang, Wu Mountain wasn’t afraid. Follow current novᴇls on novel•fire.net "Indeed, not a big mouth, but this mouth is a bit loose..." Wu Mountain said with a meaningful look as he glanced downward. The girl wasn’t some naive maiden either, she could understand, and gently pushed Wu Mountain’s forehead with a finger: "Oh, you’re so bad." Seeing Wu Mountain had signs of becoming more aggressive, Chen Mo coughed lightly and patted the millstone on the girl in his arms, signaling her to leave first. Wu Mountain, knowing that Chen Mo intended to get down to business, also straightened up and sent the girl accompanying him out. Chen Mo didn’t directly ask about the remaining Seven Great Vajra or the strength of Master Xiong. Instead, he approached it from other matters, like whether the rebels would attack Qingzhou after spring, subtly understanding the Qinghe Gang. Although Li Mu had already told him about this, a single perspective was always unreliable, cross-verification was better. "It’s almost a certainty, as the Prefect has said, the rebels are already gathered in Jizhou, Gaozhou, and other places, forming a three-sided encirclement, and pincering Qingzhou. Once Qingzhou falls, the rebels can march south unimpeded, but the snow is too deep now, not suitable for marching. After spring, when the snow melts..." Wu Mountain sighed: "Chen, to be honest with you, Qingzhou, I’m afraid, probably can’t hold." "Oh, why?" Chen Mo poured Wu Mountain a drink. Wu Mountain beckoned Chen Mo over. "Even the Prefect has sent his two precious daughters to our Pingting County. Think about it, at such a critical time, the Prefect sends his family to the rear, showing how little confidence he has in Qingzhou’s defenses." Wu Mountain said in a low voice. "The Magistrate’s Daughters?" Chen Mo was stunned. Wu Mountain began to tell Chen Mo: "I was fortunate enough to see them. Chen, you don’t know how beautiful they are. In my life, I’ve never seen such beautiful women, akin to fairies. No woman in Pingting County can compare." At this point, Wu Mountain seemed a bit excited, revealing a lewd smile and saying: "Chen, the key point is, they’re twins." Hearing this, Chen Mo’s brows furrowed, a glimpse of the face of the lady in black surfaced in his mind. Talking about women, especially beauties, Wu Mountain was particularly enthusiastic, even found out their names, knowing where they lived. The elder sister was called Xia Zhiqing, and the younger sister was Xia Zhining. Chen Mo’s face darkened, it really was her. The Magistrate’s daughters. No wonder she had such a spoiled nature. This complicates things. This time entering the city, Chen Mo also had the purpose of avenging that whip. But after knowing her background, Chen Mo could only temporarily dismiss this idea, and consider it later. After all, just dealing with a little thug like Brother Shahu caused so much trouble. If anything happened to the Magistrate’s daughter, it would be disastrous. Chen Mo raised his glass and clinked it with Wu Mountain, smiling and saying in agreement, "Twins, tsk tsk, if there’s a chance, it must be quite an experience." But Wu Mountain waved his hand and said, "Chen, it’s better not to meet them. The elder sister is alright, but the younger sister has quite a fierce temper." "Is that so? But such a woman, if conquered, offers a unique taste." Chen Mo joked. Wu Mountain was first stunned, then burst into laughter: "Chen, you’re indeed ambitious, I hear that elder sister Xia Zhiqing is Qingzhou’s number one talented woman, most fond of scholars. If you gain fame, perhaps you might have a chance." Chen Mo took a sip of his wine, smiled without saying anything. Then he changed the subject: "What’s the situation in the county now?" "Of course, it’s the County Magistrate who calls the shots." Wu Mountain whispered: "Don’t think because the Qinghe Gang appears mighty, they’re just a dog under Lord Chang." From Wu Mountain’s mouth, Chen Mo learned that the local County Magistrate was named Chang Yuan. A Third-Class Scholar, and a student of the Prefect of Qingzhou. The most crucial point is, as a County Magistrate, he can mobilize the local Defense Army. You should know, the Great Song Dynasty divides military and political power. A County Magistrate doesn’t have the authority to mobilize local Defense Army, but Chang Yuan does. The Qinghe Gang doesn’t even rank second. Then there’s the Li Family, the Wang Family, and the Yi Family. These three are local noble clans. The Yi Family has already declined. Ultimately, the Qinghe Gang is just a gang formed by a bunch of rogues. If Gang Leader Yang Wei hadn’t married into the Yi Family, the Qinghe Gang would have been insignificant. Conversely, if it were purely a bloody conflict, even the three families together couldn’t overpower the Qinghe Gang. Chen Mo nodded, pretending to be curious, casually asking: "So what’s the strength of this Gang Leader Yang Wei?" "I heard he’s an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist." Wu Mountain took a sip of wine, uncertainly said. Chen Mo nodded again, raised his glass, and smiled: "Wu, come, drink up." "I can’t keep only drinking, gotta have some food." Wu Mountain said. ps: Thanks to QQ Book City reader "Crystal Winged Dragon" for the 588 Reading Coins reward!