Chapter 68 - 67: Copper Skin, Complete

Chapter 68: Chapter 67: Copper Skin, Complete

This scene was entirely within Lu Jing’an’s expectations.

In fact, he would have found it strange if something like this hadn’t happened.

Lu Jing’an met the scrutinizing and provocative gazes,

his expression remaining as calm and pleasant as a spring breeze.

He raised a hand to gesture for quiet, his clear voice carrying through the thin morning mist:

"Everyone, I can understand your high expectations for the Water Patrol Bureau."

"However, the Water Patrol Bureau has just been established, and everything is being built from the ground up. The matters you are all concerned about will require time to move forward."

Before he could finish, someone below grew restless and tried to interrupt.

But Lu Jing’an gave them no opportunity, his tone shifting abruptly.

His voice remained steady, but it now carried a solemn weight:

"However, the Water Patrol Bureau has not been without its accomplishments."

"Recently, we captured a group of individuals suspected of accepting bribes from Water Bandits and attempting to sabotage the establishment of the Water Patrol Bureau."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd like a cold flash of lightning. He raised his voice, "Bring them out."

"BRING THEM OUT—!"

The Water Patrol Bureau members standing guard with rifles at the side roared in unison, their voices shaking the pier.

Before long, the CLANKING and scraping of iron chains approached from a distance.

A dozen or so men, led by Lin Hong, were seen with their hands bound behind their backs.

Escorted by armed guards, they staggered to the front of the stage.

Every one of them was dejected, their heads hung low, daring not to meet anyone’s gaze.

Lu Jing’an pointed at Lin Hong and the others, his voice echoing clearly and forcefully in everyone’s ears:

"Some of these men attempted arson to destroy the Water Patrol Bureau’s records. Others secretly sabotaged the pier’s facilities. And still others spread rumors everywhere to slander the Bureau’s reputation."

He paused briefly, his gaze slowly sweeping over the face of every reporter in the crowd.

His look wasn’t fierce, but it carried an all-seeing pressure:

"What’s more, some among them embezzled illicit funds.

They used it to bribe certain reporters and fabricate a so-called ’people’s petition.’

Their goal was to use public opinion to pressure us and throw the Water Patrol Bureau into disarray."

"Once the Water Patrol Bureau is in chaos, the Water Bandits on the River can exploit the weakness.

They could deal us a fatal blow. Such a scheme... their intentions are utterly damnable!"

"In my opinion, these traitors who aid our enemies from within,

are even more detestable than the Water Bandits who fight us openly!"

"Everyone... wouldn’t you agree?"

Lu Jing’an’s last question was spoken softly, but it made many of the reporters in the audience turn pale instantly.

Although these people had not met directly with Lin Hong and his group,

they were all tacitly aware of the connections.

Now that Lu Jing’an had exposed the matter, if he truly insisted they were colluding with the Water Bandits...

...and made an example of them to establish his authority, who could say a single word against it?

A chill quietly crept up their spines.

Seeing that Lu Jing’an didn’t act immediately and was only watching them in silence,

the reporters snapped out of their stupor. ’If we back down now, there’s still a chance to salvage this.’

Almost in unison, the aggressive wave of questioning from just moments ago,

transformed into a chorus of agreement and praise.

"Director Lu sees everything with perfect clarity!"

"Scum like this truly deserves a harsher punishment than the Water Bandits!" ℯℯ𝘭.

"The Water Patrol Bureau’s first victory is a true blessing for our region!"

Only then did a faint smile reappear on Lu Jing’an’s face. He took the opportunity to raise his hand, gesturing for quiet:

"My friends from the media, you are all very understanding. I thank you for this.

Thank you for taking the trouble to come here today. Here is a little something for your travel expenses, a small token of my appreciation."

A trusted subordinate had already brought out the prepared red envelopes and began distributing them one by one.

Clutching the heavy packets, the reporters felt their nerves settle slightly.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they tactfully took their leave one after another.

After sending the reporters off, Lu Jing’an and his father, Lu Huaiqian, accompanied Special Commissioner Zhou to the Lu Mansion.

Special Commissioner Zhou was a trusted aide of Secretary Hu from the Provincial Government, so he could be considered an ally.

They passed through the Lu Mansion’s garden courtyard and entered the flower hall, where fragrant tea was already prepared.

Special Commissioner Zhou took a sip of tea and looked at Lu Jing’an with a smile:

"Young Master Lu, your methods are truly eye-opening."

"Originally, the Secretary was worried that you might struggle to handle a situation like this for the first time, Young Master.

But now it seems Secretary Hu was worrying for nothing.

The way the Water Patrol Bureau established its authority this time was, simply put, beautiful."

Lu Jing’an bowed slightly, his demeanor humble:

"You flatter me, Special Commissioner Zhou.

I don’t have any special methods. I merely relied on my father’s prior arrangements.

I was just reading from a script and playing my part in this performance."

"Just being able to ’play your part well’ already puts you ahead of so many people."

Special Commissioner Zhou shook his head, his tone growing more sincere.

"How many young masters in the Provincial City can’t even hold their own on a stage, let alone act?"

"How could a rustic place like ours dare to compare with the young talents of the Provincial City?"

Lu Jing’an’s smile didn’t falter, but his tone carried a timely hint of helplessness and self-deprecation.

"Besides, if I hadn’t been plotted against,

I would have much preferred to be a carefree idler, a true ’pampered young master.’"

During the meal, the conversation was mostly between Lu Huaiqian and Special Commissioner Zhou.

Lu Jing’an only spoke when asked, his answers concise and logical.

He neither drew too much attention to himself nor appeared timid or mediocre, maintaining a perfect balance.

After three rounds of drinks, a light flush had spread across Special Commissioner Zhou’s face.

Lu Huaiqian and Lu Jing’an personally saw him to his car, inside which a discreet but substantial gift was already waiting.

They watched the car drive away from the stone-paved road in front of the Lu Mansion and disappear around the corner of the alley.

Lu Huaiqian and Lu Jing’an exchanged a look, and both saw the trace of relief in each other’s eyes.

Secretary Hu’s test of Lu Jing’an had, for now, been passed successfully.

Next, the Lu Family could leverage this success to seek more tangible support for the Water Patrol Bureau from Secretary Hu.

The test had begun the moment Special Commissioner Zhou appeared with that group of hostile reporters.

But in Lu Jing’an’s view, the fact that they were willing to test him at all...

was in itself a form of acknowledgment and an indication of their intent to invest.

’What’s truly frightening is not even being qualified to be tested.’

He was confident enough in his own performance.

Two streets away, Special Commissioner Zhou, who had been leaning back in his seat looking slightly tipsy, slowly sat up straight.

The drunkenness in his eyes was gone, replaced by perfect clarity.

He picked up the inconspicuous wooden box beside him and unlatched it.

Inside, bars of Yellow Croaker were arranged in neat rows.

Under the mottled light filtering through the car window, they shimmered with a heavy, golden luster.

He extended his fingers, slowly stroking them one by one across the cool metal surfaces.

Then, with a CLICK, he closed the lid.

Next, he took a fountain pen and a slim, dark blue-covered notebook from his coat.

Using the moving light from outside the window, he began to write quickly.

「Lu Jing’an.」

「Exceedingly calm, not rash or impatient.」

「Speaks with measure, neither servile nor arrogant.」

「Good at Borrowing Momentum, capable of establishing authority, and understands compromise.」

「Claims everything is due to his father’s arrangements. Excessively humble, seems to lack the will for independent decision-making...」

The tip of his pen paused on the paper. Special Commissioner Zhou looked up at the fleeting streetscape outside the window.

He recalled Lu Jing’an’s expression, his tone, and even the subtle, almost imperceptible pauses as he spoke.

After a few breaths, he put pen to paper again, adding a concluding summary at the end of the section:

「Unquestionably an uncarved jade, worthy of shaping.」

「Appears docile, values family ties.」

「Easily constrained by sentiment and kinship.」

「And thus, can be wielded by a powerful hand.」

This was precisely the conclusion Lu Jing’an had wanted him to reach.

He had to be a piece of unpolished jade worth investing in, but not so sharp as to seem uncontrollable.

Being malleable to just the right degree was the prerequisite for those in power to be willing to place a bet.

...

「Lu Mansion. The study.」

Lu Huaiqian dismissed the attendants, leaving only Lu Jing’an in the room.

"Jing’an, what do you plan to do with those traitors?" Lu Huaiqian asked.

Lu Jing’an didn’t hesitate. "Father, since ancient times, traitors have never met a good end."

Lu Huaiqian nodded, understanding his son’s meaning.

"Leave this matter to me. Just focus on the Water Patrol Bureau’s affairs."

He paused.

"In two days, two more Ironclad Ships will arrive.

There will also be a shipment of diesel fuel with them. Arrange for a reliable team to receive it."

’Two more Ironclad Ships!’

Lu Jing’an’s heart sank slightly at the news.

This meant an investment of several hundred thousand more silver coins.

Once all four ironclad patrol ships were fully operational, their daily consumption would no longer be just diesel fuel.

It would be silver coins, poured out like water.

Add to that future maintenance, ammunition, and personnel salaries...

The Lu Family would probably have to pour the majority of its annual income into this bottomless pit of a river.

With this move, his father was undoubtedly determined to bet the Lu Family’s future fortune on this new Water Patrol Bureau.

Lu Jing’an saw the risks and opportunities clearly.

He believed his father saw them even more clearly than he did.

He just hadn’t expected his father to be so decisive, to make such a colossal gamble.

’If I were in my father’s position,’

’faced with a wager that could topple the Lu Family’s decades-old foundation,’

’and bring it all crashing down overnight,’

’I might not have been able to make a decision so quickly.’

Lu Huaiqian saw Lu Jing’an’s concern.

He walked over and clapped Lu Jing’an’s sturdy shoulder, his movement firm and steady.

"Jing’an."

His voice was not loud.

"Back when your second and third uncles and I fled here,

we couldn’t even find a single silver coin on us."

"At worst, it can’t be any worse than it was back then."

Lu Jing’an looked up. "Father, perhaps we should reconsider this. I am still young, after all..."

Lu Huaiqian cut him off, a complex smile flashing in his eyes.

"Your second and third uncles and I are not young, but of all the moles hidden right under our noses, we only spotted two or three out of ten."

He walked back to his desk and sat down, his tone softening.

"Your second and third uncles and I have already discussed this matter.

The three of us all agree that if the Lu Family continues to follow the old ways,

it’s like being a frog in slowly boiling water. Sooner or later, we’ll be carved up and devoured by others.

Now that things have changed, rather than wait for our doom, we’d rather bet all our chips on you."

"You... you might be able to fight for an unexpected future for us, for the Lu Family."

Lu Jing’an gazed at his father’s relieved face under the dim yellow light,

and suddenly realized,

that this father of his, always known for his intellect and strategic planning,

had never lost that audacious and decisive spirit of a rogue hero, the kind who would burn his boats and break his cooking pots.

With things having come to this, any hesitation would seem pretentious.

Lu Jing’an took a deep breath, suppressing all the churning emotions in his heart.

His gaze became sharp and resolute.

He nodded firmly.

"Father, I understand. I will do everything in my power."

"In two days, I will personally lead the first patrol of the River.

Please ensure that they are fully supplied with equipment and provisions within these two days, Father."

"Don’t worry," Lu Huaiqian answered with just two words.

Leaving the study, he returned to his own private courtyard.

Everything that had happened today,

especially his father’s words entrusting him with the family’s entire fortune and future,

hammered relentlessly in Lu Jing’an’s mind,

bringing with it an unprecedented, crushing pressure.

The feeling of carrying the rise and fall of an entire clan on his shoulders...

This was the first time Lu Jing’an had experienced it, and the weight of the pressure was truly making it hard for him to breathe.

His mind was a mess, making it difficult to calm down.

He shed his outer robe, leaving only his underclothes, and walked into an open space in the courtyard.

The night wind was cool against his skin, but it couldn’t blow away the agitation in his heart.

’Only Practicing Boxing can help.’

Lu Jing’an assumed the opening stance of the Six Harmonies Fist, his mind gradually sinking into the rhythm of his breaths and the flow of his movements.

Only when his Tendons and Bones were stretching and his qi and blood were surging,

could he temporarily block out the chaotic thoughts and find a moment of inner peace.

The wind from his fists whistled as his figure moved and dodged.

Sweat gradually soaked his underclothes, but he seemed not to notice.

He was completely immersed in the warm power flowing through his limbs and body.

When Lu Jing’an finally came to a stop in a closing stance,

and slowly exhaled a long, Scorching breath,

his mind was already clear and tranquil,

the previous anxiety and pressure,

completely washed away by the intent of his boxing.

At the same time, he felt a strange tightness and a Scorching sensation spreading across the skin of his entire body.

Looking down, he saw the exposed skin on his arms and the back of his hands.

Under the cold moonlight, it faintly glowed with a dark, reddish-copper hue.

It was as if it had been meticulously forged in scorching flames.

In the cold late-autumn night, steam rose from his entire body, shrouding him in a white mist.

Lu Jing’an slowly clenched his fists. His knuckles made a faint CRACKLING sound as a feeling of solid power filled the membranes beneath his skin.

Skin Refining Realm, Perfection!

Copper Skin, achieved!