novelAbuy Chapter 41 Zhao 4 and Qian 5
Chapter 41 Zhao 4 and Qian 5
East of the city, Chang Le Gambling House.
The lobby was dimly lit, and several hanging oil lamps swayed precariously in the draft.
The wooden dominoes clanged together on the table, making a crisp sound.
"Iron Abacus" Zhao Si sat at the innermost gambling table.
He was in his thirties, tall and thin, and wearing a blue silk shirt.
He has a habit: whenever he thinks or weighs the pros and cons, his right thumb unconsciously rubs the knuckle of his index finger, where a thick callus has grown.
He was the leader of a gang of hooligans in the east of the city, and he had fifty or sixty men under his command.
Fourth Brother.
A slightly muffled voice sounded in my ear.
Zhao Si stopped what he was doing and turned his head.
Standing behind him was Zhang San, a member of the Black Tiger Gang.
At this moment, Zhang San's left cheek was swollen high, there was still bloodstains at the corner of his eye, and he walked with a limp.
Without making a sound, Zhao Si gathered the few pieces of silver on the table into his sleeve, stood up, and walked to a quiet corner of the gambling den.
"How did it get into this state? Are there still people in Yuncheng County who dare to touch Black Tiger's men?" Zhao Si asked.
Zhang San gasped in pain, lowering his voice, "Fourth Brother, something terrible has happened. Our gang leader... has been beaten into submission."
Zhao Si stopped rubbing his knuckles.
He stared into Zhang San's eyes.
"Who did it?"
"Wu Song. The same Wu Erlang who fought the tiger on Jingyang Ridge. He single-handedly took on our entire casino. Even our leader couldn't withstand three moves from him before being forced to his knees and begging for mercy."
Zhang San swallowed hard, his eyes filled with lingering fear: "Now, Chao Baozheng of Dongxi Village has spoken. Tomorrow at noon, a banquet will be held at Zuixianlou, inviting several heads of the city to drink."
Zhao Si didn't speak; his mind was racing.
He had personally witnessed Meng Zhanpeng's kung fu skills.
Such a formidable character couldn't even last three moves against Wu Song?
Wu Song's martial prowess was simply astonishing.
Moreover, behind this is the renowned Heavenly King Chao Gai.
"What else did Chao Baozheng say?" Zhao Si asked.
"Chao Baozheng said that those who wanted to cooperate should keep their appointments on time. Those who did not want to cooperate, he would personally visit them to invite them."
Zhang San replied.
Zhao Si suddenly laughed.
He patted Zhang San on the shoulder.
"Go back and tell your gang leader, and also tell Chao Baozheng. Tomorrow at noon, I, Zhao Si, will definitely be there on time."
After Zhang San left, one of Zhao Si's henchmen came up to him.
"Fourth Brother, are we really going? Chao Gai is clearly trying to take over our territory."
Zhao Si looked at the gamblers at the gambling table, their eyes bloodshot, and slowly said, "They even beat Black Heart Tiger like a dog. Do you think our small group could even fill Wu Song's teeth? Chao Gai is rich and powerful; I heard that Chief Lei and Clerk Song in the county government are on friendly terms with him. A head-on confrontation would be suicide. Let's go see what he's up to before making any plans."
At the same time, in a tavern in the south of the city.
Qian Wu, also known as "Over the Mountain Wind," received a message from someone sent by Black Heart Tiger.
Qian Wu was a thin, bony man who was extremely opportunistic.
Upon hearing the message, he didn't hesitate at all and immediately agreed to go to Zuixianlou the next day to toast Chao Baozheng.
However, not everyone is as good at assessing the situation as Zhao Si and Qian Wu.
In a dilapidated temple in the west of the city.
Sun Biao, nicknamed "Rolling Dragon," was sitting in a grand chair, holding a greasy pig's trotter in his hand, gnawing on it with oil dripping from his mouth.
He was tall and burly, with a face full of flesh and a tuft of black hair on his chest.
After hearing the message from the Black Tiger Gang's subordinates, Sun Biao slammed the pig bone in his hand heavily onto the ground.
"Wu Song? Fighting the tiger on Jingyang Ridge?" Sun Biao sneered, "That's quite a boast! I've been in Yuncheng County for over ten years, what haven't I seen? Who does Chao Gai think he is? Just a country bumpkin with a bit of money, thinking he can make me his dog with a single word?"
Sun Biao stood up, walked up to the Black Tiger Gang henchman who had delivered the message, and spat in the man's face.
"Bah! Go back and tell Chao Gai that if he wants to take over my territory, let him bring his men over!"
Several henchmen stepped forward and, with kicks and punches, drove the messenger out of the dilapidated temple.
On the other side, Wang Gang, nicknamed "Iron Head," from the north of the city, reacted even more fiercely.
He was bald and had a fiery temper.
Upon hearing the message, he overturned the table in front of him, grabbed a stool, and chased the messenger for half a street, threatening to crack Chao Gai's head open if he dared to come.
The next day, at noon.
Zuixianlou, Private Room No. 1 (Top Class).
The rosewood round table was laden with delicacies from land and sea.
Liu Bei sat in the main seat, with Wu Yong on his left and Lei Heng on his right.
Zhao Si and Qian Wu arrived early.
The two stood by the table, their expressions respectful, not daring to utter a sound.
They saw Wu Song sitting in the corner, wiping his broadsword with a rag.
That restrained murderous aura made the two of them feel a chill run down their spines.
"Brothers, please sit down," Liu Bei said, gesturing to the empty seats opposite him.
Zhao Si and Qian Wu then sat down cautiously, their bottoms barely touching the bottom of the chair.
Liu Bei picked up the wine pot and personally poured a cup of wine for the two of them.
"Brothers," Liu Bei put down his wine jug and looked at the two men, "I invited you here today because I wanted to help you make a fortune. The rules of Yuncheng County need to be changed from now on."
Zhao Si quickly picked up the wine glass and held it with both hands.
"Lord Chao is known for his generosity and righteousness, and his reputation has spread far and wide. We have long wished to serve him. From now on, wherever Lord Chao commands, we brothers will fight without hesitation!"
Qian Wu nodded repeatedly, afraid of being too late to express his opinion.
Liu Bei was very satisfied with the attitude of the two men.
He clinked glasses with the two men and drank it all in one gulp.
The group exchanged a few pleasantries, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves.
Soon, after finishing their conversation and drinking, Liu Bei said, "After you go back, reassure your men and just wait for my news."
Zhao Si and Qian Wu left quickly, leaving only their own people in the private room.
Liu Bei turned to look at Lei Heng.
"Brother Lei, neither Sun Biao nor Wang Gang's gang are willing to come." Liu Bei tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Right now, the only ones left in this city who won't submit to authority are these hundred or so men. What do you think we should do with them?"
Lei Heng smiled.
"Don't worry, brother. In the past, if those families banded together and four or five hundred people caused trouble, the yamen would really have a headache. Now that there are only a few people left, it's not difficult at all. However, this matter will have to wait for two days."
Liu Bei asked, "Oh? What's the reason?"
Lei Heng wiped the grease off his mouth with his sleeve.
"Brother Zhu Tong has gone out on business and should be back in the next couple of days. We'll each take charge of half of the city's security. Sun Biao and Wang Gang's territory happens to fall within Brother Zhu's jurisdiction. When he gets back, we'll get together, find some excuse, and make those shameless scoundrels regret their actions!"