Upon hearing Jiang He's words, Zhang Zhiliang was visibly taken aback. "Brother Jiang, are you planning to keep Lin Changxing safe?" He was puzzled by Jiang He's approach and couldn't fathom why he would do this. If they protected Lin Changxing, it would be like indirectly drawing the trouble onto themselves. Even if Liu Tiezhu cooperated, the risk was still enormous.
Jiang He said, "Old Zhang, I know what you're worried about." "Lin Changxing is one of the few informants we've planted in the action team." "If we don't save him this time, what will the other informants think?" "In the future, they probably won't work sincerely for us."
In fact, he had already thought through what Zhang Zhiliang was considering. He also understood that taking the blame for Lin Changxing could very well backfire. But since Liu Tiezhu hadn't reported the matter yet, there was still time to act.
Zhang Zhiliang thought for a moment and asked, "Brother Jiang, how do you plan to have Liu Tiezhu cooperate?" "Do you want him to take the fall for Lin Changxing?"
Someone had to bear the blame for the lost supplies. The Ming family's higher-ups needed an explanation. If Lin Changxing didn't take the blame, someone else had to step in.
Jiang He considered this and said, "That's impossible. Liu Tiezhu is someone I'm grooming as a key asset now. Why would I let him take the fall?" "My idea is to pin everything on the Li family." "Of course, someone still has to take the blame." "Lin Changxing's two deputy captains can be used for that—let them shoulder it."
Hearing that Jiang He already had a plan, Zhang Zhiliang stopped interfering. The two settled on their decision and agreed to go find Liu Tiezhu for a discussion after lunch.
Meanwhile, at Liu Tiezhu's barracks, Lin Changxing knocked on the door and quickly produced two packs of high-quality cigarettes and several dozen bills. His survival now hinged entirely on Liu Tiezhu's attitude.
"Lin Changxing, what's your game here? Trying to set me up?" "If I take these from you, will you turn around and report me?" Liu Tiezhu still wore a stern expression as he spoke to Lin Changxing.
The Ming family had clear rules against bribing superiors. If caught, the offender would be stripped of their position and face severe punishment. This policy was meant to prevent those in power from abusing their authority to amass wealth, which would breed resentment among the lower ranks. But these rules did little to restrain the members below. Gifts still had to be given; otherwise, you couldn't expect to skim any perks in the barracks.
"Brother Tiezhu, even with a hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare do such a thing." "I truly know I was wrong about last night. I deserve to die." "From now on, whatever you say goes. If you tell me to kneel, I won't stand." "Please give me another chance to serve you like a beast of burden."
As he spoke, Lin Changxing actually dropped to his knees, straight and rigid. At that moment, he abandoned all dignity. As long as he could get Liu Tiezhu to nod, survival was the only thing that mattered.
"Spare me the useless talk. Just tell me why you're here." Liu Tiezhu wasn't buying Lin Changxing's act. Talk of being a beast of burden was all nonsense. If he ever fell into Lin Changxing's hands, that bastard would kill him without a second thought.
"I beg you, Brother Tiezhu, don't report the lost supplies to the higher-ups." Lin Changxing stopped hiding and stated his purpose directly.
Don't report the lost supplies? Hearing this, Liu Tiezhu was momentarily stunned, then stared at Lin Changxing's face and let out a cold laugh. If he didn't report the lost supplies, when the Ming family's higher-ups investigated, wouldn't he be the one taking the blame? Two packs of cigarettes and a few hundred bucks—did Lin Changxing think that would settle it? He was really playing a clever game.
"Lin Changxing, do I look like an idiot to you?" Coming back to his senses, Liu Tiezhu rubbed his nose and sneered.
Hearing this, Lin Changxing was dumbfounded, realizing Liu Tiezhu had misunderstood him. Snapping out of it, Lin Changxing quickly waved his hands: "Brother Tiezhu, that's not what I meant." "The lost supplies definitely need an explanation to the Ming family's higher-ups." "I'm not asking you to take the fall for me. I'm thinking of other ways." "Brother Jiang has already discussed it. Now it's up to you." "If you help me with this, I'll remember the favor."
"Are you using Auditor Jiang to pressure me?" Liu Tiezhu frowned, his tone turning cold.
"Brother Tiezhu, I really didn't mean that." "Last night, I realized how serious this was, so I went to discuss a solution with Brother Jiang." "Brother Jiang's idea was for me to come apologize to you first, and then he'd come talk to you."
At this point, Lin Changxing dared not hide anything and spilled the entire conversation he'd had with Jiang He.
After hearing all this, Liu Tiezhu furrowed his brow. If Lin Changxing wasn't lying, then Jiang He intended to protect him. If Lin Changxing didn't take the blame, someone else would have to replace him. Was Jiang He planning to push him out? Liu Tiezhu thought it over and decided Jiang He wasn't that stupid. With so many witnesses that night, Jiang He couldn't easily twist the truth. Moreover, doing so would only drive him closer to Ming Zhenglong. But regardless, until he understood Jiang He's intentions, he had to stay cautious.
"Brother Tiezhu, I'm genuinely here to apologize." "Please, have mercy and let me off the hook." Seeing Liu Tiezhu silent for a long time, Lin Changxing begged again.
"Genuinely apologizing?" Liu Tiezhu glanced at the items in Lin Changxing's hands with disdain. Since he knew Jiang He wanted to protect Lin Changxing, he might as well squeeze this bastard for all he was worth.
Lin Changxing, being a shrewd man, immediately caught the meaning in Liu Tiezhu's eyes.
"Brother Tiezhu, I came in a hurry and didn't bring anything good." "I have ten more packs of premium cigarettes and ten thousand yuan in my barracks. I'll go get them for you right now, okay?"
Liu Tiezhu didn't respond, but his frown deepened. Lin Changxing inwardly groaned, realizing this pittance wouldn't buy his life. What he feared most was someone who wouldn't name a price, because you could never gauge their bottom line.
"Twenty thousand yuan, plus ten packs of premium cigarettes and five bottles of top-shelf liquor." Lin Changxing gritted his teeth and spoke again. That was nearly all he had.
Liu Tiezhu still didn't reply, just waved his hand, signaling Lin Changxing to leave.
"Brother Tiezhu, I really can't offer anything more." Lin Changxing was on the verge of tears but dared not move. Jiang He had made it clear: if Liu Tiezhu didn't forgive him, he was dead. Now that Liu Tiezhu was telling him to go, did he dare? If he walked out of here, he'd probably be secretly dealt with by afternoon.
"Lin Changxing, when did I ever ask for your things?" Liu Tiezhu's face turned cold as he spoke icily.
Lin Changxing froze, his expression shifting again as he hurriedly said, "Brother Tiezhu, I never said you asked for them." "These are all things I'm voluntarily giving you."
As he spoke, Lin Changxing lowered his voice. "Brother Tiezhu, how about this? Over in Huaiyang Gou, I still have..." Lin Changxing's voice grew softer, until only the two of them could hear.
After hearing it, Liu Tiezhu's face turned serious. "You're sure?"
Lin Changxing quickly nodded: "Brother Tiezhu, if you don't believe me, I can take you there right now."
Liu Tiezhu waved his hand and said, "No need for that. How many people know about this?"
Lin Changxing didn't dare hide it: "Five others know. If you're worried, Brother Tiezhu, I can quietly take care of them."
"Go do it. The terms we agreed on earlier stay the same." Liu Tiezhu waved his hand, dismissing Lin Changxing.
Lin Changxing didn't linger and quickly left.
Watching the retreating figure, Liu Tiezhu couldn't help but smile. He hadn't expected that bastard Lin Changxing to have such nerve, hiding so many good things in Huaiyang Gou.