After finalizing the plan with Jiang He and the other two, Liu Tiezhu hurried over to the Ming family. This time, he was going to play a game of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Ming Zhenglong was a bit surprised to see Liu Tiezhu return. As soon as he met Ming Zhenglong, Liu Tiezhu immediately said, "Third Master, I have incredible news. Jiang He not only wants to take down the two properties you exposed but also plans to use this chance to eliminate the people you arranged."
Ming Zhenglong was taken aback and said angrily, "Bastard, he can't even wait that long. How many men did Jiang He send, and where does he plan to strike?"
Liu Tiezhu replied, "His men are in the northern suburbs, waiting for you to send reinforcements, Third Master, so they can wipe them all out in one go. Third Master, this is a golden opportunity to weaken Jiang He's strength. We can set up a counter-ambush."
Hearing this, Ming Zhenglong slapped his thigh and said, "Brother Liu Tiezhu, you're right. Those three bastards want to set an ambush, so we can too. I'll arrange people right away to position themselves behind their ambush spot."
As he spoke, Ming Zhenglong pulled out a stack of bills and handed them to Liu Tiezhu. "The information you provided is crucial. This is your reward. Stick with me and work hard, and I, Ming Zhenglong, won't treat you poorly."
"Thank you, Third Master. If there's nothing else, I'll head back to make arrangements." Liu Tiezhu took the money and left the Ming estate directly.
Back at the camp, Liu Tiezhu immediately found Guo Qixing. When they met, Liu Tiezhu got straight to the point: "Brother Qixing, the plan has changed. Arrange your men now to strike the two properties. Remember, move fast and head to the southern suburbs with the supplies once you have them."
Guo Qixing was startled and asked, "Brother Tiezhu, did something happen?"
"Something did come up, but I don't have time to explain now. Get everything set up first, and once it's done, I'll fill you in later."
Guo Qixing didn't press further, nodded, and left the camp. Liu Tiezhu also left and headed to the Jinyuan Pawnshop in town.
As soon as he entered, Liu Tiezhu lowered his voice and said to the fat shopkeeper, "Please inform Ming Jiacheng. I have urgent and important intelligence."
The fat man nodded, led Liu Tiezhu into a private room, and quickly left. Liu Tiezhu came to see Ming Jiacheng to maximize his gains. Jiang He wanted to ambush Ming Zhenglong's men, Ming Zhenglong would counter-ambush Jiang He's men, and finally, Ming Jiacheng's people would clean up the battlefield. Once the three sides clashed, there would be casualties. And he wouldn't have to do a thing—he'd profit from all three sides while weakening the Ming family's strength.
About ten minutes later, Ming Jiacheng rushed over in a panic. When he saw him, Liu Tiezhu said, "Brother Ming, Ming Zhenglong is making a move. Just now, he secretly pulled three hundred men to the northern suburbs."
Three hundred men? Ming Jiacheng's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
Tiezhu nodded. "I just came from Third Master's place. Those men are already assembling."
After getting a firm confirmation, Ming Jiacheng's face changed. The northern suburbs had most of his properties. Ming Zhenglong moving three hundred men there was bad news for him. "Do you know what Ming Zhenglong intends to do with these men?" he asked after snapping out of it.
"I don't know the specifics, but I heard from one of Third Master's managers that it's to hit some properties," Tiezhu said.
Hearing this, Ming Jiacheng flew into a rage. Ming Zhenglong sending men to the northern suburbs to hit properties—wasn't that clearly targeting him? "You bastard! I haven't even made a move against you, and you're coming for me first!" Ming Jiacheng cursed loudly, then pulled out a stack of bills and handed them to Liu Tiezhu. "This is what we agreed on—you give me information, I pay you."
Liu Tiezhu didn't hesitate, took the money, and stuffed it into his pocket. His goal here was the cash in Ming Jiacheng's pocket. Beyond that, he wanted to spark a conflict between the Ming brothers. Even if Ming Jiacheng didn't take the bait, he'd lose nothing. "Brother Ming, what are you planning to do next?" he asked after pocketing the money.
Ming Jiacheng fumed, "That bastard is shitting on my head! How can I let him off?"
Hearing this, Liu Tiezhu smirked inwardly, knowing his plan was working. After a few more casual exchanges, he made an excuse to leave.
Back at the camp, Zhang Tianlong had already assembled the troops, waiting for Liu Tiezhu's orders. Liu Tiezhu thought for a moment and told Zhang Tianlong to announce that they'd set off in two hours. Two hours was enough time for Guo Qixing to handle everything. Once they moved, Jiang He's attention would be on Zhang Tianlong. When his men came out to ambush, Ming Zhenglong's men hiding behind Jiang He would strike too. And Ming Jiacheng, thinking these people were coming for his properties, wouldn't stand idly by.
Two hours passed quickly. Before setting out, Liu Tiezhu pulled Zhang Tianlong aside. "No matter what happens later, you must stay by my side."
Zhang Tianlong was a talent, and he had to protect him. Zhang Tianlong looked confused but nodded.
About forty minutes later, several hundred people arrived at Jiang Tianliang's properties. At Liu Tiezhu's command, everyone rushed in. Within a few dozen minutes, all three of Jiang Tianliang's properties were cleaned out. Liu Tiezhu checked the time and ordered a return along the same route.
After walking back a few hundred meters, the advance team stopped. "Captain, someone's blocked the road with logs," shouted Zhang Mingfei, the squad leader on watch.
Hearing this, everyone tensed up. "Stay alert," Liu Tiezhu said, drawing his pistol and signaling Zhang Tianlong. Seeing this, the others also chambered rounds in their rifles and scanned the surroundings warily.
About twenty meters to their right, over two hundred men were watching Liu Tiezhu's group closely. "Everyone, stay sharp. When the fight starts, no one aims at Liu Tiezhu. Our target is the supplies, not killing. Grab the goods and get out fast," Liu Zhigao whispered to his men.
At the command, everyone raised their rifles, aiming toward Liu Tiezhu's direction. Across from them, over three hundred more men were hidden—Ming Zhenglong's people, led by Ming Junke. Ming Junke waved his hand lightly, and his men raised their rifles too, aiming at Liu Zhigao's group.
About fifty meters behind Ming Junke, another dark mass of figures lurked. These were Ming Jiacheng's guards, tasked with wiping out everyone coming for the properties. Leading them was the fat shopkeeper from Jinyuan Pawnshop, Liu Jingui. He swept his gaze over the crowd and said coldly, "Listen up. Shoot everyone except Liu Tiezhu."
At this, the hundreds of men raised their rifles, chambered rounds, and waited for the order to attack.