Ming Zhenglong did not realize that Liu Tiezhu had already taken the lead in his subconscious. He urgently needed to know how to solve the current problem. Ming Jiacheng's sudden rise made him sense an extremely dangerous aura. This waste of the Ming family, whom he had never paid attention to before, with all his focus on Ming Tianfeng, now made him realize he had been completely wrong. The real formidable enemy was not Ming Tianfeng but this unassuming Ming Jiacheng.
Liu Tiezhu paused for a moment before speaking, "Third Master, my idea is to wait and see, then find an opportunity to use one force against another. Didn't Ming Jiacheng ambush us by using Jiang He? We can do the same as Ming Jiacheng."
Ming Zhenglong frowned instantly upon hearing this. "You mean I have to win over Jiang He?"
Liu Tiezhu waved his hand and said, "Third Master, forget about winning over Jiang He. He's just a pawn Ming Jiacheng used; winning him over isn't worth much."
"Then how do I imitate Ming Jiacheng?" Ming Zhenglong asked.
Liu Tiezhu replied, "To imitate him, we don't need to win anyone over either."
"Brother Tiezhu, stop beating around the bush. Tell me your plan in detail." Ming Zhenglong had no patience left for idle chatter and got straight to the point.
Hearing this, Liu Tiezhu knew Ming Zhenglong had taken the bait, so he didn't hide anything and laid out his plan directly. A few minutes later, after hearing Liu Tiezhu's plan, Ming Zhenglong frowned again. "Brother Tiezhu, is this method feasible? If it angers Ming Tianfeng and he joins forces with Ming Jiacheng, I'll be in a passive position."
Liu Tiezhu explained, "Third Master, although this method is a bit risky, I guarantee Ming Tianfeng and the other won't join forces. Think about it—they've been wary of each other for years; how could they suddenly cooperate? Besides, with Ming Jiacheng's sudden rise, given Ming Tianfeng's personality, wouldn't he be on guard against him?"
Ming Zhenglong thought it over and finally nodded in agreement. Liu Tiezhu's analysis was correct. Moreover, the only way to ease his current pressure was to use Ming Tianfeng to deal with Ming Jiacheng. Otherwise, if he kept clashing head-on with Ming Jiacheng, it would only benefit Ming Tianfeng in the end.
"Then, Third Master, I'll proceed according to your wishes. You'll need to support me then," Liu Tiezhu said.
Ming Zhenglong nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, as long as you can ignite the conflict, I'll have your back even if the sky falls."
"Then there's no time to lose; I'll go back and arrange things now." Liu Tiezhu didn't linger and left the Ming residence directly. As soon as he left, Zhang Shuntian emerged from behind the wall of the side hall.
Ming Zhenglong handed Zhang Shuntian a cigarette and said, "Old Zhang, do you think this kid's plan can be executed?" Zhang Shuntian was ostensibly his steward but was actually his strategist. Much of Ming Zhenglong's success today was thanks to Zhang Shuntian, so he often sought his advice.
"Third Master, this kid's plan is indeed good, but the risk is also very high. If it succeeds, Ming Tianfeng and Ming Jiacheng will definitely go to war. Then we can sit back and watch the tigers fight, and secretly develop ourselves." Zhang Shuntian paused here, took a few puffs of his cigarette, and continued, "Third Master, every plan has flaws. We also need to prepare for the plan being exposed."
Ming Zhenglong nodded and said, "Old Zhang, you're right. If the plan is exposed, both Ming Tianfeng and Ming Jiacheng will come after me. Do you have any way to handle this?"
Zhang Shuntian thought for a moment and said, "If the plan fails, the best approach is to distance yourself from Liu Tiezhu. What Liu Tiezhu did has nothing to do with you, Third Master. Ming Jiacheng and Ming Tianfeng have no reason to trouble you. If they want to cause trouble, they'll go after Jiang He."
Upon hearing this, Ming Zhenglong slapped his thigh. "Old Zhang, your mind is sharp." Currently, everyone in the Ming family believed Liu Tiezhu was Jiang He's man. If Liu Tiezhu's plan was exposed, Ming Jiacheng and the others would only go after Jiang He. His relationship with Jiang He was now like fire and water. Taking this opportunity to eliminate Jiang He would be a good thing for him. So, whether Liu Tiezhu's plan succeeded or not, he would be the biggest beneficiary.
While the two were secretly scheming against Liu Tiezhu, they didn't realize Liu Tiezhu had already schemed against them. Stirring up Ming Zhenglong to support him was actually to solve the trouble of him moving Jiang Tianliang's three properties. Once Jiang Tianliang found his properties had been tampered with, he would definitely come after Liu Tiezhu, with or without evidence. As Jiang Tianliang's backer, Ming Tianfeng, who already hated Liu Tiezhu to the bone, would surely make a big deal out of it. If he had Ming Zhenglong's support and stirred up conflict between the brothers, he could slip away unscathed again. He had thought of this step before moving Jiang Tianliang's three properties. But relying solely on Ming Zhenglong's support wasn't enough. Besides, he knew that in a life-or-death situation, Ming Zhenglong would never stick his neck out for him. So, he needed to find another supporter to ensure everything was foolproof.
After leaving the Ming residence, Liu Tiezhu quietly went to Jinyuan Pawnshop. He had helped Ming Jiacheng deal with Ming Zhenglong and Jiang He's hundreds of men, and Ming Jiacheng owed him for that favor. The fat shopkeeper Liu Jingui received him again. Soon after Liu Tiezhu was led to the side hall, Ming Jiacheng arrived.
As soon as they sat down, Liu Tiezhu got straight to the point. "Brother Ming, you had a good haul last night, didn't you?"
Ming Jiacheng nodded and said without hiding anything, "I did gain something, but the losses were also significant. Brother Liu, your intelligence wasn't accurate either."
Hearing this, Liu Tiezhu immediately frowned. Ming Jiacheng's words sounded like a complaint on the surface, but in reality, he was telling Liu Tiezhu that the information he provided wasn't worth the price he paid.
"Brother Ming, I'm not in the intelligence business. The information I gave you came at the risk of my life. If you're not satisfied, Brother Ming, I really can't do anything about it." Liu Tiezhu wasn't stupid and deliberately emphasized his tone. The meaning was clear: if you think it's not worth it, then let's not cooperate next time. In front of a cunning fox like Ming Jiacheng, he couldn't afford to back down. Once he did, Ming Jiacheng would lead him by the nose from then on.
Hearing this, Ming Jiacheng was taken aback, not expecting Liu Tiezhu to be so tough. He thought for a moment and then changed to a gentler tone. "Brother Tiezhu, I understand it's not easy for you to gather intelligence. But this time, my losses were truly too great—a full one hundred and forty-six men. These were talents I cultivated with real money. I didn't mean anything else by what I said; I was just venting a little."
Liu Tiezhu nodded and said, "Brother Ming, I understand. That's why I've brought you good news again. If you can cooperate this time, Brother Ming, I guarantee I can make up for your losses."
Upon hearing this, Ming Jiacheng's previously mournful expression vanished instantly, replaced by excitement. "Brother Tiezhu, don't hold back. Spit out the good news quickly; I won't treat you unfairly."