Ming Jiacheng wanted Liu Tiezhu to eliminate was none other than Ming Shanhai and his two companions.
These people knew too many of his secrets.
Since they couldn't be used for his benefit, they absolutely couldn't be allowed to serve Ming Tianfeng either.
The best solution was to kill all three, plunging Ming Tianfeng into crisis once again.
With Liu Tiezhu's methods, taking out the three wouldn't be a big problem.
Even if Liu Tiezhu failed, the blame couldn't be traced back to him.
"Deal!"
"But I'll still need Brother Ming's cooperation."
Liu Tiezhu thought for a moment and agreed without hesitation.
Killing the three also served his interests.
Otherwise, with their support, Ming Tianfeng would rise again in no time.
Ming Jiacheng nodded without a second thought: "What kind of cooperation do you need from me?"
"As long as it's within my power, I won't back out."
"The best way to make the three show up frequently is to push Ming Tianfeng further."
"Isn't Ming Tianfeng trying to rebuild his stronghold? He'll definitely need a lot of manpower right now."
Ming Jiacheng paused, then immediately caught on to Liu Tiezhu's meaning: "You mean I should keep attacking Ming Tianfeng?"
Liu Tiezhu nodded: "Right, since the gloves are already off, what's there for Brother Ming to worry about?"
"I think if you join forces with Ming Zhenglong and pressure Ming Tianfeng again, it might have unexpected results."
"Once Ming Tianfeng is cornered, Ming Shanhai and the others can't just stand by and do nothing."
"As soon as they show up, I'll have my chance to take them out."
Ming Jiacheng was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I'll send someone to contact Ming Zhenglong right now."
Liu Tiezhu reminded him: "Brother Ming, this needs to be done quickly."
"Otherwise, if Ming Tianfeng catches his breath, it'll be much harder for us to strike."
While the two were plotting against Ming Tianfeng, Ming Tianfeng was also scheming to get rid of Liu Tiezhu.
"Is everything arranged with the Zhang family?"
In the lavish living room, Ming Tianfeng sat on the sofa smoking a cigarette.
His gaze fell on Chen Zhiqiang, his face hidden in the smoke, looking especially grim.
Chen Zhiqiang nodded: "Second Master, everything's set. We're just waiting on our end now."
"As long as Liu Tiezhu takes the bait this time, he won't get away with it."
"Good. Handle the rest."
"Remember, Liu Tiezhu must not die."
"I want that little bastard captured alive so I can torture him properly."
...
Back at the military camp, Liu Tiezhu immediately summoned Guo Qixing.
"Brother Qixing, any movement from Ming Tianfeng's side?"
With Ming Zhenglong and Ming Jiacheng stirring things up, Ming Tianfeng was bound to be on guard.
Guo Qixing said: "Ming Tianfeng has started moving his people."
"But he's only pulled a third of his personnel from various properties."
"If we want to take those properties, it'll cost us dearly."
"Only a third?"
Liu Tiezhu was taken aback, his brow furrowing.
"Looks like that bastard Ming Tianfeng is being cautious. I'll need to stoke the fire a bit more."
"Keep watching on your end. When the time's right, we'll strike immediately."
Guo Qixing nodded: "I'll head back now. If anything new comes up, I'll report to you."
As soon as Guo Qixing left, Chen Zhiqiang walked into Liu Tiezhu's barracks.
"Chief Liu, there's an urgent mission you need to carry out."
Chen Zhiqiang got straight to the point as he entered, without any pretense.
Since they'd already burned bridges with Liu Tiezhu, he saw no point in keeping up the act.
Liu Tiezhu didn't even lift his eyelids, acting as if he hadn't heard a thing.
This was his camp—was he supposed to put up with Chen Zhiqiang strutting in here acting tough?
Seeing Liu Tiezhu's attitude, Chen Zhiqiang's face darkened with rage. He glared at Liu Tiezhu and asked coldly: "Chief Liu, what's your problem?"
Liu Tiezhu shot him a cold look: "What's your problem? This is the Ming family's military camp, not Ming Tianfeng's private compound."
"Who do you think you're acting tough for here? Itching for a beating?"
At those words, Chen Zhiqiang's fire fizzled out instantly.
"Chief Liu, when did I act tough?"
"Coming here to assign you a task—is that acting tough?"
Liu Tiezhu smirked: "Assign a task? What do you think this place is?"
"You—" Chen Zhiqiang was furious but swallowed his anger.
"I won't waste my breath on you. This is the family head's order: take fifty men to Cat's Head Ridge for reconnaissance."
"Operation starts at eight tonight."
"If you dare disobey, you'll face the Ming family's consequences."
When he finished, Liu Tiezhu waved him off: "Done talking? Then get the hell out."
Chen Zhiqiang didn't reply and left the barracks.
Watching him go, Liu Tiezhu's lips curled into a cold smirk.
Damn, they really are trying to set me up.
Sending me to Cat's Head Mountain to die? Just you wait.
Not long after Chen Zhiqiang left, Liu Tiezhu headed to the bamboo grove.
Jiang Jianming and his men had returned, bringing a captured Zhang family soldier.
"Brother Tiezhu, we've got the intel."
"These guys were lying in wait at Cat's Head Ridge specifically to take you out."
Jiang Jianming kicked the Zhang soldier.
"Spill everything you know, or I'll blow your brains out."
The Zhang soldier, terrified, blurted out all the information he had.
Two hundred and sixty Zhang family soldiers were ambushed on both sides of the entrance and exit of Cat's Head Ridge.
Besides the men, they had eight heavy machine guns.
The one feeding intel to the Zhang family was none other than Chen Zhiqiang, who'd just given Liu Tiezhu the order.
From the Zhang soldier, Liu Tiezhu also learned that Chen Zhiqiang was a pawn of the Zhang family.
After gathering this intel, Liu Tiezhu had Jiang Jianming send the Zhang soldier to an early grave.
Once that was done, Jiang Jianming asked: "Brother Tiezhu, what's the plan?"
"Should I report this to Third Master and have him send men to wipe out those Zhang soldiers?"
Liu Tiezhu said: "Third Master's tied up. I'll handle this myself."
"Your job now is to keep an eye on Ming Jiacheng's side."
"Report to me immediately if he makes any moves in secret."
Jiang Jianming nodded and led his men away.
Back at the camp, Liu Tiezhu called for Zhang Tianlong.
Now that he knew Ming Tianfeng's plan, he had to be fully prepared.
"There's a mission at eight tonight. Find me fifty men who are tight-lipped and sharp."
"Fifty?" Zhang Tianlong paused, then lowered his voice: "Chief, are we doing something off the books?"
Liu Tiezhu said: "Not off the books, but there should be some spoils."
"Remember, they need to be tight-lipped and reliable."
"Also, get some grenades—as many as possible."
The Zhang family's eight heavy machine guns—he had his eye on them.
Such top-notch gear, he'd keep for himself. Handing it over to the Ming family would be stupid.
Hearing there were spoils, Zhang Tianlong grinned and left.
Time flew by. After dinner, the fifty men gathered at Liu Tiezhu's door.
They were all handpicked by Zhang Tianlong, tight-lipped and trustworthy.
Liu Tiezhu scanned the group and gave Zhang Tianlong a look.
Zhang Tianlong nodded back, signaling all was good.
With the confirmation, Liu Tiezhu began assigning tasks.
Fifty against two hundred and sixty—he was outnumbered.
But battle wasn't about numbers.
Now that he knew where the Zhang soldiers were hiding, with his fifty men and over a hundred grenades, taking them out wouldn't be hard.
Half an hour later, Liu Tiezhu had the battle plan ready.
A group of men shouldered rifles and carried grenades as they marched out of the camp.
As they left, two men emerged from the camp.
They watched Liu Tiezhu's departing group, then quickly veered off to the right.