Liu Tiezhu understood Ming Jiacheng's true intention.
Ming Jiacheng wasn't asking him for methods; he was indirectly sending him to Ming Zhenglong to gather information.
After realizing this, Liu Tiezhu said, "Brother Ming, rest assured. He's just as worried about you stabbing him in the back."
"At this point, Ming Zhenglong isn't stupid. He won't do anything that foolish."
Ming Jiacheng pondered for a moment and found Liu Tiezhu's words reasonable.
"Brother Tiezhu, when do you think is the right time to launch an attack on Ming Tianfeng?"
After a brief silence, Ming Jiacheng continued.
Liu Tiezhu thought it over and said, "The sooner, the better."
"Strike while Ming Tianfeng is secretly moving his people around, disrupting his coordination and throwing his plans into chaos."
"Besides, once you make your move, Brother Ming, the people your father has arranged will surely act, which will make my job easier, right?"
"You make a good point. I'll send someone to communicate with Ming Zhenglong right now," Ming Jiacheng said.
"Then I'll wait for your good news, Brother Ming."
Liu Tiezhu, having other plans in mind, didn't waste more time with Ming Jiacheng.
Back at the military camp, Guo Qixing had also returned.
"Brother Tiezhu, latest news."
"Ming Tianfeng's hidden assets have pulled two-thirds of their personnel. Looks like a big move is coming."
As soon as Guo Qixing sat down, he shared the intel his Guo family informants had gathered.
Liu Tiezhu handed Guo Qixing a cigarette.
"Of course it's a big move. Ming Tianfeng is shifting people to stabilize the situation and force Ming Zhenglong and the others to back off."
Guo Qixing took the cigarette, lit it, took a few puffs, and said, "Are we ready to act?"
With Ming Tianfeng's hidden assets short-staffed, it was the perfect chance for a surprise attack.
He had carefully assessed these assets—each one was worth over a hundred thousand.
If they could take down seven or eight of Ming Tianfeng's assets in one night, the Guo family's strength would leap to a new level.
Liu Tiezhu could see right through Guo Qixing's thoughts, but now wasn't the best time.
"Brother Qixing, this isn't the optimal moment yet," Liu Tiezhu said.
"Even though two-thirds of the personnel have been pulled from Ming Tianfeng's hidden assets, once we strike, he'll definitely send reinforcements."
"Even with ample men and equipment, we'd only manage to hit a few of his assets."
"My goal isn't just a little profit—I want to take all his assets in one go."
Hearing this, Guo Qixing's jaw dropped.
All in one go?
Liu Tiezhu's ambition was no small thing.
Coming back to his senses, Guo Qixing said, "Brother Tiezhu, are you kidding me?"
"Even if I mobilized the entire Guo family, there's no way we could take all of Ming Tianfeng's assets at once."
So far, he had identified thirteen assets, each guarded by over 130 men with heavy equipment.
Splitting the Guo family into over a dozen simultaneous operations would be extremely difficult.
Moreover, the guards at these assets were elites with extensive combat experience.
Even if the Guo family could seize these resources, the losses would be devastating.
Guo Qixing didn't want to see the Guo family's numbers cut in half over these assets.
Liu Tiezhu said, "Don't worry, it's not as complicated as you think."
"Ming Jiacheng and Ming Zhenglong are about to launch a second wave of attacks on Ming Tianfeng."
"When Ming Tianfeng can't hold out, he'll have to pull more guards from these hidden assets."
"We'll fish in troubled waters."
"Even if we can't take all of Ming Tianfeng's assets in one go, we'll still manage to grab several more."
After hearing Liu Tiezhu's plan, Guo Qixing's breathing quickened as he began envisioning the Guo family's rapid rise.
"By the way, any progress on the surveillance I asked you to set up?"
Guo Qixing nodded. "Ming Shanhai is very cunning. He's always accompanied by the Ming family's security team."
"After two days of tracking, our informants found that he goes to a civilian house in the west of town every day around six in the evening and stays for about an hour."
"How many people are in the security team? Do they go in with him?" Liu Tiezhu pressed.
Guo Qixing replied, "There are eight in the security team. They don't follow him inside during that one hour, but they're glued to him the rest of the time."
Liu Tiezhu thought for a moment. "Give me the address of that civilian house in the west of town."
"Also, get me the whereabouts of Ming Lifeng and Ming Lihai as soon as possible."
To kill Ming Shanhai, that one-hour window was key.
"Brother Tiezhu, I suggest we wait until I've fully scoped out the situation inside that house before making a move," Guo Qixing said.
Liu Tiezhu replied, "Don't worry, I won't act rashly until I know what's going on."
Seeing Liu Tiezhu had made up his mind, Guo Qixing didn't press further.
After their conversation ended, Liu Tiezhu checked the time—it was already five in the afternoon.
He opened the cabinet in his room, pulled out a compound crossbow, mounted his horse, and headed toward the town.
As soon as he left the camp, two burly men followed him out.
Watching Liu Tiezhu's retreating figure, they quickly headed to the Ming residence to report.
Dozens of minutes later, Liu Tiezhu arrived at the west of town, across from the civilian house Guo Qixing had mentioned.
He had just tied up his horse when he saw a group of about a dozen people approaching slowly, led by Ming Shanhai.
Ming Shanhai seemed heavily drunk, stumbling toward the house with the Ming family security team's support.
After seeing Ming Shanhai inside, the thirteen security members chatted briefly and then dispersed.
Liu Tiezhu didn't rush into the house. Instead, he strolled around the area to survey the surroundings.
He needed to get a clear picture of the environment to be safe.
This took another half hour.
Liu Tiezhu returned to his spot, pulled out a pen and paper, and started sketching.
Soon, a simple route map appeared on the paper.
From his observations, the house was surrounded by sixteen households, six alleys, and two street intersections.
Four of the alleys were dead ends, while the other two led straight to the north of town.
If he wanted to kill Ming Shanhai and escape, the best route would be one of those two alleys.
As Liu Tiezhu was plotting his next move, the sky had fully darkened.
A figure emerged from one of the alleys and quickly slipped into the house.
It was Zhou Dahai, the man who had been watching Liu Tiezhu at the camp.
"Uncle Shanhai, the fish has taken the bait."
"The second master wants him alive—bring him back."
In truth, Ming Shanhai had long suspected Ming Jiacheng might target him.
So he and Ming Tianfeng had set a trap to catch Ming Jiacheng red-handed.
But instead of luring Ming Jiacheng's men, the trap had hooked Liu Tiezhu.
Watching Liu Tiezhu's every move from the window, Ming Shanhai nodded. "Got it. Spread the word—get everyone ready."
Across from the house, Liu Tiezhu had no idea he'd walked into a trap.
He put away the route map, checked his pocket watch, and quietly slipped into the alley.
Seeing Liu Tiezhu's move, Ming Shanhai sneered.
"Kid, you're asking for death. Don't blame me for being ruthless."