Chapter 68: Joking

Chen Laomou looked closely.

The young man standing in front of the steps under the "Wu Yue Eagle Claw" was very different from what Yongqiu saw.

Seeing the restrained brilliance in his eyes, his whole person had a bright and refined temperament, which flowed out from his simple clothes.

Chen Laomou still remembered how Zhou Yi looked when he was in Yongqiu. The comparison between the two made the feeling in his heart so strong.

The Jukun Gang specializes in selling information, so how could they not know what he has done.

If it were someone else, I'm afraid his body would have been cold by now.

With a change of mind, Chen Laomou quickly stepped forward, clasped his fists and said with a smile:

"The Heavenly Master is as perceptive as a fire. Even the smallest thing like me can be seen through. It seems our gang is still not well-informed. Our understanding of the Heavenly Master is only the tip of the iceberg."

"Mr. Chen, you are too kind."

Zhou Yi walked into the teahouse with a smile and sat down on a chair naturally.

His eyes were fixed on Chen Laomou.

This old man is a talented person, almost a low-end version of Lu Miaozi.

He possesses the skills of a thief and disguise, understands all kinds of architecture, is proficient in building boats, and is well versed in the mysteries of naval warfare.

It is actually one of the three pillars of the Jukun Gang.

Gang leader Na Yun is the gang's image and uses his beauty to socialize, while deputy gang leader Bu Tianzhi is the general manager who is in charge of various miscellaneous affairs.

And Chen Laomou is the intelligence coach behind the scenes.

Many of his followers followed his teachings and learned how to steal and uncover intelligence. He can be said to be a cornerstone figure.

Ever since he rode in Li Mi's ox cart, Zhou Yi knew that intelligence was his lifeline.

No matter how wide a person's eyes and ears are, they are far inferior to a professional team.

"The Heavenly Master is looking at me with such passion. Could it be that he has a solution to our sect's predicament in Nanyang?"

Chen Laomou's wrinkles gathered together and he started laughing.

Zhou Yi's expression was indifferent: "Old Lady Chen, you are too kind. I'm new here and I'm just looking for a place to stay."

Chen Laomou narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "Master, maybe you can guess why I'm here?"

"Mostly so they can train their disciples nearby and teach them how to treat their illnesses, so they can establish themselves and work in Nanyang."

"That's right," Chen Laomou said bluntly:

"The Haisha Gang has been pursuing us relentlessly, fighting all the way from the coast to here. They've joined forces with local Nanyang forces to constantly suppress us. If I don't come soon, this Nanyang branch will be closed down."

Zhou Yi connected what he saw at the city gate with what the innkeeper said: "Is it because the Yangxing Society is gaining power?"

Chen Laomou nodded.

"Then why don't you go find the leader of Yang Town? The forces in Nanyang are so complex, and you have information as your leverage, how could the leader refuse?"

After hearing this, the old man sneered, "The Heavenly Master doesn't know Yang Zhen."

"He always focuses on the big picture and doesn't pay attention to details. I don't know how to evaluate him."

"Nanyang's peace was due to his contributions, and internal strife was also caused by him."

Chen Laomou pointed to the west:

"Zhu Can is entrenched in Guanjun City over there. If the forces of Nanyang County unite, they will be able to defeat him."

"However, Yang Dalongtou chose to compromise and ease the situation by paying monthly tribute."

"Zhu Can was afraid of Nanyang's strength, but he could also gain benefits, so on the surface, everything was peaceful."

Chen Laomou looked directly at Zhou Yi and asked, "What if the Heavenly Master took Yang Zhen's place?"

Zhou Yi did not speak without thinking, and said cautiously:

"I don't know the inside story. Perhaps Yang Zhen has his own reasons. But destroying Zhu Can will solve the problem once and for all."

Chen Laomou put down the padlock:

"So it's useless for our gang to ask Yang Zhen for help. If he accepts us, we will become enemies with the Haisha Gang and then confront the Yangxing Society, which is not what he wants to see."

"In Yang Zhen's view, news about our gang is dispensable."

"But the Nanyang branch is of great significance to us and cannot be abandoned, hence the current predicament."

He sighed first, then smiled and said, "Master, can you help me?"

"Mr. Chen, please stop joking," Zhou Yi sneered. "I'm busy taking care of myself, so how could I have the energy to spare?"

"not necessarily."

"I have great confidence in Master Zhou Tianshi. As long as we give Taiping Dao time, Yang Dalongtou will eventually compromise again, and the eight major forces will become nine."

Chen Laomou picked up a needle, poked it into the strange keyhole, and opened it with a clang:

"Once the Heavenly Master has established a solid foundation, Nanyang will become fertile ground. By then, our gang will be able to follow in his footsteps and gain a foothold, even suppressing our mortal enemy, the Haisha Gang.

I can see clearly that the Heavenly Master is not a person with the same temperament as Yang Zhen."

Zhou Yi nonchalantly:

"Mr. Chen has misunderstood me greatly. I just want to live in peace and have no intention of fighting."

Chen Laomou shook his head. "If the Heavenly Master were alone, he could still find peace even if he lived in the Eastern Capital. But the Heavenly Master came to Nanyang, which means he has concerns and cannot let go of his relatives and friends."

“But if you want to be at peace here, you can’t just go with the flow, you have to be in power.”

Chen Laomou handed the opened lock to Zhou Yi.

This lock is very delicate, or rather complicated.

"This is a mechanical lock with many hidden compartments. It looks complicated, but it can be unlocked with just a thin needle."

Zhou Yi returned the lock to him and said, "Whether I argue with them or not, it won't affect our cooperation. I value your gang's information."

Of course Zhou Yi would not give a definite answer. He was not so easy to fool as to the nine major forces.

However, Chen Laomou acted out of character and spoke like a gambler:

"If the Heavenly Master wants any information about Nanyang from now on, our gang will not charge a penny."

Chen Laomou's eyes flashed: "Our gang only wants to earn a favor from one person, how about that?"

Um?

Zhou Yi is penniless now, of course he is tempted.

This is equivalent to getting an intelligence department for free. How can we not take advantage of such a good thing?

"You have the guts, but aren't you afraid of losing everything?"

The word "intelligence" sounds light, but the manpower and material resources behind it are a lot of things.

"Don't worry, Tianshi," Chen Laomou stroked his beard. "We in this line of work have a lot of evaluations of people. If the highest evaluation is five levels, Tianshi can be at the third level."

Zhou Yi was a little unhappy: "Why not the fifth floor?"

"Because I can't see that far."

Chen Laomou offered another suggestion: "If Tianshi wants to take root in Nanyang safely, he only needs to do two things."

"Which two?"

"First, you must not use the name of the Taiping Dao, otherwise Yang Zhen will politely ask you to leave. When it comes to destabilizing factors, Master Zhou Tianshi is second to none. You are responsible for all the recent turmoil in the Central Plains."

"I admire the Heavenly Master's ability to stir up trouble."

Haha, this is a compliment, right?

Zhou Yi laughed dryly: "What about the second point?"

Chen Laomou paused, his face darkening: "Second, the Heavenly Master needs to kill three people."

"Who?"

"The three stewards of Nanyang Xiaojinlou."

Chen Laomou's words are like pearls:

"Xiaojinlou is the secret agent of the Baling Gang, responsible for information from the Central Plains, including Yongqiu and Fule. These three managers must be aware of the Heavenly Master's news."

"Once the Taiping Dao enters Nanyang, according to the Baling Gang's style, any unusual movement will attract their attention and investigation. By then, the two sides will be able to verify each other and their identities will definitely be discovered."

"Master Zhou eliminated these three evils, firstly to benefit the common people, and secondly to relieve the Taiping Dao of its worries."

Zhou Yi interrupted him:

"Third, help the Jukun Gang eliminate a competitor."

"Mr. Chen is very clever. He just said it was free, but in the end I got nothing and I have to help you with the murder business."

Chen Laomou said he dared not: "Even Yuwen Chengdu and Li Mi suffered great losses, how dare I plot against the Heavenly Master?"

Zhou Yi pondered silently.

I almost forgot about the Baling Gang, a bunch of pests.

These human traffickers deserve to die.

However, Chen Laomou's words need to be verified and cannot be used as a tool by others.

"Do you have any pen and ink?"

"Of course."

Chen Laomou presented the pen and paper and ground some ink.

Zhou Yi had already prepared a letter and wrote it to Lao Dan and the others.

"Don't worry, Master Tianshi. I will send my most capable men to Yang'e."

The money collected for sending this letter was considered the Kun Gang’s first investment.

Zhou Yi chatted with Chen Laomou for a few more words, and soon stood up to say goodbye.

He walked to the door and looked back at the wooden plaque with the words "Wu Yue Eagle Claw".

Suddenly staring at Chen Laomou:

"Mr. Chen, your gang is much more familiar with our Taiping Dao than the Baling Gang. Can I trust you?"

Chen Laomou felt his heart palpitate when he saw the young man's half-smile in his eyes.

"Don't doubt it, Master. Our gang will never do such a treacherous thing."

Zhou Yi smiled broadly: "Haha, don't be offended, Mr. Chen. I was just joking."

"The Jukun Gang is my most trusted friend in Nanyang."

"I'll take my leave for now. I'll come back another day."

"Okay, Master Tian, ​​take care."

Chen Laomou originally just wanted to see him out, but this time he walked him all the way to the alley entrance.

After watching the carriage in front of Meiwu Lane go away, he turned back to the tea shop.

That was not a joke, but a warning.

Chen Laomou was not angry, but faced the problem squarely.

He can ensure that nothing goes wrong for himself, but what about the people below him?

"We need to be cautious when sending personnel to Nanyang."

"No wonder he was able to stir up the Central Plains. He's truly a tough nut to crack."

…

(End of this chapter)