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Lu Jian only spent three days on the island, attending meetings and discussing the bank's layout and the weaving mill's plans with Cheng Xi. Apart from that, he remained quite quiet and had no private contact with the other leaders.
But before leaving, he gave me a serious warning: "It's better to be treacherous and cunning. Even if you don't hide your tracks, it's best to have more guards around you."
Cheng Xi smiled slightly: "With my skills, it won't be easy for others to plot against me. You should be more careful. If the ghost scholar really wants to cause trouble, he will most likely choose Panyu. As the bank president, you can't afford to make any mistakes."
These words were filled with genuine concern, and more intimate than his usual polite and smooth words. Lu Jian's heart trembled, and his voice slowed down a bit: "After all, I have been to foreign countries before, and I'm not as weak as you think."
"If you can be stuffed into a carriage, don't talk big and bring your guards with you." Cheng Xi was not polite to him.
Lu Jian couldn't help but think of the deliberate ambush. He was really forced into the carriage by her, and then he had to pretend to be angry and run to the government office to complain. He couldn't help but laugh: "What the gang leader said makes sense. I will keep it in mind."
This was almost a flirtatious remark, but Cheng Xi suddenly said, "By the way, spread more news about the Long Whale Gang's brutality, murder, and looting. Let all the merchants and people in Panyu know who is better at governing the South China Sea. And those shareholders, tell them that if the Long Whale Gang is gone, they can get a share of the pepper trade."
This was like cutting off the firewood from under the cauldron, and it instantly brought the atmosphere back to normal. Lu Jian turned serious: "Don't worry, I'll start making arrangements when I get back. Do you really not need help from Hepu?"
Cheng Xi said: "I have my own arrangements."
The assurance with which he spoke these words immediately calmed his nerves. Lu Jian sighed inwardly. Perhaps in her eyes, nothing was insurmountable? His hopes had been dashed time and again. Instead, he was constantly being led astray by her, forced to retreat step by step. When had he ever met a woman like her? The image of his mother sitting in a dark room, her head bowed, weeping, surfaced in his mind. A smile played on Lu Jian's lips. "When the weaving mill is finished, don't forget to visit Panyu."
She wasn't like her mother, who, simply because she had lost her man's affection, burned herself out and burned herself out. She was more like a bright fire, full of life, able to suppress all gloom and clear the darkness from the heart. To capture such a fire was naturally risky, but fortunately, he wasn't afraid of taking risks.
…
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the early winter fishing season begins. This is one of the best fishing seasons of the year in the South China Sea, and countless fishermen work from dawn to dusk to catch fish. Consequently, the General Temple becomes bustling with activity. Some come to kowtow and burn incense before setting out to sea, while others return with a full catch to fulfill vows and offer sacrifices. The temple is truly bustling with activity.
Taoist Le was naturally overjoyed. While the incense money wasn't much, the offerings were plentiful: top-quality cuttlefish, small yellow croaker, and even fresh hairtail. After the tributes were made, they naturally found their way to him and the temple's Taoist children. Sprinkle with scallions, ginger, and garlic, and simply steam it for a delicious, sweet, and refreshing meal. Add a little wine, and you'd be in heaven. As for chicken, duck, and pork, they were available every now and then. It wasn't that they couldn't afford them, but rather that they were afraid of becoming too fat and unsightly. Otherwise, the Taoist would have indulged in them.
Unfortunately, good times can’t last forever, and trouble comes knocking on the door again.
"Master Le, this temple has added a lot of staff recently. I wonder if there are any people who are eloquent?" Cheng Xi asked with a smile.
Taoist Le's eyes widened. "Boss, isn't it too early to ask this? I've only been in charge for a few days, how can I find any talented people?"
This General Temple has only been built for a few days, so he doesn't want to open a new temple so early. What if the incense offerings are divided?
Cheng Xi didn't answer, but just looked over calmly.
Taoist Le immediately changed the subject: "Of course, there aren't many smart ones, but there are a couple of slightly dull ones, but they're still a little short of maturity in terms of branching out."
Cheng Xi knew what he was thinking and didn't beat around the bush: "The war between the Red Flag Gang and the Long Whale Gang is imminent, and I want to send a few reliable people to Hepu to stir things up."
"Spread the reputation of General Zhenhai?" Taoist Le tried to ask.
Cheng Xi shook his head: "It is said that the world is bound to be in chaos, and it is time for heroes to fight for supremacy. Only by fighting hard can we survive."
Taoist Le blinked his eyes and said, "Isn't this asking people to join the Long Whale Gang?"
There are countless people in this world who take advantage of chaos to create dangers, but the more ruthless they are, the more likely they are to join the big bandits in stirring up trouble. Doesn't this just add manpower to the Changjing Gang?
Cheng Xi smiled and said, "What if he also believes in General Zhenhai and has the amulet from the General Temple?"
Taoist Le immediately understood: "You don't have to believe it too deeply. As long as you have the amulet from the General Temple, you can make the Long Whale Gang suspicious. This method is not bad!"
Those adrift at sea must be wearing countless odds and ends of amulets. The General's Temple has made quite a few these days, and most have been sent to the army. If we make a few more and send them to Hepu, I'm sure someone will wear them, hoping for safety. If word gets out more widely, even the pirates of the Long Whale Gang might be tempted to wear them. At best, that would shake the army's morale, and at worst, it would make them afraid to fight. Isn't that a bloodless weapon?
Cheng Xi said, "In Hepu, we'll follow the routine of inciting unrest. But when we get to the east of Leizhou, which borders our territory, we still have to promote the faith of the General Temple and let more people know about our Red Flag Gang. Even if they don't come to join us, they can't oppose us, so as to avoid encountering storms at sea."
The true pirates were more likely fishermen. After all, sailing the sea was a terrifying endeavor; a single misstep could lead to death. Even inland farmers, even if they knew how to swim, wouldn't easily venture out to sea to make a living. Fishermen, on the other hand, were all superstitious, and as long as the power and efficacy of a deity were significant, they would often show respect. She didn't expect all those in the middle to join the Red Flag Gang and become her ally, but she absolutely couldn't allow them to be used by the enemy, let alone become her own enemies.
Taoist Le glanced at the woman in front of him and sighed deeply: "Things like this should be left to that old man Fang Tianxi. I am just a monk, how can I worry about these things..."
Seeing him mumbling non-stop, Cheng Xi smiled slightly: "Then can Taoist Master Le take on this task?"
Taoist Le rolled his eyes. "Of course! How can I not obey the orders of the gang leader? I'm already old, and it's not easy to make a living. By the way, didn't you send a letter to Lao Fang? He didn't reply?"
Cheng Xi actually sent a letter to Fang Tianxi, and what he said was very clear - now that I have announced the identity of this woman, would you like to reconsider and come to serve me?
I don't know if Fang Tianxi was angry, but he didn't reply. To be honest, if Fang Tianxi was here, she probably wouldn't have to worry about these things.
However, although Taoist Le is lazy and likes to eat and do nothing, he is still qualified to be a charlatan. Coupled with the spies in her hands who are good at gathering information and spreading rumors, she can fight such a war without the smoke of gunpowder.
Of course, in addition to this, there are other positions that need to be consolidated.
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