Initiation Ceremony, Hearts Unite; The Strategist, Zhang Sheng, Smiles: "I Know This Well"

"Do you love your brothers, or do you love gold?"

"We love our brothers!"

Zhang Sheng felt the Libationer strike his back with the flat of a blade, forcing his spine straight as he shouted his response!

"Do you love your brothers, or do you love gold?"

The Libationer's expression was grave as he moved to the next man, who hurriedly replied, "We love our brothers!"

"Love our brothers..."

The Libationer walked to the incense altar and said solemnly, "The first oath: upon joining the Harmony and Prosperity Union, your parents become my parents, and your siblings become my siblings!"

"Your wives are my sisters-in-law, and your children are my own nieces and nephews!"

"You shall not betray your brothers, nor shall you defile the wives or daughters of your brothers!"

"Should any fail to follow these rules, disregard this bond, or break this oath, may they be struck down by the Five Thunders and suffer a wretched death..."

Once the thirty-six oaths were recited, the men pressed their incense sticks into the ground, crushing the glowing tips.

Shi Wen sat in the grand armchair, watching it all.

Slaughtering the phoenix, swearing a blood alliance...

After the ceremony concluded.

Zhang Sheng stood up, feeling as though he had lived through a lifetime.

Looking at the twenty-eight men around him, he felt an inexplicable emotion, as if a new, invisible bond had been forged between them.

When the twenty-eight Red Poles looked at Zhang Sheng, they shouted with faces full of reverence, "Boss!"

"By officially becoming Red Poles of our Peace Lane, each of you will receive a monthly stipend of 30 strings of cash. Beyond that, there are additional dividends from your respective territories. Every month, I will set aside time to teach you martial arts and body tempering, and the costs for medicinal baths will be covered by the gang!"

"Your parents, wives, and children will be supported by the gang, and should any trouble arise, the gang will surely step in!"

"If anyone can become a martial artist, they will possess status equal to mine, become a boss of their own territory, and enjoy the same treatment as I do!"

Zhang Sheng shouted aloud, "But if anyone dares to betray the gang, they shall be struck down by the Five Thunders and hunted by the entire brotherhood!!!"

"Struck down by the Five Thunders, hunted by the entire brotherhood!"

The twenty-eight Red Poles roared back in excitement.

Their faces were flushed red, veins bulging, and fists clenched tight; it was as if a surge of energy was trapped in their chests, and they were itching to channel that fervor into working for the gang!

After the series of initiation rites.

They all felt that joining this gang was different from any they had known before.

The Harmony and Prosperity Union they had joined was mysterious and possessed a powerful sense of cohesion.

At the same time, the benefits and treatment were far superior to what they were used to; they were eager to get to work immediately!

It wasn't just them.

Even Zhang Sheng.

Found a sense of belonging inexplicably growing within him!

"Zhang Sheng, from this moment on, you are the boss of Peace Lane. These men are the Red Poles under your command, and they are your brothers!"

"Remember, the rules of Peace Lane change starting today. You know what to do regarding the matters I discussed with you, don't you?"

Shi Wen looked at him indifferently.

Zhang Sheng cupped his fists and said, "Rest assured, Leader, I know how to handle this."

"Strategist, you are responsible for following up and forming a patrol squad. If anyone fails to act according to my instructions, tell me, and I will deal with them."

Shi Wen's words were calm.

Yet, the cold, murderous intent within them made everyone present shudder.

The corpse of the Iron-Clad Boy, Tong Roushan, was still hanging in the outer courtyard; who could look at that mangled, bloody mess without feeling fear?

This Faceless Man appeared easygoing and calm.

But when it came to killing, he showed no mercy at all!

"I will ensure this matter is followed through, sir."

The middle-aged man with graying temples and the appearance of a scholar, Song Mingyi, nodded as he spoke.

He was an old intellectual in Peace Lane.

He had lacked the money to bribe his way into an official position, yet he remained poor and upright, possessing great cunning and having helped neighbors mediate many disputes.

He held a small reputation in Peace Lane.

Shi Wen paid him 25 strings of cash a month, plus additional dividends, to manage some of the affairs of the Harmony and Prosperity Union.

A gangster who doesn't use his brain will be a low-level thug for life.

"Good, that is all for now."

Shi Wen rose and departed.

Everyone hurriedly stood up to see him off.

After the figure of Shi Wen vanished, the group finally dared to relax their stiffened backs.

"Boss Zhang, do you know who that Dragon Head is?" Zhou Biao asked, still shaken. "I just saw him beat the seven-hundred-pound Tong Roushan to death with his bare hands—it was terrifying! How could Peace Lane have such a fierce person?"

The other Red Poles hurriedly pricked up their ears to listen.

"Don't ask about things you shouldn't. Remember what I ordered you to do. Once you go back, keep your subordinates in check. Don't let those things from before happen again, or even I won't be able to protect you!"

Zhang Sheng barked a reprimand, and the Red Poles laughed sheepishly.

Soon, the crowd dispersed.

Zhang Sheng then gave a bitter smile to Song Mingyi. "Mr. Song, do you know how to carry out the projects the Dragon Head mentioned?"

"I only understood about seventy percent of it myself."

Song Mingyi stroked his beard, slowly opening the bamboo scroll in his hand. He pointed to the first item and said, "A stable business environment, sustainable development, and building a reputable commercial street—we must maximize everything from the environment and service to security and atmosphere."

"Let's start by developing Fumin Street."

"The gang will hire people to clean the streets and patrol to stabilize public order. Then, we need to organize all the signs and remove any clutter so that everything looks neat..."

Zhang Sheng listened attentively from the side, nodding as if he understood.

Once Song Mingyi finished, he pointed to the second item. "I understand the part about establishing a wholesale market completely."

"The Dragon Head means to build a large-scale bazaar. We will purchase meat, grain, and other goods from small vendors at prices lower than the market wholesale rate. The Harmony and Prosperity Union will handle regional distribution, selling them at prices lower than what the neighbors usually pay for groceries. This will build a reputation for low, affordable prices while attracting more merchants to do business!"

"Wulin Street has many abandoned houses and clear intersections; it would be convenient to build a large bazaar there."

"Tsk, tsk. Buy two get one free, membership systems, discounts for reaching spending thresholds, group buying gifts, lucky draws..."

"I have studied books for decades and have never heard of these things. They sound incredibly attractive; even this old man wants to go take a stroll through such a market!"

"How on earth does the Dragon Head's mind work? To be able to utilize the human nature of wanting a bargain to create so many appealing activities!"

Song Mingyi stroked his beard, his face full of amazement and awe.

Currently, the prices for groceries are unstable, and people often have to run to many different places just to buy what they need.

But this bazaar would have a complete range of goods and stable security.

Not only would the prices be low, but with so many attractive activities, it would undoubtedly become the biggest money-maker in Peace Lane and even the surrounding slums!

Zhang Sheng, standing to the side, scratched his head.

He said, appearing to understand but not quite, "When the time comes, just tell us what to do, and we will do it."

"I only know how to hack people; I don't know how to handle these things."

Song Mingyi flipped to the back of the bamboo scroll, a look of confusion on his face. "But I don't quite understand the third point: building a pleasure pavilion to create a culture and reputation for 'listening to music in the pavilion'?"

"And creating a 'top courtesan' persona, hiring storytellers to tell tales during the day, having the top courtesan perform on stage at night, reality shows, and then something about table-sharing, membership systems, discount systems, and bottle-storage systems..."

"Forgive this old man's incompetence; I have never been to a brothel in all my years."

Zhang Sheng's eyes lit up at this. "I know this! Let me handle this; it'll be no problem at all!"

"The Dragon Head's idea is brilliant. Peace Lane only has cheap brothels, not high-end pleasure pavilions. Building a formal brothel requires buying licenses and deeds from the Black Whale Gang and the government, but if we build a pavilion for listening to music, we can bypass the Black Whale Gang entirely!"

"Those who develop impure thoughts after listening to the music can be directed to the brothels we already operate."

"Plus, with so many poor wretches in Peace Lane, we'll definitely make a lot of money!!"

"Leave this to me!"

"I know exactly how to do it!"

Zhang Sheng, who had been scratching his head the whole time, was now glowing with excitement and full of drive...