During the gap between the two men's exchange, Wang Chengen was no fool. He hurriedly rolled over to Yu Zongping's side before slowly getting to his feet, wiping the shoeprint off his face with his sleeve as he glared at Jiang Che with gritted teeth and a twisted expression.
Being trampled and humiliated beneath someone's foot was the greatest disgrace of his life.
Especially since he had been stepped on by someone he had once bullied. His mentality immediately fell out of balance.
"You have quite the nerve, launching a sneak attack on a court official and obstructing the authorities from apprehending criminals." Jiang Che gave a cold snort. Though they had exchanged only one move, both men had roughly gauged the other's strength.
The other man's strength was clearly inferior to his.
"Deputy Commander Jiang, those words are rather biased, aren't they? You were clearly trying to kill someone without distinguishing black from white. I stepped in to save him, yet you're the one turning black into white."
Yu Zongping stood with his hands behind his back, not yielding an inch.
Jiang Che was indeed formidable, evenly matched with him, but making him back down was still far too much to ask.
"Brother Jiang, Brother Jiang!" Seeing this, Captain Chen hurried forward to stop them. He grabbed Jiang Che, hoping he would quit while he was ahead. If they truly came to blows, the outcome was still uncertain.
No matter which side died here, the consequences would be enormous.
"Fine. Today, I'll give Captain Chen some face and spare you from punishment. But I'm taking all the goods, and Wang Chengen cannot escape responsibility either. He must come with me."
After sweeping his gaze around, Jiang Che spoke blandly.
"Hah, how arrogant. Today, you won't be taking anyone away."
Yu Zongping looked disdainful as he stepped directly in front of Jiang Che.
Seeing that the two sides were about to truly fight to the death, Captain Chen gritted his teeth, bent close to Yu Zongping's ear, and whispered:
"Brother Yu, yield to Jiang Che for now. He's acting under Captain Zhu's orders. If you refuse today, even Gang Leader Kou might not be able to clean up the mess."
"What?!"
Yu Zongping's pupils contracted slightly, and his expression changed dramatically.
At the same time, he quickly understood why Jiang Che, merely a deputy commander, was determined to go against the Cao Gang. He had thought Jiang Che was foolish before, but now it seemed that perhaps he was the fool.
On the other side, hearing his brother-in-law Yu Zongping speak so forcefully and declare that Jiang Che would not be taking anything away today, Wang Chengen's heart immediately settled with someone backing him. He pointed at Jiang Che and said word by word:
"Jiang Che, don't you fucking think that putting on a layer of dog skin makes you some High Person. I'm telling you, you're just a stinking fisherman, and you'll be one for the rest of your life!"
The moment those words left his mouth, Yu Zongping, who had just learned that Jiang Che was acting on Zhu Sheng's instructions, turned incomparably ugly again. But what made his face darken was that Wang Chengen was simply too stupid.
Captain Chen, meanwhile, closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh.
Sure enough, just as the two had expected, the instant Wang Chengen finished speaking, before Yu Zongping could even stop him, a flash of white light streaked past, and an arm flew into the air.
Wang Chengen was also kicked several meters away by Jiang Che, smashing heavily into the ground.
Under the crushing pain, Wang Chengen actually passed out on the spot.
Xu Chenghu and the others immediately drew their blades and secured Wang Chengen.
Jiang Che's expression remained calm, betraying no emotion. He merely commented softly:
"Too noisy."
"You—"
Yu Zongping gripped the hilt of the saber at his waist, veins bulging across his hand.
Jiang Che slowly walked up to him. They stared at each other for three breaths before Jiang Che shoved him aside.
"If you don't dare draw your blade, what are you waving it around for?"
Yu Zongping glared fixedly at Jiang Che. Captain Chen hurriedly held him down and said:
"Old Yu, don't act rashly. This isn't something you can involve yourself in."
Yu Zongping said nothing. He took a deep breath and slowly released the saber hilt.
The corner of Jiang Che's mouth curved upward. Pointing at the goods aboard the cargo ships by the shore, he said in a deep voice:
"Seize all the goods and haul them back to the military camp."
Yu Zongping had backed down, and the Cao Gang members did not dare obstruct them any longer. Jin Dayya and Hu An exchanged a look, their eyes filled with admiration.
Commander Jiang was truly brave!
With Jiang Che's order, all the soldiers of the military camp immediately sprang into action. Under Hu An and the others' arrangements, they promptly mobilized the watching laborers to load the goods onto carts.
"Captain Chen, help me think of a way to rescue Cheng En... and those goods as well." Watching the convoy gradually disappear into the distance, Yu Zongping wore a gloomy expression as he turned toward Captain Chen.
He did not care much whether Wang Chengen lived or died. After all, his sister was only a second wife. Once she grew old and faded, she would naturally be replaced with another.
But today was different.
Wang Chengen had merely lost an arm, while he had lost face.
After today, everyone in Yanggu County would know that he had been frightened by that brat Jiang Che until he did not dare so much as fart. The feud had been forged, and Wang Chengen had to be rescued.
Moreover, if those goods were lost, he would have no way to answer to the Gang Leader.
"Brother Yu, rest assured. I'll certainly help with this. I believe Jiang Che will still give me some face. Sigh, your brother-in-law truly is a troublemaker. Of all people to provoke, he had to provoke Jiang Che.
"If he hadn't pointed at Jiang Che and cursed him under those circumstances, things might not necessarily have escalated this far."
Captain Chen shook his head and sighed.
"I'll have to trouble you, Brother Chen."
"Also, Brother Yu, you must report today's matter to Gang Leader Kou. Zhu Sheng's intentions are unclear. I fear the Cao Gang may be in danger."
Yu Zongping gazed at the Qinglin River and said in a deep voice:
"Today's disturbance was so great. Do you think the Gang Leader won't receive word of it? It's only that he isn't suited to show himself."
"That's true."
"Commander, how should we deal with these goods?"
Geng Dabiao, Xu San'er, and the others gathered around Jiang Che, discussing how to arrange the goods.
"Of course we find some connections and sell them off cheaply."
Jiang Che answered casually.
Xu San'er and the other man exchanged glances, hesitating before they said:
"Wouldn't that be somewhat improper?"
"What's improper about it? Before we acted, I already said this trip was about getting silver. If we don't sell the goods, how will the brothers buy cotton clothes? Where will Chenghu get the resources to cultivate martial arts?
"How am I supposed to buy my grand mansion with three courtyards and three exits?"
Jiang Che fired off one question after another.
"What I mean is, if the Cao Gang comes asking for the goods, how are we supposed to explain it?" Xu San'er hurriedly clarified.
"What explanation do they deserve? The weather is dry and things catch fire easily. These goods unfortunately burned up, and we have no obligation to guard them for them." A smile curled across Jiang Che's face.
"This subordinate understands."
The two nodded, both inwardly marveling at Jiang Che's way of handling matters.
"What about Commander Liu?"
"I'll explain things to him. Also, handle the resale of the goods discreetly. At the very least, no word can leak out for the time being. And don't let those old military camp men get involved. Use our own people."
"This subordinate understands."
Xu San'er nodded heavily, naturally understanding Jiang Che's concern.
"Alright, get to work. I should go catch up with Protector Wang as well."
Military camp, prison.
Bang!
A bucket of cold water was splashed directly over Wang Chengen, who was bound to a rack. His eyelids twitched, and his blurry gaze shifted, rapidly changing from confusion to terror.