By this point, the beggars had largely believed Shangguan Tianhuo. One after another, they roared in fury, "Kill the old scoundrel! Kill the old scoundrel!"
Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly. Shangguan Tianhuo was truly a gifted speaker; Qiao Fangzheng had no room whatsoever to argue against him. The scandal of Qiao Fangzheng's illicit affair with the former Gang Leader's wife was a devastating weapon. Yet it also revealed Shangguan Tianhuo's despicable nature. Had he kept silent, the scandal might have remained buried forever. Besides, the former Gang Leader was already dead. Exposing it now not only struck at Qiao Fangzheng, but also covered the former Gang Leader's name in shame. He probably could not even rest in peace beneath the Yellow Springs.
Qiao Fangzheng said, "I, Qiao Fangzheng, have done wrong, and I willingly accept any condemnation and punishment. But what sort of decent man are you, Shangguan Tianhuo? Where exactly did you get that Green Bamboo Staff? Every Gang Leader must possess both tokens of the Beggar Gang before he is qualified to command its members. The Green Bamboo Staff and the Iron Rice Bowl-neither can be missing. Without the Iron Rice Bowl, what right do you have to occupy the Gang Leader's seat? Brothers, don't let his honeyed words blind you. He is the one who has been selling out the Beggar Gang's interests all along." Qiao Fangzheng's voice was deep and resonant, and everyone present heard him clearly, but no one believed him. How could anyone trust the words of a man who had seduced his sworn elder brother's wife and betrayed his Gang Leader?
Shangguan Tianhuo said, "Brothers, I know that I lack both talent and virtue, and am unworthy of the great responsibility of being Gang Leader. This Green Bamboo Staff came into my possession by