The rise of the poor

Luo Longwen was lifted off the ground by Mao Haifeng by the collar, his face flushed red, almost breathless, and barely able to speak. "General, don't be agitated! Listen to me, before we make our move, Lord Zhao Wenhua will write a letter to Zhu Ping'an to inquire about the King's information. We'll take the old lady and the others away from Zhu Ping'an and protect them. That way, everything will be foolproof."

After hearing Luo Longwen's words, Mao Haifeng threw him down and cursed, "Even if we could keep the old woman safe, we wouldn't do such a despicable thing! Although we commit murder and arson, we are upright and honest. We commit murder and arson in broad daylight, unlike you officials who do these backstabbing things!"

Luo Longwen was embarrassed and speechless.

Mao Haifeng snorted, looking at Luo Longwen with disdain, and spat heavily on the ground. "We're a man of our word. We'll cooperate with whoever we say we'll, and we'll never go back on our word! If our king agrees to cooperate with you, his word is our sincerity! His words are law, and his promise is as good as gold! If we say we'll cooperate with you, then we won't cooperate with Zhu Ping'an anymore! If you want us to be villains and stab people in the back, such despicable and shameless behavior is something we can't do!"

"Ahem, General, this isn't a stab in the back; it's abandoning darkness for light. A wise person knows when to yield."

Luo Longwen coughed and tried to argue his way out.

Mao Haifeng scoffed, "Abandoning the darkness for the hell, embracing the light for the hell? Let's stop trying to glorify ourselves. We commit arson, murder, robbery, and all sorts of evil deeds. You may appear glamorous on the surface, but you're just as ruthless and murderous in secret. If we were to cooperate, we'd be birds of a feather! Don't talk about abandoning the darkness for the light; we're not even worthy of it!"

Luo Longwen's face turned as red as a pig's liver.

"Exactly! You think we're as despicable and shameless as you?! We commit murder and arson openly and honorably, unlike you lowlifes!"

"However, if we can ensure the safety of the old woman and the others, it's not impossible, as long as they offer sufficient compensation!"

"That's right, we're upright and honest. If you want us to do such despicable and shameless things, you'll have to pay more!"

"No, no amount of money will do. If we're short of money, we'll just rob someone. We'll be honest and upright, not despicable and shameless."

"We've already done murder and arson, what's one more backstabbing?! Besides, we've stabbed you in the back plenty of times too."

The Japanese pirates in the hall had differing opinions. Some felt that as long as Wang Zhi's mother, wife, and children were safe, stabbing Zhu Ping'an in the back was not out of the question, but it would require more money. Others believed that even bad people have their principles and that they should not be villains who stab others in the back.

The Japanese pirates below the hall were arguing amongst themselves.

Sitting on the tiger-skin chair, Wang Zhi looked at his subordinates who were in a chaotic mess below, narrowed his eyes slightly, and gently tapped the armrest with his hand. The crowd immediately quieted down, and everyone turned their attention to Wang Zhi, waiting for his decision.

Wang Zhi beckoned to Wang San and instructed, "Wang San, take Luo Longwen down and settle him in the cliffside villa. Take good care of him and have people serve him well for twelve hours a day. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Understood, understood." Wang San nodded vigorously.

Wang Zhi pointed to the door and said to Luo Longwen, "You go with Wang San. As for whether to cooperate with your master or Zhu Ping'an, and how to cooperate in the future, we'll discuss these matters behind closed doors and wait for our reply later."

Luo Longwen was somewhat bewildered. He thought that as long as he mentioned his master's name, the cooperation would be settled. He didn't expect that he would have to wait for news. He hurriedly took advantage of the last moment to clasp his hands and appeal for votes, saying, "Your Majesty, generals, people strive for higher positions and water flows downhill. This has always been the natural order. Compared to Zhu Ping'an, my master is like heaven and earth. Zhu Ping'an is not even worthy to carry my master's shoes. Your Majesty, choosing my master is the most correct choice."

Mao Haifeng grabbed Luo Longwen by the collar and dragged him out the door like a chick, spitting as he spoke, "We make our own decisions about who we cooperate with. It's not your place to interfere. Just go back and wait for our notification."

Mao Haifeng shoved Luo Longwen out the door in one breath, then threw him aside. Luo Longwen staggered and almost fell. Then Mao Haifeng slammed the door shut.

"The King has spoken, let's discuss this behind closed doors, what's the rush?" Wang San dragged Luo Longwen outside.

"Ahem, I was just in a hurry," Luo Longwen said sheepishly.

Wang San rolled his eyes and said irritably, "What good is it for a eunuch like you to be anxious if the Emperor isn't in a hurry? Hurry up and come with me to the cliffside villa. Don't cause any more trouble, or you'll be in big trouble."

"Yes, yes." Luo Longwen awkwardly followed Wang San toward the cliffside villa.

Cliffside Courtyard, as the name suggests, is a courtyard built on the edge of a cliff. Although it is called a courtyard, it is built like a fortress, with a full five-meter-high wall, a heavy gate, and two tall watchtowers at the front and back of the courtyard.

Wang San took out a key, opened the courtyard gate, and led Luo Longwen into the sentry post. He said to Luo Longwen, "Brother Luo, you can rest assured and stay here. This courtyard was converted from the sentry post. There are three sentries in each of the front and back watchtowers, so you can rest easy. You don't need to worry about food either; someone will deliver three meals a day to you."

Luo Longwen looked around sheepishly. "Third Master, am I being held captive?"

"Look at what you're saying, Brother Luo. It's not imprisonment, it's care," Wang San chuckled and corrected him.

"Take care of him, lock him up and keep an eye on him?" Luo Longwen thought, feeling like crying. "That makes sense, doesn't it?"

"Which Third Master is it? Can he call two of my men in to keep me company?" Luo Longwen asked obsequiously.

Wang San shook his head without hesitation and refused directly, "No, the King has not given any instructions. We dare not act on our own. Otherwise, if we offend the King, we will be the ones who suffer."

"Yes, yes," Luo Longwen said sheepishly.

Soon, Luo Longwen's eyes darted around, and he reached into his pocket and rummaged around for a few seconds. He pulled out a stack of ten one-hundred-tael silver notes and handed them to Wang San with both hands, saying ingratiatingly, "Third Master, this is a small token of my gratitude for your introduction to Prince Hui. Please accept it."

Upon seeing so many silver notes, Wang San's eyes lit up. "These damn officials are really rich! They're so generous!"

"Please accept it, please accept it, of course I must accept it. Brother Luo, how could I not appreciate your kind gesture?"

Wang San's face was beaming with joy, his eyes gleaming as he snatched the silver note, showing no regard for restraint whatsoever.

After receiving it, Wang San counted it; there were ten bills in total, a thousand taels of silver! He could finally afford to stay in a brothel. (End of Chapter)