Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune: Starting with death row inmates

When Zhao Ying heard Shen Chen mention Liu Ming, she subconsciously raised her eyebrows: "You want to capture that Liu Ming?"

Shen Chen nodded: "Not bad."

Zhao Ying sized up Shen Chen and smiled, "You're only at the Internal Organs Realm right now, aren't you? Liu Ming, on the other hand, is already at the True Qi Realm."

"The difference between the True Qi Realm and the Internal Organs Realm is like heaven and earth. Liu Ming has even received my true teachings, so his combat strength is not bad. I advise you not to overestimate yourself," Zhao Ying said.

Shen Chen replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "This junior wishes to win by using wisdom, to achieve a great result with minimal effort. I would like to ask Master Zhao to tell me about Liu Ming."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ying smiled slightly: "Alright, you have the guts. Then I'll tell you."

He said, "I brought Liu Ming up the mountain with Fu Han six years ago. They were from the same village and were both fishermen. They killed people because officials were forcibly collecting money from the Dragon King, and that's how they became outlaws."

"Liu Ming is a man with outstanding martial arts talent, but unfortunately he is hot-tempered and petty. Fu Han is from the same hometown as him and they joined the outlaws together, so they can be considered brothers. However, because he was jealous of Fu Han's higher status, he cut off Fu Han's head and went to the government."

"This man was particularly fond of drinking, often consuming three large jars a day, and he would not stop until he was completely drunk."

Zhao Ying told Shen Chen about Liu Ming's character and deeds, and Shen Chen wrote them down one by one, beginning to devise a plan to take action against Liu Ming.

"Is he a drunkard? Well, I've got an idea..." Shen Chen thought to himself.

Having obtained the information he wanted, Shen Chen politely cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Manager Zhao."

Just as he was about to leave, Zhao Ying called out to him, "Shen Chen."

Zhao Ying looked at Shen Chen and asked casually, "How has Master Qin been feeling lately?"

Shen Chen said calmly, "Brother Qin is in good health. Thank you for your concern, Master Zhao."

Zhao Ying nodded, then suddenly asked, "Was it you who persuaded Fang Xue to come looking for me?"

After considering it for a moment, Shen Chen admitted, "Yes."

"Hehe, I'm quite curious. We were complete strangers before, so why did you think I was a better choice than Tang Long?" Zhao Ying asked Shen Chen with interest.

Shen Chen said, "I've heard Brother Qin mention Zhao's reputation. Moreover, he sent his personal guards to help Fang Yong when he was imprisoned, while Tang Long did nothing. The difference in their abilities is obvious."

Zhao Ying smiled slightly and nodded gently: "'The Mastermind' does indeed have some skills."

He said calmly, "With your keen insight, didn't you notice Qin Pi's decline?"

Shen Chen looked at Zhao Ying, feigning confusion: "What do you mean by that, Master Zhao?"

Zhao Ying pursed her lips and slowly said, "Qin Pi has offended a lot of people over the years. His scimitar flags have been losing members all year round, and now there are less than four teams left. If he loses again in this village competition, I'm afraid his flag teams will all disband."

He then changed the subject, saying, "Shen Chen, my Third Division is currently short of a leader. If you are willing to join my team, this position can be given to you."

He then said to Shen Chen, "I know you now have four salt wells and are not short of money, only status. You can become my godfather, and I guarantee that you can sit in the Hall of Righteousness within three years."

Shen Chen shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, Master Zhao, but I have already sworn brotherhood with Master Qin and vowed never to betray him."

Zhao Ying said, "I have a precious medicine that can improve one's innate talent. If you become my godfather, I can give you this medicine."

Shen Chen still refused, and Zhao Ying's expression turned cold upon seeing this: "Xue'er, see the guest out."

Fang Xue, who was waiting at the door, then saw Shen Chen off as he left the Zhao residence.

Upon returning, Shen Chen immediately summoned several of his men: "I've figured out how to deal with Liu Ming. We'll prepare for two days, then go into the city and kill him!"

Two days later, at the break of dawn, the group of people, who had been carefully disguised, sneaked into Pingyang County.

……

Inside a courtyard house in Pingyang County.

"Where's the wine? I want wine!" a burly man shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "A government office of your stature can't even afford to provide wine?"

The servant standing nearby replied tremblingly, "Master Liu, you've drunk eighteen bowls today. You've emptied the wine cellar."

"Damn it, these officials are so stingy," Liu Ming cursed, his cheekbones flushed red from the alcohol.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door, and a constable dressed in a tight-fitting outfit walked into the room.

"Liu Ming, what are you doing now?" the constable asked impatiently. "Don't think you've completely absolved yourself by turning against us. Those ruthless bandits of Dogtooth Mountain are itching to tear you apart. If you cause any more trouble, they'll throw you back into their den!"

Liu Ming's flushed face paled slightly, and he said with a fawning smile, "Lord Zheng, I was just being a bit unruly after drinking, please don't take it to heart."

Zheng Yu sneered, "Hmph, why haven't you confessed about your accomplices in Dogtooth Mountain? Trying to trick me?"

Liu Ming hiccuped: "Lord Zheng, as I said before, prepare three hundred taels of gold and a fine horse that can travel a thousand miles a day, and I will tell you everything I know."

Zheng Yu narrowed his eyes: "You shameless thief, how can you be so greedy?"

"Hey, you can't say that. These are the conditions that Constable Yuan promised me before. As the saying goes, a gentleman's word is as good as his bond. Now that I have defected from the stronghold, you can't go back on your word!" Liu Ming shouted.

Zheng Yu disgustedly ordered his men to bring over a box. The lid was lifted, and a golden light shone on Liu Ming's face.

"This is three hundred taels of gold. Horses that can travel a thousand miles a day are extremely rare. It will probably take about a day to get one for you," Zheng Yu said.

Liu Ming clapped his hands: "That's right, Detective Yuan is truly a man of his word."

He then pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Zheng Yu: "This is the list of half the leaders of the stronghold. I'll tell you the other half after my horse arrives."

Zheng Yu took the list, glanced at it, and then nodded: "Okay. Liu Ming, you have good judgment."

He tucked the list into his clothes and hurried away.

Liu Ming carried the chest full of gold onto the bed, rested his head against it, wrapped his arms around it, and made indistinct noises: "Haha, with so much money, where in the world can't I go? A life of carefree living awaits me, how wonderful, how wonderful..."

He murmured for a moment, then suddenly burst into tears, sobbing, "Waaah, Master Zhao! It's all your fault! If you had given me the leadership position sooner, I wouldn't have had to kill Fu Han and become a traitor! Why should someone who can't even hold a knife properly be allowed to ride on my head? It's all because you're biased!"

"Where's the wine? I want to drink!" He sat up abruptly from the bed and started demanding wine again. The servants had no choice but to go out of the mansion to find him some.