From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

The night was as black as ink, and the stars and moon were nowhere to be seen.

Inside a secluded room in the Jiang residence, a single lamp cast a dim, indistinct light.

"Big brother."

Jiang Cong lowered his voice, his tone heavy with melancholy: "Today I went to his door to plead, and I tried everything I could, but Zhu Hong was completely unyielding and wouldn't say a single kind word."

He paused briefly:

"If things continue like this, things might change."

Jiang Yannian leaned back in his chair, listened quietly until the end, and then slowly spoke: "What an ignorant young punk." His tone was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Absolutely!"

Jiang Cong's anger flared up, and his voice unconsciously rose: "That kid is simply too much! He accepted all the gifts, but did nothing about it, and then turned around and threatened us at the end."

When he got extremely angry, he slammed his hand on the table.

"In all my years, when have I, Jiang Cong, ever suffered such humiliation!"

Jiang Yannian glanced at him, a cold glint in his eyes, and said indifferently, "Enough, no need to waste any more time, let's make our move." His voice was not loud, but it was like a stone thrown into a deep pool, stirring up a wave.

"What my brother means is..."

Jiang Yannian's gaze was sharp as a knife: "Have the arrangements been made at Jingu Garden?"

"All set."

Jiang Cong quickly responded, "The White Claws have all entered the city and are lying in wait with the help of an inside contact. They are just waiting for our order."

"Um."

Jiang Yannian nodded slightly and then asked, "Does Zhu Hong have any close associates? Relatives, friends, anyone you can get your hands on, have you investigated them all?"

"Reporting to elder brother, the spy has come to say..."

Jiang Cong pondered for a moment, then said, "That boy has a maternal uncle, but he was sold to the Zhao family and they've long since lost contact. He's practically an orphan. However..." He changed the subject:

He had a family he knew in the poor alley in the west of the city.

His surname is Liu, and he has always been helpful to me.

Jiang Yannian raised an eyebrow and a cold smile appeared on his lips: "It's easier if there's something to worry about." He slowly said, "First, send someone to keep an eye on that family. When the time comes..." He didn't finish his sentence, but Jiang Cong instantly understood what he meant.

"it is good."

"besides."

Jiang Yannian picked up his teacup and took a sip. His tone was calm but unquestionable: "This time, we cannot afford the slightest mistake. The White Claws are ultimately outsiders and cannot be relied upon entirely. We will send a few more clan elders to provide support."

Jiang Cong understood immediately and nodded, "I'll make the arrangements shortly." Then, he hesitated before asking another question:

"When should we make our move?"

Jiang Yannian put down his teacup and said calmly, "Go and gather the manpower and arrange everything properly, then I will discuss it with my father."

"That's it."

Jiang Cong agreed and immediately got up to leave.

……

The morning mist had not yet dissipated the next day.

Gu Shu received Zhu Hong's order early in the morning and dared not delay for a moment. He immediately led Lin Jizhi and several brothers to rush to the various guild halls.

"Hey! Gu Shu."

Just as he turned the corner of the corridor, he bumped into Liu Acai, a constable from the Fifth Squad, who was squatting on the steps with several of his men, counting their weapons and ropes. Seeing his hurried manner, he quickly put down what he was holding and stepped forward with a smile, saying, "Rushing off so early in the morning, is there some interesting job?"

"You're just in time."

Gu Shu didn't say much, but paused briefly, took out the wooden plaque and order letter personally signed by Zhu Hong from his bosom, and handed them over together. His tone was calm and decisive: "By order of Lord Zhu, at 11:00 PM, all constables must assemble at the Second Rank Office. There must be no mistakes, and no delays are allowed."

Having said that, without waiting for Liu Acai to ask any questions, he turned around and rushed to the other classes.

"Hey, what's all this charade about?"

Liu Acai held the wooden plaque, standing there stunned for a moment. After a while, he scratched his head, turned to look at his subordinate beside him, and said with a puzzled expression, "We were just at the brink of war with the Jiang family a few days ago, and today you suddenly summoned all the constables. I wonder what you're up to."

"Brother Cai, should we report back to Chief Song now?"

"I asked one of the constables under my command."

"Nonsense!" Liu Acai weighed the order in his hand, spat at his feet, and said, "Zhu Hong is now a favorite of the registrar and is highly valued. Who would dare to disobey his orders? This matter cannot be delayed."

As he spoke, he turned and instructed the others:

"Take inventory of the remaining equipment and handle the rest yourselves."

I went to report back to Song.

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Acai dared not linger. He tightly gripped the order and the wooden plaque and went straight back to the barracks.

……

at the same time.

Zhu Hong was not idle; he was already in prison.

Two hangers-on followed behind him, carrying heavy food boxes.

After passing through several iron gates, Jiang Feng was seen huddled against the wall, curled up like a bird with broken wings.

In just a few days.

The damp, musty atmosphere of the prison had ravaged him beyond recognition.

Sunken eye sockets and high cheekbones.

Her once neat clothes were now wrinkled and tattered, clinging to her body.

Zhu Hongli stood outside the prison bars, not in a hurry to speak. He simply waved his hand slightly, and the two lackeys put down the food box and opened the lid.

In an instant.

A meaty aroma filled the oppressive prison.

But in that food box:

The braised beef was sliced ​​thinly and evenly, glistening with red oil, while a bowl of braised pork belly featured a perfect balance of lean and fat. Add to that a steamed sea bass, nestled atop vibrant green scallions and ginger slices, its steam rising and its aroma filling the air. Such a delicacy would be delicious not only in prison but also on any restaurant table.

Jiang Feng was taken aback for a moment.

His gaze swept over the dishes, and a mocking expression immediately appeared on his face:

"What, you've suddenly remembered your conscience? Or," he leaned against the wall, his voice weak yet stubbornly arrogant, "there's some malice hidden in this food."

Zhu Hong's expression remained unchanged; he simply said:

"Why use poison to kill you?"

Jiang Feng frowned slightly, pondering, "Those words, though harsh, make sense. If he truly wanted to take my life, a single stab would suffice; why go through all this trouble? Could it be…?" He suddenly realized something and was overjoyed:

"Did the Jiang family exert influence, forcing him to act tactfully?"

Upon realizing this, the weight that had been pressing on Jiang Feng's chest for days suddenly lifted.

He then glanced at the delicious-looking food box.

"Why not eat it if it's free?"

With that arrogant expression, he said indifferently, "Today, you're smart enough to know your place." As he spoke, he reached for his chopsticks, picked up a piece of braised pork, and stuffed it into his mouth.

The meat melted in your mouth, and the aroma of oil filled the air.

"Hmm...not bad."

Jiang Feng's eyes lit up involuntarily, and he immediately began to eat with great relish.

In a short time.

The only sounds in the prison cell were the clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the hurried chewing sounds.

Where was the composure of a young master from a prominent family?

They were like starving refugees fleeing a famine, who stumbled upon a hearty meal and wished they could swallow their tongues whole.

Zhu Hong just silently glanced at him.

Jiang Feng ate quickly, then suddenly stopped eating, raised his head abruptly, and glared at Zhu Hong, saying, "Zhu Hong, I'm asking you, are you afraid? I'm sure you know in your heart that if the Jiang family exerts its influence outside, you won't be able to withstand the pressure." As he spoke, he raised his arrogant head.

"That's why I'm so attentive."

Are they trying to curry favor by sending wine and meat?