PM.

The strong laborers of Niutou Village were all gathered in front of the greenhouse. Niu Guoqing checked the numbers, and with a satisfied expression, he chuckled twice, "Good, all men, not one missing."

"Secretary, how could Niutou Village produce cowardly men?"

"Exactly, ever since our ancestors fought the Japanese bastards, the men of Niutou Village have been fiercer than those from other villages. We can’t disgrace our ancestors!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

"..."

Niu Guoqing waved his hand, "Alright, enough praising, now listen to my arrangements. Who was it..." He glanced around, then said, "Gangqiang, Wang Liping, go guard the main road entrance. If anything happens, quickly call me!"

"Alright!" A robust black-haired man responded with a goofy smile, while another man teased, "Gangqiang, you should answer ’Yes’. Haven’t you seen on TV, when an official speaks, the people below all answer ’Yes’? Your response is not standard!"

"That’s your standard. I’m off to guard the road entrance." The robust man said as he pulled up another slightly leaner man and headed towards the village entrance.

"Zhang Yongsong, Chen Fengjin, take ten people and guard the stone pillars!"

"Yes!"

The man who had just teased Niu Gangqiang laughed slyly, "Fengjin, well done, learning fast, more promising than that bear Gangqiang!"

Niu Guoqing glared with big eyes, "Sun Baosheng, I’m arranging tasks here, you’re chattering away, what are you trying to do? Are you the Secretary, or am I the Secretary?"

"Fourth Uncle, of course you’re the Secretary, I’m just trying to lighten the mood, helping you out..." Sun Baosheng made a zipper motion on his mouth, "From now on, I won’t speak."

"You..." Niu Guoqing pointed at him a few times in jest, then became serious, "Sun Baosheng and Qian Shouqiang, take twenty people and guard the greenhouse entrance!"

"Yes!" Sun Baosheng saluted formally, and with Qian Shouqiang, named ten people and impressively guarded the entrance.

"Li Xingsheng, Zan Yongqiang, Jiang Aiyou, Li Xintong, Chen Baoliang, Chen Baohu, each take five people to guard the left, back, and right sides of the greenhouse! Others, adapt to the situation and reposition as needed..." Niu Guoqing continued to instruct.

"Yes, Secretary!"

Everyone answered and took their positions, while the mobile personnel consciously divided into four groups, waiting near the small units, ready to respond as needed.

Niu Guoqing appeared relaxed on the surface, but in his heart, he was terribly tense.

The Mayor instructed him to arrange things this way, nothing else to worry about, but the Mayor had only been in Xiangshan City for a short while, and perhaps wasn’t very familiar with Liu Er and his gang. He thought about giving a heads-up, but due to his status, he didn’t dare voice his concerns.

Now he suddenly regretted it; if something fatal happens, it wouldn’t be good for the Mayor either, right? Had he known earlier, he should have warned the Mayor about Liu Er and his gang... Niu Guoqing hesitated, then dialed Ye Xuan’s number, "Mayor, it’s Old Niu... Yes, arrangements are in place... Mayor... alright, alright..."

After hanging up, Niu Guoqing frustratedly slapped his own face—he didn’t have the courage to speak up.

At 8 PM, a row of dazzling lights accompanied by the roar of motorcycles approached from afar, Niu Gangqiang quickly dialed Niu Guoqing’s number, "Secretary, Liu Er is here!"

Niu Guoqing sighed, "I see them. You guys set traps and fall back to the greenhouse entrance. Inform Zhang Yongsong and Chen Fengjin to retreat as well. Liu Er sent a motorcycle gang out; guarding the pillars won’t do any good."

"Got it, Secretary!" Niu Gangqiang responded and waved his hand, leading Wang Liping to quickly retreat.

"I’ll risk my life and stand my ground." Chen Fengjin, having heard the relay of Niu Gangqiang’s orders, showed defiance and immediately dialed Niu Guoqing, "Secretary, I’m not retreating. I don’t believe that bastard dares to kill me. Even if it costs my life, I’ll fight him..."

"Foolish!" Niu Guoqing reprimanded, then softened his tone, "I didn’t say not to resist. The situation now is that Liu Er sent out a motorcycle gang; what use are you standing there as a human wall?

He may not dare to kill you, but he will certainly injure you, right? And when that happens, the Mayor will be implicated too.

For the sake of helping us get rich, the Mayor has put in so much effort; we can’t let him get reprimanded. Listen to me, retreat now!"

"I understand, Secretary." After hanging up, Chen Fengjin waved his hand to the individuals at the pillar entrance, "Gather at the greenhouse entrance!"

"Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!..."

Ten minutes later, nearly a hundred motorcycles roared and stopped at the greenhouse entrance, confronted by more than fifty strong laborers from Niutou Village—before the opposition arrived, Niu Guoqing had regrouped the people.

He never expected the opposition to deploy a motorcycle gang.

This motorcycle gang was notorious in Xiangshan City; such deployments were always explained away as—practicing bike skills. But their backing was too strong, and even if everyone knew they were lying, no one dared to truly tackle them, making them increasingly rampant.

Upon learning of the motorcycle gang’s deployment, Niu Guoqing immediately dialed Ye Xuan’s number, but unfortunately, his call went unanswered. At this moment, sweat dripped from his forehead as he hesitated and forced a smile at the leading obese man, "Second Brother, what do you plan to do?"

"Do what?" Liu Er tsk-tsked twice, "Old Niu, that’s not right, how can you play dumb? Alright, since you’re playing dumb, I’ll spell it out clearly.

To earn money, it should be shared with company, how come only you get to feast alone? When one family prospers, a hundred will fight for it; if you don’t want others to snatch it, everyone should prosper together, got it? 8

Knowing that Second Brother here raises so many brothers with large expenses, you found a financial path but kept mum. Tell me, why am I here?"

"Secretary, don’t beg him, we’ll fight if necessary!"

"Exactly, Secretary, if he truly dares to hurt someone, it won’t end well for him. We’re not afraid!"

"Secretary, just order us; we’ll risk our lives to protect the greenhouse base."

"..."

Liu Er’s words stirred up passionate anger among the crowd.

"Fight? Hahaha..."

As if hearing the biggest joke, Liu Er tossed his head back and laughed crazily.

"Hahaha..."

"Hahaha..." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"..."

The motorcycle gang’s maniacal laughter merged into one, in the winter night, torn into shreds by the cold wind, sounding eerie like wailing ghosts and howling wolves.

"Second Brother, what do you want?" Niu Guoqing tried to suppress his fury and spoke gently.

----

Nu’an just got back today, exhausted. Posting a bit less now, two posts tomorrow, first one at 3 PM. Special thanks to the dear ones who have supported Nu’an these past few days. Not listing names here, but I remember all of you, hugs~~~ (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)