I Can See Your Combat Power

Chapter 210 - 206: Tang Luo’s Ambition

Chapter 210: Chapter 206: Tang Luo’s Ambition

Translator: 549690339

Gong Zheng was somewhat embarrassed when his sycophancy was pointed out. In the past, even when he faced Mi Hou, he wouldn’t go so far in flattering, but upon seeing Tang Luo, a sense of inferiority somehow arose within him.

Perhaps it was the conversation at Weiya Bungalow last time that left him with an indelible impression.

When asked what he could extrapolate from the political decrees, Gong Zheng was deep in thought. Tang Luo didn’t rush him and simply sat on his chair, holding his right cheek while he waited for the reply.

After a period of silent contemplation, Gong Zheng raised his head and reticently said, “We could create a registry network coining together beggars, thieves and prostitutes, and seize their territories!”

That was the only business opportunity he could identify from the decrees. According to the current situation he had control of, he could gain possession of a roughly ten-thousand-acre wasteland, and after cultivation, he would be considered a small landowner.

However, his self-congratulation met with Tang Luo’s dissatisfaction. Tang Luo frowned, “Is that all you can think of?”

“There’s more!” Gong Zheng quickly added, sensing Tang Luo’s dissatisfaction, “Since the young master does not want them to continue as beggars, we can turn these thieves into farmers to till our lands…”

Noticing Tang Luo’s face turning even grimmer, Gong Zheng’s voice grew lower, leaving only a nervous laugh.

It seemed he had overestimated Gang Leader Gong’s ability to identify opportunities from state decrees. Tang Luo adjusted his mindset with difficulty. If they were capable of doing so, they wouldn’t have chosen this path in the first place. Better he explain it himself, “When the decree takes effect, it signifies that there will be a new profession emerging in Xiling- farmers. Can you follow that?”

In the past, the people of Xiling did not farm. Instead, farming was the responsibility of major families. As such, for some families who had lived in Xiling for generations, farming was a novel skill.

Gong Zheng nodded in silence, but soon it was all he could offer.

Observing his dumbfounded look, Tang Luo continued, “The emergence of a new profession suggests a new business opportunity. Can you find a single blacksmith workshop in Xiling that handles farming tools, or a shop selling seeds of vegetables and grains, or a store selling work animals for ploughing or even a shop selling fertilisers? Do you now understand?”

If he still couldn’t catch on despite these clues, then he really must be brain dead.

Gong Zheng’s mind was opened by Tang Luo’s words collectively, with a gaping mouth, picturing innumerable gold coins flying into his pocket… He was so absorbed in his daydream that he became motionless.

“Knock, knock,” Tang Luo knocked on the table, pulling Gong Zheng back from his countless reveries.

“What are you daydreaming about? Do you know what to do now?”

Gong Zheng looked at Tang Luo excitedly, “Young master, are you suggesting that I should become a merchant?”

“That’s right, with your abilities, there should be no problem. Select a group of loyal followers and establish a trade union. Then, you can get started,” said Tang Luo, nodding approvingly.

“But,” said Gong Zheng, hesitantly,” If I lead people on this venture, what will happen to my turf in West City?”

Street thugs are nothing if not pragmatic and have short memories. It doesn’t matter how much they fear a person, as soon as that person is out of sight, they become bold, capable of any atrocity.

When word of Righteous Gang’s top leaders being wiped out spreads, they would dare to struggle for the territory without even seeing Gong Zheng’s body. It wasn’t just a bunch of rogue warriors gathering in gangs, even the understudies of the original Righteous Gang turn against them. Gong Zheng, having witnessed all this before, believed that things would return to the previous state as soon as he left.

“So, we have to establish rules first.” Tang Luo said calmly, “You should spread this rule over the next few days.”

Having solved the issue of new income sources, Gong Zheng didn’t naturally want to cling to the old ones. However, he could only follow the rule of not involving himself in such business, how could he restrict others? Furthermore, he would have to lead the merchant group out far, hence he needed to clarify, “Young Master, what if someone refuses to follow this rule?”

Every gangster dreams of being the boss. Being a boss means having followers to manage and the possession of several gambling parlors and brothels. It’s their vision of leading a life of luxury. If the new rules of the Righteous Gang prohibit these, he didn’t know how much resistance he would face, especially within the gang.

Faced with such a large opposition, Gong Zheng didn’t know what to do, hence he turned to Tang Luo for help.

“It’s simple.” Tang Luo smiled, “Kill them all!”

The room fell silent, the air seeming to freeze.

Gong Zheng swallowed hard, stuttering, “Er… Master… I… didn’t…hear… what… you… said?”

“I said, those who don’t obey the rules. Kill them all!” Tang Luo casually waved a finger, as he reiterated his order.

Of course, he knew how big the backlash would be when he announced these rules. He also understood that it equated to cutting off the source of income for many, and had a clear idea of how many would die because of this decision. But, he had to do this.

All for a simple reason – being weak shouldn’t justify being bullied. Although he may not be able to help them become strong, he should at least protect them.

The common people would live better lives following the Five Acres of Land Decree. However, if these street thugs were not eliminated, the people’s lives wouldn’t improve at all.

For example, the first business opportunity Gong Zheng thought of upon hearing of the Five Acres of Land Decree was exploiting others’ farmland. How much morally higher are these street thugs compared to him?

Whether they belong to a gang or are just hoodlums, they were all a bunch of scums who bullied the weak and feared the strong. They exploit people who are even weaker than themselves to gain wealth, which is survival of the fittest in its rawest form.

Therefore, they should be prepared for harsh punishment when they decide not to obey the law of the jungle voiced by a fierce beast like Tang Luo. After all, they chose their own path and had no reason to complain.

Gong Zheng had always known that the young master in front of him was more ruthless than him. But the level of ruthlessness had managed to shock him. With a wry smile, he said, “Young master, fear that there might be few people left in the Righteous Gang if we take this approach. I’m concerned that I am not capable of managing them.”

“Why worry?” Tang Luo knew that he was frightened and took out a book from his bosom, put it on the table and told Gong Zheng, “Take it.”

Gong Zheng moved forward helplessly, taking the book from the table. The words ‘Righteous Qi Training’ entered his sight.

When Gong Zheng held the book, looking confusedly at Tang Luo. He still couldn’t understand its significance, having not yet recovered from the shock he had received.

“Open it and take a look,” said Tang Luo calmly.

Following Tang Luo’s instructions, Gong Zheng could not help but tremble as he opened the book and read the first few pages.

It was actually a secret manual outlining all the steps and techniques from Mortal realm to the realm beyond Mortal. Moreover, there was a secret technique for each level!

Such a book could fetch tens of millions of Gold in an auction, but it was casually handed to him. Gong Zheng put the book back onto the table in fear, he did not understand Tang Luo’s motives.

“This will be the core technique for your Righteous Gang in the future. Since I have asked you to punish those who don’t obey the rules, I must provide you with matching martial power. With this complete set of techniques, you should be able to gather some followers with your abilities,” said Tang Luo casually, noting Gong Zheng’s frightened expression.

With a bitter smile on his face, Gong Zheng looked at the secret manual as if it was poison. This was not merely a secret manual – it was a bloody machete besmeared with the blood of the street punks he had known.

Even a fool like him understood that equipping a gang with such techniques meant that the young master’s ambitions far exceeded his imagination. He asked, “Young master, what exactly are you thinking?”

“What do I want to do?” Tang Luo stood up, holding the back of his chair. Like an unbowed steel spear, he stared into Gong Zheng’s eyes and said emphatically, “I want the Righteous Gang to be worthy of living up to the terms, Righteous Gang..’¹