"Life Hunter."
"Yes, the Life Hunter is indeed formidable, so I entrust this matter to you. Coincidentally, the Fishing Guild is holding a celebration in a few days. You can act as you see fit. I only need one result: Chen Jiusi must die!"
The two replied, "Rest assured, Lord. Since weāve taken your money, weāll get the job done well. We are professionals."
Yelu laughed and said, "Good, I like your professionalism."
The group quickly came to an agreement. In the next couple of days, the two would find a way to understand Chen Jieās routine, in order to devise a suitable assassination plan.
Especially with the celebration Yelu mentioned, it presented a very good opportunity to strike!
...
While the assassination plan was being studied here, over at the Fishing Guildās Chen Residence.
There was a large rooftop with a pavilion, which was usually where people gathered for meetings.
Today it was especially lively, with almost all the leaders of the Fishing Guild present.
Sitting at the head was Chen Jiusi, with Su Yunjin and Huang Wanāer on one side, and Chen Xiaohu, Zhou Chu, Si Xi, Chen Heng, Chen Wang, Bai Wenjing, Uncle Zhong, and Liu Yishou on the other.
These were nearly the entire top tier of the Fishing Guild.
There were also two people from outside the guild, Liu Song and Bai Mosheng from Guild Cao, who were attending Chen Jieās dinner for the first time and seemed a bit restrained.
However, the Fishing Guild members were quite relaxed, now looking at the food on the table.
On the table was a large copper hotpot with a pillar in the center, containing glowing burning charcoal.
The table was laden with various meats of beef and mutton and vegetables.
Yes, the Fishing Guild could eat beef, but it was not the meat of draft oxen; rather, it was beef from cattle transported from the grassland.
The group gathered around, quite cheerful and harmonious.
Nearby, there was also a small table, with a similarly smaller copper hotpot and dishes much like the ones over here.
That was actually the womenās table.
After Chen Jieās speech concluded, Su Yunjin and Huang Wanāer would go to that table to eat, where Ruirui and Sun Yong were already seated. Ruirui was eagerly eating.
Sun Yong, however, sat upright and said, "Auntie, the elders havenāt arrived; you canāt start yet."
Sun Yong was Chen Jieās adoptive son and called Su Yunjin adoptive mother, so Ruirui was naturally his aunt.
Ruirui laughed at this and said, "Ah Yong, Iām an elder, so why canāt I eat? Ah, this lamb is so tender, especially with this sesame sauceāa single bite is so satisfying."
Sun Yong didnāt know what to say and could only sit there stiffly, looking at the adults at the table with eyes full of aspiration, thinking, one day, I too can achieve merit for my adoptive father.
As he thought this, at the main table, Chen Jiusi had already begun to speak.
"Raise your glasses, everyone, first to celebrate our successful victory in the Mianshui Grain Defense War. Si Xi, talk about todayās grain price to everyone."
Si Xi responded, "Reporting to the Gang Leader, todayās grain price has dropped to nine cents, and the Mianshuiās grain stock is now replenished, allowing the people to eat and drink well for a prosperous year."
After hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Good."
Applauding as he spoke, the group also began to clap, waiting for the applause to end.
Chen Jie continued, "This victory would not have been possible without everyoneās efforts and is a testament to our Fishing Guildās unity. In this, there were Zhou Chuās strategic suffering, Si Xiās coordination in the middle, and the efforts of Xiaohu, Chen Wang, Chen Heng, and every one of you."
"Additionally, thereās the significant support from Mr. Liu of Guild Cao and Mr. Bai."
"I thank you all on behalf of the hundred thousand people of Mianshui."
After hearing this, the group said, "This is all thanks to the Gang Leaderās merits."
Chen Jie said, "I dare not claim credit; it was the work of all our brothers. To summarize, this time we gained several things: First, the people of Mianshui were saved, and our Fishing Guildās reputation climbed one more rung. Now, in the peopleās eyes, our Fishing Guild is more effective than the court."
"This is not easy to come by, and everyone must cherish it."
"Yes, yes."
"Additionally, as for our Guild Cao, after my discussions with Mr. Liu and Mr. Bai, effective immediately, Guild Cao of Mianshui is merging with our Fishing Guild. From now on, Guild Cao and the Fishing Guild are family, eating from the same trench as brothers."
Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Liu Song and Bai Mosheng.
Bai Mosheng spoke on behalf of Liu Song, who said, "Let me say a few words. I am very grateful to Guild Leader Chen for accepting me. My father and Guild Leader Chen were brothers. Now that my father has unfortunately passed away, I, with my meager talents, cannot bear the heavy responsibility, so I entrust Guild Cao to Guild Leader Chen. From now on, I, Liu Song, will be a mere soldier under Guild Leader Chen."
"Please take good care of me, Guild Leader Chen."
After finishing, Liu Song stood up and then half-kneeled on the ground. Seeing this, Chen Jie immediately reached out to help him, saying, "Mr. Liu, no need to be so formal."
At this moment, Liu Song said, "Please do not call me Mr. Liu, just call me Ah Song."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie replied, "Very well, stand up, Ah Song."
Seeing this scene, everyone present was very excited. Itās known that Guild Cao is the second-largest guild in Mianshui, with two thousand members. Although certain members would be trimmed according to Chen Jiusiās Fishing Guild standards, it could still provide at least around fifteen hundred disciples.
This would mean that the Fishing Guild would have two thousand official disciples, plus fifteen hundred from Guild Cao, totaling thirty-five hundred, with an additional fifteen hundred reservists.
This force, nearly a five-thousand-strong large guild, was enough to make anyone feel fear, and it was very united.
This force could be said to be Chen Jieās power base.