Chapter Twenty: Pointed Words

  Wang Tong took a few slow breaths and sat down, the sudden arrival of these unfamiliar brocade-clad guards surprised him that someone as young as Wang Tong could remain so calm, but the panic of the others fell into their eyes, each secretly pleased.

  That short and stout little flag ate a mouthful of braised pork, paused for a moment, and said in a rough voice:

  "It's really damn delicious."

  The rest of the people also had a similar feeling, and they all started eating with relish. During this time, there were also guests coming in, but as soon as they lifted the cotton curtain, they would see those fierce-looking Jin Yiwei guards sitting at the door, who would glare at them maliciously every time someone came in.

  Such a style, outsiders who dare to enter the door, hurriedly shrink their heads and hide, as a result, after these seven people came in, there was no more guests coming.

  Even a fool can see that the other party is here to cause trouble, Zhang Shiqiang gave Wang Tong a signal with his eyes, but Wang Tong remained calm and expressionless. At this point, he just hoped that the other party could finish eating and leave. First of all, there was no reason to rush the other party out of the door now, and the timid appearance of everyone in the store made it impossible to fight back even if they wanted to, it was really helpless.

  However, avoiding trouble is not the same as having no trouble. The food was indeed good, and those unfamiliar brocade-clad guards were eating with relish, looking like they would finish everything. Just when the people in Meiyuan Hall let out a sigh of relief, they heard that short and stout brocade-clad guard shout loudly, then heavily slap the table, cursing:

  "Is this food for human consumption? How can there be rats!"

  A fellow standing nearby opened his mouth, but then closed it again. These people were not to be trifled with. Almost everyone in the room saw that after the short and stout Jin Yiwei finished eating, he brazenly pulled out a dead mouse from his waist pouch and tossed it into the meat bowl.

  It's clear that they're coming to make trouble, and the short, fat man in the brocade uniform shouted loudly. The others also started banging on the table and cursing loudly, with the short, fat one shouting especially loudly:

  "This rat almost got into my stomach, I don't know how much I've eaten, what if I get sick? Your broken shop will have to pay for the silver!!"

  "Eating meat and producing rats, what kind of black-hearted shop are you running? Bring out 1,000 taels of silver, or we'll smash this murderous restaurant to pieces today!!"

  Shouts and curses filled the air, the interior of the store was invisible from the outside, but the sounds of people chattering outside could still be heard. Without even thinking about it, it was clear that a crowd of onlookers had already gathered outside.

  If this continues, our shop's reputation will be completely ruined. Zhang Shijiang stood up and smiled:

  "We are all brothers and sisters of our own family, why make such a fuss, what's there to say..."

  That short and stout little flag glanced at Zhang Shiqiang beside him and scolded in a cold voice:

  "A pumpkin without seeds, where did you get the nerve to speak like this..."

  This was a real slap in the face, Zhang Shiqiang's face turned bright red, but he didn't move, after all these years of being oppressed, he didn't dare to do anything when facing several thugs.

  The short and stout Xiao Qi was truly majestic at this moment, looking at Zhang Shijiang's reddened face that didn't dare to move forward. His heart felt even more pleased, but just then, he heard the shocked cry of his companion beside him.

  A gust of wind came, and someone rushed towards him. The short and stout little flag didn't hesitate, turned around and swung his fist to hit out.

  A loud thud, this punch hit the target with a solid impact, and eight or nine out of ten chances it also hit the opponent's mouth and nose. The several servant women in the shop cried out loudly.

  Wang Tong's nostrils had two lines of blood flowing straight down, and his tears were also streaming down. He looked extremely disheveled, and the several unfamiliar brocade-clad imperial guards in the house were shouting insults and curses at him.

  But no one dared to move, because Wang Tong's right hand was holding a dagger against the neck of that majestic and stout little flag, and any slight movement would be fatal.

  "Even a big kid like you shouldn't be playing with knives, put it down for your old man!"

  The short and stout Xiao Qi stood with his neck stretched out, shouting in a loud voice. Wang Tong's hands didn't move, but he took another step forward. Ever since his father died, Wang Tong had always kept a sharp dagger hidden in his boots.

  Seeing the last thread of harmony and understanding shattered, Wang Tong was decisive and immediately decided to take action. Taking advantage of his opponent's momentary distraction while cursing, he quickly pounced forward.

  These people who came to cause trouble probably never thought that this half-grown child would suddenly take action, their reactions were all delayed by half a beat, and by the time the dagger was placed on his neck, everything was too late.

  "What is this brother's name? In which chiliarch's office does he serve under that centurion?"

  Wang Tong didn't wipe the fresh blood on his nose, and coldly asked, "Does that short and fat little flag still want to pretend to be tough?" The sharp blade on his neck was pressed harder, and he endured it for a moment before speaking in a rough voice.

  "Laozi is on duty at Niu Lane Street, Sun Dahuai."

  "Now that things have turned out this way, how are you brothers planning to wrap it up? Zhang Shiqiang, take those blades from them!"

  Wang Tong asked coldly, and immediately ordered Zhang Shiqiang, who had been stunned into stupidity. This man was too muddle-headed, and only strictness would be effective. Looking at the several Jin Yiwei guards who were equally at a loss, Wang Tong gritted his teeth and said:

  "Whoever makes a move, Sun's neck will be opened. I mean what I say, take out all the valuables on you."

  Everyone in the house had already been stunned, and they really didn't dare to move randomly. Zhang Shijiang took their embroidered spring knives under Wang Tong's command, and Zhang Shijiang also carefully checked their waists to see if there were any hidden weapons.

  "Let me go, you little scamp!"

  That Sun Dahai still wanted to struggle, just as he cursed out loud, Wang Tong grabbed his hair and pressed it hard on the table, with a loud bang, the struggling force immediately became much smaller.

  "Get your underlings to kneel at the door and shout that they've gone blind, being incited by others, coming to my shop to cause trouble. Don't move recklessly, you dare to cause trouble, I'll stake my life on accompanying you, cut off your head, I myself will go to the prefecture's gate to turn myself in!"

  Wang Tong said in a cold voice, if we don't regain control of the situation today, our business will probably be ruined. The fierce and competitive spirit that had been dormant in Wang Tong was now fully aroused.

  I'll see it through to the end!

  Sun Dahai heard this and struggled desperately again, shouting there:

  "Just kill me if you have the guts, brothers don't intervene..."

  He had spoken halfway through his tough words, but suddenly cut off, Wang Tong's dagger moved, and a streak of blood appeared on his neck. Fortunately, the wound was very shallow, but Sun Dahai finally knew that his opponent dared to take drastic measures.

  After a moment of silence, Sun Dahai spoke up again, but this time much more quietly:

  "Brothers, Sun Dahai has been good to you... Today our face is lost here... Help your brother..."

  The Jin Yiwei shouted and scolded inside, the scene was chaotic. Outside the Meishuanguan, people gathered to watch the commotion, but they didn't see anything, only heard that something about a mouse had happened, and several of those who had eaten turned pale.

  Thinking of the braised pork, thinking of the mouse, everyone's throat feels a bit nauseous, but there's a sense of collective excitement, and some hot-tempered individuals have already started to stir up trouble.

  "Even if it's officially opened, they can't sell us rat meat. Let's go in together and find a fair solution."