Chapter 4: Appointment to the Red Staff

The mountain chicken thinks it's quiet, but Jingkun's ears are very sharp.

"What are you saying? Do the big brothers even have room for you to butt in!"

Da B, have you ever taught your junior what proper conduct is?

Jingkun seizes any chance to fire off at Da B.

"Exactly, Da B. If the junior isn't taught properly, what goes out tarnishes the whole Great Prosperity's reputation!"

Fei Lao Li, the North Corner boss, sat by the conference table, picking at his feet while mocking Da B.

Ever since Da B's men burned his magazine office, he has held a grudge against Da B.

Chen Mo also doesn't know how Da B makes his way; among the Great Prosperity bosses, none are on good terms with Da B.

Even Thirteen Sister, who used to be close to Da B, now has only a lukewarm relationship with him.

At Chen Mo's welcome banquet a few days ago, Thirteen Sister invited Jingkun but didn't invite him.

"So lively? What are they talking about?"

Jiang Tiansheng entered from the main gate, bringing Chen Yao with him.

Although Jiang Tiansheng was dressed in a suit and always wore a smile, he looked like a businessman.

Chen Mo knew, however, that he was the most scheming in Great Prosperity, a master of balancing the rogue game.

"Nothing much, Mr. Jiang, just a casual chat!" Da B spoke to smooth things over.

The matter was unreasonable to begin with; saying more would only make it worse.

Jiang Tiansheng took the Dragon Head's main seat, gestured for everyone to sit: "Since there's nothing, let's sit down and hold the meeting!"

What followed was the usual accounting and payment process for each hall.

Besides the twelve major halls, there were also some large sub‑groups attached under the Triad Society; they held scattered enclaves that also needed to remit payments to the halls.

The sub‑groups without territory had to be financially supported by the Triad Society.

Of course, when the Triad Society needed people to work, they turned to them first.

Especially when the Triad Society launched a turf war, they needed to serve as artillery platforms.

They busied themselves for a full hour before the payment process concluded.

Chen Mo stood behind Thirteen Sister, watching each boss and sub‑group settle accounts and hand over money.

He finally understood what it felt like to stand as a lackey at eighteen that year.

Among the people in the main hall, aside from Da B's subordinate, the Causeway Bay Five Tigers, he held the lowest rank.

A junior behind Jiang Tiansheng packed the money on the table into two large bags and returned them behind Jiang Tiansheng.

Jiang Tiansheng clapped his hands: "Alright, does anyone have anything left? If not, we can disperse!"

Thirteen Sister stood and said, "Mr. Jiang, I have something on my end.

My subordinate A Mo, who has been in the Triad Society for five years, has earned great merit; a few days ago he finished his stint in the harsh kiln and returned. I intend to promote him to the Red Staff!"

Jiang Tiansheng smiled, looked at the silent one standing behind Thirteen Sister, thought briefly, and said:

"I don't know A Mo well, but I've heard of his reputation; being able to match the Prince is a rare talent in our Great Prosperity."

However, his time in the Triad Society is indeed a bit short.

"Alright then, each of you bosses, give your opinion: do you think A Mo can be appointed?"

In fact, Jiang Tiansheng didn't really care whether Chen Mo could be appointed.

Although Thirteen Sister and the Han Bin brothers are close, Jiang Tiansheng doesn't want to see Thirteen Sister rise.

But Jiang Tiansheng's impression of Chen Mo is simply that he can fight.

Relying on Thirteen Sister's territory, even if Chen Mo is appointed as a major sub‑group, Thirteen Sister's strength won't increase much.

However, as the Dragon Head of Great Prosperity, he still needs to see the opinions of several bosses on this matter, especially whether they have hidden ties he doesn't know about.

"I disagree!"

The first to jump out was Da B.

Before the meeting, Da B felt he had lost face.

Naturally, he blamed Chen Mo, and moreover, he wanted to appoint Chen Hao Nan!

"He's only been in Great Prosperity five years; what qualifies him for appointment? If anyone should be appointed, it should be my junior, Chen Hao Nan."

"Hao Nan has followed me for nearly ten years, he's also a fighter; he's the one qualified for the Red Staff appointment."

After Da B finished speaking, before Thirteen Sister could say anything, Jingkun jumped in with a taunt.

"Followed you for ten years and now want an appointment? There are many who have been in the Triad Society for over ten years; does everyone have to be appointed?"

"Does Chen Hao Nan have any merit? How many venues in Causeway Bay did he capture?"

"Can he still fight? Does he fight as well as A Mo?"

"I can't make sense of what you're saying!"

"I support A Mo's appointment!"

"Exactly, promoting a junior isn't done like that."

Fei Lao Li also fired at Da B.

"Chen Hao Nan is good at protecting his own, but when seizing territory he hasn't shown much fighting; what gives him the right to be appointed!"

Whether Chen Mo can be appointed is unimportant to Fei Lao Li.

Chen Hao Nan not being appointed is very important to Fei Lao Li.

Back then, it was Chen Hao Nan who led the burning of his magazine office.

The other hall bosses each voiced their thoughts, and overall they all agreed to appoint Silence.

After all, the Prince, the Han Bin brothers, Jingkun, Chui Shui Ji, Thirteen Sister, plus Ma Wang Jian who is somewhat friendly with Silence, and Fei Lao Li who is at odds with Da B, constitute twelve halls; most of them agreed, and the rest, even if they had some objections, wouldn't state them openly.

Only Da B stood up to oppose, regardless of whether he would offend anyone.

Seeing everyone gradually reach a consensus, Jiang Tiansheng slammed the table and decided.

"Since that's the case, then please ask Bo Shu to open the incense hall! However, are there any candidates for the other two to be inducted together?"

Each time the incense hall is opened, at least three people are needed: one Red Stick, one White Paper Fan, and one Straw Shoe.

"Mr. Jiang, my subordinate A Tai is also qualified to be inducted." Tai Zi quickly took a spot.

"Mr. Jiang, my subordinate Sheng Fan should also be inducted!" Konglong also stood up at Han Bin's signal.

Jiang Tiansheng smiled and nodded: "Good, then it's decided like that."

"Bo Shu, the incense hall matter is entrusted to you!"

"That's certainly fine; seeing our Great Prosperity have youngsters stand out is my blessing."

The incense hall chief Bo Shu, of advanced age, smiles with eyes nearly closed.

Each time someone is inducted, he receives a red envelope.

"Mr. Jiang..."

Da B still wanted to say something, but Jiang Tiansheng waved his hand and cut him off.

"Go back and tell your junior brothers: as long as he can achieve merit for the Triad Society, the Society will definitely give him a chance to be inducted."

Da B didn't even think: if Jiang Tiansheng were willing to induct Chen Hao Nan, Chen Hao Nan wouldn't still be a low-ranking old-timer after ten years.

"The sword is a Hong Men sword, the staff is a Dragon Phoenix staff..."

After a series of complex prayers, the essential step of induction,

"Do you love brothers or love gold?"

"Love brothers!"

"Love brothers!"

"Love brothers!"

Chen Mo, A Tai, and Sheng Fan shouted until the heavens shook.

After repeating three times, Bo Shu began to recite the Thirty-Six Oaths of Hong Men.

"First Oath: After entering Hong Men, your parents are my parents, your siblings are my siblings, your wife is my sister-in-law, your son is my nephew; if violated, death by ten thousand blades."

"Second Oath: Must not leak the society's secrets, gestures, or coded language; if violated, struck down by five thunders."

"Thirty-sixth Oath: Must know loyalty and righteousness, gain people's benevolence; do not deceive, be unjust, or be unkind; if violated, death by ten thousand blades."