Chapter 50: Having Too Much Territory Is Also a Problem

Just arrived and you're already giving me control of territory.

With a boss like this, even if I sold myself, Zhui Ya would still accept it.

Thinking of this, Zhui Ya's gaze hardened, and he walked straight toward Wang Tai.

"Wang Bāngzhǔ, long time no see."

Zhui Ya's original intention was to avoid bringing trouble to Ye Tian because of himself—any issue should come straight to him.

But.

Before he could speak the next words, Wang Tai cut him off.

"Don't get cocky here."

"?"

Cocky? What am I cocky about?

While stunned, he heard Wang Tai continue.

"Yù Gōngzǐ can protect you for now, but not for life. If you've got guts, never leave this place. Let's go."

With that, he gave Zhui Ya no chance to speak and signaled his men to leave.

He was already boiling with rage, and seeing Zhui Ya only made it worse—he feared that if he kept looking at that face, he'd truly lose control and strike.

Zhui Ya didn't stop him.

Only after Wang Tai and his men had completely vanished did Zhui Ya finally lower his gaze.

He wasn't stupid—he understood perfectly what Wang Tai meant. Clearly, Wang Tai had come to challenge Ye Tian, but Ye Tian simply ignored it, protecting Zhui Ya right to his face.

Even though he'd expected it.

Still, Zhui Ya couldn't help but smile.

"Don't let me ever hear anyone question Boss again, or don't blame me for forgetting old ties."

Behind him, the men all responded in unison, their smiles unwavering.

Following a boss who defends his own like this—truly reassuring.

,,,

After a brief exchange, Xiao Cao left.

Mei Yongning was just about to tell Ye Tian what she hadn't said yet, when Zhui Ya and his group arrived.

Mei Yongning stared, utterly speechless.

Are you guys coming as a group? Do you even let people talk?

"Boss!"

"Boss!"

Seeing Ye Tian, Zhui Ya and the others immediately moved to kneel.

Though puzzled why they'd suddenly come to him, Ye Tian raised his hand to stop them.

"Between brothers, such gestures are too formal."

"Boss!"

Zhui Ya's expression softened with emotion; then, as if remembering something, his gaze hardened.

"Boss, rest assured—I won't bring you any trouble."

"?" Trouble? What trouble did you cause?

"I won't let Wang Family Gang's people bother you again."

He thought it was something big—turns out it was just this. Ye Tian shrugged and smiled.

It must've been that Zhui Ya's group ran into Wang Tai's men on their way here. Ye Tian didn't care, only saying with a smile:

"I already said it: since you've followed me, you're my brothers. As long as I'm alive one more day, I'll ensure you're safe for life."

"Boss!"

People in this era had never heard anything like this.

They were so moved they nearly teared up.

Ye Tian had no interest in hugging and crying with men, so he said:

"By the way, why did you all come here suddenly? Is there an issue with taking over the territory?"

Hearing this, their attention snapped to him—they'd just expanded territory for Ye Tian, after all.

Zhui Ya immediately told Ye Tian about the Yi Yong Gang.

"So you mean you didn't just take two streets—you wiped out a small gang?"

Damn.

I didn't do a thing, and territory just showed up on my doorstep.

Before, I complained about having too little land—now it's like the territory reproduces itself and expands on its own.

"The Yi Yong Gang was just a small gang of dozens. Taking them down wasn't hard. Boss, rest easy—they provoked us first, so we had legitimate grounds to act. Even if word gets out, no one in the Jianghu will say a word."

Some Jianghu rules are truly annoying.

No legitimate reason, no fighting—Ye Tian thought it was nonsense, but everyone still had to follow it.

"You did well."

Since they'd earned merit, Ye Tian wouldn't withhold praise.

He patted Zhui Ya's shoulder approvingly.

"Serving Boss is our brothers' honor."

Just that one compliment made Zhui Ya and his men's smiles glow even brighter.

"Since you took the territory, will you now take charge of it?"

Two streets? Ye Tian didn't care.

"Boss, this..."

I never expected Ye Tian to be so generous.

Whoever takes a territory owns it? In other gangs, they never say such things. Doing work for the gang is your duty—no one dares openly claim they're acting for profit.

But with Ye Tian, everything is laid out plainly; he never plays games with empty pretenses.

Still, though delighted by Ye Tian's trust, Zhui Ya hesitated.

"Boss, it's not that I'm being picky—your courtyard's territory has already given us far too much. I've only a hundred men under me; too much land, and I simply can't manage it."

"..."

Again, too much territory and too few men.

Having too much territory has its own troubles.

"Alright!"

Ye Tian didn't put on any false airs or say more.

"Didn't Lightning Fire always help Double Blade General manage the taverns? Since he contributed greatly during the clash with Flying Cloud Gang, these two streets will now be under Lightning Fire's control."

There simply weren't enough capable people to go around.

"Boss."

Mei Yongning suddenly looked over.

When he heard the name "Yi Yong Gang," Mei Yongning had been pondering all the rumors about it.

"Yi Yong Gang's territory isn't large, but there are no ordinary civilians left inside—only brothels, with a few scattered gambling dens, nothing many."

Young men have hot tempers.

No one knows if they truly want to profit from brothels, or just pretend they're playing for free.

"Boss, didn't you say you wanted to build a street of taverns? Yi Yong Gang's two streets would be perfect for a dedicated brothel district."

What's this? A brothel street? No—it should be two streets.

A district built solely for brothels? That's a kind of specialty.

Before, Mei Yongning would never have thought of this—it was Ye Tian's idea of a tavern street that sparked the inspiration.

"You say that, and it does sound interesting."

Build nothing but brothels? It might not be impossible, but construction won't be cheap. Fortunately, Ye Tian isn't short on money now.

"Go over the details with Lightning Fire—and send a few scholars over."

Lightning Fire can't even read. If you let him manage construction, he'd spend half a day just agonizing over a brothel's name.

Better to wait until it's built, then let him come inspect the place.

"I'll arrange it right away!"

After Mei Yongning left, Ye Tian smiled and invited Zhui Ya and the others.

"Since you're here today, stay and have a drink with us."

"Boss, then we won't be polite."

,,,