153 The Quarrel Over the Machetemen (1/2)

On the surface, Gu Shenwei had made peace with Meng Mingshi by offering a drink to him, while in fact, their hatred for each other had increased.

Gu Shenwei came forward to pay his respects and Fifth Young Master Meng seemed to know that he was also here to hire machetemen. Fifth Young Master Meng feigned surprise and said, ”Oh, this is so coincidental. Isn't this Slave Huan? Are you running errands for the Tenth Young Master? This young chap really doesn't know how to take care of his men, running errands in the middle of the night...”

Gu Shenwei felt certain that Meng Mingshi's coming ”in the middle of the night” to hire machetemen was definitely not coincidental. He said, ”These men have already decided to work for me.”

”Has the payment been agreed upon? Has the contract been signed?”

Gu Shenwei shook his head.

Meng Mingshi nodded empathetically. He had come prepared, therefore he was able to keep his emotions and attitude under control. He hugged Slave Huan across the shoulders and walked him over to a less crowded place. ”Give me some face and let me hire these men, there are many machetemen for hire, why don't you keep looking? Let's not keep arguing and let these poor fools be happy. If you need money, feel free to let me know. I don't want to promise too much but I'm still able to fork out a few thousand taels, um, say 20 thousand taels?”

Twenty thousand taels were exactly the amount of money Gu Shenwei took from the Golden Roc Fort. ”Say, Fifth Master aren't you looking for the Machete God? Why are you taking an interest in these guys?”

Meng Mingshi patted the shoulder of Slave Huan and said, ”The Machete God is meant to maintain a stable society while these men are hired to grind, it's different. Hey, are you looking to join the Horned Dragon Society? I can introduce you into it. If the Tenth Young Master or Master Yu are interested, we would welcome them as well. There's no greater thing than having people from the Stone Castle to join.”

The hypocrisy of Fifth Young Master Meng made Gu Shenwei vigilant. The Meng family had close relations with the Golden Roc Fort and if the Horned Dragon Society was looking to induct the Tenth Young Master, it was not the place of an ordinary killer to bring the matter up to him. ”Fifth Master is too kind, but I can't give up hiring these men. Why don't we let them pick who to work for?”

The quickness at which Meng Mingshi changed his expressions made Gu Shenwei feel as though a new person was suddenly switched to his side.

The Fifth Master swiftly lifted his arm away from Slave Huan's shoulder, as if he had by accident touched something ugly and dirty. ”So, you want to go against me?” He said. He lifted his voice and it was a little sharp.

”I don't dare to.” Gu Shenwei maintained the basic level of formality but took a step back and reached his hand towards the hilt of his knife but after a moment's thought, let it drop down again.

”Ha!” Meng Mingshi spread out his arms with a look of someone who had been publicly shamed and felt angry and unjustified. He spun around so as to let everyone see himself, then talked loudly in the direction of the men he brought along, ”Everyone heard it! I had forgiven this slave from the Golden Roc Fort who had offended me in the past and even offered him support and treated him as a brother. Now I wish for a little favor from him, yet he is putting on airs and acting as if he really is my equal. Today, I have to fight back for my honor's sake. Is there any wrong in doing so?”

”There's no wrong in it, Fifth Young Master Meng has a great heart and tolerated enough.” The crowd started to chime in and many looked even angrier than Fifth Young Master Meng.

This was not the arrogant and foolish Meng Mingshi that Gu Shenwei remembered, perhaps he had received the secret guidance of somebody else. Gu Shenwei retreated a few steps and waited for the commotion caused by the crowd to die down a little. Then he said, ”If it is a personal matter of yours truly, I would never have dared to contest with Fifth Young Master Meng. However, I am selecting machetemen for the Tenth Master, therefore I humbly seek the understanding of Fifth Young Master Meng.”

”Do you seek to pressure me by using the name of a little chap? You slave, I want these men. Let's see who can snatch them away from me.”

Meng Mingshi struck an aggressive pose with his hand on his hips as a man dressed as a servant came forward. He first bowed to his master, then cleared his throat and said in a clear, loud voice, ”Five hundred taels every month for each person as payment for your services and the minimum term of the contract is three years. Sign the contract now using your palm print and you shall receive one thousand taels as upfront payment for the first two months of your service!”

The monthly income of an average machetemen does not go above a hundred taels and one with a little reputation could earn up to two or three hundred taels per month. The fee offered by the Horned Dragon Society could get them top class machetemen.

The taels of silver from the opened trunks shone brightly and the crowd who stood behind let out sounds of appreciation. Everyone seemed to want to pick up a machete and endorse the contract on the spot.

It just so happened that the 20 over machetemen standing opposite remained silent, as if none of them had witnessed these temptations.

Fifth Young Master Meng was a little shocked and looked dissatisfyingly at the servant at his side. The servant also started to feel a little anxious and walked to the front of the machetemen. ”Boss Tuo, these are your men. Let us hear whether you agree to these terms or not.”

Tuo Nengya tilted his body and shifted all of his body weight onto his left leg. He said unhurriedly, ”There's still one more hirer. Let's see what his offer is like.”

”Hey, Boss Tuo, you best not be too cocky. This here is Fifth Young Master Meng, not a landlord from the South City. You don't get to bargain.”

Meng Mingshi stepped in, ”No hurry, let's follow what Boss Tuo says. Slave Huan, how much do you plan to offer?”

Gu Shenwei did a quick mental calculation: Five hundred taels per person for each month for 23 machetemen, that would amount to over 10 thousand taels a month and over four hundred thousand taels of silver over three years. Even if he used that bit of inheritance from Tie Hanfeng, he would still not have enough. The 20 thousand taels of silver from the Golden Roc Fort was an inadequate measure. Furthermore, he had already spent a substantial amount of it.

However, there was always a way to get some money in the South City. Once the team of machetemen was formed up under the banner of the Golden Roc Fort, the money would start to flow in successfully.

”The same conditions,” said Gu Shenwei, while noticing that there were people coming in from the outside of the forest and gathering around. They seemed to be following the commotion but this was after midnight and only someone with a motive would have gone to the Rouge Forest for a walk.

Fifth Young Master Meng had come prepared and Gu Shenwei knew he had been caught unawares and fallen into a trap. He made it seem as if he was loosening his stiff legs and walked forward by two steps, getting closer to Meng Mingshi, getting ready to hold him hostage.

”I'll double it to a thousand taels of silver!” Shouted Meng Mingshi emotionally while lifting his head high, as if competing with Heaven. He did not notice the actions of the young slave.

The many lackeys who had come along with Fifth Young Master Meng were shocked when they heard his offer. The retainer for the upcoming Machete God was 10 thousand taels of silver, yet these normal machetemen who were not getting any younger could earn a thousand taels of silver every month. Comparatively, they stood to earn even more than the Machete God annually.