261: Chapter 261 Strategy and Tactics

Han Jingyang's words caused everyone present to become restless.

Two factions formed instantly.

One side supported him; the other opposed him.

Those opposing him were certainly Li Mingjian and his group.

Those supporting him were naturally everyone else besides Li Mingjian's group.

Having traveled such a long way, how could they be willing to leave so dejectedly?

It was just that, a moment ago, outsiders had no say. They lacked the standing and status. Han Jingyang was the current Treasure Owner, and Li Mingjian and his group were victims. Both had the status and standing to determine the ownership of the treasure; no one else had the right to speak.

However, since Han Jingyang said he would disclose the relevant information, things were different.

It was equivalent to the Treasure Owner sharing the authority equally among everyone present. Everyone now had a chance to obtain clues, and everyone was standing on the same starting line.

Therefore, Li Laojiu immediately stepped forward: "I think this method is appropriate. At the very least, we can help verify the authenticity of the information, and if there are any unexpected developments, we can also help testify."

Li Mingjian shook his head immediately: "Impossible. Apart from us victims' families, no one else has the right to intervene, and besides, there won't be any unexpected developments."

Li Laojiu shook his head: "You don't need to spout such high-sounding words. With the treasure right in front of us, people's hearts are restless. Do you dare to guarantee that absolutely no unexpected developments will occur? Do you dare to guarantee it in front of everyone?"

That was a harsh statement.

It instantly put Li Mingjian on the spot.

Did Li Mingjian dare to guarantee it? Of course not.

Because without even thinking, he knew for sure there would be developments; it was just a matter of the scale of the trouble.

Even if Li Mingjian ultimately managed to obtain the treasure smoothly, his group would eventually face the dilemma of uneven distribution.

With so much treasure, there were no longer any records of which piece belonged to which family; when the time came, a fierce struggle would be inevitable.

Therefore, even the most naive person knew that this matter had only just begun.

No unexpected developments? That was impossible.

Therefore, Li Mingjian frowned. He didn't respond to Li Laojiu's question but said directly: "This matter has nothing to do with you. Besides Mr. Han and us victims' families, everyone else had better leave this place, lest we damage our amicable relations. Remember, this is Quancheng."

Standing to the side, Han Jingyang almost laughed out loud when he heard this.

This Li Mingjian had decent strength, but he really lacked brains. Saying such things at this moment was simply ridiculous.

"This is Quancheng," he says. So what if it's Quancheng? A dragon's den or a tiger's lair?

If people were truly afraid, they wouldn't have come. If they dared to come, they weren't afraid.

With treasure right in front of them, who cared if it was Quancheng? No one who came intended to return empty-handed.

Talking about regional divisions to people of the jianghu—wasn't that just being a clown? In the eyes of people of the jianghu, there is only profit, okay?

Moreover, Li Mingjian's statement seemed clever, separating the locals from the outsiders to make the outsiders more wary.

But it also exposed his own lack of confidence.

In fact, what would it have hurt to just say firmly, "I can guarantee it"?

He should have established his presence first.

How is presence established? It is a combination of language, actions, expressions, demeanor, as well as strength and influence.

In most cases, strong language, actions, and demeanor can form a powerful presence, which can achieve the effect of subduing the enemy without fighting.

Li Mingjian held the moral high ground, had a group of victims' families as backing, and his own strength wasn't bad; the more assertive he appeared, the better.

Yet, instead, he threw out the line "This is Quancheng" to threaten people. Wasn't that ridiculous?

It was equivalent to a country having intercontinental missiles, fourth-generation fighter jets, anti-missile systems, and a powerful army, but when facing the enemy, it tried to scare them by saying, "This is such-and-such continent."

The enemy would know immediately that this person was bluffing. Unless he was intentionally feigning weakness.

Feigning weakness? Han Jingyang scrutinized Li Mingjian.

Was this young expert feigning weakness? Or was he just inexperienced?

It didn't matter, though; this was exactly the effect he wanted.

Let go completely? How could that be possible? It was all strategy and tactics.

Thinking this, Han Jingyang coughed to attract everyone's attention: "Stop dawdling. It's already 2:30, and there are five hours until dark. Li Mingjian, what I just sent you is the page I tore from Huang Jianyong's autobiography. The information regarding the treasure is on it. That autobiography is now in the hands of the relevant authorities. You can ask them to verify its authenticity. I think the relevant authorities will also be interested in this missing page and will be very happy to help you."

As he spoke, he checked his watch again: "Make the call now; half an hour will definitely be enough. Of course, if you trust me, I'll leave right now, and you can start digging immediately."

He paused, looked directly into Li Mingjian's eyes, and asked: "Make a decision quickly. When I say I'm withdrawing, I'm withdrawing; I won't drag things out with you."

Li Mingjian hesitated for a moment, then turned and nodded to the victims' families behind him: "I'll send the image to the group chat. Everyone take a look and give me your opinions as soon as possible. For such a major matter, I cannot act arbitrarily and make the decision alone; your opinions are very important."

The group of victims' families was overjoyed and immediately checked their phones.

Some even cheered for Li Mingjian's decision.

Li Laojiu stepped back without saying a word.

The scene seemed to have returned to Li Mingjian's control.

Han Jingyang, however, shook his head inwardly.

This idiot.

Although he had strong strength, he really had no brains. At a time like this, he was still playing the democratic card. It seemed like he was winning people over and boosting cohesion, but in reality, he was undermining his own authority.

If he had acted more assertively and taken more responsibility, he could have completely established his image, persona, and prestige better, truly uniting these people. Coupled with his decent strength, he would have become a force that no one dared to underestimate.

But now... a group that was initially somewhat united had been turned into a loose pile of sand.

They hadn't scattered yet only because the treasure hadn't been obtained, and they were still part of this organization of victims' families.

Once the treasure was in hand, they would become competitors and even enemies to each other, and Li Mingjian, who lacked the capacity to take responsibility, wouldn't be able to hold the situation down.

By then, let alone being a loose pile of sand, if they didn't slaughter each other, it would be considered a sign of their good character.

Of course, Han Jingyang certainly wouldn't offer a reminder.

He would only be happy to see it happen.

So, holding his long sword, he waited quietly for Li Mingjian and his group to make a decision.

After gathering together and whispering for about ten minutes, the group finally made their final decision.

Li Mingjian cupped his hands: "Mr. Han, we have discussed it, and there is no problem."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure."

"Very well. We are leaving now. The rest of the matter has nothing to do with me anymore," Han Jingyang said, nodding to Li Mingjian as he walked away: "But I still want to give you one piece of advice: you'd better hurry. Don't stay up all night. The water in Xipo Village is very deep."

Having said that, he led his people generously through the crowd and left the scene, including the driver.

After leaving the crowd, he called back: "I'll leave the excavator for you to use. Leave it at the village committee office when you're done. Remember to fill it with fuel. This excavator isn't mine; it's the vehicle the owner relies on for a living."

The group watched Han Jingyang and his party leave with unreadable expressions; no one said a word.

Only the sisters Lin Yuelan and Lin Yuegui exchanged a glance, stepped back to detach themselves from the crowd, and then hurried after Han Jingyang.