Regardless of one's inherent abilities, once in a high position, to secure that position and maintain stability, one must only: combine strength with gentleness, and temper authority with kindness!
These eight characters apply to the attitude of superiors towards subordinates in all industries.
People like Da Fei, I know without even guessing, must have formed factions in Tiandu.
Moreover, his attitude actually represents the attitude of the group behind him.
He advances, I retreat two steps...
He advances two more steps, I retreat three steps...
Retreating and retreating, eventually, there will be nowhere left to retreat!
Therefore, when facing someone like Da Fei, if he advances one step, I advance two. If he dares to disregard me, I dare to curse his mother in public!
After all, I am the Lantern Bearer appointed by Ying Baolin. If I curse him openly in front of everyone, he can only endure it!
If he dares to talk back, on the surface it looks like he is opposing me, even slapping my face, but in reality, it is a public provocation of Ying Baolin's authority!
Talk back? Heh heh! Try talking back again!!!
As for the hundred thousand chips given to Jiang Xiaowan, it was a signal I released.
Don't think you're the only ones who know how to form factions; I do too!
Before the gambling match began, many people saw Jiang Xiaowan and me whispering intimately and exchanging secret words.
So, I might as well take this existing opportunity to openly tell everyone that I also have helpers!
As long as you are willing to follow me, I can eat the meat, and you can get a taste of the soup!
And the meat I eat is carved from those who, in their arrogance, jump out to oppose me.
Once you get a taste of the soup, don't be two-faced and try to please everyone!
Killing three birds with one stone! Hitting three targets with one arrow!
...
As soon as I displayed my thunderous methods, Da Fei's entire expression changed.
Although Da Fei was as arrogant and overbearing as Wang Mingxuan, he was not stupid.
After all, how many of those who hold the position of Dark Lantern are fools?
If winning against Wang Mingxuan earlier led everyone to believe, with a pre-existing notion, that I only won through meticulous observation and had nothing else to impress everyone...
Then, with this operation of combining strength with gentleness and tempering authority with kindness, those with some brains and foresight have already seen through some of the tricks.
Even Queen Bee Yu Shuang showed a rare expression of disbelief and astonishment.
Although it was very brief, I still managed to capture it.
Clearly, the changes in me were significant enough to make even this old rival feel somewhat incredulous.
I did not feel smug about Yu Shuang's displayed shock.
In my eyes, Yu Shuang is a genuine top-tier cheat. Only by facing her in a match can one truly feel the terrifying extent of her skill.
As of now, I am certainly not her equal.
So for now, I will just practice with small fries like Wang Yangming.
As for Jiang Xiaowan, who inexplicably gained a hundred thousand chips, she went from initial confusion to bewilderment in the middle, and now to nervousness, even with a hint of respect within that nervousness.
Based on this alone, I can judge that among Ying Baolin's twelve Dark Lanterns, there are not many who are truly loyal to him.
Jiang Xiaowan is definitely one of them!
Because ever since Ying Baolin appointed me as the Lantern Bearer, she has not shown me the indifferent attitude she used to.
As for Luo Qiweng, I cannot determine her allegiance yet.
Only when I have the opportunity later to test her will I know the result.
As for the others, it depends on who can't resist jumping out next, after Da Fei dares not continue my words...
Less than two minutes later, Chang Ba, the Smiling Tiger, suddenly stood up from the seat next to Da Fei.
After sizing me up from head to toe, Chang Ba looked at me with his signature smile and said, "Little Brother Chen Xiang, Da Fei didn't mean it that way!"
"We brothers are all rough people, without many intricate thoughts. When the boss told us he found a new leader from outside, it would be false to say we wouldn't have any feelings or reactions!"
"Wang Mingxuan is our little brother. Although he speaks his mind, he absolutely has no ill intentions!"
Hearing this, I did not immediately respond, but looked at Chang Ba with a half-smile.
Want to play mind games with me?
I won't speak, I'll just watch your performance quietly!
Seeing that I wasn't engaging, after a fleeting glint of coldness in his eyes, Chang Ba, still with a face full of smiles, said, "Little Brother Chen Xiang, how about this?"
"Since Wang Mingxuan is our little brother, and our little brother lost, as elder brothers, it is our duty to help him regain his standing."
"We will not coerce you, nor will we force you to agree. Let's just have a friendly match where friendship comes first and competition second, without any ill will!"
Holding up three fingers, Chang Ba looked directly at me and said, "Spades, Hearts, Clubs, three Aces. As long as you can find the Ace of Spades from my hand, you win!"
"Conversely, if you can't find it, then we win!"
"Of course, this game shouldn't be played for free, Little Brother Chen Xiang!"
"To show my sincerity, Chang Ba, I will personally put up a million chips! Whether you win or lose, you can take this million chips with you."
"What do you say, Little Brother Chen Xiang, this way you won't feel troubled, right?"
Indeed, none of the people who follow Ying Baolin are simpletons!
On the surface, the game proposed by Chang Ba seems to be in the spirit of "friendship first, competition second."
Moreover, to save my face, Chang Ba "thoughtfully" offered a million chips, which I could take regardless of the outcome.
In reality, if I agree, I am bound to lose.
Because if I lose, it will be Ying Baolin's reputation that is tarnished.
After all, my appointment was announced by Ying Baolin himself in front of everyone.
Therefore, from a certain perspective, my fortune and Ying Baolin's are intertwined.
Earlier, I used Ying Baolin to force Da Fei into silence. Now, Chang Ba, the most skilled at manipulating people within their group, immediately stepped forward and played a move of "treating others as they treat you."
If I don't even dare to accept the million chips that are being given away for free, then no one in the establishment will respect me in the future.
Therefore, with the backing of a million chips symbolizing money, I have no choice but to accept this gamble, even if I have to brace myself for it.
However, even if I have to accept this gamble, I don't intend to be led by the nose by Chang Ba.
So, after a moment of contemplation, I said nothing more, turned around, and walked back to my original seat, sitting down.
"Bring it on!"