landbeastnovel Chapter 55 Li always liked to take big risks and make big profits in business!
Chapter 55 Li always liked to take big risks and make big profits in business!
"You have to consider the owner before you beat a dog. The reason Qin Hu has been able to run rampant at the East City Wharf all these years is ultimately because of the power of the Wang family behind him."
"The Wang family has people in the county government's armed forces and household registration department, and their influence is deeply entrenched. Unless absolutely necessary, my Li family is unwilling to easily break ties with them. That is why I avoided meeting them before."
Zhang Yuan nodded slightly in understanding after this heartfelt conversation.
Upon hearing this, Wang Quanfu, who was standing to the side, moved his lips and tried to interject several times.
His mind was still filled with the four words "harmony brings wealth," and seeing that the two sides were getting more and more agitated, even on the verge of overturning the table, he was extremely anxious.
But looking at Li Decai's solemn expression and Zhang Yuan's unfathomable eyes, he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth, feeling a chill rise up his spine.
Zhang Yuan keenly sensed Wang Quanfu's hesitation, turned his gaze to him, and said calmly, "Does Uncle think this matter is difficult? Indeed, to deal with the Black Tiger Gang, which is rooted in the east of the city and has powerful backers, is as difficult as climbing to heaven for me, Zhang Qingyang, alone."
He changed the subject, looking at Li Decai with a tone of unquestionable trust.
"But for Uncle Li, who runs the Li family and has extensive connections, this is nothing more than a trivial matter. In Fengming County, who doesn't know Uncle Li's prestige and influence?"
The compliment was perfectly placed, and a hint of smugness flashed across Li Decai's face, making him seem to straighten his back a little.
Zhang Yuan continued, his voice calm yet carrying a chilling, penetrating force: "Now that my cousin and I have come to you for help, there is no turning back. The Black Tiger Gang must be eliminated. Otherwise, the damage will be far more than just my personal reputation..."
He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping across the hall like a razor's edge, and the air seemed to freeze instantly.
"But..."
He uttered the unfinished words softly.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, the invisible pressure was clearly felt by both Li Decai and Wang Quanfu—it would damage the Li family's reputation and prestige!
Even more so, there was the questioning of the Li family's capabilities by Chen Wenyuan and the forces behind him!
Inside the lobby, only the rustling of the wind through the trees outside the window could be heard, creating a heavy atmosphere that was almost suffocating.
Li Decai's expression shifted repeatedly before finally settling into a solemn one.
He remained silent for a long time, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, making a soft, rhythmic sound.
After a long silence, he slowly nodded, his eyes sharp as an eagle: "My nephew is absolutely right. Now that things have come to this point, and since my Li family has agreed, it's not simply a matter of settling scores, but about establishing our authority!"
"We must let everyone in Fengming County see clearly what will happen to those who mess with someone valued by the Li family!"
He stroked his chin, seemingly weighing a deeper plan: "Actually, my dear nephew, in my original opinion, there was no need to be so drastic."
"I'll personally take you to the Wang family. With my influence, explaining the pros and cons, it won't be difficult for them to give up on Qin Hu, that mad dog. The Wang family will weigh the pros and cons and will most likely agree."
His tone suddenly shifted, his gaze fixed on Zhang Yuan: "However... I'm afraid that the plans of the Counselor and you, cough, or rather, the Counselor's plans, extend far beyond just the Black Tiger Gang, don't they?"
He had completely regarded this game as being played by Chen Wenyuan, with Zhang Yuan as the key executor and mouthpiece.
Since Counselor Chen has gone to such lengths to make arrangements, his objective must be quite obvious.
Zhang Yuan met Li Decai's scrutinizing gaze without flinching. A faint, yet icy smile played on his lips as he clearly uttered a few words:
"What's the use of a knife if it doesn't kill?"
"Sizzle—"
Wang Quanfu, who was standing to the side, felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and the hairs on his body stood on end!
He stared at Zhang Yuan in utter horror.
This is completely different from what he said last night about "harmony bringing wealth"!
The smile on Li Decai's face vanished completely, replaced by the scrutiny and solemnity of a merchant facing a rare commodity.
He stared intently into Zhang Yuan's unfathomable eyes, which burned with a calm flame, as if trying to pierce through the body of this eight-year-old child to see whether a tiger cub or a dragon was hidden beneath them.
He remained silent, and the air seemed to freeze.
The Li family had already begun investing in Zhang Yuan.
The lost bet is a disguised gesture of goodwill.
But those riches were nothing more than a drop in the ocean to Li Decai, not worth mentioning.
But things are different today. If we get involved, we'll not only offend the Black Tiger Gang, but also the Wang family behind it.
This involves a lot of issues.
a long time.
Li Decai suddenly burst into laughter again, his loud laughter filled with a sense of excitement and determination.
"Good! Good! Good!"
He said "Good!" three times in a row!
He forcefully closed the golden knife-shaped paper in his hand, and the phantom image also disappeared into the paper, leaving only a faint golden glow flowing on the ink.
"What a fine 'What use is a knife if it doesn't kill!' Nephew, I accept this 'request for advice'!" He waved his hand and shouted to the steward, "What are you all standing there for? Open the main gate! Please invite your nephew and Manager Wang into the mansion for tea!"
……
Inside the hall.
The precious rosewood furniture exudes a dignified and elegant atmosphere, while the antique display shelves are filled with exquisite porcelain and antiques, and the air is permeated with a refined fragrance.
A maidservant served steaming hot tea; in the exquisite white porcelain teacup, tender green tea buds floated in the clear liquid.
Li Decai's face beamed with a warm yet shrewd smile, as if the astonishment and scrutiny he had just witnessed at the door had never happened.
He did not immediately put away the page of paper that shimmered with golden light. Instead, he laid it flat on the rosewood table beside him, and a well-maintained hand with large, thick fingers slowly pressed down on the page.
His fingertips could clearly feel the slight undulations of the paper, and the lingering, sharp, needle-like scent on it.
He stared intently at Zhang Yuan, who was sitting quietly sipping tea at the lower end of the table, his astonishment and calculations churning like boiling water.
This child is only eight years old, yet he can so perfectly blend Confucian and Taoist methods with the killing intent of the battlefield?
What exactly did Chen Wenyuan teach him?
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but he showed no sign of it on his face.
"My dear nephew!" Li Decai's voice was loud and clear, full of an elder's admiration for a younger generation. "To see you 'asking for advice' like this today has truly broadened my horizons!"
"How long has it been since you began your training with the counselor? In just a few months, you've truly learned a great deal about Confucian methods!"
As he spoke, he gently stroked the paper with his palm, feeling the sharpness of the strokes, as if he were weighing the value of a rare treasure.
Zhang Yuan put down his teacup, his expression calm and unwavering, as if Li Decai was not praising him.
He nodded slightly, his voice clear and melodious: "Teacher's teaching is excellent. I have only followed the example and gained some knowledge. I dare not accept such high praise from you, Uncle."
Wang Quanfu listened from the side, feeling his throat go dry.
He looked at the paper, still gleaming with gold, that Li Decai had pressed under his palm, then at Zhang Yuan's expressionless face, and recalled the menacing words from the doorway earlier: "What use is a knife if it doesn't kill people?"
This is hardly a case of "harmony brings wealth" seeking reconciliation.
This is clearly a show of force, a declaration of war!
He felt as if he were being roasted over a fire, unable to sit still, and his hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.
Li Decai took in Zhang Yuan's calmness and Wang Quanfu's fear.
He laughed heartily, breaking the silence: "Nephew, you are too modest! The Grand Counselor is a man of extraordinary learning; to receive his complete instruction is already a great opportunity. Your ability to grasp it so quickly is truly a testament to your exceptional talent!"
Zhang Yuan knew perfectly well what was going on.
Uncle Li clearly attributed today's meticulously planned visit, the intimidating presence of the Golden Knife Page, and even the tough stance against the Black Tiger Gang to his teacher Chen Wenyuan's scheme.
That's a normal way of thinking.
No matter how precocious an eight-year-old child may be, in the eyes of others, it would be impossible for them to have such a far-reaching plan and such shrewd methods.
He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, his tone perfectly measured: "Teacher, you have indeed taught me a great deal, and I have benefited immensely from it. You have also said that Uncle Li is an upright and generous man who cares deeply about his hometown. In Fengming County, he is the most reasonable and responsible person. If I encounter any injustice, I will seek your help and you will certainly not stand idly by."
These words were like a gentle spring breeze, precisely scratching Li Decai's itch.
His face instantly lit up with a delighted smile, and he slammed his hand heavily on the table: "Oh? The counselor actually speaks so highly of me in front of my nephew? Hahaha! I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed!"
"However, since the counselor thinks so highly of us, the Li family cannot stand idly by and watch our nephew be bullied by those filthy scoundrels!"
He suppressed his smile, his tone becoming frank, even tinged with helplessness: "Nephew, to be honest, the Black Tiger Gang is nothing but a bunch of local bullies who can't be brought to the table. It wouldn't be too difficult for my Li family to crush them. It's just..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Yuan and Wang Quanfu. He nodded steadily, his words still understated: "Teacher previously wiped out the Green Bamboo Gang with swift and decisive action, shaking the region. But... although the Green Bamboo Gang was destroyed, its roots were not completely eradicated, and remnants still roam the Great River."
"The Guzhu Gang also gathers many desperate criminals, and this time the bandit suppression at Tanjialing..." He paused, not going into details, only saying, "My teacher once said that some of the plans failed to be fully realized due to certain reasons."
"Hiss..." Wang Quanfu gasped, his face turning deathly pale instantly!
He felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight up to the top of his head!
To wipe out the Green Bamboo Gang?
Did the suppression of bandits at Tanjialing still have unfinished plans?
This is not just children playing around; this is clearly a grand scheme orchestrated by the county government's higher-ups to clean up the local area and restore order!
My own nephew has somehow gotten caught up in such a dangerous vortex?
He felt as if he were sitting on the crater of a volcano about to erupt, his heart pounding and his hands and feet turning icy cold.
Li Decai's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he clapped his hands in praise: "Impressive! The counselor is indeed far-sighted! Every step is meticulously planned and executed! However, while planning is up to man, success is up to fate, and some setbacks are inevitable."
He became even more convinced of his judgment.
Zhang Yuan interjected, throwing out the most crucial bait: "If the Black Tiger Gang is wiped out, the territory it has cultivated at the East City Wharf for many years... will be vacated."
"The dock!" Wang Quanfu trembled violently, as if struck by a thunderbolt!
He clenched his fist tightly, his nails almost digging into his flesh.
East City Wharf!
That is the waterway gateway of Fengming County, a golden route for the flow of goods!
The Black Tiger Gang has been in power for many years, and its profits are unimaginable!
This piece of fatty meat...
That piece of fatty meat!
The immense profit made him instantly forget his fear, leaving only a surge of greed and excitement.
If I could get a share of the profits...
No, even just a little bit of oil...
Li Decai's gaze also became incredibly intense. He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and asked with a hint of probing, "The vacant dock... who are you planning to hand it over to? Is it intended for the remnants of the Green Bamboo Gang to be resurrected? Or..."
He stared intently at Zhang Yuan.
"To lure the Guzhu Gang into this trap?"
He asked and answered his own question, appearing confident and composed.
"Nephew, you were once trapped by the Green Bamboo Gang. If you were to support them again, I'm afraid you would find it hard to accept."
"So, it seems the Consul General intends to take this opportunity to bring in the Lonely Bamboo Gang, which still possesses considerable strength but has a grudge against the Green Bamboo Gang, and have them occupy the docks. This would both fill the void and keep the local forces in check?"
Zhang Yuan lowered his eyelids slightly, neither admitting nor denying, but simply remaining silent.
In Li Decai's eyes, this silence was tantamount to acquiescence.
Li Decai felt that he had completely seen through Chen Wenyuan's plan, and a hint of smugness flashed across his face again.
But then he frowned, tapping his finger heavily on the table, showing some difficulty: "Destroying the Black Tiger Gang might just be the loss of a dog for the Wang family. It hurts, but it might not be a fatal blow."
"But to give up such a lucrative piece of the dock... how could the Wang family agree? This would be tantamount to cutting off their arm!"
Just then, Zhang Yuan spoke calmly, his voice not loud, but like a key, instantly unlocking the lock in Li Decai's heart: "Captain Wang is currently at Blackwater Ferry."
"What?!" Li Decai was struck as if by lightning, and suddenly stood up from his seat, staring intently at Zhang Yuan, his pupils contracting violently!
Blackwater Crossing!
It is far from Fengming County, and now evil spirits are causing trouble there.
The county magistrate leads the guards on patrol, and it will take at least ten days to half a month for them to return!
At this critical moment, Wang Chenghuai, the man who relied on the Wang family's military strength, was not even at the county office!
This is absolutely no coincidence!
This is... this is a diversionary tactic!
Li Decai's voice was extremely low, filled with disbelief and horror: "This...this is not just the counselor's scheme..."
"There's more to this than meets the eye... the county magistrate? Is the county magistrate trying to use this opportunity to control the eastern docks and completely..."
He didn't dare say what he was going to say, but his meaning was already obvious.
Completely suppress the Wang family and reorganize the local power structure in Fengming County!
Zhang Yuan remained silent, only slightly lowering his head, as if acknowledging the deeper context.
This gesture is more persuasive than any words.
Wang Quanfu, who was standing to the side, had already turned pale and dared not even breathe.
County Magistrate?!
This seemingly minor Black Tiger Gang incident was actually linked to the county magistrate's scheme.
He felt his mind was not working properly. Looking at Zhang Yuan again, he felt that his eight-year-old nephew was shrouded in an unfathomable fog, making him feel unfamiliar and awe-inspiring.
A deathly silence descended upon the hall once more, broken only by Li Decai's slightly heavy breathing.
A moment later, the shock, hesitation, and weighing of the options on Li Decai's face all faded away, replaced by the excitement and determination of a gambler placing a heavy bet!
"Hahaha!" He suddenly burst into hearty laughter, dispelling the heavy atmosphere. "Excellent! What a brilliant scheme! In business, I, Li, have always preferred to take small risks for potentially huge gains!"
"If we don't gamble this time, wouldn't we be letting down the counselor's high regard? Wouldn't it make you, my dear nephew, look down on my courage?"
He stopped laughing, his eyes becoming sharp and deep, with a kind of worldly wisdom: "Whether it's the Wang family or the Li family, in this Fengming County, they're all the same in the end."
He glanced at Wang Quanfu, who was sitting on pins and needles beside him, and said meaningfully, "Today the Wang family can be suppressed because of the dock issue, who knows if they won't find a pretext to strangle my Li family in business one day?"
"Instead of passively taking a beating, it's better to take the initiative and gain the upper hand!"
Wang Quanfu's lips twitched violently, and he fully understood what Li Decai meant.
In this reshuffling led by the county magistrate, there are no true bystanders.
Rather than being caught in the storm, it's better to proactively choose sides and seize the greatest benefits! Zhang Yuan's visit to the Li family today is giving them an opportunity to choose sides and become the winners!
Without further hesitation, Li Decai called out loudly towards the outside of the hall, "Jintang! Come in and meet your virtuous brother Zhang Qingyang!"