"Li Xiaofeng?"
Zhang Yao was surprised when he heard this.
In the past twenty years, Li Xiaofeng had never disturbed him, but would prepare a gift for him during holidays.
Other than that, the two rarely interacted with each other, and they maintained a tacit understanding of each other.
But today, Li Xiaofeng suddenly came to his door without even saying hello in advance, which really surprised him:
"Why did he come to me?"
Zhang Yao thought for a while, but without any clue, he shook his head and said:
"Forget it, let's see what kind of medicine he sells in his gourd."
Thinking of this, he ordered: "Please go to the main hall, Gang Leader Li. I will be there later."
"yes."
The housekeeper bowed respectfully.
A moment later, Zhang Yao met Li Xiaofeng again in the main hall of the county governor's mansion.
"this……"
After twenty years, when he saw Li Xiaofeng again, he couldn't help but look dazed.
He still remembered twenty years ago: Li Xiaofeng's appearance looked like he was only in his forties, and his whole body was full of power just sitting down, like a domineering and majestic lion king.
But now: Li Xiaofeng's face is old, his hair is gray, and his back is slightly stooped, making him look senile.
"Lions grow old and heroes grow old..."
Zhang Yao had such an idea in his mind.
Although the Grandmaster can lock his energy and blood, keep his body from falling, and even control his external appearance, there are limits after all.
Judging from Li Xiaofeng's appearance, it is obvious that he is too old and has gradually lost his energy and blood, just like Grandmaster Wang back then.
"Gang Leader Li, long time no see."
He showed a smile and stepped forward to greet him.
"Chief Zhang, it's been a long time."
Li Xiaofeng also forced out a smile and looked at Zhang Yao, who was still "young", with a hint of envy in his eyes.
The two exchanged pleasantries for a few words, and after sitting down again, Li Xiaofeng couldn't help but sigh:
"I haven't seen you for twenty years, but Commander Zhang is still as charming as ever and in his prime."
"Li, on the other hand, is already in his twilight years."
Zhang Yao waved his hand and said:
"There is no such thing as the heyday of Spring and Autumn. I am over sixty and already an old man."
His apparent age is already sixty-three.
Even if his true age is already over fifty, he has reached the end of his life. If he were an ordinary person, he would have half his foot in the coffin.
"Gang Leader Li."
Zhang Yao said a few more polite words before asking about Li Xiaofeng's purpose:
"I wonder why Gang Leader Li paid a sudden visit to Zhang?"
"Nothing else."
Li Xiaofeng shook his head and said calmly:
"It's just bringing up old things again."
"Bringing up old things again?"
Zhang Yao was stunned for a moment before he realized what he was doing and frowned slightly:
"Gang Leader Li means...you still want to invite me to join the Cao Gang?"
"right."
Li Xiaofeng nodded, sighed again, and said:
"Forgive me, Magistrate Zhang, but I have no choice but to shamelessly come to the door."
"I am already ninety-two this year. Even my great-grandson has a son. I don't think I will live for a few more years, but there is no successor in Caobang."
"When I die, the huge Cao Gang will definitely fall apart. My life's hard work will be in vain, and it will be difficult to even save my family..."
Zhang Yao listened to his words and understood his difficulty.
Once Li Xiaofeng dies and Caogang no longer has a master in charge, the business alliance and the government will never let this window go and will definitely suppress him ruthlessly.
Once the Caobang is suppressed, it will be difficult for them to have a second chance to rise.
Li Xiaofeng has been the leader of the gang for decades, and the descendants of the family are too deeply bound to the Cao Gang. Once something happens to the Cao Gang, how can the eggs be destroyed if the nest is overturned?
Therefore, Li Xiaofeng was forced by the situation and had no choice but to seek help from Zhang Yao.
"Counter Zhang."
Li Xiaofeng said sincerely:
"As long as you are willing to join the Cao Gang, I will immediately abdicate and give you the position of gang leader, and I will fully assist you in taking over the power in the gang."
"My only request is that you can take charge of Caobang and protect Caobang and the descendants of my Li family."
Zhang Yao couldn't help but fell silent after hearing what he said.
Li Xiaofeng's conditions can be said to be extremely sincere, which is equivalent to giving up all the foundation he has worked hard for throughout his life.
But there is no way, the power of the Cao Gang is too great, if there is no grandmaster in charge, it is just like a big fat sheep swaggering through the market.
The lesser of two evils, luring a wolf into the house is better than being devoured by a tiger or leopard.
What's more, Zhang Yao has been serving as the governor of Baihe County safely for the past twenty years. He has never been greedy for power, and in Li Xiaofeng's view, he is not an ambitious "wolf".
"... Gang Leader Li."
Zhang Yao was silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly:
"I'm sorry, please forgive me for refusing."
"Twenty years ago, I didn't agree, and I won't agree today."
His tone was calm, but his attitude was very firm.
"this……"
Li Xiaofeng's expression changed and he couldn't help but said:
"Counter Zhang, I know what you are thinking, but there is no need for you to refuse?"
"As long as you go to Jiangdu General Helm, you can still enjoy everything in Baihe City, even better."
"You don't need to worry about help or deal with trivial matters, you just need to stay in Caobang!"
There was even a hint of pleading in his tone at the end.
Logically speaking, the conditions he offered were already very good. I really didn’t expect Zhang Yao to reject it so simply.
"Why……"
Zhang Yao sighed and said helplessly:
"Gang Leader Li, I'm telling you the truth."
"I have been a county guard for twenty years and have enjoyed it for twenty years. I am really tired of it."
"Just before you came to visit, I had already considered leaving White River City and was ready to travel around the world and look around."
After hearing Zhang Yao's words, Li Xiaofeng's complexion suddenly turned pale.
He knew very well that it was very difficult to sway a grandmaster's mind.
But if the Cao Gang has no successors and no new grandmaster, then when he dies, his tragic end is completely foreseeable!
"……call."
Li Xiaofeng was silent for a while, took a deep breath, and seemed to have made some determination:
"Counter Zhang, how about I exchange a secret for you to join the Cao Gang and not leave Jiangzhou?"
"secret?"
Zhang Yao was startled.
"right……"
Li Xiaofeng's tone was erratic, with a hint of hoarseness in his voice:
"I have kept this secret in my heart for decades, and today is the first time I reveal it."
"Believe me, after you hear this secret, you will definitely cancel your plans to travel far and wide."
"oh?"
Hearing this, Zhang Yao showed a hint of curiosity:
"What secret makes you so confident, Gang Leader Li?"
Li Xiaofeng shook his head and said firmly:
"Counter Zhang, you must first promise me that after hearing this secret, you will join our Cao Gang."
Zhang Yao smiled, leaned back in his chair, and said lazily:
"Forget it, I won't listen."
"you……"
Li Xiaofeng's breath stagnated, then he said helplessly:
"Well, let me tell you this secret first, and then you can decide whether to join our Cao Gang."
"That's right."
Zhang Yao laughed and said:
"Since you want to bid, you must show off your goods first, right?"
As he spoke, he loudly ordered all the maids and maids around him to retreat, and then he signaled:
"Gang Leader Li, please."
