Zhang Rao quickly returned to Zhang Mansion and told his father Zhang Shu everything about tonight.
After Zhang Shu heard this, he became furious and cursed: "Mother Hu Jin, our Zhang family has been working as cattle and horses for him to drive for all these years, but I didn't expect him to be so insidious and ruthless. This is obviously to kill the donkey." Could it be that I, Zhang Shu, will become the next Lingshan Tu? Rao'er, it seems that we must take action. We cannot just wait for them to deal with it without any resistance. We must leave a way out for my Zhang family."
After listening to Zhang Shu's complaints, Zhang Rao said at a loss: "Father, but Hu Jin and Yan Zefa are officials, and my Zhang family is a businessman, so I can't defeat them after all."
"Bastard, if you can't fight, do you have to wait for them to fall? I, Zhang Shu, have been in business for so many years. I am not a vegetarian. If I can't do it clearly, let's do it in secret." After Zhang Shu finished speaking, his face was serious with a hint of ghost.
"What does father mean?" Zhang Rao asked, somewhat confused.
Zhang Shu stroked his beard and said: "Didn't we do the ordnance business before? Since Hu Jin has found other iron ore suppliers, our Zhang family will cut off the supply for him in a timely manner. After all, most of the iron ore currently The mine is still supplied by my Zhang family."
After listening to his father's words, Zhang Rao nodded repeatedly, "Yes, since we have found other channels, our Zhang family will not provide him with a confession."
"Go down and handle this matter. Remember to be careful and don't let outsiders get the handle." Zhang Shu told Zhang Rao.
"Father, if the supply of iron ore is simply cut off, I'm afraid it will be difficult to protect yourself. If you want to escape from their power, I think you have to make multiple preparations." After Zhang Rao finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Shu.
Zhang Shu said confidently, "Just do what I just told you to do, and my father will make his own arrangements for the rest."
After listening to his father's words, Zhang Rao exited the study and immediately started to supply iron ore.
After Zhang Rao went out, Zhang Shu immediately wrote a letter, called the secret guard, and ordered him to send the letter to the capital.
Zhang Rao walked around the Zhang family's property all night long. He didn't realize that the Zhang family's property had spread throughout Eling City and was involved in all walks of life.
Everywhere he went, Zhang Rao ordered the people in charge to gradually reduce business dealings with the government. After all, it couldn't be too sudden.
When he arrived at the mineral warehouse, Zhang Rao categorically ordered that from now on he would no longer supply iron ore to the ordnance factory. If anyone came to ask, he would say that there was a problem with the iron ore mining recently and that there was no more ore. In the warehouse of iron ore must also be moved elsewhere.
Under Zhang Rao's arrangement, all the Zhang family's properties were organized and had the same goal. The remaining iron ore was also moved to other places. On the surface, the Zhang family didn't even have any slag left.
Zhang Rao, who had been busy all night, did not forget Li Chouxin's help. At dawn, he bought Eling's special breakfast and came to Sanmiaotang to give it to Li Chouxin. It was a small thing to give the breakfast, but in fact, it was to truthfully inform Li Chouxin of the Zhang family's actions. .
After Li Chouxin heard about it, he said: "Your Majesty is still old-fashioned, but he responded in such a timely manner. But now, it is others who are anxious. After all, they are not completely sure, so they still dare not touch the Zhang family rashly for the time being."
After listening to Li Chouxin's words, Zhang Rao returned to Zhang Mansion to catch up on his sleep with peace of mind. At this time, he had no intention of eating or having fun.
After Zhang Rao left, Li Chouxin told several people in the backyard everything. After listening, they knew that the day of seeing the light of day again was not far away.
Luo Dafu said: "All this is due to the good strategy of Brother Chouxin. Otherwise, with the strength of Brother Chouxin, no one in the whole Eling can take a sword, and all problems can be solved." , but it is inevitable that it will catch people's lips, and now that this is the case, it will not be long before the affair between them will emerge in front of the world, and even if we don't need to take action, the people will not let them go. "
On the other side, Hu Jin's butler Lu Zhe hurriedly reported to Hu Jin outside the door who was still awake: "Sir, something happened!"
"Why are you panicking? What else can happen under my jurisdiction, Hu Qingtian? Don't disturb my dreams." Hu Jin's lazy and impatient voice came from the room.
"Master! Something really happened! News from the ordnance factory." As soon as Lu Zhe finished speaking, Hu Jin pushed open the door and walked out, full of energy, and quickly asked: "What? What happened?"
"Master, the person in charge of the ordnance factory came to report that the iron ore sent by the Zhang family yesterday was not enough to meet this month's supply, at least half of it. However, when I went to the Zhang family early this morning, the response given by the Zhang family There is something wrong with the iron ore mining, and no ore can be mined. Even what was delivered yesterday was the previous inventory, and now the Zhang family doesn't even have any slag." Lu Che reported anxiously.
Hu Jin was shocked when he heard this, "What? What should I do? Where can I ask Ben Shi to mobilize so much iron ore at once? It's not a big deal if the iron ore is gone, but it's a big deal if it can't supply the goods on the first day of next month. It’s only been ten days since I started, so this is really a headache.”
"Yes, sir, the supply of iron ore was cut off too suddenly! It's really difficult." Lu Zhe said from the side.
"In this case, you go quickly and call Yan Sima over. We have something important to discuss." Hu Jin ordered Lu Zhe.
Lu Zhe immediately called for Yan Zefa. Yan Zefa also listened to Lu Zhe's explanation along the way and was worried.
When he met Hu Jin, Yan Zefa said bluntly: "Sir, the supply of iron ore has always been in normal condition. Why was it cut off so suddenly this time? Is there any other hidden reason in it? Besides such a big matter, how could the Zhang family have done so in advance? I didn’t send anyone to report it, could it be the Zhang family’s fault?”
Hearing this, Hu Jin thought thoughtfully, "What you said is not unreasonable. The person who died in Quansheng the day before yesterday died near the Zhang Mansion, and now the supply of iron ore has suddenly been cut off. It is indeed a coincidence. However, the Zhang family has a big business, so it is not a good time to tear up the family right now." When you lose face."
"What do you mean, sir?" Yan Zefa asked in a low voice.
"I think I'll bother Yan Sima for a trip, first to find out what Zhang's family is like, and secondly to see if there is really no iron ore left. We will make a decision after we have the results." Hu Jin said thoughtfully.
Yan Zefa listened to Hu Jin's instructions and planned to hold a banquet in Room 1 on the second floor and invite the Zhang family and his son to the banquet. He wanted to send someone to the Zhang family's iron ore warehouse while the Zhang family and his son were at the banquet. after all.
At noon, an invitation was sent to Zhang's house.
Zhang Rao found Zhang Shu with the invitation. Before he opened the invitation, Zhang Shu said, "Is it the invitation sent by Hu Jin and others?"
Zhang Rao said: "Exactly, it was sent over by Yan Zefa's men, saying that he invited my father and me to a banquet on the second and second floors."
Zhang Shu said: "Then let's take a walk. It seems that they really can't sit still. Let's go and see what they have to say. Also, please go ahead and ask if anyone comes to check on Zhang Shu while we are at the banquet." There is no need to block the home’s warehouse.”
Zhang Rao asked: "Father, why is this?"
"Yan Zefa would not invite my father and son to the banquet at the same time for no reason. He must be full of bad intentions. Since they want to find out, why bother to stop them." Zhang Shu seemed to have understood everything.
"My child understands! Just give the instructions." After Zhang Rao finished speaking, he went out and gave the instructions.
In the evening, as soon as Zhang Shu and his son arrived at the second floor, Yan Zefa was waiting for them at the door. As soon as he saw the two of them arriving, he stepped forward to welcome them with a smile, and went straight to the second floor of the second floor, and walked straight into the weekday restaurant. Room 1 will not be open.
On the other side, after Zhang Shu and his son entered the second and second floors, several people not far from the building hurried to the Zhang family's warehouse where the iron ore was stored.
On the second floor, in addition to the four maids of the building owner Yan Erliang waiting on the side, Yan Erliang was also sitting at the same table.
"I wonder why Sir Yan Sima Yan hosted a banquet and hotel this time? Please tell me the truth." Zhang Shu asked directly without going around in circles.
"Since the head of the Zhang family speaks out, Yan will no longer hide it. Mr. Hu asked me to come. I want the head of the Zhang family to know the true situation of the iron ore supply cutoff." Yan Zefa also said straight to the point.
Seeing that Yan Zefa did not hesitate, Zhang Shu replied: "My Zhang family only learned about the news that the supply of iron ore was cut off this morning. The visitor said that the iron ore mining has encountered a bottleneck, and the original mine can no longer extract any ore. , the Zhang family was caught off guard when we received the news, so we didn’t have time to inform Mr. Hu in time. The ore in stock in the Zhang family’s warehouse was delivered to the ordnance factory by the son himself last night. That’s what happened. Mr. Yan, what questions do you have? "
Zhang Rao on the side heard this and said repeatedly: "Yes, I personally delivered the Zhang family's iron ore inventory to the ordnance factory last night, but I didn't expect that the supply would be cut off today. Now the Zhang family has no inventory at all. ”
After hearing this, Yan Zefa said: "I wonder if Zhang family master has any solution to solve the current urgent need. After all, it is related to your and my interests. If we cannot deliver the goods on time and in quantity on the first of next month, we will lose more than just this transaction." I am afraid that even this line of profit will be cut off, and it will be even harder to do business in the future.”
Zhang Shu said, "At present, Zhang has no other choice, but Master Yan can try to find other suppliers. Maybe he can find a supplier to solve this urgent need."
Yan Zefa shook his head, "Brother Zhang, you said it lightly. Iron ore mining has always required formalities with the relevant departments. Only qualified and powerful people like you can mine it. I Where can I find it all of a sudden?”
Zhang Shu originally wanted to test Yan Zefa about finding other suppliers, but Yan Zefa was confused. However, in Zhang Shu's view, Yan Zefa's performance was all disguised.
Yan Erliang saw that Zhang Shu's path was not going to work, so he looked at Zhang Rao beside him and made up his mind. After all, Zhang Rao had been coveting him for many years, so he thought it would be much easier than Zhang Shu.
Yan Er picked up his wine glass and toasted with a smile towards Zhang Raomei: "Master Zhang, this matter is related to the interests of your family and mine. Please think of a solution, Master Zhang."
Seeing that Yan Erliang was treating him so well for the first time, Zhang Rao became dizzy for a moment and said, "The poster is too polite. That is Zhang Rao's responsibility." Then he picked up the wine glass and drank it happily.
Yan Erliang saw that there was an opportunity for a breakthrough in Zhang Rao's attitude, and then said: "Mr. Zhang, why did the supply stop so suddenly this time? This is too sudden. If it doesn't go well, I'm afraid we will all have to drink from the northwest wind. Woolen cloth."
Zhang Rao was elated when he saw Yan Erliang with a gentle attitude, but he also understood the seriousness of the matter, so he said: "The poster doesn't have to worry, although this matter will cause some losses, but our Zhang family will not be ruined. If the poster is willing, Zhang Rao can also protect him for a lifetime."
Yan Erliang heard Zhang Rao's words and continued to pursue, "Mr. Zhang, I have to live alone, but my father has an official position, and there is Mr. Hu on top. If we don't handle it well, it will be extremely difficult to do well. If the young master takes it seriously, If this matter can be resolved, the little girl will fulfill the young master's wish, which will be good for you and me, and we no longer have to worry about my father."
Yan Zefa also said: "If you and I can form a good relationship with Qin and Jin on this matter, then it will not be in vain. But now we still have to decide on the iron ore matter. If it comes to pass, I, Yan, will do it myself." Make the decision to betroth two taels to Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Rao listened to the bombings one after another, wishing he could do something to the graceful Yan Erliang in front of him now.
At this moment, Zhang Shu interrupted in time, "What Mr. Yan said is naturally Zhang's wish, but judging from the current situation, the supply problem cannot be solved for a while. I have already ordered the people at the mine to go down We need to find some mining sites again, but it will take more than ten days to see the results of all the preparations. Besides, it is still unknown whether the mines will be found if we continue digging. I am afraid it is too early to talk about marriage at this time."
Zhang Shu understood in his heart how the dignified owner of the second floor could like his son. Although this son had a distinguished life, he was used to being romantic. Although he had always liked Yan Erliang, Yan Erliang had never paid attention to him. He was like this today. , it’s just a sugar-coated bullet.
Hearing Zhang Shu's interruption, Zhang Rao woke up from his beautiful fantasy and took over the words: "What my father said is absolutely true. Although it is my nephew's wholehearted wish to join hands with the owner of Erliang Building, at this time I absolutely cannot This is not the time to talk about this. The problem of iron ore supply is also difficult to solve in the short term. I’m afraid we can only do our best and let fate.” After that, he picked up the wine glass and drank a glass.
The father and daughter of the Yan family saw that the father and son of the Zhang family were unwilling to give in, and there was nothing they could do, so they could only raise glasses and chat and laugh with each other.
Time had almost passed. Zhang Shu thought that the people sent by Yan Zefa to investigate the Zhang family had almost obtained results at this time. He picked up the wine glass and said: "Sir Yan, it's getting late today and I'm drunk. That's it for now. Well, I will invite Mr. Yan and Miss Erliang to visit Zhang Mansion some other day, and then we will get drunk before resting."
Yan Zefa also estimated that it was almost time for the people sent out to come back, so he did not politely ask to stay, saying: "In that case, Yan will thank you in advance, and I will definitely bring my daughter to visit me someday."
Zhang Shu pretended to be drunk and walked out of the second floor with Zhang Rao's help, got into the sedan at the door, and went back to Zhang's mansion.
"Father, this is not your drinking capacity. You usually drink a lot." Zhang Rao said to Zhang Shu.
Zhang Shu woke up instantly and said: "Of course it's a disguise, otherwise I would have been dragged away by the father and daughter for a long time."
Zhang Rao nodded and said, "Father, what should we do next?"
Zhang Rao said: "We won't be the ones to move next. It depends on how they act. We can just act as usual. You should have fun and drink. It's best to keep your original cynical appearance as a rich man. But don't do it." Don’t let anything slip through.”
"My child understands." Zhang Rao echoed.
The people sent by Yan Zefa also returned to the second and second floors to report everything.
"Sir, my subordinates have already checked several warehouses of the Zhang family. Most of the workers have evacuated. There are only one or two guards guarding the door. We didn't stop them too much when we went there. But in each warehouse, except for some miscellaneous things, Apart from the objects, there is no trace of ore, so it seems that the Zhang family is really out of ore."
After his men finished speaking, Yan Zefa was furious: "Damn it, what can we do? If the supply of ore is really gone, then there will be a hole in the sky that is difficult to repair."
Yan Erliang said: "Father, is there really no other supplier?"
Yan Zefa said: "There must be suppliers, but there is no time to find them in such a short time. Besides, if we find them, they may not agree to the deal. After all, it is a decapitation business."
"That's all, I'd better report to Mr. Hu first and ask Mr. Hu to make a decision." After saying that, Yan Zefa hurried to Hu Jin's mansion.
When they arrived at Hu Jin's mansion, Yan Zefa told everything.
Hu Jin was upset after hearing this. Said: "It seems that it is inevitable that the Zhang family has done something. It seems that the Zhang family cannot stay, but this matter cannot be rushed. You can go down first and let me think about it."
Yan Zefa left Hu Jin's mansion and returned to the second floor where he found Yan Erliang.
"Daughter, it seems that this is a deliberate trick by the Zhang family. There are many talented people on the second and second floors of your house. Why don't you send some people out to see where the Zhang family has hidden the iron ore? As long as they check When the iron ore was hidden and found out, it was the day the Zhang family disappeared in Eling." Yan Zefa said seriously to Yan Erliang.
"I understand, father, my daughter will give the order now."
It didn't take long for a group of people to run in all directions from the second and second floors and began to secretly explore the Zhang family's hiding place of iron ore.
In Sanmiao Hall, several people were having a dinner together with laughter and laughter. This was the happiest day for them and also the liveliest day in these days.
"Brother Chou Xin, I've worked hard for you these days. If you hadn't promised to help my Ling family, I would have met with something unexpected long ago, let alone being able to return to Eling City. Although I can't show my face, I believe that that day I won’t wait too long. Brother Chouxin, Ziwei will give you a toast first.”
Li Chouxin looked at Ziwei's serious look, picked up the wine glass and said to Ziwei: "Ziwei doesn't need to see anyone outside. Since we are acquainted, it must be fate, and that day will come sooner or later." After saying that, he clinked glasses with Ziwei, and then they finished the wine. .
At this time, Ling Shantu also picked up the wine glass, looked at Ziwei who had just sat down, and then looked at Li Chouxin next to him, and said slowly: "Master Li, you saved the lives of the four members of my Ling family. I have been running around for my Ling family's affairs, but I have no repayment for my journey in Lingshan. Today, General Luo Dafu is also here. I will ask General Luo to testify that I intend to betroth my daughter Ziwei to you. If the young master Yes, the day when Hu Jin and others are imprisoned will be the day when you two get married. I wonder what you want?" After saying this, he clinked the wine glass in Li Chouxin's hand and drank the wine.
Li Chouxin, who was standing by with a glass of wine in hand, didn't know how to respond. He only felt his heartbeat speeding up and his face getting hot.
Ziwei's cheeks turned red with embarrassment and she lowered her head, waiting for Li Chouxin's response.
Before Li Chouxin could react, Zhu Wei stood up and made a fuss, "Father is partial, it's not fair! It's not fair! Zhu Wei wants to marry brother Chouxin too!"
When a group of people heard Zhu Wei's voice, they burst into laughter.
Li Chouxin recovered from the burst of laughter, drank the wine in his hand, looked at the expectant eyes of everyone, and said slowly: "Miss Ziwei is a beautiful woman, Chouxin likes her, but Chouxin is not here. If she wanders around the world in the future, I'm afraid I failed Miss Ziwei.”
Upon hearing this, Ziwei's expectant face suddenly showed a hint of disappointment, but Ziwei, who had already known what Chou Xin was thinking, did not leave. Instead, she picked up the wine glass and spoke out the oath that Chou Xin made that night when she saved others, and then continued: "Brother Chouxin, Ziwei is willing to hold hands with you to the end of the world, not afraid of wind and rain."
After hearing this, everyone was impressed by Ziwei's bravery and began to persuade Li Chouxin.
"Brother Qianxin, for such a good girl, you shouldn't let her down. You'd better agree quickly." Lodav said from the side.
"Young Master, I've said so much. I hope you will think about it carefully," Mrs. Ling said.
"Brother Chou Xin, just agree, otherwise my sister will never marry again. Also, marry me by the way." Zhu Wei was also persuading.
Seeing Li Chouxin's hesitation, Ling Shantu said: "This matter is too old and abrupt, but since it has been brought out, please consider it carefully, Mr. Chouxin. Anyway, there is still some time before Hu Jin goes to jail, so there is no need to rush this." For a while.”
Hearing this, Li Chouxin said: "Thank you uncle, Chouxin will think it over carefully." After saying that, he looked at Ziwei affectionately.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the two of them have been secretly in love for a long time, but their respective choices have hindered deeper communication between the two.
After a while of fun, everyone cleaned up the yard and went back to the house to rest. However, tonight was destined to be a sleepless night for Li Chouxin and Ziwei.
Li Chouxin simply took out the Heart-Inducing Technique and continued practicing to consolidate his cultivation, while Ziwei tossed and turned for a long time without falling asleep.
At this time, in the city of Eling, a disturbing change was slowly brewing in the deep night.
