Chapter 202

After I finished speaking,

Shangguan Zhuren then clapped his hands.

You, Zhao Jianqiang, are really smart. Back then, Mayor Huang specifically told me about you, saying you handle things discreetly and pay attention to details—you're someone capable of big undertakings.

I know everything about Bai Lang. I've been worried sick about how to deal with that guy, never expecting he'd suddenly get into a car accident—turns out it was you pulling the strings.

That's really fun.

You really can handle big undertakings. I'm really impressed. Come, let's have another round.

Shangguan Zhuren happily raised his wine cup.

I quickly clinked glasses with Shangguan Zhuren.

I said, 'Shangguan Zhuren, don't praise me. These are shady matters; better not mention them.'

You don't understand this, do you? In the past, the art of kingship emphasized yin and yang. What is yin and yang? It's one bright, one dark.

Some things must be done openly, others must be done secretly.

If everything were done openly, I believe everyone would rebel.

If everything were secret, who would still follow him?

The so-called art of kingship is just balancing yin and yang.

You use these dark methods against those scoundrels.

No matter how you deal with them, it's not excessive, so don't let it weigh on your mind.

But as long as you don't use these things against others all the time, it's fine. Now we are in a weak position.

What to do? Using open schemes would cause a very bloody death; only secret schemes can deal with them.

Shangguan Zhuren asked, 'Do you still have that mi mi incense you mentioned earlier?'

I shook my head,

I used to have some stock, but I gave it all to Wei Dongqing, letting that guy drink it all; now I have none left.

Shangguan Zhuren asked again, 'You got it from Lao Wai; can you still get in touch with him?'

I said, 'Lao Wai has been locked up in Shanghu Prison all this time; he should be out by now after fifteen years. I haven't been in touch with him for ages, and I don't know his current situation.'

Shangguan Zhuren said while smoking, 'If we find Lao Wai, we can find the mi mi incense.'

Not necessarily, because Lao Wai doesn't make mi mi incense; it's made by a man called Lao Mao.

That guy got a life sentence, and I heard he died in prison.

I ate a bite of food and said, 'All in all, it's uncertain whether any mi mi incense remains.'

Shangguan Zhuren said, 'If we had mi mi incense now, that would be good; we need to deal with Zhou Fuhai. I haven't slept well these past few days and really can't think of a good plan.'

Because in a few days, Zhou Fuhai will come to Zaocheng.

How to kidnap him, make him vanish without a trace, then you show up and take his place.

Shangguan Zhuren also took a bite of food and asked, 'Do you understand what I mean?'

I said, 'Of course I understand. Since the two of us couldn't possibly accomplish this on our own, you mean to use mi mi incense to bewitch him, then hide him away so no one will notice.'

Shangguan Zhuren slapped his thigh and said, 'That's exactly what I mean. This way we can easily deal with him.'

I said, 'Zhou Fuhai will surely bring many people when he comes to Zaocheng, so we can't easily approach him.'

Shangguan Zhuren worried, 'This guy keeps a low profile; he likes to come and go alone. If he comes to Zaocheng, it'll be troublesome if Niu Ju sends people to protect him.'

I asked, 'That's certain. About what time will he come?'

Shangguan Zhuren poured another cup of wine and said, 'I don't know; they just said he'll come soon. Who knows if this old guy will actually show up? I'm sure he will—there's so much money at stake, and without higher-ups giving orders, their internal affairs will surely fall into chaos.'

I said, 'Then we still have time; I'll go look for mi mi incense now and ask if Lao Wai is still alive.'

Shangguan Zhuren worried, 'If you go out, I'm worried. I'm afraid someone will recognize you, and then all our efforts will be wasted.'

I said, 'Shangguan Zhuren, my appearance has been altered, my voice changed, my name changed. We've prepared for so long; it's time to go out and meet people. Staying cooped up at home like this, we don't even know how things really are.'

An ugly daughter-in-law will eventually have to meet her in-laws.

Besides, I usually wear a hat and glasses when I go out; I believe no one will recognize me as Zhao Jianqiang.

Shangguan Zhuren said, 'What you say makes sense, but I'm worried you're exposing too much; later it won't be good to impersonate Zhou Fuhai.'

I said, 'I still speak the Zaocheng dialect; I believe no one will remember me.'

Shangguan Zhuren nodded,

Shangguan Zhuren said, 'Let me think; we'll wait a few days until Xiao Fang returns.'

Shangguan Zhuren said, 'I'll have her take you out for a test.'

Shangguan Zhuren said, 'In the meantime, we'll look for Lao Wai to see if we can find mi mi incense.'

I said, 'All right, Xiao Fang is at Qi He Kuang; she's been there a week and should be returning soon. I don't know if Qi He Kuang has resumed production.'

Shangguan Zhuren said, 'It should have resumed production; otherwise she would have called me by now.'

Shangguan Zhuren said, 'Once production resumes, it'll be fine. We have no money now, making many things difficult. Only when we have money can other matters be handled.'

Shangguan Zhuren said, 'Moreover, we're short-handed; just the two of us can't accomplish anything.'

I said, 'Shangguan Zhuren, don't worry about manpower. Among my acquaintances there's Shi Yong, hiding in Shanghu; we haven't been in touch, but one call and he'll come. Also there's Xiao Wu, who has people under him; I can direct all of them.'

Shangguan Zhuren said,

Shangguan Zhuren said, 'That's good. With people we have everything. Let's hold off for now. When Xiao Fang returns, you go find Lao Wai and get some mi mi incense—this stuff is good; it can make people drowsy or drive them mad.'

Shangguan Zhuren said, 'We want Zhou Fuhai to go mad.'

I said, 'It would be simpler to just kill him and avoid future trouble.'

Shangguan Zhuren looked at me and said, 'Jianqiang, you don't understand—we can't cause a death. Besides, Zhou Fuhai is Zhou Renfeng's most trusted man; if we kill him, we'll surely end up in trouble. We want the most stable way to handle this; do you understand?'

I said, 'I certainly understand Shangguan Zhuren's meaning; having held that position for so long, he definitely opposes illegal killing.'

I laughed and said, 'I got it, Shangguan Zhuren. Let's first find the mi mi incense.'

If we can't find it, we'll think of other ways. The road is walked step by step. Three months have passed, you know? In Zaocheng now, fewer people talk about your Da Heng Group; everyone has forgotten this matter. Possibly in another half year, no one will remember you, Chairman Zhao.

I heard Shangguan Zhuren say this,

Then he laughed and said: "I used to think that if my Da Heng Group worked hard to grow bigger and stronger, and did more good deeds to gain more honor, it would let my name be left in history; I only now realize I thought too simply."

In this long river of history, I'm nothing but a fart. Still wanting to leave my name in history, people will forget me in three months.

I even thought that after Da Heng Group gets swallowed by others, someone from Zaocheng would stand up to speak for me.

To talk about our Da Heng Group's achievements.

I never expected to be forgotten so quickly.

After hearing my words, Shangguan Zhuren laughed heartily,

"All I can say is, you're too naive. I ask you, how do you compare to Yellow Market? Who still remembers Yellow Market now?"

People will eventually turn into a pile of dirt.

Buried in the ages.