Chapter 232

After arranging all this,

we just need to wait.

Shangguan Zhuren called Xiao Fang, asking her to go from Qi He Mine to Zaocheng Xin Cheng,

to find Li Ming,

and tell him my situation, so he won't worry.

Then have Li Ming inquire about the current situation in Xin Cheng.

Xiao Fang quickly went from Qi He Mine to Xin Cheng.

Currently Qi He Mine production is stable,

but Zaocheng Mining Group's repayment speed is too slow,

the initial funds have all been used in production, and no dividends have been distributed.

This matter needs to be handled slowly.

I want to wait until next year to distribute dividends; this has already been discussed with Ye Jianming and Xiao Feng, and they agree.

I also need to find time to visit Qi He Mine.

Because Xiao Feng told me,

Xu San is seriously ill and hospitalized.

Xu San's health used to be fine; I have been supporting him. After all, he once helped me. Since his wife died, Xu San's health has deteriorated.

Xu San has had a hard life: his son Huimin died in a mining accident, and his daughter was shot.

He has become a lonely old man; his only relative is Zhengzheng, his grandson.

I have already told Xiao Feng to try to contact Zhengzheng,

and have Zhengzheng visit Xu San in the hospital, which would be the greatest comfort for the elderly.

Actually, I would rather go see Xu San myself.

In his final days, accompanying him would repay his past kindness of taking me in and letting me follow him in Zaocheng to learn pig farming; otherwise I would not have been able to establish myself in Zaocheng.

Although Xu San's wife treated me poorly, that was unavoidable; back then everyone was poor and quarreled over a meal.

But Xu San treated me well, which could be considered repaying the friendship between him and his bachelor father.

I have been supporting Xu San, built him a big house in Zaocheng, so he can live with dignity.

The old acquaintances are passing away one by one,

I feel reluctant, but the passage of time cannot be changed.

I am lost in thought.

There's nothing I can do, Uncle Xu; I cannot visit you, hoping you can forgive me. I murmur this in my heart.

At this moment, Xiao Fang rushed in from outside, panicked,

seeing me,

she said: "Brother Jianqiang, something bad has happened."

I hurriedly asked: "What happened?"

"Li Ming was arrested by Kong Shi." Xiao Fang said anxiously.

After hearing Xiao Fang's words, I felt as if my head had been struck heavily.

My head immediately went dizzy,

I could barely stand at this moment.

Xiao Fang rushed over to support me,

"Brother Jianqiang, how are you?"

I swayed but did not fall,

"Li Ming, when was he arrested by Kong Shi? How is my foster mother, and Zhou Wei, Ru Meng, and the others?"

I asked Xiao Fang urgently.

Xiao Fang said then: "I didn't go to Li Ming's home; I only went to his workplace. The people at Li Ming's unit told me that yesterday, Li Ming was taken away by city officials, and there has been no news since.

Brother Jianqiang, don't worry; I will go to Li Ming's home to check."

I shouted: "I will go. I must see them and protect them."

After hearing my voice, Shangguan Zhuren hurriedly came out of the room,

and asked Xiao Fang: "Xiao Fang, what's wrong?"

Xiao Fang said: "I just returned from Xin Cheng; Li Ming was taken away by city officials. Brother Jianqiang, we need to go to Li Ming's home to check."

Shangguan Zhuren then said to me: "Jianqiang, you must stay calm. You must not go; otherwise, how will we proceed with our plans?"

The leg I had stepped forward pulled back,

yes, going now would fall right into Kong Shi's trap; Kong Shi once met me and said he would use Li Ming to force Zhao Jianqiang out, but I did not agree at the time.

Kong Shi also agreed; damn it, this guy goes back on his word, truly despicable,

he still laid hands on Li Ming. What should we do?

If I go out to Li Ming's home, Kong Shi will be able to catch me.

Yeah, how can I take revenge then?

My tears streamed down.

My heart is full of my foster mother, Ru Meng, Zhou Wei, and the others. If Li Ming is arrested, I will become a fugitive; what will become of them?

I am anxious.

Shangguan Zhuren looked at me,

He said to me: "Jianqiang, I know how you feel now; the more like this, the more you need to stay calm. Calm thinking is what a truly mature man does."

If you go back now, not only will you not be able to take revenge, but you'll only make things worse.

We can use other methods to save Li Ming.

After listening to Shangguan Zhuren's words,

I forcibly swallowed my tears.

I know crying now won't help at all.

Only by drying my own tears can I strike a blow at the enemy.

Xiao Fang said, "Jianqiang brother, I'm heading back to Zaocheng right now to check on Li Ming's place and help you learn the situation there."

I said, "Xiao Fang, don't go for now, because my foster mother Qian Niang and others don't know you either, and even if you went she wouldn't believe you. Please make another trip to Qi He Kuang, have Xiao Feng bring Xiao Long back home."

Let Xiao Feng go back first to see how things are at home; my foster mother Qian Niang knows Xiao Feng.

Upon hearing that,

she immediately said, "All right, I'll head to Qi He Kuang right now to find Xiao Feng and have her come back with me. Who is Xiao Long?"

I said, "He's Li Ming's son, my former secretary. You might have met him."

"Oh, I understand." Xiao Fang said that and quickly left the guesthouse.

I took out my phone here; I need to make arrangements with Xiao Feng.

Xiao Feng's phone was quickly connected,

Xiao Feng asked over the phone, "Jianqiang, what are you busy with now? Why don't you come to Qi He Kuang to have a look? Production is normal now."

I said to Xiao Feng, "Xiao Feng, the matters at Qi He Kuang are not important; there is something you must attend to immediately."

Xiao Feng asked over the phone, "What matter, so urgent?"

I said, "Xiao Fang just came back and said Li Ming was arrested by the city; I've already sent Xiao Fang back to have you and Xiao Long rush to Li Ming's home to check it out."

My foster mother Qian Niang knows you,

you let my foster mother Qian Niang know that I'm still alive, so she doesn't have to worry; I'll find a way to save Li Ming. Also, check on how Zhou Wei is doing.

If that's not possible, have them move out of here quickly, because the next step might be a raid and confiscation of property.

In such cold weather, we can't let the elderly and children suffer. I'm not in a position to show myself right now.

After hearing what I said, Xiao Feng quickly said, "Ah, Li Ming being arrested by the city must be the work of Kong Shi and his lot again."

Jianqiang, don't be anxious; I can understand how you feel.

I'll wait for Xiao Fang to come, then we'll go check on Li Ming's home; if that's not possible, we'll bring Zhou Wei to the mine, which also has a hospital.

Let's bring Qian Niang, Ru Meng and the others over as well; the mine has food and lodging, plus heating.

You can rest assured.

Hearing Xiao Feng's words, I felt much relieved. Fortunately I had bought Qi He Kuang.

Otherwise, where would this whole family go?

I said over the phone to Xiao Feng, "Xiao Feng, go about your business; keep me updated on any developments."

Xiao Feng said, "All right, Jianqiang."

Then she hung up.

After Xiao Feng hung up, I plopped down on the ground, gazing in the direction of Zaocheng Xin Cheng.

I silently prayed in my heart,

I hoped that Zhou Wei, Ru Meng, Qian Niang and He Qing would be alright.

They are everything to me.