Chapter 264: Making Ye Jianming Withdraw His Shares

When I heard Niu Ju say that, a chill ran through my heart.

Li Ming wasn't taken by his men; that's true.

He probably truly doesn't know Li Ming's whereabouts.

The conflict between Niu Ju and Kong Shi is so great that Kong Shi could never tell Niu Ju where Li Ming is hiding.

I sighed and said, "Alright, Niu Ju, I understand; I now urgently need to rescue Li Ming.

I'm afraid if they move Li Ming away, that would be a problem."

Niu Ju said, "That? I can't say. I feel Liu Shiru came to Zaocheng because of this matter.

I can help you inquire about Brother Li Ming's whereabouts.

Alright then, Jianqiang, don't be anxious; in three days I'll get back to you. Wait another three days."

I heard Niu Ju say that,

and could only reply, "Niu Ju, thank you. This matter is a trouble for you."

"Jianqiang, based on what you said, cooperation? Mutual survival. Rest assured, I'll help you,

They catching you is no good for us, because my little braid is in your hand," Niu Ju laughed.

"Niu Ju, you can't speak like that. Although some matters between us are complicated, overall there is no major conflict, which is why we can cooperate. Why I don't cooperate with Kong Shi, right? Because you, Niu Ju, are someone who looks at the big picture, someone capable of great deeds," I praised Niu Ju.

"Enough, Jianqiang, I'm not a three‑year‑old child. Some things we just understand in our hearts, that's enough for cooperation. In three days I'll write you back." Niu Ju said and hung up.

After Niu Ju hung up,

Shangguan Zhuren hurriedly asked, "Jianqiang, how is it, what did Niu Ju say?"

I said, "Niu Ju currently doesn't know where Li Ming is being held, but he said he'll help inquire and will write to us in three days."

Shangguan Zhuren said, "Then we wait three days; after all we have no other channels."

I continued, "We used Kong Xiangju to contact Kong Shi; now Kong Shi's side has started investigating Xiao Wu. That shows Xiao Wu has been exposed, and we are unsafe at Shanghu."

After hearing me finish, Shangguan Zhuren took a drag of his cigarette,

"It seems Shanghu, we absolutely cannot stay there long.

Otherwise they'd swoop in as a pack.

You contact Xiao Wu and have him hide for a few days.

If the situation becomes urgent, we'll all go to Qi He Kuang for a while and discuss then."

I said, "Qi He Kuang can hide so many of us without issue, but I'm afraid that kid Ye Jianming won't be at ease; if he leaks it again, that would be trouble. Now that kid is at odds with Xiao Feng, I sometimes worry about the safety of Qian Niang and Zhou Wei over there."

Shangguan Zhuren stubbed out his cigarette,

"Anyway we have money in hand; if it really doesn't work, have Ye Jianming withdraw his shares and we can wash his money out. He'll voluntarily step back."

I said, "Sure, Bank Manager still has my 8 million; have him transfer that money to Ye Jianming. I'll contact Xiao Feng tomorrow and discuss further."

"That's fine, it's getting late, let's all rest," Shangguan Zhuren said.

I returned to my room,

and contacted Xiao Wu again, telling him to stay safe and to go hide for the next few days.

Xiao Wu said, "Jianqiang, don't worry. I won't go out to hide; going out when I'm unfamiliar with the place, you have to show ID at the door, which is even less safe.

In these years I've saved money and bought two big ships at Shanghu, mainly for shipping; this business is very profitable.

Now it's cold, shipping has stopped, and my two ships are docked inside Shanghu.

Hmph, I've been hiding there these days; food and drink are no problem. Later, just look at my ships and you'll see."

I heard Xiao Wu say that and thought to myself, we're not safe staying at Shanghu if they actually investigate.

Our group will return to Qi He Kuang,

Ye Jianming is completely unreliable; if he does report, Qi He Kuang won't remain.

Xiao Wu, if we can hide on a big ship, we can too; I don't know what it's like inside the big ship, whether winter on the lake is very cold.

I told Xiao Wu, "That's great, then hide there first. If it's too cold on the ship in winter, I'll have Shi Yong bring you some blankets."

"What? You think this big ship is still leaky like before. Now its renovation rivals a hotel; it has diesel generators, air‑conditioning—once you see it, you'll know," Xiao Wu said proudly.

"Alright, Shi Yong and I will find time to check your big ship; if the hotel becomes unsafe, we can all move there," I said.

"Okay, another big ship is reserved for you all," Xiao Wu said.

I said, "Alright, Xiao Wu, that's it."

I hung up after speaking.

The next morning, I contacted Xiao Feng to ask about her situation.

Xiao Feng, after answering the call, said nothing and began to cry,

"Jianqiang, I can't face you. That Ye Jianming is not human."

I heard Xiao Feng crying and hurriedly asked, "Xiao Feng, what's wrong? What did Ye Jianming do, did he report Qian Niang and the others?"

Xiao Feng said, "He used this as a threat, demanding the recent mine's returns be given to him; he wants to withdraw his shares. So the 8 million plus profits are all for him.

I've argued with him countless times; I never expected him to be such a person.

"Jianqiang, I truly can't face you; if this money goes to Ye Jianming, our funds will have no liquidity and the mine will cease production.

If we don't give it to Ye Jianming and he reports Qian Niang and the others, what then? I'm in a tough spot now.

I've wanted to call you many times about this, but I'm afraid once you know, you'll act irrationally.

"Jianqiang, tell me what to do."

Hearing Xiao Feng's intense crying, one can imagine the huge pressure she bears; Ye Jianming is truly despicable, how could a previously agreed matter flip so suddenly?

He's so eager to wash the money out,

for what purpose.

He even uses reporting Qian Niang as an excuse.

I am extremely angry inside. At the moment, all I can do is give Ye Jianming a sweetener, but I must not let him actually report, that would be a massive earthquake.

I comforted Xiao Feng, saying: "Xiao Feng, stop crying, I understand, you don't have any worries, isn't it just a matter of money?"

If Ye Jianming wants to withdraw his shares, that's fine.

We will refund him. Eight million plus dividends, all to him.

But there is one condition: the matter of Qian Niang at Qi He Kuang must never be spoken by him.

I'll tell Ye Jianming again in a moment.

Eight million to him, and try to satisfy his conditions as much as possible.

Xiao Feng heard me say that Ye Jianming would get eight million,

"Jianqiang, where does this money come from? This eight million cannot be given to Ye Jianming lightly; Ye Jianming wants to use it for his son to buy a house in Hu City. I will never give it," Xiao Feng said angrily.

It seems Xiao Feng is still holding a grudge against Ye Jianming.

I said to Xiao Feng: "Xiao Feng, listen to me, now is a critical time,

we must not let Ye Jianming turn against us; if Gan Niang, Zhou Wei, Ru Meng and the others let Liu Shiru capture us, will you let me live?"

Xiao Feng, don't worry about the money; I have cash on hand, some sent by someone.

As long as we pacify Ye Jianming, we can proceed with the next step. Xiao Feng, on this matter you must heed me; in a moment tell Ye Jianming that I agree to his share withdrawal."