Chapter 332: Night Talk with Zhu Sheng

I said, "He Zuming said that Da Heng Group is just a unit in Zaocheng, but out there, compared with other enterprises, it's truly a small witch meeting a big witch."

"Jianqiang, taking you to Sijiucheng is to broaden your horizons," Zhu Sheng said with a smile.

"I came to Sijiucheng, meeting He Zuming is not a wasted trip, and hearing the old‑country stories he told was truly eye‑opening. Ding Li poured wine. Let's have another drink," I said happily.

Ding Li quickly filled the three of our cups to the brim.

At that moment, Zhu Sheng lifted his cup,

"Today's conversation has been delightful, Jianqiang, I have just one sentence for you,

Rise and fall, a fleeting dream of splendor; only the mountains and rivers remain like years gone by."

"The former glory no longer matters; prosperity is like a dream,

We are your mountains and rivers, your acquaintances from years past; come, let's drink." Zhu Sheng finished and drained his cup.

"Well said, mountains and rivers like years gone by. Old Zhu, I feel it's like a white‑haired fisherman on a river islet, all affairs of past and present reduced to a laugh," He Zuming said with a smile.

"Indeed, when life is in its prime one must revel; do not let the golden goblet face the moon empty. Come, drink up," I said.

"Then I'll accompany the three elders; let's all toast together," Ding Li said, also holding his cup.

The four of us clinked glasses,

and then we all drained our cups together.

He Zuming said, "We've had a satisfying drink today, but we must not overindulge. Alright, the meeting is adjourned; tonight, Jianqiang, where will you stay?"

I replied, "We've just arrived and haven't looked for a hotel yet."

"My little inn only fits one person. Old Zhu, you stay with Jianqiang tonight; don't crowd with me. It's a good chance for you to chat with Jianqiang," He Zuming said.

It seems He Zuming also has no fixed residence in Sijiucheng, staying in a small inn. It's unclear why he drifts here.

I said, "Alright, we'll follow He Zuming's arrangement. Ding Li, go settle the bill; later we'll book two rooms at the hotel."

"Got it," Ding Li stood up and left.

The three of us rose and left the table.

I invited He Zuming to stay at the hotel together, but He Zuming declined,

saying that once at the hotel he wouldn't be able to sleep; he's accustomed to the small inn's environment.

Then we let him be.

Zhu Sheng, Ding Li and I entered a business hotel.

Ding Li booked two standard rooms.

He took one room for himself; Zhu Sheng and I shared another.

At that moment, Zhu Sheng pulled two packs of cigarettes from his pocket,

"Jianqiang, we need to have a serious talk tonight. I have many things to tell you."

I took out a cigarette and handed it to Zhu Sheng,

"Indeed, Zhu Sheng, I also have many questions for you."

Zhu Sheng laughed heartily,

and lit his cigarette,

"This time bringing you to Sijiucheng is, to be honest, a reluctant move.

Our opponent is far too powerful.

Sometimes I feel so powerless, even a bit discouraged; dealing with Zhou Renfeng is truly difficult."

Hearing Zhu Sheng's sigh,

"Zhu Sheng, has Shangguan Zhuren reported to you? I have Shen Honghong in my hand, and here I hold criminal evidence against Zhou Renfeng.

Also Zhou Fuhai's phone and computer; they contain his criminal records, all evidence against Zhou Renfeng.

We only need to present them, and Zhou Renfeng will be finished quickly." I also lit a cigarette, inhaling as I spoke.

"Shangguan Zhuren told me, all of this is thanks to you.

Without you, how could we catch the big fish Zhou Fuhai? And also that woman Shen Honghong,

but have you considered who to hand this evidence to? We must find someone stronger than Zhou Renfeng to act, only then can we bring him down.

Otherwise, the evidence is useless.

I'm speaking the truth; if there isn't someone stronger than Zhou Renfeng to back us, we'll remain a dream," Zhu Sheng said helplessly at this point.

Zhu Sheng, I'm worried; what can I do? I have no acquaintances in Sijiucheng, no social connections.

I also don't know how to answer Zhu Sheng's words.

I asked Zhu Sheng, "Zhu Sheng, how did you end up with He Zuming? How did he rescue you? Could you tell me?"

"I was falsely accused and fell into a trap. Everyone I could reach was scared and kept their distance,

Fortunately, my old schoolmate Mei Ge was doing reasonably well in Sijiucheng; with his strong protection, I managed to survive that ordeal.

Feeling aggrieved, I came to Sijiucheng to seek connections and appeal my case.

But who could have imagined that shortly after arriving, I was captured.

And I was seized as a drifter.

The ones who grabbed me were Zhou Renfeng's subordinates; they specifically target people who come to Sijiucheng to inquire.

If Zhou Renfeng catches you, there's an 80‑90% chance you'll be finished.

A roommate of mine, surnamed Wang, who lived near Xinfa Di and came to inquire because of demolition, was also captured,

He talked with me about Divine Fortune Calculator He Zuming at the Xinfa Di bus station,

He warned him never to ask about demolition, lest it bring prison disaster, but he ignored it and persisted,

and indeed he was arrested.

I heard his description of He Zuming's appearance; it was much like He Zuming of Zaocheng.

You also know that when I was governing Zaocheng, I had a few encounters with you and He.

I thought, now being trapped here,

I must find a way out, otherwise no one would know if I die here.

That roommate surnamed Wang, being a local, had his family pull strings, and he was quickly released.

Before he left, I asked him to give He a letter, to see if he could remember me, and then help me contact Mei Ge to get me out.

He this time exerted great effort,

he knows the chief who oversees this place, and he quickly rescued me.

Then I stayed with him ever since. Without He, I might have been finished long ago," Zhu Sheng sighed.

"Zhu Sheng, how did you know about Zhou Fuhai, and how did you contact Shangguan Zhuren, then have Shangguan Zhuren find me?" I asked.

"After I got out of there, I quickly found Mei Ge.

Mei Ge and I discussed how to overthrow Zhou Renfeng, and came up with the plan to replace Zhou Fuhai; at that time, your Da Heng Group had already run into trouble,

I thought of you, so I had Shangguan Zhuren contact you. That's why the whole plastic‑surgery impersonation of Zhou Fuhai happened."

"Zhu Sheng, why would Mei Ge dare take such a huge risk to help us eliminate Zhou Renfeng? It's not just old classmate sentiment; you know taking Zhou Renfeng down is very risky, and no one wants to risk their own head for others."

Zhu Sheng looked at me,

"Jianqiang, that's a good question. Yes, the reason Mei Ge helped me is mainly because,

his son died at the hands of Zhou Renfeng—more precisely, at the hands of Zhou Renfeng's son, Zhou Jie.

A few years ago, Mei Ge's son took his girlfriend to a discotheque in Sijiucheng,

Zhou Jie happened to be there too, saw Mei Ge's son's girlfriend was beautiful, and began to harass her.

So Mei Ge's son got into a quarrel with Zhou Jie.

Mei Ge's son was angry; he actually slapped Zhou Jie.

That slap brought about a disaster.

On the way out of the discotheque, Mei Ge's son and his girlfriend had a car accident; Mei Ge's son died miserably in the car.

Everyone knew who caused the accident, but no one dared to confront Zhou Renfeng, so it was treated as an ordinary traffic accident.

Thus Mei Ge's son died in vain. Mei Ge could only endure it.

Why does Mei Ge help us? He wants to avenge his son.