Chapter 359: Contacting Shangguan Zhuren

"Xiao Long doesn't have it, huh? Does Xiao Long want to come here?" Ding Li asked.

"Yes. I want him to bring us money; we don't have much cash right now. I'm afraid there will be checkpoints on the road, and if Xiao Long gets caught, it'll be trouble."

"I want him to contact you, so you can tell him the route, so he knows how to drive." I said.

"Zhao Ge, I see. The road is so far; how can Xiao Long and I explain it clearly over the phone? I'll go back tomorrow and bring Xiao Long over." Ding Li said.

"It's so far and you have to make another trip; that's too hard."

"Zhao Ge, the hardship doesn't matter now; safety is the most important." Ding Li said seriously.

"Ding Li is right; safety is more important than anything. If something happens to Xiao Long on the road, your mind will be in turmoil again," Zhu Sheng said.

"Alright then, Ding Li, I'll trouble you again." I said.

"Based on what Zhao Ge said, how could it be a trouble?"

"Ding Li, you have another matter to handle when you go back to Zaocheng."

"What matter?"

"Go find Lao Wai."

"What are you going to beat him for?"

"Ask him for something."

"Is it that mysterious fragrance?" Ding Li asked.

"Yes, that's the thing." I said.

"Didn't Lao Wai run out? We used it all when rescuing Brother Li Ming in Zaocheng."

"I believe Lao Wai still has stock in his hand; you must find a way to get it all. This thing is very useful; we'll need it in Sijiucheng." I said.

"Alright then, I'll go back, find Lao Wai, and ask him for this thing." Ding Li said.

"Ding Li, it's not about asking Lao Wai; you have to squeeze it out of his hands. I know Lao Wai too well; only by using a hard method, by squeezing, can he give it up."

"This time I go back, I'll definitely squeeze Lao Wai's crap out." Ding Li said.

I laughed heartily after hearing that.

I then said to He Zuming and Zhu Sheng, "It's getting late; let's all rest. Tomorrow we'll carefully plan how to get that cricket jar."

We each returned to our rooms to rest.

At that moment, I thought of something: I should contact Shangguan Zhuren,

explain our current situation, and tell Xiao Long not to rush tomorrow, wait for Ding Li to return and then come together.

I took out my phone and found Shangguan Zhuren's number.

I dialed it.

The call connected quickly,

"Hello, who is this?" Shangguan Zhuren asked.

"Shangguan Zhuren, this is Jianqiang. This is the number I use in Sijiucheng; please note it. I'm afraid the original number might have problems, so I haven't been using it." I said over the phone.

"Jianqiang, I've noted it. How are you doing in Sijiucheng now? Have you met Zhu Sheng? I've been wanting to call you, but I was afraid of distracting you, so I hadn't contacted you." Shangguan Zhuren said.

"Zhu Sheng, I've already met him; we're together. Shangguan Zhuren, I also saw He Zuming here; he's with us now."

"He Zuming, is he the Feng Shui master in Zaocheng?"

"Yes, that's him. Fortunately he's here; we haven't seen him these years, he's been drifting around Sijiucheng."

"He has also made many acquaintances here."

"Now, we'll proceed according to his method."

"Following his method, he's just a Feng Shui master—what method could he possibly have?" Shangguan Zhuren asked.

"Shangguan Zhuren, He Zuming's method is to befriend the higher‑ups, use them, and fight the Zhou Family."

"This way we can use the higher‑ups to topple the Zhou Family."

"Shen Honghong and Zhou Fuhai are the evidence we need to bring down the Zhou Family."

"Then, once we hand the evidence to them, they will use it to bring Zhou Renfeng to justice."

"Ah, I see now, I understand. We need to use leverage to strike. This method isn't bad; our strength is too weak, and without a major backing we can't succeed. What about Director Mei behind Zhu Sheng, how strong is he?" Shangguan Zhuren asked.

"He can't play a decisive role; only a supporting one."

"We must find a new patron." I said.

"I see. Jianqiang, how's the situation now?" Shangguan Zhuren inquired.

"It's just beginning now. There's still a long way to go."

"Alas, I've been nearly dying of worry these two days; isn't it already March? I promised Shen Honghong to go to Sijiucheng,"

"but this matter can't be handled now; she's quarreling with me. I heard Xiao Long wants to go to Sijiucheng, and she's even more frantic."

"This woman, I truly don't know what to do now."

"I can't hit her, I can't scold her, and Xiao Fang's pleas fall on deaf ears."

"She makes a fuss every day."

"Because of her, Xiao Long hasn't set out from Qi He Kuang."

Hearing Shangguan Zhuren say that,

I can understand Shangguan Zhuren's current difficulty; Shen Honghong simply isn't afraid of him.

He said Shen Honghong simply doesn't listen.

I am now in Sijiucheng; calling Shen Honghong has no effect.

It's truly a difficult matter.

"Shangguan Zhuren, for now don't let Xiao Long come over. I've already sent Ding Li back to Zaocheng.

He needs to drive to bring Xiao Long; otherwise Xiao Long won't find the road. So, regarding Shen Honghong's matter, let me, Zhu Sheng, discuss what to do."

Besides, how's it going over at Kong Shi? Nothing happening, right?

That would be best. Let's discuss how to deal with Shen Honghong—how long until we can let her return to Sijiucheng, so she can have peace of mind.

Over at Kong Shi, there's been no movement for now.

But using Lei Lei's method isn't a long-term solution.

Spring is coming soon; Liu Shiru is returning from the south, and Kong Shi will be difficult to handle as well.

I've been worried these days. With so many people at Qi He Kuang, it's really too dangerous. Shangguan Zhuren is very concerned.

Shangguan Zhuren's concern is not without reason; we're using Lei Lei to suppress Kong Shi, merely temporarily securing the safety of Qi He Kuang.

Yeah, if Liu Shiru comes back.

He'll definitely turn Zaocheng upside down looking for us.

Then Qi He Kuang won't be safe. Shangguan Zhuren's concern is not without reason.

I can only tell Shangguan Zhuren: 'Shangguan Zhuren, I've been thinking about all these matters; this is indeed very important.'

I'm not in Zaocheng right now; you'll need to worry more about the Qi He Kuang side.

I can't figure anything out quickly on my end. This kind of thing can't be rushed; if we rush, we could lose everything.

Yeah, Jianqiang, everything takes time. Making connections with the higher-ups takes even more time; I understand what you're saying.

Zhu Sheng said there would be changes in March. It's already March, I watch TV every day, yet there's no change at all.

Shangguan Zhuren, word from Zhu Sheng's side has come: there will be no personnel changes this year from above; it's still the same.

Sigh, we had hoped Zhou Renfeng would retire, but that seems impossible.

We have to come up with our own solution.

Yeah, what's the deal? Continuing to use someone like Zhou Renfeng—I don't know what those above are thinking.

Jianqiang, you're out there—take good care of yourself too.

The only young person around me is Ding Li,

Moreover, you can rest easy about the Qi He Kuang side—I'll give my life to protect it. After Shangguan Zhuren finished speaking, he coughed loudly.

It seems this burden falls entirely on Shangguan Zhuren,

Wait for Shangguan Zhuren to finish coughing,

I quickly said: 'Shangguan Zhuren, how's your health? If it's not good, let Xiao Fang rush to the city hospital for a check-up tomorrow.'

Shangguan Zhuren said: 'Jianqiang, it's an old ailment—I cough as soon as spring arrives, no need to worry. Let's all take care of each other.'