Chapter 457: Remembering Zhao Xiaoguo

Zhou Renfeng, that old fox, thinks a lot.

"Mr. Zhou, you're right. Da Heng Group has already become a bargaining chip. It could very well turn into someone else's property. So I'm no longer interested," I said.

"If you say it like that, it must be sincere. Trust between us is growing. Zhao Jianqiang, how about this: you leave; you don't need to wait for Xiao Jie here. I'm sure you'll definitely release Xiao Jie."

Because Xiao Jie, to you,

has future utilitarian value,

he is the capital for your comeback. That's why you suggested protecting Xiao Jie," Zhou Renfeng said.

"Yes, Mr. Zhou, you're right. People use each other. This society is even more so; a person's success depends on whether they have value to be used. If someone has no value to be used, they'll surely fail."

In these times, no one wants to exert effort in vain.

I protect Zhou Jie because I have a purpose. Without purpose, I'm sure Zhou Jie would already be dead.

I'll help you again,

and likewise, I'm also helping myself."

"I understand. I want to tell you, Zhao Jianqiang, resources in this society are limited; good things must be seized, only the weak wait for distribution. Animal World is the same. If a lion doesn't seize, it will starve. Likewise, an antelope that doesn't seize won't live long.

My career and life are about to reach their end.

Zhao Jianqiang, if you don't want to be bullied, you must stand at the top.

Otherwise, no matter how successful you are, you'll only be slaughtered.

These are the last words I say to you,

the matter of Xiao Jie asking you to protect him, I will consider,

once I've thought it through I'll contact you." Zhou Renfeng stood up.

I also stood up,

"Mr. Zhou, that's all then. Farewell."

"Goodbye, Zhao Jianqiang." Zhou Renfeng extended his hand to me,

we shook hands.

From Zhou Renfeng's eyes, I did not see the sorrow of a loser.

On the contrary, his eyes looked very relaxed.

Perhaps someone at his position can already face failure with ease.

I left Zhou Renfeng's room.

Soon I arrived at the park.

The park was at the time when many tourists were present,

numerous tour groups were guiding tourists around,

explaining the origin of this garden to them.

Back then, this garden was the mansion of He Shen, the Qing dynasty's top corrupt official.

Who could have imagined that a few centuries later it would become a tourist spot.

The guides were vividly narrating how much money He Shen had embezzled back then and how powerful he was at court.

How many wives and concubines he had.

How much a single meal cost him.

The tourists sighed after hearing it. From their faces, I could sense that

many people wished they could become He Shen, a rich and powerful man.

Alas, I think the guides should take the tourists to see the prison where He Shen was detained.

There is the place where He Shen was ordered to die by Emperor Jiaqing.

No matter how much embezzled money, what use is it? In the end, it was a three‑foot white silk that was used to hang him.

Not even a whole corpse remained.

Did the Qianlong Emperor not know about He Shen's corruption? He surely knew better than anyone,

so why didn't he deal with He Shen,

because he intended to leave it for his son, Emperor Jiaqing, to handle.

so that he could establish his own authority,

the money He Shen embezzled was saved for his son, so the Qianlong Emperor wasn't in a hurry at all.

All the money obtained through corrupt means was left to the imperial family.

When He Shen died, did he feel sorrow?

I stood aside, listened to the guide's dramatization for a while, then left the park.

The street was sweltering with heat waves.

Another summer.

I'm leaving too; I've finished all my tasks. Let them handle the rest. I don't want to be involved any more.

As for Wen Han and Wang Ge, how they team up against Zhou Renfeng is their business.

It has nothing to do with me.

Zhou Renfeng still doesn't want to concede; he still wants to fight.

I reckon the chance is slim,

the human and material evidence is all there, and with massive momentum, Zhou Renfeng's comeback is impossible.

He has already said what his ending will be: death without a burial place. It should be so.

His office is actually built in He Shen's former residence; can such a place have a good ending? Honestly.

Even without understanding feng shui, I can see it.

I released Zhou Jie; from now on, Zhou Ren can decide whether I protect Zhou Jie or not, it's up to him.

If he wants me to protect him, he must turn over all the money he has saved.

Everyone is just using each other.

Protecting Zhou Jie should be easy. Just let this kid live, later find a wife, have a child, and help the Zhou Family continue its line.

At that moment, my phone rang,

I saw it was a call from Shi Yong,

The call came, and Shi Yong said, "Brother, Ding Li, Xiao Fang and I have already reached the Provincial Capital. How are things on your end?"

I told Shi Yong, "Shi Yong, I'm fine here; I've already released Zhou Jie."

"Why did you release Zhou Jie?" Shi Yong asked, puzzled.

"No reason; a person must keep his word." I said.

"Brother, that's what you said. Well, I can only believe you. Zhu Sheng asks you,"

"When are you coming to the Provincial Capital?"

"I have no plans for that for now. Tell Zhu Sheng I still have things to handle here. Just keep Xiao Fang safe." I arranged with Shi Yong.

"Okay, brother, goodbye then." Shi Yong hung up.

I feel relaxed now,

there's no pressure at all,

I strolled leisurely through the streets of Sijiucheng, leisurely watching the passersby,

I leisurely smoked a cigarette.

I leisurely smiled at the people around me.

I also didn't know where to go, back to the Amusement Hall,

I certainly wouldn't go back; that kind of place is completely unsafe.

I'll just wander aimlessly.

Not long after, I arrived under the One-Day Bridge, where I suddenly saw several ragged people squatting on the ground begging.

Since begging is prohibited in Sijiucheng, they occasionally lift their heads to look around, guarding against being caught.

Seeing these people, I suddenly thought of someone,

Zhao Xiaoguo, my brother, after I had him expelled from the Qi He Kuang, lost all contact.

I don't know where he ran off to.

This guy just loves being a beggar; I've always wanted to rescue him, pull him up, but the result is,

he messed up the management of the Qi He Kuang terribly.

Ah, some people's fate is just like that; don't force him to do things he's not suited for.

Only today do I realize that Zhao Xiaoguo is actually best suited to be a beggar.

He wants freedom, wants to live without pressure,

then being a beggar is a good choice for him.

I carefully observed these beggars,

took out a handful of change from my pocket,

threw it into the bowl in front of them,

they hurriedly thanked me,

I crouched down and asked one of them, "I want to inquire about a person; can you find out?"

That person stretched out a dirty hand,

"Sir, information costs 50 yuan."

"Okay." I took out 50 yuan and gave it to him.

"You said sir?" that person said.

"This person is called Zhao Xiaoguo, about forty years old, roughly my height, from Zaocheng."

He used to beg in the Provincial Capital. He's my brother; if you've seen him or know anything about him, let me know.

"Okay, sir, Zhao Xiaoguo, right? I'll wait here for information in three days. I don't know him, but I can ask other fellow beggars if there's anyone named Zhao Xiaoguo in Sijiucheng." that person said.