Chapter 559: Preparing to Investigate Cui Chengshan

The next day, Shi Yong went to Cui Chengshan.

I waited for Ruan Wei's arrival at the hotel.

At noon, Ruan Wei called me and said he had already arrived at Zaocheng Grand Hotel.

I hurried downstairs to greet him.

Ruan Wei came with three young men.

At a glance, those three were professionally trained.

Ruan Wei and I shook hands,

"Ruan Wei, brother, you've been through a lot."

"Zhaodage, as you say, being able to help you is my greatest pleasure. These three are under my command," Ruan Wei said, then introduced them to me one by one.

I shook hands with them in turn.

While I was taking Ruan Wei up to the elevator, I happened to meet Hou Laoban,

Hou Laoban knew Ruan Wei, and when he saw me together with Ruan Wei,

his expression was rather complicated.

I smiled, "Hou Laoban, what's the matter? This is Brother Ruan, you don't recognize him?"

Hou Laoban hurried over and shook Ruan Wei's hand.

"Welcome back, Brother Ruan, to Zaocheng."

Ruan Wei smiled at Hou Laoban's words,

"Thank you, Hou Laoban, for remembering me."

I said, "Hou Laoban, arrange a room; the cost can be charged to my account."

Hou Laoban nodded,

then had a staff member escort Ruan Wei up the elevator to his room to rest.

I was about to leave when Hou Laoban grabbed me,

"Jianqiang, what's your relationship with Ruan Wei? Isn't he a follower of Liu Shiru?"

"Hou Laoban, Liu Shiru is a thing of the past. Brother Ruan is a longtime good friend of mine; we have a close private relationship. Otherwise, could I have turned things around?" I said with a smile.

"Ah, Jianqiang, I admire you so much. You should know that Liu Shiru's most trusted person was this Ruan Wei. Back then, his rise in the south was thanks to the Ruan family.

You actually have a close private relationship with Ruan Wei.

You're amazing.

I told him, you always walk ahead of Liu Shiru; now I see why.

"Jianqiang, you are like a truly enlightened master, deeply hidden and unrevealed," Hou Laoban praised me.

Hearing Hou Laoban's praise,

I took out a cigarette and deliberately offered it to Hou Laoban,

Hou Laoban waved his hand, indicating he doesn't smoke,

I lit the cigarette,

"Hou Laoban, I'm not some enlightened master. I'm just an ordinary person,

Hou Laoban, I would like to ask you, where is the Dao?"

"Where is the Dao? It's in the Buddhist sutras, right?" Hou Laoban said, twirling his prayer beads.

"Hehe, the Dao is among ants, in the weeds, beneath the bricks and tiles, in the midst of excrement," I said, looking at Hou Laoban.

"Ah, Jianqiang, attaining the Dao is a lofty thing; why talk about it in excrement? You're just babbling, playing tricks on me," Hou Laoban said.

"Hou Laoban, those words aren't mine; they are from Zhuangzi, who said the Way exists within the mundane. Do you know Zhuangzi? Have you read the Nanhua Zhenjing?" I asked Hou Laoban.

"Me? Who is Zhuangzi, what sutra?" Hou Laoban asked, scratching his head.

"Find some time to read the Nanhua Zhenjing. When we have time, we can discuss the Way again," I said, then walked toward the elevator.

Leaving Hou Laoban standing there, staring blankly.

What sutra is he reciting? He doesn't even know the Nanhua Zhenjing, so this Hou Laoban can only discuss health matters with Shi Yong.

After I returned to my room,

about half an hour later, Ruan Wei came over.

I invited Ruan Wei to sit, and poured him a glass of water,

"Ruan Wei, you've had a hard journey."

"Zhaodage, you're too polite. Whatever you need, just arrange it. My life was saved by you, Zhaodage, so I will fully obey your arrangements."

I smiled, "Ruan Wei, rest first, don't be in a hurry.

I brought you here because there's a small matter you need to handle."

"What small matter?" Ruan Wei asked.

"It's this: Cui Rulin of Zaocheng, have you heard of him?"

"I've heard of him; he used to have a good relationship with Kong Shi, and I've even dined with him," Ruan Wei said.

"Now, this man is causing trouble and has already affected me. I hope he will shut up," I said.

"That's simple; tonight I'll sneak into his house and make that old kid leave directly, so he won't cause trouble for you, Zhaodage," Ruan Wei said cheerfully.

"Ruan Wei, I don't want to cause a death; that would bring bad consequences. We should use other methods to make him shut up," I said, pulling something out and tossing it to Ruan Wei.

Ruan Wei caught it,

"Other methods, Zhaodage, you decide—kidnapping or intimidation, the dirty work is for me. You pretend not to know; after it's done, we'll return to the south,

no one outside will know,

and it won't bring you any repercussions."

"Ruan Wei, we don't need kidnapping or intimidation either."

"I only need you to go gather information."

"\"Gather information? Gather what information? \" Ruan Wei asked."

"\"Cui Rulin has already retired; he's a man close to death. Dealing with someone like that, we can't strike at him directly. We must go after his son."

"His son is named Cui Chengshan, who serves as county magistrate of Xue County."

"\"The old saying goes, three years as an upright prefect, a hundred thousand snowflake silver. \""

"This Cui Chengshan, as county magistrate, must be involved in corrupt and illegal acts."

"I need you to catch this kid's illegal activities,"

"As long as we have the evidence, I can make that old Cui Rulin shut up," I said.

"\"Got it, Zhaodage. Cui Chengshan, right? He's in Xue County. We'll go to Xue County tonight to gather information on Cui Chengshan. My men are all reconnaissance experts."

"Leave this matter to me, and you'll be at ease," Ruan Wei promised.

"\"Ruan Wei, I trust you, which is why I handed this task to you. Do not let any rumors leak. Once you obtain evidence, hand it to me directly; do not alarm that Cui Chengshan. Understand? \" I said to Ruan Wei."

Ruan Wei nodded,

"\"Zhaodage, I understand. I've done this before. When shall we go to Xue County? \""

"\"We'll wait until Shi Yong returns tonight and see if he can locate Cui Chengshan's residence in Xue County. \""

"\"Alright, then inform me. We're ready at any time, \" Ruan Wei said, standing up.

I shook hands with Ruan Wei,

"\"Ruan Wei, for this job, tell your brothers the cost is one million."

"\"Zhaodage, you're bringing up money again; bringing up money means you look down on me, Ruan Wei, \" Ruan Wei said angrily.

"\"Brother, I understand your sentiment, but we have a bond, and those who follow you, your brothers, also need money. There's no need to argue about this. You've already helped me once for free; you can't keep giving for free. The money must be taken, \" I said, refusing Ruan Wei.

"\"Zhaodage, what am I supposed to say? Oh, how could I take your money? \" Ruan Wei said angrily.

"\"Take what I give you, Ruan Wei; only this way can our cooperation last. In the future, if anything comes up, I can come to you again."

"Understand?"

"One time free is okay,"

"but a second or third time, then we won't be able to cooperate any longer."

"\"Alright, Zhaodage, I understand your point. I won't say anything else."

"\"I'll take this money; can I pay after the job is done? \" Ruan Wei said.

I patted Ruan Wei's shoulder, indicating agreement.

Ruan Wei left the room.

After Ruan Wei left, I waited for Shi Yong's news.

I don't know whether Shi Yong can find out where Cui Chengshan lives.

Shi Yong will approach Cui Chengshan, but only to confuse him briefly.

I just need to give Cui Chengshan's information to Ruan Wei; I trust Ruan Wei will investigate himself. If he can't even handle this...

then he'll be useless.