Chapter 731: Zhuang Shi Introduces the Liu Family

Early the next morning, Dean Yang examined Hao Tao's injuries and then left two specialists to stay in the mine hospital.

He then left.

Now Hao Tao's condition is not serious.

I have nothing to do here, I must hurry to Huaihai.

Check on Yang Tao.

I drove away from Qi He Kuang and went to Huaihai.

I arrived at Huaihai quickly.

I found the hotel where Xiao Long and Yang Tao were staying.

I let Xiao Long go back first.

Yang Tao, seeing me arrive,

was overjoyed,

"Jianqiang, you finally made it. Did you know I almost got into trouble."

When I heard Yang Tao say that, I immediately laughed,

"Yang Tao, you could still get into trouble? What could happen to you? That Hou Laoban, you haven't made him dance around you."

"What? This guy is such a crafty devil.

Do you know, after I left the hotel with him,

he actually wanted to take me to his villa. Let me see his villa," Yang Tao said.

"What, he took you to a villa? Do you know what he said? He claimed you were running away after buying bread at the mall entrance," I said.

"That Hou Laoban is really no good. He even makes up lies like that.

As soon as we got in the car, he wasn't honest.

I just seized the chance to lure him.

This Hou Laoban couldn't stand it, so he wanted to take me to the villa first for a ride.

Just like that,

before I even reached the villa, I had taken him down. Then I escaped from the car.

"If I hadn't had that skill, I probably wouldn't have escaped," Yang Tao said happily.

Yang Tao's version differs from Hou Laoban's; regardless of who is telling the truth,

anyway, Yang Tao has already left Zaocheng.

Yang Tao, now I have something important to discuss with you. Although we escaped from Zaocheng, this is only temporary safety.

"Yang Tao, I have an important matter to discuss with you. Though we escaped from Zaocheng, this is only temporary safety.

we must find a long‑term safety plan."

"How can we achieve a lasting safety plan, Jianqiang? You tell me, I'm all ears," Yang Tao said.

"We need to find a new patron," I said.

"A new patron? What does that mean?" Yang Tao asked, puzzled.

"Yang Tao, we can't rely on the Wang Family or the Wen Family.

Giving the Wang Family four hundred million offends the Wen Family. Giving the Wen Family offends the Wang Family.

Instead, we could give those four hundred million to another family,

creating a three‑family stalemate.

That would make us safe," I explained.

"A three‑family stalemate, Jianqiang, who do you intend to give the four hundred million to?" Yang Tao asked.

"The Southern Liu Family," I said.

"The Southern Liu Family. I heard Director Qi say that the Liu Family has a very strong presence in the south.

However, would the Liu Family be willing to wade into this mess?" Yang Tao said.

"Zhuang Shi is a Liu Family person,

we came to Huaihai to have Zhuang Shi introduce us to the Liu Family," I said.

"Giving it to the Liu Family means we offend both the Wang and Wen Families. Won't that make things even more troublesome?" Yang Tao said, looking at me.

"On the surface it looks that way, but in reality it isn't.

Because after the Liu Family, with three families in balance, the Wang and Wen Families have already developed a rift between them,

which cannot be reconciled.

They can no longer join forces.

They will only try to ally with the Liu Family.

As a result, they will need the Liu Family's help.

The Liu Family can protect us.

Then we will be safe," I explained to Yang Tao.

"Jianqiang, will the Liu Family really protect us?" Yang Tao asked again.

"As long as there's a basis for mutual use, anything is possible," I said.

"Alright then, I have no other choice now. I can only go with you," Yang Tao said.

At that moment, a knock sounded from outside,

I cautiously opened the door and saw Secretary Wu.

After Secretary Wu entered,

"Mr. Zhao, Zhuang Shi wants to see you. Please come with me to the Reception Center."

【61】 "Great, I was just looking for Zhuang Shi. Let's go, we'll head there right now," I said.

"You all have left, and I'm alone here scared. I want to go with you." Yang Tao said.

I glanced at Yang Tao,

"Yang Tao, stay calm at the hotel; no one knows you're hiding here. After I see Zhuang Shi, I'll be back quickly."

Yang Tao sat on the sofa unwillingly and fell silent.

I followed Secretary Wu and soon arrived at the Reception Center in Huaihai City.

In a conference room on the ninth floor, I saw Zhuang Shi.

Zhuang Shi was delighted to see me and extended his hand proactively,

"Jianqiang, thank you for getting rid of that Hao Tao. I've saved a huge worry.

Now I can act freely and do big things."

"Zhuang Shi, there's no need to be formal; whatever you need, I'll do my utmost," I said, shaking Zhuang Shi's hand.

"Sit, Jianqiang.

The reason I asked you to come is, besides thanking you, there's another matter to discuss with you.

Someone wants to meet you," Zhuang Shi said, looking at me.

"Zhuang Shi, who wants to see me?" I asked.

"I mentioned the Liu Family to you before,

Mr. Liu Yong has arrived in Huaihai; Liu Yong is the third son of the Liu Family,

He's specifically requested to see you." Zhuang Shi finished and handed me a cigarette.

I took the cigarette,

"Mr. Liu Yong, how does he know me?"

"Heh, I told him. Since you came to Huaihai and revitalized the Ancient City, I've mentioned you to Liu Yong.

Later, regarding that Hao Tao matter, you handled it so splendidly.

Liu Yong naturally wants to get to know you," Zhuang Shi smiled.

"Thank you, Zhuang Shi, for your support.

However, I'm not familiar with that Liu Yong.

Does he see any issue with me?" I asked deliberately.

"Of course there's something important.

Knowing that the Wang Family has already extended its hand into Huaihai, the Liu Family can't just stand by, right?

This is the Liu Family's sphere of interest.

After I reported to Liu Yong,

he found a way to have me eliminate that Hao Tao.

"Jianqiang, without his backing behind me, I wouldn't dare act recklessly."

On the trip to Zaocheng, I didn't tell you the truth.

Because some things I can't speak too plainly.

The main reason is Liu Yong wants to assess you, to see your capability and courage.

To see whether you dare to clash openly with the Wang Family. I didn't expect you to handle the Hao Tao matter so beautifully.

Liu Yong admires you.

So he let me proactively invite you here, to meet, to chat," Zhuang Shi said, taking a drag of his cigarette.

"I don't know how old Liu Yong is. How should I address him?" I asked.

"Liu Yong is fifty, a bit older than you.

You can call him Liu Ge or Mr. Liu; both are fine." Zhuang Shi said.

"Alright, Zhuang Shi, it's an honor to meet Mr. Liu Yong. Where shall we meet him?" I said.

"Come with me. Also, regarding Liu Yong's arrival in Huaihai, you must not tell anyone else. Understand?" Zhuang Shi instructed me.

"Don't worry, Zhuang Shi, I won't speak carelessly," I assured Zhuang Shi.

"Let's go meet Mr. Liu Yong; the timing is perfect," Zhuang Shi glanced at his watch, then stood and headed out of the conference room.

I stood up and followed behind Zhuang Shi.

Zhuang Shi didn't take the elevator; he used the safety passage on the ninth floor.

After entering the safety passage,

I saw the bodyguard guarding the passage.

Zhuang Shi said a few words to the bodyguard.

The bodyguard then opened the door.

I went up to the tenth floor with Zhuang Shi.

The Reception Center's elevator only reaches the ninth floor.

To get to the tenth floor, one must use the safety passage.

As long as someone guards the entrance of the safety passage, no one can get in.

After reaching the tenth floor, there was still a security check at the door. Once the check was done, they pushed open a door.

Let us in.

These rich families' security measures are damn good.

Ugh, damn, their lives are worth money.

Our ordinary lives don't even count as a damn thing.