Chapter 1742: Ambush

Outside the station, Bai Hun stretched out in a huge yawn, feeling as if his body had fallen apart.

"Brother Yan, no wonder they say traveling far is not easy; just riding in the car nearly cost me half my life."

Wang Yan smiled and accepted a cigarette handed to him by another person: "Otherwise, how could they say that to get rich, one must first build roads? It is uncomfortable for people to go out, and goods are even more precious than people. Once the railway is connected in the future, our lives will truly begin to improve."

"Our lives were going to improve anyway; this trip of yours sold off nearly all the goods in our entire county, so how could our lives not improve?"

Wang Yan smiled slightly, neither modest nor proud.

Since he had personally gone into action, going to others' doors to act like a grandson, he absolutely had to gain something; otherwise, all these years of his would have been in vain.

Of course, he was not truly acting like a grandson; it was merely the initial stage of contacting strangers, requiring him to display a desire for something from others and a sense of respect. As long as they chatted a little longer, Wang Yan would become an honored guest.

After all, he was not someone without a reputation; he had previously been a national model for propaganda, which carried considerable weight. At the same time, he was not truly bowing and scraping or humbling himself to beg others; he was solving problems for them.

For instance, if someone's company had management issues, business problems, or external cooperation difficulties, he would professionally analyze everything, appearing very high-level and professional to first dazzle them, and then offer a solution; in return, they would inevitably purchase some goods. Especially after verification, they treated Wang Yan like their own father.

When Wang Yan dazzled people, he made them believe his words, not that the solutions he provided were ineffective.

Although he was a person of some fame, if he did not dazzle them, most people would not believe his words and might even think he was an idiot.

As the saying goes, a man relies on his clothes and a horse on its saddle; people respect the robe first and the person second. Without these, he could only strike first to overpower others, dazzling them into belief, so that his words would be heard.

In fact, if calculated by total value, Wang Yan going out to provide a round of business consulting was likely worth far more than the value of all goods in Mazhi County. After all, Mazhi County was merely a small county with over forty thousand people, primarily focused on animal husbandry, so its output value was not high.

But value is relative; Wang Yan was now in Mazhi County, and for him, going out for a round, opening his mouth to eat, drink, and boast, could enable Mazhi County's goods to be sold at higher prices, which meant he had earned it...

Seeing Wang Yan remain silent, Bai Hun said, "It really has to be you, Brother Yan; having accomplished such a huge matter, you are not showing off at all. If it were me, I would want to shout to the whole world until the ground could not contain me and the snow mountains were not as tall as I am."

"One look tells me you have been with Zhacuo too long, always talking about snow mountains whenever you have nothing else to say," a company employee nearby teased.

The three of them carried large and small bags to where the car was parked, got in, and drove through the streets and alleys of Tianduo City.

"After being away for so long, coming back makes me feel a bit unfamiliar," Bai Hun said from the passenger seat, his eyes fixed on the scenery outside. "I used to think Tianduo City was a big city and that it was already good enough. But after this trip out, I realized Tianduo City is nothing; it simply cannot compare to the outside world."

"Anyway, you are a rich person; if this place cannot compare, then go out and strive somewhere else."

"Brother Yan, you think too highly of me," Bai Hun said. "If you hadn't written that article and everyone wanted to see that tree in our courtyard, how could I have made any money? Going to another place to strive, being unfamiliar with the people and the land... this time I saw firsthand how difficult it is to get things done; where would I get the ability to strive?

Brother Yan, I want to work under you; I don't want to sell boxed meals at home anymore. When I get back, I will let someone else run my boxed meal stall. Although I will earn much less, I will be able to do more things. Brother Yan, is that okay?"

"Sure, you are earning two portions of money now, one step closer to becoming the richest man in our Mazhi County."

Bai Hun knew Wang Yan was teasing him; he scratched his head and chuckled foolishly: "Brother Yan, you always say one must open up one's thinking; haven't I just opened up my thinking? I can earn two hundred at the company, and the small stall at my doorstep can earn several hundred more. It saves me from cooking day and night, and I can learn and improve alongside you; this kills two birds with one stone."

Without seeing the world outside, one does not know how insignificant Mazhi County is. Without seeing Wang Yan maneuvering freely out there, one does not know how vast the gap between people truly is.

Coincidentally, Bai Hun had gone out to the big cities and followed Wang Yan the entire way. Looking at Wang Yan, it was like standing on the land of Mazhi County and gazing up at snow mountains towering into the clouds.

Previously, he only felt that Wang Yan was a ruthless person who could kill several people immediately upon arriving in Bolamula, and now he was even aiming for twenty. Since he had just come of age, he admired such awesomeness in Wang Yan even more.

Later, Wang Yan wrote articles that drove the development of the entire county; it was said he even secured considerable support for the county, allowing him to become a superior person in Mazhi County relying on a single tree in his family yard. This made him understand the power of culture and thought.

This time need not even be mentioned; he watched with his own eyes as Wang Yan went to beg others, only for it to turn into others begging Wang Yan. He watched as initially there was not even a cup of tea offered, only to later receive lavish treats of fine wine and dishes, watching those who would absolutely never look at him squarely fighting to help sell Mazhi County's goods.

He felt this was what a man ought to do, so he held it in all the way, finally speaking up once they returned to the land of Tianduo City.

After receiving Wang Yan's agreement, Bai Hun happily gazed at the street scenery outside, his mind already imagining himself replacing Wang Yan, pointing out the rivers and mountains before those wealthy people...

After a long and arduous journey by car, the three of them did not return directly; instead, they ate, bathed, and rested for a night, departing for Mazhi County only after breakfast the next day.

As luck would have it, not long after Wang Yan left the urban area of Tianduo City, he saw two off-road vehicles approaching head-on; as the two sets of vehicles passed each other, the ones opposite honked their horns, then turned around and chased after them.

"Brother Yan?" asked Bai Hun, who was driving, seeking instructions.

He did not even know how to drive and had no license; Wang Yan was having him practice. In any case, the roads on this plateau were desolate, and sometimes one could not see a single vehicle for dozens of kilometers ahead or behind.

Wang Yan lifted his head and signaled: "Stop."

The tires rubbed against the ground, kicking up dust that the wind blew away. The two vehicles from earlier chased over and stopped behind Wang Yan's car.

Immediately, a group of people got out of their vehicles, walked over to Wang Yan's car, and leaned against the windows to look: "Is this Manager Wang?"

"Oh my," Wang Yan said, opening the car door and getting out. "Isn't this Boss Feng? What a coincidence."

"Indeed it is; come, come, have a cigarette, have a cigarette."

Feng Keqing took out cigarettes and distributed them to everyone, saying, "I wanted to invite you to dinner long ago, but I didn't expect this trip of yours to last over a month."

"Does Boss Feng have something to discuss with me?"

"Look at what you're saying; can't I contact Manager Wang to build some rapport even if there's no specific matter?" Feng Keqing pretended to be unhappy, then immediately changed his tone. "You have no idea; many people in our chamber of commerce have come to ask me about you.

At first I found it strange, but later I understood: you are a true Buddha who can turn stone into gold. Just during this period, I heard that many people's businesses have reached a new level."

"Boss Feng exaggerates; I did offer them some suggestions. But ultimately, the time has been too short, only a little over a month; it is good enough that I didn't cause them to lose more money, so I dare not claim to have helped anyone reach a new level."

"Manager Wang is simply too modest; how could what they told me be false? It was all due to Manager Wang's guidance. I heard that even big bosses from the capital highly admire Manager Wang. Look, I have been mixing around in Mazhi County for so long, truly having eyes but failing to recognize Mount Taishan. Manager Wang, please do not hold it against me; when I return to the county later, I will definitely treat you to drinks, and Manager Wang can guide me as well."

Wang Yan smiled and said: "Boss Feng, my greatest help to you was persuading Duoje to stop; although you spent a bit more money, the matter was ultimately accomplished."

"Correct! Manager Wang, I said before that I should thank you for persuading him; otherwise, such a good business in our county could never have fallen into my hands. Now I have already transported the machinery over and started mining, and this trip of mine to the city is precisely to secure a loan.

Rest assured, Manager Wang; as soon as the money arrives, I will immediately pay a portion of the environmental protection fund to our Economic Development Company. After all, you have been away for so long negotiating so many businesses, and the money in the company's account is insufficient to settle payments for the people of the county."

"Every time I meet Boss Feng, there is good news; you have truly solved our urgent problem, so I will thank you in advance and raise a few more glasses to you later."

And so, both parties stood by the roadside, chatting and laughing while smoking a cigarette, before bidding farewell and departing in opposite directions.

Today was a fine day, with high skies and pale clouds; distant snow mountains stood tall, and the jade-like ribbon of the river shimmered brilliantly. Occasionally, some animals could be seen, such as wolves, yaks, wild donkeys, and so on; truly a magnificent scene of great harmony between heaven and earth.

Wang Yan sat in the back seat, turning his head to gaze at the scenery outside the window. In front, Bai Hun and another company employee were discussing some physical discomforts; after all, having left the plateau for over a month, even a child of the plateau would feel some degree of discomfort when advancing toward high-altitude areas again.

The reason accidents are accidents, and the reason dangers are dangers, is because they are unknown.

Just like at this moment, everything was so beautiful; apart from the noise of the off-road vehicle traveling, it could even be described as very quiet.

"Brake!"

Wang Yan suddenly shouted.

Bai Hun, who had just started driving, subconsciously obeyed the command and stepped on the brake; the next instant, before he could ask why, a sharp bang was heard, and sparks flashed across the front hood.

"Floor the accelerator! Drive to the left!"

"Huh?" Bai Hun was bewildered, but his feet still moved with considerable competence.

This was not because he was skilled, but because Wang Yan had taught him in advance. All the way here, Wang Yan had tested him on sudden braking and accelerating; knowing the difference between the accelerator and the brake, knowing not to mistake the accelerator for the brake, and knowing how to step on the brake meant that driving would basically not encounter any major problems.

At this moment, Bai Ji subconsciously repeated his previous action, flooring the accelerator to unleash the old, battered off-road vehicle's full performance as he swerved to the left.

The reason Wang Yan had ordered him to drive left was that a small hill lay in that direction, and the black gunshots had also come from there; apart from that, the surrounding area was all open ground, clearly unsuitable for hiding.

Of course, there was still a chance to flee; one stomp on the gas could cover over a hundred meters, making it difficult for even the most precise marksman to hit anyone inside the vehicle.

But Wang Yan was not one to run; he wanted to see who had grown tired of living, daring to actively seek revenge against him.

Wang Yan dismantled the car seat, pulled out a pistol and a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle from underneath, handed the pistol to one of the company employees who had previously patrolled the mountains, knew how to use a gun, and possessed some accuracy.

He himself took the rifle, jumped out of the car, and charged rapidly up the hillside...

Bai Ji seemed to recall his past ordeals in the mountains, where bullets had whizzed wildly over his head and blood and brain matter had splattered before his very eyes.

He huddled behind the vehicle with the other employee, casting panicked glances in every direction, terrified that more people might suddenly rush out from somewhere else.

Before long, a rapid volley of gunshots erupted from above, even including rifle bursts, while not far behind, two more vehicles approached, seemingly intent on encircling them.

Terrified, Bai Ji and the other man quickly circled around to position themselves with their backs to the earthen mound, facing off against those slowly closing in.

Gunfire continued to ring out from above while shots also began firing from below, making it impossible for a moment to distinguish where the shooting was coming from.

But it didn't matter; once casualties began appearing among those who had arrived from the road, everything would become clear.

Bai Ji watched helplessly as a man's kneecaps were shattered, leaving him lying on the ground screaming in agony, realizing that Wang Yan had already dealt with the people above and was now targeting these ones.

Wang Yan's marksmanship was simply too accurate, and this time he had no intention of letting anyone escape; every single one of them was hit by Wang Yan, with no one able to flee.

However, considering the situation was already horrifying enough and further inhumanity was inappropriate, the locations where these people were shot remained quite scattered: legs, arms, torsos, and heads; some still had the strength to scream in agony, some were twitching while awaiting death, and others were already dead.

Wang Yan signaled for the two men to come up, and together they dragged the surviving individuals down from above, leaving those waiting to die completely unattended.

After busying themselves for a while and driving the vehicles over to arrange makeshift cover, Wang Yan instructed Bai Ji and the other employee to return to Mazhi County to fetch reinforcements, as this location was closer to Mazhi County.

"Brother Yan, let me stay behind to keep you company; at least there would be some..."

Under Wang Yan's smiling gaze, Bai Ji failed to utter the words "look after you."

"Go; this gang numbers around ten, so bring more people back."

What Wang Yan said was indeed the truth, so Bai Ji stopped nagging and departed with the other man.

Watching them leave, Wang Yan lit a cigarette, strolled leisurely over to a despondent man lying on the ground, and without a word, stomped on his leg, breaking it.

"You look like the leader; let's have a chat. It will take three hours for a round trip, so we still have plenty of time."

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