Chapter 1705: Beiping Old Dreams: Beauty Performer Overpowers the Big Shot 20

The stalemate here didn't last long.

About half an hour later, as dusk approached, two messengers suddenly arrived from outside.

The two separately delivered news to Xiao Bofeng and Pei Yinnian.

One told Xiao Bofeng and Chu San that, before the trading time, Weil from the British Embassy had left Weiyang Xiyuan early, without even much contact with Wan Changhong.

So the news Xiao Bofeng and Chu San received was that Weil's transaction with Wan Changhong had failed, interrupted by Chu Wu guarding the theater.

One told Pei Yinnian that Weil decisively changed the plan, completing the transaction with Wan Changhong early and taking the first batch of gold bars away, while the second transaction would take place tonight in Wan Changhong's residence.

The fact that the transaction was split into two was a telegram Weil sent alone to Xiao Bofeng, intercepted by Pei Yinnian, of which Xiao Bofeng was unaware.

So tonight Pei Yinnian made two preparations: if the telegram was true, Chu Wu would try to intercept the first transaction.

But even if the British Embassy's garrison guarded too strictly, success in the first transaction wouldn't matter much; due to timing, Xiao Bofeng would still consider it a failure, and they had ample time to intercept the second transaction and seize all the gold bars from both deals.

Outside the plan, Wan Changhong had taken a liking to Jin Chen.

"By the way, Chu Wu also said... let Jin Chen accompany Wan Changhong to the residence to sing opera, thereby delaying the second transaction time."

The messengers left after finishing their report.

Pei Yinnian clenched his prayer beads, his heart anxious to the extreme, feeling both pained and stifled.

But outwardly, he lifted his thin, cold eyelids, giving a cold smile at the curled lips, mocking Xiao Bofeng and Chu San.

"It seems you two don't have enough funds to take over the medicine factory."

Xiao Bofeng visibly startled with anger, "Surely it's you meddling!"

Chu San smashed his tea cup, knowing this was a collapse, nearly gritting his teeth: "Boss Pei's tactics are impressive—he even dares to block the British garrison's transactions."

"He can't compare to Chu San, sir; the Chu family has been loyal and righteous for generations, and now Grand Marshal Chu, stationed in Ningcheng, is outstanding among them—yet Chu San, sir, colludes with the British garrison."

Pei Yinnian lowered his brows, shielding the deep gloom in his eyes, and gave a faint sneer: "Truly, a tiger father begets a dog son."

Chu San: "……"

He was just a ruffian soldier; his verbal skills couldn't match Pei Yinnian's, and in frustration he told himself he couldn't come up with a reply.

"Let's wait and see! Let's see who really has the final say in Beiping!"

Chu San and Xiao Bofeng slammed the door and left.

Pei Yinnian set down his tea cup, his cold aura like a frozen mountain splitting, and softly said to the stunned medicine factory owner: "Now, you have no choice."

"Sign! I'll sign the contract right now; from now on I'll obey Boss Pei completely."

The medicine factory owner signed the contract; from then on, even if the British garrison wanted to act, even if they didn't care about the Pei family, they'd have to weigh how much they could tolerate the Pei family's existence in the Jiangning Capital Army.

Five minutes later, several armed squads followed Pei Yinnian toward Wan Changhong's old residence; Pei Yiqing, who had been waiting outside Cai Fa Xiyuan until his legs went numb, hurriedly caught up, actively holding a flashlight for his brother.

——

Main hall of Wan Changhong's residence.

Here still seemed to fill with everything of the old society—luxurious, gloomy; every corner burned incense to mask the corpse stench, even the wax drips from the candles looked like tears.

In the room filled with lit candles, the tightly closed door resembled a towering underworld gate; once entered, no one could escape.

Jin Chen was "bound" in the room.

Wan Changhong also didn't know what he was thinking; each time he returned to the residence he would summon the splendid robes he once received as a gift from the empress dowager in the palace—that sinister, chilling aura mixed with a fragrance that could choke a person, making anyone who approached feel a cold dread.

He sat in the grand chair, his wrinkled face smiling as he watched the candlelight illuminate Jin Chen; beside him burned a stove bubbling and gurgling.

"Today you've fallen into Grandfather's hands—don't even think about seeing tomorrow's sun!"

Wan Changhong's tone drew out long, his throat emitting a strange laugh: "Grandfather me, I love hearing the anguished screams of those scalded."

He also had a numb, tender young servant kneeling at his knees, bringing tea and water for Wan Changhong.

Jin Chen coolly undid the chains binding his hands behind his back, "How coincidental—I also love to listen."

Wan Changhong: "……"

He stared blankly at the chain broken into two segments, startled to his feet, his withered hand pointing straight at Jin Chen.

"You… you!"

Jin Chen, disliking the dirt, wrapped his hand in cloth before grabbing Wan Changhong's half-dead head and shoving it into the boiler.

"You damned old immortal."

The young servant was frightened stiff, curling up beside the boiler, trembling and not understanding what was happening.

Everyone who entered had to be fed bewitching water and bound with thick-fingered chains—how could this person still move?

A few seconds later, Jin Chen lifted his head again; Wan Changhong's face had several layers of skin scalded off, covered in pitted blisters.

"Where is the contract for the transaction with the British garrison?"

"... I… ah!! I'll say! I'll say!"

Wan Changhong, this type of person extremely fearful of death, his willpower utterly gone from the pain, "In the interlayer! Inside the clothing's interlayer!"

Jin Chen kicked him to the ground, glanced at the young servant, and said, "Pull it out."

The young servant's deathly pale face was full of confusion; after reacting, fearing he'd be killed, he crawled to Wan Changhong's side and pulled out the contract.

Jin Chen's tone softened a bit as he added, "Can you moan in bed?"

The young servant blinked his eyes and nodded.

"Moan loudly, so no one outside suspects."

"Okay… okay."

Jin Chen dragged the dying Wan Changhong into the inner chamber, where the table lay scattered with contracts and land deed banknotes.

Outside the residence, several vehicles screeched to a halt, their headlights illuminating the gate.

Chu Wu, sir, flicked away his cigarette butt and hurried forward to greet them.

"You've finally come; those British Embassy officials are waiting for Wan Changhong in the side rooms, and we still have time……"

Before his words finished, a gun barrel was pressed against Chu Wu's forehead; Pei Yinnian's tone was icy, his face dark enough to drip ink.

"Who let you drag Jin Chen in!"

Pei Yiqing stood behind Pei Yinnian, turning on the light, not daring to say a word.

Since I can remember, I've never seen his older brother get this angry.