Chapter 145: Want to get rid of me? No way!

Lin Niansheng followed behind his father-in-law to the study on the right side of the hallway.

The two sat down in front of the tea table.

They exchanged no words upon meeting.

In just a brief moment, a layer of cold sweat appeared on Lin Niansheng's palm.

"Xiao Lin."

Liu Yunshen spoke in a deep, solemn tone.

Upon hearing that, Lin Niansheng quickly lifted his head and sat upright with proper posture.

"Dad, what do you want to say?"

Liu Yunshen took out a cigarette, held it in his mouth, and searched for a lighter.

Lin Niansheng hastily pulled out his own lighter, struck a spark, and, smiling obsequiously, handed it over.

After a puff of smoke dissipated into the air,

Liu Yunshen then raised his hand to gesture for him to sit back down.

"My transfer order has already come down; at the latest, I'll be taking up a post in the province in half a month!"

"By then, you'll move with my daughter, following me there!"

"This muddy situation in Pingzhou— the farther we get from it, the better!"

Lin Niansheng's mouth twitched, and his hands unnaturally wiped his knees.

He had lived most of his life in Pingzhou.

He had poured so much heart and blood into it.

He had spent so much money.

With great difficulty, he had woven a grand network of relations.

It was all torn apart by that bastard Li Jiaci.

He was just one step away from stepping into high office and smooth promotion.

Not to say he would surpass Liu Yunshen in prominence, at least he would be on equal footing with him.

How hateful.

Now it's all destroyed.

How could Lin Niansheng accept that?

Whenever he thought of Li Jiaci's smug face, he became so angry he couldn't sleep all night.

Since losing his job, he has spent several thousand just on filling his back molars.

He wished he could tear Li Jiaci to pieces.

After a long silence.

Lin Niansheng suddenly raised his head and said, "I still can't leave now!"

"What do you intend to do?"

Liu Yunshen flicked off the ash and asked warily.

For him, this half-month period is the most difficult to endure.

During this time, not a single mistake can be made.

Lin Niansheng also understood the other's concerns, paused, then said, "Dad, I want to settle a score with someone before I leave!"

"You're planting a landmine for me!"

As expected, upon hearing that, Liu Yunshen jumped up in anger.

Lin Niansheng smoothed his hands and explained, "I'm doing this not only for my own revenge, but also for your future career!"

"You're doing this for me?"

"Xiao Lin, I've already got the provincial high hat secured!"

"I don't need you to do anything for me!"

"If you don't cause me trouble, I'll consider it settled, got it?"

Liu Yunshen stared, warning him word by word.

Yet Lin Niansheng couldn't hear a word of it.

He said, "That brat made me lose my job and become the laughingstock of all Pingzhou; I can't just let it go!"

"You..."

Liu Yunshen was so angry his head buzzed.

"Dad, I've been secretly observing him this whole time!"

"His timber factory, in just a few short months, has become the industry leader!"

"You know Zheng Degui of Nian Yong Mu Cai Chang, right?"

"He's a ruthless merchant who'll do anything to achieve his goals!"

"But in front of that guy, he can't even withstand three moves; now he's completely vanished!"

"At least I've also been a hat for over ten years!"

"Based on my experience, there's definitely something fishy about this!"

"If not now, when else?"

Lin Niansheng spoke with righteous fervor.

But his character is plain for all to see.

What's more, he's his father-in-law.

This crafty old fox.

Liu Yunshen looked down on Lin Niansheng from his high position and sneered, "In these past ten-odd years, have you accomplished anything?"

"I just had bad luck!"

Lin Niansheng's face burned.

It felt like he'd been slapped hard.

Liu Yunshen asked again, "I know your resolve, but you say this is for me—what's the reason?"

"Dad, Li Jiaci is a despicable scoundrel!"

"He followed Zhang Shiqiang for those years, and the blood debts on his hands are too many to count!"

"Our feud is already settled!"

"Even if we move to the province and become high officials, he'll still not let us go!"

"Only by eliminating this threat can we sleep easy!"

Lin Niansheng's emotions were still running high.

"So then..."

Liu Yunshen exhaled a puff of smoke, curled his lip: "As long as we discard you as a pawn, the matter is settled!"

Lin Niansheng was astonished.

He didn't expect this old coot's mind to work so fast.

"Discard him?"

"Wouldn't that let us sleep easy then?"

"But we can't do that!"

Lin Niansheng said anxiously, "Dad, you're really clueless—if I just wanted to eliminate a threat, I wouldn't need to discuss it with you!"

"What do you mean then?"

"Money!"

Lin Niansheng clenched his fists.

His gaze turned cold.

He continued, "Li Jiaci's timber factory has made at least several million—do you think I'm the only one who wants to pocket that money?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? That shoddy factory's only been open a short while—how could he make that much money?"

Liu Yunshen naturally didn't believe it.

"You may not believe me, but you ought to believe Zheng Degui, right?"

"Over the years he's given how much money to those high officials—you ought to have a rough idea!"

"What kind of strength does it take for Li Jiaci to ruin his factory?"

"Without money, would he dare do that?"

Lin Niansheng continued to persuade.

That actually had some effect.

Liu Yunshen fell into thought.

Taking the opportunity, Lin Niansheng hurried forward, fawning smile: "Dad, I don't need this money for myself; once I succeed, I'll give you every penny, how about that?"

"You'd really give it all up?"

Liu Yunshen asked suspiciously.

"Hah, as long as I take care of him, my goal's met—I don't want anything else!"

"If you don't believe me, let's draw up a written pledge—I'll guarantee it in black and white!"

"If I ever renege, you can expose everything I've done!"

"I'll accept any consequences..."

Before Lin Niansheng could finish speaking,

Liu Yunshen raised a hand, his tone displeased, interrupting: "Hold on a second—damn it, if you spill the beans, wouldn't I also be dragged into the ditch by you?"

"So you agree?"

"Tch, settle it cleanly—if we're doing it, don't leave him a way out!"

"Definitely, definitely!"

Lin Niansheng smiled wickedly.

But just that wasn't enough to satisfy his ambition.

"Dad, I still need your help with something!"

"Out with it!"

"Help me find a post in Pingzhou, preferably in the tax bureau or the commerce bureau!"

"You little brat, heh!"

Liu Yunshen immediately guessed what he was up to.

Either of those departments could keep that timber-factory owner in check.

"Such a small matter shouldn't be hard for you, right?"

Lin Niansheng rubbed his hands excitedly.

A sly glint flashed in Liu Yunshen's eyes.

"It's not hard, but it'll cost money!"

"Again?"

"Huh?"

"I'll pay, I'll pay!"