Chapter 264: Continue to Whitewash

Changshulin had two reasons for being anxious.

First, to make good on the promise he made on camera, to set an example for the citizens of Pingzhou.

Second, for profit.

Based on Li Jiaci's understanding of him from his previous life.

Changshulin is a person who puts profit first.

The furniture market is in chaos.

He can't make money, so naturally he's anxious.

Li Jiaci smiled with ease and said, "I actually want to resume work, but those who harmed me haven't been brought to justice; before they are imprisoned, I will absolutely not put myself in danger!"

"You mean we still have to wait indefinitely?"

"Brother, I can't bear the pressure on my side anymore!"

"If Mayor Chang happens to terminate the contract with us, all our previous efforts will be wasted!"

Wang Zhen is the one who is most anxious.

Now all the pressure rests on him alone.

Every day he has to make up excuses for Li Jiaci.

But using too many excuses makes them ineffective.

Li Jiaci pressed down on Wang Zhen's shoulder.

"Brother, you have to trust my younger brother's judgment!"

"That sly old fox Changshulin would never possibly cancel the contract!"

"He has invested in dozens of projects, big and small, before!"

"But the money those projects earn in a year is still less than what we make in a month!"

"If you were Changshulin, how would you choose?"

Wang Zhen frowned suspiciously.

He has recently felt that Li Jiaci is somewhat off.

But he can't pinpoint what's wrong.

Now, this strange feeling has appeared again.

Wang Zhen lowered his voice and asked, "Hey younger brother, tell me the truth: where did you get this information?"

What Wang Zhen can be certain of is that Li Jiaci has never come into contact with Changshulin.

Even on the day Jiaju cheng opened, he didn't show up.

Since the two have never even met face to face.

How could Li Jiaci possibly accurately reveal so many of Changshulin's secrets?

As for Changshulin's investment projects, Wang Zhen still figured them out by overhearing their chat at the wine table.

Unless Li Jiaci already knew Changshulin before this.

Otherwise, how could he……

Just as Wang Zhen was puzzling over it, unable to figure it out.

Li Jiaci slowly said, "I have a brother who previously followed Zhang Lao Da in his work; later, after his wings hardened, he went elsewhere to establish his own power, and at that time Changshulin was serving as deputy mayor there!"

"There's such a thing?"

The stone in Wang Zhen's heart eased a little.

Upon hearing that, it seemed the whole matter could be explained.

But don't underestimate these dark forces.

All the information must pass through them.

Knowing these inside details is not difficult either.

Li Jiaci gave Wang Zhen a deep look.

He originally just wanted to casually make up a person to dispel Wang Zhen's worries, but having started this, he couldn't bring himself to finish it.

"My brother is named Jiang Ping; after leaving Zhang Lao Da, his power grew stronger and stronger, even more glorious than Zhang Lao Da's, with countless underlings, his line of work being shocking, and yet this shady trade still makes good money, so in just half a year he became the local tyrant!"

"Unfortunately, this person always has some bad luck; just when he was at his peak, another group suddenly set their sights on him, wanting to replace him, even the women around him became disloyal, turning into the other side's pawns, setting traps for him everywhere."

"He foolishly listened to that woman's words, took his brothers to settle scores with the other side, but unexpectedly was captured on the spot by the Maozi lying in ambush; his brothers died one after another trying to protect him, leaving only two people beside him, and he was forced to flee all the way to the man-eating place of Sanbianpo."

"Those two brothers were brutally killed by the warlords of Sanbianpo, and he consequently became addicted to powder, living a life neither human nor ghost; after years of returning to this familiar land, he learned the truth: it was actually Changshulin who, to suppress the dark forces, deliberately had the Maozi set a trap and then used his woman to stir up trouble."

"When he learned all this, his intestines turned green with regret; all day he could only look at his brothers' portraits and repent his mistakes; if it weren't for his impulsive recklessness, acting without deliberation, his brothers wouldn't have died for him in this game of chess."

As his words fell.

Li Jiaci's eye sockets were already moist, his fists clenched with a creaking sound.

These are all his personal experiences from his previous life, merely with some details changed, replacing Liu Yunshen with Changshulin.

But actually, whether replaced or not makes no difference.

In his previous life, Wang Zhen was defeated by Changshulin's hands.

At this moment, mentioning Changshulin's name can serve as a warning bell for Wang Zhen.

It lets him set up a mental line of defense.

Wang Zhen listened to this description, silently stubbed out his cigarette, and let out a heavy sigh.

These matters don't feel like someone else's affairs.

They seem like things he could encounter at any moment.

For some reason, his heart feels heavily blocked.

And Li Jiaci had already adjusted his mood, speaking lightly: "Brother, now you know why I insist on bringing you onto the right path? My brother's experience is very likely to be your future experience!"

You mean Changshulin will repeat his old tricks, suppressing Pingzhou's black forces?

Wang Zhen furrowed his brow.

That's right, I know his character well, which is why I've earnestly urged you to turn over a new leaf!

But that alone isn't enough; we need a thorough whitewash!

Who knows? Perhaps our former subordinates, for the sake of profit, will spill what we've done!

Liu Yunshen's secretary has used that to threaten me!

Li Jiaci finished saying this.

He grabbed Wang Zhen's hand.

He gripped it tightly.

Brother, your Song and Dance Hall has been open for so many years, you've made enough money; it's time to quit!

Wang Zhen looked at him in surprise and said, "You want me to close the Song and Dance Hall? What about my people? Some have followed me since they were twelve or thirteen; aside from those jobs watching the venue and doing odd jobs, they know nothing else. Closing the Song and Dance Hall would just leave them drifting onto the streets to fend for themselves!"

Li Jiaci sighed.

Sigh...

Such a grown person, surely they can do something?

They have no particular skill; they could work as security guards or apprentices—worst case, they'd earn a bit less.

But they wouldn't starve to death!

Unless they themselves don't want to live properly and insist on doing those shady dealings!

People like that following you will sooner or later cause trouble; when something really happens, who will bear the responsibility?

Nobody will care about a few nameless little hooligans; they'll just point at your nose and scold you.

You should think about it yourself!

Over these years, you have been conscience‑clear toward them!

You can't support them for life; the road ahead, they must blaze themselves.

By the way, take a look at whether these little brothers have learned even a bit from you!

Wang Zhen understands all these principles.

He lowered his head deeply and didn't answer for a long time.