Chapter 37: The Consequences of Deceiving Me Are Serious

Hearing those words.

Li Yihu only then belatedly recalled what Li Jiaci had just said, and immediately shut his mouth.

Li Jiaci turned his head to look at the black-clad man and said, "Can we set off now?"

The black-clad man also simultaneously turned his gaze onto Li Jiaci's face.

Next.

He said nothing and started the boat on his own.

Because it was too dark.

Li Jiaci couldn't see the surroundings very clearly.

However, by feel, the kayak beneath him seemed to be heading straight toward the river's center.

Thinking this,

Li Jiaci couldn't help but feel like laughing.

I really don't know what to say to these Bei Bang people.

Obviously he's already so poor he's about to lose his pants, yet he still has to put on this messy show—wouldn't it be better to keep it simple?

And just as Li Jiaci was lost in thought,

The black-clad man opposite him suddenly spoke: "You're not like the Huaguo people I've met before."

Oh?

Li Jiaci raised an eyebrow and asked: "How so?"

Bolder and smarter.

The black-clad man said: "I've also picked up many people before, but many of them, upon hearing me tell them to come alone, immediately went soft—either sending their subordinates or just refusing to continue talking."

Hehe.

Li Jiaci smiled: "There should still be those willing to board with you, right?"

Yes.

There are also the bold ones.

The black-clad man seemed to be implying: "It's just that these people aren't smart enough."

Li Jiaci pressed his lips and asked: "Then, in your words, what ultimately happens to those not smart enough?"

Hehe.

The black-clad man chuckled: "I don't know; probably they ended up drifting somewhere to feed the fish."

The meaning of that is nothing more than they're dead.

On the kayak.

Li Jiaci fell silent for a while, then said: "If my talk with your superior turns unpleasant, please trouble yourself to do it personally."

Aren't you afraid of death?

The black-clad man asked in surprise.

I am afraid.

Why aren't you afraid?

Li Jiaci lowered his head, smiled, and said: "In this world there's so much delicious food, fun things, and beautiful scenery—what could be better than being alive?"

Hearing him say that,

The black-clad man felt even more puzzled: "After I already told you this trip might involve death, you still dare to follow me?"

First.

"I've already promised you I'll go see your superior."

"As a merchant, integrity comes first; I must keep my promises."

Second.

"What I just said was merely a sigh."

"I actually don't think I will necessarily fall out with your superior."

Li Jiaci said: "In fact, I think he will surely like my proposal, and we will surely be able to cooperate happily in the future."

Hehe.

The black-clad man chuckled: "I like your confidence, and I hope you can really do as you say."

After another moment.

The bow seemed to have hit something.

"We've arrived."

The black-clad man told Li Jiaci: "Slowly stand up, turn around, then raise both hands high."

Li Jiaci didn't hesitate and immediately did as the black-clad man said.

At the instant he raised his hands,

His wrists were instantly seized by two strong hands.

Immediately after,

His whole body was then lifted straight off the kayak.

When his feet touched solid ground again, he was already on the deck of a fishing boat.

Two oil lamps that looked somewhat aged hung at the front of the cabin.

And by the dim light of those oil lamps, Li Jiaci could clearly see the scene on the boat.

The fishing boat wasn't large.

But there were especially many people on board.

At least over ten, all wearing military uniforms and still holding weapons in their hands.

At this moment.

These Bei Bang soldiers were all looking at him.

Their eyes held scrutiny and investigation, as well as a hint of curiosity.

Li Jiaci glanced left and right, his gaze finally settling on the man seated in the center.

This man looked to be in his forties, with a terrifying scar running from his left cheek to his right cheek.

Of course.

These don't matter.

What matters is that he wore a military uniform clearly different from other Bei Bang soldiers, and his shoulder insignia bore three clearly visible stars.

Colonel rank!

And the rank of colonel in Bei Bang is almost equivalent to a regional lord.

Thus it can be seen.

That black-clad man wasn't joking.

He really had his superior come over.

Of course.

From this one can also see another problem.

They are indeed eager to change the current situation of smuggling timber into Huaguo.

And while Li Jiaci scrutinized the Bei Bang colonel, the Bei Bang colonel also scrutinized him.

After a long while.

Still, the Bei Bang colonel spoke first.

But he spoke in Bei Bang language, which Li Jiaci couldn't understand at all.

"Our superior asks you."

"Are you the timber merchant Xiao Cui spoke of?"

Just then, the black-clad man came up behind Li Jiaci and casually translated the middle-aged colonel's words.

"Xiao Cui?"

Li Jiaci glanced at the black-clad man.

The black-clad man nodded at him: "It's me."

Li Jiaci slowly rose to his feet and said: "You must be the superior he mentioned, right?"

"Yes."

The middle-aged colonel responded and got straight to the point: "I heard from Xiao Cui that you have a way to legally export timber to Huaguo without losing profits, right?"

"Yes."

Li Jiaci nodded.

"Hehe."

The middle-aged colonel laughed.

But in the very next moment, his gaze turned cold: "Do you think I'm a fool? Do you have the power to change Huaguo government policy?"

Then.

He turned his head and said something to the person beside him.

Immediately after, a young woman in military uniform walked toward Li Jiaci.

Before Li Jiaci could make sense of the situation, a black pistol appeared in the woman's hand, its muzzle pointed directly at his forehead.

Facing the opponent's muzzle.

Li Jiaci involuntarily narrowed his eyes.

In his previous life, he had more than once had a gun muzzle pressed against his head.

At some point he had also been afraid, and consequently suffered sleepless nights.

But after experiencing much and seeing much, he had become immune to gun muzzles.

So at this moment.

He merely glanced at the armed young woman, and his expression returned to its usual calm and carefree demeanor.

"Commander!"

"If you pull the trigger."

"You may never be able to get the timber in your hands into Huaguo through legal means in this lifetime."

Li Jiaci said: "You can only forever be a rat in a gutter, sneaking around to spy on others making piles of money."

"You dare say I'm a rat?"

A flash of killing intent crossed the middle-aged colonel's eyes.

"That's right!"

"You now are exactly like a rat."

Li Jiaci loudly said: "Especially compared to those who control gold mines, silver mines, and iron mines, you are nothing more than an insignificant rat."