Chapter 241: Sounding the Mountain to Warn the Tiger
Xu Ying reported from outside the door, "Miss, Proprietor Wu is here."
His timing was rather coincidental. A cold glint flashed in Hua Zhi's eyes. With such close proximity and such a large business deal at stake, she didn't believe Wu Zheng had only just learned about what happened. While she could understand his reluctance to confront Yu Shun head-on, she couldn't help but form a much poorer impression of him.
After all, she was a customer of An Tai Fishing Firm. Even if they couldn't guarantee her personal safety, they should have at least made a superficial effort.
Wu Zheng immediately apologized upon entering, "I am late, Miss."
Hua Zhi was taken aback by Wu Zheng's appearance. He was completely drenched, with water dripping from his hair, looking utterly disheveled. "Proprietor Wu, you..."
Wu Zheng smiled bitterly. "That Cao Dahai had someone sink one of my boats. I went to the dock as soon as I got the news. Before we could even salvage the boat, someone reported that he had clashed with you, Miss. I found it strange earlier—although Cao Dahai has always been at odds with us, he never went so far as to break all pretenses. It turns out..."
Realizing he hadn't been avoiding the conflict to protect himself, Hua Zhi felt somewhat relieved. Then, considering Wu Zheng's words, she had a sudden insight. "Someone leaked information to him?"
"Yes." Wu Zheng's gritted teeth showed his extreme anger. "Cao Dahai wouldn't have gone to such lengths unless he knew the details of this deal. I've already sent people to investigate. I won't tolerate anyone who bites the hand that feeds them!"
Just then, Chen Er rushed over, red-faced and panting, frantically signaling to his proprietor from outside the door. Wu Zheng excused himself and stepped out, his expression grim. "What is so urgent that it can't wait?"
"Cao Dahai has fallen! He's finished!"
Wu Zheng immediately fixed his gaze on him, eyes blazing.
Chen Er pulled his proprietor further away and whispered with evident satisfaction, "Yu Shun has been turned upside down—the roof is completely destroyed. Cao Dahai not only had his limbs broken but was also castrated. He's barely breathing, and it's unclear if he'll survive. It was done by the Miss's people!"
Unable to contain his excitement, Chen Er lowered his voice even further. "Many witnesses saw the veiled young lady take action!"
Wu Zheng clenched his fists tightly before releasing them. Although he had never viewed this group as easy targets, he hadn't held them in particularly high regard either. Judging by their demeanor, even if they came from a prominent family, they must have fallen on hard times. Otherwise, why would they let a woman conduct business openly? In their Jingzhou, such a woman would be unmarriageable and subjected to lifelong gossip.
But now, he was immensely grateful he had maintained a respectful attitude!
Wu Zheng's mind raced. "Secure Yu Shun's territory—in her name."
Chen Er was momentarily confused, unsure why his proprietor would use the Miss's name falsely.
"Hurry, before Li Xiang gets there."
Chen Er finally understood—his proprietor was seizing the opportunity to take over the territory!
Without another word, Chen Er turned and sprinted away. If they could swallow Yu Shun, An Tai Fishing Firm's position would be secured!
Wu Zheng took several deep breaths. Upon re-entering the room, he bowed deeply to Hua Zhi. "Thank you, Miss, for ridding our Shui Guang Village of this scourge."
From Chen Er's earlier reaction and the words "Cao Dahai has fallen" she overheard, Hua Zhi believed Wu Zheng had indeed fallen victim to a "lure the tiger from the mountain" scheme. Her attitude softened accordingly, and she gestured for Wu Zheng to take a seat."I must say I'm quite curious about what background Cao Dahai actually has, that even you, Shopkeeper Wu, have to steer clear of him."
Wu Zheng no longer dared to underestimate the woman before him in the slightest, and immediately explained: "To answer the young lady's question, that Cao Dahai was originally a local tyrant in Zhenyang County town. Later, due to conflicts of interest, he retreated to our village with his gang and opened that Yu Shun Fishing Firm. Over the years, he has committed countless acts of bullying and oppression, disrupting Shui Guang Village so much that not even chickens or dogs were left in peace. Although our Wu family has been running a security agency in Zhenyang since my father's generation, our ancestors actually came from this Shui Guang Village. Eventually, relatives and friends came begging to my father, hoping he would take action to punish Cao Dahai."
Wu Zheng gave a bitter smile. "My father is already old - how could I agree to such a request? I haven't even learned half of my father's skills, and I knew full well that with my limited abilities, I was no match for the numerous followers of Cao Dahai. Coincidentally, around that time, our security agency lost two consignments in a row, and we were facing a shortage of guards. So I simply closed the agency and returned to Shui Guang Village to open a fishing firm. This way, I could make a living while also providing some protection for our clansmen. Not to boast, but since our fishing firm opened, there haven't been any deaths in Shui Guang Village caused by Cao Dahai's oppression. Though my capabilities are limited, this is all I can manage to do."
"One should act according to their capabilities. Having such self-awareness prevents harm to both others and oneself. Shopkeeper Wu is a good man."
Wu Zheng repeatedly shook his head with a bitter smile, unwilling to accept the compliment.
Hua Zhi took a sip of tea and asked, "So you're saying Cao Dahai doesn't have any significant backing? He's just a local bully?"
"Essentially, yes. Even if he had some connections, he's practically finished now, his operation is destroyed - no one would stand up for him." Moreover, whoever took action against him was clearly no ordinary person, and those connections wouldn't dare to intervene anyway.
Excellent. Although Hua Zhi hadn't regarded Cao Dahai as a serious threat, hearing Wu Zheng's explanation still eased her mind somewhat. Fewer troubles were always better.
"I imagine you have matters to attend to, Shopkeeper Wu. Let's continue our discussion tomorrow as agreed."
"Yes." Wu Zheng stood up and cupped his hands in salute. "I shall await the young lady's visit."
Hua Zhi rose and returned a slight bow. Xu Ying stepped forward to see him out. Even though they had now revealed some of their capabilities, they maintained every bit of proper etiquette.
Truly someone from the capital, Wu Zheng thought to himself, though he maintained his previous attitude outwardly. Having traveled outside before, he understood that switching from arrogance to deference would only invite more disdain.
"Hua Hua, you're just letting him go like that? He wants to use your reputation for his own purposes."
What else was she supposed to do - knock him down too? Hua Zhi tapped Shaoyao's forehead and called Wang Cheng over. "Accompany Little Six to take a look."
The Sixth Prince was momentarily surprised, but quickly understood Hua sister's meaning. He stood up proactively and said, "Let Wang Cheng stay. I have the Chen Zhen and Chen Shi brothers with me, that's enough."
"Take him with you."
The Sixth Prince felt both happy and useless - happy that Hua sister cared about his safety, but frustrated that he was holding her back. This wouldn't do. He needed to learn more and master more skills so he could help Hua sister in the future. After returning, he would have to work harder to improve his martial arts. No matter how many people were protecting him, it couldn't compare to having the ability to protect himself.
Hua Zhi walked to the window and looked down at the empty street below. The surroundings were so quiet it felt like they were deep in the mountains.She wasn't unaware of what Wu Zheng was plotting, but why should she stop him? If he truly had the capability to swallow Yushun, it would only benefit her—at least she wouldn't have to worry about anyone tampering with the supply sources.
On the other hand, Cao Dahai's fate served as the best deterrent. Even if Wu Zheng grew ambitious and strayed in the future, he would have to consider whether he could bear the consequences.
Perfect.
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