novelapdf Chapter 23 The Zhao Family Bows Down, the Merger Begins
Chapter 23 The Zhao Family Bows Down, the Merger Begins
The side hall was brightly lit.
The tea on the table was steaming hot, with a delicate aroma, but it had already cooled down by half.
Zhao Yuancheng sat upright in the guest seat, still wearing a friendly smile on his face, but his fingertips kept tapping the rim of his glass, clearly indicating that his patience was almost exhausted.
He, the dignified head of the Zhao family, brought gifts up the mountain late at night, only to be left standing in a side hall for a quarter of an hour.
In the past, who would have dared to be so negligent?
But now, he can only endure it.
Because the wind direction changed down the mountain.
⸻
The steward behind him whispered:
"Master, perhaps..."
Zhao Yuancheng raised his hand to interrupt, his smile unchanged.
"What's the rush?"
"We can afford to wait."
He said that, but secretly sighed in his heart.
Li Xuan, despite his young age, has an extremely steady grasp of how to manipulate people.
Ignoring him is not impolite.
It is to tell him—
The Zhao family has come seeking cooperation, not bestowing favors.
⸻
A moment later, footsteps could be heard.
Li Xuan slowly entered the hall, dressed neatly in white, with a composed expression.
Zhao Yuancheng immediately stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and smiled:
"Chief Li is very busy, and I apologize for disturbing you so late at night."
Li Xuan returned the greeting calmly.
"You're too kind, Master Zhao."
"Please sit down."
The two sat down, their eyes met, both carrying a hint of a smile and a hint of probing.
⸻
Zhao Yuancheng spoke first.
"Today, the Li family decisively defeated Black Wind Stronghold, shaking the entire county."
"Zhao has come specifically to offer his congratulations."
As he spoke, he waved his hand in acknowledgment.
The steward behind him immediately presented a gift box.
Inside the box lay a 300-year-old red ginseng, its medicinal fragrance filling the air, and its value considerable.
Li Xuan glanced at it but didn't touch it.
"Patriarch Zhao, you are very kind."
Zhao Yuancheng's smile remained unchanged.
"In addition, Mr. Zhao has another matter to discuss."
"We are willing to transfer the management of the three grain shops and two general stores in the East Market to the Li family."
As soon as he finished speaking, the breathing of several members of the Li family in the hall became heavy.
Shops in the East Market!
That's one of the most valuable industries in Qingyun County.
Li Yuanshan stood in the corner, his eyes instantly shining.
⸻
Li Xuan, however, remained calm.
"What are the conditions?"
Zhao Yuancheng sighed inwardly.
Talking to smart people is both convenient and mentally taxing.
"It's very simple."
"The Zhao family is willing to cooperate deeply with the Li family and advance and retreat together."
"If the Wang family falls, the profits of the East Market will be divided between the two families."
Li Xuan picked up the teacup and gently blew on the steam.
"sounds good."
Zhao Yuancheng's eyes brightened slightly.
"What does the young clan leader mean?"
Li Xuan raised his eyes and said calmly:
"Patriarch Zhao, you've made a mistake."
The air in the hall seemed to freeze slightly.
⸻
"Now it's not the Zhao and Li families conspiring together against the Wang family."
"It's the Zhao family who want to hitch a ride on the Li family's coattails."
Zhao Yuancheng's smile froze slightly.
That's too blunt and too harsh.
Yet, there was no way to refute it.
It's now clear to everyone that the Li family is rising in power while the Wang family is declining.
The Zhao family took the initiative to come to our door, which meant they were there to take sides.
⸻
Li Xuan put down his teacup, his tone calm.
"Therefore, it's my turn to set the terms."
Zhao Yuancheng remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Speaking."
"The Li family has taken over all five shops in the East Market."
"The Zhao family is responsible for handing over the contact information ledger."
"From now on, the Zhao family can take 10% of the profits from selling the Li family's Ling rice on their behalf."
"in addition--"
Li Xuan's eyes turned slightly cold.
"I need a list of the Wang family's peripheral businesses."
Zhao Yuancheng's pupils contracted slightly.
What a big appetite!
They swallowed up all the shops and also wanted intelligence from the Zhao family.
This is not cooperation; it's using the Zhao family to devour the Wang family.
⸻
The steward behind him couldn't help but say:
"Young Clan Chief Li, this is a bit too much..."
Zhao Yuancheng raised his hand to stop him, and a smile returned to his face.
"We can talk."
Li Xuan said calmly:
"It's not a discussion."
"To answer or not to answer."
The side hall immediately fell silent.
Li Yuanshan felt a chill run down his spine as he listened from behind.
The young clan leader is really daring to suppress others.
But he also felt incredibly good.
⸻
Zhao Yuancheng remained silent for a long time before finally laughing heartily.
"good!"
"I admit defeat today."
"The contracts for the five shops in the East Market will be finalized tomorrow."
"The list of those surrounding the Wang family will be delivered tonight."
He took the gamble.
I'm betting the Li family will win to the end.
If the bet succeeds, the Zhao family can use the momentum to rise to even greater heights.
If you bet wrong...
Then accept your fate.
⸻
Only then did Li Xuan reveal a slight smile.
"Patriarch Zhao is indeed pragmatic."
Zhao Yuancheng gave a wry smile.
"Is the young clan leader praising me or scolding me?"
Li Xuan said calmly:
"truth."
The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.
The atmosphere finally eased.
⸻
After seeing Zhao Yuancheng off.
The side room erupted in chaos.
Li Yuanshan was so excited he almost jumped up.
"Young Clan Chief!"
"The Fifth Shop in the East Market!"
"It used to be so difficult for the Li family to even rent a room!"
"Now we're really in the city!"
Li Yuanlie leaned against the wall, holding his sword, his face full of disdain.
"It's just a shop."
"Can you kill someone?"
Li Yuanshan angrily said:
"It can make money!"
Li Yuanlie pondered for a moment.
"That's fine too."
⸻
Li Tianheng walked into the hall and listened to the contents of the negotiation, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Zhao Yuancheng is a cunning old fox."
"It wasn't easy to get him to back down."
Li Xuan remained calm.
"He didn't bow his head."
"He's trying to find a way to survive."
"If the Wang family falls, the Zhao family will also be swallowed up if they don't take sides in advance."
Li Tianheng nodded slowly.
He suddenly realized that his son's understanding of the situation was far superior to his own.
⸻
late at night.
Li Xuan returned to his study and spread out the list sent by the Zhao family.
The Wang family's businesses were written on it in dense text:
Three grain shops, one pharmacy, two dock warehouses, two guard posts, and numerous loan ledgers...
This is not a list.
It is the Wang family's Achilles' heel.
Li Xuan tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze growing cold.
"The business war has reached this point; it's time to wrap things up."
⸻
A system notification sounded in my mind:
The Zhao family has officially become their vassal.
[Enhancing the influence of family businesses]
[Current Luck: 223]
[Mission Progress: Acquired Wang Family's peripheral assets (20%)]
[Reward Preview: Opportunity to upgrade the fifth acre of spiritual land]
[Bonus: Increased probability of discovering family geniuses]
Li Xuan's eyes brightened slightly.
The probability of someone becoming a genius increases.
The next generation of the Li family is about to sprout.
The Wang family, however, was unaware that their strongest wall had already cracked from within.
The night outside the window was deep and dark.
The weather in Qingyun County is about to change.
End of Chapter Twenty-Three