Chapter 98

Han Tong immediately spotted Han Lao Liu, who was mixed among the bailiffs, and realized he had fallen into a huge trap.

During the last argument, Zhang Han had backed down, but he also demonstrated his power and gained favor with the county magistrate and the local gentry. At the same time, Han Tong had inadvertently offended the Zhang family of Pu Prefecture, which was equivalent to offending many prestigious and powerful gentry families.

Then, Zhang Han showcased his new iron furnace and arranged for someone to bribe Han Tong. He took the opportunity to destroy the Han family's iron furnace and frame Han Tong, burying a dead body in the Han family's courtyard. When the body was discovered, the charge of murder would be confirmed.

Murder was a serious crime at any time. Even if Han Qi knew about it, there would be no way to deny it, especially with so many people present when the body was exhumed from the Han residence. How could it be concealed?

Han Tong felt a chill all over his body, knowing he might be pushed to the execution ground and beheaded.

Over the years, he had killed several miners who disobeyed him, and in a fit of rage, he had pushed a disobedient maid into a well, drowning her. He had forced many people to their deaths, and a few years ago, when he bought an estate, a mentally challenged person refused to sell his land, leading to the destruction of his family under Han Tong's coercion. Previously, he had felt no remorse for these actions, but today, he had been thoroughly outmaneuvered, and now he faced the same fate. The complexity of Han Tong's inner feelings was indescribable.

After Zhang Han finished speaking, he took a step back and calmly observed Han Tong, who was in a daze.

Zhang Han had no sympathy for such a person. Everything that had happened to Han Tong was self-inflicted. If Han Tong had not provoked him, even if this person had a sordid past, it would not have been his concern, and he would not have gone to such lengths to use his connections to do this.

Moreover, after this incident, the truth would eventually come to light, and he would have offended a provincial governor. Although the governor was far away in Taiyuan and could not interfere in Datong's affairs, it would still be a significant隐患 (隐患 means "hidden danger" or "potential threat").

"Sir, the body has been exhumed."

After two hours, a bailiff ran out to report, and Zhu Qingyu nodded slightly. Today, he had thoroughly offended the Han family. If the body had not been exhumed, it would have been a very troublesome matter.

One must strike the snake at its vital point. Zhu Qingyu looked at Zhang Han, his eyes filled with admiration.

This young man could endure and wait, and his actions were extremely ruthless. It seemed that in the future, Lingqiu's Dongshan would be led by He Yusheng, and the Dongshan Association would willingly submit. With the Han family's downfall, there would be no other force that could challenge Zhang Han.

Then a large crowd surged out, and Han Lao Liu was among them. He nodded at Zhang Han and then hid in the crowd. Han Tong saw this person, his eyes filled with hatred. The bailiffs and coroners carried out a body, which had been buried for a few days and had already begun to rot. Those nearby could clearly smell the stench and quickly moved back.

At this moment, several people came forward to take a look and exclaimed, "It's Yang Yingming, no doubt about it."

Zhang Han had brought some people from the mine, all of whom were experienced local miners who immediately recognized Yang Yingming's body.

Fortunately, Yang Yingming had no family, or there would have been chaos.

Even so, the Han family had offended too many people. In the past, everyone had dared to be angry but not to speak. Now, with the body of Yang Yingming confirmed, the Han family was about to face disaster, and many people began to curse.

"Zhang Han, this time I have lost, but our accounts will be settled by someone else eventually."

Han Tong was also a tough man. Knowing he had been thoroughly defeated, he first spoke to Zhang Han, his eyes filled with hatred. Then he said to Zhu Qingyu, "Sir, I will not admit to this case, but I will be detained. I only ask that you show mercy and not disturb my family."

"Of course," Zhu Qingyu replied, not daring to be negligent. He planned to finalize the case that night, ensuring that all the necessary procedures were followed, and then send the case to Taiyuan the next morning, before Han Qi could interfere. He waved his hand, and several bailiffs surrounded Han Tong and escorted him to the county office, where the magistrate would personally interrogate and decide the case.

When Han Tong spoke, Zhang Han merely smiled. As the victor, he did not need to engage in verbal sparring. Even if there were any future reprisals, they would have nothing to do with Han Tong, who was doomed.

Crying sounds came from the Han residence, but Han Tong was resolute, walking straight with a stiff back. At this moment, Liang Xing and Yang Qiu also approached, standing beside Zhang Han. Liang Xing pursed his lips and said, "I wonder if he will have the nerve to face execution."

Yang Qiu said, "He might wet his pants... What about Han Lao Liu?"

The last part was a question to Zhang Han. The matter here was settled, and Zhang Han would have to leave in a day or two. He had been in Lingqiu for over a month, from the end of June to mid-August, and had delayed many things. Staying longer would be pointless. Someone like Han Lao Liu was not entirely trustworthy, and if the Han family had powerful connections, they might come to Lingqiu to thoroughly investigate, making Han Lao Liu a living witness.

Liang Xing and Yang Qiu looked at Zhang Han, waiting for his decision. Liang Xing added, "He just slipped away. His confession has been signed, and the magistrate probably won't need him anymore. I've already had someone keep an eye on him..."

Zhang Han looked at the two of them and suddenly whispered, "What are you thinking? When we need him, we flatter him, and when we're done, we kill him to silence him? If this gets out, who will trust me and He Yusheng? Who will dare to truly befriend me, even if we cooperate for mutual benefit?"

The two men were speechless.

Zhang Han continued, "Those who deserve to die should be killed, but we cannot be overly merciful. Actions must have principles. Without principles, it's just chaos. Those who dare not kill cannot accomplish anything, and those who kill indiscriminately also cannot succeed. Could you be as ruthless as Dong Zhuo and Huang Chao? Did they succeed?"

Yang Qiu stammered, "Then what should we do with this person? Keeping him in Lingqiu is risky."

"Take him to Xinping Fort and hand him over to Old Cai to help. This person seems to know how to forge iron, so he can make horseshoes and such. Keep him around and instruct the others to pay attention to him."

"Alright, I'll make sure to arrange it properly."

"Good." Zhang Han nodded, and the tension in his nerves finally relaxed. The Han family affair had truly drained a lot of his energy and effort. He had dug a super deep pit for Han Tong, and now he could truly leave Lingqiu.

At this moment, Zhang Xuezeng, Li Dayong, Zeng Yongxian, and the Sun family's uncle and nephew all rushed over. Seeing Han Tong being escorted away, Zhang Xuezeng praised, "Those who do too much evil will eventually destroy themselves. Well done."

Zhang Han smiled and said, "Uncle, you're losing your composure. Scholars should not be so ungracious."

Zhang Xuezeng laughed and scolded, "Your way of thinking is that of a hypocrite. Hypocrisy is the thief of benevolence!"

Zhang Han shrank back and said, "Uncle, I'll definitely buy more books and read them thoroughly. Please don't lecture me."

Everyone laughed. The people present had looked at Zhang Han with surprise and some fear, and even those who were familiar with him had become somewhat distant. Zhang Han's actions had inadvertently reduced the cold and intimidating aura he had projected.

Even so, Li Dayong still said to Zhang Han with reverence, "Mr. Zhang, your methods are truly remarkable."

Ma Huaxian, who had three blast furnaces in Dongshan and was also a powerful owner, added, "I am thoroughly convinced of Mr. Zhang's abilities. In the future, whether it's iron prices, labor costs, or any other regulations, I will follow Mr. Zhang's lead."

Sun Anle nodded and said, "The Dongshan Association will do the same."

This statement shocked everyone.

Before Zhang Han came to Lingqiu, the Dongshan Association, led by Sun Anle, and Han Tong were always at odds. Li Dayong, Ma Huaxian, and Zeng Yongxian had always tried to stay neutral. Now that the Han family had fallen, the smaller owners were willing to submit, and the Dongshan Association was also following orders. In Shanxi, at least two-thirds of the iron production would be under Zhang Han's control. In the entire northern region, Shanxi iron accounted for 30-40% of the market share. In that instant, at least 30% of the northern iron production, from sales to production and pricing, would be in Zhang Han's hands.

This was an extremely proud achievement!

Zhang Han felt an uncontrollable surge of ambition. Whether it was wealth or power, being able to possess them was a great pleasure, and this feeling was no less satisfying than having a beautiful woman.

However, politeness was still necessary. Zhang Han said to Sun Anle, "Mr. Sun, you are too polite..."

"No, Mr. Zhang, please rest assured. The Dongshan Association will fully cooperate with you in the future. We will also ask you to take good care of our workers..."

Sun Anle looked the same as always, with his robust body and large head, his hair still messy, his back still straight, and his eyes still sharp, but his tone had become much gentler. To everyone, he even seemed more polite when speaking to Zhang Han.

It was clear that he was sincere. At this moment, most of the people around had dispersed, and although some were still watching, each person had attendants or guards to keep the crowd at a distance. The time was right, and although the place was not ideal, Zhang Han carefully said to Sun Anle, "It's better to share joy than to enjoy it alone. It's better for everyone to prosper together than for one family to get rich. Even if He Yusheng is powerful, we cannot take over all of Dongyan. There are dozens of large and small owners. To be honest, I also have some connections, but how much better are they than Han's? He also fell, didn't he? So my idea is that in terms of worker treatment, production, and sales prices, we should communicate more with each other. This way, Shanxi iron can expand externally, and everyone's profits will be substantial. We should reduce internal conflicts, improve worker treatment, and attract more workers from other iron-producing areas in Shanxi. With more workers, we can build more furnaces, produce more iron, and capture a larger market share. With a larger share, the selling price will naturally be higher. This is a virtuous cycle. We should unite, and we can establish an association, the Lingqiu Iron and Steel Association. Each owner can serve as a council member, and we can discuss matters together. If you all support it, He Yusheng can lead, and we can provide technical support to improve the purity and production of pig iron... Of course, this time it is genuine support, with no hidden agenda."