Chapter 92

After Yang Xiaojun brought the news of the穿越 team to Liu Yunyan, as Zhang Weixin had predicted, she agreed to the team's conditions after a brief consideration. However, she asked Yang Xiaojun to convey to Zhang Weixin that she could grant freedom to Yang Xiaojun and her family, but on the condition that she could reach a cooperation agreement with Zhang Weixin and his brothers. If the "Qingyuan" brothers could accept her proposal, both parties would meet at the foot of Huotian Tower the next morning at the beginning of the hour of Si, and then find a suitable place to discuss the details of the cooperation. Having received Liu Yunyan's response, Yang Xiaojun immediately rushed to "Qingyuan" to pass the message to the穿越 team. The committee found Liu Yunyan's request reasonable and agreed to it.

After Yang Xiaojun left with the message, the committee immediately convened an expanded meeting with the action executive committee to discuss various matters related to cooperating with Liu Yunyan. They considered potential issues and countermeasures that might arise during negotiations and cooperation, and formulated corresponding cooperation scopes, conditions, rights, obligations, and negotiation bottom lines. The meeting decided that Zhang Weixin would meet Liu Yunyan the next day to initially explore why she wanted to cooperate and her general requirements, providing the committee and the executive committee with information for further analysis. For safety reasons, Wu Peng would accompany him to handle security.

The next day, on the 27th of the fourth lunar month, Zhang Weixin and Wu Peng, after making the necessary preparations, left "Qingyuan" and headed straight for Huotian Tower. After exiting Liangxiang's East Gate, they soon saw the tall tower and also noticed Yang Xiaojun and another woman waiting at the foot of the tower.

Although they were still some distance away, Zhang Weixin could tell that the woman with Yang Xiaojun was Liu Yunyan. He had met her before at an auction, along with Yang Xiaojun, and they had a brief conversation, so he recognized her.

Clearly, Liu Yunyan and Yang Xiaojun also saw Zhang Weixin and Wu Peng. Yang Xiaojun waved to them and quickly approached, with Liu Yunyan closely following, almost never leaving her side.

Upon reaching them, Yang Xiaojun and Zhang Weixin exchanged a nod, and then Yang Xiaojun began to introduce them. Liu Yunyan, however, waved her hand and said, "No need for introductions, Sister has met Mister Zhang before."

Zhang Weixin also said, "Indeed, I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Liu on the streets of Liangxiang."

Hearing this, Yang Xiaojun recalled the incident and did not introduce them further. Zhang Weixin then introduced Liu Yunyan to Cheng Fei, and they exchanged formal greetings.

After a few polite exchanges, Liu Yunyan suggested they find a tavern in Liangxiang to sit down and talk. Zhang Weixin had no objections and agreed, "Miss Liu's suggestion is excellent. I also think it's a good idea. How about we go to the largest tavern in Liangxiang, 'Tianfulou'? What do you think, Miss Liu?"

Liu Yunyan replied with a hint of meaning, "If Mister Zhang says 'Tianfulou,' then 'Tianfulou' it is. I understand that Mister Zhang is one of the owners of 'Tianfulou.' We can speak freely there without fear of interruption, and our safety will be guaranteed."

Zhang Weixin understood Liu Yunyan's implication. She was indicating that she knew a lot about "Tianfulou" and was showing her confidence despite the fact that Yang Xiaojun's family was still in her hands. Zhang Weixin laughed and said, "Miss Liu is indeed a straightforward person. I like doing business with people like you. Miss Liu, please."

With that, the four of them left Huotian Tower, entered Liangxiang's East Gate, and arrived at "Tianfulou." The waiter at the entrance saw Zhang Weixin and Wu Peng from a distance and, knowing they were one of the tavern's owners, did not dare to be disrespectful. As the four approached, he hurriedly greeted them, "This humble servant, Chen Xiaoer, greets Seventh Master and Thirty-First Master. Are you just passing by, or do you plan to entertain guests here?"

Zhang Weixin nodded and instructed, "I and Thirty-First Brother will be discussing some matters with these two young ladies. Please arrange a quiet private room and prepare two pots of tea and some snacks." Chen Xiaoer, bowing and bending, led the way up to the third floor of "Tianfulou" to one of the most luxurious private rooms, the Tianfu Room. After serving the four, he bowed and left.

Shortly after, Chen Xiaoer brought the tea and snacks and asked if Zhang Weixin needed to inform Chen Guangfu and Xie Tian. Zhang Weixin said there was no need to trouble them and instructed Chen Xiaoer not to come unless called. Chen Xiaoer agreed, turned, and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Once Chen Xiaoer had left, Zhang Weixin poured tea for Yang Xiaojun and Liu Yunyan and then asked Liu Yunyan, "I heard from Xiaojun that Miss Liu wishes to be friends with me and my brothers?"

Liu Yunyan nodded and said, "Yes, that is my intention. I wonder if Mister Zhang and his brothers are willing to be friends with me?"

Zhang Weixin smiled and said, "I often hear that 'more friends mean more paths, more enemies mean more walls.' I am always eager to make more friends. However, there is one thing I don't understand. Is Miss Liu seeking friendship for herself, or for someone else? Moreover, Miss Liu seems very eager to be friends with us, to the point of using my beloved and her family as leverage. I find this very puzzling and hope Miss Liu can clarify. After all, if we are to be friends, we should understand each other. From what I can see, Miss Liu seems to know a lot about us, but we know almost nothing about you."

Faced with Zhang Weixin's questions, Liu Yunyan thought for a moment, weighing the pros and cons, and then decided to speak. She bowed to Zhang Weixin and the others and said, "I used Yang Xiaojun and her family as leverage out of necessity. I apologize to Yang Xiaojun, Mister Zhang, and Mister Cheng, and hope you can understand."

Zhang Weixin, Yang Xiaojun, and the others did not comment on her apology, but Liu Yunyan continued undeterred, "As for why I am so eager, that's a long story."

"I am all ears," Zhang Weixin said.

Liu Yunyan understood that she needed to be clear to gain their trust and continued, "I will tell you what I can, Mister Zhang. Yang Xiaojun has probably already told you that I am not from this area but from the southern Zhou Kingdom. I am not here for sightseeing but on a significant mission. I am not a weak woman from a common family but the local leader of a large, powerful secret organization called 'Feiyan Tang.' This organization has members all over the world and specializes in gathering all kinds of information for its master.

However, these are just the basics of 'Feiyan Tang.' I will explain more about it to you later. For now, let me introduce myself. My name is Liu Yunyan, from Kaifeng, Zhou Kingdom. I am twenty-four years old and was originally the deputy leader of the Fire Phoenix Flag of the Jiangdu Branch of 'Feiyan Tang.' Last year, I was appointed as the deputy leader of the Youzhou Branch and came to Youdu as a vanguard to recruit non-formal members and establish a brothel to gather information and protect our members' activities."

Liu Yunyan paused and sighed, "Unfortunately, I am not very capable. Although I have gathered some people as subordinates, I have not been able to successfully acquire or build a suitable brothel due to a lack of necessary connections. As the deadline set by the main hall approaches, I have not found any faster way to achieve my goal, so I decided to seek cooperation with locals. After observing and understanding the situation, I chose Mister Zhang and your brothers as partners to complete my mission."

Zhang Weixin asked again, "According to what Miss Liu said, 'Feiyan Tang' is large and powerful. If that's the case, why would a small brothel be a problem? Surely 'Feiyan Tang' has the resources to build a brothel in Youzhou. Even if there's no time to build one, with enough money, buying a brothel should not be difficult. Even in Liangxiang, there is a decent brothel called 'Yanjue Lou,' which is quite well-known in the area. Why didn't Miss Liu talk to the owner of that brothel? If Miss Liu is willing to spend the money, it might be possible to buy it. Why risk revealing 'Feiyan Tang's secrets by seeking cooperation with us? Is what Miss Liu said about 'Feiyan Tang' just a lie?"

Seeing Zhang Weixin begin to doubt 'Feiyan Tang's strength, Liu Yunyan, though slightly annoyed, knew she had to remain calm. She said, "'Feiyan Tang's strength is undeniable, Mister Zhang. I can assure you of that. 'Feiyan Tang' has thousands of formal members, and its leader is a very powerful figure in the Zhou Kingdom. The main reason for the difficulties in establishing the Youzhou Branch lies with me.

Mister Zhang may know that before coming to Youzhou, Yang Xiaojun was a courtesan at the 'Yingli轩' in Jiangdu. The madam of 'Yingli轩,' Huang Mengying, is an important member of 'Feiyan Tang.' Last year, when Huang Mengying fell ill, she recommended Yang Xiaojun to take her place after her death, for the sake of her adopted daughter, Yang Xiaojun.

Later, the main hall decided to establish a branch in Youzhou and planned to select suitable candidates from other branches to fill the positions. When I heard this, I remembered that Huang Mengying had mentioned having a sister in Youzhou named Huang Mengyuan, who was also a madam and ran a brothel called 'Qingxue Lou,' which was quite successful and well-connected with influential people in the area. I thought that if I could connect Yang Xiaojun with Huang Mengyuan, it would greatly facilitate the establishment of the Youzhou Branch and earn me recognition and a promotion.

However, I was too eager for success and did not thoroughly investigate Huang Mengyuan's current situation before recommending myself to the main hall. I promised to gather enough subordinates and establish a top-tier brothel in Youzhou within a year with minimal expenses. This promise was well-received by the main hall, and I was appointed as the deputy leader of the Youzhou Branch with a one-year deadline. Yang Xiaojun was then sent to Youzhou to find Huang Mengyuan and establish a connection to facilitate my work.

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. When Yang Xiaojun arrived, she found out that Huang Mengyuan had been involved in a legal case two years ago and was now destitute, with 'Qingxue Lou' seized by the authorities. My plan to quickly establish a base was completely thwarted.

However, I had already given my word to the main hall, and reneging on it would mean certain death. The funds I received from the main hall were only enough for daily expenses and recruiting a limited number of subordinates. Neither buying an existing brothel nor building a new one was possible. Despite my efforts over the past few months, I have made no progress.

With only about a month left before the deadline, I have no choice but to seek help from Mister Zhang and your brothers to establish a top-tier brothel within this short time. I can assure you that if you help me through this, I will repay you generously."

Zhang Weixin now understood why Liu Yunyan was so eager to cooperate with the穿越 team. She had made overly ambitious promises to gain a promotion, but due to unforeseen circumstances, she could not complete her mission within the deadline. To save her life, she had no choice but to seek cooperation with the team. This shifted the balance of power in his favor, allowing him to negotiate more favorable terms and potentially insert the team's influence into the Youzhou Branch of 'Feiyan Tang,' providing a boost to the team's future development. With this in mind, Zhang Weixin felt confident about the negotiations and decided to continue pressuring Liu Yunyan to make more substantial concessions for the team's benefit.