Chapter 89

As the saying goes, on every train there is always that one uncle who knows everything from astronomy to geography, can predict events five hundred years into the past and future, and can talk non-stop, even more eloquently than Liu Bowen and Zhuge Liang combined. Zhou Ming had met quite a few such people in his previous life, and he never thought he would encounter one again in this life.

Zhou Ming boarded the train from Linyang to Nanjiang, his ticket obtained through Dai Zhenjiang's connections. As he entered the sleeping car, he saw an uncle sitting on the lower berth, boasting and chatting with others. Zhou Ming didn't want to bother with him, but unfortunately, this uncle was sitting on his lower berth. Zhou Ming went over and asked the uncle to move, and the uncle, being sensible, moved to the opposite lower berth.

Zhou Ming put his luggage away and was about to lie down when he heard the uncle from the opposite berth say, "Young brother, are you also going to Nanjiang? Are you going to work or visit relatives? You look like a scholar, not someone who would go to work. You must have relatives in Nanjiang, right?"

Faced with the uncle's rapid-fire questions, Zhou Ming just glanced at him. He usually ignored such people on trains, but this time, the uncle clearly had a tenacious spirit. Seeing that Zhou Ming wasn't responding, he continued, "Is this your first time going to Nanjiang? It's developing very fast now, with buildings being constructed everywhere. I heard they recently completed a very tall hotel, it's quite spectacular."

"Brother, I think a city like Nanjiang is exactly where young people like you should contribute your knowledge and strength. I'm going there to do business. If you're interested, I can introduce you to some opportunities. I've been in Nanjiang for a while and know a lot of people, so I can help you out," the uncle added.

At this point, a young man from the upper berth on the opposite side leaned out and said, "This uncle is really impressive. He has a factory in Nanjiang and earns tens of thousands of yuan every month!"

Zhou Ming, unable to bear it, looked at the two of them and said, "You two, if you don't go into pyramid schemes, you're really wasting your talent for mutual flattery."

This made both of them pause. "Pyramid schemes? What's that?"

Zhou Ming then remembered that pyramid schemes might have entered the country by this time, but they hadn't yet become a widespread problem or a universally despised issue.

But it didn't matter. Zhou Ming didn't know these two people, so there was no need to explain anything to them.

The train from Linyang to Nanjiang took over ten hours. During this time, Zhou Ming got a taste of the uncle's eloquence. Everyone in the carriage, except for Zhou Ming, believed he was a wealthy businessman in Nanjiang.

In the end, Zhou Ming couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, are you called Yang Yong?"

Hearing this question, the uncle showed a look of surprise for the first time. "How do you know? Can you read faces and predict destinies?"

Zhou Ming was taken aback. He certainly wasn't a fortune-teller. He had just asked the question casually, but it turned out to be true. Zhou Ming remembered that Yang Yong was the mastermind behind the largest pyramid scheme case in the country that would erupt in the future. It seemed this uncle indeed had the potential to be a pyramid scheme guru.

Of course, Zhou Ming wouldn't tell Yang Yong this. He just waved his hand and continued reading the book he had brought from home.

When the train arrived in Nanjiang, Zhou Ming took his luggage and followed the crowd off the train. However, as soon as he stepped out of the station, everyone was stunned. The Nanjiang train station, usually bustling, was now eerily quiet. Only a few police cars surrounded a black Audi sedan in the square, and a group of uniformed police officers stood at the exit, seemingly waiting for someone.

"Brother Yang, didn't you say there are many people in Nanjiang? Why is the train station so quiet?" Zhou Ming heard someone ask behind him. It was the young man from the upper berth.

"You don't know, do you? This situation means a high-ranking official is inspecting the train station. Do you see that car over there? It's a luxury sedan, even better than a Toyota Crown. Nanjiang is a major city of the reform and opening-up era, and this kind of thing happens often. Don't be surprised," Uncle Yang Yong answered, earning immediate admiration and praise for his knowledge and status as a big boss in Nanjiang.

Just as he finished speaking, a police officer walked over. A man who looked like a leader saluted Zhou Ming and said, "Mr. Zhou, hello. I am Deputy Director Liu of the Dongmen District Public Security Bureau. I have been ordered to pick you up."

Deputy Director Liu's words shocked everyone at the exit. They all stared at Zhou Ming in disbelief. How could a deputy director of the Public Security Bureau personally come to the train station to pick someone up? If this were true, what kind of person could have such an important status?

Thinking about this, Zhou Ming's image suddenly became towering and awe-inspiring in their eyes, almost out of reach.

Uncle Yang Yong then asked, "Sir, you must be a high-ranking official from the capital, Yanjing, right?"

Zhou Ming shook his head. "I'm not a leader. I'm just the son of a worker."

Hearing Zhou Ming's response, Yang Yong was first stunned, then nodded in understanding. "That's right. Leader Zhou, you are the son of a worker, leading us all to prosperity. All our leaders come from the ranks of ordinary workers. You are a leader who stands out from the masses and returns to the masses!"

Faced with Yang Yong's praise, the others also agreed, praising Zhou Ming as a rare and great leader, a significant figure, because only a great person would be so humble.

Hearing the praise and compliments from those around him, Zhou Ming felt a bead of sweat on his forehead. At this moment, he really wanted to curse: "Damn it! I'm just the son of a worker, not some big leader from Yanjing. I have no idea what's going on, just like you guys!"

But Zhou Ming held back. After all, he didn't know these people, so he let them think what they wanted.

Zhou Ming stepped forward and returned the salute to Deputy Director Liu. "Hello, Director Liu. I'm Zhou Ming. Are you here to pick me up on behalf of Mayor Chen?"

He shook his head. "We are here to pick you up on the instructions of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Please get in the car. We'll take care of your luggage."

Zhou Ming looked at the Audi parked in the square and nodded to Deputy Director Liu. He handed his luggage to a police officer and followed Liu to the Audi.

As soon as Zhou Ming walked away, he heard the future pyramid scheme guru start talking again: "See that? That's the demeanor of a high-ranking official from Yanjing. I could tell this young brother was extraordinary from the start. I kept talking to you all on the train, but I never approached him because I sensed a unique aura around him. It's an aura that can't be seen with the naked eye, only felt. Some special people might be able to see it. It's the kind of aura that only a person of high status and royal blood can emit..."

Zhou Ming was helpless. Wasn't this guy supposed to be into pyramid schemes? How did he start talking about the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and the Investiture of the Gods? How did he even mention the aura of a king?

But what made Zhou Ming even more speechless was that the people around him actually believed Yang Yong's nonsense. He could feel their admiring gazes, as if he were really a high-ranking official from Yanjing on a secret visit.

At this moment, Zhou Ming really wanted to say to Deputy Director Liu, "Police officer, that guy is spreading rumors, arrest him!" But he held back. After all, the guy was helping him by praising him, so it would be too inhumane to treat him like that.

Zhou Ming followed Deputy Director Liu to the Audi. The door opened, and a familiar face appeared before him.

"Damn! It's really you, Du Peng!" Zhou Ming cursed.

The person in the Audi was indeed Du Peng. Compared to two months ago, he was now dressed in designer clothes, looking more like a scion of the capital's elite.

Zhou Ming had indeed thought it might be Du Peng. After all, in Nanjiang, he only knew Tang Ran and Du Peng. Tang Ran, the young girl, definitely didn't have the capability, so it had to be Du Peng.

Zhou Ming got into the car, closed the door, and Du Peng boasted, "How about it? Surprised?"

"Surprised, yes, but not very happy," Zhou Ming said irritably. "But what's going on with you, Du Peng? Driving a car that hasn't been officially sold in the country, with a police escort, and bringing the police to clear the station to pick someone up. Aren't you afraid of causing trouble for your family? Aren't you afraid that someone will use this against you later?"

Du Peng raised his hands in surrender. "Zhou Ming, you've misunderstood me. This wasn't my decision. I was also acting on Mayor Chen's instructions."

"Mayor Chen Yunfei told you to do this?" Zhou Ming asked in surprise.

Du Peng nodded firmly. "Yes, Mayor Chen told me to give you a high-level reception. Since he said so, I decided to give you the grandest welcome possible."

Du Peng looked at Zhou Ming and explained, "Believe me, this is true. Otherwise, how could I mobilize the police? I'm not a leader, and even though my grandfather is Du Zhongyuan, we're not in the same system. Without Mayor Chen's approval, I couldn't do it."

Zhou Ming nodded in agreement. Despite not having interacted with the children of the elite in his previous life, he could imagine that without the local officials' approval, the police chief might not dare to provide such a high-level escort.

But this made Zhou Ming even more puzzled. If Du Peng had decided to do this, it might be because he was young and confident, wanting to show off after making a lot of money. That would be understandable. But if this was Mayor Chen Yunfei's idea, it left Zhou Ming baffled.

After all, Chen Yunfei was the mayor of Nanjiang. Why would he do this?