Chapter 45

Just as two administrative bureau personnel were about to seal the ginseng shop, Jiang Dequan, the chief of the Xiqu police station, suddenly changed his attitude and pointed at Wang Zhong, scolding him: "Wang, you dare to deceive me! Come on, arrest him and take him to the police station for a thorough interrogation..."

"Chief Jiang, you sure change your stance quickly!" Before Jiang Dequan could finish his order, Xu Qingsnow was already sneering and staring at him sarcastically.

At this moment, Jiang Dequan's face was as ugly as it could be. However, after being a police officer for over a decade, he was very cunning. He immediately apologized and promised: "Director Xu, I was also momentarily confused and listened to one-sided words. Rest assured, I will definitely get to the bottom of this matter and give you a satisfactory answer!"

"There's no need for that. You don't need to get involved in this matter!" Xu Qingsnow waved her hand. "Come on, take him to the Public Security Bureau!"

Jiang Dequan's heart sank when he heard this. If Xu Qingsnow were to investigate the matter, he feared that Wang Zhong might not hold out and would reveal his own corruption. In that case, he would not only lose his position as the police station chief but might also end up in jail. Over the past two years, he had received over 100,000 yuan in bribes from Wang Zhong alone. However, no matter how panicked he was, he could only watch helplessly as Xu Qingsnow's four subordinates arrested and took away the shop owner Wang Zhong and the bald young man Ah Fei.

Seeing the shop owner Wang Zhong and the bald young man Ah Fei being taken away by the police, and the ginseng shop being sealed, Wang Xiaoqiang felt as if he were in a dream. Everything had changed too quickly, leaving his mind in a daze. However, one thing was certain: the elderly man surnamed Xu had a distinguished status!

Just as Wang Xiaoqiang was surprised by Xu Yongqian's identity, Xu Yongqian was also surprised by Wang Xiaoqiang's "skills." Wang Xiaoqiang's two moves earlier had already exceeded his understanding of martial arts, leaving him in awe.

The old man had seen many ups and downs in his life, and today's incident was just a trivial matter to him. He no longer paid much attention to it and focused his attention on Wang Xiaoqiang.

Wang Xiaoqiang did not want to be held up by this matter and was about to slip away quietly. However, he had only taken a few steps when the old man called him: "Young man, I haven't even asked for your name yet. How can you just leave like this!"

"Old man, I have urgent matters to attend to. I'll take my leave first!" Wang Xiaoqiang replied perfunctorily and tried to slip away, but the old man pursued him, ignoring even the calls of the director's daughter.

Wang Xiaoqiang walked out of the herbal market and saw the old man still persistently following him, panting and sweating from the chase. Feeling a bit sorry for him, Wang Xiaoqiang stopped to wait.

When Xu Yongqian approached, Wang Xiaoqiang asked, "Old man, is there anything else you need?"

Xu Yongqian panted and bowed, saying, "Young brother, I really have to thank you today..."

"Old man, with your status and background, my help was a bit unnecessary..."

"Ah, you can't say that. No matter who I am, you did help, and I won't forget that." Xu Yongqian pulled Wang Xiaoqiang and said, "Let's go, it's too hot here. It's not a good place to talk. Let's find a place to chat properly."

Wang Xiaoqiang glanced around and pointed to the nearby flower and plant market, saying, "Old man, why don't we go there for a walk?"

"Sure!" The old man agreed readily, and the two headed for the flower and plant market.

Wang Xiaoqiang noticed that the old man, who had just been punched by Ah Fei, seemed unharmed and asked curiously, "Old man, it looks like you're a martial artist..."

Xu Yongqian waved his hand strangely and said, "Call me Xu Yongqian. Calling me old man is too awkward..."

"Alright," Wang Xiaoqiang considered for a moment, "Xu Lao, my name is Wang Xiaoqiang. You can call me Xiao Wang or Xiaoqiang."

Xu Yongqian, though he didn't like being called "old," had no choice. He was old enough to be Wang Xiaoqiang's grandfather, and it would be awkward for the other party to call him by his name. He accepted the title: "Alright, I'll call you Xiaoqiang. It sounds more intimate. By the way, Xiaoqiang, where are you from?"

As they talked, they learned about each other's backgrounds. Wang Xiaoqiang learned that Xu Yongqian had once been the director of the H Province Party Committee Office and was now retired, enjoying Tai Chi and gardening. His wife had rheumatic heart disease and rarely went out, and he had bought wild ginseng to help her recover.

Wang Xiaoqiang did not feel inferior because of the other's status. He naturally and frankly identified himself as a farmer, and Xu Yongqian did not look down on him for being a farmer. Instead, he felt a sense of familiarity because his ancestors were also farmers.

"By the way, you said I'm a martial artist, and you're right. But compared to you, I'm just a beginner!" Xu Yongqian said humbly, his eyes shining with curiosity. He had a lifelong interest in martial arts and, despite his age, still had a strong passion for it. He had come to thank Wang Xiaoqiang and to understand the incredible skills he had seen.

"Ah, Xu Lao, you're too modest. I only know a little, just fumbling around..."

"Ha ha, you say I'm modest, but I think you are. I've never seen anything like your skills..." Xu Yongqian couldn't help but say, driven by curiosity.

"Ah, it's nothing. I've practiced hard qigong for a few years." Wang Xiaoqiang hadn't expected to be cornered and quickly gave a perfunctory answer. The explanation, though clumsy, was plausible.

"Ah, qigong!" Xu Yongqian said, "No wonder you're so powerful. Alas, I missed the age to practice qigong. Otherwise, I would have asked you to be my teacher and learn hard qigong..."

The old man shook his head regretfully.

As they talked, they entered the Jiangcheng flower and plant market.

Although the flower and plant market was not as bustling as the herbal market, it was filled with a wide variety of flowers and plants. Walking in felt like being in a sea of flowers and a green world.

Xu Yongqian, who knew nothing about ginseng but was very knowledgeable about flowers and plants, pointed out various plants to Wang Xiaoqiang as they walked: "Xiaoqiang, look at this orchid. It's called 'Flying Buddha,' and one plant costs several hundred thousand yuan!"

Wang Xiaoqiang looked and saw a very beautiful orchid with a flower that resembled a Buddha.

"Then there's the Red Beauty tree. Guess its price... one plant costs over a million yuan..." Xu Lao asked and answered himself.

A tree costing over a million yuan made Wang Xiaoqiang whistle in amazement. At that moment, he had an idea: to start a flower and plant base in his hometown and use the idle land to make money.

Just as Wang Xiaoqiang was deep in thought, a voice called out, "Old Xu, you're here! It's rare for you to come and browse!"

"Ha ha, yes..." Xu Yongqian replied, "I'm just passing by. By the way, Old Jiang, have you found someone to treat your Golden Sand Tree Chrysanthemum?"

"Alas, don't mention it. I've invited many people, but none of them could cure it."

Wang Xiaoqiang turned to see that the person speaking to Xu Yongqian was a man in his sixties, surrounded by various flowers and plants. He was watering the plants while greeting Xu Lao.