Chapter 94

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Zhou Zhishe, the president of the Hangzhou Eighteen Merchant Associations, which is the largest eighteen merchant associations in Hangzhou, carefully examined and verified Zhou Zhishe's charter and then said to Li Huamei with a full apology: "Miss Huamei, although our previous cooperation has been very harmonious and I understand your feelings, this charter of President Zhou is indeed issued by Lord Jiang. We must enforce it."

Li Huamei's face was pale, but she still stood straight, nodded, and smiled: "I understand, President Zhou. I will get to the bottom of this."

She stopped Yang Xien, who was on the verge of an outburst, and left with her people.

Richard Huison!

Li Huamei clenched her fists tightly.

Although there was no evidence, her sharp intuition as an admiral immediately focused her suspicious gaze on the inspector who had just bribed Lord Jiang!

In a private room of a distant tavern, a certain unscrupulous person, sitting alone and enjoying tea and snacks, received a notification: "The Zhou family association you actually control has obtained 10% of the shares in Hangzhou."

"Your influence in this area has increased by 200 points."

"The Li family association's influence has decreased by 200 points, reaching 3300 points."

"The Zhou family association you actually control has obtained 10% of the shares in Nagasaki."

"The Raisima family's influence has decreased by 200 points, reaching 4800 points."

"The current strength ranking in this area is: 1. Raisima family, 4800 points; 2. Li family association, 3300 points; 3. Zhou family association, 400 points."

"Made it to the top three?" Lin Qing chuckled.

But the next second, he couldn't laugh anymore.

"Due to your treacherous behavior, which Li Huamei has discovered, your contribution value in the Li family association has been reset to zero. Your favorability with Li Huamei has decreased by 10 points, reaching -25 points."

Lin Qing was a bit flustered.

Is this heading towards a no-holds-barred conflict?

He didn't want to completely offend the beautiful Li.

It's just a mere 10,000 gold coins, is it really that serious?

Looking at Zhou Zhishe, who calmly led her people to the dock to purchase a large amount of high-quality second-grade silk, in Hangzhou, this silk can be bought for just 1000 gold coins per cargo hold, but when it reaches Nagasaki, which is often in a state of war and blockade due to pirate invasions, the selling price should be much higher! Then, bringing back cotton textiles from Nagasaki, a round trip without a wasted journey, can be very profitable.

But Lin Qing had no time to watch.

He hurriedly returned to the Li family association.

Stepping into the main hall of the Li family association, Lin Qing immediately felt the atmosphere turn cold, as if the temperature had dropped by ten degrees.

He looked up.

Li Huamei's face was cold and expressionless, but her clear, beautiful eyes seemed to pierce through the heart, seeing into the deepest part of Lin Qing's soul.

Even with his thick skin, Lin Qing couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.

This matter, although done for the development of his influence, was indeed not very honorable. Using Li's money to snatch Li's business, no wonder she was so angry.

However, Li Huamei didn't fly into a rage. She politely asked Lin Qing to sit down and calmly said: "Recently, has Lord Jiang's attitude towards us changed?"

Lin Qing forced a dry laugh, quickly adjusted his emotions, and said with a silver tongue: "I can guarantee, no, it hasn't!"

Yang Xien couldn't help but burst out in anger: "But today, a mysterious Zhou family association suddenly appeared and obtained 10% of the charter for Hangzhou, issued by Lord Jiang! What's going on? Didn't he just take 10,000 gold in bribes from us?"

Lin Qing feigned surprise: "This is strange! Lord Jiang never mentioned this to me. When he took the money, he even told me to take care, saying he would take care of everything."

Li Huamei stared at Lin Qing. Her beautiful big eyes, like the clear water of autumn, and like the brilliant stars of a cold night, seemed to see through the world and human nature, yet also seemed innocent and full of trust, just like a child, looking at Lin Qing.

For a full five minutes.

Lin Qing inwardly marveled at her skill.

This Xiang Feihu is indeed not an ordinary woman.

This imposing and dignified aura is the most terrifying.

It makes one's heart lose its composure, possibly leading to saying something that shouldn't be said.

But who is Lin Qing?

In modern society, his thick-skinned and black-hearted nature is not enough, but in this ancient setting, he gritted his teeth, determined to be shameless, cool, and a lone wolf. So what? Bite me?

A shameless person is invincible.

Even the formidable Xiang Feihu, who dominates East Asia, can do nothing against such a shameless person.

Li Huamei finally spoke, smiling gracefully: "I believe someone is causing trouble behind Lord Jiang. Please, Mr. Richard, go to Lord Jiang's residence. We can't offer anything now, but please tell Lord Jiang that we will have a heavy reward in the future."

Lin Qing stood up and agreed to go out.

Li Huamei's voice echoed from behind: "By the way! We will set sail tomorrow to Macau. Please, Mr. Richard, be prepared."

Lin Qing's body stiffened.

What does this mean?

Watching Lin Qing's figure disappear behind the door, Yang Xien was furious and wanted to say more, but Li Huamei gently waved her hand.

"Xien, there's no need to say more," Li Huamei's face was cold and her voice icy: "This person's words are evasive, his eyes are shifty, and he has Crawford's support. He must be deeply involved in this matter."

Yang Xien was shocked: "You know he's plotting behind our backs, yet you still bring him along? Why not let me deal with him?"

He fiercely waved his hand, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

A seasoned general, decisive in battle!

Li Huamei's half face was covered by her hair, one clear eye fixed on Lin Qing's departing back, her voice distant and cold: "Not yet. I want to see what this person is up to and what his connection to the Zhou family association is. If he is proven to have betrayed us, bringing him along will make it easier to act."

Li Huamei said meaningfully, word by word: "The sea is dangerous, and anything can happen. Even if there is an accident, neither the British side nor the court will have any complaints, right?"

Yang Xien's eyes shone with understanding, deeply impressed.

Lin Qing, of course, did not know that his actions had already crossed Li Huamei's底线, triggering her cold and deadly intent.

However, he was also a bit wary of Li Huamei's invitation to join the ship and set sail.

"According to the rules, Richard Huison, as the liaison officer between the court and the British side, is permanently stationed in Hangzhou" (in the game, Li Huamei's side cannot assign Richard Huison, he only appears in the plot). Lin Qing sat in the darkness, his eyes flashing with doubt: "This time, actively inviting me to board the ship, could there be something...?"

Lin Qing sighed.

The situation is perilous, the waves are treacherous, and danger lurks everywhere.

Suddenly, a voice came to his ear: "Boss! Are you alone in the room?"

Lin Qing recognized the voice of the Magician, the team leader.

The new sailors recruited by the Li family association were also housed in the servants' quarters of the headquarters, managed by Yang Xien, preparing to set sail the next day.

Before setting sail, it is a common practice to gather the sailors. One reason is to prevent them from drinking and gambling excessively, making them unable to stand up the next day, which would delay matters. Another reason is to prevent them from leaking information about the fleet's destination to anyone with ulterior motives.

Lin Qing replied: "I'm alone. Yes."

The Magician's voice relaxed: "Great. This is my magic echo spell. You are truly formidable. No wonder you are the elite of the gang, the Red Flower Double Stick Killer, and have managed to become Richard Huison, which is greatly beneficial to our operation this time."

Lin Qing, still angry, asked: "What about that bastard, the Horse-faced Han?"

The Magician sneered: "He got a taste of Yang Xien's iron whip and is now lying in a corner, rolling around. He should have been whipped to death. How dare he openly recognize you and shout, clearly trying to get us all killed."

Lin Qing said coldly: "Remember, tomorrow on the ship, you don't know me, and I don't know you. Without my signal, no one can move a finger! Understand? You are just the lowest-ranking sailors, working hard for a bowl of rice in the Li family fleet!"

The Magician respectfully said: "Rest assured, I have recorded Horse-faced Han's behavior in the team diary. He will be heavily punished when we return!"

Lin Qing then instructed the Magician on a few more matters, including gathering information from the lower-ranking sailors, accumulating merit points, and gradually climbing the ranks, all trivial and unimportant instructions.

In Lin Qing's mind, there was a grand plan. Of course, this plan was based on his own interests and had nothing to do with the Hong Gang's mission or the Bamboo Gang's commission. It had nothing to do with the pitiful Hong Gang team.

Lin Qing was just using these proud and fierce soldiers as a hidden trump card.

The Magician was extremely excited, speaking with deep reverence: "Rest assured, I will strictly discipline my subordinates and follow your instructions. Let's see how the gang's top killer performs!"

Lin Qing sneered: "When I act, I must not be seen by others. Just follow my orders!"

He ended the call and shrugged.