304: Chapter 304 Dismissing Zhao Li

After having lunch, Chen Hu drank tea for a while longer before unhurriedly walking toward the side parlor.

Having waited in the side parlor for nearly an hour and a half, Zhao Li was already simmering with rage.

He badly wanted to just get up and leave.

But when he remembered that his purpose in coming to see Chen Hu was to leverage his power to develop Mingjian Villa and the Qin Family, he had no choice but to suppress his anger and resentment deep down in his heart.

Finally, footsteps sounded from outside.

Zhao Li tried his best to adjust his emotions, forcing a bit of a smile onto his stiff and cold face.

In the next moment,

a tall and handsome young man stepped into the side parlor.

Qin Changge and Zhao Li hurriedly stood up.

“Your younger brother, Zhao Li, greets Big Brother!”

“Qin Changge greets the Commander-in-Chief!”

Chen Hu did not respond directly. Instead, he walked over to the main seat, sat down, and then said indifferently, “Sit.”

Chen Hu's cold attitude made Zhao Li feel even more displeased.

But since he had to bow his head under another's roof, he still said in a steady tone, “Thank you, Big Brother.”

The Eye of Insight activated.

Their favorability ratings immediately appeared before Chen Hu's eyes.

As expected, Zhao Li's favorability was negative, even reaching minus forty. Clearly, he hated this cheap older brother of his to the core.

Qin Changge's favorability was not negative, but it wasn't high either, sitting at a mere five points.

“Speak. What did you come here for?”

Chen Hu had no interest in wasting words with them and cut straight to the chase.

“Big Brother, after hearing of your deeds, I admire you greatly, so I wish to pledge my allegiance to you!” Zhao Li said respectfully.

“Not interested,”

Chen Hu replied decisively.

Hearing Chen Hu reject him so bluntly, the anger in Zhao Li's heart almost erupted.

It was Qin Changge who patted his shoulder, gesturing for him not to get angry.

Then Qin Changge spoke up, “Commander-in-Chief, my sister and brother-in-law did indeed wrong you back then, but A-Li is your biological brother. Although A-Li is young, he is quite talented. If he comes to help you, he can also ease some of your burdens.

Besides, how can outsiders be as reliable as one's own family? Don't you think that makes sense?”

“Heh!”

Chen Hu let out a contemptuous laugh. “Enough. I have just taken Lingzhou City, and there are still many things to attend to. I don't have time to waste words with you. Go back to where you came from!”

Seeing Chen Hu look down on him so much, Zhao Li could no longer suppress the anger in his heart and roared, “Chen Hu! Even if Father and Mother did wrong, they are still your parents! You won't even acknowledge your own flesh and blood now. What kind of person are you? How are you any different from a beast... mmmph!”

Zhao Li could not finish his sentence, as Qin Changge covered his mouth.

Then, with an embarrassed look, he said, “Commander-in-Chief, I apologize. A-Li is too young and doesn't know any better. Could you please forgive him this once for the sake of him being your brother?”

“Take him and get out!”

Chen Hu waved his hand. In his heart, he did not consider Manor Master Zhao Jiansheng and Qin Shuangyu as his parents at all, so Zhao Li's words did not make him angry.

Zhao Li struggled and wanted to say more. Seeing this, Qin Changge had no choice but to forcibly seal his acupoints. He then said to Chen Hu, “Commander-in-Chief, we shall take our leave now. We will visit again in the future if there is an opportunity!”

“No need,” Chen Hu said indifferently. “Even if you come next time, I won't see you.”

Although Zhao Li's acupoints were sealed and he could not speak, he could still hear. Thus, his eyes were filled with intense hatred, wishing he could swallow Chen Hu alive.

Qin Changge's expression changed slightly, and he sighed inwardly.

Knowing that saying anything more would be useless, he decisively left with Zhao Li.

Soon,

Qin Changge led Zhao Li out of the prefectural office and unsealed his acupoints.

“Uncle, why did you stop me? Why didn't you let me give that ungrateful wolf a good scolding!” Zhao Li said, extremely dissatisfied.

“You!”

Qin Changge had a huge headache. “Have you forgotten your mother's instructions? Our purpose in coming this time was to build a good relationship with Chen Hu, not to fall out with him!”

“Hmph, he's just a rebel leader. What's the big deal!” Zhao Li said proudly.

“A-Li, it's good for a young man to have pride, but being overly arrogant is not. If I hadn't stopped you just now and you ended up provoking Chen Hu, have you thought about the consequences?” Qin Changge advised patiently.

“What consequences could there be? Is it possible he would actually kill me?” Zhao Li snorted coldly.

“It is entirely possible!”

Qin Changge said seriously.

“I am his biological brother. He would dare kill me?” Zhao Li said in disbelief.

“If he acknowledges you, then you are. If he doesn't, you're just a stranger!” Qin Changge said indifferently.

“Does he not fear the condemnation of the world?” Zhao Li still found it impossible.

“Condemnation of the world?”

Qin Changge laughed speechlessly. “A-Li, you are still too naive. Once he becomes the emperor, he won't even need to speak; others will defend him. It's just killing a brother. If you knew anything about the history of princes fighting for the throne, you would know.

To become the emperor, let alone a biological brother, even killing one's own father is not unheard of.

Once they become the emperor, who would dare to accuse them of such things?

So, never take yourself too seriously.

Besides, you should worry about how you're going to report back to your mother when we return!”

At the thought of having messed up the task his mother had entrusted to him, Zhao Li's face couldn't help but turn bitter.

With the passage of time,

more and more commoners completed the tax and grain refunds.

By the time evening arrived,

the number of Chen Hu's subordinates had increased by more than six million.

The total number of subordinates reached 62.49 million.

In other words, he had already won the hearts of ten million commoners in Lingzhou City.

He estimated that after the money and grain were completely refunded,

he would win over at least another ten million people's hearts. That way, his number of subordinates would skyrocket to over seventy million.

Furthermore,

the confiscation of the officials' properties had concluded.

The confiscated gold and silver totaled over three billion taels of silver.

From this, one could see just how corrupt these officials were.

At this moment, Luo Ningshuang arrived once again.

“Xiao Hu, should we also confiscate the Zhao Family's property?”

Governor-General Zhao Tianqing was the head of the Zhao Family.

Relying on Governor-General Zhao Tianqing, who was the governor-general, the Zhao Family had also become the strongest among the Blood Refining aristocratic families.

“Of course!”

Chen Hu said without hesitation.

“I've already ordered people to keep a close eye on the Zhao Family!” Luo Ningshuang said. “We can strike at any time. By the way, do you want to go and watch in person?”

“Sure, let's head over after we eat!”

Soon, Chen Hu and Luo Ningshuang finished their dinner and headed toward the Zhao Family estate together.

The ancestral home of the Zhao Family was inside the city.

It was massive, spanning several hundred mu.

Just as Chen Hu was about to order his men to charge in, the gates of the Zhao Family estate suddenly opened.

Leading them was an old man with completely white hair and beard, accompanied by several other elders.

“Zhao Chengfeng of the Zhao clan greets the Commander-in-Chief!”

The elder bowed, appearing extremely respectful.

Chen Hu looked at him with amusement and said indifferently, “What kind of game are you playing here?”

“Commander-in-Chief, may we step inside the estate to converse?” Zhao Chengfeng said, remaining submissive.

“Sure, let's talk!”

Chen Hu was not afraid of any trickery from the Zhao Family. With his strength, if the Zhao Family really planned to play tricks, they would only find themselves on a path to death.