368: Chapter 368 Meeting Zuo Wenshan at Night

“I…I understand.” Gong Kaiming felt all his strength drain away, his face haggard.

“Tomorrow, I’ll send people over. You cooperate well, understand?” Niu Xingwang asked.

“Yes!” Gong Kaiming nodded.

Niu Xingwang couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words with him and turned to leave.

After Niu Xingwang left, Gong Kaiming’s face turned ashen, and he angrily smashed everything in his office.

“No, Meilin is mine! You won’t take it from me!” Finally, he seemed to have made an important decision.

So, he set off overnight for Suiyang Anbu.

“Gong Brother, what couldn’t be discussed over the phone? You came all this way so late.” Left Wen Shan asked.

“Left Brother, I came because I have a favor to ask.” Gong Kaiming got straight to the point.

“No need for ‘favors,’ Gong Brother. Just speak directly if you have something to say,” Left Wen Shan said.

“I have a letter here. If something happens to me, please find a way to deliver it to the Military Political Department,” Gong Kaiming said, pulling a letter from his embrace.

“What exactly happened?” Left Wen Shan took the letter, his brows furrowing.

“The Huatong Chamber of Commerce wants to seize control of Meilin from me. I don’t want to just sit by and wait for it,” Gong Kaiming explained.

“That’s impossible, isn’t it? What would the Huatong Chamber of Commerce want with your Meilin?” Left Wen Shan found it hard to believe.

“Their actions are too overbearing. I’ve practically become a puppet now, with no autonomy whatsoever. So, I plan to move the Settlement, and I need Left Brother’s help with this!” Gong Kaiming said, grabbing Left Wen Shan’s shoulder.

“Move? Move where?” Left Wen Shan was still completely confused.

“You are the Mayor of Mozhou City; help me find a place. Anywhere is fine, as long as Meilin can’t stay here,” Gong Kaiming said.

“Wait, wait. First, tell me, what exactly happened?” Left Wen Shan calmed him, telling him not to rush and to clarify the situation first.

Gong Kaiming recounted the entire incident.

“Old Gong, you’re confused! This is such a good thing, why are you opposing him?!” Left Wen Shan accused after listening.

“He came to me, hoping I’d take on his project. What, can’t I fight for more benefits for the Settlement?” Gong Kaiming believed he had done nothing wrong.

“First, you need to understand one thing: is he asking you for a favor, or is he looking out for you and giving you benefits? Can’t you distinguish between these two things?” Left Wen Shan’s words were sharp.

“I…this…” Gong Kaiming was stumped by the question.

“Why didn’t Chairman Niu come to my Suiyang Anbu, but instead went to your Meilin? Let me put it this way: if it were me, I would agree without hesitation. Why? crystalss are money! Producing crystalss is like printing money! You actually refused such a good opportunity and even want to run away? You’re truly something!” Left Wen Shan finished, giving a thumbs-up in admiration.

Gong Kaiming was speechless.

“What’s the situation with the Huatong Chamber of Commerce now? There’s no Settlement in the country that doesn’t know about them. They actively came to your door to offer you an opportunity out of old connections. But you, you actually asked them for more benefits. What is that if not insatiable greed?” Left Wen Shan continued to scold him.

“Whether it’s good or bad depends on whether the Settlement remains under my management. Put yourself in my shoes: if you were the person in charge of Meilin Settlement, and the Huatong Chamber of Commerce gave you some resources but demanded you listen to them in everything, would you be willing?” Gong Kaiming retorted.

“This…” Left Wen Shan was at a loss for words.

“Exactly. Nothing else matters now. I can’t be a puppet mayor. Hurry and help me find a place; I need to arrange the relocation as soon as possible,” Gong Kaiming urged.

“Alright, alright! I’ll help you look.” Left Wen Shan said no more and walked to the map hanging on the wall to examine it.

“How about here?” Left Wen Shan asked, pointing to a spot on the map.

“Huangqiao?” Gong Kaiming asked.

“Yes, it’s not far from Meilin and has a considerable amount of housing available. It can be used with a simple cleanup. However, you’ll have to figure out the city walls yourself,” Left Wen Shan said.

“Okay, this is it then. I’m going back now to arrange the move tonight,” Gong Kaiming said, about to leave.

“Old Gong!” Left Wen Shan called out.

“What is it?” Gong Kaiming had already reached the door and turned back to ask.

“Have you thought it through? Once the arrow is shot, there’s no turning back. As soon as you move, you’ll have completely fallen out with the Huatong Chamber of Commerce. And without the Chamber’s support, your Settlement’s days won’t be easy,” Left Wen Shan advised again.

“I have no choice. I’ll take it one step at a time!” Gong Kaiming planned to see it through to the end.

After Gong Kaiming left, Left Wen Shan picked up the letter in his hand, deep in thought.

…

In the middle of the night, Niu Xingwang was woken by a call from Gu Qingyi.

It turned out that staff from the Meilin branch reported that Gong Kaiming planned to escape with the Citizens.

“This Gong Kaiming truly gives one no peace of mind,” Niu Xingwang shook his head.

He knew that Gong Kaiming was too addicted to power and didn’t want to lose the authority he held.

“Notify the Mercenary Guild. Let’s act!” Niu Xingwang issued the order, then fell back into a deep sleep.

Since Gong Kaiming chose to resist, he would no longer be polite.