West Lake.
Liuyun Martial Arts Hall.
A very ordinary business car stopped at the entrance of the martial arts hall.
Outside the main gate, a tall and strong middle-aged man strode forward and opened the car door.
A man in a classical cyan robe and a fifteen or sixteen-year-old youth got out of the car.
"Uncle Zheng!"
The middle-aged man who opened the door called out respectfully.
Judging by their faces, the man in the cyan robe was not much older than the middle-aged man, but his demeanor far surpassed the latter.
He stood as firm as a mountain, his presence like a deep abyss, unfathomable and impenetrable.
The burly middle-aged man also possessed a not-so-ordinary bearing and aura, but compared to the man in the cyan robe, he was merely a foil.
The young man who got out of the car was not dressed so retro. He wore a suit with a waistcoat, and his face was delicate and handsome, looking like a young master from a wealthy family.
However, on his back, he carried a long, strip-shaped object wrapped in yellow silk cloth.
"Call him Martial Uncle Grandfather!"
The middle-aged man turned and shouted to the disciples behind him.
"Martial Uncle Grandfather!"
The disciples of the martial arts hall shouted in unison.
The man in the cyan robe swept his gaze over them, his eyes lingering for a moment on a few individuals, then he nodded slightly and said, "There are three promising talents. Gongsun Yuan, you have done well."
Gongsun Yuan's face lit up at this. "Thank you, Uncle Zheng. Uncle Zheng, please come in. Everything is ready!"
Gongsun Zheng nodded and walked inside, saying, "I will be staying here for about half a month."
"Uncle Zheng can stay as long as you wish. The longer you stay, the happier I will be!" Gongsun Yuan replied joyfully.
Gongsun Zheng was noncommittal. "Have you received the information about Chen Fan?"
"The family has sent it. It's all in your room," Gongsun Yuan said. "I've prepared a banquet. Would you like to try some of the Hangjiang carp first?"
Gongsun Zheng shook his head. "Take Gongsun Liang. I won't. Send a meal over later. Gongsun Liang knows what I eat."
Guided by Gongsun Yuan, they passed through the training ground and courtyard to a pavilion in the back.
Picking up the documents, Gongsun Zheng began to read.
The information was surprisingly detailed, including Chen Fan's birth and growth trajectory, his three years of marriage into the Su family, and his subsequent deeds.
However, after the information, there was a note.
"His experiences before marrying into the Su family, although household registration documents exist, are deduced to be forged after investigation!"
Flipping to the end, there was another person's profile.
"Chen Tianjiao, male, 26 years old, born in ####, is the eldest grandson of the Kyoto Chen family. His parents both passed away early."
"Joined the army ten years ago. His military record is unknown."
"Three years ago, he killed Cao Zhuliu, the heir of the Cao family, at the Yanshan Resort in the capital, and then disappeared. He is suspected of being involved in the death of the heir of the Langya Wang family..."
"The eldest daughter of the Chen family, Chen Xing'er, recently arrived in Hangjiang and seemed to hit it off with Chen Fan. Combined with all other clues, it is suspected that Chen Fan might be Chen Tianjiao, the missing eldest grandson of the Chen family!"
"..."
"The eldest grandson of the Chen family?"
Looking at this information, Gongsun Zheng's expression shifted. A moment later, he suddenly grinned. "No wonder he possesses the Dragon Pattern Compass, has profound martial arts, and could kill Xu Xilou!"
Killing the eldest grandson of a prominent family like the Chen family would cause some trouble.
But for him, it was not an insurmountable problem.
Compared to ancient aristocratic families like the Gongsun family, the Chen family held considerable secular power and could not be ignored.
But ultimately, he was merely an eldest grandson.
However, whether to kill or not still depended on his heart.
As a martial arts master, he acted according to his conscience, not external pressures.
Otherwise, his martial arts cultivation would not have reached his level.
Putting down the documents, he sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes to rest, and adjusted his state.
Having practiced martial arts and cultivated his mind for many years, he had long been unperturbed, always striving for composure in every action.
Having just arrived after a long journey, he would not rush to kill. He preferred to be in control of everything.
Not just controlling himself, but also his opponents.
...
Another day passed.
With Su Yuhua's efforts, Shengshi Group was in turmoil.
Jiang Tiansheng sat in his office, watching his senior executives come and go, all asking what to do. He couldn't help but feel annoyed.
He dismissed his subordinates and went to the top-floor conference room.
The nine major shareholders were all present.
"Tell me about the situation!"
He sat in the main seat and looked at the other eight shareholders.
"The situation is not good. Those I invited have all made excuses!"
Director Yang said, "The Liangjiang Group is aggressive. They dare not offend them."
"It's much the same on my end."
Luo Jiuzhang said with a smile, "I asked them, if you're afraid of offending the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce, aren't you afraid of offending us Shengshi? Guess what they said?"
"What did they say?" the other shareholders asked.
"They said that many of the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce members are local magnates and successful individuals. Offending the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce means offending many people at once. Offending Shengshi, however, only means offending a few of us!"
Jiang Tiansheng couldn't help but twitch his facial muscles.
"However, several of my good business partners have given us advice."
Jiang Tiansheng said helplessly, "They advised Mr. Long to form a chamber of commerce?"
"That's the idea!"
Luo Jiuzhang said expectantly.
Directors Yin Qian, Director Yang, and others all looked at Jiang Tiansheng.
Frankly speaking, this was a good way to resolve the predicament.
After Mr. Long disrupted the event that day, the Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce had not reached its intended scale, encompassing only about 20% of business elites.
If Mr. Long rallied them, at least 70% of the remaining 80% would respond and join.
After all, the name "Mr. Long" carried such appeal and influence!
In this regard, how could Mr. Long compare to Mr. Long?
Jiang Tiansheng shook his head. "Don't even think about it. Mr. Long will not agree!"
"Why?"
Yin Qian asked.
"Because Mr. Long disdains such actions!"
"What is Mr. Long's status? How can he be on the same level as Su Yuhua?"
"Su Yuhua is organizing a Liangjiang Chamber of Commerce, and you want Mr. Long to organize one to compete with him? Does he deserve it?"
Jiang Tiansheng said disdainfully.
Everyone chuckled, but their smiles were tinged with silence.
What he said was domineering, but how could Shengshi overcome its current difficulties?
"I believe in Mr. Long. He has his own solutions, so you don't need to worry too much," Jiang Tiansheng said as he stood up. "I trust Mr. Long unconditionally."
The shareholders also rose.
"I also trust Mr. Long unconditionally!" Luo Jiuzhang was the first to declare.
However, among the others, some still harbored considerable worry:
"Of course, we trust Mr. Long, but the current situation is rather chaotic. There are all sorts of rumors outside."
"Some say we've been beaten without the ability to retaliate, some say Mr. Long isn't concerned with Shengshi's affairs at all, and some even say Shengshi will collapse in a few days!"
"Let's wait and see!"
Jiang Tiansheng massaged his temples, feeling a headache.
At this moment, someone suddenly suggested, "Chairman Jiang, why don't we all go and visit Mr. Long together?"
However, Jiang Tiansheng's answer stunned everyone.