To the east of the county town, there is a low mountain called Mang Mountain.
On Mang Mountain, there is a farm called Fenggu Garden, with a history of over a hundred years and a strong sense of antiquity.
With peeling plaster and an ancient gate filled with historical charm, two large wolves, fitted with heavy chains, bared their teeth, their tails dragging on the ground, covered in mud. Any stranger who approached them would be filled with dread.
Those who knew their stuff could tell at a glance that these two beasts were not dogs at all, but wolves!
The wild kind, forcibly chained here and tamed to serve as guard dogs.
Upon entering the farm gate, the first thing that met the eye was a row of ancient and elegant buildings, on both the east and west sides.
In the courtyard, evergreens, rockeries, pavilions, and towers stood in stark contrast to the outside world.
This was the home of the renowned Lord Han, Han Shifei!
In a room filled with the scent of exquisite tea, sat a middle-aged man with a jade-like complexion and a slightly stout build.
He wore a dark purple robe, was barefoot, and was staring at a few sheets of paper on the table. Standing before him was an old man with his waist bent and head bowed.
The old man was over sixty years old, his hair gray, his build slender, and he appeared unremarkable.
"Uncle, has this Qin Chuan really achieved something significant!"
Han Shifei gazed at the contents of the papers and said softly.
The content on those few sheets of paper was all information about Qin Chuan, including his family, his current businesses, and his connections, all laid out clearly.
"Young Master, if you have any concerns, I can make him disappear from this world immediately!"
The old man called Uncle spoke.
Like his appearance, the old man's voice was very ordinary, but the content of his words was far from ordinary, even chilling.
"No, no, no, Uncle!"
Han Shifei waved his hand immediately. "The outside world has been unstable lately. The new county magistrate is quite capable. He has already quietly taken down Deputy Directors of the Public Security Bureau, Zhou Congrong and Xiao Guodong, as well as many mid to high-level officials. He has many supporters."
"At this juncture, we cannot afford any more mistakes!"
"Besides, doesn't it say here that Qin Chuan has a close relationship with Ye Qingping? Let's just let the bullets fly for a while!"
Uncle frowned at this. "But we just watch idly as this kid Qin Chuan, acting recklessly and arrogantly, repeatedly challenges our bottom line!"
"When he bought land to build houses, we didn't interfere. We didn't interfere when he opened a supermarket. This time, he's even trying to monopolize the hotel business. If this continues, it will become truly troublesome!"
"You must know that Guo Guang was always just one of our dogs. One-third of the money he earned each year was given to us!"
"Now that the Guo family has fallen, and these businesses have been taken over by this kid Qin Chuan, Young Master! If we don't find a way to stop it, even the people below will be afraid they can't hold back!"
Looking at Uncle's anxious expression, Han Shifei smiled indifferently, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a small sip, his expression one of indulgence.
"Uncle, what's wrong with you today?"
"You used to not be so impatient!"
Uncle was stunned for a moment, then calmed down. After a few breaths, he also frowned. "Yes, what's wrong with me today?"
"Young Master, to be honest, I don't know what's going on with me today. I just have a subconscious feeling that that kid Qin Chuan is a bit unusual! I want to nip all unstable factors in the bud as soon as possible!"
Han Shifei, who was tasting tea, paused slightly. "Oh? Is this Qin Chuan really putting so much pressure on you?"
"Yes."
Uncle admitted honestly. "I've investigated all his information, and the more I investigate, the more I feel something is amiss!"
"Take the matter of investing in real estate, for example. Both you and I thought real estate was the least worthwhile business to invest in, because real estate has been very sluggish in recent years. Let alone in our small town, even in big cities, not many people are willing to spend so much money to buy a house!"
"With so much money, why invest in real estate? It's crazy!"
Han Shifei nodded slightly. He didn't have a good outlook on real estate either. Ever since the real estate bubble burst in Hainan a few years ago, many investors went bankrupt overnight, and people jumping off buildings were commonplace.
Moreover, the country always had the policy of welfare housing distribution. Who would be stupid enough to spend so much money to buy a house!
"Besides real estate, that Qin Chuan also joined a chain supermarket called Meitehao. I investigated, and it's a large chain supermarket located in our provincial capital!"
Uncle continued. "To be honest, this investment is really good. We never thought of it before!"
"Investing in supermarkets is indeed a good way to make money, after all, it relates to people's livelihood, the common people's vegetable baskets!"
Han Shifei nodded. Throughout history, whoever grasped the common people's vegetable baskets would surely make money.
Food is the paramount necessity of the people!
"Furthermore, Qin Chuan partnered with Li Ya from the Butterfly Clothing Factory to establish the Jin Die Apparel flagship store. The business is also very good, creating multiple sales myths in our county!"
Uncle said finally.
"Young Master, considering the latter two points, and then reconsidering the first point, investing in real estate, if that Qin Chuan also invested correctly, then this person is simply an investment genius!"
"With such a person, we should either become friends with him or kill him as soon as possible to eliminate future trouble!"
This time, Han Shifei finally showed a hint of solemnity. He stood up from the mat and paced back and forth.
After a long time, Han Shifei stopped and said sternly, "Uncle, send someone to keep a close eye on Qin Chuan!"
"The real estate project in Huangjia Village, I estimate it will be at most six or seven stories high. It's already the fourth floor, and it will be completed in about a month."
"Then I'll give him another month. If this guy really invests correctly in real estate, then we'll have to change our strategy! We should try our best to become friends with this person, not enemies!"
Han Shifei, who had experienced many storms, knew that engaging in gray businesses was always a minor path. The true great path was those overt large businesses.
Uncle frowned. "Then, Young Master, what about the hotel business now?"
"It will still be a long time before Qin Chuan's project is completed. Every day delayed is a great loss for us!"
"The situation is so tight outside right now, who would be foolish enough to act against the wind!"
Han Shifei, who had always been very cultured, cursed loudly.
"Just one month, consider it a vacation!"
"At the same time, instruct everyone below to restrain themselves during this sensitive period. If anyone dares to cause trouble, don't blame me for turning my back on them!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
Uncle bowed and slowly withdrew from the room.