In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 976 A Thunderclap from Out of the Sky

Dongning Trading Company is located on Haide Street in the south of the city. It is a large trading company in the area.
On weekdays, they mainly engage in brokerage, cargo transportation, and the trade of cloth and silk.

The storefront was grand, occupying nearly 30% of Hyde Street.

At this moment, a number of people were sitting in front of the Dongning Trading Company.

Most of them were ragged, dark-skinned farmers with gaunt faces etched with bitterness.

They stared intently at the shop's entrance.

Only when someone comes out of the door will his lifeless eyes show a slight flicker of emotion.

These people are all farmers from Lijia Village outside the West City.

A few days ago, Dongning Trading Company came to acquire the land, offering a price that was less than 20% of the market value.

At first, they didn't pay much attention, thinking that the Dongning Trading Company was a fool.

However, as land prices continued to fall, rumors and gossip increased.

The steward in charge of acquiring the land deliberately revealed some "secrets from the capital," and panic gradually spread.

Finally, someone couldn't resist any longer and sold all the land to the Dongning Trading Company.
I just want to secure my profits and avoid ending up with nothing.

Initially, seeing land prices continue to fall, they were secretly glad they sold early.
But just two weeks ago, the market maker managed to turn the tide.
The land price was artificially propped up to ten taels, and even rose to forty taels at one point.

This news shocked and saddened them.
How could I have been so foolish as to believe the rumors spread by Dongning Trading Company!

Nowadays, many people are gathering at Dongning Trading Company, hoping to buy the land back.

But they had been waiting here for more than ten days.
Not to mention the shopkeeper Zhou Lin, even Manager Wang, who had confidently predicted that land prices would only fall and not rise, has disappeared without a trace.

The somber atmosphere had already reached its lowest point several days prior.

A dozen or so farmers sat like zombies in the shady corner, silently watching the shop's entrance.

They didn't know if waiting like this would be of any use.

Perhaps it's just to give myself something to look forward to.

Perhaps it's just out of resentment, but anyway, they're still waiting.

On the second floor of the shop, the owner, Zhou Lin, stood by the window.
Looking at the farmers downstairs, his face was so gloomy it could drip water, and he cursed:

"A bunch of troublemakers! They sold the land themselves, what are they doing here causing trouble for me!"

Qiao Weihua, the manager of Dongning Trading Company, looked troubled and sighed quietly.

“Master, we’ve received several official documents from the capital recently, demanding that we give these farmers an explanation.”

"An explanation? What explanation?"

Zhou Lin's face instantly turned ferocious, and he burst into a tirade of curses:
"The business has lost so much money, I can't even explain it to those lords, and now I have to explain it to them too?"
Who will give me an explanation! Who will compensate me for my money!

Zhou Lin's voice grew louder and louder.
This attracted the attention of some people downstairs, who all looked up.

Seeing this, Zhou Lin quickly took a step back and sternly ordered:

"Quickly find someone to drive these people away!"

"Yes."

Qiao Weihua stood to the side and tentatively spoke:
"Master, why don't we just return the land to them? It's only a few hundred acres, not much."

"Retreat? Retreat what!"

Zhou Lin plopped down in a chair, grabbed a teacup from the table, his eyes blazing with anger:

"If we refund them, what if others come and demand the land? The business doesn't have the money to refund them now!"

The Dongning Trading Company had already suffered a severe blow from this incident.
Not only did they run out of money, they also became the target of attention from all sides.
Even the Jingzhao Prefecture has been inspecting the area more frequently lately.

In the past, when the business was at its peak...
Even the prefect has to speak to him politely.

Thinking of this, Zhou Lin's eyes grew increasingly gloomy.

What's even more devastating is the money that was lost; although those wealthy men said it didn't need to be repaid,
But they were ruthless in their actions.

They have been ruthlessly plundering businesses in various places, causing ever-increasing losses.

Zhou Lin looked Qiao Weihua up and down and asked:

"You need to think of a way to turn this current downward trend around."

"what"

Qiao Weihua stood there stunned, his face blank, then said with a bitter expression:

"Master, how could I possibly have such an ability!"
It's already quite an achievement for a petty person to manage the daily operations of a business and maintain stability.

Zhou Lin waved his hand impatiently and said:

“Alright, alright!
I've never treated you badly over the years, so you have to keep this business going and don't even think about giving up halfway!
"Things will get better once we get through this."

At this point, Zhou Lin rubbed his leg in frustration:

"Those assassins were truly useless!"

Why couldn't they just shoot Lu Yunyi dead!
If he were dead, things wouldn't be so difficult!

Qiao Weihua, who was standing nearby, changed his expression drastically and quickly stepped forward to remind him:

"Master, watch your words!"
Lord Lu is a favorite in the palace, and the Yingtian Trading Company just distributed dividends; many officials speak highly of him.

He should have kept quiet; his words only made Zhou Lin angrier.
"Yingtian Trading Company drove down the price of our goods so low, while making a fortune for themselves."

They don't care about the fate of us merchants at all!
"They'll enrich Lu Yunyi all by himself!"

Qiao Weihua didn't know how to agree with this.

In his view, for a business to last,
A stable, high-paying client is more important than anything else.

Even if we earn less or even lose a little, we still have to maintain the relationship.

Yingtian Trading Company had long been the most favored major client of these trading companies, even more reliable than the government.

The atmosphere inside the room grew increasingly oppressive.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door, and the manager of the trading company rushed in:
"Master, manager, something terrible has happened!"

Manager Chen from Yingtian Trading Company has arrived and says he's canceling orders for the next three years and demanding compensation from us!

"what?"

Zhou Lin's expression changed drastically, and he instantly became serious.

Qiao Weihua also stood up abruptly, his expression changing drastically. What was bound to happen had finally arrived.

Where is Manager Chen?

"I have already invited him up to the side hall."

Zhou Lin stood up suddenly and said angrily:
"Let's go and have a look!"

After saying that, he stormed out, and Qiao Weihua quickly followed behind.

Soon, Zhou Lin met with Manager Chen of Yingtian Trading Company.

The other party was a middle-aged man in his thirties, wearing a long black robe embroidered with the logo of Yingtian Trading Company.
He was sitting in a chair, intently looking at two documents.

"You're Manager Chen?"

As soon as Zhou Lin entered the room, he angrily demanded an explanation.

Manager Chen looked up at him, somewhat bewildered, then turned to Qiao Weihua, whom he knew well, and asked in confusion:

"Manager Qiao, who is this gentleman?"

"This is our boss, Zhou Lin."

Manager Chen looked enlightened, stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and nodded repeatedly:

"So it's Mr. Zhou, I've heard so much about you."

Zhou Lin didn't appreciate it at all, staring at him coldly:
Why did Yingtian Trading Company cancel the order from Dongning Trading Company?

Manager Chen's smile gradually faded, his expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice:
"According to the documents from the capital government, Yingtian Trading Company is required to cooperate with the government."

The businesses that disrupted land prices a few days ago will be punished, and Dongning Business Firm is on the list.

Having said that, he handed over a document and continued:

"This is the disposal document of Yingtian Trading Company regarding the cancellation of subsequent orders. Mr. Zhou can take a look."

Furthermore, the Dongning Trading Company's violation of imperial laws caused considerable losses to the Yingtian Trading Company.
Dongning Trading Company also needs to compensate Yingtian Trading Company.
The total amount is three thousand one hundred and twenty-six taels of silver.

Zhou Lin stared blankly at Steward Chen, then suddenly laughed, hands on his hips:
"Yingtian Trading Company wants to cancel the order and then I have to compensate you?"

Manager Chen smiled gently:
"It was clearly stated in the original agreement,"

If Mr. Zhou feels something is amiss, he can consult a lawyer to verify it.

In fact, the compensation demanded by Yingtian Trading Company has already been calculated at the minimum rate of 10%.

So I should thank you?

Zhou Lin looked at him as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, his face full of disbelief.

"According to the original agreement, we should indeed express our gratitude."

"How dare you! You bastard! Who do you think you are, putting on airs in front of me!"

Zhou Lin flew into a rage and pointed at Manager Chen's nose, cursing him loudly.

At this moment, Qiao Weihua quickly stepped forward to break up the fight and whispered to Zhou Lin:
"Master, we did sign such a document back then, but we didn't expect things to turn out like this." Manager Chen, with his sharp ears, heard this clearly and nodded slightly.
"Manager Qiao and Boss Zhou both have copies of the written agreement."

Please deliver the compensation money to Yingtian Trading Company within seven days.

Otherwise, Yingtian Trading Company will file a lawsuit against Dongning Trading Company with the capital government.
If it really comes to that, the compensation amount won't be three thousand taels, but the full thirty thousand taels.

Zhou Lin became even angrier after hearing this, clenched his fists and was about to rush forward to hit Manager Chen, but Qiao Weihua held him back tightly:
"Boss, boss! Please calm down!"

"You bastard! Do you even know whose business Dongning Trading Company is?"

The Yingtian Trading Company is getting bolder and bolder! They have some nerve!

Zhou Lin's eyes were bloodshot as he roared through gritted teeth.

Manager Chen held the documents in his hand, his expression remaining calm:

"Yingtian Trading Company does business with Dongning Trading Company, and previously they always dealt with Manager Qiao."

Prior to today, Yingtian Trading Company did not know that you were the owner.

As for who is behind Dongning Trading Company...

Yingtian Trading Company has no need to know, nor does it want to know.

Of course, even if they found out, Yingtian Trading Company wouldn't be afraid.

After saying that, he looked at Qiao Weihua and reminded him with a smile:

"Manager Qiao, I have delivered the documents. I'll take my leave now."

"Send the money over within seven days, or things will get complicated."

Qiao Weihua was inwardly groaning.
This Manager Chen usually seems kind, so why is he saying things that only add fuel to the fire today!

"Guards! Seize him and beat him to death!"

"Kill this bastard!"

The waiter, who was poised to rush forward, was stopped by Qiao Weihua's gaze.

He glared fiercely at the waiter.
What kind of time is this to cause trouble!
Manager Chen, who had reached the door, stopped, turned around, pointed downstairs, and said in a deep voice:

"Manager Qiao, I heard that the farmers down there were all cheated out of their land by Dongning Trading Company."

Since we know each other, I'll give you a heads-up.

"Return it as soon as possible, otherwise, once the capital authorities come knocking, it won't be as simple as just returning the land."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Weihua was stunned for a moment and quickly told his waiter to pull Zhou Lin away.
He quickly rushed to Steward Chen and asked eagerly:

"Manager Chen, has something happened? Can you give me some details?"

Manager Chen didn't hide it and smiled:

"The business distributed profits yesterday and sent 180,000 taels of commercial tax to the capital."

Prefect Gao was beaming with joy, constantly praising the Yingtian Trading Company.
Moreover, he was very dissatisfied with those merchants who made a lot of money but did not pay commercial taxes.

As far as I know, the Dongning Trading Company paid only three taels of silver in commercial taxes last year.

Now you've gotten involved in the land price controversy in Beijing.

I'm sure the capital will come looking for trouble with you soon.

Manager Qiao, while things are still calm, hurry up and fix this.

Alright, that's all I wanted to say.

After saying that, Steward Chen turned and walked away, ignoring the noise behind him.

"Damn it! Qiao Weihua, go and bring him back to me!"

The commotion in the side hall lasted for nearly fifteen minutes.

Zhou Lin finally calmed down, his panting appearance was particularly frightening.

The afternoon sun was scorching.
The vermilion gate of the Dongning Trading Company was suddenly pushed open.

Zhou Lin walked out, his fists clenched and his face ashen.

Qiao Weihua hurried after him, reaching out to pull him, but he abruptly shook her off:

"Do not touch me!"

Zhou Lin's voice was full of anger, and his throat was a little hoarse from the argument earlier.

"A bunch of useless trash! They can't even handle a minor manager from the Yingtian Trading Company, and they let him shit on our heads!"

Qiao Weihua sighed and lowered his voice:

"Master, a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle!"

Yingtian Trading Company has powerful backers; we can't afford to offend them right now. Besides, there are others down below.”

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a series of chaotic footsteps.

Those farmers squatting in the shade of the shop's wall,

Upon seeing Zhou Lin emerge, their previously numb eyes instantly lit up, as if they had grasped at a lifeline.

They all stood up and gathered around in twos and threes, their thin faces full of urgency.

"Boss Zhou! You've finally come out!"

An old farmer in a coarse cloth jacket walked at the front, clutching crumpled banknotes in his hand.

"Please, have mercy and give our land back! That land is our whole family's lifeline!"

"Yes, Mr. Zhou! We were foolish to sell the land after listening to you."

Now that land prices have recovered, please return the land to us!

Another farmer echoed him, his eyes full of pleading.

Zhou Lin was already furious.
Surrounded by these farmers, he became extremely impatient.

He abruptly stopped, turned around, and swept his fierce gaze across the crowd like an enraged wild beast:
"Get out! All of you, get out!"
You sold the land voluntarily, and you received the money.

Want to back out now? There's no such thing as a free lunch!

The old farmer was startled by his imposing manner, but still gritted his teeth and took a step forward:
"But you said back then that land prices would keep falling, and that something bad was going to happen in Beijing, that's why we sold it!"

"Am I talking nonsense?"

Zhou Lin sneered and shoved the old farmer.
The old farmer staggered back two steps, almost falling over.

Why didn't you say anything when land prices were falling?

Now that prices have risen, you're trying to take over the land? Why don't you just rob us?!

The surrounding farmers were getting anxious when they saw his arrogant attitude.

A younger farmer clenched his fist and shouted:
"We're not stealing! We want our land back! You're trying to trick us into selling our land at a low price; that's cheating us!"

"So what if you rip people off?"

Zhou Lin, his neck stiff, spoke with increasing arrogance:
"Go ahead and sue me if you dare! Let's see if the capital government will bother with you troublemakers!"

Qiao Weihua, standing to the side, was so anxious that he stamped his feet and quickly stepped forward to smooth things over:
"Fellow villagers, let's talk this out calmly and not get agitated."

Our boss is in a bad mood today.

"Let's talk about this tomorrow, okay?"

But the farmers were unwilling to comply.

Having finally met Zhou Lin, how could they possibly let him go so easily?

They crowded around even tighter, arguing and shouting that they wanted to leave the area.
The sound grew louder and louder, attracting many passersby to stop and watch.

Annoyed by the noise, Zhou Lin abruptly pushed aside a farmer next to him.
I was about to cross the street, wanting to get away from this troublesome place as soon as possible.

at this time,

"boom!"

A loud bang suddenly exploded on the street, like a thunderclap that made people's ears hurt.

The surrounding noise vanished instantly.
Everyone froze, instinctively stopping what they were doing and looking around.

what happened?
Zhou Lin also stopped, frowning, seemingly not having reacted yet.

The next moment, he felt something wet on his head, and without thinking, he looked up and started cursing:

"Who the hell is spitting? I'll kill you all!"

But soon, he saw the fearful eyes of those around him, fixed on him.

what happened?
He subconsciously raised his hand to touch his forehead, his fingertips brushing against something warm.
He took his finger off and saw that dark, fresh blood was dripping from his fingertip.
what is this?
Immediately afterwards, a sharp pain came from the top of my head, and my vision went black instantly.

He tried to speak, but a metallic taste rose in his throat, and his body went limp, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Master!"

Qiao Weihua cried out in surprise and rushed forward to help.

But all they saw was Zhou Lin lying on the ground.

Blood gushed from his head, quickly staining the bluestone slab beneath him red.

Zhou Lin's eyes were wide open, as if he still didn't understand what had happened.
A trace of lingering hostility still clung to the corner of his mouth, but his breath had already ceased.

(End of this chapter)