The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the border troops, it was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was destro

Chapter 31 Difficult to handle? Then let's not handle it!

Faced with Li Shichang's threat, Jiang Han looked at him with a half-smile:
"Master Li, don't speak too definitively."

“Let’s talk business. If we resort to underhanded tactics, it won’t benefit either of us.”

If the Li family doesn't respond to persuasion, they'll resort to force. If they really push themselves too far, they can turn around and lead their troops to break through Anse City and slaughter the Li family, which would be considered doing a service to the people.

But if he did that, Jiang Han would have to go to the deep mountains and forests to fight as a guerrilla, which is really not a life for a human being.

It's best to play it safe for now and wait until the summer and autumn tax seasons arrive before taking any action.

Jiang Han gently shook his head, trying to ease the tension:

“Master Li, I have many more prescriptions like these. Our two families can cooperate to make money. Why make things tense and damage our relationship?”

Li Shichang's expression was uncertain as he looked at Jiang Han, as if he were silently weighing his options.

His second son, Li Lihui, sitting next to him, could no longer contain himself; his eyes blazed with rage, and his patience had run out.

My father is really getting old; he's starting to overthink things.

If he were in charge of this matter, he would have surrounded the inn where Jiang Han was staying long ago.

Then arrest this guy surnamed Jiang, throw him in jail, and lock him up for ten days or half a month.

When the time comes, just call a few familiar prison guards and use some tricks on him, and the cement mix will be a piece of cake, right?

Li Lihui sneered:
“Lord Jiang, the Li family respects you by addressing you as ‘Lord Jiang’ and has even hosted a banquet at Hongbinlou. Please don’t be ungrateful.”

He picked up his glass, took a sip, and shook his head.

"It's ridiculous that any Tom, Dick, or Harry can be called an adult now."

"You're right, Lord Jiang."

Jiang Han slightly raised his eyelids and responded calmly:
"I'm not some ugly, deformed person who deserves to be addressed as 'Young Master'."

"You're right, aren't you, Young Master Li?"

These words immediately created a tense atmosphere in the room.

Seeing this, Master Li also watched Jiang Han in silence.

Provoked by Jiang Han, Li Lihui slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly. He then drew a sword from the waist of his attendant and pointed it tremblingly at Jiang Han:
"You surnamed Jiang, do you believe I'll kill you?!"

As he drew his sword, a cold glint flashed in Shao Yong's eyes behind Jiang Han. With a slight twist of his wrist, he instantly wrapped the rope at the end of the sword around his hand, then used his thumb to press against the back of the blade, pushing the sword out of its sheath, ready to strike.

Jiang Han grabbed Shao Yong, pulled a knife from his arms, and pointed it at Li Lihui:
"What? Trying to scare me?"

"With a crippled hand, you can't even hold a knife properly, how dare you draw your sword and point it at me?"

Upon hearing this, Li Lihui felt his blood rush to his head.

His arm ailment was his Achilles' heel, something even his father rarely mentioned.

Now, however, he was exposed in public by an outsider, and he was immediately filled with rage. He drew his knife and was about to rush over to fight Jiang Han to the death.

Seeing this, Master Li roared angrily:
"You bastard, sit down!"

"Who gives you the right to speak here! You have no respect for your elders!"

This angry rebuke startled Li Lihui. Although he was unwilling, he still glared at Jiang Han hatefully before slowly sitting back down.

Jiang Han, too lazy to argue with him any longer, turned to look at Li Shichang:

"Master Li, you can forget about the recipe. I only sell finished products. Give me a straight answer, whether it works or not."

“Our two companies can go into partnership. Profits are negotiable; a 50/50 split is also possible.”

Watching Jiang Han speak so eloquently, Li Lihui grew angrier and angrier, his eyes practically spitting fire.

He was born with a disability, which made him extremely ruthless and obsessive. From childhood to adulthood, he was the only one who pointed a knife at others; no one dared to point a knife at him.

Not to mention that Jiang Han also hit a nerve.

He suddenly stood up, pointed at Jiang Han, and roared:

"You, surnamed Jiang, shut up!"

"Let me tell you, in the Li family's business dealings, there has never been any concept of a 50/50 split."

"A thousand taels! That's more than enough for you! Now hand over the prescription obediently, and you might leave here alive."

Jiang Han rolled his eyes, too lazy to even acknowledge him. Meanwhile, Old Master Li narrowed his eyes, took a sip of his wine, and spoke in an icy tone:
“Lord Jiang, my Li family has always only done business independently, and there has never been a precedent of us partnering with others.”

“Those who wanted to join forces were all sent to jail by me.”

"Lord Jiang is so stubborn, it's putting me in a difficult position."

Jiang Han was completely enraged by the Li family's attitude.

If it weren't for the fact that the Li family could provide him with all the materials and military supplies he needed, he wouldn't have patiently dealt with the Li family for so long.

In order to facilitate the cooperation, he has already taken a step back and even proposed a 50/50 split.

But the Li family not only showed no gratitude, they even threatened him, really treating Jiang Han like a pushover?
He suddenly stood up, a cold glint flashing in his eyes:
"Is it difficult to do it? Then don't do it!"

Before he finished speaking, he forcefully overturned the round table and smashed it against Li Shichang, instantly splashing soup everywhere and leaving a mess of cups and plates.

Taking advantage of the chaos, he rushed over and grabbed Li Lihui, then held the goose-feather knife in his hand to Li Lihui's neck.

"Bastard!"

Master Li was filled with shock and rage, and the surrounding servants drew their knives, preparing to chop Jiang Han and the others into mincemeat.

Jiang Han's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he said sharply:
"Don't move! If you take another step forward, I'll kill this cripple!"

When Master Li saw the gleaming steel knife on his youngest son's neck, he quickly stopped the surrounding servants.

"Don't be impulsive! Lord Jiang! Let's talk this out, please don't hurt my son!"

Because Li Lihui was born with a disability and was the youngest son, he was usually pampered by Master Li, so Master Li did not dare to make any rash moves for the time being.

Just as the two sides were locked in a tense standoff, Yu Chengye, who was hiding in the shadows, was grabbed by a sharp-eyed guard and dragged to Jiang Han's side.
"You surnamed Jiang, release my young master, or I'll kill this brat with one blow!"

Jiang Han's lips curled slightly, unmoved:
"He's just an orphan I rescued on a whim. If you have the guts, kill him. I'll just use your young master's life as payment!"

After saying that, Jiang Han exerted a little force with his right hand, and a bloody mark instantly appeared on Li Lihui's neck.

Upon seeing this, Master Li was terrified and quickly stopped the guards:

"Stop! Lord Jiang, have mercy! Have mercy! I'll release the child right away!"

After saying that, Master Li kicked the guard, signaling him to release the man immediately.

With the master giving the order, the guards had no choice but to obey and step forward to hand Yu Chengye over to Shao Yong.

Seeing the guard release Yu Chengye, Jiang Han also released his right hand:

"Get lost, you're lucky!"

After saying that, he kicked Li Lihui hard in the butt, sending him flying a long way, then sheathed his knife and turned to leave.

The restaurant was a mess, and Master Li was ashen-faced, covered in grease, and in a sorry state.

Li Lihui scrambled to his feet, clutching his backside, and said angrily:
"Father, I told you long ago, wouldn't it have been better if we had just taken down this Jiang guy right here at the inn!"

"They insist on putting on this whole 'treating the virtuous with courtesy' nonsense; these bastards just don't know what's good for them!"

Seeing his father remain silent, Li Lihui continued to ask:

"Dad, in all these years, when have we ever suffered such humiliation?!"

"Do you want to?" he then made a throat-slitting gesture.

Mr. Li shook his head:

"This Jiang guy absolutely cannot die before we get the cement formula!"

Mr. Li was still thinking about the formula in Jiang Han's hands; he couldn't help it, the cement was just too tempting.

Nowadays, Shaanxi is plagued by bandits and war. If the Li family could present this amazing object, which can build a city in three days, to the imperial court, they might be able to turn their fortunes around and rise to prominence.

Master Li's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he said coldly:

"Second brother, go! Call all the scoundrels, yamen runners, and jailers we keep at home."

He paused, then added,
"Break Jiang's arms and legs first, then have the bailiffs throw him into jail!"

"I want to see if he'll hand over the prescription once he's in jail!"

(End of this chapter)