The Cycle of Reincarnation in the Four-Courtyard House: A Journey Through the Heavens

Li Xiao naturally noticed the man's pained expression, and then said in a chilling tone, "From now on, without Boss Lou's permission, you are not allowed to set foot in here. Do you understand?"

"Hai!"

Koizumi Shozo bowed his head and bent over again.

"You should be apologizing to Boss Lou!"

"Hai!"

Koizumi Shozo immediately walked up to Lou Zhenhua and bowed deeply to him: "Mr. Lou, I apologize for my intrusion today!"

Lou Zhenhua quickly waved his hand and said, "Mr. Koizumi, you're too kind. Today's matter is probably all a misunderstanding!"

Li Xiao looked at Liu Qianqian, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

"Miss, please go upstairs first. We have some things to discuss!"

Liu Qianqian was slightly taken aback, but then immediately understood what Li Xiao meant.

She nodded, stood up, and walked directly towards the stairs.

Looking at Liu Qianqian's already somewhat grown-up back, Koizumi Shozo's eyes were filled with longing and greed.

"What are you still looking at?"

"Hai!"

Koizumi Shozo immediately snapped out of his daze and lowered his head heavily, no longer daring to look around carelessly!

Lou Zhenhua waved to his two sons, signaling them to leave.

Lou Xiaohui and Lou Xiaoqiang, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, turned around and jogged away.

Lou Zhenhua watched his two sons hurriedly leave, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

They're all young people of roughly the same age, yet the difference is just too great.

Facing these brutal Japanese soldiers, Li Xiao not only remained calm and composed, but also used his cunning to outwit them.

His own sons were like two frightened quails, completely lacking any sense of manly responsibility!

At this moment, only Li Xiao, Lou Zhenhua, and Koizumi Shozo remained in the restaurant.

Li Xiao sat down directly at the round table and asked, "Xiao Quan, what brings you here to see President Lou today?"

Koizumi quickly replied, "That's right, Colonel. The Imperial Warriors have occupied a copper mine with good quality in Southeast Asia, and we are currently facing a severe copper shortage in our weapons production. So I came here today hoping to contact Mr. Lou and Mr. Xu, the shipping magnate in Hong Kong."

Li Xiao frowned and asked, "Isn't Hong Kong currently under imperial rule? Does that mean the empire can't even find a single cargo ship there?"

Koizumi Shozo quickly shook his head and said, "Colonel, it's like this!"

"Currently, the Empire does have quite a few merchant ships in Hong Kong, but these are all small cargo ships under 100 tons, and their carrying capacity is simply too small."

"Your Excellency is surely aware of the current situation in the country. Our frontline soldiers are now receiving almost no supplies from the rear and have to rely on their own efforts."

"We know that Mr. Xu, the shipping magnate of Hong Kong, owns four cargo ships of 1,000 tons each, but these ships are currently registered under German names. It is said that Mr. Xu has a very good relationship with German businessmen."

"If we forcibly requisition these cargo ships, we may offend our allies, and as you know, the Empire's resources and factory equipment currently depend on imports from there."

"So I heard that Mr. Lou and Mr. Xu have some connections, so I wanted to ask Mr. Lou for help."

Li Xiao stared intently at Koizumi Shozo, realizing that what he said was only half true.

Li Xiao is an expert in criminal psychology. He can judge whether someone is lying by looking at their language, speaking speed, tone, body language, eye contact, and facial micro-expressions.

What Koizumi Shozo just said was indeed true, but Li Xiao could tell that there was definitely more to tonight's events than met the eye.

"Koizumi, if you want Mr. Lou's help, why come to visit at night? Besides, today is Mr. Lou's eldest son's birthday. Isn't it a bit too rude of you to just barge into his house like this?"

A flicker of panic flashed in Koizumi Shozo's eyes. He had already figured it out: the unbelievably beautiful woman from before was definitely the one that the colonel in front of him had taken a fancy to.

If it tells the truth, I wonder if the colonel will shoot it on the spot!

Faced with Li Xiao's piercing gaze, Koizumi Shozo could no longer hold on. Cold sweat poured down his forehead, and his legs trembled slightly.

"Speak quickly!!"

Li Xiao's loud shout made Koizumi Shozo shudder. He lowered his head and said, "I'm sorry, Colonel. I heard that there was a beautiful girl like an angel at Mr. Lou's place tonight, so I rushed in without thinking."

"Who told you these things?"

Li Xiao asked, word by word.

Faced with Li Xiao's palpable pressure, Koizumi Shozo dared not hesitate for even a moment.

"Your Excellency, I heard it from a foreman at the factory."

"I...I don't have any other hobbies, I just like all kinds of beautiful women...so...so when that worker told me that a woman as beautiful as an angel came to Mr. Lou's house today, I couldn't resist..."

"Who is this foreman?"

Sweat dripped from Koizumi Shozo's forehead onto the floor, but he dared not wipe it away. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly looked up and said, "Reporting, Colonel, this foreman's name is Zhao Erhe!"

"Send someone to bring Zhao Erhe here immediately!"

"Hai!"

Koizumi Shozo immediately ran out and instructed one of the sentries standing guard outside to call Zhao Erhe.

Twenty minutes passed quickly, and Zhao Erhe had already followed the sentry at the door into the room.

As soon as he entered the door, he bowed and scraped to Koizumi Shozo and Lou Zhenhua.

"Greetings, Mr. Koizumi! Greetings, Mr. Lou!"

Li Xiao stared intently at the thin, somewhat sleazy-looking middle-aged man.

"Your name is Zhao Erhe?"

Zhao Erhe was a very quick-witted fellow. When he first came in, he saw the young man sitting in the banquet hall, with the steel factory manager by his side. He must be an important person.

Upon hearing Li Xiao's question, Zhao Erhe immediately nodded and bowed, saying, "Yes, I am Zhao Erhe!"

"Did you tell Koizumi Shozo that Mr. Lou has a beautiful girl at home?"

Zhao Erhe sensed something was wrong. The young man in front of him seemed to be looking at him with a chill that went deep into his bones.

He shuddered and stammered, "Reporting to the officer, it was...it was me...who said it!"

Li Xiao stood up, walked to Zhao Erhe and stood in front of him. An invisible pressure rushed towards him.

"And how did you find out about this?"

At this moment, Zhao Erhe was already terrified by the murderous aura emanating from Li Xiao, and cold sweat rolled down his forehead.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, and stammered, "Reporting...reporting to the sir...it was...it was Yi Zhonghai, the fitter in our workshop, who told me!"