boyutpedia Chapter 22 Business Turmoil, Past Events of Sheng Hai
Chapter 22 Business Turmoil, Past Events of Sheng Hai
Two days later, at dusk.
When Zhou Tong finished practicing martial arts and returned home, his car had just stopped in front of the mansion gate when he saw a familiar figure coming out of the gate. It was Ji Chang.
"Senior Brother Ji," Zhou Tong said with a smile, stepping out of the car and bowing.
Ji Chang smiled and said, "Junior Brother Zhou is back! I just finished talking with my uncle and was about to leave."
The two stopped on the stone steps in front of the door and exchanged a few pleasantries.
Ji Chang rubbed his hands, which were slightly red from the cold, and breathed out a puff of white air: "It's really cold these past two days. Junior brother, please be careful when you practice, and don't catch a cold."
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother." Zhou Tong nodded, then casually asked, "How's business going?"
Ji Chang grinned: "Everything is fine. With Uncle at the helm, I feel very reassured."
Watching Ji Chang's figure disappear into the twilight street corner, Zhou Tong turned and went into the mansion.
After passing the screen wall, the lights in the hall were already on.
A kerosene lamp with a Western-style glass dome hung under the beam, casting a warm yellow glow.
Upon entering the hall, the biting cold wind was instantly left behind, replaced by a wave of warmth.
In the middle of the hall stood a huge brass charcoal brazier, with charcoal burning brightly inside, emitting a sweltering heat.
Zhou Chengzong was sitting in a rosewood armchair, holding a cup of tea in his hand, looking out the door with a smile on his lips.
"Father," Zhou Tong called out, taking off his outer robe and sitting down below his father.
The maidservant brought out hot tea at the right time, and Zhou Tong held it with both hands, feeling the warmth spread from his palms all the way to his chest.
"Tong'er, you have a good eye for people, your Senior Brother Ji."
Zhou Chengzong pointed to the door, his tone filled with undisguised praise, "He's truly a remarkable person and a good business partner."
"Oh?" Zhou Tong put down his teacup and smiled, "Father, is it because you've had some new insights from spending time with Senior Brother Ji these past two days? Tell me about it."
He asked casually, but Zhou Chengzong seemed hesitant.
"What's wrong, Father? Is there something you can't tell me?" Zhou Tong asked, puzzled.
"Fine, there are some things I really didn't intend to tell you."
Zhou Chengzong looked Zhou Tong up and down before finally speaking: "But your performance lately has shown you composure and clarity in the face of adversity, and you've become quite the man. So let me tell you about it."
Zhou Tong raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.
He knew that after this period of hard work, he had finally shaken off the old impression his father had of him as a spoiled brat.
Zhou Chengzong remained calm and said, "Our business has recently encountered a minor setback."
Zhou Tong's expression hardened, but he did not speak immediately, waiting for what was to come.
"A few days ago, I took your senior brother Ji to visit some old acquaintances, and things went smoothly at first."
Zhou Chengzong spoke calmly and slowly, "But in the past few days, the wind has suddenly changed. Several old friends who had previously agreed to supply goods and allow passage have either feigned illness to avoid us, or they've made excuses and changed the subject."
He picked up his tea, took a sip to moisten his throat, and said calmly, "I found out that it was your grandfather who spoke up. The old man has relayed the message to all channels and relationships that have close ties with the Zhou Chamber of Commerce."
Zhou Chengzong put down his teacup with a crisp "clatter" that was particularly clear in the quiet hall: "I have explicitly forbidden them from cooperating with me, and they are not allowed to provide any convenience."
Zhou Tong's expression darkened, and uncontrollable anger surged within him.
Last time, the old man took the initiative to make the division of the family business clear, leaving no room for negotiation. Now he's trying to trip us up again. Isn't that going too far?
Is there really no affection between fathers and sons?!
"What's wrong?" Zhou Chengzong glanced at his son, raising an eyebrow. "Your face darkened after hearing what I said? You don't have faith in your father anymore?"
He leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped on his knees, exuding a confidence that came from years of experience in the business world.
Zhou Chengzong’s voice was not loud, but every word was firm: “I, Zhou Chengzong, have been in the business world of Cangzhou for so many years, and my reputation is not entirely supported by the Zhou Family Chamber of Commerce.”
Years ago, the medicinal herb supply route to Northeast China was fraught with peril, traversing freezing temperatures and sparsely populated by unruly men. I practically single-handedly cleared and unclogged that route. Compared to that time, this is nothing.
Zhou Tong suppressed his displeasure with the old man, forced a smile, and replied, "I am naturally aware of Father's abilities."
"Tong'er, let me take this opportunity to tell you a lesson: there are many kinds of favors and face. What your family gives you is protection, which is useful, but also fragile."
Zhou Chengzong looked at Zhou Tong, his eyes sharp:
"True friendships are those earned through one's own efforts. Your grandfather may be able to block the path of the Chamber of Commerce, but he cannot sever the friendships I've built with others through thick and thin. This little setback is nothing to me."
"It's just that we'll start on a smaller scale than originally planned. We'll proceed steadily, step by step. Our resources are limited, so going slower might not be a bad thing."
Zhou Tong agreed, saying, "Father is right. Businesses built on our own abilities, without relying on the family's old connections, are harder to start, but we have more control and are not afraid of being taken away by others with a single word."
Zhou Chengzong nodded slightly, then changed the subject:
"In business partnerships, sincerity is paramount. Only when you open your hearts to each other can you work together towards a common goal."
Your senior brother Ji is a shrewd person. After his visits these past two days haven't gone smoothly, he naturally sensed something was amiss.
Zhou Tong was not surprised.
Ji Chang frequented the streets and was adept at reading people's expressions and demeanor; he could not hide even the slightest movement from them.
"I didn't hide it from him," Zhou Chengzong said. "To be frank, some past favors are not needed for the time being, and the start will be more difficult than expected."
However… Dad didn’t tell him the whole story. He didn’t tell him that we had other cards to play, that we had backup plans, and that the situation wasn’t as serious as it seemed.”
He looked at Zhou Tong, his eyes carrying the prudence typical of a businessman:
"Tong'er, it's not that your father doesn't trust the person you introduced. Your senior brother Ji is straightforward and adept at interpersonal relationships, and I've seen that for myself over the past few days. It's just that it's always good to be cautious in business."
Especially given our current situation, we can't withstand any major storms; every step we take must be carefully considered. I want to see what your first reaction will be when faced with this sudden setback, Senior Brother Ji.
Zhou Tong nodded: "Father's consideration is thorough, and it should be so."
Zhou Chengzong chuckled and continued, "Who knew that after listening to this, your Senior Brother Ji not only didn't show any fear or doubt, but instead expressed complete trust in me."
He said he trusted my abilities and that we could definitely overcome this hurdle. He even comforted me, saying that business is not a matter of a day or two, and since he had decided to partner with me, he had already made long-term plans.
Zhou Chengzong smiled slightly, mimicking Ji Chang's somewhat colloquial and cheerful tone:
"Uncle, it's better if it's a little difficult at the beginning! If there's anything that needs running errands, physical labor, or the need to use force to maintain order, please feel free to give me instructions. I'd love to get involved and learn as much as possible."
Hehe, if things went too smoothly at the beginning and I suddenly became too big for my own good, I wouldn't have put in enough effort and I'd really be afraid you'd sideline me! This steady, methodical approach is exactly what I wanted!
After Zhou Chengzong finished speaking, he couldn't help but click his tongue and shake his head with a smile:
"Listen to these words. They are frank, straightforward, and even a bit reckless, but in this context, they make people feel comfortable and not offended at all."
Your senior brother is truly skilled at handling people and situations, and he has a knack for knowing how to strike the right balance. Even if he didn't practice martial arts, just his eloquence and insight would ensure he wouldn't go hungry in this world.
Zhou Tong couldn't help but chuckle. The image of Ji Chang charming the beautiful woman with just a few words in front of Ruifuxiang's gate flashed before his eyes. He chuckled to himself: My senior brother Ji has certainly taken a lot of benefits with his mouth and his looks.
He chuckled and added, "When Senior Brother Ji first spoke to me, he said that relationships need to be built up gradually. His partnership with our family is also for the future, which shows his long-term vision."
Zhou Chengzong nodded with a smile.
That brought the conversation to a close, and the father and son chatted about other things.
Finally, Zhou Tong hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help himself and looked at his father: "Dad, there's something I've always wanted to ask you."
"Um?"
"What exactly caused you and Grandpa to come to this?"
Zhou Tong carefully chose his words: "Grandpa's methods after the family division... were truly ruthless."
The smile on Zhou Chengzong's face slowly faded.
After a long while, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"Tong'er."
Zhou Chengzong's voice was somewhat hoarse: "Those are all old, trivial matters. They involve too much, and I didn't want to bring them up."
He looked up at Zhou Tong, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "But now, you truly have the ability to share the burden of the family. This business will eventually be handed over to you. There are some things you should know."
Zhou Tong sat up straight, adopting an expression of attentive listening.
Zhou Chengzong stroked the rim of the teacup, speaking slowly and deliberately:
"Many years ago, your grandfather sent me to Shenghai... There, by chance, I joined a... club called 'Fenxin Club'."
Later, your grandfather found out and was furious. He sent several telegrams overnight, summoning me back from Shenghai. After that, I worked in the Chamber of Commerce and never had any contact with those people or things again.
Zhou Chengzong spoke slowly, his expression turning somber: "Until this time, because of the cooperation with the foreign firm... alas, in the end, our paths... are simply different."
Finally, Zhou Chengzong waved his hand wearily, "Tong'er, that's enough for today. I want to be alone for a while. Go ahead and do your own thing."
Zhou Tong glanced at his father's face, but didn't ask for any more details. He replied, "Okay, Dad, you've had a long day. Get some rest. I'm going to the backyard to stretch my muscles."
"Okay, go ahead. It's chilly at night, go to bed early after you finish practicing."
Zhou Tong left the hall and gently closed the door.
……
In the courtyard, Zhou Tong took off his cotton-padded coat, but did not immediately begin his evening martial arts practice. Instead, he stood quietly in the darkness, the three words echoing repeatedly in his mind.
Fenxin Society.
The Republic of China, triads, family feuds, differing values...
These words, like scattered fragments, gradually piece together some outlines of my father's youth.
Zhou Tong's eyes flickered. He had been puzzled by the old man's ruthless ways, but now he suddenly understood.
He closed his eyes, steadied himself, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with tranquility.
No matter how many undercurrents, schemes, or grudges lie ahead—
As long as you have enough strength, nothing is a problem.
Zhou Tong took out the Golden Jade Ointment and applied it little by little to the acupoints. He then took out a thermos and swallowed five kinds of medicinal powder. He slowly assumed the starting stance of the Dragon Tiger Flesh Training Post and began practicing each move.