Chapter 384: A Temporary Compromise
Chapter 384: A Temporary Compromise
September 25, 2017
With Ye Junru's persistent persuasion, how could Lu Haikong possibly refuse?
Moreover, given Lu Haikong's current situation, he couldn't afford to turn down this opportunity.
After reaching an agreement with Ye Junru, Lu Haikong didn't linger in the area. After resting for a night, he headed straight back to Qiangyin County.
There were too many matters in Qiangyin that required Lu Haikong's attention, and he wouldn't have made this trip if it wasn't necessary. Now that he had settled things with Ye Junru, there was no need for him to personally handle the subsequent affairs. After all, Lu Haikong wasn't particularly adept at managing these types of matters, and the affairs in Youzhou still needed to be left to Li Xiong.
By the time Lu Haikong returned to Qiangyin, three days had passed since his last meeting with Zhang He. Li Xiong had already approached Zhang He to discuss their cooperation, but the negotiation process was far from pleasant. If it weren't for Lu Haikong's instructions before his departure, this deal would have been impossible to reach. In the end, they only drafted an agreement, and its success still hinged on Lu Haikong's approval.
Obtaining this agreement was a challenging and nerve-wracking task for Li Xiong. When he presented the draft contract to Lu Haikong, the latter's forehead couldn't help but twitch in anger.
The terms outlined in the contract were far more excessive than what Zhang He had initially proposed. Besides demanding seven layers of shops and five layers of livestock trade profits, the Zhang Clan also sought control and supervision rights over the livestock market. They even requested a series of benefits, including tax exemptions for their shops, essentially inviting a Supreme Emperor to take over.
"It seems they've sensed my urgency and are taking advantage of it. Fine! I'll give them what they want, but obtaining Lu Haikong's possessions won't be that easy!"
Lu Haikong, with a chilling glint in his eyes, signed the agreement.
Subsequently, Li Xiong, carrying this agreement with minimal revisions, sought out Zhang He and handed it over. Without hesitation, Zhang He led his troops back to the Zhang Clan.
After completing this task, Li Xiong didn't get a moment's rest.
Or perhaps, ever since he followed Lu Haikong, he hadn't had much rest, except for the two months of recovery after the battle with the Aristocratic Family Alliance.
Li Xiong had been handling various affairs tirelessly for over half a year, and despite his Strength Value reaching 70, he had become noticeably thinner.
Although Lu Haikong treated him like a workhorse, he was generous with rewards. Li Xiong always received the best treatment, even surpassing that of Xi Zhicai.
After returning from Zhang He, Li Xiong discussed matters with Lu Haikong for half a day before heading back to the Mountain Stronghold. He brought with him Lu Haikong's expectations and a thousand Elite Composite Bows of the Superior Grade, along with his old partner Dian Wei.
Despite Ye Junru's assurance that a promise would suffice, Lu Haikong still felt it was necessary to offer a gift.
Upon Li Xiong's return to the Mountain Stronghold, preparations were made through the night. The next day, carrying Lu Haikong's aspirations, he set off for Youzhou.
.................................................
Meanwhile, on the way back to the Zhang Clan, Zhang He examined the agreement in his hands.
He had scrutinized this contract for a long time, fully aware of what it represented.
It wasn't an earth-shattering deal; to someone who didn't acknowledge it, it was merely a worthless piece of paper.
"Is this guy backed by someone powerful, or has he grown stronger amidst adversity?"
Zhang He had interacted with Lu HaiKong on numerous occasions and understood his personality to some extent. Previously, Lu HaiKong had almost torn him apart when he mentioned only the first half of his conditions, but now he had agreed to the terms almost without hesitation. Such a drastic change couldn't have gone unnoticed by Zhang He's intelligence.
"Forget it, forget it, it doesn't matter. This vortex seems to be expanding, and since I've already achieved great merit, it's a way to redeem myself. Elder Zhang Yi shouldn't be breathing down my neck anymore. Now, I need to find a way to get out of this vortex."
Although Zhang He was from the Zhang Clan, he was primarily an Outsider, which meant he would never blindly remain loyal to his family like a typical clan scion.
When Zhang He plotted for the Zhang Clan's interests, it was more to secure his own advantages. Most Outsiders, or perhaps even all of them, from a contractual society were primarily self-centered and wouldn't easily pledge true loyalty to anyone or any power.
At this moment, it was clear that the Zhang Clan's ship was sinking, and even if Zhang He had some insights, he wouldn't voice them. His top priority now was to figure out how to get off this sinking ship.
As for the conflict between the Zhang Clan and Lu HaiKong, who had the time to deal with that? Zhang He's mission was to atone for his crimes, and since he had achieved great merit, his task was essentially complete.
Upon returning to the Zhang Clan with the contract, Zhang He immediately presented it to Zhang Yi, who was stunned by its contents.
The contract Zhang He had secured for him was beyond what he could have imagined. When Zhang Yi read it, he first saw the astonishing wealth it promised)), and only then did he notice Zhang He's talent. However, Zhang Yi merely praised him briefly before dismissing him.
Zhang He's situation in the Zhang Clan was far more challenging than that of Ding Yuan's adopted son. Ding Yuan had built his empire from scratch and had no biological children, so when he finally obtained an Outsider son, he cherished him deeply, even if he didn't show it outwardly.
Zhang He, on the other hand, was less fortunate. The Zhang Clan was vast and powerful, with dozens of Zhang Yi's descendants. Moreover, Zhang He's Outsider identity meant that unless his talent was truly exceptional, he would never rise to prominence within the clan.
If Zhang He weren't an Outsider, and had achieved this great merit, Zhang Yi might have conveniently tasked him with the significant responsibility of handling the affairs in Qiangyin. However, Zhang Yi didn't even offer a reward, let alone such a lucrative opportunity.
This treatment was disheartening, but it reassured Zhang He. Qiangyin was no ordinary assignment; while he didn't know about others, he was certain that if he went, there was an eighty to ninety percent chance he wouldn't return.
After receiving the contract, Zhang Yi sprang into action, assigning one of his favored sons to oversee the affairs in Qiangyin.
It must be said that the Zhang Clan, even in its weakened state, still held significant influence. Despite being dealt a blow by Ding Yuan, they quickly mobilized dozens of clans, bringing substantial resources and technical experts to Qiangyin. Simultaneously, Lu HaiKong's livestock industry commenced operations with the arrival of the clans.
The stage was finally set for Qiangyin's grand development, thanks to Lu HaiKong's compromise!
(End of Chapter)
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