Chapter 17: Turning the Tide (1/2)
Turning the Tide
What kind of a figure was Zhang Li Qing?
He clearly understood the cause and effect of the matter in an instant. After Southern Cloud Commerce had met with calamity and lost grounds six years ago, it was exactly then the Ye family supported the Blackwater Commerce, allowing them to rapidly expand. Blackwater Commerce and Southern Cloud Commerce’s major products were both talismans. The conflict between the two had basically never stopped these past years .
Blackwater Commerce’s sphere of influence increasingly grew, especially with the strong Ye family’s support. After Southern Cloud Commerce had run up against bitter setbacks, it had become a second-rate commerce. Without a strong backing, the two commerces weren’t even enemies on the same level.
Meng Qing Wu was not a simple person. She shouldered huge pressures and stood firmly for six years. Under her leadership, not only did Southern Cloud Commerce not collapse, it stabilized and grew despite being put under huge pressure.
Meng Qing Wu was someone with ambition; she wished Southern Cloud Commerce could regain its former splendor. But she knows very well that Southern Cloud Commerce could not directly confront the influential Blackwater Commerce without a strong backing; so she picked a different path. She invested large sum of gold and spent half a year to complete arrangements to enter the pharmaceutical market.
She carefully prepared for half a year. But for such a big incident to occur only two weeks after opening; how was that even possible?
Impossible!
They had definitely been framed!
When Han Shao Long had purposely mislead him into expelling Meng Ying Ying the day before yesterday, his motive was to split apart any relationship between him and the Meng family. When this series of events all connected together, Zhang Li Qing was positive that the Han family had definitely participated in this scheme.
Zhang Li Qing doesn’t pay attention to the fights between businesses, but the situation was different this time around. It involved Meng Ying Ying, it involved Chu Tian and more importantly, it involved his own life. At the same time, the poisoning incident affected too many people; there were too many victims. Confrontation between business could not be more normal, harming citizen is simply unforgivable.
In any case, he had to interfere!
Han Shao Long was surprised and bewildered. He wasn’t sure which side Zhang Li Qing stood on: “Why would you appear here?”
Zhang Li Qing coldly looked at him: “From today onward, our master-disciple relationship is severed. The academic community doesn’t need any youth who is cruel with wild ambitions. I especially don’t need a student that schemes in the dark!”
Han Shao Long’s facial expression changed dramatically!
The famous talisman crafter Zhang Li Qing had just banished his second disciple in front of the whole crowd!
What was going on?
Zhang Li Qing used increasingly harsh tones: “If you don’t stop trying to start a fire, then don’t blame me for being rude.”
Han Shao Long showed an embarrassed face. After all the planning and scheming, he did not foresee that Zhang Li Qing would appear!
There was also Xiong Tian Yan and Nangong Yun. Why were all these important figures here together with Meng Qing Wu? He hadn’t known any of this in advance!
“Old Zhang, you are trying to commit a great mistake!” Another hoarse old voice could be heard coming from the crowd, “Your many years of credibility were not easily earned. I suggest you don’t get involved with this mess; you might bring yourself to ruin, losing everything in your remaining life!”
Xiong Tian Yan’s big bear face stiffened. He humphed, “Li Chang Yun? Since you are here, stop being enigmatic and come out!”
A very lean old man walked out, his skin tight against his body, with very little white hair. On the outside he looked merely around fifty years old, but in fact he was already seventy. He wore an extremely exquisite and luxurious embroidered robe, his hand grasping a violet gold cast snakehead long staff. On his finger he wore a few flashing and expensive rings. His hair had been brushed back strand by strand, looking extremely noble and befitting of his status.
Comparatively, Zhang Li Qing was like an old and slovenly man from the countryside.
Tian Nan City Alchemy Association’s president!
Tian Nan City Scrivener Guild’s guild master!
The clashing of these two leading figures exceeded everyone’s expectation!
Zhang Li Qing’s expression turned serious. For Li Chang Yun to be here not only served to hold down Zhang Li Qing, it also carried a deeper meaning. Li Chang Yun was someone the Ye family had paid a lot of tributes to and he could be considered their visiting elder. In a sense, Li Chang Yun was a member of the Ye family. For him to appear here, means that the Ye family was also involved in this incident.
Southern Cloud Commerce was in danger!
“Xiong Tian Yan, I will deal with you sooner or later on the matter with my disciple.” Li Chang Yun glared at Xiong Tian Yan before turning his attention back to Zhang Li Qing, “Old Zhang, I advise you to cherish your reputation. The Southern Cloud Commerce committed such a grave sin. Heaven is enraged, the people demand justice, as the representative of the alchemist association, I naturally have to interfere in this matter.”
Li Chang Yun laughed coldly, continuing on: “You excel in talisman crafting, but are you better than me in alchemy? Even I can’t diagnose what poison it is this time. If you keep speaking nonsense, I’m afraid you will regret it!”
How could Zhang Li Qing not understand Li Chang Yun’s implication?
If Li Chang Yun as president of Tian Nan city Alchemist Association could not diagnose the poison, then no one else in Tian Nan city could diagnose the poison. If the victim’s poison could not be diagnosed, then how could the victim be treated? According to the law, if Meng Qing Wu cannot find the culprit; then as the commerce’s leader, she would have to become the scapegoat!
If Zhang Li Qing were to back Meng Qing Wu, then his reputation would be ruined!
As thought!
These people were well prepared.
Even the type of poison used was carefully selected.
Zhang Li Qing remained unfazed: “All the contributions the Ye family paid you had worn away your integrity. Your soul is only filled with greed and thoughts of luxury. If we as scholars do not have the demeanor and integrity, then how will we ever seek out the truth? I will interfere in this matter for sure! I will not rest until I find the truth!”
Xiong Tian Yan roared: “Nicely put! This old bear will also interfere!”
Nangong Yun followed: “This lady will make sure the culprit wish they were dead!”
Three people that happened to meet here by chance bid their honor to help her seek justice. This is a big honor! Meng Qing Wu is very moved, but she knows very well that the three stood on her side mainly because of Chu Tian.
When she thought of Chu Tian, she sunk back into a deep feeling of regret.