Chapter 284: Autumn Crane

Chapter 284: Autumn Crane

In the central district of Chenshan City, on the top floor of the Huangshi Group branch.

"Mr. Autumn Crane, according to our prior agreement, today is your delivery date. Yet up to now, we haven't even seen a single shell."

In a simply furnished yet spacious room, Gong Qinghong, no longer in the traditional imperial attire but dressed in a Western suit, knelt on the tatami mats.

He spoke to the burly, imposing Japanese man before him, whose expression was neither angry nor overbearing: "Shouldn't your company give us an explanation?"

"Not long ago, you should have heard about the incident at the Muzeng River dock in the northern district. I can't deliver the goods now, but the deposit will be returned in full. Let's leave it at that."

The Japanese man who answered, though named Autumn Crane, was in fact as robust as a tiger or bear.

Huangshi Autumn Crane spoke with a cold, firm tone, then prepared to see the guest off.

But clearly, the simple return of the deposit did not meet Gong Qinghong's psychological expectations. He calmly picked up the teacup on the table, showing no intention of rising.

"Business thrives on trust, especially since Huangshi Group has always been known for valuing friendship and treating friends with kindness. Why such unseemly behavior this time? Or perhaps you never considered us friends from the start?"

Huangshi Autumn Crane's raised knee came crashing down again, producing a dull thud. His face, with its accumulated flesh, showed obvious anger.

"Mr. Gong, what do you mean? Do you want more compensation?"

Huangshi Autumn Crane was equally seething inside. He had just attended the New Year meeting of the Four Great Companies in Johto County, and before he could report back to headquarters, he received news that the goods had been seized by the Chenshan City Jinyiwei. He rushed back to Chenshan City overnight.

Unfortunately, despite his haste, he was still a step too late.

Weapons worth over 50 million banknotes were confiscated, and his trusted lieutenant Bai Longyin's fate was unknown. To make matters worse, a subordinate from the Xuan'ai Si had died as well.

To appease the officials from the Xuan'ai Si, he had already made a painful sacrifice.

Now, Gong Qinghong dared to press further, which was undoubtedly a challenge to Huangshi Autumn Crane's bottom line.

"Since we've reached an agreement, we should abide by it. Our delay due to inability to deliver the goods should warrant someone taking responsibility, shouldn't it?"

Gong Qinghong's words were like pouring oil on a raging fire, burning with indignation and fury.

His eyebrows gradually furrowed, his tiger-like eyes flashing with a fierce, predatory glint.

He extended his thick index finger and jabbed at the table before him: "In Chenshan City, no one has ever dared make me take responsibility. The other three companies can't do it, and neither can you, Honghu. If you want to try, I can give you that chance."

Facing the fierce tiger, Gong Qinghong showed no fear on his face, remaining as composed as ever.

"You misunderstand. We've always regarded you as a friend. How could we take advantage of this situation?"

Gong Qinghong spoke calmly: "The one responsible isn't you, but the Chenshan City Jinyiwei who caused this trouble."

"Hah. A criminal wants the officials to take responsibility? Can you make the Jinyiwei apologize and compensate for your losses?"

Huangshi Autumn Crane sneered, "Then I think you might as well blow up the Xiyuan Yewai office. It would be more convenient."

"Force is only the last resort. Strategy is the best choice. In this situation, we should join forces to make Xiyuan Yewai pay for their actions."

Gong Qinghong's unfinished words were cut off by a hand covered in thick calluses.

"You don't need to tell me about Honghu's plans. If you want to trouble Xiyuan Yewai, that's your freedom. We're just here to do business. We don't want to get involved in other matters."

Huangshi Autumn Crane wore a cold, dismissive expression.

This wasn't because he disdained working with Honghu, but because at the New Year meeting, the Four Great Companies had announced a joint resolution.

For the time being and in the future, the Four Great Companies would focus on accumulating strength and avoid conflicts with the officials, especially the Jinyiwei.

So although Huangshi Autumn Crane was also burning with anger, he could only grit his teeth and swallow it.

"I once heard from others that the head of Huangshi Group's Chenshan branch was a fierce Japanese warrior. He had once fought a bloody battle with Sanshin Heavy Industries to secure most of Chenshan's infrastructure. There was even the legendary feat of single-handedly killing five Jinyiwei in Songjiang City to avenge his men."

Gong Qinghong suddenly sighed, clutching his wrist in despair: "It's a pity. Meeting you in person is far less impressive than hearing your reputation."

"You Honghu people never change. Your provocations just now I can pretend not to have heard. But if you continue with your 'strategy and tactics' rhetoric, I assure you, you'll die a terrible death." Huangshi Autumn Crane sneered coldly.

"I don't intend to sow discord today. I just want to vent this anger with a friend."

Gong Qinghong placed his clenched fist over his heart: "Every strike of my heart is witnessed by the sun and moon."

Huangshi Autumn Crane gave a cold smile: "Friends? Gong Qinghong, you're a Ming person!"

"But there's an old saying among Ming people: the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"When did we become enemies of the Jinyiwei?"

"The tiger has no intention to harm, but the man has murder in his heart. In the eyes of the Jinyiwei, we are all moving targets of martial prowess."

Huangshi Autumn Crane crossed his arms over his chest: "Among your Ming people, there's a saying: retreat a step and the sea and sky will be vast, endure for a moment and the waves will calm. I don't believe Xiyuan Yewai will let us go unpunished."

"You can certainly endure," Gong Qinghong said with a slight smile, "but where is there for you to retreat behind you?"

The Japanese man's brow furrowed tightly: "What do you mean?"

"The goods Huangshi Group obtained from the Tianzhi Association's Mo attack forces were equally distributed among the ten cities in the Japanese district for distribution. But as far as I know, only your Chenshan branch under your control was raided by the Jinyiwei."

"This has nothing to do with my Chenshan branch! It's an objective reason!"

"Can objective reasons mask subjective mistakes? Will your superiors truly be so understanding?"

Gong Qinghong watched the other's face grow increasingly dark and continued: "With such a loss of goods and so much banknote damage, your Chenshan branch's standing in our evaluation will undoubtedly plummet. There's no doubt about that."

"Moreover, given Xiyuan Yewai's current hardline stance, it's clear they intend to follow this lead and investigate further. They won't let it go easily; instead, they'll escalate the situation!"

Huangshi Autumn Crane's breathing suddenly became heavy, as if intending to move, but remained silent.

"You should take the initiative to strike back now. By the time you're forced to act, it will be too late! The idea of striking later is a joke. The key to victory is striking first!"

Gong Qinghong's tone gradually rose, culminating in a voice like a great bell and drum, echoing endlessly.

"The Chenshan branch will not participate."

Huangshi Autumn Crane still refused, but his words lacked their former firmness.

"Actually, I know your concerns. It's because of the order issued by your superiors at the New Year meeting that you can't make up your mind, right? The word 'endurance' sounds easy, but how difficult it is to put into practice!"

Gong Qinghong stroked the thick porcelain teacup in his palm, appearing casual, but to Huangshi Autumn Crane, it sounded like thunder.

Bang!

The low table between them was overturned.

"You Honghu actually dared to plant spies within our ranks?!"

"Why speak such childish words? Do we not have your people among us? You have me within you, I have you within me. Mutual benefit and shared enemies—that is true friendship."

Gong Qinghong lifted his hair, dampened by tea water, revealing half of a horrifying, collapsed face.

His bones had deformed, his flesh twisted, as if struck by a club.