PFC Chapter 616 will most likely lead to desperate measures.
Chapter 616 will most likely lead to desperate measures.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard, and Li Daqiang and Wang Ergou walked in with two young men.
“Xiangyang, a few more outsiders have arrived at the village entrance, saying they’re here for tourism,” Li Daqiang said in a low voice. “But they don’t look like tourists, and they keep asking about the village.”
Li Xiangyang frowned even more deeply: "Where are they?"
“We managed to persuade them to leave, but I doubt they'll give up,” Li Daqiang said worriedly. “Xiangyang, why don't you all move in with my family for a few days? I have a lot of family members, so it'll be easier to take care of them.”
Li Xiangyang shook his head: "No need. It's safer at home. If they really want to make a move, it doesn't matter where they are."
Li Xiaoyun came out of the house carrying a pot of hot tea: "Have some hot tea to warm yourselves up."
Wang Ergou took the teacup, then suddenly remembered something: "Oh, right, Xiangyang, Ma Laosan mentioned something else earlier. He heard that South China Investment is also making moves in the provincial capital, apparently acquiring several companies using similar methods."
"Looks like they have quite the appetite," Li Xiangyang sneered. "In that case, we can't just sit here and wait to be killed."
"What do you want to do?" Wang Ergou asked.
Li Xiangyang was silent for a moment, then a determined glint flashed in his eyes: "Ergou, tomorrow contact that reporter from the provincial newspaper, the one who reported on Tianhua Industry before. If Huanan Investment really is the mastermind behind Tianhua Industry, then that's even bigger news."
"Are you trying to get media exposure?"
“Yes, it’s too weak for just the few of us to deal with them. But if we can attract public attention, the situation will be different.” Li Xiangyang’s thinking became clearer and clearer. “Moreover, I need to contact the business owners who were previously cheated by Tianhua Industry, so we can band together for mutual support.”
Li Daqiang was confused, but he still said, "Xiangyang, whatever your decision, the whole village supports you."
"Thanks, Brother Daqiang." Li Xiangyang patted him on the shoulder. "But you guys better not get involved in this. Just protect your families and the village."
As they were talking, the roar of a car engine suddenly came from outside the yard.
The group exchanged glances, and Li Xiangyang stood up: "Who would drive into the village at this time of year?"
The sound of the car grew closer and closer, finally stopping in front of Li Xiangyang's house.
Li Xiangyang looked out the window and saw a black sedan with a license plate from out of town.
The car door opened, and two middle-aged men in suits got out. Li Xiangyang recognized one of them—it was the man who had impersonated an industrial and commercial law enforcement officer during the day.
"It really was them." Li Xiangyang sneered and said to Wang Ergou, "Ergou, go through the backyard and tell the villagers that outsiders are causing trouble."
Wang Ergou nodded.
Li Daqiang clenched his fist: "Xiangyang, should I call a few of my brothers over?"
"No need, I want to see what tricks they're up to." Li Xiangyang straightened his clothes. "You all stay inside and don't come out."
The knocking sounded rhythmically, indicating that the person coming in was very patient.
Li Xiangyang opened the courtyard gate and saw two men standing outside. In the moonlight, he could clearly see the cold smiles on their faces.
"Li Xiangyang?" the middle-aged man in the lead said. He was the same person who had impersonated an industrial and commercial law enforcement officer during the day.
"Yes, that's me. What's the matter?" Li Xiangyang's tone was calm.
"My name is Zhang Wei, and I represent the South China Investment Group." The middle-aged man pulled out a business card. "I apologize for what happened today."
Li Xiangyang took the business card, glanced at it, and sneered, "Apologize? Impersonating law enforcement officers is illegal."
“Mr. Li, you’re joking.” Zhang Wei’s smile was insincere. “We just wanted to understand the actual situation of your factory. Since there’s a misunderstanding, we can talk again.”
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Regarding the acquisition," a cold glint flashed in Zhang Wei's eyes, "ten million is indeed a bit low; we can raise it to fifteen million."
Li Xiangyang snorted coldly: "I've already said, the factory isn't for sale."
“Mr. Li, you need to be flexible in business,” another man next to Zhang Wei spoke up, his voice hoarse. “Some things are beyond your control. For example, investigations by the tax authorities, inspections by the industry and commerce department, and bank fund supervision.”
These words were clearly a threat, and Li Xiangyang's face instantly darkened.
Are you threatening me?
“A threat?” Zhang Wei waved his hand. “Mr. Li, you’ve misunderstood. I was just reminding you that doing business is risky. Especially for a small business like yours, the ability to withstand risks is relatively weak.”
"What if I still disagree?" Li Xiangyang stared into their eyes.
Zhang Wei's smile vanished, his face turning cold: "Boss Li, you know why we're so eager to give you money. Don't push your luck."
No sooner had he finished speaking than footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.
Li Daqiang arrived in a hurry with more than a dozen villagers.
"Xiangyang, are these people here to cause trouble?" Li Daqiang asked loudly, his voice filled with obvious hostility.
Seeing so many people, Zhang Wei's expression turned grim: "Li Xiangyang, what do you mean by this?"
"It's nothing special. The villagers heard that outsiders had come, so they came to see what was going on," Li Xiangyang said casually, but the coldness in his eyes deepened. "If you two have nothing else to do, please leave."
Zhang Wei glanced at the surrounding villagers, then at Li Xiangyang, and finally sneered, "Li Xiangyang, you'll regret this."
After saying that, the two turned and walked towards the car.
Once the car was far away, Li Daqiang finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Xiangyang, these people didn't look like good people at all."
"Daqiang, thank you all," Li Xiangyang said to the villagers. "Everyone should go back and rest; there might be more commotion tonight."
The villagers gradually dispersed, and Li Xiangyang returned to his house.
Li Xiaoyun came up to him: "Xiangyang, what did they say?"
"It's the same old trick: coercion and bribery," Li Xiangyang said, sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). "But the fact that they dared to come directly to our door tonight means they've already broken off all pretense of civility."
Lin Zhi said worriedly, "Son, why don't we just sell it? We only need enough money; why cause such a big problem?"
“Mother, this isn’t about money,” Li Xiangyang said, holding his mother’s hand. “If I give in today, they’ll just bully others again tomorrow. Someone has to stand up for them.”
Just then, Wang Ergou returned from the backyard.
“Xiangyang, I’ve already notified the villagers. The old Party Secretary said he’ll arrange for people to take turns patrolling tonight.” Wang Ergou sat down. “Also, I contacted a reporter from the provincial newspaper. He’s very interested in this matter and will come to interview us tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Li Xiangyang nodded. “Ergou, what do you think they’ll do next tonight?”
"It's hard to say," Wang Ergou frowned, "but I think they're most likely going to do something desperate."