"What does Uncle an by ’plans’?"
"Hehe, Ya, you don’t need to play dumb with . With your intelligence, you must have already realized the implications of this incident."
"Firstly, the Hong Family will definitely not let this matter rest. Although you’ve returned, the shipnt was lost, and the Hong Family will certainly make a big fuss over it."
Hearing Tan Ziwang’s words, Zhao Ya fell silent.
Of course, he had considered this.
According to Escort Agency’s rules, if a shipnt is lost, the agency has to compensate accordingly.
The problem is that this lost shipnt was a large batch of weapons, worth a fortune. If they compensate accordingly, Changlong Escort Agency is likely to be dood.
At this, Tan Dong couldn’t hold back any longer and said angrily, "The Hong Family is going too far. From the beginning, when they entrusted us with this shipnt, they had ill intentions, and now they’re using this incident to demand compensation. Aren’t they forcing the agency into a dead end?"
"That’s right, the Hong Family indeed wants to force Changlong Escort Agency to its demise. What can you do?" Tan Ziwang said calmly.
Tan Dong hesitated, and after a mont, he angrily said, "If we had known this, we shouldn’t have accepted this shipnt in the first place."
"Hehe, do you think it’s that simple?" Tan Ziwang sneered, "If we hadn’t accepted this shipnt, Changlong Escort Agency would have already belonged to the Hong Family by now!"
"Whether we accept or not, we’re stuck. Is the Hong Family always this domineering?" Tan Dong asked.
"Yes, the Hong Family is indeed this domineering!" Tan Ziwang sighed.
"In fact, from the mont they sent people to recruit Changlong Escort Agency, the outco was already predetermined. Either we accept their offer and beco part of the Hong Family, accept the shipnt and be bled dry, or refuse the shipnt and be forcibly acquired."
"This is the typical way the Hong Family operates."
"But why is the Hong Family doing this?" Tan Dong asked, baffled.
"In terms of wealth and power, the Hong Family is much stronger than Changlong Escort Agency. Why are they fixated on Changlong Escort Agency?"
"It’s not just Changlong Escort Agency. During the ti you were out escorting, over ten escort agencies in the Outer City have been brought under the Hong Family’s control."
"What? What are they trying to do? Monopolize the escort business?" Tan Dong was shocked.
Zhao Ya, who hadn’t spoken, said calmly, "They’re not trying to monopolize the escort business; they’re trying to monopolize all trade routes to and from Wuxiang City."
Upon hearing this, before Tan Dong could understand, Tan Ziwang clapped his hands and, full of admiration, said.
"Ya, your thoughts are indeed clear. You’ve hit the nail on the head."
After speaking, he glared at Tan Dong with a look of disappointnt, "See? You should learn from Ya and not spend all your ti in brothels drinking and carousing."
At these words, Tan Dong cried out in grievance.
"Father, you’re wronging . The brothels in the Outer City have been closed for so ti. Even if I wanted to, I have nowhere to go for flower wine."
"Even thinking about it isn’t allowed."
After rebuking him, Tan Ziwang looked at Zhao Ya with a smile.
"Ya, how did you figure it out?"
"It’s simple. Even though the escort business is profitable, compared to the vast scale of the Hong Family, it doesn’t amount to much. They wouldn’t go through so much trouble just for these profits."
"And with the world in chaos, the countryside is even more lawless, and bandits block the official roads, effectively cutting off trade routes. In such circumstances, if trade is to continue, it must rely on escort agencies."
"And once all escort agencies in Wuxiang City are under the Hong Family’s control, they effectively control all trade routes, unless you have the ans to establish your own raiding party for trade. Otherwise, you must follow the Hong Family’s lead."
"That’s right. This is exactly the Hong Family’s intention. So, you understand the fate that awaits Changlong Escort Agency, don’t you?" Tan Ziwang said.
Zhao Ya remained silent.
He believed that not only did he understand, but Chief ng Lei understood even better. This was why he risked everything to go on this escort journey.
After all, Changlong Escort Agency was the result of most of his life’s work. If it were to rely benefit soone else, anyone would feel unwilling.
But ultimately, he still failed.
After a mont, Zhao Ya looked at Tan Ziwang, "So... the Song Family wants to recruit ?"
Tan Ziwang laughed heartily, "Talking to smart people is effortless. Yes, the Song Family intends to do so, and not just the Song Family. The Yang Family is also recruiting and expanding."
Zhao Ya understood; as the chaos was about to unfold and with the Hong Family being so aggressive, both the Song and Yang families, being two of the three major families in the Inner City, felt the danger and were racing to amass power.
"I hadn’t ntioned it before, but I’m a minor steward in the Song Family. Although my position isn’t high, I can still say a few words. So when it ca to recruitnt, you were the first person I thought of, Ya."
"If you join the Song Family, you’ll naturally receive the best treatnt. What do you think?"
After saying this, Tan Ziwang watched Zhao Ya, eager to see his response.
To be honest, he sincerely hoped Zhao Ya would join the Song Family. Not only would it fulfill the patriarch’s orders, but it would also give the Tan Family so assistance.
Unexpectedly, after pondering for a mont, Zhao Ya shook his head and declined.
"Uncle, thank you for your kind offer, but for now, I have no intention of joining the Inner City."
Tan Ziwang was taken aback, "Why?"
After asking, he suddenly realized sothing and sighed, "I know you’ve been with the Escort Agency for many years and have deep feelings for it. I feel the sa, or I wouldn’t have let Tan Dong join. But now that Changlong Escort Agency has fallen...."
"I know," Zhao Ya interrupted Tan Ziwang, "I’m not driven by emotions. It’s just that the agency has undergone major changes. At such a crucial mont, if I were to leave, even if no one else says anything, I myself would feel regret."
"Although the agency has fallen, the Chief is still alive. I should at least help him conclude this matter."
After hearing this, Tan Ziwang looked deeply at Zhao Ya and seeing his sincere expression, couldn’t help but sigh.
"Alright, you’ve got a point. I was too hasty. You’re right, this matter shouldn’t be discussed any further."
The conversation soon shifted to lighter topics, eventually touching on exotic beast dried at.
"Ya, recently, the Song Family has tightened control over the dried at. Even the Ghost Market has no access. I suppose you’re also short on supplies, aren’t you?"
Zhao Ya nodded, "Yes, I’ve been relying on ordinary at to supplent."
He didn’t intend to reveal the existence of Blood Replenishing Powder.
"Hehe, another reason I called you here is related to this."
As he spoke, Tan Ziwang took out a small box. Opening it revealed twenty pieces of Cured Green Bamboo Snake.
"This Cured Green Bamboo Snake is several tis stronger than Earthworm Dried at and will greatly benefit you. I saved these specifically for you."
Tan Ziwang wasn’t lying.
This ti, in order to recruit experts from the Outer City, the Song Family specially allocated a supply of dried at to buy good will. Naturally, Tan Ziwang received so, and he specifically set aside these Cured Green Bamboo Snakes for Zhao Ya.
Tan Ziwang added.
"There’s no need for concern. Even if you decide not to join the Song Family later, it has nothing to do with these dried ats because this is a gift from as your elder."
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