Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 92 Suggestions
Shanghai, Green Road, Zhang Mansion.

Zhang Xiaolin sat in the living room with a gloomy expression.

News of the vandalism of Tian Darong's Fushou Pavilion quickly reached him.

Five years ago, he would have already gathered his men and started preparing to do something.

But now, he was unusually calm, not because he was old or timid.

Rather, he had already sensed a dangerous atmosphere within.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange is no longer in an era dominated by the three tycoons.

After Boss Huang retired and Boss Du fled, the remaining Boss Huang still controlled most of Shanghai's underground influence, but he was well aware that many people wanted to take his place.

Previously, there were three people who supported each other, but now, he is the only one who dominates the entire Shanghai market.

Sometimes, being in a high position isn't necessarily a good thing.

Because many people are watching from behind, and they will pull you down whenever they have the chance.

A few people involved in organized crime can die peacefully, but someone with such a large family and business empire would never be able to just give up.

He was willing, but his subordinates were not. Moreover, if he let go, he would be floating on the Huangpu River the next day.

Over the years, he has offended far more than just a hundred or two hundred people; if even one of them bit him, they could devour his entire family.

"Clang, clang," a series of footsteps sounded, and the butler walked up to Zhang Xiaolin and whispered, "Mr. Qi has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaolin mustered his spirits and said, "Please invite him in."

The butler nodded, turned and walked out. A moment later, the butler returned with a middle-aged man who looked quite dashing.

"Mr. Zhang." The man bowed respectfully.

Zhang Xiaolin looked up and saw that the person was wearing a worn blue cloth long gown. The style was old-fashioned, and the gown was very crisp after being starched. The collar and cuffs were meticulously made, with only faint traces of fine stitches visible at the elbows.

He wasn't wearing a fashionable top hat; his hair was neatly combed back, revealing a broad, slightly pale forehead with several deep wrinkles that looked like fine brushstrokes etched by time.

A pair of round-framed gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, and the eyes behind the lenses exuded a deep yet gentle charm. Like the shimmering light on the Huangpu River in late autumn, their clarity revealed a profound understanding of the world.

"Mr. Qi, please have a seat. Uncle He, please serve tea," Zhang Xiaolin said casually, his tone tinged with deep weariness.

"Is something on your mind, Mr. Zhang?" Qi Shiyi asked with a smile.

Zhang Xiaolin sighed deeply and said, "Alas, things have been going wrong lately. I would like to ask Brother Xianzheng for some guidance."

Qi Shiyi nodded slightly and said, "Mr. Zhang, please speak freely."

Zhang Xiaolin didn't hold back and recounted everything from Xie Yuankui's death and the robbery at Xinkaihe Wharf to the recent vandalism of Tian Darong's opium den.

After the other party finished speaking, Qi Shiyi picked up his teacup, gently skimmed off the foam with the lid, took a sip, and then slowly said, "Mr. Zhang, please rest."

"The situation in Shanghai is ever-changing, but the underlying principles remain the same. This situation is like a game of chess; it's not about winning or losing in the short term, but about observing the overall trend and accumulating strength. For example, the tides of the Huangpu River are swift and turbulent, easily capsizing boats. Only when they calm down can one proceed cautiously."

Is this even human language? Zhang Xiaolin pondered it carefully, feeling that the other person seemed to have said something, yet also seemed to have said nothing at all.

After a long pause, Zhang Xiaolin spoke directly: "Brother Xianzheng, don't try to play games with me now."

"Just tell me directly, what should we do?"

Perhaps having played the role of a reclusive sage long enough, Qi Shiyi put down his teacup and said, "Boss Zhang, you've been too prominent these past two years. As the saying goes, 'The tallest tree in the forest catches the most wind.'"

"It's obvious that this group is after you. They've come prepared, so we can't act rashly. Therefore, I suggest we first show weakness to the enemy."

"They just want money, don't they? You, Boss Zhang, can afford two hundred thousand silver dollars." "Once we find out if someone is directing them, we can uproot them completely. Only then can we rest easy."

"Mr. Qi wants me to admit defeat to a few petty scoundrels from Jinling? Where would I put my face?" Zhang Xiaolin's old face instantly fell upon hearing this.

Qi Shiyi said slowly, "It's not admitting defeat, but temporarily avoiding their sharp edge. The other side now has the Japanese backing them up, so a head-on confrontation is not the best solution."

"Boss Zhang has been a powerful figure in Shanghai for many years, and his influence is unmatched."

"If the Japanese want to use this as an excuse to attack you, shouldn't you be prepared?"

"If they are just a few petty thugs from Nanjing, then take a good look and make your move. But if they are not, you should think carefully about how to proceed next."

“I heard that Minister Chen from Nanjing intends to invite you to take charge of the situation in Zhejiang Province. You might as well start from here and build a good relationship with Nanjing.”

"In official circles, fighting and killing will never solve any problems."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaolin fell silent for a long while before slowly saying, "Brother Xianzheng, that finance minister has quite an appetite."

Qi Shiyi smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang, since ancient times, the poor have not fought with the rich, and the rich have not competed with officials. You are powerful and influential now, but you still lack a bit of nobility."

That's all I have to say. It's up to Mr. Zhang to decide.

Zhang Xiaolin raised his teacup, took a small sip, pondered for a moment, and said gently, "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Xianzheng. I know what to do."

"In that case, I'll take my leave." Qi Shiyi stood up and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhang Xiaolin.

Zhang Xiaolin quickly said, "Uncle He, see the guest out."

The butler saw Qi Shiyi to the door and hurried back to the living room. Zhang Xiaolin rubbed his temples, stood up, and said, "Uncle He, prepare a box of gold and have Song Zushan make a trip to Jinling."

"Mr. Qi is right. We can't confront them head-on. If they want to play the game of officialdom, we'll play along."

No. 625, Daxilu Road, Shanghai.

"Fourth Uncle, we've struck it rich! We've struck it rich!" Zhang Zixian ran into the office excitedly. "This time we seized over ten thousand silver dollars in gambling funds and over thirty boxes of local specialties."

"It adds up to more than 200,000 silver dollars. Now everything is solved."

"Tch, never seen the world." Zuo Mingquan muttered dismissively, then a second later, as if remembering something, asked, "How's that Tian Darong doing?"

Zhang Zixian said, "Don't worry, Fourth Uncle, the people below are taking good care of them."

"However, this guy is very stubborn and a bit difficult to deal with."

A ruthless glint flashed in Zuo Mingquan's eyes: "A stubborn mouth can be tougher than the torture instruments in the interrogation room."

“Tell him that if he doesn’t tell us what we want, he won’t be leaving here alive.”

"If he's willing to cooperate, perhaps I can spare his life."

A way out? Zhang Zixian shook his head. What way out?
Zuo Mingquan wanted Tian Darong to take on the role of the special envoy for the new army; in other words, this was tantamount to killing innocent people and claiming credit for them.

Tian Darong was well aware of the consequences of this matter; it would not only harm him but might also drag Zhang Xiaolin down with him, which is why he stubbornly refused to cooperate.

If he quits, then even a god can't save him.

Zhang Zixian nodded and was about to leave when suddenly, footsteps came from the office door, and a figure poked half its head in and waved to Zhang Zixian, signaling him to come out.

Curious, Zhang Zixian leaned forward. The person whispered a few words in his ear. Zhang Zixian frowned and waved for him to leave.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Zixian walked back to the office and said, "Fourth Uncle, Boss Zhang is downstairs with some men. Do you want to see him?"

(End of this chapter)