After our homes were confiscated and we were exiled, the women in my clan and I raised a million sol

Zhang Liang then spoke up, "I was originally planning to take action against these grain merchants in Ninggu City. I didn't expect these guys to actually give me a show of force."

After saying this, Zhang Liang snorted coldly, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Liu Yu nodded after hearing his words, and then slowly said: "It's already a disaster year, and the people are almost unable to survive."

"But I didn't expect that these grain merchants in Ninggucheng would actually team up with those people to raise grain prices. Although I have tried every means to suppress grain prices, with their help, I have achieved little success!"

After saying this, Liu Yu sighed deeply, his eyes full of helplessness and worry.

He looked at Zhang Liang and continued, "These grain merchants not only disregard the lives of the people, but they also dare to provoke us. We must not let this matter go easily. We must teach them a lesson."

Zhang Liang felt Liu Yu's heavy mood and also understood the seriousness of the problem.

Frowning, Zhang Liang looked out the window with a deep gaze, as if he was thinking about some complicated problem.

After a moment, he turned around and said to Liu Yu who was sitting opposite him: "Mr. Liu, I want to ask you for a favor."

Hearing this, Liu Yu, who had been sitting quietly, immediately stood up and said respectfully and eagerly, "Master, what do you want me, an old man, to do?"

Zhang Liang smiled slightly, a subtle glint in his eyes, and slowly said, "Please send someone to deliver a letter to the four grain merchants in the city, saying that we'd like to invite them to dinner tomorrow. Please ensure they come."

As soon as these words were spoken, a gleam of light suddenly flashed in Liu Yu's eyes, and he obviously realized that there might be some strategy hidden in this.

Then, he couldn't wait to ask, "Master, have you thought of a way to deal with those people?"

In response to Liu Yu's question, Zhang Liang just smiled and nodded, without directly answering the question.

But the smile on his face gave the best answer.

After receiving a positive answer, Liu Yu immediately understood and responded without hesitation: "I understand. I will arrange for someone to take care of this matter right away."

After saying this, he hurriedly turned around and left the room, ready to carry out his mission.

As Liu Yu's departing figure gradually disappeared outside the door, Zhang Liang turned his gaze to the window again, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, as if everything was within his expectations.

At this time, the four major grain merchants learned about what happened this morning through their respective servants, and quickly gathered together to discuss countermeasures.

Zhou Xia was the first to speak: "I didn't expect that river-crossing dragon to react so quickly and ruthlessly, even mixing bran and sand into the porridge. It seems he has some skills."

After hearing his words, the other three nodded in agreement.

Qian Duo then asked, "So what should we do next? Should we continue to mess with them?"

Everyone fell into deep thought upon hearing this, and the conference room fell silent for a moment.

After a moment, Sun Yi raised his head, looked around at everyone, slowly shook his head and said, "I think we should leave this matter here for now."

Hearing his words, the other three people focused their eyes on him, with some confusion and expectation.

Seeing this, Sun Yi explained, "This guy is a powerful person. This time we just want to warn him, not to make enemies with him."

"If we attack him again, he might become dissatisfied with us, and then hinder our plans to make money, which would be more trouble than gain."

After listening to Mr. Sun's analysis, everyone nodded in agreement.

Zhou Xia added, "Indeed, our goal is to let him know of our presence and strength, not to fight to the death. Quit while you're ahead. That's the best strategy."

Qian Duo also nodded in agreement: "That's right, we should quit while we're ahead. We can continue to observe his movements and adjust our strategy to ensure that our interests are not harmed."

Zhao Hao also agreed: "Yes, maintain the status quo and wait and see. This will not only avoid unnecessary conflicts, but also give us more time to deal with possible changes."

In Zhou Xia's study, four grain merchants had just finished their discussion and were about to leave.

At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence, and the Zhou family's housekeeper hurriedly pushed the door open.

Seeing this scene, Zhou Xia frowned and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

He asked in a deep voice, "What's going on? Don't you know that I'm receiving distinguished guests?"

The butler trembled slightly at the sudden rebuke, but he quickly regained his composure and explained, "Master, I do have an urgent matter to report. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare disturb you and the other masters."

Seeing this, the anger on Zhou Xia's face subsided a little.

This butler had followed him for many years and had always been cautious and steady. If it wasn't for something really important, he would never lose his composure like this.

So he waved his hand and signaled the butler to continue.

The butler walked quickly to Zhou Xia and leaned over to whisper something in his ear.

After hearing this, Zhou Xia's pupils shrank slightly. It was obvious that this news surprised him very much.

He nodded and said to the housekeeper, "Okay, I understand. Go down and take the Liu family's housekeeper downstairs for some tea and snacks. Don't neglect him."

"I'll give him an answer soon after I think it through. Please wait a moment."

The butler nodded respectfully and quickly left the room.

In Mr. Zhou's study, the three family heads saw that Zhou Xia seemed to have something important to do, so they stood up from their stools and prepared to say goodbye and leave.

However, just as they were about to turn around, Zhou Xia came to his senses and reached out to stop them.

Seeing this, Sun Yi showed a puzzled expression on his face and asked, "What's wrong, Master Zhou? Is there something important you want to say?"

There was a hint of confusion in his voice, and he was obviously surprised by Master Zhou's behavior.

Zhou Xia nodded, his eyes swept over everyone present, and he said in a deep voice: "What my housekeeper just said is also related to each of you family heads."

His tone was serious, making everyone present feel the importance of the matter.

Hearing these words, the three family heads all looked solemn.

They realized that what Zhou Xia said must be of great importance, so they all sat down again.

After the three family heads sat down again, Zhou Xia noticed that the teacups in front of them were empty, so he quietly called over the servant standing beside them and asked him to add tea for the family heads.

After a while, the teacup was filled with the rising tea fragrance, adding a bit of tranquility to the tense atmosphere.

After the servants left, Zhou Xia cleared his throat, his eyes swept over the three heads of the family calmly, and he slowly spoke, "The Liu family's steward just came to report that he invited us to his house for dinner tomorrow evening, saying that he had something important to discuss."

Although his words were calm, they were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.

Upon hearing this, the three family heads looked at each other in surprise. When their eyes met, waves of emotion began to surge in their hearts.

The relationship between these three families and the Liu family is delicate. They are neither allies nor enemies. They have always kept to themselves and guarded their own borders.

At this moment, the Liu family's sudden invitation seemed quite unusual and very puzzling.

"Oh? What does the Liu family mean?"

Qian Duo was the first to break the silence, his brows slightly furrowed, with a hint of inquiry in his tone.

"Yeah, we don't interact much on weekdays, why are you suddenly so enthusiastic?"

Zhao Hao followed closely behind, his words revealing a hint of caution.

Sun Yi gently stroked the edge of the teacup, looking thoughtful, with deep eyes, as if he was thinking about something.

Seeing this, Zhou Xia nodded slightly, indicating that he understood their doubts.

"That's why I feel this is so unusual. The Liu family invited us to dinner this time. Perhaps there's some hidden meaning behind this."

"Therefore, I called everyone over and planned to discuss the countermeasures for this matter."

For a moment, the study fell into deep thought. The four heads of the family each had their own thoughts, and the air was filled with a premonition of impending storm.

Obviously, this sudden dinner is not just a simple meal, but also an undercurrent involving the interests of various parties.