People in the Republic of China era began to rise from industry.

The meeting with Yang Zihui followed a very fixed procedure.

At first, Yang Zihui, dressed in a general's uniform and with a gold sash, had a very sophisticated air about her.

However, when Lin Yi explained his purpose and expressed his intention to invest and start a business in Qu County, Yang Zihui could no longer maintain her composure.

He kept asking questions as if his pants were on fire.

What are you planning to do? How much money will you be paid for this job?

Although Lin Yi did not mention the arsenal.

But just the mining and ironworks construction had already left Yang Zihui speechless with astonishment.

When Lin Yi finally presented 20,000 yuan and directly asked Commander Yang for his help, Yang Zihui's last bit of doubt disappeared.

The salaries for the three divisions and six brigades next month are settled.

Therefore, at noon that day, Yang Zihui hosted a banquet for Lin Yi at Chunfenglou, the most luxurious restaurant in Qu County.

In addition to three lieutenant generals accompanying them, several of the top courtesans from the Wanhua Courtyard were also arranged to be present.

It was only at the level of a rural town, so Lin Yijing declined.

After a night of playing mahjong in Sichuan Province, Lin Yi got up early the next day to officially begin his inspection tour.

Yang Zihui also accompanied him personally, accompanied by her own guards.

Just as Lin Yi remembered, the Qu County area was indeed rich in mineral resources.

This can be seen from the three small workshop-style ironworks scattered around the county town.

It has iron ore and coal mines.

According to Lin Yi's memory, there should still be aluminum mines in this area.

Aluminum will be indispensable in the future, whether investing in aluminum alloys or manufacturing aircraft.

Of course, compared to the coal and iron capitals of later generations, the mineral reserves in the Qu County area were simply insignificant.

However, in this era, it was sufficient to meet Lin Yi's needs.

He knew this so clearly because the largest mineral reserves in the area were lithium ore.

It ranks first in the country.

When the new energy sector was booming, Lin Yi followed the trend and made some investments, entering the market at its peak...

The inspection went very smoothly.

Three days later, Jing Zhizhong, along with several geological exploration experts he had invited, arrived in Qu County, travel-worn and weary.

At this point, Lin Yi had some free time.

Aside from listening to reports in the evenings, he spent most of his time playing mahjong with Yang Zihui and his two concubines.

They lived a carefree and leisurely life.

As for news from Shanghai, he received telegrams from Fan Zhongxu almost every day.

Upon hearing Jinling's offer, Yu Xingmin used the excuse that the textile factory needed money to buy new equipment and sold 15% of his shares at a valuation of 12 million.

If we disregard the cost of the capital cycle, we can barely be considered to have broken even.

Then came the negotiations with Nanjing.

Just as Fan Zhongxu had initially worried.

The people sent from Nanjing included a major general advisor from the Military Commission and a businessman with close ties to Kong Yongzhi.

Moreover, the senior advisor was merely a figurehead; the businessman was the one truly responsible for the negotiations.

They gave Fan Zhongxu a valuation of 200 million, which immediately made him furious.

After failing to get manager Fan Zhongxu to make concessions for two consecutive days, they began frantically searching for Lin Yi.

They even used the intelligence network of the Special Service.

This matter was mentioned in a secret telegram that Shen An sent to Lin Yi.

Lin Yi remained completely unperturbed by this.

The metallurgical plant's technicians had already left, so he wasn't worried at all.

The most serious consequence would be the temporary shutdown of the metallurgical plant.

However, what Lin Yi didn't know was that, in addition to people in Shanghai inquiring about his whereabouts, people in Sichuan Province were also asking about him.

Guangnan, the headquarters of the 11th Independent Division of Sichuan Province.

"Are you sure you're from Shanghai?"

"There's no mistake, there are several people with Shanghai accents, exactly the same as those people from Sanxin."

Upon hearing the adjutant's report, a fierce glint immediately appeared in Luo Dingchen's bald, gleaming eyes.

"Oh shit."

Luo Dingchen muttered a curse, then rolled his eyes and asked, "Could it be someone from Sanxin Company?"

"It shouldn't be, they're all unfamiliar faces."

The adjutant then added reassuringly, "Commander, Sanxin and we have a good working relationship. There's no reason for them to bypass us and go after Yang Zihui's opium paste."

"Besides, with his output, Sanxin wouldn't even consider him."

Hearing this, Luo Dingchen nodded: "That makes sense."

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly his eyes lit up: "These people have a Shanghai accent, but they're not from Sanxin."

"Then do you think they might be Sanxin's rivals?"

"Can't you?"

The adjutant was a little uncertain: "The people from Sanxin said that in Shanghai, their Sanxin Company is the only one with a monopoly on opium, and no one else is qualified to interfere."

"Those who wanted a piece of the pie were all thrown into the Huangpu River without exception."

"No one would be that fearless, would they?"

Luo Dingchen shook his head: "Zhang Xiaolin of Sanxin Company has been killed. Although Huang Jinyong and Du Yuesheng are still around, the world has changed."

"It's not surprising that these three people, who have dominated Shanghai for so many years, are now declining."

While analyzing the situation, Luo Dingchen suddenly cursed, "What are we guessing about here?"

"Send a telegram to Sanxin Company and ask if they are one of their people, wouldn't that make it clear?"

"Your Excellency's insight is profound."

The adjutant offered a flattering remark and hurried off to send the telegram.

I received a call back two hours later.

The content was very concise, stating that they had not sent anyone to Sichuan Province recently.

Secondly, we hope that Luo Dingchen can find out the specific origins of this group of people.

After a quick glance, Luo Dingchen curled his lip and said, "They've already poached our players, and now I have to gather information for them. What a load of bull! Dominating Shanghai!"

The adjutant also developed a very bad impression of Sanxin Company.

He's nothing but a braggart.

"Commander, should we get involved in this matter?"

"Of course we should manage it."

Luo Dingchen said without thinking.

"However, it has nothing to do with Sanxin Company. The key is to prevent Yang Zihui from opening up this line."

This is what Luo Dingchen is most worried about.

Growing opium was far more profitable than growing grain.

Despite the criticism he's received over the past few years, he's been cultivating tobacco extensively in his assigned area, earning a considerable income.

It was only through financial resources that they were able to buy guns and cannons and undermine Yang Zihui's relationship without bloodshed.

Seeing that Yang Zihui was already teetering on the brink of collapse, he realized that within a year, he might be able to obtain the 20th Army designation.

If it's at this critical juncture, let him make a living by selling opium paste.

Then all our previous efforts would be wasted.

As was his habit, Luo Dingchen placed his chubby, bare hand on his head and twirled it around, quickly thinking of a solution.

Send someone to invite several major opium dealers to Guangnan?

No, the other party is very likely to be Sanxin's enemy.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have avoided me and gone directly to Yang Zihui.

Ambushing them on their way back?

Not at all.

If they don't take the mountain city and river transport route on their return trip, they'll be disappointed.

Moreover, after this incident, who knows if Yang Zihui has successfully made contact with the cigarette dealers?

Even if I can kill a batch, there's always someone else coming.

Therefore, the crux of the problem lies not with the cigarette vendors, but with Yang Zihui.

Thinking about all this, two fierce glints flashed in Luo Dingchen's eyes once again.

He turned to his adjutant and asked, "You reported a couple of days ago that a platoon at the Xing'an Town checkpoint was slaughtered?"

"Yes, that's true. The murderer hasn't been found yet."

"We suspect it was done by bandits and are still investigating."

"hehe."

Luo Dingchen grinned: "No need to investigate, it must have been done by Yang Zihui's troops."

"Immediately send someone to negotiate with the 20th Army and make them hand over the murderer."

"If they don't pay, sweep both of their checkpoints!"

"Also, relay my order: the entire division is to prepare for battle."

"I'm going to visit Yang Zihui's concubines!"