Young Chen Ke and middle-aged Hu Xingzhi stood face to face in the sun. The conversation had reached the moment when the dagger was revealed as the map unrolled (*tu qiong bi jian*). Chen Ke was twenty-six years old this year, and Hu Xingzhi was already forty-four. The two had talked for more than half an hour unconsciously. Hu Xingzhi only felt his back was sticky; the oozing sweat stuck his clothes tightly to his back. Touching his wet forehead, Hu Xingzhi felt a tiny bit more comfortable. Looking at Chen Ke opposite him again, he saw Chen Ke looked as usual, without a single trace of sweat on his smooth skin.

*I am really old.* This thought suddenly flashed in Hu Xingzhi's mind. Hu Xingzhi could see that the young man opposite him had endless energy, and more importantly, had incomparable firm will. Chen Ke was not lying. Although rationally he couldn't be completely sure, emotionally Hu Xingzhi had already made a positive judgment. If Chen Ke didn't really have the mind to save the world, then Chen Ke wouldn't have done things so absolutely. The destruction of Zhang Youliang had shocked Hu Xingzhi. Looking at it now, compared with Chen Ke's ambition, eliminating Zhang Youliang was just a small trial of a bull-knife.

Hu Xingzhi regretted it. He never expected that Chen Ke was such a person. He originally thought that whether Chen Ke borrowed land or selected People's Representatives, it was just setting up names to prepare for making a big fortune later. Since he couldn't defeat the Insurance Corps by force, then softening his stance and taking it by wit was always possible. So he racked his brains to force Chen Ke to tell the truth. When Chen Ke told his true ambition, Hu Xingzhi realized he had forced himself into a dead end instead.

No, even if he didn't clear things up with Chen Ke, Chen Ke would have continued according to the original plan. What to do now? Pretend to comply on the surface, and then run to report to the officials as soon as he got away? Hu Xingzhi thought. But this idea was rejected as soon as it turned around. Accusing the local magistrate of rebellion without proof? If he were the Prefect or Governor, hearing such a complaint, Hu Xingzhi wouldn't believe it himself. Accuse Chen Ke? Then the Prefect and Governor would definitely send this case to Fengtai County to handle. With Shang Yuan as the Fengtai Magistrate, he would only be walking into a trap. Not to mention, Chen Ke also had people behind him. Just one word from his master Yan Fu, and many officials in Anhui would give some face.

Accuse the magistrate of colluding with bandits to harass the gentry? In this year of great disaster, local governments everywhere were trying every means to scrape money from local gentry. Moreover, Chen Ke and the others stated clearly that these lands were lent to the government. If he went to complain to the government... the government wouldn't care.

Moreover, Chen Ke now held the Insurance Corps of several thousand people in his hand. Although until now, the Insurance Corps hadn't taken a grain or a copper coin from landlords and gentry. But if Chen Ke was annoyed, the Insurance Corps could really set a monthly tribute, and that would be persecuting you to death. Hu Xingzhi knew very well that although the participating landlords were unwilling a thousand times in their hearts, they just didn't dare to fall out with the Insurance Corps. Up to now, everyone had been under house arrest for a few days. Except for begging privately, no one dared to play tough and leave.

He calculated over and over in his heart but couldn't find a way to get out of the current predicament. And Chen Ke opposite him was really calm, standing in a straight posture all along, looking into the distance without saying a word.

The sun was getting more and more venomous. Hu Xingzhi felt he really couldn't stand it anymore. If Chen Ke stared at him closely, at least there would be some topic to borrow. Now Chen Ke didn't even look at him. If he left dejectedly like this, it would be equivalent to closing the door of conversation himself. At that time, Chen Ke could act according to his own way indifferently. Others might succumb, who knows. Hu Xingzhi didn't give up. He opened his mouth and said: "Mr. Chen, let's talk in the shade."

"Uh? Oh! Sorry, I was just thinking about my own things and didn't pay attention." Chen Ke suddenly realized and said. The two walked slowly to a shade.

"Mr. Hu, what exactly do you want? Some things, such as promotion and getting rich, I certainly can't promise you. Some things even if I promise, I'm afraid Mr. Hu won't believe either. Those are things that can only be achieved in one or two, or two or three years. If it were someone else, it would be fine. If Mr. Hu says you really believe that, I won't believe it instead." Chen Ke's attitude was still straightforward.

Hu Xingzhi felt that if he didn't misjudge Chen Ke, the short-term benefits Chen Ke promised would be even less credible. He laughed: "Might as well tell me. Since Mr. Chen has great ambitions, I am somewhat interested."

"We will definitely use this land for the common people to farm; otherwise, everyone won't listen to us. Building water conservancy is beneficial to local people on one hand, and can also serve as military training. Our Insurance Corps will do it without collecting everyone's money. Of course, a piece of land must be allocated for the Insurance Corps to farm ourselves. Otherwise, the soldiers naturally won't be willing either." Chen Ke explained娓娓道来 (wei wei dao lai - speaking tirelessly and engagingly). Hu Xingzhi nodded slightly listening. While talking, they arrived under the shade. The two simply sat directly on the ground.

Under the shade was indeed much more comfortable than under the sun. Hu Xingzhi panted for a while before saying: "According to what Mr. Chen said, you got all the benefits alone. It also makes quite some sense."

"What do you mean I got all the benefits alone? We will at most levy a thirty percent tax on the common people. As long as they pay this thirty percent tax to our Insurance Corps, the remaining seventy percent can be kept for themselves. As for the tax to the government, we will cover it."

"You cover ours, the landlords', too?" Hu Xingzhi finally got a bit interested.

"Exactly. As long as it is the tax that should be paid for this kind of land, we cover it all. We definitely won't ask for a single grain from everyone. Since we want to gather people's hearts, why go back on our words?"

"Also makes sense."

"If an ordinary commoner's whole family can eat a chicken or a meal of meat every five days, what kind of life does Mr. Hu think this is?" Chen Ke asked with a smile.

"Nonsense!" Hu Xingzhi denied without even thinking. As a prominent big landlord in Fengtai County, his own family was at most at this level.

"What if we can do it? Do you say the common people will be grateful to us and follow us?"

"How can you do it?" Hu Xingzhi got interested.

Chen Ke explained the protein supplement issues for raising earthworms and maggots, raising chickens, rabbits, pigs, cattle, and other livestock. With more protein supplements, livestock eat less grain. They also grow meat faster. Hu Xingzhi himself was proficient in farming; hearing it, he knew it made a lot of sense. Now, his interest became higher.

"But the key to these things lies in one thing, that is, how many people participate exactly. The more people participate, the more is raised. Conversely, less is raised. We call this production efficiency. The key lies in management." Chen Ke knew Hu Xingzhi had workshops and shops at home. Seeing Hu Xingzhi was very open-minded, he told him some management knowledge. Hu Xingzhi nodded repeatedly listening. "Mr. Chen, these words are really brilliant."

Seeing Hu Xingzhi already understood his meaning, Chen Ke laughed: "Mr. Hu, but if you do it alone, then you are a big piece of fat meat. How many people do you have to hire to protect your property? The little money you earn, I'm afraid, will all be used to hire thugs, right? Moreover, others don't know how much you spent; they only see how much you earned. One doesn't fear a thief stealing, but fears a thief thinking about it."

Perhaps he recovered his strength under the shade, or perhaps Chen Ke's words suited Hu Xingzhi's taste. He laughed *haha*, "Then I can only beg Mr. Chen's Insurance Corps?"

"The soldiers of the Insurance Corps work with us only because our Insurance Corps treats everyone well. If only you alone got the benefits, or the two of us got the benefits, or only some leaders got the benefits, can everyone be convinced in their hearts? So there must be a system so that everyone can distribute this benefit."

"This is the People's Representative Congress?" Hu Xingzhi laughed.

"Mr. Hu, raising livestock produces leather. We can also process leather shoes and various utensils. Selling them elsewhere is all money. That meat, even if we eat freely, we can't finish it ourselves. We can make glass, make cans, and sell them everywhere."

"Cans?" Hu Xingzhi hadn't heard of this term.

Chen Ke hurriedly explained: "It's a thing that can store meat for a long time, several months or even half a year without spoiling. Otherwise, the meat spoils so fast; you can't eat it if you don't transport it out."

"This is good. This is good." Hu Xingzhi was a sensible person; he praised repeatedly.

"These are all long-term things; no effect can be seen without one or two years. Here, the magistrate and the Insurance Corps are all our own people. Plus lending the land to us and distributing it to the common people to farm. Our raising chickens, livestock, fish, how much manpower will it take. Everyone has things to do, children go to school and learn some things. When they grow up, they will always have a craft. Don't you say this is good?"

"Good is good, but Mr. Chen, if Magistrate Shang Yuan is not in this county..."

"Who can say they know what will happen in three or five years? If I say I know, do you believe it, Mr. Hu? In three or five years, it's hard to say if this Imperial Court will still be there. Moreover, I'll say this upfront: regardless of whether Mr. Hu and the landlords believe it or not, we will do this. Now our Insurance Corps has already started drainage and rush-planting with the common people. It's impossible for us to stop. Is it interesting for everyone to tear their faces apart?"

"This..." Hu Xingzhi knew what Chen Ke said was not intimidation.

"Mr. Hu, roving bandits are not terrible because they don't know how to manage a place. But how do you think my talent is? Can I manage Fengtai County well?"

This time Hu Xingzhi didn't speak. Chen Ke's talent had already made Hu Xingzhi somewhat convinced. If he and Chen Ke were friends, Hu Xingzhi would want to make good friends with Chen Ke no matter what. Thinking about what Chen Ke said several times back and forth, Hu Xingzhi felt it difficult to find obvious loopholes. He finally sighed, "Since Mr. Chen is so confident, I will lend the land to the government for two years."

"Oh?" Chen Ke asked with a smile: "Doesn't Mr. Hu want to ask what compensation the landlords will have?"

"Mr. Chen is suppressing us now; whatever you say goes. I only have the share to listen." Hu Xingzhi was also able to pick up and put down. Although he had already started calculating how to deal with Chen Ke in his heart, Hu Xingzhi had at least made up his mind on the matter of lending land.

"With Mr. Hu's prestige, the position of People's Representative can't run away. I'll also support a hot stove and definitely support Mr. Hu strongly. If we succeed by luck, and this glass and leather business starts, Mr. Hu also has workshops. We provide leather, capital, and manpower. Want to merge into Mr. Hu's workshop and engage in production to get rich together?"

"This..." Thinking of Chen Ke's "ambition," Hu Xingzhi felt guilty. Getting entangled so closely with Chen Ke, if bad luck really strikes in the future, the Hu family probably won't have a good result. Although he wanted to refuse, Hu Xingzhi knew that with Chen Ke's power in Fengtai County, the Hu family couldn't refuse.

This is fate. If it's a blessing, it's not a curse; if it's a curse, it can't be avoided. As the head of the family, Hu Xingzhi still had this self-awareness. At this time, he could only prepare other retreat routes for the family early. As for himself, he definitely couldn't avoid it. Thinking of this, Hu Xingzhi laughed *haha*, "Mr. Chen, I am a few years older, so I'll call you Brother Chen (*Chen Lao Di*)."

"Brother Hu is too polite." Seeing Hu Xingzhi finally expressed his attitude, Chen Ke naturally climbed up the pole.

"Brother Chen, my future glory and wealth depend entirely on you." Hu Xingzhi was enthusiastic.

"Brother Hu, if you prepare a retreat route for your family, feel free to do it. Our Insurance Corps will absolutely not block it. We can't let Brother Hu work with us and still feel uneasy."

Hearing Chen Ke say this, Hu Xingzhi looked at Chen Ke carefully. He saw Chen Ke didn't have the slightest meaning of being triumphant; his expression was full of kind understanding. Hu Xingzhi laughed bitterly a few times, but the emotion of helplessness in his voice became less and less. Suddenly, he and Chen Ke laughed loudly together. While laughing, Chen Ke stood up first and extended his hand to Hu Xingzhi. Hu Xingzhi held Chen Ke's hand, and without using much force himself, he was pulled up by Chen Ke.

"Let's go, Brother Chen. I'll be a lobbyist for you once. Play Jiang Gan once."

"Brother Hu, you are clearly Zhuge Liang debating the scholars; how can Jiang Gan compare with you."

The two talked and laughed affectionately, walking side by side towards the large conference room.

The people in the conference room had long been waiting anxiously. But Shang Yuan didn't make a sound. Plus the landlords were indeed concerned about what result Hu Xingzhi and Chen Ke would talk out, everyone waited anxiously. Until they saw Chen Ke and Hu Xingzhi walking over talking and laughing together, obviously having made a deal. Except for a few people, the landlords' faces turned very ugly one by one. They originally thought Hu Xingzhi could withstand Chen Ke's pressure. Unexpectedly, Hu Xingzhi actually reached some consensus with Chen Ke. Having entangled with Chen Ke here for these few days, the landlords knew Chen Ke would absolutely not yield. Although all landlords felt things were bad, they still held a shred of illusion that Hu Xingzhi convinced Chen Ke, and Chen Ke made significant concessions.

Shang Yuan inside the conference room also saw this result. He couldn't misjudge the situation like the landlords. Taking advantage of the landlords staring at the approaching two with disappointment and expectation intertwined, Shang Yuan's gaze swept into the conference room. Only three people looked at Shang Yuan intently: Ren Qiying, Liu Jinxue, and Liu Yixuan. Among these three, Ren Qiying had defected to the People's Party long ago, and the other two had also expressed their attitudes in the past few days. Following Magistrate Shang Yuan's footsteps unwaveringly. Shang Yuan nodded slightly to them, and the three knew what it meant.

Sure enough, after the two outside returned to the conference room, Hu Xingzhi explicitly expressed his support for Magistrate Shang Yuan's meaning. He lobbied the landlords vigorously. Ren Qiying, Liu Jinxue, and Liu Yixuan added fuel to the flames beside him, inciting up and down. Besides these three, actually many landlords had long wavered. They just hoped others would stand in front to withstand it, while they followed. Seeing Hu Xingzhi surrender, these people's psychological defense line completely collapsed.

Chen Ke watched Hu Xingzhi and others debating with other landlords, gaining the upper hand more and more. He and Shang Yuan became bystanders instead. A thought suddenly moved in his mind. He leaned close to Shang Yuan's ear and whispered: "Brother Wangshan, what do you think Mr. Hu means by this?"

Hearing this, Shang Yuan smiled slightly. He didn't speak but dipped his finger in some plain water in the tea bowl and wrote two words on the table, "Retreat route." After Chen Ke saw it, Shang Yuan wiped the water stain clean. Chen Ke blinked to express agreement.

Hu Xingzhi doing this was not for Chen Ke, let alone for supporting the "revolutionary cause." Instead, it was to pull all the landlords in the county into the water. Even if Chen Ke and Shang Yuan fell, the law does not punish the majority. Since all landlords went into the water, it was impossible to do anything to Hu Xingzhi alone.

Seeing the fierceness of the struggle between Hu Xingzhi and the landlords, Chen Ke felt it necessary to lend a hand. He patted the table, "Gentlemen of virtue, I forgot to tell everyone something. Please listen to me."

Hearing Chen Ke shout, everyone stopped arguing immediately. The conference room was silent. In everyone's gaze, Chen Ke stood up neatly, "Not only is Mr. Hu willing to support borrowing land, but our Insurance Corps comrades called me out just now to tell me that Mr. Zhang Youliang of Yuezhangji has also agreed to lend all his land." After speaking, Chen Ke took out a letter from his bosom and waved it to everyone, "This is Mr. Zhang's written pledge. Mr. Zhang lent the land out willingly. It is said that when writing the pledge, Mr. Zhang said thinking of being able to save the common people, he was happy in his heart. The old man cried like a tearful person, instructing our Insurance Corps to definitely save the common people from this year's flood."

This was obviously nonsense. Landlords were not three-year-old children. Chen Ke conquered Yuezhangji by force; Zhang Youliang simply couldn't have obeyed willingly. Chen Ke's words were a naked threat.

Since Chen Ke wanted to act, although the audience had expressions of disdain on their faces, Chen Ke didn't care about playing the trick to the end. He sighed and said: "Mr. Zhang Youliang understands righteousness deeply. He heard it was only borrowing land for two years, but felt that the people's life would be miserable after the flood, so he actively requested to lend his own land for five years. Our comrades felt this was inappropriate and couldn't let Mr. Zhang suffer too much loss. But Mr. Zhang refused to agree no matter what and insisted on lending it for five years. Our comrades had no choice. Also willing to fulfill Mr. Zhang Youliang's kind heart, they had to agree to Mr. Zhang's request. Now the common people of Yuezhangji are rejoicing and encouraged, and are discussing setting up a longevity tablet for Mr. Zhang."

These words were sinister. Who would set up a tablet for themselves while alive if they had nothing better to do? The landlords knew clearly in their hearts that Zhang Youliang must have been tortured and threatened, having to sign the pledge to lend land for five years. And Chen Ke was beating the opponents with this.

After such a performance, it seemed Chen Ke was still unsatisfied. His voice became even more excited and high-pitched. "Everyone, Mr. Zhang Youliang understands righteousness deeply. Although we can't go to Yuezhangji personally to greet and pay respect to Mr. Zhang now. But let's at least clap our hands to express our gratitude to Mr. Zhang."

After speaking, Chen Ke took the lead in applauding. Then Shang Yuan also stood up and applauded. Ren Qiying, Liu Jinxue, Liu Yixuan, and Hu Xingzhi also applauded. Other landlords looked at the few people applauding enthusiastically in a daze, not knowing what to do for a moment. Chen Ke laughed while applauding: "Everyone, don't be shy. When it's time to clap, we have to clap, right?" After speaking, he stared at those landlords unwilling to applaud with sharp eyes.

"Brother He, clap when you are asked to. What's there to be shy about?" Liu Jinxue began to persuade the person next to him.

"Brother Li, clap your hands. Have to give the Lord Magistrate some face." Liu Yixuan started clapping almost at the same time.

Finally, some landlords couldn't withstand the persuasion and began to clap. Liu Jinxue and Liu Yixuan clapped intermittently while pulling the landlords who had to start applauding to the same side. Fengyang Flower Drum was popular in Anhui, so folk storytelling was naturally plentiful. "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was a traditional storytelling item. After burning Xuchang, Cao Cao set up two flags, asking those who didn't go out to fight the fire to stand under one flag, and those who went out to fight the fire to stand under the other. After everyone lined up, with an order, those standing under the flag of going out to fight the fire were all killed. Seeing such a division of teams, many landlords remembered this story in their hearts.

At this time, soldiers with knives and guns were densely distributed outside the large conference room, all turning their faces to face the room, very much meaning "smashing a cup as a signal." In this Fengtai County, of the two famous big landlords, one was solved by force, and one simply surrendered. Plus being threatened like this, other landlords finally succumbed. One after another began to applaud.

However, there are some hardliners in any group. When the vast majority of landlords began to applaud, a middle-aged man shouted angrily: "Surname Chen, others fear you, I don't fear you. Kill me, your grandfather, if you have the guts. I just won't lend this land."

As soon as the voice fell, Chen Ke smiled and waved his hand. Three soldiers rushed in from outside the house fiercely. Two soldiers grabbed the middle-aged man's two arms respectively, holding him down firmly.

Then they heard Chen Ke laugh: "This old brother is probably suffering from heatstroke due to the hot weather, or had an epilepsy attack. Don't let him bite his own tongue."

Amidst the strong man's angry curses, the third soldier stuffed the cloth prepared long ago into the strong man's mouth. Then he tied the strong man's mouth firmly with cloth strips.

"Send this old brother down to rest a while. Give him plenty of water to drink." Chen Ke waved his hand after speaking.

The soldiers carried the strong man away. Although the strong man also wanted to struggle hard and roar along the way. But in the hands of three soldiers, this bit of struggle was completely powerless. Their figures bypassed the barracks and disappeared from everyone's sight. The landlords were scared into forgetting to clap. Soon, they faintly heard the sound of buckets splashing water coming. Timid landlords trembled upon hearing this sound. Actually, among the participating landlords, there were quite some tough characters. Helplessly, the custom of Anhui was wanting to be an official but also fearing officials. If Chen Ke presided over the meeting himself, many of these people would probably have risen up to explode long ago. But since Magistrate Shang Yuan was present, they dared not act rashly.

Seeing with their own eyes someone rise to resist and be dealt with like pinching a chick, while the Lord Magistrate turned a blind eye to this, those few landlords with fierce tempers felt a bit lucky instead that they didn't act silly.

Actually, if it were a peaceful year, facing such high-pressure practices, landlords might still dare to protest. But now it was after a flood after all. Landlords knew this was basically a time without royal law. Fengtai County seemingly had royal law now because the Magistrate and Chen Ke's Insurance Corps wore the same pair of pants. They maintained order forcibly. If the Insurance Corps really took action, the landlords had absolutely no way either.

Everyone's eyes fell on Magistrate Shang Yuan at the same time. They saw Shang Yuan stand up and say: "Everyone, the Insurance Corps barracks are also quiet. I originally wanted to discuss the matter of borrowing land with everyone in detail here. But as the saying goes, choosing a day is not as good as hitting a day. I think everyone has been here for a few days, and your families must be missing you. Don't you miss your families? I think everyone might as well sign the pledge today. Go home early today to reunite with your families. We'll talk about anything else in a few days. What does everyone think?"

The landlords were silent. The sound of buckets splashing water came from the back of the barracks not far away. Some landlords couldn't help looking back, and heard Shang Yuan say: "This brother was invited by us. Since he is sick, we have to be responsible for curing him. Otherwise, we can't explain to them. He will stay here for a few more days. Everyone rest assured; he will definitely sign after he recovers. Everyone, I have drafted the pledge. Waiting for everyone to sign it so I can stamp it." After speaking, Shang Yuan took out a pledge and put it on the table.

Hu Xingzhi went over first, picked up the pledge and looked at it carefully, then picked up the pen nearby to sign and fingerprint. Just after finishing signing, he saw Shang Yuan pick up a paperweight and press it on the line below. Following closely was Ren Qiying. She didn't move the paperweight either and signed her name directly below.

Seeing someone take the lead, many landlords sighed deeply. If they refused to sign the pledge, they would definitely get "sick" too, and then stay in the Insurance Corps camp to "recuperate." One after another, all landlords signed and fingerprinted amidst the sound of splashing water.

Shang Yuan invited everyone to have a potluck with a smile, but how could the landlords be willing to eat? They stood up to bid farewell one after another. Chen Ke and Shang Yuan sent these people to the door, telling them to continue coming here for meetings tomorrow to discuss the election of People's Representatives before sending them out. Seeing Chen Ke had no intention of keeping people by force, the landlords left hurriedly as if granted a great pardon. Not a single one stayed.

Instead, Ren Qiying, Liu Jinxue, Liu Yixuan, and Hu Xingzhi chatted with Chen Ke and the others calmly for a few more sentences. Hu Xingzhi said: "Brother Chen, I will definitely come to visit tomorrow."

Chen Ke laughed: "Brother Hu, I won't be here tomorrow. If you want to find me, I can only ask you to condescend to go to Yuezhangji to find me."

"Why?" Hu Xingzhi didn't quite understand.

"I'm going to comfort the troops (*lao jun*)."

Hu Xingzhi became interested, "Oh? Comfort the troops! Then can I, your foolish brother, go together and bring some gifts for everyone by the way?"

"Brother Hu, no need to be polite. Going together is fine. But gifts are not needed."

"When does Brother Chen set off? Leaving early tomorrow morning."

"Then I, your foolish brother, will definitely come."

"I await Brother Hu's arrival."

The two cupped their hands, and then Hu Xingzhi left. Although the other few people also wanted to go together, they didn't want to bring gifts, so they just bid farewell and left.

As soon as Chen Ke and Shang Yuan entered the door, the gate of the Insurance Corps closed tight. The two walked into the large conference room and saw the strong man who was dragged away just now sitting at the table dryly all over, looking at that pledge in detail.

"Brother Lv, we inconvenienced you," Shang Yuan laughed.

This landlord surnamed Lv was named Lv Songmao. Seeing Shang Yuan and Chen Ke return, he had already stood up. Hearing Shang Yuan finish speaking, he laughed: "Lord Shang, Mr. Chen. This is just a small matter." After speaking, he looked at the soldiers outside who had acted just now with a complicated expression and continued, "However, our Insurance Corps brothers are really nimble with their hands and feet."

Chen Ke laughed *haha*, "They acted on my orders. Asking them to apologize to you won't do. I apologize to Brother Lv personally." After speaking, Chen Ke bowed deeply.

Lv Songmao hurriedly supported Chen Ke, "One of us, one of us. No need to be so polite." Although he said so with his mouth, the little unhappiness in Lv Songmao's expression flew to the nine heavens, and his face blossomed with a smile.

"Just talking, but forgot to do business." Lv Songmao remembered something after laughing, "Lord Shang, I'll sign the pledge now." After speaking, he picked up the pen preparing to sign at the last position.

Shang Yuan hurriedly stopped him, "Brother Lv, apologizing is one thing, but we can't let you work for nothing. Come, I saved a position for you here." After speaking, Shang Yuan pointed to the blank line he pressed out under Hu Xingzhi's name with the paperweight just now.

Lv Songmao didn't expect Shang Yuan to be so considerate in doing things, and was already somewhat deeply moved. "Lord Shang, my elder brother said in his letter that Lord Shang is his good friend. He told me never to disturb Lord Shang normally. But whenever Lord Shang has an order, I must help with all my strength. Unexpectedly, in this big flood, it was Lord Shang and Mr. Chen who saved my whole family instead. No words can express gratitude for this great favor. Whatever instructions Lord Shang has, I will definitely repay even if I have to go through fire and water."

"All family, don't speak two families' words." Shang Yuan laughed.

Lv Songmao signed and fingerprinted on the second-ranked position quickly.

After he finished signing, Shang Yuan said: "Brother Lv, anyway, your family's house in the countryside is also destroyed. The house in the county town is too small; it's inevitably too crowded for your whole family to live in. I think we should send people to pick up sister-in-law and the children to live here. There aren't so many people living here, and there are more houses. What do you think?"

"This is very good. Very good." Lv Songmao laughed. Actually, he also knew that since he was "arrested," it would be too much if he went home now. Shang Yuan also meant well.

Letting people from the Security Section take Lv Songmao to arrange accommodation, and sending people to pick up Lv Songmao's family at night. When there were no bystanders around, Shang Yuan asked Chen Ke: "Deputy Regiment Commander Hua came today for what matter?"

"Sigh!" Chen Ke smiled bitterly: "Our pigs are really missed by too many people."