Chapter 252: This is an Unwarranted Calamity

The bar's private room was a mess: tables and chairs were overturned, and various drinks—red, white, yellow—were spilled along with broken glass bottles. Even a newly bought color TV had been smashed. A young man, around thirty years old, sat on the sofa with about a dozen fit, sharp-eyed young men around him. Their piercing gazes made it clear that they were elite soldiers.

In contrast, the nightclub's security could only stand outside. Most of them were ordinary veterans, not comparable to the elite soldiers. Some frightened female attendants were being comforted by their supervisors.

This was the scene Zhou Ming encountered when he came downstairs. Fortunately, Kong Xiaolin had done a good job training her staff, and the security team had quickly dispersed the crowd, so there weren't too many onlookers when Zhou Ming arrived.

Zhou Ming glanced at Du Peng, who immediately said innocently, "Boss Zhou, don't look at me—I really don't know what's going on!"

"I'm sure it has nothing to do with you. I'm just wondering what this is all about."

Zhou Ming said. Although Du Peng could be somewhat neurotic and impulsive at times, he wasn't usually foolish on critical issues, otherwise, he wouldn't have achieved his current results. As for today's incident, the aggressive stance of the group made it clear that they were here to cause trouble, and the people involved were quite significant. However, Zhou Ming couldn't figure out what kind of trouble the nightclub in Nanjing could have stirred up.

Zhou Ming instructed Kong Xiaolin to move the attendants away and then entered the room himself. As soon as he appeared, a familiar, provocative voice greeted him, "Oh? Consultant Zhou, you finally made it!"

The voice made Zhou Ming immediately recognize the speaker without needing to see them: "Mr. Hua, you seem to be in high spirits today, making quite a scene here. My staff is having a hard time cleaning up this mess."

Mr. Hua emerged from behind the elite soldiers with a very sarcastic expression and said to Zhou Ming, "Consultant Zhou, you're quite mistaken. I did want to create a bit of a stir here, to make your staff work a little harder for their pay. But unfortunately, today it's not me—it's someone else you shouldn't mess with."

Zhou Ming had expected this answer and immediately focused on the sofa behind him.

"Brother, I'm just running a nightclub here. We're busy with many people coming and going every day. We can't keep track of everything. Could you please explain what's going on? We'd like to understand this clearly," Zhou Ming said.

The young man didn't reply immediately and only spoke after a while, "Are you the behind-the-scenes boss of the Nanjing nightclub? Come and sit down."

The young man patted the sofa beside him. The soldiers in front made way, and in the dim light, Zhou Ming finally saw the young man. Although Zhou Ming had no impression of his appearance, his neat hairstyle and arrogant gaze made it clear that he was someone of significant standing.

Zhou Ming didn't recognize him, but Du Peng immediately identified him, "You're Tao Guoling, the second son of the Military District's Chief of Staff Tao!"

Hearing Du Peng's voice, the young man stood up from the sofa, smiled, and shook hands with Du Peng, "So Du Shao is here too? Nice to meet you!"

Another local bully!

Zhou Ming frowned. From Du Peng's conversation with the young man, Zhou Ming had already confirmed his identity. The problem with this identity was that it was quite troublesome. People often knew that the sons of certain secretaries or mayors were influential, but they tended to overlook the connections in the military. In reality, military connections were often even more complicated due to their internal unity and self-sufficiency.

Apart from the old Central officials, including the provincial party secretaries, when dealing with military-related matters, people of the same rank usually gave way. This demonstrates the military's significant influence.

The Cao family, where Cao Jianning came from, dominated Lingnan largely because their patriarch was a national marshal, and many senior generals in the Lingnan Military District had deep ties with the Cao family. For instance, the current commander is a protégé of Marshal Cao Yinghua.

Now, this Tao Guoling, the second son of the Chief of Staff, naturally had considerable influence. Even though the Chief of Staff's rank is lower than that of a commander or political commissar, he was not to be underestimated.

But Tao Guoling's background and influence within the province aside, the key question was why he was causing a disturbance at Zhou Ming's nightclub?

This was also a question Du Peng wanted to know. So, after Tao Guoling, Du Peng, and Zhou Ming sat down and introduced themselves, Du Peng eagerly asked the question.

In response, Tao Guoling smiled and said, "Du Shao, and Consultant Zhou, please don't be anxious. The situation today is quite simple. Consultant Zhou, you got involved in something you shouldn't have, upsetting someone you shouldn't have offended. I'm here to give you a warning on behalf of others. If you can back off now, everything will be fine. If you persist, then I'm afraid it won't end well."

Both Zhou Ming and Du Peng frowned, exchanging puzzled glances.

Tao Guoling assumed they didn't understand and pointed outside, "You know, I'm giving you face today. If it were up to that person's temper, things would have been much worse. But considering you're young and inexperienced, I'm just giving you a lesson. So I'm here waiting for you. Got it?"

"Brother Tao, please wait a moment. Could you explain a bit more clearly? I still don't understand what we're involved in," Du Peng said anxiously.

"Du Shao, some things are better left unsaid," Tao Guoling said with a smile, pointing at Zhou Ming, "Isn't this a matter caused by Consultant Zhou?"

Zhou Ming felt very confused, "I caused this? Brother Tao, what did I do?"

Tao Guoling shook his head helplessly, "Since you're so clueless, let me remind you. Didn't you go to see Mr. Cao Jianning today?"

Cao Jianning?

Hearing this name, Zhou Ming immediately understood: Did his meeting with Cao Jianning at the teahouse lead them into trouble with the Cao family?

Tao Guoling looked at Zhou Ming's expression, "Finally realized? You young people are something else. You need things spelled out for you before you get it."

"Brother Tao, the meeting with Mr. Cao was about discussing investment in the Jingchu Industrial Park..." Zhou Ming tried to explain.

But Tao Guoling waved his hand, cutting Zhou Ming off, "Consultant Zhou, you don't need to explain anything. I'm not interested in what you and Cao Jianning discussed. What I'm telling you is to stay out of trouble. If you keep seeking problems, next time I won't just smash a private room. Think carefully, and don't force me to do something I don't want to do."

After saying this, Tao Guoling stood up and placed several bills on the table, saying, "Here's a thousand yuan. It should be enough to renovate this private room. You can also use the extra to give bonuses to the staff. Look, I saved you the trouble of renovating. Shouldn't you thank me?"

"Brother Tao, that's secondary. What I really need to tell you is that I went to see Mr. Cao about investing in the Jingchu Industrial Park..." Zhou Ming insisted on explaining.

Tao Guoling still wasn't interested, "I don't know if I wasn't clear or what, but I said I'm not interested in what you discussed with Cao Jianning. What I'm doing is giving you a warning. If, as you say, you didn't discuss anything important, that's even better. You should remember this lesson and avoid making mistakes in the future."

With that, Tao Guoling and his elite soldiers left the private room. Hua Shao followed Tao Guoling out but paused to mock Zhou Ming and Du Peng, "You two, I just discovered something amusing—your expressions would be great for a picture. It would be a good luck charm if hung at the door!"

"Jiang Chunhua, what are you saying?" Du Peng shouted angrily.

"Ah! Du Shao is angry. I'm so scared. Please don't hit me or have someone deal with me!" Hua Shao said sarcastically.

Du Peng wanted to say more, but Zhou Ming stopped him. Zhou Ming said to Hua Shao, "Actually, I agree with part of what you said. Not bringing a camera today was a real loss. If we could have captured your current expression, I'm sure you'd be a perfect fit for all the eunuch roles in historical dramas."

"Zhou Ming, are you calling me a eunuch?" Hua Shao pointed at Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming shrugged, "I didn't say that, but if you insist on interpreting it that way, I can't help it. What do you think?"

Hua Shao sneered and said through gritted teeth, "Well, Zhou Ming, you're so confident now. Let's see how you feel when Brother Tao and his men come to take you down in a few days!"

With that, Hua Shao stormed out of the private room. Behind him, Du Peng spat and said, "Tsk! Such a piece of work. Even though you're from a powerful family in the Central and Lingnan regions, you just hide behind and take cheap shots. How despicable!"

After cursing Hua Shao, Du Peng asked Zhou Ming, "What's going on? Zhou Ming, did you really discuss something with Cao Jianning?"

Zhou Ming shook his head with a wry smile, "Of course not. We're just being dragged into an unwarranted calamity."