Chapter 262: General Tao’s Humble Visit

In the evening, Zhou Ming brought Cao Jianning to his nightclub. Normally, this would be the busiest time, but tonight it was eerily quiet. Following the incident when Tao's subordinates had vandalized the nightclub, the tables, chairs, bar, and dance floor were all wrecked. The place was currently closed for renovation.

Under the neon lights at the nightclub entrance stood a slender figure, Zhou Ming recognized her as the nightclub's manager, Kong Xiaolin. He called out to her.

Kong Xiaolin flinched at the sound of Zhou Ming's voice, then turned around with a deeply distressed expression, saying, "I'm sorry, Boss Zhou. It's my fault for not protecting the place."

Zhou Ming patted her back gently. "Manager Kong, there's no need to blame yourself. This incident was my doing. Even if you had been here, it wouldn't have changed anything."

Kong Xiaolin shook her head vigorously. "No, I promised that as long as Boss Zhou was here, I would be here too. Yet, when the trouble happened and bad people came to smash up our club, I wasn't here. I feel so awful about it!"

Zhou Ming gave her a comforting hug and said, "Xiaolin, this is not your fault. Really."

Kong Xiaolin calmed down a bit. Cao Jianning came up to Zhou Ming and said, "It seems Manager Kong is very loyal to you, Boss Zhou."

Kong Xiaolin blushed slightly. Zhou Ming, who wasn't exactly a playboy in his past life, found dealing with Kong Xiaolin's emotions challenging, especially with Cao Jianning teasing him. Not knowing how to respond, he simply scratched his head and changed the subject. "Xiaolin, how's the renovation of our nightclub coming along?"

In work mode, Kong Xiaolin became efficient. "We've cleaned up the place today. Manager Rao brought the renovation team this afternoon, so we can start renovations tomorrow."

Zhou Ming nodded in approval. "That's good to hear. Mr. Cao, would you like to take a look inside?"

Cao Jianning agreed readily. "This is the site of the military-police showdown, and where you clashed with a general. Of course, I want to see it."

So, Zhou Ming led Kong Xiaolin and Cao Jianning inside. Despite a day of cleaning, the place still carried a lingering smell of alcohol. The damaged furniture and equipment, along with the broken glass, had been cleared away, making the nightclub feel unusually empty.

Cao Jianning looked around and said, "I didn't realize how spacious this place is."

Zhou Ming agreed. "Yes, if it weren't for the policies and the fact that it's in the city center, I would have bought up all the nearby shops."

Cao Jianning gave Zhou Ming a thumbs up. "As expected of you, Consultant Zhou. Ambitious and bold!"

Zhou Ming waved off the compliment and asked Kong Xiaolin, "Xiaolin, I think we should consider separating the bar, dance hall, and KTV in the future. That way, if something happens to one part, the others can still operate normally. Unlike now, where the bar and dance hall being destroyed means the KTV also has to close."

Kong Xiaolin nodded. "Got it. I'll inform Manager Rao about this during the renovation."

"Alright, there's nothing more to see here. Let's go to a nearby teahouse."

Kong Xiaolin and Cao Jianning agreed, but as they prepared to leave, they found they couldn't. Several elite soldiers had appeared at the entrance, and their leader said, "Sorry, you are requested to stay here for a while per the order of the commander. Please do not leave."

Kong Xiaolin was immediately displeased. "Why can't we leave? If you don't let us, I'll call the police!"

"Please don't leave, and try not to call the police," the soldier said calmly.

Kong Xiaolin was about to protest further when Zhou Ming pulled her behind him and stepped forward. "I understand. We'll stay here."

"Thank you. The commander will arrive in about half an hour," the soldier said.

Zhou Ming nodded and led Kong Xiaolin and Cao Jianning to the side. Kong Xiaolin asked Zhou Ming what was going on, and Zhou Ming asked Cao Jianning to explain.

Cao Jianning clarified, "Those are the highest guard troops from the military district, the most elite soldiers who have seen a lot of combat."

Kong Xiaolin was taken aback, feeling a chill. As a woman, she was naturally frightened by the mention of such deadly soldiers. Zhou Ming reassured her, "Don't worry. If they really meant to harm us, we'd be dead by now. They're probably here because a high-ranking official wants to discuss something privately."

Kong Xiaolin relaxed slightly but then asked, "Who could it be?"

Zhou Ming thought for a moment. "If I'm not mistaken, it's likely General Tao Niansheng."

As soon as Zhou Ming spoke, someone at the door started clapping, exclaiming, "Well said!"

They turned to see a middle-aged man with glasses and a prominent nose, accompanied by stern soldiers. Although he looked middle-aged, Zhou Ming and the others knew he was actually over sixty, nearing seventy.

He approached and introduced himself, "Hello, I'm Tao Niansheng."

Despite Zhou Ming's earlier guess about his identity, seeing him in person still shocked Kong Xiaolin and Cao Jianning. Kong Xiaolin was astonished that a general had come, while Cao Jianning was surprised by Tao Niansheng's weary appearance, as though he had aged decades in a short time. Their sole question was, "Why is he here?"

Zhou Ming, however, was more composed. He extended his hand and said, "Hello, General Tao. I'm Zhou Ming."

Tao Niansheng raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Zhou Ming's demeanor. He scrutinized Zhou Ming before shaking his hand and saying hello. Zhou Ming glanced around and said, "I'm sorry, but this place has been damaged by your men and is under renovation. We can only talk here."

Tao Niansheng nodded. "Comrade Zhou Ming, we don't need any formalities. I'm here to discuss something with you directly."

"You want me to withdraw the complaint and release your son, Tao Guoling?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Exactly," Tao Niansheng replied. "I realize that Guoling acted rashly and caused trouble for you. My actions were also hasty and have worsened our misunderstanding. I'm here to ask you to discuss this matter openly and let Guoling go."

Tao Niansheng's words left Cao Jianning and Kong Xiaolin stunned. Tao Niansheng, a major general in the military district, was humbling himself to Zhou Ming! This was unbelievable!

Zhou Ming, although surprised, was more composed than Cao Jianning and Kong Xiaolin. He was familiar with the case and knew that Tao Niansheng was facing serious consequences.

This case was a major incident from Zhou Ming's previous life, involving the Tao family. Back then, it happened in 1991. The armed police raided the Baiyang Hotel, capturing Tao Guoling. The Tao family attempted to rescue him, leading to conflicts with the armed police. This incident was escalated to the central government, resulting in a thorough investigation ordered by Elder Yang. The Tao family and many senior officials in the Lingnan Military District and the Lingnan provincial government were dismissed, causing a power vacuum in Lingnan, which allowed Cao Jianning to regain control of the Cao family.

Zhou Ming exhaled and said to Tao Niansheng, "I understand. I'll discuss it with Cao Jianning and try to release Tao Guoling as soon as possible. But please advise him to behave. If he causes more trouble, I won't be able to help."

"Thank you very much. I'll take my leave now," Tao Niansheng said and left.

After Tao Niansheng departed, Cao Jianning asked Zhou Ming, "Are you really going to release Tao Guoling?"

"Tao Niansheng is still a general and holds military power. I can't force him into a corner, or we'll face serious consequences next time these special troops come. I'd be in real danger," Zhou Ming explained.

Cao Jianning was stunned, realizing that forcing a general into a corner could have severe repercussions. Even if the central government removed his power, he still had many connections and could seek revenge. It was no small matter.

In this situation, Zhou Ming remained clear-headed and made a rational decision, which was truly remarkable!