Chapter 338: The Storm Before the Rain

"Zhou Ming, do you think the current issues with the eight-treasure porridge and the township industrial parks are also the work of Tan Shao and his gang?"

As soon as he left Governor Xiong Qingping's office, Du Peng eagerly asked Zhou Ming. His face was filled with anxiety because Zhou Ming's earlier predictions were coming true one by one. First, it was the nightclub in Nanjing and the entire Jinpeng Company, and then it was their departure from Nanjing. No matter how much they tried to disguise it as a strategic retreat, they couldn't cover up their very embarrassing situation.

Seeing the expression on Du Peng's face, Zhou Ming knew well that he hoped for a "no" answer, and in fact, Zhou Ming hoped for the same. But unfortunately, that was simply impossible.

"This is their doing behind the scenes," Zhou Ming said. "And... I also think that Tan Shaohua and his few associates alone couldn't create such a huge commotion, let alone pursue us from Lingnan all the way to Jingchu, staying on our tail, and mobilizing so many resources from the Public Security Bureau, the Securities Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Health, and the National Development and Reform Commission."

If Zhou Ming's affirmative answer was already disheartening for Du Peng, then Zhou Ming's additional remark was like pouring salt on an open wound.

In fact, Du Peng had already suspected this, but he was unwilling to consider it.

As someone who grew up under the shadow of the royal city, Du Peng was quite familiar with the situation. He knew very well that no matter how influential Tan Qianjun might be, it was merely a private title bestowed by the younger generation. In the real circle of adults, it was just child's play. Anyone with some status would just smile it off, and only those who were out of the loop or local minor officials would foolishly think that they were really something special.

In simple terms, Tan Qianjun could use his family's influence to operate outside, but to mobilize so many political connections was simply impossible.

The reason was simple: politics always relied on mutual compromise. Young people with too much ambition were prone to losing control, and if something went wrong, it would be troublesome. After all, it was not easy for a political family to rise, and as long as they had their wits about them, they wouldn't allow their own children to ruin things.

Of course, on the other hand, regardless of the situation in the officialdom or how flattering the officials might be to their superiors, anyone who could sit in a leadership position had a certain amount of pride. The higher the position, the greater the pride. Generally, the children of officials had certain prerequisites to command officials, and there were rules in the officialdom. If the children of officials were to recklessly command officials, it would be breaking the rules. Moreover, once officials reached the level of deputy minister or above, even if you were the capital's top dog, it wouldn't matter if you were the emperor's son.

But now, Tan Shao's series of actions had far exceeded the limits of what a mere child could achieve. Not to mention the mobilization of the Securities Regulatory Commission, even the previous sealing of Zhou Ming's nightclub by the Nanjing Public Security Bureau was already a big deal. The deputy secretary of the Nanjing Municipal Party Committee was Chen Yunfei, who was also the executive vice governor of Lingnan. Regardless of whether he was from the Du family or the Cao family, he could not possibly ignore this matter.

Let alone now that even the dignified Governor Xiong Qingping of Jingchu Province had to concede, unwilling to confront it head-on, and could only adopt this desperate measure of turning his guns inward, preemptively addressing the issues with the eight-treasure porridge and the township industrial parks, using this helpless method to protect Zhou Ming.

Only a super political figure or a major group could achieve this. However, such big figures would never bother dealing with a junior like Zhou Ming. If not a junior in the officialdom, it would be laughable. Thus, it was likely to be a group.

Du Peng was very clear that Tan Shao was called the top dog of the capital not because his father was the city's party secretary, but because he organized a group of influential young elites to form a new company with a tremendous impact, covering various aspects of the national economy and even influencing the officialdom, as seen from the actions of Hua Shao and Tao Guoling in Lingnan.

Thinking of this, Du Peng sighed and said with a headache, "I always felt that Tan Shao was not simple when we were in Yanjing. I didn't expect him to be even more inscrutable than I thought. Organizing such a large group and mobilizing so many resources to deal with you, Zhou Ming, he can be considered the top person in our capital. Even the usually stubborn Uncle Xiong has made such a decision. What should we do?"

Although he knew he was reborn, hearing Du Peng, who had used all means in his past life but still had comparable power to Tan Qianjun, say this made Zhou Ming feel a bit out of place.

Shaking his head, Zhou Ming dismissed those unnecessary thoughts and reminded Du Peng, "It's still too early to think about what to do."

Du Peng stood there in a daze and suddenly thought of something. He tentatively asked Zhou Ming, "You're not going to tell me that Tan Shao's moves are not over yet, are you?"

"I don't want to say it, but evidently, that's the case. Did you forget that Governor Xiong just mentioned the highway issue?" Zhou Ming reminded.

"Could it be that Tan Shao isn't done yet? After creating trouble with the eight-treasure porridge and township industrial parks, he's still not planning to stop and wants to make an issue with the highway?" Du Peng muttered.

"Of course, since he's started, he'll definitely want to finish me off. This is what you call the storm before the rain!" Zhou Ming said with ease, a smile on his face. "So let him come. Let the storm be fiercer. Let me see what other tricks this top dog of the capital has!"

Du Peng listened to Zhou Ming's words and looked at his expression, suddenly feeling an illusion as if no matter how Tan Qianjun stirred up trouble, it didn't seem to bother Zhou Ming. He seemed to have confidence that he could break the situation.

A genius, simply a genius!

That was the only thought in Du Peng's mind.

...

"Since the action has begun, it must continue until the opponent is defeated!"

In a private room at the South Lake Hotel in Nanjing, Tan Qianjun, Jiang Chunhua, and Tao Guoling were having a meal. When Tan Qianjun received a call saying that Governor Xiong Qingping of Jingchu Province urgently invited Zhou Ming and Du Peng to Tanzhou, and afterwards the relevant departments of the Jingchu provincial government began investigating Zhou Ming's eight-treasure porridge factory and township industrial parks, the three of them immediately celebrated with a toast.

The one speaking was Jiang Chunhua, who continued, "I heard that there is a set of Wing Chun boxing in Lingnan, which uses swift and fierce punches to defeat the enemy, making it impossible for them to fight back. Now, Tan Shao is doing just that."

"Tan Shao, you've done a great job. I toast to you!" Tao Guoling toasted to Tan Qianjun and then said, "I can now imagine Zhou Ming's expression. It must look as if he's lost his father!"

Tao Guoling said with a smile but then lamented, "But it's a pity that this guy, Xiong Qingping, is too obstructive. He actually took over the matter, and as a governor, the provincial government's departments will definitely go easy on Zhou Ming."

"Guoling, don't worry about that. Tan Shao won't let Zhou Ming off so easily. There's more in store for him," Jiang Chunhua said to Tao Guoling.

This made Tao Guoling's eyes light up. He looked eagerly at Tan Qianjun, who smiled and said, "Of course, Guoling, don't you remember my style? Either I don't act, or I create casualties. This time, the commotion is so big. If I still can't finish off Zhou Ming, where would I put my face? How would I continue to mix in the Four Nine City?"

"So next, we should continue with the remaining strength and pursue the defeated enemy until Zhou Ming is completely brought down!" Tan Qianjun said.

Tao Guoling did not hurry to speak but first asked Tan Qianjun, "Tan Shao, will Zhou Ming be executed in the end?"

Tan Qianjun glanced at Tao Guoling, seeing his eager expression, and answered, "Regarding the highway issue, his previous dealings with national bonds, and the companies he's operated in the port city, all can be used against him. As long as it's handled well, each of these could lead to a death sentence!"

"That's great!"

Although Tao Guoling had already expected this answer, he was still excited and shouted after hearing Tan Qianjun's words. He then said to Tan Qianjun, "Tan Shao, can I see him one more time before Zhou Ming is executed? That bastard has made me end up like this. I can't let him die so simply. I want to urinate on his head and make him die feeling humiliated and suffering the most!"

Tan Qianjun looked at the sinister Tao Guoling and silently shook his head, thinking that this former influential youth had completely lost his

 mind, even saying such things.

But that was no concern of Tan Qianjun. Organizing his thoughts, Tan Qianjun said to Tao Guoling, "Guoling, I know you hate Zhou Ming, but he's already in a dead end. I've mobilized all the power of the new company and even rallied all the forces I can in the family. Zhou Ming might have extraordinary abilities, but I won't give him the chance. So I believe he's no longer important."

"No matter how powerful Zhou Ming is, he's already a dead man. We have to look forward. Guoling, how's your contact situation?" Tan Qianjun asked.

Tao Guoling nodded, "Tan Shao, don't worry. I'll definitely carry out the tasks you assigned. The money in the foreign accounts has been gathered, around a million dollars. And my previous foreign contacts are a bit troublesome. After all, they're all involved in illegal activities and need to disguise themselves. It might not be easy to get in touch without business."

"I've heard you mention this before, and I understand. I still trust your ability to get things done, but this matter needs to be settled as soon as possible," Tan Qianjun said.

"Tan Shao, I understand. Since you're helping me so much, I won't delay your important affairs!" Tao Guoling assured Tan Qianjun.

Tan Qianjun patted Tao Guoling on the shoulder and said, "Keep up the good work. The future is definitely ours."