Chapter 359: The Root of Tao Guoling's Misfortune

After navigating through cluttered streets, Zhou Ming and his companions followed the child through several turns until they reached a house deep in an alley. The child pointed to the house and then ran off.

Zhou Ming inspected the house, which had no markings and looked much like the others around it. He wondered how the child had managed to remember this particular house.

One of the Zhongnanhai bodyguards stepped forward to knock on the door. Although anyone could do this task, they were doing it to minimize potential danger. It was crucial to be cautious; if anything went wrong, their quick reflexes and self-defense skills would likely be much safer than Zhou Ming and Du Peng's.

The other four bodyguards were surveying their surroundings, their heightened vigilance ensuring they were prepared for any unexpected situations.

The knocking was answered by a deliberately muted voice from inside: "Who is it?"

Zhou Ming recognized it as Tao Guoling's voice, though it was now filled with caution. Zhou Ming replied, "It's Zhou Ming. Aren't you the one who asked me to come?"

After Zhou Ming spoke, there was a sound of chains moving, and the door opened to reveal a disheveled face.

Tao Guoling looked like a typical beggar. His clothes were dirty, emitting a foul odor, and his appearance was unkempt. Despite this, Zhou Ming and Du Peng recognized him immediately.

Tao Guoling had a gunshot wound on his hand from a previous encounter with Zhou Ming, still wrapped in a bandage that was now grimy and stained with blood. It was evident the wound had not been treated properly and likely was infected and decayed.

Recognizing him, Du Peng was the first to react, exclaiming, "What the hell, Tao Guoling? What are you up to? Why bring us here in such a secretive manner? And when was the last time you bathed? This smell is unbearable!"

Du Peng covered his nose while Zhou Ming frowned, though he didn't react as dramatically. Only the trained Zhongnanhai bodyguards remained composed.

Seeing the bodyguards, Tao Guoling seemed momentarily taken aback before addressing Zhou Ming and Du Peng, "Let's talk inside. I know the conditions here are less than ideal, but I hope you can bear with it and get a taste of the hardship of a poor person's life."

Tao Guoling then turned and limped into the house. Zhou Ming and Du Peng exchanged puzzled glances but said nothing. They had received the call and were keen to understand the situation, believing the mystery would soon be resolved.

"Sorry for the lack of amenities here. Please make yourselves comfortable. I apologize for the poor hospitality," Tao Guoling said as he sat on a chair.

"I come from a working-class family myself, so the conditions here don't bother me much," Zhou Ming responded as he and Du Peng sat on a bench opposite Tao Guoling. "I'm just curious about how you ended up in this situation."

Zhou Ming noticed a disassembled phone on the table, which explained why he had been unable to reach Tao Guoling.

"How did this happen? It's all because of you damn bastards!" Tao Guoling suddenly roared, his eyes filled with hatred. If he had a weapon, he might have used it on Zhou Ming without hesitation.

But his anger was short-lived, replaced by sorrow as he continued, "I brought this upon myself. I guess I was blind to my own stupidity. Haha!"

Tao Guoling laughed bitterly, his laughter tinged with self-mockery and despair. His abrupt emotional shifts hinted at possible mental instability, a stark contrast from the powerful son of a military general who now lived like a beggar.

Du Peng glanced at Zhou Ming but saw him sitting silently, his expression unchanged. Zhou Ming waited for Tao Guoling to continue.

After a while, Tao Guoling's laughter turned into tears as he sobbed, "Zhou Ming, Mr. Zhou, I beg you to help me. I know I don't deserve to ask you this, but I have no one else to turn to!"

The sudden shift in Tao Guoling's demeanor was striking, even for the best actors. His dramatic mood swings were indicative of his current mental state.

Zhou Ming pondered for a moment before saying, "I can help you, but you need to explain what happened and how you want me to assist you."

"Helping me is simple. Just take down Tan Qianjun that bastard!" Tao Guoling said through gritted teeth.

This revelation raised eyebrows for both Zhou Ming and Du Peng. They had already suspected there was a conflict, as Du Peng wouldn't have sought out Zhou Ming otherwise. However, the truth was even more intriguing than they had anticipated.

Tao Guoling continued, "I've known Tan Qianjun for a long time. We both started as black market operators. He's grown significantly, creating a huge empire that spans politics and economics, while I've remained smaller, focusing on international business. We had no major conflicts until now."

Zhou Ming and Du Peng were familiar with this background. In the early reform era, many people exploited the economic system's imperfections, engaging in smuggling and profiteering. Tan Qianjun, due to his family connections, became a major player in this arena, known as the "Big Brother of Beijing."

However, Tan Qianjun faced challenges in Lingnan, where Tao Guoling had already established a foothold. Lingnan was a pioneering area for foreign trade, and Tao Guoling, initially engaging in legal trade, later turned to smuggling through his father's military connections. His operations were safe under the military guise, leading to significant profits.

When Zhou Ming helped expose Tao Guoling's smuggling ring, the central government was outraged. Although Tao Guoling had substantial funds abroad, escaping severe punishment, he lived a reckless lifestyle in Zhou Ming's nightclubs.

The vast sum of money was unknown to anyone but Tao Guoling, but it was substantial. Most people would use it to ensure their family's prosperity for generations. However, Tao Guoling, having fallen from his privileged position, resented his current state and sought revenge against Zhou Ming, setting the stage for his present misfortune.