novelzi Chapter 72
Chapter 72
After hearing what Jiang Zhou said clearly, Lu Heng collapsed completely.
He held back a string of curse words in his heart, but in the end, he was horrified.
Because he suddenly realized that Jiang Zhou could interact with him calmly, give him advice, and be polite to him — this person’s thoughts were too terrifying.
Had he been restraining himself just to set up a trap for him?
His thoughts were hazy, and even as he watched Jiang Zhou leave, the man looked like an evil entity. Perhaps he just wanted to use this incident to numb himself and prevent himself from being overwhelmed by another layer of fear.
That was what he thought, but Zhuo Bang wouldn’t give him that chance.
The servants and officials of the post house were no longer there. Zhuo Bang tied up Lu Heng himself and took him to the prison. He locked the door himself and stared at him for a while through the prison door before saying, “I won’t kill you.”
Lu Heng flinched and suddenly calmed down. Zhuo Bang really wouldn’t kill him. This was his own son’s body; how could he let it go?
This was his lifeline.
Just as he was pondering this, Zhuo Bang spoke again, “Just because I won’t kill you doesn’t mean I will let you go. This cell is the innermost and darkest cell in the entire prison. You can spend the rest of your life here.”
No one would talk to him, no one would pay attention to him, just darkness, dampness, and perhaps some small animals that thrived in prisons.
Lu Heng trembled. He had always been a carefree person. In modern times, he enjoyed playing with dogs and horses. He lived a luxurious life because of his wealth. Even in ancient times, without electronic communication devices, he still managed to find ways to entertain himself and make his life joyful.
Now, he was being told there would be no freedom, no sunshine, no human contact...
He knew he would go insane.
He cried out, “Dad! Dad, don’t do this to me! I am Zhuo Yan; how could you do this to me!”
Zhuo Bang remained unmoved. “You are not Zhuo Yan.”
“I am! I am Zhuo Yan, Dad, look at me, I am Zhuo Yan, look at my face, I am Zhuo Yan!”
Zhuo Bang said nothing, turned around, and left, leaving him crying in the prison.
.
As Zhou Bang walked back home, he thought about it and invited a priest to his home. He bathed, burned incense every day, and prayed devoutly. The opportunity would come back, as long as Lu Heng left Zhuo Yan’s body or if his will weakened enough. Jiang Zhou concluded based on the abnormalities described by himself, Zhuo Yan might come back.
When Jiang Zhou opened his first restaurant, many locals came to assist him. They also showed up to support him on the first day, boosting his popularity.
Jiang Zhou observed these friendships with gratitude, storing them in his heart and naturally wanting to reciprocate.
.
Although Zhuo Bang didn’t fully comprehend Jiang Zhou’s thoughts, he acknowledged them and said, “As long as you are willing.”
Wen Yuanxing brewed them a pot of tea and listened to their discussion.
“By next year, the tourist town will be completed. What we propose is to expedite the construction process,” Jiang Zhou and Wen Yuanxing exchanged glances. “If we have to wait for funding approval from higher authorities, it will be time-consuming. Including the approval process, it could take less than half a year. Therefore, we propose to provide cement through investment.”
Zhuo Bang became intrigued. “What do you mean by this?”
Jiang Zhou explained, “Our cement plant is currently underutilized. We plan to expand production and temporarily halt cement sales to external parties, prioritizing construction within the town. We won’t charge any money, but the value of this investment must be considered part of the cost investment. In return, once the tourist town is established, our cement factory will receive dividends from all the economic benefits generated.”
He feared that Zhuo Bang might not grasp the concept fully, so he elaborated: “For instance, if we provide one hundred kilograms of cement, valued at ten taels of silver. We offer this portion of cement for building without charge. Once tourism generates revenue in the future, all economic benefits, akin to tax collection — from which, sir, our cement factory will receive a commission. The proportion depends on how much investment you allocate, and what share of this investment our ten taels of silver represent.”
Zhuo Bang queried, “But didn’t you mention it takes less than half a year for the process? Isn’t your cement plant the most profitable this year? You are willing to do this?”
Jiang Zhou shook his head, “This is an initial investment. You can’t raise a child without letting go, nor can you catch a wolf without trapping it. Without early-stage investment, there won’t be results later.”
Zhuo Bang sighed, “Perhaps I’m a scholar who can’t comprehend the minds of businessmen. I always feel you’re cut from the same cloth like them...”
Jiang Zhou chuckled, “Do I resemble a gambler?”
“Yes, much like a gambler,” Zhuo Bang responded. Surrendering income for half a year in exchange for future gains seemed ludicrous.
“Life is essentially a gamble,” Jiang Zhou remarked softly. “Win, and you’re set for life. Lose, and it’s merely a restart.”
Moreover, he might not lose. His gamble wasn’t haphazard, but calculated and predictable. He had meticulously evaluated the feasibility of this approach; confident he wouldn’t lose everything.
That was why he had proceeded.
He had a faith.
Just as when dealing with Lu Heng, he had taken a chance, wagering that Lu Heng was dim-witted, truthful, and greedy.
And he had won.
Hence, when it came to cement, losing was inconceivable.