Chapter 8

As he spoke, Zhang Linmo reached out and pushed the document back in front of Gu Zhaohuan. "When the city leadership discussed this document, they probably only considered their own interests and completely ignored the Old District's actual situation and cultural heritage. A redevelopment plan like this shows no sincerity at all. Not just the Zhang Family—the gangs throughout the Old District will never accept it."

Watching Zhang Linmo speak so eloquently across from him, Gu Zhaohuan almost felt as though he were facing a learned historian. A flash of admiration crossed his eyes as he praised, "I never expected Mr. Zhang to be so familiar with the Old District's history. Listening to you is worth more than ten years of reading."

Zhang Linmo curled his lip dismissively at Gu Zhaohuan's flattery. "If your family had lived in one place for generations, you'd know it well too."

Without further pleasantries, Zhang Linmo directly offered his suggestion. "The Old District is part of Guandong Province, and Guandong Province is the birthplace of the Manchu people of the Qing Dynasty. After the Qing Dynasty was overthrown, the Manchu people who had once belonged to the imperial family scattered in all directions. But given Chinese people's deep attachment to their homeland, I believe that one day, those Manchu people who have made something of themselves will return home in glory. If, by then, they can see symbols of their own ethnic culture, I believe their sense of belonging toward their hometown will grow stronger. At the same time, they'll be more willing to contribute their own strength to its development."

Suppressing the urge to vomit, Zhang Linmo delivered that official-sounding speech before quickly throwing out his conclusion. "So rather than planning to tear everything in the Old District down and start over, the city should put some effort into restoring the old residences and mansions left in the area. Creating its own distinctive character would make it far more competitive."

Gu Zhaohuan had to admit that he was beginning to see Zhang Linmo in a new light. Before visiting him, he had been worrying about how a "civilized man" like himself was supposed to communicate with a roughneck who had spent his whole life shouting about fighting and killing. But after hearing Zhang Linmo speak, Gu Zhaohuan realized that even when it came to reasoning things out, he, who prided himself on his quick wits, would have a hard time outtalking this Zhang Family boss who knew the Old District so well.

With that thought, Gu Zhaohuan's heart stirred, and he suggested, "Since Mr. Zhang knows the Old District so well and has offered such a constructive proposal, what would you think if the city entrusted the Old District redevelopment plan to you?"

Zhang Linmo's body stiffened slightly. He instinctively glanced at his three sons seated on the sofa beside him, feeling that things were going far too smoothly. Could this young mayor be hiding some sort of scheme up his sleeve?

Seeing Zhang Linmo remain silent, Gu Zhaohuan mistakenly assumed that he was unwilling to deal with such trivial matters. He smiled and said, "There's no other motive in asking Mr. Zhang to take charge of this proposal. It's simply because you are highly respected in the Old District and represent it well. I imagine that if the others in the Old District see that you are handling the plan, they'll be much more at ease."

It was largely in line with Zhang Xianyang's guess. This newly appointed mayor had indeed rashly proposed redeveloping the Old District without understanding the conflicts among its various powers. His fundamental purpose in raising this proposal was not to interfere with the Old District's forces; he merely wanted to use the opportunity to build up some political achievements. To be honest, Gu Zhaohuan did not take the ancient family powers that existed only in closed-off little places like the Old District seriously at all. That was why he had proposed the redevelopment plan without any reservations.

As for why he had proposed redeveloping the Old District, even the common people knew the reason. When officials wanted political achievements while lining their pockets, building bridges, paving roads, and constructing houses were the quickest routes. Gu Zhaohuan, this aristocratic young master sent down to polish his résumé, was no exception—

There was only one thing Zhang Xianyang had guessed wrong. This new mayor was not some insignificant figure without backing or connections. He was a young master from an influential family who had come to gild himself under the guise of keeping a low profile. In his previous life, Zhang Linmo's blunt humiliation had cut Gu Zhaohuan's political career short in this remote, backward little place where he had come to gain experience. After returning to Kyoto, he was mocked by people in his circle and eventually went south to do business. It was precisely because of this that those above saw the Old District Zhang Family as an unpredictable factor and, under pressure from various forces, tacitly approved the Li Family and the Kyoto Zhang Family's scheme. Naturally, the Gu Family had also done plenty to fan the flames, though they had been more discreet for the sake of appearances.

But in this life, after Zhang Xianyang's earnest persuasion, Zhang Linmo had expressed his goodwill and sincerity from the very beginning. And the mayor, newly arrived as he was, had very amicably accepted the olive branch Zhang Linmo extended. So what kind of future would the long-isolated Old District head toward under the joint efforts of a dragon crossing the river and the local power brokers?

Author's note: Writing all that official jargon in this chapter nearly made me throw up too~~~

So the Old Zhang Family's first ally in its move into Yanjing has finally appeared o(n_n)o~

Chapter 8

After sincere talks between both sides, the Old District family forces led by Zhang Linmo and the city leadership led by the mayor reached a preliminary intention to cooperate on the redevelopment of the Old District. But an intention was merely an intention. To make it happen, both sides still had much work to do.

At the very least, Zhang Linmo and the mayor would each have to turn around and persuade the forces under their command. Zhang Linmo needed to convince the gangs of the Old District to agree to the redevelopment plan, while the mayor had to convince his own leadership team that putting Zhang Linmo in charge of the redevelopment was the best decision for both sides. Both "leaders" needed to do their utmost to persuade their people to calmly accept their new partners.

This was a win-win proposal that could allow both sides to achieve their goals. If it turned into something like forcing a good woman into prostitution, with everyone crying, cursing, and raising hell, there would be no point.

Since the talks had gone smoothly, Zhang Linmo was in slightly better spirits than he had been that morning. When Gu Zhaohuan rose to take his leave, Zhang Linmo casually offered, "It's still more than half an hour's drive to the city center, and it's almost noon. Mayor Gu, would you like to stay for a simple meal?"

Zhang Linmo swore that he had merely been making a casual polite remark. He could even guarantee that his tone had not been sincere enough for the mayor to mistake it for a genuine invitation. But whether the mayor was truly hungry or his brain simply had poor signal reception, Gu Zhaohuan nodded eagerly anyway. "Sure. I've long heard that Old Zhang's chef is extraordinarily skilled. I hear even a Manchu-Han Banquet is effortless for him. Looks like I'm in for a treat at lunch."

The smile on Zhang Linmo's face froze for a moment. He stared blankly at Gu Zhaohuan's unusually brilliant smile for a long while. Only after confirming that Gu Zhaohuan had no intention of taking back his words did he stiffly turn his head and say to Sister Li, "Call Old Zhang back to prepare lunch. The mayor wants a Manchu-Han Banquet."

Gu Zhaohuan appropriately added, "There's no need to go to too much trouble. Ordinary dishes will do. If you make it too grand, I'll feel embarrassed instead."

This time, Zhang Linmo simply gave no response, openly ignoring the shamelessly thick-skinned mayor.

Sister Li nodded with a strange expression and turned to call head chef Zhang Duo back to the villa, along with his two assistants—Master wanted a Manchu-Han Banquet.

The three Zhang brothers, who had been sitting on another sofa and watching for quite some time, stood up. "Dad, we'll go upstairs first."

Zhang Linmo waved a hand irritably. "Go on, go on. Lie down and rest for a while too. When the food is ready, I'll have Sister Li call you downstairs."

The three brothers nodded. After politely saying goodbye to Gu Zhaohuan, they filed upstairs to rest.

Watching the Zhang brothers, who had behaved appropriately the entire time, Gu Zhaohuan smiled and praised, "Truly, a tiger father has no dog sons. Your three sons are all so adorable."

The more Zhang Linmo listened to Gu Zhaohuan's words, the more wrong they sounded. So he followed the usual train of thought and reasoned backward.

Your three sons are adorable—truly, a tiger father has no dog sons. Which meant Zhang Linmo was adorable too!

After thinking it over carefully, Zhang Linmo's face turned livid.

Damn it, this new mayor really had no idea how to speak!

At the same time, Zhang Xiyang, the second brother, casually remarked as he went upstairs, "When I used to read books saying officials were all thick-skinned and black-hearted, I never thought much of it. But after seeing it for myself today, the author truly did not deceive me!"

Zhang Linmo glanced at Gu Zhaohuan, who was still smiling warmly, from the corner of his eye and suddenly felt much better.

Leaving aside Zhang Linmo's efforts to suppress his temper while entertaining the thick-skinned, black-hearted mayor, after the three Zhang brothers went upstairs, Zhang Xianyang saw that it was still early and sat at the desk to sketch several fashion designs for the major brands he often wore in the future. There were two suits, two athletic outfits, and one casual outfit. Looking at the clean, capable designs that nonetheless carried a sense of fashionable elegance, Zhang Muyang and Zhang Xiyang's eyes lit up.

"So these are the clothes you designed? They really do seem much better than the branded stuff on the market." Zhang Xiyang, who had always enjoyed dressing himself up, picked up the sketches from the table. Imagining himself wearing those clothes, he nodded in praise. "They look pretty good!"

Of course. These are the hottest styles from ten years later.

Zhang Xianyang smugly twirled the pencil in his hand as he assessed his two older brothers standing across from him. Though both had inherited the Old Zhang Family's excellent genes, Zhang Muyang's temperament was clearly more masculine and handsome. Zhang Xiyang, like his name, possessed a gentler, softer elegance, with a faint trace of the ruthlessness unique to the underworld lingering between his brows. Still, overall, both were handsome young men with good looks and upright bearing.

An idea came to Zhang Xianyang. He turned around, grabbed another sheet of A4 paper from beside the desk, and swiftly added a few strokes. Two casual outfits in completely different styles sprang to life on the page, one more composed and the other more Soaring. Zhang Xianyang handed the two sketches separately to Zhang Muyang and Zhang Xiyang, smiling as he said, "How about it? I designed these for you."

Most spoiled young masters who knew nothing but eating, drinking, and having fun had excellent taste. So after receiving the sketch, before Zhang Muyang could react, Zhang Xiyang burst into wild laughter as though having a seizure. "Not bad, not bad! These clothes were made for me! Only my build and temperament can truly bring out this outfit's brilliance. When I wear this and stand in the red-light district, won't all those young ladies and married women swarm over me, crying and begging to fight for the chance to serve me? Hahahaha..."

(A small note about Old District customs: whenever men got excited, they always referred to themselves as "your lordship.")

Zhang Muyang quietly shifted two steps away from Zhang Xiyang, leaving the clearly crazed man enough space to show off. Then he turned to Zhang Xianyang and smiled. "They look very good. I like them."

From childhood to his previous life and this one, Zhang Muyang had never said no to anything Zhang Xianyang gave him. Zhang Xianyang was clearly accustomed to Zhang Muyang's boundless indulgence and did not think much of it. With a grand wave of his hand, he declared, "From now on, I'm in charge of Big Brother's image."

Zhang Muyang rubbed Zhang Xianyang's head. "You got up too early this morning. Go catch up on some sleep. I'll call you when it's time to eat."

Zhang Xianyang nodded and stood. "I'll take a shower first."

Zhang Xiyang, still laughing nonstop beside them, chimed in, "Wait for me. I'll shower too. After that, I'll take a nap as well. We're not going to school today anyway."

Then he turned to Zhang Muyang. "You should wash up too. What else are you going to do for so long? They're making a Manchu-Han Banquet downstairs. We'll be lucky to eat within two hours."