In the end, he said something that could only be called outrageous.
"When the Qian Family falls, it will all be mine. Since that's the case, why waste the effort?"
Then he revealed his contempt and asked in return, "Does Patriarch Zhong think what the Qian Family offered is worth that price?"
Zhong Shao, who sat quietly to one side, took in the entire scene, gaining an even clearer understanding of Zhou Muzhi's arrogance.
If she married someone like him, she feared she would never have a peaceful day afterward. She was better suited to a steady, quiet life.
Zhong Li did not speak immediately. Instead, he poured himself a cup and nodded. "The Qian Family was indeed stingy. For the sake of this old face of mine, I'll speak of this only once. I won't bring it up again."
As he spoke, he raised his wine cup toward Zhou Muzhi, who immediately raised his own, and the two drank to each other.
"Thank you for your understanding, Patriarch Zhong."
There were two layers of meaning to his words. With the Zhong Family staying out of it, things had also become considerably easier for the Zhou Family without anyone saying so.
"Well, let's discuss something else. As for the Zhou Family wanting to enter the four trades of rice, moneylending, oil, and salt, truthfully, it's not impossible."
In a small city, these four were its absolute lifelines. Whoever controlled them had the standing to wrestle with the county magistrate.
The Qian Family had once controlled two of them. Oil was its foundation, followed by four thousand mu of fertile farmland, whose rice production accounted for the lion's share.
These, combined with outstanding martial strength, were the true foundation of the Qian Family's power.
And Zhou Muzhi had come this time