Lin Dong and Peng Jiasheng sat facing each other at the tea table by the window on the second floor of Qingxiangju.

The steam rising from the spout of the purple clay teapot wove a thin veil between the two of them.

Since entering the room, the two bigwigs have exchanged greetings but haven't had any further interaction.

As if by prior agreement, the two used silence as a silent contest between them.

The air in the elegant room became somewhat stuffy and oppressive...

Peng Jiasheng inserted the tea needle into the tea cake with three times more force than usual, accidentally spilling crumbs of aged Pu'er tea onto the Xuan paper tea mat, like rust stains scattered on the ground.

"Mr. Lin, do you know the origin of Qingxiangju?"

After a full ten minutes, Peng Jiasheng finally broke the silence, using tea tongs to push the warmed purple clay cup towards Lin Dong:

"During the War of Resistance against Japan, this place was originally a teahouse. A caravan traveling to foreign lands stopped here to rest, and the manager traded half a pound of opium for a piece of jadeite rough with them..."

"When the rough stone was cut open, it yielded a huge profit, revealing a piece of top-quality imperial green jadeite. From then on, the teahouse owner started to make his fortune. Over the decades, he finally accumulated a substantial fortune and eventually opened this Qingxiangju teahouse."

Lin Dong tapped the table with his fingers to thank her for the tea, listening with a smile and remaining silent.

"What I'm trying to say is that the rise and fall of an individual or a family is often due to a chance encounter."

Some people seized the opportunity and rose to prominence, while others hesitated and wasted this golden opportunity...

Peng Jiasheng spoke in a calm tone, chatting casually like friends discussing everyday matters.

No rush, no impatience.

"I wonder if Elder Lin agrees with what I just said?" Peng Jiasheng poured tea for Lin Dong and gestured for him to enter.

Lin Dong picked up his cup and took a small sip.

The tea has a strong aroma and a mellow taste, with a hundred flavors of sweetness and bitterness lingering on the tongue.

Just like the old man's few words, which were seemingly kind but actually quite sharp.

"Commander-in-Chief Peng is truly learned. I am just a rough man and don't understand many of the intricacies."

Lin Dong took another sip of tea:

"I've heard that you, Mr. Peng, are most fond of collecting jade and gold. Your vast assets are probably unparalleled in the entire Kokang region, aren't they?"

Peng Jiasheng shook his head and smiled: "Not at all, compared to the Dragon Gang and Boss Lin, my little fortune is nothing."

"Commander-in-Chief Peng, stop being modest. Everyone knows that the King of Kokang has been deeply rooted in Kokang for decades and is already incredibly wealthy," Lin Dong added with a smile.

You little punk, if I don't chop down your Peng family and bleed them dry today, I'll be letting down the reputation of the Dragon Gang.

"It's just hearsay, don't take it seriously."

Seeing that Lin Dong had steered the conversation toward him, Peng Jiasheng quickly changed the subject:

"Boss Lin, my son offended you recklessly last night. I'll have him serve you tea and apologize right away."

"Demin, come here and apologize to Boss Lin."

Upon hearing this, Peng Demin, who had been standing timidly to the side, straightened up and quickly walked over:

"Boss Lin, I offended you last night. I beg you to forgive me, you magnanimous spirit..."

"I'll pour you some tea, and I'll punish myself by drinking three cups of tea later at dinner!"

"That's it?" Lin Dong asked without looking up.

"This... Boss Lin, what do you think we should do?" Peng Demin asked in a deep voice, his face flushed.

This is so frustrating!

Last night, the Peng family's plan to seize the Red Mansion failed, and more than 20 soldiers were killed in public. Not only did they not dare to utter a word, but they also have to hold a banquet to apologize today.

When did the Wang Peng family of Kokang become so humble?

"Young Master Peng, to be honest, what exactly is your purpose in besieging the Red Mansion? Is it really just for a woman?"

"yes......"

"I don't believe it!"

"......"

"Given your temperament, Young Master Peng, you would never go to war with someone over a woman you've only just met."

"If it weren't for women, what would I be doing this for?" Sweat beaded on Peng Demin's forehead.

"I guess it's because of some secret hidden beneath the Red Mansion? Heh..."

"Underground of the Red Mansion? What secrets could there be beneath the Red Mansion?" The Kokang King, who was brewing tea, stopped what he was doing and asked, feigning surprise.

"Commander-in-Chief Peng, you really don't know?" Lin Dong laughed.

Peng Jiasheng shook his head.

"That's very strange. Didn't the special envoy sent by the Burmese government army inform you and your son about this?"

The temperature in the private room dropped sharply.

Peng Jiasheng paused as he turned the jade ring. He hadn't expected that Lin Dong knew such confidential matters so well.

The cold sweat on Peng Demin's forehead grew thicker and thicker...

"How about Commander-in-Chief Peng makes a call back now and ask?" Lin Dong stared at the Kokang King with a half-smile.

"Boss Lin... what do you mean by this?" Peng Jiasheng appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil.

The news that a huge treasure trove is buried beneath the Red Mansion was indeed relayed by the Myanmar government army a few days ago.

The reason why the Peng family is willing to cooperate with the government forces and risk offending the Dragon Gang to plot against the Red Mansion is precisely because of this.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!