Chapter 283 Attack and Defense

Nine o'clock in the evening, Zhounan Port.

Lian Zhuo checked the photos and messages sent by Director Hou, returned to the cabin, and whispered softly, "The Qi family is gone."

The ship is located next to the dock where the pontoons are moored. It is small in size and not easily noticed in this position, making it convenient to observe people entering the port and the cargo being loaded and unloaded at close range.

The man in the window seat was resting with his eyes closed, his legs wide open, wearing a black shirt and black pants, looking very imposing.

"They've been making a fuss all day," Lian Zhuo continued. "The Propaganda Department and the Discipline Inspection Department are still meeting to discuss countermeasures. Director Hou said the board of directors is pressuring the chairman to either set up an investigation or remove you."

The man still didn't speak.

"Director Hou stopped several media outlets, but the Qi family has learned a lesson. Tomorrow, the situation will only get worse..."

"Have the two people who were taken away by the Zhang family from Huangjia International appeared again?"

Lian Zhuo sighed, "Not yet. What is Minister Zhang planning to do? Is he going to use these two people to take the blame for Mr. Yan?"

"Notify Zheng Yuan to raid the Huangjia International Accounting Department at dawn to audit the accounts. The sooner the better."

He immediately objected. "The spies at the dock said that the ship we're trying to seize today is full of mixed bag. We can't just rely on our own people. Besides, we don't have weapons or official letters. Deputy Director Zheng must stay to comply."

"Do I still care about compliance?" Jiang Jingyan opened his eyes a little and said casually, "Yan Baiqing knows that Zheng Yuan and I will keep a close eye on everything related to the bank. If he's there, it means I'm there too, so the docks will relax."

He sat up and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "As for weapons, Meng Hongwen has the capital to fight, but Zhang Ting doesn't dare."

"Will you attend the meeting in Huasheng?" Lian Zhuo, worried that he would be condemned by thousands of people, patiently reasoned, "The chairman is calling you, so please answer the phone, or else those people will make wild guesses and accuse you of something they don't really believe."

"No, I won't accept it." Jiang Jingyan took out a cigarette and held it in his mouth. The sea surface outside the glass behind him was rolling up with wind and waves, adding a bit of evil to the calmness.

When he put the lighter in his pocket, he touched his wallet. He paused, took it out and looked at the photos inside.

The little girl didn't look at the camera, she had a sad face, and the golden sleeveless cheongsam made her look crystal clear.

This is a photo of the two of them after Chen Qing’s 18-year-old performance.

It was her first stage performance, which was not formal, but Mrs. Luo still customized a performance costume for her, which was extremely high-profile. She was embarrassed by the dress and tried to hide in a hurry after she got off the stage, but was forcibly pulled back to take pictures.

During those years, he avoided suspicion and Chen Qing also kept his distance, so there was only this one photo of them together.

Lian Zhuo saw that he was distracted and could not help but frown and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Yan wants to make you lose the support of the people completely. You should also take responsibility for yourself-"

Suddenly, there was a buzzing noise from the other end of the intercom.

He turned off the lights, crouched low, and rushed to the window to look out. "Have the goods been delivered?"

"A heavy truck and an off-road vehicle, both with fake license plates, but I haven't seen anyone yet."

Jiang Jingyan put away his wallet, his expression serious, "Hold on, wait until the cargo is unloaded and the ship is sailing before you start."

"clear."

The people deployed outside were all spies and bodyguards. Lian Zhuo was unsure and turned around, "Minister Zhang is such a coward, he won't send his own people, right?"

"It doesn't matter who comes."

Time passes by every second.

Lian Zhuo held the walkie-talkie, sweat dripping from his forehead.

An hour later, the spy finally made a move. "Mr. Jiang! The people and the goods are all fine. Damn it! We've been tricked!"

Jiang Jingyan's eyes were like a falcon, staring at a certain point in the night.

…

Chen Qing got up early.

The servant said the troupe would arrive at five o'clock, and she would go to the restaurant for breakfast at half past six.

Originally, she should have gone to greet her aunt when she came back, but the nanny came to tell her that there were guests at the old house, so she gave up.

After breakfast, Chen Qing went to the front hall.

Li Yao waited there for over ten minutes. Seeing her, she hurried over and said, "The troublemakers have been in Huasheng all day and went back this morning with the media. They didn't cry or shout, but just put up big-character posters across from the group headquarters. They put up new ones every time they confiscated one. Mr. Jiang didn't show up..."

Chen Qing was silent for a moment, then she looked up and said, "It seems you have listened to what I said."

Li Yao stammered, "I know you're doing this for my own good. Dad pleads guilty, so he has a chance to live. Mom is at best charged with harboring a criminal, but she also has a chance to live. If she confesses before being arrested, she can get leniency. Sister Qing'er, is this what you mean?"

Her eyes were clear, and Chen Qing felt a pang of pain in his heart.

Li Yao just turned eighteen this year. She has experienced things that ordinary people cannot bear. Because of her parents' mistakes, she has been hiding like a rat crossing the street for seven years. Even after she grew up and learned the truth of the year, she was just a frightened child.

"I need your help today." Chen Qing took her hand. "The Tang family is having a wedding next month. We're staying here, so we need to prepare a gift."

The sky gradually brightened, and servants at the stage in the back mountain were busy coming in and out.

There are 20 people in the troupe, 12 of whom are actors. Although the Tang family has investigated the background of these people, Chen Qing still asked Li Yao to change into the clothes of a Tang family servant to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation and exposing her identity.

"Do you still remember the Kung Fu skills?"

Li Yao was stunned, huddled down and lowered her head, "I remember it in my head, but I didn't have a chance to practice."

Chen Qing took her to a seat in the audience, "It's okay, there's still time."

According to custom, the housekeeper of the old house would listen to the troupe sing the program once, and if he liked it, he would invite the aunt.

During the intermission, Chen Qing asked the servant to pass a message to the butler, asking if an ensemble could be added to change the taste of the guests who came to congratulate him.

Soon, the butler walked around the first row and came to her, bowing slightly. "Miss Chen, the old lady has greeted us. You are in charge of the troupe. If you want to add any performances, I can tell the troupe."

"They didn't add me." Chen Qing stood up and bowed slightly. "Please arrange it. I want to go on stage."

The housekeeper was clearly caught off guard, his eyes widening. "How can this be? You're—" He paused, "You're a distinguished guest of the Tang family. This isn't appropriate."

"Mr. Xiao and I have known each other for more than a day or two. There's no need for us to talk about those empty things."

The butler was embarrassed and hesitated to nod.

Chen Qing pondered for a while, "Well, you listen to it first. If it's acceptable, it can be considered a surprise I prepared for my aunt, okay?"

After much persuasion, we finally gave her time to perform.

The opera troupe has traveled all over the country and has extensive experience. She just went on stage and reported the repertoire and started performing right away.

As she sat down, she glanced at the pipa player and frowned.

"Yaoyao, 'National Music of the Prosperous Era', this is something you practiced before, recall it."

Li Yao pursed her lips tightly, leaned forward, and looked focused.

Chen Qing immersed herself in the piece. The accompaniment group of the opera troupe was experienced. They could not only match her rhythm, but also make adjustments in details to push the atmosphere to a climax.

“National Music in a Prosperous Era” is not about marriage, but fortunately it is grand and majestic, in keeping with the status of the Tang family.

After the song ended, Chen Qing turned around and bowed to the accompaniment band to express his gratitude.

"The girl is not that old, yet she can actually keep up with us." Another man, also an erhu player, laughed and praised. "What do you think? Consider joining the team and gain some experience!"

Chen Qing was about to answer when the Pipa player stood up and said, "Come on, Second Uncle, the little girl is so fair and tender, why does she have to endure this hardship?"

She looked at the woman and smiled modestly, "I've endured all the hardships of practicing the piano. I've been prepared for this."

The Pipa girl curled her lips and held up her wrist with her palm facing upwards. "Just now, it sounded like your strings were a little loose. I'll help you tune them."

Chen Qing followed her off the stage calmly and found the bodyguard's position five meters away.

"Don't be nervous." The Pipa girl pinched her throat and spoke in a sarcastic tone.

Chen Qing looked straight ahead, "Hua Mei is capable enough to send you in, what can you do to me?"

The Pipa girl was stunned and stopped.