Chapter 518 A Refined Young Lady from the Republican Era Gets the Male and Female Protagonists Killed (20)

The two talked about business and then about life.

Although Jiang Beilou holds a high position and controls the economic lifeline of BH City, he has absolute authority and dominance over anyone.

But in reality, he showed great tolerance and gentleness, as if the hypocritical and autocratic president of the Beihai Chamber of Commerce was just an illusion.

"Besides going into business, you can choose another path. Your mind is more suited to studying, so you can do some clerical work."

It's not that I have a prejudice against women, it's just that the world is in such a chaotic state that even I am struggling and worrying every day, let alone you.

If you're willing, you can come to me anytime, and I'll do my best to protect you.

Jin Shu understood what he meant.

She also understood that the current situation was a hellish start for an orphan like her with no one to rely on.

Although the warlord conflicts had temporarily come to an end, the international situation was tense, and it was not uncommon for enemy countries to bombard the main city. At this time, no matter how big the shop was or how big the business was, it would eventually have to succumb to the force of the cannons.

However, if one follows behind those in power and provides emotional support...

At least I won't have to live in constant fear and anxiety while working at the factory.

Jin Shu had considered this scenario.

“I knew this would happen, so when the vice president asked me if I would like to join the Beihai Chamber of Commerce, I agreed without hesitation.”

But there's one thing I think differently from you.

In chaotic times, everyone is in danger. If you are obsessed with currying favor with the powerful and wealthy, even if you are eventually killed or tortured, no one will stand up for you.

Therefore, I still believe that the more chaotic the times, the more we should seize every opportunity to strengthen ourselves.

I don't want to be a vassal of the strong; I want to be a partner of the strong.

Although Jiang Beilou's meaning was veiled, Jin Shu understood it clearly.

An older man saying this to a young, single woman has only one purpose.

This is probably also a way for the strong to hunt: showing goodwill, secretly oppressing, and then waiting for the prey to come to them.

But Jin Shu is not a rabbit.

However, directly refusing Jiang Beilou's request would not be beneficial for her future development.

So Jin Shu followed suit and expressed her attitude tactfully.

Jiang Beilou understood her meaning. A fleeting displeasure flashed in his slightly darkened eyes, but he then maintained his gentle and refined demeanor, smiling and nodding.

"Well, I hope you get what you want."

Jin Shu didn't care how much sarcasm and irony was in his words; she rarely got upset or bothered by other people's attitudes towards her.

Who cares? As long as he can profit from this, he'll have to maintain this superficial friendliness.

Jin Shu had no interest in what he was thinking.

——

After passing through the forest, the group arrived at a mountain range that was the only way to reach the port.

There is only a narrow, winding mountain road here, and even cars can only move forward slowly and cautiously, paying attention to both sides.

Zhang Jisheng rode ahead on horseback, holding a gun in his hand and vigilantly observing the surroundings.

Commander Liu sent him to protect Jiangbei Tower so that he could have a chance to show off in front of the richest and most powerful people in BH City.

At this moment, Zhang Jisheng was hoping to encounter some reckless and fearless bandits so that he could properly demonstrate his strength in front of Jiangbei Tower.

The first half of the journey was incredibly smooth and ordinary. Just as Zhang Jisheng was feeling a little regretful, a dirt bomb suddenly exploded ahead, sending mud and sand flying. Dozens of vicious mountain bandits, armed with guns, blocked the only way for the group.

Zhang Jisheng suddenly tightened the reins and roughly counted the number of bandits in front of him.

There are about seventy or eighty of them.

The weapons they held were all outdated firearms that they had stolen from irregular armies.

A musket for a bandit—this setup would be no match for a regular army; they could cut through a melon with a broadsword without any trouble.

Zhang Jisheng sat upright on his horse, turned around and shouted towards Jiangbei Tower.

"Don't worry, President, leave it to me."

Jiang Beilou nodded, glanced around, and then sat back in the car. He showed no signs of tension or worry; in fact, he leisurely put on his glasses and picked up the newspaper next to him to continue reading.

Jin Shu glanced out the window and looked around before getting out of the car. Not long after, when she got back in, Jiang Beilou asked a question without even looking up.

Being too curious is not a good thing.

Jin Shu ignored what he said and continued talking to herself.

"I see that the surrounding mountains are steep, and I'm afraid there are more bandits lying in ambush than those in front."

"So what? Their guns can't beat ours."

"May I ask how long ago it was when you last clashed with these bandits?"

"Six months ago, although I was not there, I had informants. Understanding the habits of these bandits was more important than understanding myself."

Although Jiang Beilou inherited the business from his father and had no experience of starting from scratch, he had encountered countless situations far more dangerous than the present when transporting goods.

He brought enough troops this time. As long as he doesn't do something stupid by getting off the bus himself, those people outside will not be able to threaten him at all.

Jin Shu didn't say anything more, but silently took something out of her bag and hid it under her sleeve.

Soon, a fierce gunfight broke out outside, with several sharp, piercing sounds of bullets whizzing past overhead metal sheets.

During this time, Jiang Beilou remained calm and unmoved as he read the newspaper.

Soon, the gunfire outside stopped.

Zhang Jisheng walked to the front of the car, his tone relaxed yet somewhat arrogant.

"President, it's all been taken care of. Only a dozen or so escaped."

"Okay, ignore them and keep going."

Zhang Jisheng immediately ordered an accelerated advance. Although there were many bandits in these mountains, they weren't stupid. They knew that coming here would only lead to their deaths, and they certainly wouldn't show up again.

Just as they were speeding up, they suddenly heard another earth-shattering explosion!

This sound was much more powerful than those earthen bombs from before.

Zhang Jisheng thought that there were still fearless bandits causing trouble. He had just raised his gun when suddenly, after the sound of an explosion, a loud "boom" followed immediately overhead.

"Major General!! Watch out for what's above you!!"

Zhang Jisheng suddenly looked up and then leaped off his horse to avoid the danger.

Just as he dodged, a huge rock smashed the horse beneath him into a bloody pulp.

Before they could catch their breath, rocks rained down from above with tremendous force, causing chaos and everyone to scatter and flee.

Zhang Jisheng turned and ran, shouting as he ran.

"Turn around!! Quick, turn around!!"