Chapter 80: Pleading for Mercy
Mr. Zhang came to plead for his son.
His eldest son, Zhang Jing'an, conspired with kidnappers to abduct his own youngest son, but mistakenly kidnapped Lou Dashuai's daughter in the process. After the kidnappers were caught, they implicated Zhang Jing'an as the mastermind, and Zhang Jing'an was also arrested by the police.
Mr. Zhang had ulterior motives; he wanted to save his eldest son from imprisonment. Because of this, Ms. Zhang had several arguments with her father.
But things didn't go as he wished. There was the law, and moreover, the little child who was implicated was the apple of Lou Dashuai's eye. The Lou family was unwilling to let it go easily and made it clear that they wanted the culprit to pay for his crime.
For the sake of his eldest son, Mr. Zhang had no choice but to come in person to plead for mercy, and he was prepared to suffer a massive hemorrhage.
He had been to the Military and Political Department several times, but unfortunately, each time he went, neither Marshal Lou nor Young Marshal Lou had an excuse to avoid seeing him. Today, when he went again, the two of them were inspecting the troops, and neither of them was there.
Having no other option, he could only try his luck at the Lou family's house.
Upon arriving at the Lou family's house, Zhang Weihai immediately spotted the little girl playing in the garden.
Like a happy little butterfly, she ran across the lawn, accompanied by a fluffy white cat. She looked carefree and innocent.
It didn't look like they had just been kidnapped at all.
"Third Young Master, Fourth Young Master, Miss Lou." Zhang Weihai took off his hat and greeted the two young masters under the parasol.
From a distance, the two brothers politely nodded to him.
Lou Yansui withdrew her gaze, her brows furrowing: "What's he doing here?"
Lou Hongjian narrowed his eyes slightly: "It's definitely not a good thing."
“I heard from my older brother that he wanted to get his son pardoned.”
"Exonerate?" Lou Hongjian scoffed. "He's dreaming too much."
It's none of their business how other people handle their own affairs.
But how could they not pay the price for kidnapping their sister?
Therefore, when Zhang Weihai tentatively asked if Commander Lou was home, Lou Hongjian bluntly replied, "If Chairman Zhang is here to plead for your son, then my father is never home."
Zhang Weihai: "..."
Zhang Weihai took a deep breath: "Third Young Master, everything is negotiable."
There's no need to discuss this matter.
"Third Young Master, you are still too young. This matter is not as serious as you think."
As they were talking, Mao Mao had already run back with the big white cat, Da Da Da.
She climbed onto the seat next to her, and Lou Yansui poured her a glass of water and took out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat. Mao Mao held the glass and gulped down half of it in one go.
She ran for a long time, her forehead covered in sweat, a few strands of damp hair clinging to her chubby cheeks, her little face flushed and incredibly cute.
Zhang Weihai smiled politely: "Third Young Master, you see, although my son did something foolish, your sister is fine. Let's each take a step back..."
Lou Hongjian interrupted him, asking in return, "Chairman Zhang, just because no serious consequences have occurred, does that mean we can pretend nothing happened?"
Lou Yansui's expression remained calm: "By the time everything has happened, it will be too late."
Zhang Weihai was speechless.
He was from Haicheng, so of course he knew what had happened to Lou Sishao.
A child was once kidnapped and seriously injured. Kidnapping is the Lou family's Achilles' heel, and even if no harm was caused this time, they will never let it go easily.
Therefore, he had already prepared himself mentally.
Zhang Weihai hardened his heart and gritted his teeth, saying, "Third Young Master and Fourth Young Master, why don't you hear my sincerity first before making any plans? The Military Affairs Department is short of funds. I wonder if you two young masters are aware of this?"
Lou Hongjian and Lou Yansui exchanged a glance.
One of them was unemployed, and the other was a minor; neither of them participated in the work of the military and political department. However, they had heard about it occasionally when their father and older brother talked about official business.
There are wars going on everywhere outside, and wars cost money to maintain armies. In such a large city as Haicheng, money is needed everywhere.
The Zhang family may not have much else, but they have a lot of money.
To gain a foothold in a chaotic world, one inevitably needs the support of these wealthy merchants. Zhang Weihai, as the president of the Chamber of Commerce, carries considerable weight among the businessmen of Haicheng, and he can also provide substantial funds.
The two brothers fell silent for a moment.
They couldn't interfere in political matters. They were also afraid that their impulsive actions might influence their father and elder brother's plans, thereby affecting the entire city of Haicheng.
Are we going to back down for the sake of military spending? And let Mao Mao suffer this injustice for nothing?
impossible!
Lou Yansui calmly said, "Uncle Zhang, you came to our house, but you didn't see my father at the military and political office, did you? I think my father has already made his intentions clear."
Zhang Weihai: "..."
Lou Hongjian cupped Mao Mao's little face in his hands: "President Zhang, look at my little sister."
Mao Mao blankly handed her little face to him, letting him manipulate her like a doll. Following his force, she tilted her head to look at Zhang's father beside her.
Lou Hongjian: "Look at my sister, she's so cute. How scared she must have been when those kidnappers took her away? You say we should both back down and pretend nothing happened, but do you think that will soothe the fear my sister suffered?"
Mao Mao: "Huh?"
Zhang Weihai lowered his eyes and looked at the fair-skinned, soft-spoken, and innocent-looking girl in front of him. He couldn't see where she had been frightened.
But for some reason, he suddenly remembered his youngest son at home.
Zhang Jingsen was also kidnapped. After being rescued, he was greatly frightened and cried incessantly every day.
Mao Mao stared at him without blinking, and suddenly, she exclaimed "Ah!"
Mao Mao said happily, "Uncle, I've seen you before."
Zhang Weihai reluctantly replied, "Yes, we met at my daughter's birthday party before."
"Uncle, how is Brother Sen Sen doing lately?"
"..."
"I heard from my sister that he was sick." Mao Mao asked with concern, "Is he better? Did he take his medicine obediently?"
Zhang Weihai: "..."
Lou Hongjian chuckled and said, "Oh right, I almost forgot, it wasn't just our Mao Mao who was kidnapped, but also Chairman Zhang's youngest son."
Lou Yansui gently pulled his sister's face from his brother's hands and said softly, "Maomao, don't ask these questions."
"Why can't I ask?" Mao Mao asked, puzzled. "Brother Sen Sen is sick. He must be feeling very uncomfortable."
"Because Uncle Zhang doesn't know."
Mao Mao: "Huh?"
Mao Mao was completely confused: "I know all that. He's so pitiful. He was crying so loudly before. Brother, I've never seen a child cry so much."
Zhang Weihai's lips moved, then suddenly he lowered his head dejectedly and sighed.
In an instant, he seemed to have aged several years.
That's right, his youngest son was also a victim. After the incident, Zhang Jingsen was recuperating in his room, while he was busy rescuing his eldest son and didn't visit him much.
He thought to himself that Sen Sen was still so young and hadn't been hurt. He figured that if he coaxed her a little, she would forget about it.
They are all his children, and he hopes that they will live in harmony and be friendly and respectful to each other.
The little girl's innocent and naive words were like a sharp sword piercing his heart.
Both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh, but people tend to be biased.
Humans have a compassionate heart; sometimes, even when they know something is wrong, they are willing to deceive themselves and turn a blind eye.
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