It is difficult to draw the bones of a dragon or a tiger; you can know a person’s face but not his heart.
Fang Yan went to the Jiang family to question them, but not only did he not hear a single harsh word, nor was he harassed by anyone, but he was treated with great courtesy. Jiang Xifu, the old man of the Jiang family, was amiable and treated him as his nephew, speaking to him without airs, and even eating several bowls of dumplings made by the old man of the Jiang family himself. In the end, the old man Jiang Xifu readily gave him an "explanation" and took the initiative to expel the wrong Jiang Junling from the Jiang family and remove his name from the Jiang family tree.
If this is the case, does it mean that the family members have realized their mistakes and are sincerely apologizing to Fang Yan
Obviously not!
The Jiang family was a noble family, and their every move was watched by countless people. Jiang Junling's plan to encircle Fang Yan at Yijian Peak in Huacheng had failed, and everyone who was interested had already known about it.
Now, Mr. Yan Ziwu has come personally with the victim Fang Yan to collect the debt. The Jiang family must give Fang Yan an explanation no matter what - not only to Fang Yan, but also to Mr. Yan Ziwu, to Yan Ziwu, and to the countless eyes that are watching and supervising.
If the Jiang family were unfair and did not handle this matter well, then the character and moral reputation they had built up over thousands of years would be wiped out in an instant.
"The general family bullies others by taking advantage of their power----"
"You ruined the family and the people, and you didn't even say a soft word-----"
"You've gone too far in your family business, you don't even care about your dignity anymore----"
------
Such rumors will surely be spread among countless people, and the fact that their family members use their wealth to bully others will become a pillar of shame tied to their backs.
So, when the gentleman led Fang Yan to the door, the old man of the Jiang family received them personally. His words and actions, as well as their final handling of the matter, left you with nothing to complain about. Even the most picky observer would not be able to say a single fault after knowing how the old man handled the matter.
If the news that Fang Yan ate dumplings made by Grandpa Jiang himself at the Jiang family's old house spread out, many people in Yanjing City might envy and jealous Fang Yan, and even more people would not be able to help but give Grandpa Jiang a thumbs up and say "benevolence and righteousness".
A person lives for his reputation. In order to save the reputation of hundreds of people in the family, the old man took everything into consideration.
However, it was precisely because of this that the gentleman said that the general had the intention to kill Fang Yan.
Would you care about a dead person? Would you care about a person who knows he is going to die getting more benefits
Will not!
The reason why the generals treated Fang Yan so well was because they would soon get back everything they paid from Fang Yan - just like the gangs were willing to buy arms at a high price, but when the arms dealers were ready to leave with the money, they immediately killed them, and finally they got the goods and the money back. So, what was wrong with a higher price at the beginning of the negotiation
Fang Yan looked back at the Jiang family's house. The wooden gate of the Jiang family's house was closed. After closing, the Jiang family's old house was exactly the same as other old houses, and it seemed a little inconspicuous in the middle of this long street.
No one would have thought that the famous Yanjing tycoon was hidden in the dim lights of this old street.
Fang Yan narrowed his eyes and smiled, saying, "Why do you say that, sir?"
"Their attitude is too kind." The gentleman said, "The apology is too easy, and the punishment for the general order is too severe-----"
"They were the ones who committed the crime in the first place. They should be kinder, apologize more quickly, and punish Jiang Junling more severely. Isn't that a matter of course? Besides, I don't think their punishment on Jiang Junling is that harsh. Expelling him from the Jiang family? Removing his name from the Jiang family tree. These are all meaningless things. Instead of that, they might as well drag Jiang Junling out and chop off one of his arms or three of his legs. Is that a punishment? Fortunately, he didn't say he had to drink three glasses of wine as punishment. Otherwise, I would have turned against that old guy right there and then."
"Fang Yan, haven't you figured it out yet?" The gentleman sighed softly and said, "In the past, your opponent was Jiang Junling, and he was just a Jiang Junling. But from today on, your opponent is the old man of the Jiang family, the entire Jiang family and their collateral families - do you know? You will face a behemoth hidden in the darkness. No one can peek into their entire body, but they can stir up a huge storm with just a roll -"
Fang Yan looked at the gentleman and said, "Have you figured it out a long time ago, sir?"
"I've figured it out."
"Sir, if you have figured it out, why did you bring me here to collect the debt?"
"I originally wanted to bring you here to help smooth things over, to resolve this deadlock - but both of you are too stubborn. If Xifu had hesitated a little or was willing to bargain with me when we asked for an explanation, I would have thought there was hope and would have done my best to negotiate. However, he agreed without hesitation and even immediately stated his solution, proving that he had already made up his mind and made a decision. There is no point in talking any more."
Fang Yan nodded and said, "I also feel that the atmosphere in the Jiang family is a little too weird - but what can I do? Even if the master doesn't bring me to the Jiang family to collect the debt, even if I reject the Jiang family's apology proposal, will the Jiang family be able to live in peace with me?"
"No," said the gentleman.
"So, do I have any choice? Or can simply avoiding the problem I'm facing solve the crisis I'm about to encounter?"
"cannot."
"In that case-----" Fang Yan narrowed his eyes and smiled, a mocking arc appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Why can't I be more assertive? And then give Jiang Xifu, that two-faced old man, a middle finger?"
"Did you raise your middle finger just now?" the gentleman was stunned and asked.
"I did it secretly in my mind." Fang Yan said.
"------"
"It's not that I don't dare, I just think it's a bit too cool to do this and people will laugh at me if it gets out-----" Fang Yan said. "The Jiang family is too strong now. If I give them the middle finger, people will just laugh at me for overestimating my own capabilities and say I'm an ant laughing at an elephant for losing weight. But when one day I trample the Jiang family under my feet, if I do this again----the applause will be even louder, right? Trampling the Jiang family under my feet, this is what I'm going to do next. Although it sounds a bit difficult, when I faced Jiang Junling, no one thought I had any chance of winning------"
The gentleman looked at Fang Yan and said, "So, be the gentleman of Yanziwu, I can help you----"
"You're trying to trick me again."
"------"
------
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The guest leaves and the host is at peace.
After the gate was closed, old man Jiang Xifu walked towards the backyard holding his teacup and humming a tune.
Every night, he would water the flowers and plants he planted. He had to do this by himself and no one else was allowed to help.
Jiang Xifu placed the teacup on the stone table under the grape vines, then took the sprinkler to water the bougainvillea in the nursery.
The general in white stood behind him and said with a smile, "I could smell the aroma of dumplings from the study, and my mouth was watering. I wanted to ask the tigress to bring me a bowl, but I was afraid that the guests would see and laugh at me. That kid is really lucky to be able to eat dumplings made by grandpa himself."
Jiangjunxing turned around and looked at the tigress in the dark corner, and said, "Do you have any more of the chive dumplings that Grandpa made? If you do, ask the kitchen to make me a bowl - a big bowl. If you don't have any, bring me a bowl of dumpling soup. At least let me satisfy my craving for them first."
The tigress chuckled and said, "I know that Young Master likes to eat this, so I asked the kitchen to leave a bowl for you. It should be ready by now, right? I'll go and bring it to you."
Jiangjunxing looked very satisfied and said, "Go quickly. We can't wait any longer."
When the tigress turned to the kitchen to serve dumplings, the general said to Grandpa, "It's not easy to entertain these two bad guests today, right?"
"Evil guest? How evil can it be?" Jiang Xifu said without turning his head. "No matter how powerful a cat is, can it eat people like a tiger?"
"Grandpa, I won't talk about the master. He has guarded Yanziwu for decades and has connections everywhere. Even the person above is on brotherly terms with him. Although Fang Yan is young, he is no pushover. We can't be fooled by his appearance."
Jiang Xifu looked back at Jiang Junxing, grinned, and said, "I was just testing you on purpose, fearing that you would make the same mistake as Jun Ling. If that guy was really a simple person, how could he force your brother to have no place to return home? If he was really an ordinary guy, how could he dare to come to our house and show off his power? I would have to make dumplings for him and finally expel your brother from the Jiang family to calm the situation down?"
Jiangjunxing nodded and said, "It seems that Grandpa thinks very highly of him?"
"When you have a son, you should live up to the general's orders. That old ghost Song Chayang is so shameless that he can do anything to flatter his disciple." Jiang Xifu said unkindly, "It's fine if everything goes smoothly. This sentence has the flavor of destiny. However, once there are any twists and turns, won't that sentence become a whip, slapping you hard in the face?" (To be continued)