"What does Uncle mean by ’plans’?"
"Hehe, Ya, you don’t need to play dumb with me. With your intelligence, you must have already realized the implications of this incident."
"Firstly, the Hong Family will definitely not let this matter rest. Although you’ve returned, the shipment was lost, and the Hong Family will certainly make a big fuss over it."
Hearing Tan Ziwang’s words, Zhao Ya fell silent.
Of course, he had considered this.
According to Escort Agency’s rules, if a shipment is lost, the agency has to compensate accordingly.
The problem is that this lost shipment was a large batch of weapons, worth a fortune. If they compensate accordingly, Changlong Escort Agency is likely to be doomed.
At this, Tan Dong couldn’t hold back any longer and said angrily, "The Hong Family is going too far. From the beginning, when they entrusted us with this shipment, they had ill intentions, and now they’re using this incident to demand compensation. Aren’t they forcing the agency into a dead end?"
"That’s right, the Hong Family indeed wants to force Changlong Escort Agency to its demise. What can you do?" Tan Ziwang said calmly.
Tan Dong hesitated, and after a moment, he angrily said, "If we had known this, we shouldn’t have accepted this shipment in the first place."
"Hehe, do you think it’s that simple?" Tan Ziwang sneered, "If we hadn’t accepted this shipment, Changlong Escort Agency would have already belonged to the Hong Family by now!"
"Whether we accept or not, we’re stuck. Is the Hong Family always this domineering?" Tan Dong asked.
"Yes, the Hong Family is indeed this domineering!" Tan Ziwang sighed.
"In fact, from the moment they sent people to recruit Changlong Escort Agency, the outcome was already predetermined. Either we accept their offer and become part of the Hong Family, accept the shipment and be bled dry, or refuse the shipment and be forcibly acquired."
"This is the typical way the Hong Family operates."
"But why is the Hong Family doing this?" Tan Dong asked, baffled.
"In terms of wealth and power, the Hong Family is much stronger than Changlong Escort Agency. Why are they fixated on Changlong Escort Agency?"
"It’s not just Changlong Escort Agency. During the time you were out escorting, over ten escort agencies in the Outer City have been brought under the Hong Family’s control."
"What? What are they trying to do? Monopolize the escort business?" Tan Dong was shocked.
Zhao Ya, who hadn’t spoken, said calmly, "They’re not trying to monopolize the escort business; they’re trying to monopolize all trade routes to and from Wuxiang City."
Upon hearing this, before Tan Dong could understand, Tan Ziwang clapped his hands and, full of admiration, said.
"Ya, your thoughts are indeed clear. You’ve hit the nail on the head."
After speaking, he glared at Tan Dong with a look of disappointment, "See? You should learn from Ya and not spend all your time in brothels drinking and carousing."
At these words, Tan Dong cried out in grievance.
"Father, you’re wronging me. The brothels in the Outer City have been closed for some time. Even if I wanted to, I have nowhere to go for flower wine."
"Even thinking about it isn’t allowed."
After rebuking him, Tan Ziwang looked at Zhao Ya with a smile.
"Ya, how did you figure it out?"
"It’s simple. Even though the escort business is profitable, compared to the vast scale of the Hong Family, it doesn’t amount to much. They wouldn’t go through so much trouble just for these profits."
"And with the world in chaos, the countryside is even more lawless, and bandits block the official roads, effectively cutting off trade routes. In such circumstances, if trade is to continue, it must rely on escort agencies."
"And once all escort agencies in Wuxiang City are under the Hong Family’s control, they effectively control all trade routes, unless you have the means to establish your own raiding party for trade. Otherwise, you must follow the Hong Family’s lead."
"That’s right. This is exactly the Hong Family’s intention. So, you understand the fate that awaits Changlong Escort Agency, don’t you?" Tan Ziwang said.
Zhao Ya remained silent.
He believed that not only did he understand, but Chief Meng Lei understood even better. This was why he risked everything to go on this escort journey.
After all, Changlong Escort Agency was the result of most of his life’s work. If it were to merely benefit someone else, anyone would feel unwilling.
But ultimately, he still failed.
After a moment, Zhao Ya looked at Tan Ziwang, "So... the Song Family wants to recruit me?"
Tan Ziwang laughed heartily, "Talking to smart people is effortless. Yes, the Song Family intends to do so, and not just the Song Family. The Yang Family is also recruiting and expanding."
Zhao Ya understood; as the chaos was about to unfold and with the Hong Family being so aggressive, both the Song and Yang families, being two of the three major families in the Inner City, felt the danger and were racing to amass power.
"I hadn’t mentioned it before, but I’m a minor steward in the Song Family. Although my position isn’t high, I can still say a few words. So when it came to recruitment, you were the first person I thought of, Ya."
"If you join the Song Family, you’ll naturally receive the best treatment. What do you think?"
After saying this, Tan Ziwang watched Zhao Ya, eager to see his response.
To be honest, he sincerely hoped Zhao Ya would join the Song Family. Not only would it fulfill the patriarch’s orders, but it would also give the Tan Family some assistance.
Unexpectedly, after pondering for a moment, Zhao Ya shook his head and declined.
"Uncle, thank you for your kind offer, but for now, I have no intention of joining the Inner City."
Tan Ziwang was taken aback, "Why?"
After asking, he suddenly realized something and sighed, "I know you’ve been with the Escort Agency for many years and have deep feelings for it. I feel the same, or I wouldn’t have let Tan Dong join. But now that Changlong Escort Agency has fallen...."
"I know," Zhao Ya interrupted Tan Ziwang, "I’m not driven by emotions. It’s just that the agency has undergone major changes. At such a crucial moment, if I were to leave, even if no one else says anything, I myself would feel regret."
"Although the agency has fallen, the Chief is still alive. I should at least help him conclude this matter."
After hearing this, Tan Ziwang looked deeply at Zhao Ya and seeing his sincere expression, couldn’t help but sigh.
"Alright, you’ve got a point. I was too hasty. You’re right, this matter shouldn’t be discussed any further."
The conversation soon shifted to lighter topics, eventually touching on exotic beast dried meat.
"Ya, recently, the Song Family has tightened control over the dried meat. Even the Ghost Market has no access. I suppose you’re also short on supplies, aren’t you?"
Zhao Ya nodded, "Yes, I’ve been relying on ordinary meat to supplement."
He didn’t intend to reveal the existence of Blood Replenishing Powder.
"Hehe, another reason I called you here is related to this."
As he spoke, Tan Ziwang took out a small box. Opening it revealed twenty pieces of Cured Green Bamboo Snake.
"This Cured Green Bamboo Snake is several times stronger than Earthworm Dried Meat and will greatly benefit you. I saved these specifically for you."
Tan Ziwang wasn’t lying.
This time, in order to recruit experts from the Outer City, the Song Family specially allocated a supply of dried meat to buy good will. Naturally, Tan Ziwang received some, and he specifically set aside these Cured Green Bamboo Snakes for Zhao Ya.
Tan Ziwang added.
"There’s no need for concern. Even if you decide not to join the Song Family later, it has nothing to do with these dried meats because this is a gift from me as your elder."