Chapter 55 It just feels like Liu the Second is in no danger.

Liu Er's arrest was very likely related to how his and Black Wind City's development had encroached upon the interests of certain factions. It was imperative to find out the situation as soon as possible.

Burning with anxiety, Chen Tong did not delay for a moment. He immediately spurred his horse and galloped toward Huaijiang County to seek information from Boss Zhang.

Upon arriving at Boss Zhang's shop, he saw people coming and going, and the business was thriving.

Boss Zhang was busy greeting customers. When he looked up and saw Chen Tong, his eyes instantly lit up, and he hurried forward with a beaming smile.

"Oh my, Brother Chen! What wind blew you here? Please come right in, please come in!"

With that, he enthusiastically grabbed Chen Tong's arm and welcomed him into the inner parlor.

Chen Tong had no mind for pleasantries. As soon as he sat down, he said with an anxious expression, "Boss Zhang, to tell you the truth, I've come today to ask for your urgent help."

"You also know that I have some business dealings with Liu Er. He has been arrested by the authorities. With your wide network and well-informed sources in this county, do you know any inside information?"

The smile on Boss Zhang's face vanished instantly, and his expression turned somewhat solemn. He sighed and said, "Brother Chen, your news travels quite fast. As for Liu Er's matter, I have indeed heard some things."

"Rest assured, although that Liu Er looks honest and simple-minded, he is quite sharp inside. He doesn't know your specific identity at all, and his lips are sealed. He will certainly not betray you."

"Judging by the current situation, there is a high probability he will be released in a few days. After all, he hasn't committed any major crime; he simply didn't understand the 'rules' of this county and stood in someone's way."

Hearing this, a heavy stone in Chen Tong's heart finally dropped, but he still pursued the matter. "Boss Zhang, do you know anything else? Who on earth is pulling strings behind the scenes?"

Boss Zhang looked around vigilantly. Seeing that there was no one nearby, he leaned closer to Chen Tong and lowered his voice. "Who else could it be? It's those high-ranking officials and nobles in the county, of course."

"They monopolize businesses big and small in this county. Liu Er didn't know his place, failed to pay them tribute, and didn't check in with them, yet quietly made a small fortune on his own. That's why he was targeted."

"這些 people simply cannot bear to see others do well. They only care about money and power in their eyes."

Having said this, as if recalling something interesting, Boss Zhang's face regained a hint of curiosity as he spoke. "By the way, Brother Chen, there's a rumor going around the county lately that a new city has started construction near Black Wind Mountain. I also heard that the new city offers plenty of employment opportunities and pays quite well. Many people want to go try their luck, all hoping to live a good life."

Chen Tong knew in his heart that this was the Black Wind City he had built with his own hands, but he merely smiled faintly and said composedly, "Oh? There is such a thing? It seems Black Wind Mountain is about to get lively."

Chen Tong did not offer much explanation, smoothly steering the conversation away.

Then, Chen Tong took out the refined salt he had prepared from the package he brought, handed it to Boss Zhang, and said, "Boss Zhang, this is new stock prepared for you. Please continue to look after our business."

Boss Zhang took the refined salt, his eyes squinting into slits with a smile, and repeatedly said, "Brother Chen, this refined salt of yours has really done me a huge favor. Ever since I started selling your refined salt, my business has been getting better and better, and I've made quite a bit of money!"

"In the future, whatever you need, just speak up. As long as it's within my power, I won't hesitate!"

Bidding farewell to Boss Zhang, Chen Tong galloped back to Black Wind City.

As soon as he entered the city, he immediately summoned key personnel such as Liu Meng, Chen Feng, Zhao Laoqi, and Xie Hu.

Everyone gathered around, listening with solemn expressions as Chen Tong recounted the information he had learned from Boss Zhang.

Upon hearing the report, Xie Hu slammed the table, stood up with a "swish," and said with burning indignation, "Chief Chen, these authorities and high-ranking nobles are simply too bullying!"

"Liu Er is an honest and law-abiding businessman, yet they treat him like this!"

"I'll send men right away to keep a close eye on the authorities. The moment there's any disturbance, I'll report directly to you!"

"If they dare to harm Liu Er, I'll definitely take the brothers there to demand an explanation!"

Chen Tong looked at Xie Hu, nodded, and said, "Good, then I'll leave this to your hard work, Xie Hu."

"However, you must instruct the brothers to act with utmost caution and not alert the enemy prematurely. We still don't know the other party's next move, so we cannot act rashly."

Xie Hu accepted the order and left.

Before long, the scouts sent out brought back news.

It turned out that after Liu Er was arrested, his elderly mother, wife, and children pleaded for mercy everywhere, but those high-ranking officials and nobles completely ignored them.

To make matters worse, after the male members of the household were arrested, some local scoundrels and ruffians seized the opportunity to loot valuables from his home.

Fortunately, the neighborhood was crowded, and the townspeople loudly denounced those scoundrels, preventing an even worse tragedy.

Hearing this, Chen Tong knitted his brows, his heart filled with anger and worry. After a moment of silent contemplation, he spoke slowly.

"For now, we should observe in secret and refrain from acting rashly. Since the authorities lack conclusive evidence, Liu Er's life should not be in danger."

"However, we cannot sit by idly either. Let's prepare some supplies first—rice, flour, grain, cooking oil, clothes, and bedding. The moment Liu Er is released, we will send them over immediately to settle him and his family."

"Does anyone else have any thoughts? Speak up."

Liu Meng slapped the table and said angrily, "Chief Chen, I don't think we can just let this go. Once Liu Er comes out, we must back him up and not let those scumbags think we are easy to bully!"

Chen Feng calmly analyzed the situation. "Liu Meng, Chief Chen is right. We cannot be impulsive right now."

"However, we can take this opportunity to strengthen the defenses of Black Wind City, just in case the authorities and those nobles harbor malicious intentions toward us as well."

Listening to everyone's discussion, Chen Tong was also calculating in his mind.

In fact, Chen Tong harbored his own considerations deep down. If Liu Er was indeed being targeted by the powerful elites of the county this time, it might actually be a golden opportunity for Black Wind City to absorb talent.

Liu Er possessed a certain degree of commercial experience and connections. If he could be recruited, he would undoubtedly inject new vitality into Black Wind City's commercial activities and help propel its economy to new heights.

Just as Chen Tong had anticipated, a few days later, Liu Er was released.

When Liu Er stepped out of the government office gates, his body was weak, his steps unsteady, and his spirit thoroughly crushed. He still bore the scars left by torture during interrogation.

Yet even so, the very first people that came to his mind were Chen Tong and Black Wind City.

In his moments of utmost helplessness, the only person he could rely on was that mysterious Chen Tong who had extended so much help to him.

Upon learning the news of Liu Er's release, Chen Tong immediately arranged for several strong and reliable subordinates to gallop toward Qingping County.

"You must take good care of Liu Er and safely bring him back to Black Wind City," Chen Tong repeatedly instructed.

His subordinates accepted the command and departed, quickly locating Liu Er.

At that moment, Liu Er was dragging his heavy footsteps toward home.

Upon seeing the men from Black Wind City, a faint glimmer of light flickered in Liu Er's otherwise dimmed eyes.