Chapter 71: Confrontation

When a conflict cannot be resolved, escalate it.

This tactic has never failed.

“Look at the knives in their hands—they really do look like the ones used by pirates! No wonder they aren't afraid of the Huang family. So they're the heroes from the little fishing village!”

“I've heard of that Qin Zhen. Didn't he once kill a bear with his bare hands? Only someone like that would dare risk their life against the pirates!”

“That little fishing village is the pride of our coastal county! I heard several thousand pirates landed this time! If it weren't for them, who knows—maybe we would've all been slaughtered by the pirates already! We can't let them be bullied!”

Thanks to the repeated endorsements from officials across the region, the fishing village that resisted the pirates had become a household name in the coastal county.

If Qin Zhen and his companions were ordinary people, it would be one thing. But they were heroes in the fight against the pirates.

Though not as prominent as “Pirate-Fighting Hero Chen Kuai,” their reputation was still widespread. Most commoners are simple folk—they cannot bear to see good people being bullied.

For a moment, the crowd was seething with indignation.

“It was clearly those Huangs who were in the wrong, trying to overturn their stall! They only fought back because they were pushed to the brink! How can you accuse them of inciting violence?”

“You bailiffs must have sold your consciences to the dogs!”

Qin Zhen himself hadn’t expected the reputation of pirate-fighting heroes to carry such weight. Seeing the people speak up for him filled him with confidence.

It was no surprise.

For years, the merchants and villagers along the Great Shang coast had suffered at the hands of the pirates.

Even the navy often feared the pirates as if they were demons or gods!

Now, finally, a group of men had emerged who dared lay down their lives against the pirates—naturally, they had earned the people’s trust and admiration!

Neither the bailiffs nor the Huang family’s steward had anticipated that Qin Zhen and his companions would have such formidable backing.

Especially given their status as local militia—it made the normally arrogant bailiffs suddenly uneasy.

The militia might not be official posts, but they were still under the county magistrate’s command—they had patrons!

If a lowly bailiff like himself managed to offend the magistrate over this matter, it would be disastrous!

In that instant, the bailiffs were at a loss.

“A misunderstanding! It’s all a misunderstanding!”

Sensing the situation slipping out of control, the Huang family steward’s eyes darted as he quickly spoke up.

“I thought you were some sort of swindlers, but I didn’t realize you were the heroes from the fishing village. I deeply apologize to all of you, sirs!”

The bailiffs, too, were quick to smooth things over.

“If it’s a misunderstanding, then let’s just drop it! Disperse, everyone, disperse!”

At this, Qin Zhen sneered inwardly.

It might make sense for others not to know they were from the fishing village, but the Huang family certainly knew. They had come for Qin Zhen specifically, probing their strength. Now that they found they had bitten off more than they could chew, they wanted to just walk away?

Was this a joke?

After all, rivals in trade are natural enemies. For the fishing village’s cloth to gain a foothold in the coastal city, they could not avoid a clash with the Huang family. Since a confrontation was inevitable, why not strike early rather than late?

The fishing village was no longer what it used to be!

Bolts were loosed.

Arrows thudded into the ground, blocking the Huangs and the bailiffs from leaving.

“Did I say you could go?”

Qin Zhen’s eyes were narrowed, a shifting, dangerous light within. Today’s incident was, in fact, an opportunity. It was just the chance to make the fishing village’s name known, to let the whole county learn of their cloth—and at the cost of trampling the Huang family’s pride.

“What do you mean by this?” the Huang family steward asked, frowning deeply.

He thought to himself: I’ve already yielded—any sensible man would take the opportunity to let things go.

Why was this young man being so relentless?

“I just have one question.”

Qin Zhen looked down on him from above, enunciating each word.

“Other than the Huang family, can we sell cloth here?”

The Huang family steward fell silent.

He could not answer.

The bailiffs remained mute as well.

“Of course you can,” a genial, sunny voice rang out from the crowd.

A bloated man, as rotund as a pig, strolled over at a leisurely pace—Huang Dalang. As he approached, the crowd instinctively parted to make way—not out of respect, but out of fear. He came to stand before Qin Zhen, baring a mouthful of gold teeth.

“Our Huang family has always stood for fair competition. We’ve never bullied anyone out of the market. If outsiders want to open a shop in the city, I’m the first to support it!”

“Young master!” the steward exclaimed, relieved, and hurried over—only to be struck hard across the face by Huang Dalang.

“Brother Qin is a county hero, an honored guest of the Huang family! How dare you, with your blind dog eyes!”

Shamed, the steward trembled and hung his head, not daring to say a word.

Huang Dalang then turned to the bailiffs with a smile.

“Sirs, I’m sorry you had to witness a quarrel among our own.”

The bailiffs quickly waved their hands. “Think nothing of it, think nothing of it.”

Huang Dalang’s expression hardened. “What are you waiting for? Apologize to young brother Qin!”

The Huang family steward hurried to Qin Zhen, and with a heavy thud, dropped to his knees, kowtowing earnestly.

“Brother Qin, I was blind and foolish, and offended you and your brave men from the fishing village. I deserve to die. Please, be magnanimous and forgive me.”

This blend of reproof and conciliation not only gave Qin Zhen full face, but also displayed Huang Dalang’s authority.

Huang Dalang’s lips curled as he looked at Qin Zhen and asked, “Are you satisfied, brother Qin?”

Qin Zhen felt a chill in his heart.

He realized that this Huang Dalang was no ordinary man!

If the steward, Huang Jue, was shrewd and calculating, Huang Dalang was like a smiling tiger—ruthless and decisive.

No wonder the Huang family held such power in the region!

If even their younger generation was like this, what manner of man must the head of the Huang family be?

Before Qin Zhen could reply, Huang Dalang seized the initiative.

“It seems brother Qin isn’t satisfied yet! How about this: I’ll host a banquet for you tomorrow at Poplar Tower, to welcome you to the city. All the major merchants and guild leaders will be there, and I’ll have the chance to introduce you around. How does that sound?”

As if afraid Qin Zhen might refuse, Huang Dalang grasped his hand warmly.

“Besides, I’m very interested in the cloth your fishing village produces. I’m not like my brother—if we can strike a deal, I guarantee you’ll never have to worry about selling your goods again!”

With such an offer, Qin Zhen could hardly refuse.

It was just as well—he wanted to take this chance to meet the local powers of the coastal county.

“Then I shall gladly accept your invitation,” Qin Zhen replied with calm dignity.

“Haha, then I’ll look forward to your esteemed presence,” said Huang Dalang, giving Qin Zhen a long, meaningful look before signaling his retainers and walking away without a backward glance.

“That fat bumpkin is definitely up to something,” Li Han grumbled in his deep voice. “He’s probably got some nasty scheme waiting for us!”

Chen Shu looked hesitant. “From what he said, is he trying to win us over?”

“Win us over?” Qin Zhen scoffed, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

“He wants to swallow us whole!”