Chapter 101 Reaping Profits from Both Sides (1/2)
After some discussion, just as Yang Ling, Harribell, and the rest were about to part ways, the guard Argus walked in with large strides. ”Sir, the Pig Leader Steve visits!”
The Pig Leader?
Harribell almost spat out the jasmine tea in her mouth in surprise. Even though she knew that Steve was unpopular in Wissen Town, she hadn't expected his reputation to be this bad. She quickly put on her veil after her surprise. She was not willing to expose her identity in front of others until Yang Ling solidified his control over the situation.
Could it be that Steve's situation has become truly untenable, so he's coming to extort me once again?
Yang Ling considered Steve's intentions. It must have been hard for Steve to last this long, with the weather getting colder and the surprise attacks from the Rossi. According to information from the intelligence team Parrot, Steve had been forced to increase the intensity and radius of his tax collection, but it did little to alleviate the situation. His days still felt like years.
There is a solution to any problem!
After a moment's deliberation, Yang Ling instructed Argus to bring Steve in. He had previously managed to shrug off Steve's request by promising to pay in installments. After that, he had dealt with problems as they arose. He had ways of not letting Steve take advantage of him.
Soon, the haggard Steve followed Argus into the room. But surprisingly, as well as a few personal guards, there were also a few ordinary troops carrying crates.
”Brother Yang Ling, it's been a long time. How are your businesses doing these days?” Steve forced out a smile when he entered the hall.
”Not good, not good at all!” Yang Ling put on an act and sighed. ”I did business in the Livenza Alliance recently and suffered a huge loss. I might not even have enough rice to support my people. I was actually intending to seek your help!”
Not enough rice to support his people?
Seeing Yang Ling lying in such a calm and composed manner, the crowd broke into a sweat. Even Harribell was no exception. The haggard Steve remained dumbfounded for a long time.
After giving a faint smile, Yang Ling instructed the servants to serve tea. He was not in a hurry, not in a hurry at all. He spoke nonsense, from how cold the weather was to the health benefits of drinking tea. He intentionally interrupted Steve, who was trying to stop him, multiple times, making the man incredibly anxious.
”Brother Yang Ling, in order to thank you for your continuous support, I have brought a few small gifts with me today!” Seizing the opportunity when Yang Ling stopped talking to take a sip of tea, Steve ordered his troops to open the crates he had brought with him.
Looking in, Yang Ling saw that the crates were filled with black armor and weapons of various kinds. The crates were big, but they were only half-filled. It looked like Steve was at the end of his rope.
Only a person with evil intentions gives gifts for no reason!
Yang Ling gave a cold smile and instructed the old butler Murbaqi to accept the gifts, then returned to his tea. He feigned ignorance, not asking Steve about his intentions. This made the once-arrogant leader even more anxious.
After waiting for some time, Steve became depressed when he saw Yang Ling only focused on drinking his tea. He clenched his teeth and had no choice but to steel his nerves and say, ”Brother Yang Ling, the Rossi soldiers are violent and barbaric, and they have launched surprise attacks on the troops of the Banto Empire on multiple occasions. They even threaten ordinary citizens. For the glory of the empire, for the stability of Wissen Town, we have to think of ways to capture them all!”