CHAPTER 889: CHAPTER 889: FATTY HE COMES SEEKING TROUBLE AGAIN

Although Mu Zexian and others are usually arrogant, it’s only in front of their peers. Given Zhang Moyang is also the head of a family, he surely wouldn’t take them seriously.

At this moment, Mu Zexian and the other young playboys felt flattered by his attentiveness, and started viewing this old man more favorably.

"I understand Patriarch Zhang’s kindness, but I have some matters to attend to today. I will visit another day to disturb Family Head Zhang," Han Yan said.

"Since Young Master Mu has other matters, I won’t insist," Family Head Zhang responded cheerily, without being pretentious with Han Yan. He laughed heartily and personally saw Han Yan and his party out.

"Boom!" Just then, a muffled sound came from outside, along with frantic footsteps.

"Who are you, daring to harm people in my Zhang family!" Immediately, an enraged shout was heard. The voice was breathless, clearly indicating severe injury.

"Who are we? Creditors! Let your family head come out and see me," an arrogant voice followed.

Hey, why does this voice sound familiar?

Before Han Yan could recall who this person was, Zhang Moyang, already with a dark expression, walked out.

Curious, Han Yan followed.

In the courtyard stood a dozen or so luxuriously dressed youths, looking extremely arrogant.

"Whose children are you?" Zhang Moyang frowned and asked.

Though the Zhang family is not among the Eight Great Families, they are a renowned noble family in the Capital. Few dare to show off at the Zhang family, so this group of youths clearly had a significant background.

"I’ve met Patriarch Zhang before. I am He Qingwei from the He family, and these are Fang Ziqing from the Fang family, Changsun Feihong from the Changsun family, and Song Shibo from the Song family..." The chubby kid leading the group nodded indifferently to Family Head Zhang as a greeting, then introduced his companions.

"Greetings, Patriarch Zhang."

"Greetings, Patriarch Zhang." The other youths also nodded indifferently, barely showing any respect, clearly up to no good.

"So, you are the descendants of old acquaintances. What brings you to my Zhang family today?" Zhang Moyang asked in a deep voice.

Seeing He Qingwei and the others so confident and smug, Zhang Moyang felt an ominous premonition.

"Patriarch Zhang, the matter is like this. I came today to take over the refined iron mine at Little Zhou Mountain," He Qingwei said with a laugh.

"He Qingwei, are you kidding?" Zhang Chihua said coldly.

Little Zhou Mountain is west of Yunjing City, only 500 li from the Capital. It’s famous for its refined iron ore. Even though refined iron itself isn’t valuable and can’t be compared to Meteorite Gold Stone, the quality of refined iron at Little Zhou Mountain is exceptionally high. It can be forged directly without smelting, and the Zhang family’s mine at Little Zhou Mountain is very productive and close to the Capital, thus quite profitable.

He Qingwei actually set his sights on the mine at Little Zhou Mountain. Isn’t that like snatching food from the tiger’s mouth?

Zhang Moyang didn’t recognize this group of spoiled rich kids before him, but Zhang Chihua had seen them a few times. Knowing they were good-for-nothings and full of playboy habits, he didn’t take them seriously.

"Brother Zhang, do I look like I’m joking?" He Qingwei, also knowing Zhang Chihua, remained fearless and handed a promissory note to Zhang Chihua, shaking it a few times.

Zhang Chihua took the note and, after a glance, his expression changed slightly.

"What is it?" Zhang Moyang asked in a deep voice.

"Jingtong mortgaged the refined iron mine at Little Zhou Mountain to secure a loan of three million taels, and he signed an agreement. If the loan isn’t repaid on time, the mine would be forfeit," Zhang Chihua said in a low voice as he handed the note to Zhang Moyang.

"Bring Zhang Jingtong here to see me," Zhang Moyang, after perusing the note, raised his eyebrows and commanded angrily.

"Family Head, Young Master Jingtong went out for training the day before yesterday and hasn’t returned," the servant said trembling.

"That scoundrel!" Zhang Moyang was so furious he began shaking, cursing heavily.

Han Yan shook his head. She knew a bit about the Zhang family’s mine at Little Zhou Mountain. While refined iron isn’t as valuable as Meteorite Gold Stone, it has a large reserve. Indeed, valuing the refined iron mine could tally up to tens of millions or even billions. That a prodigal son would mortgage it away for three million is indeed infuriating.

It’s easy to imagine that the three million taels Zhang Jingtong owed were likely a setup by He Qingwei and the other spoiled rich kids. But the terms are written in black and white, even knowing it’s a con, the Zhang family can’t do anything about it.

"Patriarch Zhang, as you’ve seen the terms, debts must be repaid. Though Jingtong has fled, the temple is still there. May I ask what you plan to do about this debt?" He Qingwei said with a sarcastic smile.

"Chi Hua, fetch three million taels in silver notes for Young Master He," Zhang Moyang said to Zhang Chihua, suppressing his anger.

"Wait, Patriarch Zhang, you might not have read the agreement clearly. According to the terms, if the debt isn’t repaid on time, the mine is forfeit. Today is past the final deadline, so I’m not here for silver notes; I’m here for the land deed," He Qingwei said, his face darkening.

"What!" Hearing that He Qingwei truly dared to target their family mine, Zhang Chihua was furious. "He Qingwei, isn’t it enough that I’m willing to repay the prodigal’s debt? Don’t push it!"

"Brother He, what you said isn’t right. The agreement is in your hands. So many noble family’s sons are here as witnesses. I’m just acting according to the agreement, how is that pushing it?" He Qingwei said sternly.

"Indeed, when the agreement was made, we were all present. It’s only fair that since Zhang Jingtong hasn’t repaid the three million taels, Little Zhou Mountain’s mine should be forfeited. How can you say Brother He is pushing it?" Song Zhe and others chimed in.

Not only were they all present when the agreement was made, but it was actually their doing that Zhang Jingtong owed the three million taels. Even with their collective wealth, they couldn’t muster three million, but by small tricks on the gambling table, they not only got Zhang Jingtong to owe three million in gambling debts, but also have him mortgage the Little Zhou Mountain mine.

Thinking of the masterful play they orchestrated, Song Zhe and others felt secretly delighted. Zhang Jingtong, blinded by his losses, failed to realize the true value of the mine. Once they secured the Zhang family’s Little Zhou Mountain mine, not only would they have endless indulgence, their status within their own families could significantly rise.

"Since you say so, then go and ask the person who owes the debt for it, but don’t involve us," Zhang Chihua said with a cold snort.

Though Zhang Chihua is upright and clean-living, as the young master of the Zhang family and a noble family’s son, he is no stranger to the little tricks of He Qingwei, Song Zhe, and others. Suspecting something fishy about Zhang Jingtong’s three-million-taels debt, he figured it was mostly likely a trick by He Qingwei and his cohorts.