Versatile in Both Literary and Martial Arts

Seeing Zhou Hongyi settle Boss Wang with just a few words and without even lifting a finger, Chen Gong and the others felt a mix of curiosity and admiration for his remarkable efficiency and capability in handling matters.

However, they were unaware that Young Master Zhou was currently dizzy and walking with a lightheaded stagger. The side effects of the "Eye of Insight" made his eyelids heavy, and he longed for nothing more than a sound sleep. Yet, there was still one more merchant they had to deal with.

Fortunately, for this final merchant, Zhou Hongyi did not need the "Eye of Insight" to handle him with ease, which was why he had saved this person for the very end of their itinerary.

When they arrived at the Grand World Teahouse, the final boss Zhou Hongyi was going to meet was none of other than Boss Gu Tianbo, the old acquaintance he had just dined with earlier.

"My dear brother, so it was you! Please, come right in, come right in. The food and dishes are all served. Figuring you would arrive around this time, I had everyone take a seat—eat and drink your fill first, and then we can discuss business."

Zhou Hongyi chuckled, shook hands with Gu Tianbo, and led Chen Gong and the others into the private dining room.

At this moment, the round table in the private room was already laden with a spread of both meat and vegetarian dishes. Everyone took their seats, while Gu Tianbo accompanied Zhou Hongyi into the adjacent parlor.

"Could my brother's visit today be as an emissary for the Cherry Blossom Chamber of Commerce?"

Displaying the distinction he reserved for Gu Tianbo compared to others, Zhou Hongyi smiled with a hint of self-deprecation and said, "What emissary? Just an enforcer. I simply didn't expect that the Japanese's first batch of targeted partners would actually include Brother Gu. Of course, since we are our own people, I'll speak plainly. The conditions offered by the Japs this time are quite decent. First, they want to draw you in and establish a firm foothold through influential local merchants; second, they want to swiftly create a scene of shared prosperity and harmony to pacify the local populace, countering the propaganda campaigns secretly waged by the Nationalist Party and the Communist Party in the realm of public opinion."

Gu Tianbo nodded and said, "I figured as much. Does my brother know why I didn't agree on the spot?"

Zhou Hongyi’s eyes crinkled into smiles as he straightened his posture slightly, cupped his hands in a salute toward Gu Tianbo, and bowed deeply. "Of course it's because Big Brother Gu wanted to give this younger brother a chance to shine and make a name for myself. I am endlessly grateful! Rest assured, Big Brother Gu, no matter what, those little Japanese are still outsiders. Although buying into the Cherry Blossom Chamber of Commerce this time will inevitably cause some reputational damage, I believe a man of your stature isn't someone so stubbornly rigid, someone short-sighted who cares only about personal fame and fortune while ignoring the lives of the common people. You can surely see that joining the Cherry Blossom Chamber of Commerce on the surface, while secretly shearing the wool off the Japs' backs, will yield even greater profits and results."

Gu Tianbo burst into hearty laughter. "Those who know me best are the likes of Zhongliang! Exactly—I won't mince words in front of you. Signing this contract is far more profitable for me than not signing it, and it will make doing business much more convenient. Simply by joining the Cherry Blossom Chamber of Commerce, I gain access to their trade routes, exempting me from the risk of searches and inspections. Therefore, smuggling and concealing goods within shipments will become immensely convenient. Such a wonderful opportunity is something I would normally pray for, and now that the little Japanese have delivered it right to my doorstep, how could I refuse?"

"So, Big Brother Gu is doing this younger brother a massive favor today. Don't worry, Big Brother Gu; the moment you join, I will notify you immediately of any inside commercial intelligence the little Japanese might have. With the two of us joining forces, we'll make a hefty fortune right under their noses."

Gu Tianbo grabbed Zhou Hongyi’s hand and said, "Good! Brother Zhou, remember, these are your exact words—I've noted them down. When such profitable ventures come up, you must never forget me. By the way, I recall your dear Elizabeth is still waiting to win the championship."

Gu Tianbo cracked another joke, and the two men laughed uproariously, leaving Chen Gong and the others, who were eating nearby, staring at each other in bewilderment.

Just like that, it was done? Zhou Hongyi had brought them out, settled all three merchants in a few quick strokes, and wrapped it up? Aside from resorting to some physical antics with the first one, for the next two they didn't even need to speak a word. Following this Young Master Zhou to get things done was truly effortless.

Once the entire party had eaten and drank their fill, they strolled out of the teahouse escorted by Gu Tianbo, picking their teeth and burping as they headed back to the chamber of commerce.

Hasegawa and the others were eagerly awaiting Zhou Hongyi's news. They already knew that as soon as Sasuke-kun arrived, right out in the open, he had knocked Boss Wan and his employees flat on the ground—a miserable scene with endless howling that had even caused a traffic jam.

However, shortly after, Zhou Hongyi handled Boss Wang with a few words, subduing him without throwing a single punch. This time he didn't even use his hands; he merely knocked over a drying rack for herbs.

The final merchant, Boss Gu Tianbo, was even more bizarre: the two of them had simply giggled, eaten, and drank their way to a completed deal.

Three merchants handled through three entirely different methods and approaches, yet every single outcome was flawless. This completely refreshed Hasegawa’s perspective on Sasuke-kun once again, leading him to decide that he must entrust him with even greater responsibilities. How could a talent like this remain merely a director and an enforcer? It was time to place heavier burdens upon his shoulders.

"Hahaha, Sasuke-kun, truly magnificent! Previously, I only heard Colonel Shimazu say that you possess both civil and military prowess, but today I have truly experienced what it means to be accomplished in both arts. I went down there myself and humbled myself to invite those three merchants, yet failed to secure a single one. But Sasuke-kun managed to get all of them to come over and sign the contracts in just half a day, and their attitudes underwent a complete transformation! Look at this, everyone—this is what true capability looks like!"

Hasegawa was beaming with radiant joy, and he did not forget to elevate Zhou Hongyi's status in front of the other directors.

Zhou Hongyi waved his hand and said with a modest expression, "You flatter me, Director. As a core member of the chamber's preparation committee, it is only proper that I share your burdens. To speak plainly, this is all part of my designated duties. Now that those three bosses have agreed to join our Cherry Blossom Chamber of Commerce alliance and signed their contracts, shouldn't we appropriately toss out some bait and offer them certain benefits? That way, we can give those merchants who are still sitting on the fence complete peace of mind, letting them know that cooperating with the Imperial Army is profitable and entirely safe."

Hasegawa nodded in enthusiastic agreement. "Sasuke-kun is entirely right. I have already drafted the relevant contractual terms. This time, we will utilize their trading caravans to transport a batch of goods for us, and they shall receive a twenty percent share of the profits from this transaction."

"Understood, Director. I am certain that once they receive this news, they will surely be grateful for your generosity and dedicate themselves even more earnestly to serving the Imperial Army afterward."

Having just joined the preparation committee, Zhou Hongyi had scored a resounding success with his very first assignment, leaving Hasegawa immensely satisfied.

Combined with his smooth-as-silk demeanor and his lavish, generous spending, within the Cherry Blossom Chamber of Commerce, from Director Hasegawa down to the ordinary administrative staff, everyone held the honorable Director Sarutobi Sasuke in profound admiration.

Naturally, the only exception was the collaborationist manager. Because Zhou Hongyi genuinely despised the man and never gave him a pleasant look, while the manager put on a submissive front, he was actually harboring malice all along.