Chapter 1674: Chapter 1674: Another Old Fox
“What’s going on?” Luo Ziling frowned, “Who did it?”
“It’s definitely not our people, but all signs point to Huaxia people doing it, probably to frame us.” After Yang Xiaodong stated his judgment, he added, “The original plan was for your mom to meet with Ishihara Tarou this morning. With this unexpected event, who knows what will happen now.”
“Is Ishihara Naka seriously injured?” Luo Ziling asked Yang Xiaodong with a frown.
“He was shot in the abdomen by a handgun bullet, and it’s currently impossible to assess his condition.”
After thinking for a moment, Luo Ziling instructed Yang Xiaodong, “Try to find out more information and figure out a way to contact Phoenix.”
Yang Xiaodong nodded in agreement.
Then Luo Ziling asked, “Could it be a ploy by the Ishihara family?”
“It’s possible, but not very likely.”
“Who is the most likely culprit?”
“It should be those Japanese who suffered greatly at our hands this time,” Yang Xiaodong expressed his judgment without hesitation. “I think they are the most likely. It’s also one of their means of counterattack against us, and they want to provoke a conflict between us and the Ishihara family.”
“Heh, let’s see how Ishihara Tarou reacts.” Luo Ziling sneered, “If they suspect it’s us but still receive us warmly, it means things are not that simple.”
Luo Ziling’s implication was that such suspicions could confirm Ishihara Tarou’s intentions to acquire the acupuncture bronze man. Although Lin Lan had told him several times that Ishihara Tarou’s aim was the acupuncture bronze man and acupuncture skill, Luo Ziling still had some doubts and wanted to investigate further.
When Luo Ziling learned about Ishihara Naka being attacked and injured while exercising, the grandfather-grandson duo, Xu Chongzhi and Xu Zhiyuan, who had planned to invite Luo Ziling over as a guest today, also got wind of the incident.
Due to his advanced age, Xu Chongzhi rose early every day.
Early to bed and early to rise was his way of maintaining health.
Influenced by his grandfather, Xu Zhiyuan mostly kept to the same routine.
Admiring his grandfather, Xu Zhiyuan often accompanied him to rise early and exercise. Together, they developed several sets of health-preserving fitness routines and promoted them nationwide. The positive effects and endorsement by officials increased Xu Zhiyuan’s fame.
Many high-ranking officials praised him as a young talent.
While accompanying his grandfather Xu Chongzhi during morning exercise today, a servant reported the news of Ishihara Tarou’s grandson Ishihara Naka being attacked and injured.
Japan has always had quite a bit of exchange with South Korea in traditional medicine, and Xu Chongzhi and Ishihara Tarou were considered old acquaintances with a complex relationship.
Upon hearing about Ishihara Naka being shot, Xu Chongzhi, who was having a good time exercising, immediately stopped to inquire about the situation.
Standing aside, Xu Zhiyuan also listened attentively. After the servant finished reporting and left, Xu Zhiyuan handed a towel to Xu Chongzhi and then quietly asked, “Grandfather, do you think Huaxia people did it? Ziling’s team?”
“It couldn’t have been Ziling’s people,” Xu Chongzhi shook his head. “Unless he got kicked in the head by a donkey. Based on what we know, he’s a very clever, very strategic young man. He wouldn’t do something so foolish. After all, there is currently no direct conflict of interest between the Ishihara family and him. How could he do something so silly? But it’s possible Huaxia people did it.”
“The aim is to provoke conflict between Luo Ziling and the Ishihara family and disrupt any potential collaboration between them?”
Xu Chongzhi nodded, “There’s a possibility.”
“But that’s not likely the main possibility, right?” Xu Zhiyuan asked again.
He felt at ease in front of Xu Chongzhi and didn’t worry too much, mainly because Xu Chongzhi doted on this particular grandson.
Many families experience closeness across generations. Parent-child relationships might not be harmonious, even tense, but the bonds between grandparents and grandchildren are tight. This scenario is prevalent in many Huaxia families, as well as abroad.
Xu Chongzhi felt no displeasure towards Xu Zhiyuan’s behavior and was willing to guide Xu Zhiyuan in all aspects.
A talented grandson made him proud, and he hoped Xu Zhiyuan would excel under his guidance.
“Yes,” he nodded, “the most likely culprits are the Japanese. They don’t want Ishihara Tarou to cooperate with Huaxia people, considering Ishihara Tarou’s ancestors were Huaxia people, and he expressed that intent during the Huaxia delegation’s visit. The old fox has his share of pursuits; the Japanese are probably uncomfortable, so it’s understandable they took measures to issue a warning.”
“I understand, Grandfather,” Xu Zhiyuan nodded, “I also feel it’s the doing of the Japanese.”
Xu Chongzhi and Xu Zhiyuan weren’t aware of the incident last night where all the Sankou Group’s forces pursuing Luo Ziling were obliterated. Their positions in South Korea were unusual, with considerable influence both in the military and political arenas. Yet such highly confidential matters, which even South Korean special departments hadn’t fully grasped, were beyond their knowledge. As such, they didn’t know about the conflict between Luo Ziling’s people and the Japanese.
If they had known, their suspicions would be more solid.
After a pause, Xu Zhiyuan asked again, “Grandfather, are you really planning to exchange the acupuncture bronze man for the Luo Family’s Taiyi Divine Needle skill?”
“The academic value of the acupuncture bronze man is far inferior to our newly developed acupuncture models. Its main value lies in being an artifact. You must know, there are many replicas of the bronze man now, and the discrepancies are much smaller.” Xu Chongzhi said smilingly, “If we can trade this artifact for the Taiyi Divine Needle skill, it would be really worthwhile. After all, an acupuncture bronze man with no more paired artifacts can’t compare in value to other artifacts our family possesses. If we master the Taiyi Divine Needle skill, it will bring us immense benefits. Our status will be elevated, and once you master it, no one in the Korean traditional medicine community will be able to rival you.”
“But the acupuncture bronze man is our family heirloom. It would be such a shame to send it away.” Xu Zhiyuan was still reluctant to accept Xu Chongzhi’s decision.
“Do you think, even if we give the acupuncture bronze man to Luo Ziling, he would actually possess it? I believe the Huaxia cultural relics department will definitely come to claim it. The most he could achieve is some form of national commendation, as he won’t genuinely own the acupuncture bronze man. Moreover,” at this point, Xu Chongzhi paused and then continued, “By offering the acupuncture bronze man, Huaxia will appreciate us and treat us as honored guests, as will the Luo Family. We’ll lose only one valuable artifact but gain numerous invaluable things. Do you understand my intentions, grandson?”
“Grandfather, I understand,” Xu Zhiyuan replied, though he still felt a pang of regret over the valuable bronze man. Hearing his grandfather speak so candidly, he dared not object.
“Later, you go personally to greet them, and don’t mention what happened in Japan.”
“Yes, Grandfather!”