Chapter 108

Since Old Ding was merely a member of a speculative faction and lacked a grand historical perspective, Zhao An knew better than to suggest that the best way to escape debt was to eliminate his creditors’ entire families. That, he felt, was the only way to sleep soundly, achieve true financial freedom, and ensure wealth could be passed down to his descendants without the fear of lawsuits from the creditors' heirs. If he were to reveal even a hint of this to Old Ding, the man would likely hang himself from a rafter by nightfall. After all, Old Ding, with his traditional scholar-official background, carried quite a heavy ideological burden. As a member of the vested interest group, he would find it difficult to transcend his class and join Teacher Zhao in orchestrating the downfall of the Old Ancestor’s family. Yet, he couldn't just cast aside someone he had worked so hard to bring on board; the influence wielded by a local official with real power was still quite considerable. The best way to keep borrowing money from the bank run by the Old Ancestor was undoubtedly through packaging—endless packaging.