My book friend Long Aotian

Chapter 132: What does the money earned by my own ability have to do with you?
It is common for businessmen to change their attitudes according to the situation and to follow whoever gives them milk.

In order to fight against Bao Li, who was extremely greedy and tried to change the distribution rules, Huazhou officials and businessmen united and formed an alliance. However, the adults surrendered before the businessmen even started the fight.

Having lost the protection of the officialdom, a group of entertainment businessmen wanted to fight against Director Wenqu who had taken back the power. They had no idea about the real Powder.

The bosses are not crazy, and they know there is no need to be stubborn. It is common for the officialdom to change and rise and fall. For the businessmen, it is just a matter of changing the government office and paying protection fees.

Signing a humiliating treaty is the right of the victor, and these businessmen were prepared to bleed heavily, but they never expected that Li Bailong would open his mouth so high and ask them to pay another six years of filial piety!
However, Li Bailong, taking advantage of his victory, is said to have crucified two high-ranking officials, Gao Tongzhi and Wei Tuiguan, in one breath. With such arrogance, no merchant dared to come out to bargain.

Li Bailong stopped and said gently: "What difficulties and ideas do you have? You can speak out. We in Huazhou allow people to speak, and the Tongwen Bureau encourages everyone to speak the truth."

Everyone looked at each other and nominated one person with their eyes.

He was a middle-aged man in his fifties, gentle and elegant. He stepped forward and saluted: "May I report to you, magistrate. I am Zheng Xiuyuan, a local, and I am honored to be the president of Huazhou Qushiwenhui. Our association is a chamber of commerce formed by friends involved in the quyi opera industry in Huazhou. I am valued by everyone and was elected as the president. My son was a second-class Jinshi in the special examination two years ago, and he is the same year as your senior sister..."

Li Bailong's expression changed when he heard this, and he said with a smile, "So we have such a close relationship."

Zheng Xiuyuan felt the kindness and bowed slightly to show respect.

Then he heard Director Li ask directly: "When the officials and businessmen of Huazhou bullied and insulted me, and laughed at me in the streets and alleys, why didn't you come out to help me?"

Chairman Zheng looked up in surprise, wanting to say something but stopping himself, with a wry smile on his face.

Of course he thought so, but he felt that it was best to show help when it was needed. He wanted to wait until Li Bailong was beaten to the point of desperation before speaking a fair word... He didn't expect the other party to turn the tables so quickly!
The situation was such that he could do nothing and had nothing to say.

"Officials and businessmen are colluding with each other to cover up the sky with one hand. It is human nature that my uncle is afraid of Gao Bijin's power and dares not support my nephew. After all, your young master is the same age as my senior sister, but not the same age as me."

Li Bailong said calmly, "I will not introduce myself. Chairman Zheng has come out to tell you something. Please tell me what it is."

——Alas, if I had known this would happen, I should have put some thought into it.

A flash of bitterness passed through Zheng Xiuyuan's heart.

He calmed down and raised his hand to report: "Sir, for the past six years, we, the literary merchants of Huazhou, have paid money to the Tongwen Bureau, and we have bills and receipts as proof. As for what you said, there is no money in the warehouse and it is difficult to find the account book, it must be the corrupt officials in the Tongwen Bureau who embezzled money..."

On one side is your own money.

On the other side are former partners who have fallen from grace and are impossible to please.

It is said that the celebrities are heartless and the actors are disloyal, but most of the bosses present here make money from the actors and celebrities. It is obvious what kind of people are able to exploit the celebrities and the actors.

Zheng Xiuyuan had already discussed this with his colleagues on the way here.

"We, the common people, are willing to hand over our accounts, identify and confess, and help Governor Li recover the stolen money and recover the losses."

Upon hearing this, Li Bailong clapped his hands and said, "Great, I like cooperation between officials and the public the most. Since all the bosses are willing to provide clues and report the corruption of individual officials in this government office, I welcome it very much."

He nodded his approval to the active citizens and shouted, "Come on! Take your seats!"

The thugs quickly and skillfully brought in tables and chairs, and provided pens, ink, paper and inkstones. They also lit whale oil lamps around, which burned brightly.

Li Bailong folded his hands and said, "Everyone, please write down what you have learned."

Zheng Xiuyuan took out a small stack of receipts that had turned yellow from his sleeve and said, "Sir, I have brought the evidence. At that time, I paid the money to the Tongwen Bureau. Both the recipient and the person who handled it have the receipts here."

Everyone also took out the evidence they had with them, obviously they were well prepared.

"You guys are thoughtful."

Li Bailong's smile became more amiable: "However, the Tongwen Bureau has its own case handling procedures and rules. When you submit evidence, you must provide a written statement and sign to confirm. Please provide written materials."

Signing in writing would leave evidence and offend people.

but……

Li Bailong wants too much.

Zheng Xiuyuan sighed silently and picked up the pen.

At this moment, a flash of inspiration came to his mind, as if he had forgotten something. He looked up at Li Bailong, opened his mouth, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

At this moment, Li Bailong noticed his gaze and suddenly said, "Wait a minute."

Everyone looked at him.

"You all have given me enough face by visiting me late at night. I just wonder if all the bosses under the jurisdiction of the Tongwen Bureau are here?" Li Bailong said with a smile, folding his hands in his sleeves, "Please look around and see who is missing. Chairman Zheng, please write down their names for me."

As a result, Zheng Xiuyuan's train of thought was interrupted.

He then heard Li Bailong turn around and say to the clerk of the Tongwen Bureau who was standing beside him holding the list, "You can also compare and see how good the memories of the bosses are."

Having said that, no one dared to hide it.

After just a few days in office, Director Li was infected with bureaucratic habits. He could not remember who had been waiting in the Tongwen Bureau from noon to late at night, but he would definitely remember who had not come.

After receiving the list, Li Bailong glanced at it a few times, his smile became more friendly, and he signaled to everyone, "Boss, quickly finish the written materials and submit the evidence for filing."

With more than ten tables in a row and more than ten people submitting evidence together, the administrative efficiency is very fast.

In less than a quarter of an hour, evidence of corruption and malfeasance by the corrupt officials of the former Tongwen Bureau was obtained.

"Well, I am very pleased that you have offered your advice and actively participated in the anti-corruption work. I also welcome you to actively supervise the daily work of this yamen in the future."

Seeing that the evidence was complete, Li Bailong said, "With this evidence, let's complete the accounts for the past six years, and the past will be written off."

"??????"

Everyone was stunned at first, and then they were struck by lightning.

Damn it! We have the evidence! We paid the money!

Zheng Xiuyuan almost broke the pen in his hand. He just realized that he seemed to have forgotten to ask "Do I not have to pay if I give evidence?", but was interrupted by Li Bailong's warning list. Later, he thought that officials would not be so unruly. If he asked directly, he might be considered tactless...

I didn't expect him to be so shameless!
He stammered, "Sir, the money has been paid and is with them. You have the evidence, and as long as you make these people return the stolen money, you can get the money..."

Li Bailong looked calm, and pointed to the box full of receipts in the officer's hand: "Or you can take these things back and ask the people who received the money to spit out all the money, and then give it to me, and I will accept it."

"..."

The money was distributed by these handlers to officials in various government offices!
How can we businessmen dig it out?

"It seems you already understand." Li Bailong rolled up his sleeves and said in a gloomy tone, "How much money I can extract from them is all earned by my own ability. What does it have to do with you?"

Zheng Xiuyuan was so angry that his hands were shaking. However, the situation was stronger than he was, so he could only plead carefully: "Sir, six years' expenses are really too much, can you reduce some of them? For future expenses, we are willing to increase by 20%... No, 30%!"

"Only after the past accounts are settled can we look to the future. However, since Chairman Zheng has mentioned it, I will also say so." Li Bailong said calmly, "The tea fee will be doubled in the future."

The merchants finally couldn't hold back and started making a commotion.

This is too cruel!
"Why? Too much?"

Li Bailong said coldly: "I originally charged you so much, and after all the trouble I've gone through, if I still charge you so much, wouldn't that be in vain? A 50% increase for you is not too much, right?"

"In the future, we will need the cooperation of various government offices in the Tongwen Bureau, so we have to give them some money, right? You can't let me pay for it, right? So, if I raise your salary by 50%, it's not too much, right?"

All his colleagues looked at him. Zheng Xiuyuan sighed secretly. Being the president of the Chamber of Commerce has many advantages and conveniences, but you have to shoulder the responsibilities when something happens. He thought that nothing serious would happen in Huazhou. With the help of his son who passed the imperial examination, he would be able to have a smooth term as the president this time... Who knew he would encounter something like this!
He gritted his teeth and said, "Double it... OK. We respect Governor Li. During your tenure, the tea fee can be doubled, and we will only record it according to the original amount when we report it. So for those six years..."

What this means is that the extra money will be kept on Li Bailong’s personal account.

Governor Li's expression changed.

——Using this to test Director Li?

"Tian Wenjing, Zheng Xiuyuan, what did you say?"

He raised his finger and said, "Which one of you hasn't been involved with Gao Bijin or entangled with Wei Chunfang? Tongning! Who is protecting you? I haven't slept well these past few days because of your affairs and to protect the people in the Huazhou literary and art circles. In the middle of the night, I was threatened with a knife by a corrupt official. Who the hell am I doing this for?"

Director Li pointed at himself again: "If I wasn't kind-hearted, you would have been imprisoned for investigation. I wouldn't let you bargain with me here... No, you are a candle? Did Renxin Hall put your head on your ass? To help you eliminate Tongning's suspicion, is six years of tea money too much?"

When he said this, his voice was already stern.

"You still want to bribe me... Is that the money I want? I asked for it on behalf of the court! Zhuo!"

This last sentence is said with confidence.

——Because it is indeed true!

Zheng Xiuyuan was so overwhelmed by his scolding that he didn't know what to do. Seeing that it was no longer a good topic tonight, he could only suppress his anger and said with his head down: "We will remember the governor's heart of protection, but the amount is too large. Although we have a small family business, this amount is still a huge loss. I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to do business..."

Director Li said calmly: "If it's hard, don't do it. There are many people who want to do it."

Hearing this, Zheng Xiuyuan's pupils shrank slightly and he lowered his head, as if thinking about something.

After a while, she whispered, "Six years' worth of money is too much to raise all at once. If the tea fee is doubled, it will be a big deal, and we need to discuss it. Please allow us to go back and prepare..."

Li Bailong showed a hint of sneer, waved his sleeves and said: "Go ahead, I won't be the one who is anxious anyway."

Zheng Xiuyuan looked at him deeply, bowed, took a few steps back, said goodbye and left.

The merchants followed him and swarmed out of the door.

The door slowly closed, and Li Bailong snorted, "Go and check on the suspects."

The Tongwen Bureau occupies a large area, which shows its glory when it was first established. There were even separate prison cells built in the office. However, the prison was abandoned and turned into a storage room a few years ago. Now it has returned to its original intention.

"It's still a little small."

After Li Bailong entered, he saw that there were only eight cells, crammed with 20 to 30 people. He felt it was crowded, so he said to the clerk next to him: "We still have to find a civil engineering sect to expand it."

When the imprisoned officials saw him coming in, they crawled over and grabbed the railings to beg for mercy.

"Just now, our financial sponsors and bosses have all been here."

Li Bailong grabbed a stack of evidence from the wooden box held by the clerk and displayed it in front of everyone.

"So, I advise you to hurry up and write the materials to explain the situation. Then we will compare the two sides. Whoever says more will be rewarded, and whoever says less will be punished. Don't say I don't give you a chance. Hurry up and make merit."

Li Bailong pointed at them one by one and said, "You have... well, thirty-four people. So, the eight people who are the least active and most resistant to the investigation will be convicted. The sixteen people who can actively report and cooperate in returning the stolen money can be demoted and become civilians. There are still ten people..."

Director Li showed a smile that showed he was punishing past mistakes, preventing future ones, and curing illnesses to save lives.

"You can still make up for your crime and continue to serve as an official." He knocked on the prison bars and nodded, "Then I'll let you continue to manage those big bosses."

It was dark outside at night. The big businessmen in Huazhou's literary and artistic circles shivered as the cold wind from Yunjiang River blew in. They looked back at the plaque of the Tongwen Bureau and felt that this place was beginning to become hateful and detestable again.

They walked away and signaled the servants waiting outside not to come up. Someone then asked Zheng Xiuyuan in a low voice, "Old Zheng, what do you think? Do we have to pay the money or not?"

Someone else worriedly said, "This guy is using Gao Bi Jin Tong Ning to make trouble, trying to control us..."

But someone muttered, "I don't have any relationship with Gao Bijin..."

"shut up!"

Zheng Xiuyuan turned around and glared, "What's the point of the Chamber of Commerce? It's to tell everyone to mind their own business! You have nothing to do with Gao Bijin, and you don't need to be controlled. What about the others? If you sit back and watch your companions fail, who will stand up and stand with you when it's your turn one day?"

The man was rebuked and blushed: "Okay, I was wrong, so what you mean is that everyone should just pay the money obediently?"

Zheng Xiuyuan pondered and said, "I originally thought that I could just hold my nose and wait until Li Bailong's term ended, then give him some money to appease him, but now I feel a little uneasy..."

"What's the worry?"

The president lowered his voice and said, "Tell me, why did Li Bailong become the governor of the Tongwen Bureau?"

"It is said that he was appointed by King Zhao. It can't be that he was sent to Tongning just to track down Gao Bi, right?"

A businessman replied, "I see that he has been cleaning up the situation and power of the Tongwen Bureau. I'm afraid he really wants to establish the status of this paper-made government office..."

"That's the problem." Zheng Xiuyuan's eyes were deep, and he muttered to himself, "Why do I feel that he is coming for us... What on earth does he want to do?"

It was late at night and someone was knocking on the door of a house in the west of the city.

The host put on his clothes, sat up, came over with a lantern, and asked in a low voice, "Who is it?"

"Tongwen Bureau, Governor Li sent me here."

Hearing this, the owner of the house opened the door. His face was illuminated by the firelight. It was Chen Baitang, the owner of Chen's Bookstore in Lin County. He took the letter from the man in black, opened it, and his breathing became rapid.

The message was brief, but it stirred ripples in Boss Chen's heart.

Jie Yuanlang said that he was preparing to open the business.

(End of this chapter)