Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 61 Offering suggestions
And this so-called 'debt of old lulutou' is a common occurrence in our holy dynasty.

Within the government, from the provincial level down to the county level, there were obvious corrupt practices in the agencies that collected money and taxes.

All public funds that should have been turned over this month are often delayed for two or three months before being transferred to higher authorities.

During this period of delayed remittance, local officials can lend public funds to businessmen to earn interest.

There are various types of interest rates, such as 1.8% (one mace of interest per month), 90% return and 130% return, and so on.

Shuiwozi then thoroughly learned this advanced system.

As a result, this old moneylender messed up, lending tens of thousands of taels of silver to a fleet from the South China Sea Prefecture. The sea was raging, the ships were destroyed and everyone on board perished, and the borrowed silver was naturally lost!

Old Lulutou was a stubborn man; he kept quiet and kept borrowing from Peter to pay Paul, which resulted in the debt snowballing to a staggering 100,000 taels! And there were also many rare and precious medicines involved!

When he realized he could no longer hide it, he completely gave up, saying that he was incapable and could only rely on the organization and his brothers.

So let alone the nine owners, even Manager Li and the others below wished they could drink his blood, eat his flesh, and devour this old scoundrel alive!
But this person has a very deep background and strong connections, so the higher-ups can't target him. Instead, they've already secured a lucrative position for him and have secretly decided on his name.

The employers didn't dare to offend him, so they had to swallow their pride and clean up his messes!
The deep-seated problems of the Holy Dynasty, passed down from generation to generation, are evident.

Seeing Chen Shunan standing there in a daze, lost in thought, Manager Li shook his head and prepared to leave.

Why tell Old Chen all this?

Sigh, I guess I've been holding it in for a long time and just wanted to talk to someone.

Manager Li thought to himself.

He had only taken a couple of steps when he heard Chen Shunan suddenly speak behind him.
"Manager Li, recently the weather has been dry, and even the moat has dropped several feet... We might as well spread the word that the water in the wells is in short supply, and the bottom of the wells is almost visible, especially the Fresh Water and Sweet Water wells, which are affected even more."

At that time, wealthy customers will naturally flock to our door, rushing to pay. We'll then give them a hint, getting them to spend all their money at once to reserve drinking water for the next three months..."

"Of course, the water shortage is definitely a rumor. After we receive the money, we will definitely crack down hard, expose those who spread rumors and mislead the public, calm the people's worries, and ensure that everyone has access to clean water."

Chen Shunan's method only harms the rich, and has little impact on ordinary people.

After all, how much profit can you squeeze out of a poor person?
Moreover, it's collected in advance, not embezzled; the water delivery still needs to be done.

In the end, it was actually the nine owners who paid for it.

They're just living beyond their means.

Collecting water fees three or four months in advance should largely cover this deficit, right?

Manager Li, cunning as a fox and full of tricks, only needed a moment to consider the matter before his eyes gleamed with a thieving light.

"This method seems to work!"

It wasn't just a feeling; Manager Li was pacing back and forth, increasingly convinced that the plan was brilliant!

However, it will be tough on the nine owners.

But if Zhao Guangxi were to offer the idea, and tell the old lulutou about it...

In the end, it will only hurt the other eight owners.

"Old Chen, how come I never realized you were so bright before? How come you're so clever? Did the well water really give you a sudden enlightenment?!"

Manager Li nodded in satisfaction.

Moreover, Chen Shunan was quite perceptive; instead of bypassing him and going directly to the employer, he had Chen Shunan present the plan to him.

In the end, he also deserves some credit!

"Don't worry, Old Chen. If this works out, you'll definitely get your share of the benefits."

After saying this, Manager Li hurried upstairs, a smile playing on his lips, his face beaming with joy.

Chen Shunan smiled and turned to walk towards Weiheng Street.

If so, it would be if he were still just a third-rate martial artist, a senile old man.

Saying it would be pointless, and might even lead to your death.

But times have changed, and Chen Shunan now has the means to make a living and even show some of his talent.

Let the bullets fly for a while and see what happens.

……

The midnight wind dispelled the turbid air from Chen Shun'an's body.

He plunged his hands, brimming with energy, into a bucket of ice water, instantly creating a large amount of water vapor. After a few breaths, only a thin layer of water remained in the bucket.

"The 'Golden Snake Entwining Silk Hand' has caught up with the progress of 'Flesh Flying Immortal.' That's too fast. It seems there's no need to waste any more time practicing martial arts at the Li residence... Let's wait a few more days and find an excuse not to come." After informing Li Shicheng, Chen Shunan took his leave.

Behind me, I could faintly hear a woman's anxious voice.

"Yan'er, how is Chen Shun'an's training going? His hands are so powerful!"

Yi Yan said helplessly.
“Mother, Mr. Chen is only a second-rate expert, so it’s normal for his qi and blood to be surging. However, his cultivation of the ‘Golden Snake Entwining Silk Hand’ is still not as good as mine. I have already grasped the opportunity to channel power throughout my body and am about to reach the third-rate perfection.”

"Good, good, good! My son, you've really made your mother proud. Your goal isn't Chen Shun'an, but your brothers and nephews in the Yi family. Don't stop, why are you resting again? Keep practicing, Yan'er, don't complain about the hardship! If you want to be prominent in front of others, you have to suffer behind the scenes!"
By the way, your status is different now, so don't associate with those people from the orphanage or the "Colorful Gate" anymore; it's disrespectful!

"...Yes, Mother, I understand."

Chen Shunan could only shake his head and sigh at the woman's methods of raising children; he had no other recourse.

One should not interfere in the cause and effect of others.

……

After leaving the alley, Chen Shunan first returned the waterwheel to the well.

Then I went to the tailor shop on the main street and picked up the three cotton robes I had ordered in advance.

The two women's brocade cotton robes, one large and one small, are pretty and not at all dull.

There was also a cotton robe and mandarin jacket, with a simple and old-fashioned style, in gray and white, which was very much in line with Chen Shunan's status as an old man.

Chen Shunan's post-promotion treatment and allowance have already been distributed.

Dietary supplements and housing subsidies go without saying.

Both bolts of silk and satin were top-quality goods from the south, made of clear satin, perfect for making winter robes.

Although it was still the sweltering heat of June, thrifty families had already begun stockpiling winter supplies in advance, which would be cheaper.

As for the Five Wheels Water, Chen Shunan had studied it carefully.

To prevent water vapor from evaporating, the water was contained in a stone bottle about the size of a snuff bottle, and from the outside, it looked no different from ordinary well water.

It is further clarified that hearing it has a calming and tranquilizing effect.

Thinking that this water actually had a slight effect on cultivation at the first-rate level, Chen Shunan did not use it now, but instead saved it up first.

After that, Chen Shunan bought some lychees, copper oil lamps, ox horn combs, and rouge boxes that Wan Niang usually couldn't bear to buy.

He also bought himself a bundle of Guanzhong tobacco. This tobacco is strong but doesn't harm the lungs; it's the kind that Instructor Lin and the others smoke.

After all, Chen Shunan is now a second-rate martial artist, Master Chen of Shalijing, and a favorite of Boss Zhao, so he can no longer be as shabby as before.

Otherwise, it would be a disgrace to the employer!

Return to the yard.

Wan Niang stood on tiptoe under the eaves.

Holding a long bamboo pole, he tried his best to reach a piece of roof tile that was leaning diagonally and about to fall.

Her floral print dress accentuated her hips, and her impressive chest seemed ready to burst forth.

"Let me do it!"

Seeing this, Chen Shunan quickly put the things inside the house and took the bamboo pole from Wan Niang's hand.

"Sigh, this house is several decades old after all. Not only do the tiles need to be replaced every year, but I'm also worried about cracks in the walls..."

With a 'thud,' the tile fell into the frame, and Chen Shunan shook his head.

Turning around, I saw Wan Niang standing in the main room.

Wan Niang stared blankly at the cotton robes, rouge boxes, ox horn combs, and other items on the table. Her nose stung and her eyes blurred; she seemed about to cry.

"What's wrong, Wan Niang? This is a perk I received after breaking through to the second-rate realm. I didn't steal or rob it..."

Upon seeing this, Chen Shunan quickly went into the main room.

Wan Niang held back her tears, looked at Chen Shun'an, and spoke in a soft, sorrowful voice.
"Brother, you've suffered so much..."

Others only saw Chen Shunan's old age blossoming again, his strength advancing by leaps and bounds, and his joy and pride.

But only Wan Niang saw the hardships Chen Shun'an endured behind the scenes.

(End of this chapter)