The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

"Xiao Ke, who did you learn this skill from? It's amazing!" Master Zhang couldn't help but admire.

"Yeah, Xiao Ke, what's wrong with your head? Why do you always come up with such weird things?" Master Li also said.

Liu Xiaoke smiled slightly and said, "This is what I learned from a master named Wang when I was a child. Unfortunately, I only learned the basics."

Master Xiao raised his head and looked at Liu Xiaoke, his eyes flashing with a strange light, "The Master Wang you mentioned is single and unmarried?"

Liu Xiaoke was stunned at first, then he said in surprise: "Master Xiao, do you know my master?"

Master Xiao nodded, a look of reminiscence in his eyes. "I once had the honor of meeting Master Wang. He is truly a remarkable man. I never thought he would accept you as his last disciple."

With Master Xiao's approval, the other two masters also looked at Liu Xiaoke with admiration. They began to listen carefully to Liu Xiaoke's opinions and build according to his drawings and requirements.

These century-old pines aren't just street vendors, you can't just pick up a few. Sister Cen Xiao clutched the account book, her delicate eyebrows twisted into knots. The price has gone up three times in one day. How could it be even more outrageous than before the time travel?

"Dean, what should we do? If this continues, the money we have, even with the support of Linkang Prefecture, is not something that comes from the wind, and it can't withstand such manipulation!" A Yao stamped her feet in anxiety.

This is the first time that Cen Jiexiao has presided over such a large project, and no mistakes can be made.

Cen Jiexiao rubbed his temples. These unscrupulous businessmen really knew how to take advantage of others' misfortunes.

"Dean, how about we pause for a few days and wait until the price stabilizes before continuing?" someone suggested.

"Yes, Dean, the old saying is right, sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood, and we can't be impatient." The people at the scene also echoed.

Cen Jiexiao put down the account book, walked to the window, looked at the shimmering Qingfeng Ferry in the distance, and fell into deep thought. No, the construction of this floating bridge cannot be stopped!

This is the Qingfengdu Floating Bridge Project Team.

The expected timber had not arrived yet, and Liu Xiaoke was as anxious as an ant on hot pan, pacing back and forth on the construction site.

"What's wrong with this timber merchant? He said he would deliver it this morning!" He tore off the blueprint from his waist and wished he could fly to the timber store right away.

"Little Como is anxious, maybe he got delayed on the way." Master Xiao was as steady as a rock, taking a sip of tea slowly. "This century-old pine tree is not a piece of cabbage on the street, it's not something you can just find."

Master Zhang nodded as well. "Yes, there's only a small patch of century-old pine forest left a few dozen miles upstream from Qingfeng Ferry. Who knows how many people might be watching it!"

Liu Xiaoke certainly knew how precious the century-old pine trees were, but as the construction deadline drew closer, he felt like there was a rabbit in his heart and he couldn't calm down.

"Master Xiao, how about I go to the lumber store and take a look, just in case something goes wrong?"

"Go ahead," Master Xiao waved his hand. "Old Li and I will be watching here. Nothing will happen."

Liu Xiaoke ran all the way to the lumber store, and before he even entered the door, he heard the boss arguing loudly with a girl.

"Boss Liu, your price is ridiculous! When did the price of this century-old pine tree triple?"

Liu Xiaoke took a closer look and saw that the person arguing with the boss was none other than the academy's manager, Shen Shangzhi, also known as Teacher Xiaozhi. Teacher Xiaozhi glared angrily, "You're just raising the price and taking advantage of the situation! Our dean is kind and righteous, and we won't argue with you. Don't be ungrateful!"

Mr. Liu, the lumber shop owner, was a shrewd man. His eyes darted around, "Manager Shen, you can't say that! The price of lumber is determined by the market, right? Besides, this century-old pine is a treasure that so many people are begging for. If you think it's too expensive, I won't force you. Why don't you look somewhere else?"

Liu Xiaoke finally understood. Boss Liu was clearly deliberately making things difficult for the academy, hoping to make a killing! He pointed at Boss Liu and scolded him, "Boss Liu, you're clearly going too far! Our academy built a floating bridge for the Emperor's sacrificial ceremony. The Emperor wanted to build a bridge for the benefit of the people, but you're profiting from the national crisis. Have you lost your conscience?"

Boss Liu was startled by Liu Xiaoke's sudden aura, but he quickly regained his composure. He replied with a forced smile, "Oh, who was it? It's Craftsman Liu from the south city! So, you want to get involved too? Let me tell you, in this business, there's no such thing as morality, it's all about money! If you have money, I'll sell you lumber. If you don't, go wherever you want!"

Liu Xiaoke could hold back from cursing at himself, but he could not bear to see his work and ideals being ruined by such a money-grubbing person. The thin man was ready to rush up and punch Boss Liu twice, but was held back by Xiaozhi.

"Xiao Ke, calm down! Don't be impulsive!" Xiao Zhi whispered, "This old guy is obviously looking for trouble on purpose. We can't fall for his tricks!"

Liu Xiaoke also knew that impulsive action wouldn't solve the problem. He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and stared coldly at Boss Liu. "I'm determined to buy this wood today! You name a price. I just hope Boss Liu, considering I'm from Linkang, won't be too exorbitant!"

Seeing Liu Xiaoke like this, Boss Liu was secretly delighted. It seemed that this kid was really a fool. If he didn't make a lot of money from him today, he would be letting down his shrewd calculations!

"Okay! Craftsman Liu is indeed a straightforward person! In this case, I will give you a friendly price of three hundred taels of silver for one, not a penny less!" Boss Liu opened his mouth and directly increased the price by dozens of times!

There was a burst of exclamation from the crowd watching the excitement. Three hundred taels of silver for a piece of log, this was simply unheard of!

Xiaozhi was so angry that she almost fainted. She pointed at Boss Liu's nose and cursed, "You! You! You! You're robbing me!"

Liu Xiaoke was so shocked by the sky-high price of the wood that he was temporarily speechless. Three hundred taels of silver was not a small amount. Even if he put all his fortune into it, it would not be enough to buy some scraps!

Just when he was at a loss, a clear female voice suddenly rang out from the crowd: "Three hundred taels a stick, right? I'll buy it!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young girl in a light blue dress approaching. The girl had a beautiful face and a pair of bright eyes that made people want to get close to her.

"Who is this?" Liu Xiaoke widened his eyes in surprise.

"Sister Yu Lan, why are you here?" Without waiting for Xiao Ke to answer, Xiao Zhi walked towards Yu Lan.

"Xiaozhi, the current construction period of the floating bridge is important and cannot be delayed. We will settle the account with him later." Yu Lan said to Xiaozhi in a low voice.