The first county magistrate in history

It’s not that Lanxianglou shouldn’t be mentioned.

Although it was not publicly announced that Lanxianglou belonged to Xia Bitu, everyone knew that Lanxianglou was his.

Even the Empress knows it.

Lanxianglou can be mentioned, but it should not be mentioned at this moment.

It cannot even be compared with ancient paintings.

Just now, when you were toasting each other, chatting and laughing, and even he, the prime minister who is second only to the emperor, was willing to lower his status to win over you, a small county magistrate, he mentioned Lanxiang Tower.

This is not just disrespect, it is ingratitude and provocation.

This is challenging his bottom line as the prime minister of a country!

Xia Bitu looked at Qin Zheng, his eyes clearly telling him, "I've been very kind to you. I've invested a lot of money. Don't refuse my toast and then drink the forfeit."

Qin Zheng glanced at Xia Bitu and said with a smile, "Her Royal Highness, the Princess, and the Zhao family are planning to jointly establish a department store. If you would like to invest, I welcome you with open arms."

Xia Bitu's murderous intent suddenly disappeared, and he looked at Qin Zheng in surprise.

In the imperial capital, what news could be hidden from him?

He even knew new words like "joint-stock system" and "department store".

He must stop the destruction of the business cooperation between the Empress and the Zhao family.

How could he possibly hope that the empress would engage in business and fill the national treasury?

Only when the treasury is empty will the empress's incompetence be revealed and will it cause dissatisfaction in the world.

However, he never dreamed that Qin Zheng would invite him to cooperate on this project.

"Products from Hongtong County must be high-quality!" This is definitely not just a slogan.

According to his understanding, as long as you are connected with Hongtong County, there will be no losing business.

Over the years, he has joined forces with the Four Border Kings to coerce and intimidate some merchants to sell them products from Hongtong County, which they then sell to foreign vassals at high prices. His purpose is to prevent the Daqian Dynasty from becoming rich.

If a department store that sells all the products from Hongtong County is established in the imperial capital, how much profit will it bring?

He knows it very well!

The treasury will be full.

Xia Bitu is not short of money, he has a lot of money.

His wealth was enough to overthrow a dynasty and build another one.

He knew Qin Zheng's purpose very well.

If he buys shares, he won't be able to touch this department store.

There is no reason to destroy your own job.

Qin Zheng asked him to invest because he was afraid that he would ruin the project.

Although he made money after the cooperation, the Empress also made money, and definitely made more than him. Of course, she also had more shares than him.

However, this is definitely not just a question of making money or not, but a question of the relationship between the Prime Minister and the Empress.

Qin Zheng's request for cooperation with him must have been the Empress's intention.

It was like the empress was showing goodwill to him, or testing him.

Even if he wanted to overthrow the Daqian Dynasty, he didn't dare to openly fight against the Empress. If he did, he would become a traitor despised by the world.

Xia Jinzhong looked at Qin Zheng's harmless expression and was certain that this was not a trick the Empress could have come up with, but rather Qin Zheng. He knew the Empress too well.

He didn't expect this routine, and he didn't expect Qin Zheng to be so direct.

Xia Bitu smiled and said, "Sit down and talk!"

Qin Zheng stopped pretending, knowing that Xia Bitu must have known that he was going on a field trip today. He would also know his tricks!

This is a dead end, and whether he likes it or not, Xia Bitu has to make a choice.

Reject or accept, there are only two choices!

Qin Zheng sat down.

Xia Bitu asked directly, "Is one Lanxiang Tower enough?"

Qin Zheng suddenly sighed: "Uncle, I really like your straightforwardness. I hate beating around the bush the most."

Xia Bitu laughed and said, "Then why are you still beating around the bush?"

Qin Zheng chuckled: "I have no choice!"

Xia Bitu looked at Qin Zheng with a deep gaze and asked more directly, "Did the empress tell you everything?"

Qin Zheng nodded: "That should be the case. I have said everything that needs to be said."

Suddenly the subject changed: "You did it?"

No one else could understand what they were saying.

I don’t even understand what Qin Zheng meant by “what you did”.

Xia Bittu admitted frankly: "Yes!"

As he said this, he just looked at Qin Zheng, wanting to see how Qin Zheng would react.

Qin Zheng nodded: "For you, it should be self-defeating. For me, it is just trouble!"

Xia Bitu was stunned. "Trouble? I thought you would thank me or want to kill me."

Qin Zheng stood up and paced back and forth irritably: "Uncle, you don't know, I'm most afraid of trouble. And women are the biggest trouble!"

Xia Bitu was amused by Qin Zheng's appearance. He could see that Qin Zheng was really depressed.

He smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to be afraid of this trouble. In fact, I thought she would kill you. Your life is worthless in my eyes."

Qin Zheng was not angry at all. He said calmly: "You deserve it for not only losing the rice but also trying to steal the chicken!" Xia Bitu was not angry either. Instead, he smiled.

Suddenly he asked seriously, "You don't hate me?"

Qin Zheng shook his head: "Although it's not glorious, it's just a means to an end. I will also use any means to achieve my goal. But relatively speaking, I won't be so dirty!

However, after all, there are not many people like me in the world, so I can't force it. However, before I knew she was the empress, I really wanted to catch the mastermind behind the scenes and kill him. Because it was too wicked, killing only Swallow Li Si would not satisfy my hatred! "

Xia Bitu remained silent, watching Qin Zheng continue pacing. After a long while, he spoke: "You are the strongest opponent I have ever met."

Qin Zheng waved his hand: "Without ambition, there will be no enemies, no opponents!"

Xia Bitu fell silent again, as if analyzing Qin Zheng's words.

Suddenly he sighed: "Everyone has his or her own difficulties. I have them, and so do you!"

He stood up and actually bowed to Qin Zheng: "Uncle, I apologize for the trouble I caused you!"

Qin Zheng was taken aback and looked at Xia Bitu in shock.

Suddenly he smiled bitterly: "You are also the strongest opponent I have ever met."

Xia Bitu smiled and sat down again, asking, "You are a responsible person, right?"

Qin Zheng nodded: "I don't want to change!"

Xia Bitu nodded: "I understand."

Qin Zheng asked, "You don't want to change, right?"

Xia Bitu nodded: "It cannot be changed!"

Qin Zheng sighed: "Actually, I like you very much, just now."

Xia Bitu looked at Qin Zheng with admiration: "Who says enemies can't become friends?"

Qin Zheng nodded: "That's right, day is day, and night is night. During the day, we can be friends, even confiding in each other. At night, we can be enemies, even fighting to the death."

Snapped!

Xia Bitu suddenly slammed the table and said, "Well said!"

"..." Qin Zheng was speechless: "You scared me!"

"Hahaha..." Xia Bitu laughed loudly.

After laughing, he asked, "How much of the shares will you give me?"

Qin Zheng wasn't surprised. He looked around the entire study and said, "I wanted to give you half of it, really. Uncle, you don't know, I feel a sense of kinship towards money. Half of it would make me unable to sleep for several days. But, I am the most fair person. Oh, forget it. Seeing that you are so old, it is not easy to collect it. It is also your most precious treasure. Ten percent, no more!"

Xia Bitu rolled his eyes and said, "Boy, are you a little less cruel? Bullying me, an old man?"

Qin Zheng said seriously: "You have to trust my character, I promise you will not lose anything."

Xia Bitu laughed angrily: "Before, I believed you had some character. Today, I don't see any character in you!"

Qin Zheng's face darkened: "Since I have no character, then half of it is fine."

Xia Bitu: “…”

"You little monkey, you have a very evil heart!" Xia Bitu glared at Qin Zheng.

"You old fox, you have a lot of bad intentions. It's really tiring to negotiate with you. We agreed to be straightforward." Qin Zheng also glared at Xia Bitu.

"Hahaha..." Xia Bitu laughed out loud again: "Well, the old fox won't argue with the monkey cub. Success is success!"

"Thank you, old fox!" Qin Zheng turned and left.

Xia Bitu looked at Qin Zheng's back and said, "If you can't sleep, come and have a few drinks with me."

Qin Zheng waved his hand without even turning his head. "I know you're lonely, and I know you're pretending to be strong. I also know there are things you don't want to do, but you have to do them.

Actually, we are the same people. I will come here often, because we are... half friends. Goodbye, old fox!

After saying that, he opened the door and left.

"Goodbye, little monkey!" The study door closed, and Xia Bitu was still waving, staring at the door, as if Qin Zheng was still there.

"Half a friend?" Xia Bitu suddenly sighed.

He murmured, "I'm old and have no friends anymore. Half a friend is enough! Monkey boy, I won't kill you! Because I want to have a friend, even half a..."

After saying this, Xia Bixiang slumped in the chair like a deflated tire.