Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

Liu Tang arrived at Zhao Tianming's restaurant in a flurry of activity, and before even entering, he shouted loudly, "Brothers, I, Liu Tang, have arrived!"

Upon hearing the sound, Zhao Tianming, Song Jiang, Lu Junyi, Wu Yong, and others looked over and rose to greet him. Liu Tang greeted everyone, and Zhao Tianming said with a smile, "Brother Liu Tang, please take a seat. The food and wine are ready."

Everyone sat around the table, where Zhao Tianming had prepared a very lavish feast. After Liu Tang sat down, he picked up a bowl of wine, drank it all in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said, "Brother Wu Yong, why did you summon me here in such a hurry?"

Wu Yong gently waved his feather fan and slowly said, "Brother Liu Tang, the reason I've summoned you here is truly regarding the matter of Bai Sheng."

Liu Tang frowned and said, "That Bai Sheng is a traitor, truly despicable!"

Wu Yong nodded and said, "That's right. Now he's colluding with Wang Zhiqiang and others, trying to suppress Zhao Tianming's restaurant and cut off the Ruan brothers' supply. We want to persuade him to turn back, so we thought of you."

Liu Tang's eyes widened: "You want me to persuade that guy? I really want to punch him a few times!"

Song Jiang quickly said, "Brother Liu Tang, don't worry. Although Bai Sheng has made a mistake, considering our past friendship, if we can persuade him to turn back from his wrong path, it would be a good thing."

Liu Tang grunted, "Fine, I'll hear your plans."

Lu Junyi continued, "Brother Liu Tang, you and Bai Sheng were acquainted. If you go and persuade him, perhaps he will listen to some of your advice."

Liu Tang pondered for a moment: "I can try to persuade him, but I can't guarantee it will work."

Wu Yong said, "Brother Liu Tang, you just need to explain the pros and cons to him, appeal to his emotions and reason with him. Make him understand that continuing to collude with Wang Zhiqiang and the others will not end well."

Liu Tang nodded: "I understand, but Bai Sheng is currently bewitched, I don't know if he can listen to reason."

Lin Chong said from the side, "Brother Liu Tang, just do your best."

Everyone chatted and discussed the specific details. Liu Tang drank a few more bowls of wine, and gradually an idea formed in his mind.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Liu Tang stood up and said, "Brothers, I'm going to find Bai Sheng now and I'll do my best to persuade him."

Everyone rose to see him off, and Liu Tang strode away from the restaurant to find Bai Sheng.

Liu Tang stormed into the gambling den, his eyes quickly scanning the crowd before spotting Bai Sheng, who was gambling with a flushed face.

He strode up to Bai Sheng, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him up from the gambling table. Bai Sheng was startled by this sudden action, and when he saw that it was Liu Tang, a look of panic appeared on his face.

Liu Tang glared angrily and shouted, "Bai Sheng, you treacherous bastard! Do you still recognize me, Liu Tang?"

Bai Sheng stammered, "Brother Liu Tang, you... how did you get here?"

Liu Tang snorted coldly: "If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have known you would do such a treacherous thing! Have you forgotten the days we spent together?"

Bai Sheng lowered his head, not daring to look Liu Tang in the eye, and whispered, "Brother Liu Tang, I... I had no choice."

Liu Tang's eyes widened, and he raised his voice: "Forced to do something? You colluded with Wang Zhiqiang, bullied the Ruan brothers, and tried to cut off Zhao Tianming's restaurant's supply. You said you were forced to do something?"

Bai Sheng argued, "Wang Zhiqiang and his gang have power and influence. If I don't listen to them, how will I survive?"

Liu Tang forcefully yanked Bai Sheng's collar away, pointed at his nose, and said, "You coward! When have we brothers ever been afraid? You think following them will bring you good fortune? They're just using you!"

Bai Sheng remained silent, a hint of hesitation on his face.

Liu Tang softened his tone and continued, "Bai Sheng, we're brothers, I don't want to see you sink deeper into this mess. It's not too late for you to turn back now, the brothers will help you."

Bai Sheng raised his head, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes: "Really? Brother Liu Tang, can I turn back?"

Liu Tang nodded heavily: "As long as you sincerely repent and stop colluding with Wang Zhiqiang and the others, your brothers will not abandon you."

Bai Sheng bit his lip, seemingly engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

Liu Tang pressed his advantage: "Think about it, we've been through thick and thin together. Isn't that bond more important than temporary gains? If you continue to be stubborn, you'll surely be abandoned by everyone and end up in a tragic state."

Bai Sheng was finally moved, and tears welled up in his eyes: "Brother Liu Tang, I was wrong. I'll listen to you. I'll go back with you right now and apologize to the brothers."

Liu Tang patted Bai Sheng on the shoulder: "Good, that's my good brother!"

After leaving the gambling den, Bai Sheng hurried a few steps to catch up with Liu Tang, and said with a troubled expression, "Brother Liu Tang, it would be really embarrassing for me to go like this. I'll go home and get some money to buy some things to apologize to the brothers."

Liu Tang stopped and scrutinized Bai Sheng. After a moment, he said, "That's fine. I'll wait for you in the woods. Go quickly and come back soon."

Bai Sheng nodded hurriedly and turned to leave in a hurry.

Meanwhile, Gao Ke was in his residence when his subordinates reported that someone had found Bai Sheng. He frowned, paced back and forth in the room, and said to his men, "We absolutely cannot let this person ruin our plans."

The subordinate, with a fawning expression, leaned close to Gao Ke and said, "Sir, I understand. This matter needs to be handled properly."

Gao Ke's eyes darted around, and he whispered a few words in his subordinate's ear. The subordinate nodded repeatedly and replied, "Don't worry, sir, I'll go and fetch Shi Wengong right away."

After saying that, the subordinate hurriedly left.

Gao Ke sat in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, secretly making plans in his mind.

Before long, the subordinate brought Shi Wengong to the mansion.

Shi Wengong was tall and had a cold and stern face with a fierce look in his eyes.

When Gao Ke met Shi Wengong, he got straight to the point and said, "Shi Wengong, I have a tricky matter for you to handle."

Shi Wengong clasped his hands and said, "Please speak, sir."

Gao Ke recounted Bai Sheng's situation and then said, "I can't let Bai Sheng go back to their side and ruin my plans. You need to find a way to stop him, and if necessary..." Gao Ke made a throat-slitting gesture.

Shi Wengong understood immediately and said, "Rest assured, sir, I will certainly not fail in my mission."

Gao Ke nodded in satisfaction: "Go ahead, you'll get your share of the rewards once it's done."

Shi Wengong mounted his majestic, tall horse, gripping a gleaming spear tightly in his hand. The horse's hooves thundered as it galloped straight into the woods.

At this moment, Liu Tang was standing in the woods, anxiously awaiting Bai Sheng's return. Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats broke the silence of the woods. Liu Tang turned his head alertly and saw Shi Wengong galloping menacingly towards him.

Shi Wengong reined in the horse in front of Liu Tang, and the horse reared up, its neighing echoing through the woods. Liu Tang frowned, looking at the hostile-looking man before him, and shouted, "What do you want?"

Shi Wengong's eyes were icy, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he said, "Hmph, today I've come to send you on your way!"

Liu Tang's heart tightened, but he still tried to remain calm and said, "Who are you? I have no past connection with you, nor any enmity with you today. Why would you do this to me?"

Shi Wengong snorted coldly, pointed his spear directly at Liu Tang, and said loudly, "You ruined Brother Bai Sheng's plans, so he sent me to kill you."

Liu Tang glared angrily and shouted, "Nonsense! How could Bai Sheng send you to kill me? You must be spouting nonsense, you villain!"

Shi Wengong burst into wild laughter: "You're about to die, and you still dare to be stubborn! Bai Sheng is now cooperating with us, yet you're trying to ruin his future. How could he possibly forgive you?"

Liu Tang gritted his teeth and said, "Bai Sheng would never be so heartless and ungrateful. It must be you, you villain, who stirred things up!"

Shi Wengong said no more, spurred his horse on, and thrust his spear at Liu Tang. Liu Tang dodged to the side, avoiding the fierce attack.

"Clang!" Liu Tang drew his broadsword from his waist and parried Shi Wengong's spear as it thrust forward again. The sound of metal clashing echoed through the forest.

"You wicked villain, do you really think I, Liu Tang, am afraid of you?!" Liu Tang roared, and engaged in a fierce battle with Shi Wengong.

For a moment, the woods were filled with the glint of swords and the clash of spears as the two exchanged blows, neither giving an inch. Shi Wengong, relying on his superb horsemanship, launched frequent attacks from horseback, while Liu Tang nimbly maneuvered on the ground, searching for Shi Wengong's weaknesses.

"Take this!" Shi Wengong shouted, his spear shooting out like a dragon from the sea, aimed straight at Liu Tang's throat. Liu Tang leaned back, narrowly dodging the attack, cold sweat already beading on his forehead.

"Today I will surely cut you down with my spear!" Shi Wengong's attacks became increasingly fierce, and Liu Tang gradually found himself unable to withstand them, forced to fight and retreat.

Shi Wengong was highly skilled in martial arts, his spear wielding a relentless barrage of attacks, gradually putting Liu Tang at a disadvantage. Seizing an opening, Shi Wengong thrust his spear forward with tremendous force, striking Liu Tang squarely in the shoulder. Liu Tang screamed in agony, blood instantly staining his clothes, but he endured the excruciating pain and desperately swung his sword to deflect Shi Wengong's subsequent attacks.

"Hmph, let's see how long you can last!" Shi Wengong shouted triumphantly, his attacks becoming even more ferocious. Liu Tang knew he was no match for him, and dared not linger, so he turned and ran.

Despite the excruciating pain, Liu Tang galloped along the forest path into the dense woods. Shi Wengong, not wanting to let him escape, spurred his horse into hot pursuit. Hooves kicked up clouds of dust on the path, and Shi Wengong's spear repeatedly pierced Liu Tang, forcing him to dodge left and right, facing constant danger.

Liu Tang's wound bled profusely, and every step he took brought excruciating pain, but his will to survive kept him from stopping. Tree branches in the forest tore his clothes and scratched his cheeks, but he paid no heed.

Shi Wengong's horse had a significant advantage on the narrow path, gradually closing the distance with Liu Tang. Just as he was about to catch up, Liu Tang suddenly dodged and disappeared into the denser woods beside him.

Shi Wengong's horse stopped before the dense forest. He frowned as he stared at the intricate trees before him. "This damned forest, the horse can't get in!" Shi Wengong cursed, dismounted, and, spear in hand, chased after the trees on foot into the forest.

The woods were dimly lit, and Liu Tang's figure appeared and disappeared among the trees. Shi Wengong proceeded cautiously, fearing he might fall into Liu Tang's ambush.

"Liu Tang, you can't escape!" Shi Wengong's voice echoed in the woods.

Liu Tang hid behind a large tree, panting heavily, trying to calm his breathing and think of a way to escape. He knew that if Shi Wengong discovered him, his chances of survival would be slim.

At this moment, Shi Wengong's footsteps grew closer, and Liu Tang's heart leaped into his throat...