Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

Knowing that Zhao Tianming's restaurant had suffered a major blow, Gao Yanei, accompanied by several followers, swaggered over to Wang Zhiqiang's shop.

At this moment, Wang Zhiqiang and Gao Ke were planning their next move in the shop when they heard Gao Yanei's arrogant voice coming from outside, and both of them felt a chill run down their spines.

"I'm asking you two, did you manage to set up Zhao Tianming Restaurant?" Gao Yanei stood at the door, arms crossed, glancing sideways at Wang Zhiqiang and Gao Ke inside the restaurant.

Wang Zhiqiang immediately greeted him with a beaming smile: "Young Master, what brings you here? Please, please come inside."

Gao Yanei snorted coldly, stepped into the shop, looked around, and then fixed his gaze on Wang Zhiqiang and Gao Ke: "Don't try to fool me, I've heard everything. Was this something you two were up to?"

Seeing this, Gao Ke quickly stepped forward, pulled Gao Yanei into the house, and said with a smile, "Young master, please don't be in a hurry, let's talk inside."

Gao Yanei shook off Gao Ke's hand, plopped down in a chair, and crossed his legs: "Tell me, what exactly happened? Although I don't like Zhao Tianming either, you dare to touch him in this territory without my permission. You guys have some nerve!"

Wang Zhiqiang poured Gao Yanei a cup of tea and carefully handed it to him: "Young master, listen to me. This Zhao Tianming is usually arrogant and domineering, and he has stolen a lot of our business. We were forced to come up with this method to deal with him."

Gao Yanei took the teacup but didn't drink it. He just looked coldly at Wang Zhiqiang and said, "Hmph, you two dare to fight Zhao Tianming? I think you're tired of living."

Gao Ke hurriedly said, "Young Master, don't underestimate us. This time we've planned it meticulously, and we guarantee Zhao Tianming won't be able to recover."

Gao Yanei put down his teacup and frowned: "Aren't you afraid that things will be exposed and cause trouble?"

Wang Zhiqiang quickly said, "Young Master Gao, as long as you're willing to help us, there won't be any problems. After it's done, you'll naturally get your share of the benefits."

Gao Yanei was silent for a moment, then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "Then tell me, what benefits are you going to give me?"

Wang Zhiqiang and Gao Ke exchanged a glance. Wang Zhiqiang leaned closer to Gao Yanei and whispered, "Young Master, we are willing to share half of our profits for the next six months with you."

Gao Yanei's eyes lit up: "Oh? Half? You're not trying to fool me."

Gao Ke quickly replied, "Young Master Gao, how could we dare? As long as you put in a good word for us at a crucial moment, this small profit is nothing to us."

Gao Yanei thought for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, I'll trust you this once. But do you know the consequences if things go wrong?"

Wang Zhiqiang and Gao Ke nodded repeatedly: "Young Master, rest assured, everything is under our control."

Gao Yanei stood up, patted his clothes, and said, "Fine, then I'll wait and see what you've got." With that, he strode away with his entourage.

Wang Zhiqiang and Gao Ke watched Gao Yanei's departing figure, breathed a sigh of relief, and then continued to plot their plan.

Gao Yanei rushed to the palace general's mansion, eager to find Gao Qiu. He strode into the mansion, looking around but could not find Gao Qiu anywhere.

Gao Yanei frowned, impatiently grabbed a passing servant, and asked loudly, "Where did my father go?"

Upon recognizing Gao Yanei, the servant hurriedly and respectfully replied, "Young Master, the Grand Commandant has gone to the Cuju field to practice."

Gao Yanei released his grip, a hint of confusion on his face: "Going to practice ball at this hour?"

The servant cautiously replied, "Young Master, the Grand Commandant has always been interested in Cuju (ancient Chinese football). Perhaps he has arranged to meet with a friend today to hone his skills."

Gao Yanei snorted coldly: "Hmph, he's doing well, having his fun without caring about me."

The servant lowered his head, not daring to reply.

Gao Yanei paced back and forth, muttering to himself, "No, I have to go to the football field to find him."

Having said that, he turned to leave. At this moment, another servant hurriedly said, "Young master, would you please wait a moment? I will send someone to inform the Grand Commandant that you have arrived."

Gao Yanei stopped in his tracks, thought for a moment, and waved his hand, saying, "Never mind, I'll go by myself." With that, he hurriedly walked towards the Cuju field.

Gao Yanei rode at breakneck speed to the football field, only to find Gao Qiu leading a group of people in a heated match. Gao Yanei stormed in, his face contorted with rage, shouting, "Get out of my way!"

When those people saw that it was Gao Yanei, they were so frightened that they immediately stopped and retreated to the side.

Gao Yanei walked up to Gao Qiu, panting heavily, and said, "Father, I have something I need your help with."

Gao Qiu glanced at him sideways, his face full of disdain, and said while wiping his sweat, "What serious business could you possibly have?"

Gao Yanei stepped forward and said urgently, "Father, this time it's for real, you have to help me."

Gao Qiu frowned and asked, "Speak, what is it?"

Gao Yanei then told Gao Qiu everything about how he dealt with Zhao Tianming.

Upon hearing this, Gao Qiu angrily pointed at Gao Yanei and scolded him: "You good-for-nothing! All you do is steal chickens and dogs, bully men and women, or extort money. If you keep going like this, you'll get what's coming to you sooner or later!"

Gao Yanei, however, remained unfazed and retorted defiantly, "Father, who am I afraid of? You are the Grand Commandant. With you here, who dares to do anything to me?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Qiu was even more enraged and raised his hand as if to strike him: "You scoundrel, all you know how to do is abuse my power and act recklessly! One day, I won't be able to protect you either!"

Gao Yanei took a step back in fright, but still stubbornly said, "Father, this time is different. That Zhao Tianming is really despicable. He has stolen a lot of benefits from us. You can take care of him for me with just a flick of your finger."

Gao Qiu lowered his hand and snorted coldly: "Do you think my power as Grand Commandant is for you to use to settle personal scores?"

Gao Yanei tugged at Gao Qiu's sleeve: "Father, please help me this once. I promise I'll be a good person from now on."

Looking at his shameless appearance, Gao Qiu sighed helplessly: "Alright, alright, tell me what exactly happened first."

Gao Yanei immediately perked up and began to speak eloquently again. Gao Qiu listened, his expression shifting between gloomy and hesitant, pondering whether it was worth getting involved.

Seeing that Gao Qiu's expression had softened, Gao Yanei hurriedly poured him a cup of tea. Gao Qiu glared at him and said irritably, "Tell me, what benefits did Wang Zhiqiang give you?"

Gao Yanei chuckled and leaned closer, his face plastered with a fawning smile, saying, "Father! Wang Zhiqiang promised to give us half of his business's profits afterward. Just think about it, that's a considerable sum!"

Gao Qiu snorted coldly, his sharp gaze fixed on Gao Yanei. "Hmph, Wang Zhiqiang's calculations are truly shrewd! In this capital, the only one who can rival him is Zhao Tianming. If Zhao Tianming is brought down, wouldn't he dominate all the businesses in the capital? Give me half the profits, and Wang Zhiqiang will be richer than a country."

Gao Yanei quickly nodded in agreement, "Father, you're right. But if we help Wang Zhiqiang this time, we'll reap considerable benefits. With this money, our lives will be much more comfortable."

Gao Qiu frowned, tapping his fingers lightly on the table as he fell into deep thought. "Young Master, this matter cannot be handled rashly. This Wang Zhiqiang is so cunning; I fear he will not be easy to deal with in the future."

Gao Yanei said anxiously, "Father, don't worry. Once he brings down Zhao Tianming, he'll still have to rely on us. If he dares to disobey us then, it won't be too late for us to deal with him."

Gao Qiu shook his head slightly, "You only know how to look at immediate gains. If Wang Zhiqiang can come up with such a treacherous method to deal with Zhao Tianming, who can guarantee that he won't use the same methods against us in the future?"

Gao Yanei grew anxious. "Father, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If we miss this chance, we'll never have such a good opportunity again. Besides, with your position in the court, are you afraid that Wang Zhiqiang will cause any trouble?"

Gao Qiu was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "What you said makes some sense. But this matter needs to be considered carefully, and we cannot be easily used as a pawn by Wang Zhiqiang."

Seeing that Gao Qiu's attitude had softened, Gao Yanei was overjoyed. "Father, don't worry. I've thought it all out. We can work in secret and not let anyone find any fault with us. Once it's done, we can just sit back and reap the benefits."

Gao Qiu glanced at Gao Yanei, "You rascal, you're usually so unruly, but this time you've thought things through quite thoroughly. However, are you aware of the risks involved?"

Gao Yanei patted his chest and assured his father, "Father, please trust your son this time. As long as you nod, leave the rest to me."

Gao Qiu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Alright, then go and find out how confident Wang Zhiqiang really is. But remember, be careful and don't cause me any trouble."

Gao Yanei excitedly replied, "Father, just wait for my good news!" After saying that, he turned around and hurriedly went to make arrangements.

Gao Qiu watched Gao Yanei's departing figure, sighed deeply, and worried inwardly whether getting involved in this struggle was a blessing or a curse.

A few days later, Gao Yanei came to Gao Qiu again. "Father, I have found out everything. Wang Zhiqiang's preparations are almost complete, and he is just waiting for us to lend a hand."

Gao Qiu put down the scroll in his hand. "What has he prepared?"

Gao Yanei continued, “He hired a group of hooligans to cause trouble around Zhao Tianming’s restaurant, and he also bribed some people to spread rumors that Zhao Tianming was colluding with bandits. Now Zhao Tianming is in a terrible predicament.”

Gao Qiu nodded slightly. "It seems that Wang Zhiqiang has really put in some effort. But if this matter is to succeed, he still needs to smooth things over with some people in the court."

Gao Yanei hurriedly said, "Father, don't worry, I've already thought of that. We can win over some officials who are on good terms with you and have them say a few good words for you in front of the Emperor."

Gao Qiu pondered for a moment, then said, "Hmm, you shall handle this matter, but be careful and do not reveal any flaws."

Gao Yanei nodded repeatedly, "Father, just you wait and see!"

Under the covert machinations of Gao Qiu and his son, along with Wang Zhiqiang, Zhao Tianming's situation became increasingly difficult. However, they were unaware that an even greater crisis was quietly approaching…