Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong knew that to reclaim the restaurant, they had to start by investigating the secret dealings between Wang Zhiqiang and Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan, as well as the irregular land deed transactions. However, they understood that this operation required utmost caution and the use of sophisticated methods to succeed.

Wu Yong first devised a detailed intelligence-gathering plan. He used his extensive network of contacts to plant spies in all levels of society in the capital. Some of these spies posed as merchants, conducting business with Wang Zhiqiang and his men to extract inside information; others infiltrated the lower levels of the government to monitor the flow of documents related to land deed transactions.

Meanwhile, Wu Yong dispatched a professional investigation team. This team was led by Jiang Jing, a financial strategist, and Pei Xuan, a law-abiding official, and also included several clever and resourceful Liangshan brothers, such as Yan Qing, the Prodigal Son, and Shi Qian, the Flea on the Drum.

By analyzing the financial situation of Wang Zhiqiang and others' businesses, they looked for possible anomalies in the flow of funds. They discovered several suspicious transactions involving huge sums of money before and after the restaurant land deed transaction. After in-depth investigation, these funds ultimately pointed to the secret accounts of Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan.

To obtain more direct evidence, Wu Yong devised a clever "fishing operation." He arranged for Shi Qian to pose as a wealthy merchant from out of town, with the rogue Yan Qing assisting him. Shi Qian deliberately spread rumors, showing great interest in the restaurant and offering a high price to buy it. Wang Zhiqiang and his men were indeed tempted, and in their interactions with this "wealthy merchant," they gradually revealed some inside information about the restaurant's land deed transaction.

In terms of business strategy, Zhao Tianming was not idle either. He used his reputation in the business world to unite some businessmen who were also suppressed by Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan to jointly resist their industries. They put enormous pressure on Wang Zhiqiang and others' other businesses by controlling the supply of goods and manipulating market prices.

In addition, Zhao Tianming secretly acquired some small businesses related to the restaurant, gradually forming a protective encirclement around it. By cooperating with the owners of these small businesses, he gained control of the land and properties surrounding the restaurant, laying the foundation for his eventual recapture of it.

On the other hand, Jiang Jing and Pei Xuan meticulously studied the laws and regulations of the imperial court, discovering numerous loopholes in the illegal transactions involving Wang Zhiqiang and others in the restaurant land deeds. They compiled these loopholes one by one and formulated detailed countermeasures to deal with various possible situations.

During the investigation, they also discovered collusion between Wang Zhiqiang and others and some local officials. Wu Yong cleverly exploited the conflicts among these officials, sowing discord and creating rifts within their ranks. To protect themselves, some officials began providing Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong with evidence of Wang Zhiqiang and his associates' crimes.

After a period of meticulous planning and in-depth investigation, Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong finally gathered enough compelling evidence to expose the illegal dealings and irregular land deed transactions between Wang Zhiqiang, Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan. They prepared for the final battle, determined to reclaim their restaurant.

In order to reclaim the restaurant, Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong meticulously planned a series of actions.

Wu Song and Lu Zhishen were tasked with investigating clues related to the accounts. Using their exceptional martial arts skills and courage, they secretly infiltrated Wang Zhiqiang's secret vault where the accounts were kept. After a thorough search, they discovered a stack of seemingly normal accounts that actually concealed a hidden secret.

These accounts were meticulously altered and falsified in an attempt to cover up the illegal transactions between Wang Zhiqiang and Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan. Wu Song and Lu Zhishen, fully aware of the importance of these accounts, carefully smuggled them out of the storeroom.

Meanwhile, Wu Yong pondered who should be assigned to organize these complex documents to ensure everything went smoothly. After much deliberation, he decided to entrust this important task to the skilled scholar Xiao Rang.

Upon receiving the assignment, Xiao Rang immediately threw himself into the work. He meticulously studied every page of the accounts brought back by Wu Song and Lu Zhishen, using his knowledge and keen insight to analyze the flaws and tricks in them bit by bit.

At the same time, Wu Yong also sought out Chai Jin. Chai Jin came from a wealthy family, was quite familiar with the rules of officialdom and business, and had extensive connections.

Wu Yong, Chai Jin, and Xiao Rang discussed countermeasures in a secret room.

Xiao Rang said, "These accounts are extremely well-made. It's hard to spot the problems unless you look closely." He pointed to several numbers and signatures, "The numbers here have clearly been altered, and there are subtle differences in the handwriting of the signatures."

Chai Jin nodded and said, "That's right. Judging from these accounts, Wang Zhiqiang and his gang illegally transferred the ownership of the restaurant through fraudulent transactions and accounting manipulations."

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Yong said, "We must organize this evidence in a clear and logical manner so that people can understand their crimes at a glance."

Xiao Rang replied, "Mr. Wu, rest assured, I will mark every point of doubt in detail and attach the relevant legal basis."

So Xiao worked day and night, organizing those chaotic accounts into clear and concise evidentiary documents.

During this process, Chai Jin used his connections to secretly inquire about the movements of Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan in order to adjust his strategy accordingly.

Finally, after many days of hard work, Xiao Rang completed the compilation of all the evidence.

Holding the thick document, Wu Yong's eyes gleamed with determination: "With this, we are one step closer to taking back the restaurant. But we cannot act rashly now; we must wait for the best opportunity."

Zhao Tianming said, "Everything is up to you, sir."

Before deciding to flee the border of the Song Dynasty, Wang Zhiqiang meticulously planned a conspiracy that would plunge the capital into chaos.

He knew that Gao Qiu and Cai Jing had already received many favors from him, and that the correspondence and records of their financial dealings were still hidden in his secret hideout. Wang Zhiqiang secretly returned to the hideout and carefully selected and forged some key letters and records of their financial dealings.

In these forged letters, Wang Zhiqiang deliberately used vague language to imply that Zhao Tianming had obtained crucial evidence of their bribery and was preparing to submit it to the court to bring them down. At the same time, he exaggerated the benefits given to Gao Qiu and Cai Jing in the records, causing discord between the two men, who suspected each other of trying to monopolize the profits or betray him for self-preservation.

Regarding the financial records, Wang Zhiqiang cleverly altered the numbers and dates to make them appear as recent, large-scale bribes, with the recipients pointing directly to Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan.

After completing all this, Wang Zhiqiang hid these carefully arranged "evidence" in several seemingly secretive places that were easy for Zhao Tianming to investigate.

Meanwhile, Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan also received some mysterious information. The information claimed that Wang Zhiqiang had arranged everything before his escape, intending to drag them down with him, and that Zhao Tianming was gradually approaching the truth by following the clues left by Wang Zhiqiang.

Upon hearing this, Gao Qiu flew into a rage, pacing back and forth in his mansion. He said to his advisor, "That Wang Zhiqiang is incredibly cunning. He ran away himself but tried to drag us down with him. If Zhao Tianming finds out anything, we're all doomed!"

Cai Jing sat in his armchair with a gloomy face, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest as he pondered, "This matter is probably not so simple. Perhaps Wang Zhiqiang and Zhao Tianming are conspiring to take this opportunity to eliminate us."

Tong Guan was also worried and said, "No matter what, we must strike first and not sit idly by and wait to be killed."

Therefore, they all sent their trusted confidants to secretly monitor Zhao Tianming's every move, while intensifying their efforts to find other evidence that Wang Zhiqiang might have left behind, attempting to destroy it before Zhao Tianming could.

Meanwhile, with the assistance of Wu Yong and others, Zhao Tianming began to notice some clues. They discovered some strange people loitering outside their residence, behaving suspiciously.

Zhao Tianming was puzzled and discussed with Wu Yong, "Mr. Wu, I've been feeling something is off lately. It's like there are pairs of eyes watching us."

After a moment's thought, Wu Yong said, "Tianming, this is probably related to Wang Zhiqiang's conspiracy. We need to investigate more carefully; perhaps we can follow these clues to uncover the truth behind it."

By chance, Zhao Tianming's men discovered a hidden compartment in an abandoned warehouse, which contained some of the forged letters and financial records created by Wang Zhiqiang.

After Zhao Tianming obtained these items, he studied them carefully and became increasingly suspicious.

Wu Yong analyzed, "Tianming, these pieces of evidence seem conclusive, but they are too obvious. It is likely that someone did this on purpose to provoke a conflict between us and Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and others."

Zhao Tianming frowned: "Then, in your opinion, what should we do?"

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Yong said, "We might as well turn the tables on them and use this evidence to lure them out, and see how Gao Qiu and his men react. At the same time, we will continue our secret investigation to find the key that can truly convict them."

Zhao Tianming nodded in agreement and then began to act according to Wu Yong's plan.

Seeing that Zhao Tianming seemed to have obtained some evidence, Gao Qiu and the others became even more panicked, their suspicions deepened, and their trust in each other gradually crumbled.

The situation in the capital is becoming increasingly tense. All parties are carefully planning and making moves in this war without gunpowder, while Wang Zhiqiang watches all this from a distance, secretly pleased with the success of his conspiracy.

Gao Qiu and Cai Jing decided to strike first and began to deal with Zhao Tianming.

Gao Qiu first used his connections in officialdom to secretly instruct some officials to make things difficult for Zhao Tianming's business. Tax officials frequently came to audit his accounts, increasing Zhao Tianming's tax burden with various fabricated charges, which led to a significant increase in his business costs.

Cai Jing, using his influence in the literary world, instructed some writers to write articles to slander Zhao Tianming's character and business practices, attempting to damage his reputation among the people.

Meanwhile, Gao Qiu dispatched his assassins to attempt to infiltrate Zhao Tianming's residence at night and carry out an assassination. However, Zhao Tianming was prepared and strengthened the defenses of his residence, and the assassins' attempts failed several times.

Cai Jing also bribed some of Zhao Tianming's business partners to suddenly terminate their cooperation with Zhao Tianming, causing a break in Zhao Tianming's business chain and putting him in a cash flow crisis.

Faced with the fierce attacks from Gao Qiu and Cai Jing, Zhao Tianming's situation became increasingly difficult. However, he did not sit idly by and wait for his doom, but instead actively responded.

On the one hand, Zhao Tianming used Chai Jin's connections to contact some upright officials in the court, revealing the misdeeds of Gao Qiu and Cai Jing to them and gain their support. On the other hand, he intensified the reorganization and management of his own business, striving to reduce costs and find new partners to make up for losses.

Wu Yong also offered Zhao Tianming advice, suggesting that he use public opinion to refute Cai Jing's slander. Therefore, Zhao Tianming secretly funded some storytellers to recount the corrupt deeds of Gao Qiu and Cai Jing in the streets and alleys, causing the public to question their actions.

Meanwhile, Zhao Tianming sent Wu Song and Lu Zhishen to secretly investigate the assassins and troublemakers sent by Gao Qiu and Cai Jing, and they obtained information about their whereabouts and evidence.

At a court assembly, Zhao Tianming, together with his supporters and upright officials, presented the emperor with a detailed account of Gao Qiu and Cai Jing's various misdeeds, along with evidence gathered by Wu Song and Lu Zhishen. Upon hearing this, the emperor was furious and severely reprimanded Gao Qiu and Cai Jing.