Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

While investigating Tong Guan's corruption and abuse of power in Jiangnan, Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong received assistance from Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia. After some effort, they collected some evidence, but it was still insufficient to convict Tong Guan outright.

Just as they were preparing to search for more crucial evidence, Gao Qiu learned of the matter. He quickly changed his mind and decided to use Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia's relationship with Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong to sabotage their plan.

Gao Qiu secretly sent a trusted confidant to find the home of Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia.

That day, Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia were at home discussing how to further assist Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong when someone knocked on the door. Pang Wanchun opened the door and saw a strange man standing there.

The man clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Brother Pang, Miss Pang, I have important news to tell you. Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong have encountered great trouble in their investigation of the Bronze Crown. They have not collected enough evidence to bring down the Bronze Crown. Moreover, they are now being watched by the people of the Bronze Crown, and their situation is extremely dangerous."

Pang Wanchun was startled and quickly asked, "Who are you? How do you know about this?"

The man said, "I am someone who cannot tolerate the evil deeds of the Copper Crown, and I learned about these things by chance. I know that you two have a close relationship with Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong, so I came to inform you."

Pang Qiuxia asked anxiously, "Then how can we help them?"

A sly glint flashed in the man's eyes as he said, "Lord Gao Qiu intends to help you. As long as you follow his instructions, you can not only save Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong, but also bring down the Copper Crown in one fell swoop."

Pang Wanchun frowned and asked warily, "Gao Qiu? Why would he help us?"

The man said, "Lord Gao Qiu has always been fair and just, and he has long been dissatisfied with the evil deeds of the Bronze Crown. His willingness to help you is also for the sake of justice."

Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with doubt.

The man continued, "You two should think this over carefully. If we don't rely on Lord Gao Qiu's power, Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong are likely to be in grave danger."

Pang Wanchun pondered for a moment and said, "We need to consider this matter carefully."

Seeing this, the man said, "Then you two should decide quickly, lest you miss the opportunity." After saying that, he hurriedly left.

After the man left, Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia fell into deep thought.

Pang Qiuxia said, "Brother, this matter is probably a trap. Gao Qiu has always been at odds with Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong, why would he suddenly help them?"

Pang Wanchun nodded: "I also find this matter strange, but if it can really save them, we can't just sit idly by."

Pang Qiuxia said worriedly, "But what if this is Gao Qiu's trap? Wouldn't we be harming them?"

Pang Wanchun paced back and forth, saying, "We can't easily believe it, but we can't completely ignore it either. Perhaps we can investigate secretly first and see what secrets lie behind this."

Therefore, Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia decided to keep quiet and investigate the matter discreetly.

After listening to his sister Pang Qiuxia's concerns, Pang Wanchun pondered for a moment and said, "Qiuxia, in order to find out whether this is a trap set by Gao Qiu, I have decided to send out a few skilled brothers to gather information."

Pang Qiuxia nodded in agreement: "Brother, this is a good idea, but the brothers must be careful."

Pang Wanchun then selected several of his brothers who were usually quick-witted and agile, and carefully instructed them: "You must be careful on this trip and not reveal your whereabouts. You must find out the true relationship between Tongguan and Gao Qiu."

The brothers accepted the order and went off to various parts of the city to gather information.

One of the brothers mingled with the servants in the Copper Crown Mansion, pretending to chat casually while subtly inquiring about the situation inside. An old servant casually revealed that Lord Copper Crown had recently been unusually irritable, and had been berating Gao Qiu in his study, accusing Gao Qiu of betraying his promises and disregarding previous agreements for his own benefit.

Meanwhile, another brother was in the restaurant, pretending to be drunk and chatting with the other customers at the table. One of the customers happened to be a merchant who had some business dealings with Tongguan Prefecture. As he drank more, he began to complain: "Tongguan and Gao Qiu have somehow fallen out, which has affected our business. I heard that because of Wang Ziqiang's matter, the two sides have completely broken off relations and are not willing to give in to each other."

Another brother happened to run into a trusted confidant of the Bronze Crown Mansion on the street. He secretly followed the man to a secluded place. Taking advantage of the man's unpreparedness, he subdued him and, under interrogation, the confidant revealed: "Gao Qiu wants to monopolize all the benefits, driving Lord Bronze Crown into a corner. Now the two sides are at odds."

Two days later, the brothers returned one after another and told Pang Wanchun all the information they had gathered.

Pang Wanchun listened to his brothers' report with a furrowed brow: "It seems that the falling out between Tongguan and Gao Qiu is not unfounded. But we still need to be cautious about this matter. Perhaps they deliberately spread the word to lure us into a trap."

Pang Qiuxia said, "Brother, even so, this is still an important clue. Perhaps we can follow this clue and investigate further."

Pang Wanchun nodded and said, "What my sister says makes sense. But before we are completely certain, we must not act rashly, lest we fall into someone else's trap."

The brother and sister fell into deep thought again, considering their next move.

After hearing the news that their brothers had gathered, Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia still had doubts, but they also felt that this might be a rare opportunity.

“Brother, if Tongguan and Gao Qiu really turn against each other, we might be able to take this opportunity to find evidence to help Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong,” Pang Qiuxia said.

Pang Wanchun nodded slightly: "But we still need to be careful and not act rashly."

However, their every move was already under Gao Qiu's surveillance. Gao Qiu learned that Pang Wanchun and his sister had become interested in his relationship with the bronze crown, and decided to take the opportunity to set an even more elaborate trap.

One day, Pang Wanchun received a mysterious letter that read: "If you want to know the key evidence of Tongguan's corruption and abuse of power, go to Qingfeng Pavilion outside the city at noon tomorrow, and someone will tell you."

Holding the letter, Pang Wanchun discussed it with Pang Qiuxia: "Sister, do you think this is credible?"

Pang Qiuxia pondered for a moment: "Perhaps someone is genuinely trying to help, but it could also be a trap."

Pang Wanchun gritted his teeth: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. We'll just have to be careful."

The following day at noon, Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia arrived at Qingfeng Pavilion with several trusted followers. The pavilion, however, was empty.

"Have we been tricked?" Pang Qiuxia cautiously observed her surroundings.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar, and a group of men galloped towards them. Leading them was none other than Gao Qiu's trusted confidant.

"Pang Wanchun, Pang Qiuxia, you've fallen for Lord Gao's trap!"

Pang Wanchun realized something was wrong and drew his sword, shouting, "Everyone be careful!"

The two sides instantly engaged in fierce combat. Pang Wanchun and his sister were highly skilled in martial arts and were initially able to hold their own for a while, but Gao Qiu's trusted men were all elite troops, and their numbers were vast. Gradually, Pang Wanchun's confidants fell one after another.

Pang Qiuxia was also injured, and Pang Wanchun protected his sister, fighting and retreating at the same time.

At this moment, another group of ambushers appeared from behind, cutting off their retreat.

"You will not escape today!" Gao Qiu's confidant laughed triumphantly.

Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia fought desperately, but were ultimately outnumbered. Finally, exhausted, they were captured.

Gao Qiu's confidants bound them tightly and took them back to Gao Qiu's mansion.

Gao Qiu sat in the hall, looking at Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia who were being brought in, a smug smile on his face.

"Hmph, this is what happens when you go against me."

Pang Wanchun glared angrily: "Gao Qiu, you despicable villain, using such vile means!"

Gao Qiu sneered: "In this world, the victor is king, and there is no distinction between high and low methods. Now that you are in my hands, obediently tell me Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong's plan, and perhaps I can spare your lives."

Pang Qiuxia spat: "Don't even think about it! We'd rather die than submit!"

Gao Qiu's face darkened: "They won't listen to reason, so they'll have to suffer the consequences! Lock them in the dungeon and torture them properly. I don't believe they won't confess."

Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia were thrown into a dark and damp dungeon, their bodies covered in wounds.

“Brother, I’m the one who’s dragged you down.” Pang Qiuxia was filled with remorse.

Pang Wanchun shook his head: "Sister, don't say that. Gao Qiu is too cunning."

In the dungeon, they suffered from hunger, cold, and torture, but they remained steadfast and refused to divulge any information about Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong.

After imprisoning Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia in the dungeon for many days, Gao Qiu gradually lost patience. He decided to use even more despicable means to force the two to submit.

On this day, Gao Qiu ordered his men to take the badly injured Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia to a secret room. Inside the room, Gao Qiu sat at a table, a sinister smile on his face.

"Pang Wanchun, Pang Qiuxia, I have given you enough time to consider," Gao Qiu said, and had someone bring out a confession.

Pang Wanchun glared at Gao Qiu: "You traitor, don't even think about making us submit!"

Gao Qiu sneered, "Hmph, don't be ungrateful. Look at this confession. As long as you sign it and admit that the allegations of Zhao Tianming, Wu Yong, and Tongguan colluding to embezzle and pervert the law are completely fabricated, I will release you and even guarantee the safety of your families. Otherwise, your families will suffer."

Upon hearing this, Pang Qiuxia trembled, a flicker of fear flashing in her eyes: "Gao Qiu, you are shameless!"

Pang Wanchun held his sister's hand tightly, offering her some comfort, then turned to Gao Qiu and said, "Gao Qiu, do you think you can make us go against our conscience by using such methods?"

Gao Qiu stood up and walked to Pang Wanchun: "This is not up to you. I have already sent people to keep an eye on your families. As soon as I give the order, their lives will be in imminent danger."

Pang Wanchun was furious: "Gao Qiu, you are so depraved, you will surely be punished by Heaven!"

Gao Qiu laughed loudly: "Divine retribution? In this world, power is everything. I'll give you a day to consider. If you still don't sign by then, don't blame me for being ruthless."

After saying this, Gao Qiu ordered his men to take Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia back to the dungeon.

In the dungeon, Pang Qiuxia couldn't help but cry: "Brother, what should we do? Are we really going to disregard the safety of our family?"

Pang Wanchun gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with pain and struggle: "Sister, we cannot bow down to that villain Gao Qiu, but our family..."

The two were plunged into deep despair and inner turmoil. They knew that Gao Qiu was ruthless and a man of his word, but if they gave in, they would not only be letting down Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong, but also bringing shame to justice.

For an entire day, Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia suffered in agony, their hearts tormented.