Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

Inside Gao Qiu's mansion, Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan sat in a cool, secluded room, plotting a vicious scheme to deal with Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong.

Gao Qiu's face was gloomy, and he spoke first: "Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong have become increasingly arrogant lately. If they are not eliminated, they will become a great threat."

Cai Jing's eyes darted around, and a plan came to him: "Grand Commandant, there is currently a flood in Jiangnan, and many people are suffering from the disaster. We can spread the word that Zhao Tianming's businesses in Jiangnan are taking advantage of this natural disaster to inflate prices and make a fortune off the national crisis. In this way, public resentment will surely boil over."

Tong Guan chimed in, "Brilliant! Then we can bribe some disaster victims to cause trouble in front of Zhao Tianming's properties and storm the shops."

Gao Qiu nodded slightly: "This is only the first step. Lord Cai, you have extensive connections in the court. Could you use this flood to petition His Majesty for disaster relief funds, while also implying that Zhao Tianming's business accounts are unclear and that he is suspected of embezzling disaster relief funds?"

Cai Jing laughed and said, "Grand Commandant, rest assured, I will make the arrangements. I will have my trusted ministers stir up trouble in the court and make this matter bigger."

Tong Guan continued, "We can also secretly send people to plant false accounts in Zhao Tianming's properties, which can be used as evidence when the court sends people to investigate."

Gao Qiu added, "Not only that, send people to keep a close eye on Wu Yong and find opportunities to create trouble in places he frequents, such as arranging assassins to carry out assassinations and then framing Zhao Tianming, so that the two of them will become enemies."

Cai Jing said ominously, "Furthermore, spread rumors that Wu Yong is secretly communicating with the enemy and is guilty of treason."

Tong Guan added, "Grand Commandant, we can also use the people around them. We can bribe Zhao Tianming's confidants to betray him, provide false information, and mislead them into making wrong decisions."

Gao Qiu said with satisfaction, "Good! When they are too busy to take care of themselves, we will seize the opportunity to take action and seize Zhao Tianming's property."

Cai Jing sneered, "By then, even if they have extraordinary abilities, they will find it difficult to turn the tide."

Tong Guan laughed triumphantly: "Haha, let them become the target of everyone's criticism, and never have a chance to turn things around."

Zhao Tianming's restaurant and grocery store were open for business as usual. He Xiang was busy in the restaurant, greeting customers, and the waiters were also working in an orderly manner at their respective posts.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted, and a group of ragged, haggard refugees surged in like a tide, quickly surrounding the restaurant and grocery store. Their eyes were filled with hunger and despair, and they kept shouting, "Give us food! Give us a way to survive!"

He Xiang was terrified by the sudden turn of events; she had never witnessed anything like it. But she quickly regained her composure and tried to reassure the disaster victims: "Fellow villagers, don't worry, we will find a way to help you."

However, the victims wouldn't listen and their emotions grew increasingly agitated. A burly man pushed his way through the crowd, shouting, "Don't listen to her nonsense! These rich people don't care about our lives! Charge in and loot!"

As he incited them, the disaster victims began to surge forward, some pushing hard against the restaurant doors, others trying to smash the windows of the grocery store.

He Xiang was extremely anxious. She kept shouting, "Everyone, calm down! This is wrong!" But her voice was drowned out by the clamor of the disaster victims.

The customers in the restaurant were terrified and huddled in the corners. The waiters were also ashen-faced, but they still kept a close watch on the door.

At this moment, Zhang Bangchang arrived hastily upon receiving the news. Seeing the chaotic scene, his heart tightened. He rushed to the front of the crowd and shouted, "Fellow villagers, I am Zhang Bangchang! Please don't act rashly!"

The burly man who was leading the group sneered, "Zhang Bangchang? Who do you think you are! Can you give us food now?" As he spoke, he grabbed Zhang Bangchang by the collar.

Zhang Bangchang struggled to break free and said, "Listen to me, everyone, this chaos won't solve the problem. We can work together to find a solution."

But the man ignored him and slapped Zhang Bangchang twice, making Zhang Bangchang see stars.

"Hmph, stop pretending to be kind!" the man said viciously.

Zhang Bangchang's cheeks were swollen and red from the beating, but he did not back down and continued to try to persuade the disaster victims.

Just then, Zhao Tianming arrived with several servants. He shouted, "Stop!"

The disaster victims paused briefly and turned to look at Zhao Tianming.

Zhao Tianming, panting heavily, said, "Fellow villagers, I know you've all suffered, but this looting isn't a solution. I will work with you to find a way to get through this difficult time."

The man in the lead scoffed, "You make it sound so nice, but who knows if you're lying to us?"

Zhao Tianming said sincerely, "I, Zhao Tianming, guarantee with my integrity that I would never lie to you. I will immediately have someone prepare some food and water to alleviate your hunger. Then we can discuss together how to solve the fundamental problem."

Upon hearing this, some of the disaster victims began to waver and started discussing the matter.

However, some people still did not believe Zhao Tianming's words and continued to make a fuss, trying to rush into the restaurant and grocery store.

Seeing this, Zhao Tianming knew he had to act quickly. He ordered his servants, "Quickly prepare food and water, and be fast!"

The servants immediately sprang into action.

Although Zhao Tianming provided food and water to the disaster victims, the leaders were not satisfied and continued to loot things, even shouting for Zhao Tianming to hand over all the stored goods.

He Xiang couldn't help but say, "These people are so greedy! We've already given them food and water, and they still won't stop!"

Upon hearing this, the leader of the disaster victims turned around and shouted at He Xiang, "You rich people, you think you can get rid of us with this little bit of food? You eat and drink well, while we are starving!"

Zhao Tianming frowned and said, "Everyone, I have done my best to help you. The inventory is the foundation of my business. If I give it all to you, I will not be able to continue operating it."

The leader of the disaster victims said viciously, "Stop pretending to be a good person! Zhao Tianming, you are heartless. You live a life of luxury but don't care about the lives of us disaster victims. You are a black-hearted businessman!"

Other victims joined in the commotion, saying, "Yes! He's a heartless businessman!"

Zhao Tianming was filled with helplessness and grievance. He said, "It's not that I don't care about everyone, but this kind of excessive demand is not the way to solve the problem."

But the disaster victims wouldn't listen and started another round of looting.

At this moment, Zhang Bangchang stepped forward and said, "Everyone, calm down! Zhao Tianming has already given us food and water; we can't repay kindness with enmity like this!"

The leader of the disaster victims sneered, "Who do you think you are? You're in cahoots with this heartless businessman!"

Zhang Bangchang's face darkened: "I'm doing this for everyone's sake! This commotion won't benefit anyone."

The chaos in front of the restaurants and grocery stores continued, and the looting by the disaster victims intensified. Zhao Tianming, Zhang Bangchang, and others tried their best to dissuade them, but they could not stop the situation from deteriorating.

Just then, an elderly man with gray hair was also jostled and knocked around in the crowd. He was already weak, and during the argument with others, he suddenly turned pale, had difficulty breathing, and collapsed to the ground.

At first, those around didn't notice, and the chaos continued. It wasn't until someone caught a glimpse of the elderly man lying motionless on the ground that they cried out in horror, "Someone's dead! Someone's dead!"

This shout was like cold water poured into hot oil; the scene instantly erupted into chaos. The disaster victims immediately stopped looting, gripped by fear and panic.

Some people began to blame Zhao Tianming: "You all forced him to this; you caused someone's death!"

He Xiang said in a panic, "This has nothing to do with us. We've been trying to find a way to help."

But the crowd was so enraged that no one listened to her explanation.

The news quickly reached the authorities. Officials arrived promptly and took Zhao Tianming and the others away.

In court, the rioting victims insisted that Zhao Tianming and He Xiang's indifference and refusal led to the old man's death and demanded that they be severely punished.

Zhao Tianming cried out his innocence: "Your Honor, I have been trying my best to calm the situation and provide them with assistance. I have never had the intention to harm anyone."

He Xiang also cried out, "We are innocent. It was these disaster victims who ignored our warnings and forcibly looted the property."

However, under pressure from the public, the government had no choice but to first detain Zhao Tianming in prison.

Upon learning of this, Zhang Bangchang was extremely anxious. He went to great lengths to find evidence to prove Zhao Tianming's innocence.

In prison, Zhao Tianming fell into deep despair. He couldn't understand why his good intentions had led to such an outcome.

Meanwhile, the rumors outside became increasingly outrageous, all saying that Zhao Tianming was a heartless and cruel businessman who deliberately caused the deaths of disaster victims.

He Xiang was also in tears at home, not knowing what to do.

Gao Qiu wanted to get rid of Zhao Tianming as soon as possible, so he prepared five hundred taels of silver and ordered his son, Gao Yanei, to go to the prefect's residence.

When Gao Yanei arrived at the prefect's gate, the gatekeeper announced his arrival, and the prefect came out to greet him. Gao Yanei said arrogantly, "Prefect, my father sent me here; I have important business with you." After saying this, he had his attendant present five hundred taels of silver.

Upon seeing this, the prefect's heart tightened, but he remained outwardly composed: "Young Master Gao, what is the meaning of this?"

Gao Yanei took out a letter from his pocket and threw it to the prefect: "It's my father's letter. Read it yourself."

The prefect took the letter and began to read it:

Your Excellency the Prefect:

There is a man named Zhao Tianming who is a thorn in my side. This man is arrogant and unruly, and has repeatedly ruined my plans. I intend to eliminate him, and have specially sent my son with five hundred taels of silver to you. I hope you will deal with Zhao Tianming swiftly and without fail. After the deed is done, you will certainly reap the rewards.

Gao Qiu

The prefect took the letter that Gao Yanei threw to him and quickly read it. His gaze lingered on the five hundred taels of silver for a moment, then he put on a smile and said to Gao Yanei, "Young master, please go back and tell the Grand Commandant that this matter will be taken care of by me."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yanei's face showed a satisfied expression. He snorted and said, "You're smart enough to know what's good for you. You'd better do what my father asked of you properly, or you'll be in big trouble!"

The prefect nodded repeatedly and bowed, replying, "Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will certainly not fail in my mission."

As Gao Yanei turned to leave, the prefect hurriedly stepped forward and said obsequiously, "Young master, please wait. This humble official awaits the Grand Commandant's orders at any time."

After Gao Yanei left, the prefect's face instantly turned gloomy. He gritted his teeth, cursing Gao Qiu inwardly for abusing his power, but he was helpless against Gao Qiu's authority.

Upon returning to the mansion, the prefect's wife greeted him and asked, "My lord, what happened?"

The prefect frowned and recounted the whole story. His wife said worriedly, "My lord, this matter must be handled with utmost care. What if…"

The prefect interrupted her, grinning and saying, "That's a woman's view! We can't afford to offend Gao Qiu, so we have no choice but to comply. Besides, we've already received the five hundred taels of silver. If we don't do the work, how could Gao Qiu let us off the hook?"

The lady sighed and said nothing more. The prefect paced back and forth in the hall, pondering how to handle Zhao Tianming's matter in a way that would satisfy Gao Qiu while preserving his own reputation and position as much as possible.