Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

Gao Lian received benefits from Wang Zhiqiang, including five thousand taels of silver notes and a pile of lavish gifts, but he was like a greedy pig, only taking in and never giving out, and had no intention of doing anything for Wang Zhiqiang at all.

Wang Zhiqiang was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, and he went to see Gao Ke several times. Each time, Gao Ke would smile obsequiously and say, "Brother Wang, don't worry, my uncle His Majesty has gone on an inspection tour. When he comes back, he will definitely help you handle this matter properly."

Wang Zhiqiang was furious, but he dared not retaliate. He could only watch helplessly as the days dragged on like a tortoise, and he was powerless to do anything about it. After all, he still needed to ask Gao Lian for help, so he could only swallow his anger.

That day, Gao Ke gossiped to Gao Lian again: "Uncle, Wang Zhiqiang has come over time again and again. It seems he can't wait any longer."

Gao Lian lay back in his armchair, leisurely cracking sunflower seeds as he glanced sideways and said, "Hmph, how can this kid be left without patience? But, we can take advantage of him again."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ke's eyes immediately lit up, and he leaned over and said, "Uncle, you're absolutely right! Wang Zhiqiang is a fat sheep. It would be a shame not to fleece him properly."

Gao Lian chuckled coldly, "This kid has plenty of fat on him. It would be a disservice to my status not to fry some of it! Go tell him that as long as he sends some more gifts, I guarantee I'll get this done for him."

Upon receiving the order, Gao Ke eagerly went to find Wang Zhiqiang.

When Wang Zhiqiang saw Gao Ke arrive, he was as if he had seen a savior and hurriedly went up to him, asking, "Brother Gao, is there good news this time?"

Gao Ke cleared his throat and pretended to be troubled, saying, "Brother Wang, I've put in a lot of good words for you in front of my uncle. However, this matter is a bit tricky."

Wang Zhiqiang's heart skipped a beat, and he asked nervously, "Brother Gao, what exactly happened?"

Gao Ke sighed and said, "My uncle said that if you want this matter to be accomplished, you'll have to show your support again."

Wang Zhiqiang's eyes widened, and he said, "Haven't I already given you a lot? Why do you want more?"

Gao Ke patted Wang Zhiqiang on the shoulder and said, "Brother Wang, as you know, my uncle is in officialdom and has a lot of connections to make. What you have isn't even enough to fill a tooth gap."

Wang Zhiqiang was so angry his face turned green, but he didn't dare to retaliate. He could only suppress his anger and ask, "How much more do you want this time?"

Gao Ke stretched out a hand and waved it in front of Wang Zhiqiang.

Wang Zhiqiang exclaimed in shock, "Five thousand taels? You're trying to kill me!"

Gao Ke pursed his lips and said, "Brother Wang, you can't say that. You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. As long as my uncle gets things done, what's your little sacrifice?"

Wang Zhiqiang gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I'll think of another way."

Gao Ke said with a smile, "Brother Wang, you'd better hurry up, my uncle doesn't have that much patience to wait for you."

After seeing Gao Ke off, Wang Zhiqiang paced back and forth at home, cursing Gao Lian and Gao Ke in his mind: "Those two bloodsuckers, they devour people without spitting out the bones!"

Despite the scolding, the matter still had to be done. Wang Zhiqiang had no choice but to scramble to raise money, selling everything he could to finally scrape together enough silver to send to Gao Lian.

When Gao Lian saw the silver, his eyes narrowed into slits with a smile, and he said, "Manager Wang, don't worry, I'll take care of this."

Wang Zhiqiang secretly prayed that Gao Lian would actually do his job this time, otherwise he would really be bankrupt.

However, after receiving the money, Gao Lian continued his eating and drinking as usual, completely forgetting about Wang Zhiqiang's matter. Wang Zhiqiang waited and waited, but nothing happened. Only then did he realize that he had been tricked by Gao Lian again. By then, he was already on the verge of tears, filled with regret.

Meanwhile, Zhao Tianming signed a new land deed with Lü Wencai. Because Wang Zhiqiang hadn't made any progress, Lü Wencai invoked the law, claiming Wang Zhiqiang was in breach of contract, and then took the land back.

Wang Zhiqiang tried to bribe his way into receiving the land deed, but still failed. Feeling cheated, he flew into a rage, smashing everything in sight while cursing, "Lü Wencai, you despicable scoundrel! Gao Lian, you greedy bastard! I, Wang Zhiqiang, will never let this go!"

Seeing that the time was ripe, Gao Ke said to Gao Lian, "Uncle, it looks like we can make our move now."

Gao Lian narrowed his eyes and said in a sinister tone, "Hmph, I won't let that brat Lü Wencai have it all to himself. Zhao Tianming wants to develop that land, doesn't he? I'll make sure he can't!"

Gao Ke quickly chimed in, "Uncle, your idea is brilliant! We should definitely teach them a lesson."

Gao Lian laughed smugly: "Of course, no one in this area can escape my grasp."

The next day, at Zhao Tianming's restaurant, He Xiang, dressed elegantly and gracefully, stood behind the counter collecting accounts, while the waiters busily served the guests. Seeing the restaurant packed with customers, He Xiang couldn't hide her smile.

However, a group of people walked in. The one in the lead carried a fan and had a pointed, monkey-like face. His small eyes darted around, his gaze sweeping smugly across the restaurant, revealing an unsettling cunning and greed.

He swaggered in with his toes pointed outwards, followed by several burly men, each with a menacing look on their faces. The lively atmosphere in the restaurant instantly fell silent; the guests unconsciously stopped what they were doing and looked warily at the uninvited guests.

Seeing this, He Xiang's heart tightened, but she still tried to remain calm and said with a smile, "Esteemed guests, are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"

The weasel-faced fellow chuckled, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, this young lady is quite pretty! We men aren't here for a meal, we're here to collect protection money!"

He Xiang's smile froze on her face as she said, "Sir, our restaurant has always conducted business in an honest and law-abiding manner, and we have paid all the taxes due. We have never heard of any protection fees."

"Hmph!" The man snapped his fan shut, pointed at He Xiang, and said, "Young lady, you don't have a choice. In this area, if I say I'm collecting protection money, then you have to pay! Otherwise, you can forget about keeping your restaurant open!"

At this moment, one of the workers couldn't help but say, "You're bullying people! Is there no law anymore?!"

The man glared at him, and the burly man behind him immediately rushed forward, grabbed the waiter by the collar, and said fiercely, "The law? Here, our boss's word is law!"

He Xiang quickly said, "Don't hit me, let's talk this out!"

The weasel-faced fellow chuckled smugly and said, "Young lady, if you know what's good for you, hand over the money quickly, and we won't make things difficult for you."

Hearing that there was trouble, Li Kui rushed in from outside with an axe and stood in front of the group. His tall and muscular body was like an iron tower, imposing and awe-inspiring, and his full beard trembled slightly with his breathing.

He glanced at the weasel-faced man and shouted, "Kid, you dare cause trouble at the boss's restaurant? Are you blind? Can't you see this axe in my hand?"

The weasel-faced man was startled by Li Kui's sudden imposing manner and involuntarily took two steps back. But he quickly regained his composure, puffed out his chest, and said, "You, who are you? How dare you meddle in other people's business!"

Li Kui's eyes widened as he roared, "Grandpa, I'm Li Kui! I'll beat up all you bastards who bully the good!"

As he spoke, he brandished his axe, the blade flashing coldly in the air, making the burly men tremble in fear.

"Hmph! You think you can scare me, your grandpa, with your dark skin?" the weasel-faced guy retorted defiantly, though his voice was clearly trembling.

Li Kui laughed loudly: "What? You're not convinced? Come on, let Grandpa's axe tell you what's going on!"

After saying that, Li Kui took another step forward. His imposing aura made the weasel-faced fellow unable to hold on any longer, and he turned around and tried to run away.

Li Kui wasn't about to let him escape so easily. He grabbed Li Kui by the collar and lifted him up like a chick: "Trying to run? Not so easy! You'd better explain yourself today, or my axe won't allow it!"

The people in the restaurant cheered when they saw Li Kui's imposing presence. Meanwhile, the weasel-faced man and his men were terrified, their faces ashen, completely at a loss.

The weasel-faced man saw Li Kui charging towards him with an axe, and he quickly led his men away. Reaching the doorway, he accidentally bumped his head, wincing in pain. Clutching his head, he said to Li Kui, "Let me tell you, my name is Yin Tianxi! You've really messed with me today!"

Upon hearing this, Li Kui burst into laughter, "What Yin Tianxi? I'm not afraid of him! Don't run away if you dare, let's fight another three hundred rounds!"

Yin Tianyi was both angry and scared, but he still stubbornly said, "You, you just wait! I will definitely get my revenge!" After saying that, he and his men ran away in a flash.

Li Kui spat at their retreating figures: "Pah! You have such cowardice, yet you dare to cause trouble? Don't let Grandpa run into you again!"

The crowd in the restaurant gathered around and praised Li Kui highly.

He Xiang also stepped forward and said gratefully, "Brother Li Kui, thanks to you, otherwise I don't know how this matter would have ended today."

Li Kui waved his hand and said, "Sister-in-law, don't be so polite with me! We can't tolerate these scoundrels!"

Zhao Tianming also came out from the back room and said, "Brother Li Kui, I can't thank you enough. Today, you must have a good drink with me in my restaurant!"

Li Kui readily agreed, "Alright! Then I won't be polite!"

The restaurant returned to its usual bustling atmosphere, but everyone secretly wondered whether that guy named Yin Tianxi would really come back for revenge.