Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

Zhang San and his gang of hooligans returned home dejectedly, their faces covered in dust. Just then, Yin Tianxi arrived with his men, looking arrogant and overbearing.

Upon seeing Zhang San's disheveled appearance, Yin Tianxi immediately understood that the matter had definitely been botched. Enraged, he spat on the ground, put his hands on his hips, pointed a finger at Zhang San's nose, and began to berate him: "Look at you, you pathetic mess! I knew you were incapable of accomplishing anything!"

Zhang San hung his head, not daring to utter a sound.

Yin Tianxi grew increasingly angry as he spoke, raising his voice eight octaves: "Don't ever call yourselves the number one scoundrels in the capital again! Look at you, a few of you scared into such a cowardly state by a mere black-clad fellow! You've completely disgraced me, Yin Tianxi!"

The attendants around him also burst into laughter.

Wang Wu couldn't help but mutter, "That guy is too powerful, there's nothing we can do about it."

Upon hearing this, Yin Tianxi's eyes widened: "What do you mean there's no way? You're all a bunch of cowards! You can't even handle this simple matter, what else can you do?"

Zhao Liu whispered, "Brother, how about we think of another way?"

Yin Tianxi waved his hand dismissively: "What are you thinking? You're all a bunch of brainless idiots! Why did I hire a bunch of good-for-nothings like you!"

Ma Zi stood to the side and said meekly, "Uncle Yin, please calm down, please calm down."

Yin Tianxi snorted: "Get over it? How could I possibly get over it? You all better get back here and figure out how to salvage this situation, or you'll be in big trouble!"

Zhang San and his companions felt as if they had been granted a pardon and quickly scurried away, looking as disheveled as could be, which made Yin Tianxi and his entourage burst into laughter again.

Seeing Yin Tianxi's departing figure, Zhang San'er was furious. He slammed his fist against the wall, crying out in pain and shaking his hand.

"Hmph! If word gets out, we brothers won't be able to survive in Beijing anymore. Who will listen to us and obediently hand over the protection money?" Zhang San'er said angrily, his face turning red like a ripe tomato.

Ma Zi nodded, his small eyes darting around, and leaned closer to Zhang San, saying, "Brother, I heard that that bastard has made a pretty good friend nearby. Why don't we start with this guy and teach that bastard a lesson?"

Zhang San'er glanced sideways at Ma Zi and said irritably, "You're so full of tricks, then tell me, who is this guy?"

Ma Zi smiled obsequiously and said, "It's Clerk Song."

Upon hearing this, Zhang San'er frowned so deeply it could trap a fly: "What? A guy who delivers duck shreds? What kind of skills could he possibly have?"

Ma Zi quickly waved his hand: "Brother, don't underestimate this Clerk Song. I heard that although he looks unremarkable, he and that bastard are so close they're practically inseparable. If we can get him under control, are we afraid that bastard won't obediently submit?"

Zhang San'er stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "Hmm, what you said seems to make some sense. So how do we get started with this Clerk Song? We can't just tie him up, can we?"

Wang Wu chimed in, "Brother, how about we set a trap to lure him in?"

Zhang San'er's eyes lit up: "How do you plan to do that?"

Wang Wu leaned close to Zhang San'er's ear and whispered a few words.

Upon hearing this, Zhang San'er slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Great! Let's do it that way!"

Zhao Liu, however, was somewhat worried: "Brother, will this work? What if something goes wrong..."

Zhang San'er glared at him: "You coward, what could possibly go wrong? Just listen to me!"

So, Zhang San'er and his men began to plot.

They found a dilapidated house and set it up like a trap. Zhang San'er even had some rotten fish and shrimp prepared to annoy Song Yashi.

Everything was ready; they were just waiting for Clerk Song to take the bait.

That day, Song, the clerk, was walking down the road when Ma Zi pretended to bump into him by accident.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" Pockmarked man apologized repeatedly.

Clerk Song, being good-natured, replied, "It's nothing, it's nothing."

Ma Zi's eyes darted around: "Brother, you look kind. I have some good news for you. There's a house up ahead with lots of treasures inside. We're not capable of taking them, but if you have the guts, those treasures are yours."

Upon hearing this, Clerk Song was half-believing and half-doubting: "Really?"

Ma Zi patted his chest and assured him, "Of course it's true, why would I lie to you?"

Song Yashi thought to himself: Anyway, there's no harm in going to take a look.

And so, Clerk Song followed Ma Zi to the front of that dilapidated house.

As soon as he entered the door, he smelled a pungent stench.

"What's that smell?" Song Yasi covered his nose.

At this moment, Zhang San'er jumped out from behind: "Haha, you've been tricked!"

Only then did Clerk Song realize he had fallen into a trap. He turned to run away, but Wang Wu and Zhao Liu blocked his way.

"What do you want to do?" Song Yashi asked, somewhat frightened.

But upon seeing Clerk Song, Zhang San reached out and grabbed him, then scanned Clerk Song with his cunning, rat-like eyes. He said to the group of ruffians, "This guy looks so much like that guy in black silk, are they brothers?"

Everyone chimed in, "They must be brothers. This makes things much easier. We'll catch him, then lure that girl in black silk into the trap and teach this Li Kui a lesson."

Upon hearing that these people had captured him to deal with Li Kui, Song Yangshi immediately hardened his stance and said, "You bunch of bastards, so you had ulterior motives. But you've miscalculated. Don't try to use me to threaten Li Kui!"

Zhang San glared fiercely at Song Yashi and threatened, "Hmph, you have no choice! If you behave, you'll suffer less, otherwise you'll be in big trouble!"

Undeterred, Clerk Song straightened his back and shouted, "I, Clerk Song, am not easily intimidated! You bunch of scoundrels, come at me if you dare!"

Wang Wu stepped forward and shoved Song, the clerk, and cursed, "Kid, you're still got a tough tongue! Just wait until Li Kui comes, then you'll be crying!"

Song, the clerk, sneered: "You think you can deal with Li Kui? Dream on!"

Zhao Liu said from the side, "Brother, don't waste time arguing with him, just lock him up first."

Zhang San nodded and said, "Tie him up and lock him in that little dark room!"

Several hooligans rushed forward, tied Song, the clerk, up tightly, and shoved him toward the small dark room.

As he struggled, Clerk Song shouted, "You despicable scoundrels, you'll all come to a bad end!"

Ma Zi said sarcastically, "Wait until Li Kui comes, then let's see if you're still so tough!"

Even after being locked in the small dark room, Song, the clerk, continued to curse. Outside, Zhang San and his men discussed how to lure Li Kui into a trap, each with a smug and sinister smile on their faces.

After Clerk Song was imprisoned, Zhang Shun, a fishmonger, wanted to find an opportunity to thank him, because Clerk Song had helped him avoid some taxes. One day, he excitedly went to the government office to find Clerk Song, only to be told by the officials that Clerk Song had left with several people and had not returned.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shun frowned. It was the time for him to be on duty, but Clerk Song was not there, and he had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

Zhang Shun paced back and forth in front of the government office, pondering the matter, and decided to search for him. Knowing that Li Kui and Clerk Song were on good terms, he went straight to Zhao Tianming's restaurant to find Li Kui.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Zhang Shun saw Li Kui sitting there drinking. He rushed over, panting, and said, "Brother Li Kui, something terrible has happened!"

Li Kui put down his wine cup, looked at Zhang Shun and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic?"

Zhang Shun, panting heavily, said, "Song, the clerk, is missing! I went to the government office to look for him, but the people there said he left with a few people and hasn't come back yet."

Upon hearing this, Li Kui jumped to his feet, his eyes wide: "What? Gone? When did this happen?"

Zhang Shun wiped the sweat from his brow: "I just asked today."

Li Kui frowned, his fists clenching so tightly they cracked: "Something's not right. Could he have been kidnapped by someone?"

Zhang Shun said anxiously, "Brother Li Kui, you have to think of a way!"

Li Kui paced back and forth in the restaurant a few times, then said, "Brother Zhang Shun, don't worry, let's ask around and see if we can find any clues."

Zhang Shun nodded: "Okay, I'll do whatever Brother Li Kui says."

Thus, Li Kui and Zhang Shun began to inquire about the whereabouts of Song Yashi, and a tense search for him began.

Zhao Tianming knew Li Kui was impulsive, so he sent Wu Yong with him. Li Kui was displeased and pointed at Wu Yong, saying, "You dog-headed strategist, you only come up with bad ideas and can't get anything done. Don't get in my way!"

Wu Yong looked embarrassed, and Zhao Tianming quickly said, "Li Kui, don't be rude! Let Wu Yong follow you and give you advice when it matters."

Li Kui rolled his eyes at Wu Yong, reluctantly picked up where Zhao Tianming left off, and said to Wu Yong, "Hmph, then you better stick close, or you'll hold me back!"

Wu Yong nodded helplessly: "Alright, alright, Brother Li, I will definitely follow you closely."

Li Kui flicked his sleeves and said, "Then what are we dawdling for? Let's go!" He then strode forward, with Wu Yong jogging behind to keep up. The sight of them looking so comical made Zhao Tianming shake his head.

The group searched all the places Song Yashi usually frequented, but couldn't find him. Wu Yong said to Li Kui, "It seems someone is deliberately targeting Song Yashi."

Upon hearing this, Li Kui's eyes widened, and he exclaimed, "Who dares to mess with my elder brother? He's an official, he must have a death wish!"

Wu Yong shook his head and said, "Anyone who dares to go against Clerk Song must have a powerful backer."

Li Kui gritted his teeth and said hatefully, "I don't care what his background is, if I find out who he is, I'll skin him alive!"

Wu Yong quickly advised, "Brother Li Kui, don't be impulsive. We need to find out the situation first and then make a more careful plan."

Li Kui snorted: "Why are we still discussing this? Let's just charge in!"

Wu Yong said helplessly, "Absolutely not. Acting so rashly will not only fail to save Clerk Song, but may also get us into trouble."

Li Kui frowned and paced back and forth: "Then what do you suggest we do? We can't just sit here and wait!"

Wu Yong pondered for a moment and said, "Let's investigate secretly first and see if Clerk Song has offended anyone recently, or if there are any unusual circumstances."

Li Kui said impatiently, "Fine, I'll listen to you this once, you dog-headed strategist. If you still can't find my brother, I won't let you off the hook!"