Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

Lin Chong was released, Ren Tianxi was fined, and Lu Qian received his due punishment. Zhao Tianming thought the matter was temporarily over and he could finally enjoy a few days of peace.

However, things don't always go as planned. Wang Zhiqiang, that shrewd and greedy fellow, was now stirring with ambition and began plotting his new scheme.

He learned that Gao Qiu had converted Zhao Tianming's land into a Cuju (ancient Chinese football) training ground, and his eyes lit up instantly, seeing it as a golden business opportunity. Wang Zhiqiang silently calculated in his mind: "With so many soldiers and players training here, expending so much energy every day, they must be hungry and thirsty. If I sold some braised beef, tea eggs, candied hawthorns, and small tea drinks around here, wouldn't I be making a fortune every day?"

Thinking of this, Wang Zhiqiang could no longer contain his excitement and immediately took action. He first went to the market to carefully select fresh beef, then meticulously braised it at home using his family's secret recipe, the rich aroma filling the entire courtyard. Next, he boiled a large pot of tea eggs, the fragrance of tea and the mellow flavor of spices perfectly blended. For the candied hawthorns, he used plump, juicy hawthorns, coated with a layer of translucent sugar. The tea drinks were also carefully prepared, including refreshing chrysanthemum tea and sweet, rich osmanthus tea.

After making all the preparations, Wang Zhiqiang hired a horse-drawn carriage and loaded it with goods to the vicinity of the Cuju training ground. He found a spacious and conspicuous spot and quickly set up a makeshift stall. The stall was filled with the delicacies he had carefully prepared, and he shouted loudly, "Come on, come on! Delicious braised beef, fragrant tea eggs, sweet and sour candied hawthorns, and refreshing tea drinks—everything you could want! Come and have a taste!"

His loud shouts echoed around the training ground, quickly attracting the attention of some soldiers and players. At first, everyone hesitated, after all, Gao Qiu was strict in disciplining his troops, and no one dared to easily violate the rules.

Wang Zhiqiang was a quick-witted fellow. He noticed everyone's concerns and immediately said with a smile, "Gentlemen and heroes, you've been training hard here, you need to replenish your energy, right? Don't worry, Lord Gao Qiu won't know. My prices are fair, and the food is delicious. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

Upon hearing Wang Zhiqiang's words, some soldiers and players couldn't help but be tempted and gathered around.

"Give me a piece of braised beef!"

"I want two tea eggs!"

Give me a string of candied hawthorns!

Wang Zhiqiang was extremely busy, his face beaming with smiles. While efficiently serving everyone, he didn't forget to praise his own food: "Sir, please try this braised beef. It melts in your mouth and is absolutely delicious!"

Before long, Wang Zhiqiang's stall was surrounded by a crowd, and he quickly sold most of his goods, with money flowing into his pockets.

Wang Zhiqiang was overjoyed, as if he could see countless treasures of gold and silver flying towards him.

However, his good fortune didn't last long. Wang Zhiqiang's actions were discovered by Gao Qiu's men. The men immediately returned to report to Gao Qiu: "Sir, something bad has happened! There's some reckless guy selling food around the training ground, and his business is booming. The soldiers have all gathered around."

Upon hearing this, Gao Qiu flew into a rage: "What? How dare they act so recklessly around my training ground? They simply don't respect me at all!"

Gao Qiu immediately led a group of men and rushed towards the stall with great momentum.

At this moment, Wang Zhiqiang was still immersed in the joy of making money and was completely unaware of the approaching danger.

When Gao Qiu appeared before him, he was so frightened that he almost collapsed to the ground.

Gao Qiu glared angrily and shouted, "You audacious scoundrel, how dare you disrupt military discipline here! Do you know your crime?"

Wang Zhiqiang immediately knelt down and kowtowed, his voice trembling as he said, "Lord Gao Qiu, please spare my life! I just wanted to earn some money to support my family. I was confused for a moment. Please forgive me this time!"

Gao Qiu snorted coldly: "Hmph, spare you? You ignorant fool, you've broken my rules! Guards, confiscate all his goods and give him twenty lashes!"

Wang Zhiqiang begged for mercy in despair, but to no avail. The soldiers swarmed him, confiscated his goods, then pinned him to the ground and gave him twenty heavy lashes.

Wang Zhiqiang was beaten until his skin was torn and bleeding, and he cried out in pain.

Upon receiving the news, Shi Qian ran and stumbled back to the shop, panting heavily. He had barely entered when he yelled at the top of his lungs, "Something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened!"

Zhao Tianming was discussing matters with Li Kui, Wu Yong, Dai Zong, Lin Chong, and others in the room when they were startled by Shi Qian's shout.

Li Kui, being impatient, jumped up and shouted, "You flea on the drum, what's all this fuss about?"

While panting heavily, Shi Qian said intermittently, "Wang...Wang Zhiqiang...got beaten up!"

Upon hearing this, everyone perked up and hurriedly asked what had happened.

Shi Qian finally caught his breath and plopped down on the table, slapping it as he exclaimed, "Hey, that Wang Zhiqiang, he's got a money-grubbing streak! He's gone mad for money! He actually went to the royal football training ground to sell snacks!"

Lin Chong frowned, looking puzzled: "This kid, isn't he a bit too bold?"

Shi Qian continued, "That's right! He thought it was a good place to make money, but who knew that Gao Qiu was not someone to be trifled with!"

Li Kui laughed loudly: "That fool, he deserves his bad luck!"

At this moment, Wu Yong gently waved his fan and said thoughtfully, "Gentlemen, don't just keep laughing. Although Wang Zhiqiang was beaten, in my opinion, he will definitely not let it go."

Everyone looked at Wu Yong, and Dai Zong asked, "Mr. Wu, what makes you say that?"

Wu Yong smiled slightly and said, "Think about it, now that Wang Zhiqiang has seized the opportunity to make a fortune, how can he give it up so easily? With his greedy nature, he won't turn back until he hits a brick wall."

Lin Chong nodded: "Brother Wu is right. Wang Zhiqiang is the kind of person who will do anything for money."

Zhao Tianming sighed, "Sigh, I just hope he doesn't cause any more trouble."

Li Kui patted his chest and said, "What's there to be afraid of? With me, Tie Niu, here, he can't possibly cause any trouble!"

Shi Qian jumped off the table and said with a grin, "Brother Li Kui, don't underestimate Wang Zhiqiang, he's got a lot of tricks up his sleeve!"

As everyone was talking, they suddenly heard a commotion outside.

Just as Wu Yong had predicted, Wang Zhiqiang learned his lesson after being beaten. He first tried to bribe Gao Qiu in an attempt to salvage the situation.

Wang Zhiqiang had meticulously prepared lavish gifts and approached Gao Qiu with a beaming smile. However, Gao Qiu was completely unmoved. He glanced at the gifts Wang had brought and snorted coldly, saying, "With these things, you think you can change my mind? Hmph, that's wishful thinking! I lack nothing and don't care for your trinkets."

Frustrated by his initial rebuff, Wang Zhiqiang had no choice but to seek another method. He racked his brains and decided to take several boxes of fine tea and two valuable jade pendants, and hastily set out to cultivate connections. This time, he set his sights on Cai Jing.

Wang Zhiqiang, carrying gifts, cautiously arrived at Cai Jing's residence. Cai Jing sat in his armchair, not even lifting his eyelids, and coldly said, "I'm preoccupied with the matter of the 100,000 yuan birthday tribute, how could I have time to concern myself with your trivial affairs!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhiqiang's heart skipped a beat, and he knew he was in trouble. He thought to himself, "Oh dear, this Grand Tutor Cai is really asking for the moon! Ten thousand taels of birthday tribute? He's going to kill me!" But in order to achieve his goal, Wang Zhiqiang suppressed his fear and kept smiling.

He hurriedly said, "Grand Tutor, I know you are troubled by the birthday tribute, that's why I'm here to help you find a solution."

Cai Jing then slightly raised his eyes, glanced at Wang Zhiqiang, and said unhurriedly, "Oh? What can you do?"

Wang Zhiqiang swallowed hard and said, "Grand Tutor, I'm currently running a small business. If you could help me out and allow me to continue running this business, I guarantee you won't have to worry about anything and you'll get 70% of the profits."

Upon hearing this, Cai Jing sat up slightly and said, "Such a good thing? Don't try to fool this Grand Tutor."

Wang Zhiqiang hurriedly nodded and bowed, saying, "Grand Tutor, how could I dare! I've calculated it, and the daily income is about five hundred taels of silver. If you take seventy percent, that's three hundred and fifty taels! Over time, that's a considerable sum."

Cai Jing stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "Hmm, that sounds good. But you should know that if anything goes wrong, this Grand Tutor will not spare you."

Wang Zhiqiang patted his chest and assured, "Grand Tutor, rest assured, I will handle things properly and will not cause you any trouble."

Cai Jing nodded and said, "Alright, I'll trust you this time. But you'd better do a good job. If you dare to try anything funny, hmph!"

Wang Zhiqiang felt as if he had been granted a pardon and hurriedly thanked him profusely: "Thank you, Grand Tutor! Thank you, Grand Tutor! I will do my best and never let you down."

Emerging from Cai Jing's residence, Wang Zhiqiang wiped the cold sweat from his brow, inwardly groaning. But in order to continue his business around the Royal Cuju training ground, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go on.

In the days that followed, Wang Zhiqiang began to work even harder in his business. He worked from dawn till dusk every day, daring not to slack off in the slightest. Meanwhile, Cai Jing sat in his mansion, waiting for the 70% of the profits to come in.

But somehow, the news still reached Gao Qiu's ears. When Gao Qiu learned that Wang Zhiqiang had actually found Cai Jing as his patron, he was even more furious.

Gao Qiu flew into a rage in his mansion: "You, Wang Zhiqiang, how dare you go to Cai Jing behind my back! I'll teach you a lesson!"

Gao Qiu's subordinates offered various suggestions. Some suggested ruining Wang Zhiqiang's business, while others suggested reporting him to Cai Jing.

Gao Qiu didn't want a direct confrontation with Cai Jing, since the two were on the same side. Therefore, he turned a blind eye to Wang Zhiqiang's actions, simply telling Wang Zhiqiang, "Don't interfere with their training!"

When this matter reached Zhao Tianming, Wu Yong said, "What do you think? Isn't it the same as what I was thinking?"

Li Kui's eyes widened, and he shouted, "Wu Xuejiu, stop playing coy! What's the point of talking nonsense now? Hurry up and think of a way to deal with that bastard Wang Zhiqiang!"

Wu Yong shook his head and said, "This is not a good matter! Wang Ziqiang must have used the birthday tribute as collateral to get Cai Jing to make a promise, which is why he dared to openly sell things at the training ground."

Upon hearing this, Li Kui stamped his feet in frustration: "What birthday vat? Why does Cai Jing prefer a water vat to gold and silver jewelry?"

Song Jiang couldn't help but laugh and scold, "You idiot, what water vat! That birthday tribute is gold and silver treasure! You good-for-nothing scoundrel, stop talking!"

Li Kui scratched his head and muttered, "How would I, Old Li, know all these intricacies?"

The crowd burst into laughter.

Song Jiang said, "For now, we can only observe secretly to see where Wang Zhiqiang's food comes from, and then make a plan."

Li Kui jumped up again: "What are you still observing for? Just rush over and smash his stall!"

Wu Yong quickly stopped him: "Brother Tie Niu, don't be impulsive. We need to think this through carefully."

Li Kui snorted: "All you women are so indecisive about. I think the simplest thing to do is to just take action!"

Everyone laughed and joked again, but in their hearts they were all thinking about how to deal with Wang Zhiqiang, this troublesome guy.