Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

At dawn, Emperor Huizong entered the imperial study as usual, preparing to begin handling state affairs. As he approached the desk, he immediately noticed the conspicuous letter.

Emperor Huizong frowned slightly, his mind filled with doubt. The Imperial Study was always heavily guarded, so how could a letter of unknown origin appear here? He reached out and picked up the letter, opened the envelope, and scanned the contents of the letter.

The letter detailed Tong Guan's various crimes of corruption and abuse of power, from embezzling military funds, causing soldiers on the front lines to suffer from hunger and cold, to using his authority to buy and sell official positions, allowing incompetent people to fill the court. Even worse, Tong Guan colluded with local powerful figures to exploit the people, extorting and seizing farmland, causing countless people to be displaced and filled with resentment.

Emperor Huizong's eyes widened, his anger seemingly about to burst forth. His hands began to tremble, crumpling the letter in his grip.

"That Tong Guan!" Emperor Huizong roared, his voice booming like thunder in the silent imperial study. He abruptly stood up and swept all the writing implements off the desk, the sound of shattering porcelain echoing in the room, yet still unable to vent his anger.

"I entrusted him with important responsibilities, yet he dared to betray my trust like this!" Emperor Huizong's chest heaved violently, his breathing rapid and heavy. "I wholeheartedly want to govern this country well and let the people live in peace and prosperity, but he has been committing evil deeds and enriching himself behind my back!"

Emperor Huizong's face flushed crimson with rage, veins bulging on his forehead like writhing earthworms. He clenched his teeth, the words escaping between them seeming to carry icy shards: "He thinks I'm being kept in the dark, that he can get away with it? What a fool!"

At this moment, Emperor Huizong, like an enraged lion, paced back and forth in his study. "How can my court tolerate such scoundrels! How can my people suffer such oppression!"

Suddenly, Emperor Huizong stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixed on the letter, as if he could see Tong Guan's ugly face through the paper. "Issue my decree: investigate this matter thoroughly immediately, and punish everyone involved severely! I want everyone to know that my empire will not tolerate such dirty dealings!"

Emperor Huizong sat back down in his chair, trying to calm himself, but the flames of anger still burned in his eyes. He secretly vowed to eradicate this corrupt practice and restore order to the world.

At this moment, Tong Guan was in Wang Zhiqiang's luxurious shop, drinking and chatting with Wang Zhiqiang, Gao Ke, Lu Qian, Yin Tianxi, and others, having a very lively time.

The restaurant was lavishly decorated, with tables laden with delicacies. Several people, their faces flushed from drinking, laughed incessantly. Tong Guan leaned back in his chair, holding a wine glass, and proudly recounted his "great achievements."

Just then, Eunuch Chen, holding the imperial edict, walked in with a solemn expression. His footsteps broke the noise in the room, and everyone's eyes turned to him.

When Tong Guan saw Eunuch Chen, the smile on his face instantly froze, and a bad premonition welled up in his heart. But he still tried to remain calm, put down his wine cup, stood up and said, "Eunuch Chen, what brings you here?"

Without even glancing at him, Eunuch Chen walked straight to the center of the room, cleared his throat, and announced loudly, "Tong Guan, receive the imperial decree!"

Tong Guan quickly knelt down, followed by Wang Zhiqiang and the others behind him. Tong Guan kept his head down, but his eyes secretly glanced upwards, trying to guess the contents of the imperial edict from Eunuch Chen's expression.

Eunuch Chen unfolded the imperial edict and loudly proclaimed: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Tong Guan, I entrusted you with important responsibilities, hoping you would share my burdens and bring happiness to the people. However, you have not thought of serving the country, but have instead embezzled and perverted the law, misappropriating military funds, causing the soldiers on the front lines to suffer from hunger and cold; you have bought and sold official positions, creating chaos in the court; you have colluded with powerful figures, oppressed the people, seized their land, and caused them to live in misery. Such crimes are intolerable to Heaven! I hereby issue this decree to strip you of all your official positions, confiscate your property, and imprison you in jail, pending a joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices, where you will be severely punished without leniency! This is the imperial decree!"

As the imperial edict unfolded, Tong Guan's face grew increasingly grim, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. His lips began to tremble, and his hands clenched involuntarily.

When he heard the Emperor's stern rebuke of his crimes of corruption and perversion of justice, Tong Guan's body jolted violently, as if struck by lightning. His eyes were filled with terror and despair, and his face turned deathly pale.

After reading the imperial edict, Eunuch Chen looked coldly at Tong Guan and said, "Lord Tong, accept the edict."

Tong Guan, trembling, reached out his hands to receive the imperial edict, then collapsed to the ground like a punctured balloon. Wang Zhiqiang and the others were also terrified, their faces ashen, and dared not utter a sound.

At this moment, Tong Guan was filled with regret and fear. He knew that his wealth and glory were about to vanish, and severe punishment awaited him.

The day Zhao Tianming was released from prison was exceptionally bright. Song Jiang, Lu Junyi, Wu Yong, Wu Song, Lu Zhishen, Shi Qian, Dai Zong, Shi Xiu, and others were waiting at the prison gate early in the morning.

Song Jiang, dressed in a long robe, looked excited, his eyes fixed on the prison door, his hands unconsciously clasped in front of him. Lu Junyi, tall and imposing, had eyes full of expectation. Wu Yong waved his feather fan, his expression revealing satisfaction.

Wu Song, dressed in short, tight-fitting clothes, had a burly body like a small mountain. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes firm and fervent. Lu Zhishen, with his chest bare, displayed his powerful muscles, and his monk's staff pounded the ground with a loud thud.

Shi Qian, small and agile, darted through the crowd, occasionally peeking into the prison on tiptoe. Dai Zong, on the other hand, looked anxious, pacing back and forth. Shi Xiu clenched his fists, his expression a mixture of excitement and tension.

Finally, the prison door slowly opened, and Zhao Tianming walked out with slightly unsteady steps. His face was haggard, but his eyes shone with the light of someone who had survived a calamity.

"Brother Zhao!" Song Jiang rushed forward, taking Zhao Tianming's arm with concern in his eyes. "You've suffered!"

Lu Junyi followed closely behind, saying, "It's good that you're out, it's good that you're out!"

Everyone gathered around, and Wu Yong said with a smile, "Brother Zhao's safe return is truly a blessing for us all."

Wu Song laughed and patted Zhao Tianming on the shoulder: "Haha, brother, we can roam the world together again!"

Lu Zhishen shouted, "Those corrupt officials only know how to frame innocent people! I really want to give them a good beating with my staff!"

Shi Qian skipped over and said, "Brother Zhao, we were so worried about you!"

Dai Zong also stopped and said excitedly, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

Shi Xiu held Zhao Tianming's hand tightly and nodded vigorously.

For a moment, everyone chatted excitedly, creating a lively atmosphere. Looking at the familiar faces, Zhao Tianming was deeply moved, his eyes slightly moist: "Thank you all for your concern, brothers. My return to the world is all thanks to you!"

The crowd surrounded Zhao Tianming, chatting and laughing as they left the prison gate. The cheerful atmosphere seemed to dispel all gloom.

Zhao Tianming returned home surrounded by people, only to find that his wife, He Xiang, had already prepared a sumptuous feast.

Inside the main room, several large tables were laden with delicious dishes, the steaming food emitting an enticing aroma. He Xiang smiled, dressed in simple, elegant clothes, her eyes filled with joy and contentment.

"Heroes and valiant men, please take your seats. Thank you all for saving my Tianming," He Xiang said gently.

Everyone took their seats, and Song Jiang cupped his hands and said, "Sister-in-law, you are too kind. Brother Zhao is one of our good brothers, so it is only right that we help him."

He Xiang poured wine for everyone, and Lu Junyi raised his glass: "Brother Zhao's safe return is truly a joyous occasion."

Wu Yong gently waved his feather fan: "Yes, this is all thanks to everyone's concerted efforts."

Wu Song drank it down in one gulp with hearty gusto: "Good wine and good food, thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law!"

Lu Zhishen ate heartily: "Haha, that's more like it!"

He Xiang smiled at everyone, her eyes full of gratitude: "My greatest wish is that everyone enjoys the meal."

Shi Qian ate with great relish, praising, "My sister-in-law's cooking is absolutely superb!"

Dai Zong nodded with a smile: "This banquet is truly sumptuous."

Shi Xiu then said softly to He Xiang, "You've worked hard, sister-in-law."

Watching his wife's busy figure, Zhao Tianming felt warm and touched. He held He Xiang's hand and said, "I'm sorry to have worried you these past few days." He Xiang gently shook her head and said, "As long as you are safe, it's all worth it."

The room was filled with laughter and joy. This banquet was not only a celebration of Zhao Tianming's return, but also a testament to the brotherhood between them.

Eunuch Chen then ordered the Imperial Guards to take Tong Guan away temporarily. Under the escort of the Imperial Guards, Tong Guan was distraught and dragged away from the scene like a stray dog.

After Tong Guan left, Wang Zhiqiang instantly turned pale, his body began to tremble uncontrollably, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. "If Lord Tong is imprisoned, it will inevitably implicate our party. What should we do?" Wang Zhiqiang cried out, his voice filled with panic and fear.

He paced back and forth in the room like a cat on a hot tin roof, his hands tightly clasped together, his eyes filled with despair and helplessness.

Gao Ke remained calm, which surprised the panicked Wang Zhiqiang and the others.

Wang Zhiqiang glared at Gao Ke and roared angrily, "Gao Ke, how can you be so calm at a time like this? Don't you know we're in deep trouble?"

Gao Ke pursed his lips slightly and said calmly, "Manager Wang, don't panic. What's the use of panicking now that things have come to this?"

Wang Zhiqiang was furious: "You make it sound so easy! If Tong Guan falls, do you think we'll have a good outcome?"

Gao Ke narrowed his eyes slightly and calmly analyzed, "Manager Wang, the more critical the moment, the more we need to think calmly. There might still be a chance for Tong Guan to be dealt with."

Lu Qian interjected tremblingly, "What hope is there? We all have close ties with Tong Guan, His Majesty will not let us off the hook."

Gao Ke shook his head: "Not necessarily. What we need to do now is to quickly gather evidence in our favor to prove that we were not deeply involved in certain matters."

Yin Tianxi looked doubtful: "Will this work?"

Gao Ke took a deep breath: "We'll only know if it works by trying. If we panic now, we'll only be heading for disaster."

Hearing Gao Ke's words, Wang Zhiqiang calmed down a little, but he was still uneasy: "Then, in your opinion, how exactly should we proceed?"

Gao Ke walked to the table and said in a low voice, "First, we need to secretly contact some officials who can still speak for us; second, send someone to Tong Guan's residence to see if we can find anything that is beneficial to us; finally, prepare enough money for any eventuality."

Although still filled with fear, the crowd calmed down after hearing Gao Ke's instructions and prepared to follow his plan.