Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

After taking a bite of food, Director Wang picked up his phone and made a call in front of the others.

"Hello, is this Director Sun? Haven't seen you fishing in a while. What? Busy? What could a director like you be so busy with? Oh, by the way, I have something I'd like to ask for your help with. It's like this..."

He had just finished the first call when he smiled and said to Li Zhen and Cao Hua, "I just talked to Old Sun at the tax bureau. You two need to go to his place tomorrow. The fine is 30,000 yuan, and you also need to write a guarantee."

Cao Hua immediately grasped Director Wang's hand and shook it, saying, "Uncle Wang, you're the best! I admire you so much!"

Director Wang released Cao Hua's hand and then dialed another number.

"Xiao Zhang, it's me. I heard your office went to inspect xxx company a few days ago? It's nothing, I was just asking, how serious are their problems? Oh... well, it's not easy for young people to start businesses these days, but they still need to be taught a lesson, and that should be enough. Money is so hard to earn these days, these kids have it tough. Okay, hahaha... I'll have him come to you tomorrow. These greenhorns know nothing but dare to get into trade, you need to teach them a lesson. Okay! Hahaha... give my regards to your father, I told him I'd be visiting him for tea in a few days..."

After making the two calls, Director Wang put down his phone and breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's finally resolved! It was really tough!"

Director Wang smiled and said to Cao Hua and Li Zhen, "You two need to be careful in the future. After you go to the tax bureau tomorrow, go to the regulatory bureau to see Director Zhang. He will tell you what to do then. Remember to keep a low profile and don't tell any outsiders. I'm only helping you because of Cao Hua's uncle. If you tell anyone, I'll be in trouble."

Li Zhen and the other two raised their glasses to express their gratitude once again. Li Zhen had not expected that Cao Hua's uncle had such great influence that he had managed to find someone like Director Wang, who had connections and influence throughout the city.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Li Zhen gave Fang Zhen a look, and the other man understood and gently placed a rectangular box in front of Director Wang.

Li Zhen smiled and said to Director Wang, "Uncle Wang, this is a copy of Emperor Huizong's original work by a friend of mine. You are knowledgeable and experienced, could you please help me authenticate it?"

Director Wang had already downed two glasses of wine, and a hint of alcohol was showing on his face. He gently unrolled the scroll, and a painting of cats playing with butterflies by Emperor Huizong of Song came into view.

After examining the painting carefully, Director Wang's hand began to tremble. He thought to himself: "An authentic work! This is an authentic work by Emperor Huizong of Song!"

To ensure he was seeing the real thing, he took out a magnifying glass and began to examine it carefully, no longer bothering to talk to Cao Hua and the others.

After a long while, he put away the magnifying glass and said to Li Zhen, "This painting looks real no matter how you look at it, but the paper and ink don't seem to be an old object. This is something I don't understand."

Li Zhen then took out two square objects from his bag and placed them in front of Director Wang.

"Uncle Wang, thank you so much for your help this time. If it weren't for you, our company would probably have had to close down. This painting is a copy made by my friend. I'll also give you two paperweights. Please don't be shy."

After saying that, he gently pushed the painting and the two rectangular objects forward. Director Wang hesitated. If this was really an authentic work by Emperor Huizong of Song, it would be extremely valuable.

After hesitating for a long time, he accepted the painting: "How about this, I didn't see it clearly just now, so consider this painting a loan. I'll take a closer look when I get home and then give it back to you."

Cao Hua walked over, holding a wine glass: "Uncle Wang, don't let this young man's age fool you, he's richer than me. Today we're going to rip off this tycoon! Come on, let's have a drink!"

Having acquired an antique jade piece and a fine calligraphy and painting today, Director Wang was in high spirits and indulged in drinking, downing two more glasses of wine. As a result, he was unable to walk when he went out and had to be helped into the car by Cao Hua.

Before leaving, he waved goodbye to Li Zhen and told him to visit him often so he could share his tips on how to identify antiques and calligraphy.

Once home, Director Wang took out the two rectangular paperweights, and there were two gleaming gold bars in front of him.

Director Wang smiled to himself, thinking to himself that Li Zhen was indeed a good guy, and that his help today had not been in vain.

After seeing Director Wang off, Li Zhen and Fang Zhen stood side by side, gazing into the distance, both considering finding a designated driver to take them back to the company. Just as they were about to use their phones to find a driver, fate took a sudden turn. A figure, like an unexpected storm, abruptly entered their field of vision—it was none other than Wang Pengfei, the very person they least wanted to see at that moment.

Wang Pengfei also saw the two of them, and he took Qin Rong's hand and walked towards them.

"Hahaha...aren't these two old classmates? What are they doing here? The company's been shut down and they're still drinking here?"

Fang Zhen said angrily, "Wang Pengfei, what exactly do you mean? Why did you report us? We've always kept to ourselves. What are you trying to do?"

Qin Rong, who was standing to the side, spoke up: "What are you doing? You, Li Zhen, look down on me, don't you? You think you're so great? I'll shut down your company and see what you'll be so arrogant about then."

Seeing this, Wang Pengfei gently patted Qin Rong's hand: "Rongrong, don't be angry with these two. We still need to continue drinking with Boss Kang. Let's go."

After saying that, he swaggered into the restaurant in front of Li Zhen and Fang Zhen. Seeing this, Fang Zhen couldn't help but want to go up and beat Wang Pengfei, but Li Zhen grabbed him.

Li Zhen said to him, "Don't get angry with him yet. Let's deal with him slowly after we've resolved our own issues. People like him are like mad dogs; if he bites you, are you going to bite him back?"

The next day, Li Zhen spent half a day taking care of everything. At noon, to thank Cao Hua for his help, the group went to Yue Man Lou again. It was the same private room as yesterday, but the atmosphere was different.

Today, Fang Zhen specially called his secretary over. In addition to serving tea and water during the meal, she can also drive them when they leave, saving them the trouble of calling a designated driver.

Li Zhen raised his glass to Cao Hua and said, "Hua Zi, thank you for your help this time. If it weren't for you, our company would probably have gone bankrupt."

Cao Hua didn't refuse and downed his drink in one gulp: "We're all classmates, why are you being so polite? By the way, what are you planning to do with Wang Pengfei? I can't swallow this insult, should I find someone to take care of him?"

While eating, Li Zhen said, "This is a society governed by law. Don't resort to knives and guns so easily. You might end up getting yourself arrested, which would be a huge loss. Isn't Wang Pengfei just relying on his father being the director of the Education Bureau? If he can trip me up, why can't I trip him up?"

Cao Hua slammed his hand on the table and said, "That's right, this guy still has a mortgage loan with our company. It seems the loan is due next month. I'll go back and talk to my uncle about how to scam this kid."

Fang Zhen put down his wine glass and said, "Hmph, Wang Pengfei's gratitude is that the rule of law saved his life."

Seeing the somewhat somber atmosphere, Li Zhen spoke up, "Well, I have a son..."