Chapter 64: Making Money 1/3

Since everything had been revealed… Wu Baichuan sighed and explained the several times Hong Hui had approached him before.

He knew that making excuses would only make people more dissatisfied, so after explaining, he just apologized, “Mr. Li, I’m really sorry. I’m a timid person who’s afraid of trouble, so I agreed to break the contract with Hong Hui…”

Li Qingzhi knew that Wu Baichuan was not lying. From beginning to end, Wu Baichuan had no ill intentions toward him or Jin Xiaoye.

Having experienced too many betrayals and encountered too many people with ill intentions toward him, including some who wanted to kill him, compared to those people, Wu Baichuan’s actions were really nothing.

Because of this, Li Qingzhi wasn’t angry. His expression remained calm throughout.

Seeing Li Qingzhi’s reaction, Wu Baichuan became even more uncertain.

This person not only guessed who was behind the mischief as soon as he approached, but even after hearing the whole story, he didn’t show the slightest hint of anger!

A country scholar not only gained Zhu Qian’s favor but also became a distinguished guest of County Magistrate Gou. This person’s scheming must be deep, and his methods must be extraordinary!

It was quite cold today, but Wu Baichuan was sweating. He wiped his face with his sleeve and said, “Mr. Li, I’m in the wrong in this matter. If you have any requests, please feel free to ask…”

“I see… Then please hurry and take away the goods from Xiaoye’s side. Also, regarding Hong Hui… keep an eye on him and don’t let him harm Xiaoye.” Li Qingzhi looked at Wu Baichuan.

Although he was now highly regarded by County Magistrate Gou, in reality, he was just an ordinary person without any official position. He couldn’t do anything for Wu Baichuan.

Moreover, the mastermind of this matter was not Wu Baichuan but Hong Hui.

Li Qingzhi knew that Hong Hui disliked him, but he hadn’t taken it seriously before, because in this world, most people, even if they dislike others, wouldn’t actually do anything.

But now, Hong Hui was actually playing dirty tricks behind the scenes…

Wu Baichuan was nervous, preparing himself for various unreasonable demands from Li Qingzhi, but he didn’t expect Li Qingzhi to only ask him to quickly take away the goods and keep an eye on Hong Hui.

He looked at Li Qingzhi in astonishment.

Li Qingzhi smiled at Wu Baichuan. “Shopkeeper Wu, I don’t want Xiaoye to worry. Don’t tell her about this matter, okay?”

“Okay, okay.” Wu Baichuan hurriedly agreed.

“It’s quite cold outside. Let’s go back.” Li Qingzhi suggested, leading the way back into the house.

Wu Baichuan quickly followed, feeling a bit dazed when he heard the noise inside. He felt uncertain in his heart.

At this moment, a merchant approached Li Qingzhi curiously and asked, “Mr. Li, do you know Old Wu?”

Li Qingzhi smiled and replied, “We have some acquaintances.”

The man looked at Wu Baichuan enviously upon hearing this, and Wu Baichuan could only smile bitterly in his heart.

Li Qingzhi knew that if he mentioned that his wife had opened an embroidery workshop at this gathering, there would surely be a continuous stream of orders from Jin Xiaoye in the future. But these businessmen were placing orders with Jin Xiaoye out of respect for him, to please County Magistrate Gou, and they might even ask him for favors… This was not what he wanted.

Without saying much, Li Qingzhi returned to County Magistrate Gou’s side.

As soon as he left, someone approached Wu Baichuan and asked how he knew Li Qingzhi.

Wu Baichuan dared not say much and vaguely mentioned that he knew Li Qingzhi’s wife.

“Old Wu, you’re not being fair!”

“Old Wu, we’re all brothers, can’t you give us a hint?”

“Old Wu…”

Wu Baichuan had been sweating profusely before, and now he felt a chill down his spine… What could he hint at? He was probably already resented!

After Li Qingzhi returned, he stayed by County Magistrate Gou’s side and talked with the businessmen.

County Magistrate Gou couldn’t speak the dialect of Chongcheng County, he could only understand it. When there were only a few people, it was fine, but when there were many people, he couldn’t understand the intentions of these businessmen immediately. With Li Qingzhi by his side, he could help him deal with these businessmen.

Li Qingzhi had read the information of the businessmen attending the chamber of commerce on the way there, and Zhu Qian introduced them again after they arrived. Now he could call out the names of everyone present and knew what businesses they were in.

As a result, his conversations with people were always appropriate.

“Shopkeeper Li, the quality of your duck egg powder is well-known, and the County Magistrate even bought it for his wife.”

“Shopkeeper Wang, I had a meal at your restaurant before, and the taste of the roasted chicken was truly outstanding!”

“Shopkeeper Zhou, the County Magistrate has always said that you are a kind person, and after making money, you don’t forget to give back to the village by repairing bridges and roads.”

These businessmen were all very moved when they heard these remarks, and they also felt that Li Qingzhi was extraordinary.

This person was really clever and tactful!

Li Qingzhi was unaware of others’ evaluations of him. In his eyes, these people were no different from the elders in Miaoqian Village. As long as the conversation was over, it was fine.

He quite liked these people. In a short while, many of them had already invited him to dinner.

Of course, he wouldn’t go. Given his current situation, it was better not to get too close to people.

After dinner, it was time for the election of the chamber of commerce chairman.

County Magistrate Gou was present… Zhu Qian wasn’t surprised at all when he became the new chairman of the chamber of commerce.

The former chairman of the chamber of commerce was definitely unhappy, but he smiled and kept congratulating Zhu Qian.

After the election of the chamber of commerce chairman, County Magistrate Gou announced, “I came here specifically to share some good news with everyone. The dock in Chongcheng County is too small, so I plan to build a new dock to the west of the county!”

County Magistrate Gou didn’t mention asking the businessmen to donate money. He only stated that he would have laborers build a new dock to the west of the county.

Upon hearing his words, the businessmen present were extremely excited, and some couldn’t help but whisper to each other.

Li Qingzhi understood their excitement.

Chongcheng County was wealthy, but the county town was so small… Even if these businessmen wanted to expand their businesses, they couldn’t do it.

But if another dock was built, there would definitely be many more opportunities.

County Magistrate Gou talked a lot about the benefits of building a dock for Chongcheng County and for these businessmen. After finishing, he left with Li Qingzhi.

The matter of donating money didn’t need to be mentioned by County Magistrate Gou. They had already discussed it with Zhu Qian. Zhu Qian would donate land and money, and then County Magistrate Gou would propose to erect a monument on the dock to thank Zhu Qian. At that time, others would surely also want to donate money.

Who wouldn’t want a good reputation?

Moreover, if everyone else donated money and had their names engraved on the stone monument, could one afford not to donate? That would be too embarrassing!

In Sister Wang’s house in Chongcheng County:

The Chamber of Commerce in Chongcheng County was very distant for Sister Wang and Mrs. Xu. Mrs. Xu had never even heard of the existence of the chamber of commerce before, and Sister Wang only knew a little about it because her husband had mentioned it.