Chapter 128: We Refuse to Suffer!

Li Banfeng and Ma Wu began managing Lanyang Village; their first step was to change some of the village’s rules.

First, the rules regarding business fees.

In Lanyang Village, no matter what business you ran, you had to give half your profits to the Song family—this exploitation was too severe.

Of course, it made no sense to give nothing at all, since Li Banfeng and Ma Wu still had to ensure the area’s safety; after discussion, they set a new profit split: each household paid only two-tenths of their profits.

Besides business matters, there were hunting matters too.

Hunters bringing goods from the new lands to Ma Wu for sale could negotiate prices—higher than, never lower than, what the Song family had once set.

But if they didn’t sell through Ma Wu, would Ma Wu interfere?

This was a headache for Ma Wu.

He didn’t want to waste energy on this issue.

After all, Song Jia Sen had devoted eighty percent of his effort just to watch over these villagers—what kind of future could such a man possibly have?

But if he did nothing at all, it meant losing a major source of income.

After careful deliberation, the two devised a solid strategy.

First, those willing to sell through them would never be shortchanged; many goods fetched double—or more—their original price, and scarce, high-demand items could be priced according to market conditions.

Second, those unwilling to sell through them wouldn’t be blocked—but if anyone in Lanyang Village tried to buy goods directly and undercut them, they would be dealt with immediately: one caught, one punished.

Third, if someone wanted to sell through them but thought their prices unfair, they could act as agents—but profits and losses were entirely the seller’s responsibility; they took only a two-tenths commission and nothing else.

Once the notice went up, the village’s youth became enthusiastic; daily traffic to and from the new lands surged, and over ninety percent of people now sold through them.

The reason was simple: not everyone could find a way to sell their goods.

A few young men together caught a sackful of earth jade peaches—ask them if they could deliver them to Lüshui City?

Lüshui City might pay more, but Lüshui Bay’s folk were so simple-minded—what if someone robbed them on the way? Didn’t food, drink, and expenses add up? What if rain or wind delayed them and the peaches rotted—who would they complain to?

These were all unavoidable problems.

But with so many sellers, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu began to strain—their capital wasn’t enough, they’d invested everything, and cash flow had temporarily stalled.

Xiao Chuan suggested: “Why not hang a sign tomorrow saying we’ll only handle consignment for now—no more direct purchases?”

Ma Wu shook his head: “No, that’s forbidden in business—either don’t do it, or once you start, don’t change the rules arbitrarily.”

Li Banfeng rubbed his chin: “Looks like we need to make some quick money.”

But where could they get quick money?

Li Banfeng was a rule-abiding man—he couldn’t just go out and rob people.

Just as he was at a loss, Xiao Chuan reported: “Master Wu, someone from the Liu family has arrived.”

Ma Wu startled: “Who?”

“The bookkeeper, Hu Juncai.”

Ma Wu frowned: “He’s not easy to deal with.”

Li Banfeng asked: “What does he want?”

Ma Wu sighed: “Coming at this time? Almost certainly to collect payment.”

Xiao Chuan asked cautiously: “If he wants money, do we pay?”

Li Banfeng raised an eyebrow: “Of course not—we don’t have any money to give.”

Xiao Chuan asked again: “But when we make money later…”

“Even then, we won’t pay! It’s not his money—why should we give it to him?” Li Banfeng’s tone was firm.

Xiao Chuan looked at Ma Wu.

Ma Wu sighed softly: “Bring him in. Let’s talk in the new house.”

The new house referred to Wei’s landlord’s home.

Yesterday, Wei signed an agreement with Li Banfeng, gifting all his properties to him free of charge—the deeds were now in Li Banfeng’s hands, signed personally and voluntarily by Wei, with Ma Wu as witness.

Li Banfeng and Ma Wu still lived in their old wooden hut; Wei’s three-story house now served as the reception and office space.

Hu Juncai sat down in the parlor and smiled: “Young Master Wu, when I arrived today, I went straight to the Song family’s manor—only to find it reduced to empty ground. I thought I’d come to the wrong place.”

Ma Wu smiled: “That old house was too dilapidated—it swayed in every breeze. I’m planning to build a new one.”

Hu Juncai nodded: “A new building is fitting—new business deserves a fresh facade. Young Master Wu understands commerce well; with you in charge, Lanyang Village will surely flourish.”

“I’m here for two reasons: first, to congratulate you; second, to review your ledgers.”

Hearing “ledgers,” Ma Wu understood—this man had come to collect.

He didn’t want to show his books to anyone, but he had no choice—Liu family’s power far surpassed the Song family’s.

He fetched the ledgers; Hu Juncai glanced at them and frowned: “Oh dear, Young Master Wu, you’ve taken over for three days and haven’t made a single copper—instead, you’ve lost a lot.”

Ma Wu smiled: “My apologies—I’m just starting out, taking losses to build reputation.”

Hu Juncai shook his head: “Your purchase prices are too high—this will make future operations difficult.”

Ma Wu smiled but said nothing.

Xiao Chuan glanced at Hu Juncai.

Old man, how much experience do you have? Daring to teach Master Wu how to make money?

Hu Juncai closed the ledger: “I trust Young Master Wu, but we must clarify the rules. When the Song family operated here, eighty percent of revenue went to our manager—this money wasn’t kept by us; it was passed on to the Si family, as documented—not just my word.”

“The document clearly states that regardless of profit or loss, you must pay at least three thousand taels monthly. If you doubt me, I can show you the document.”

Hu Juncai handed the document to Ma Wu, who read it carefully—Hu Juncai hadn’t lied.

Ma Wu had already anticipated this: the Song family’s brutality stemmed largely from the Liu family’s demands.

The Liu family was ruthless because the Si family demanded heavily; the Si family, in turn, paid tribute to the Lu family—each link tighter and blacker than the last.

Ma Wu paused, then said: “Master Hu, I truly can’t pay this much right now—could you grant me a few more days?”

“Young Master Wu, you’re putting me in a difficult position. The payment deadline has stood unchanged for over twenty years. How about this—I’ll visit your warehouse and select a few goods to take back as payment.”

Let him pick goods?

He’d empty your warehouse.

The prices he’d offer would be far below what Ma Wu could accept.

Seeing Ma Wu silent, Hu Juncai sighed: “Young Master Wu, if you can’t pay money or provide goods, I can’t return empty-handed.”

Ma Wu looked up: “Master Hu, please tell Master Liu I’m currently cash-strapped. When I make profits, I’ll deliver the payment personally.”

Hu Juncai’s frown deepened. After a long silence, he rose: “Young Master Wu, if rules are broken, business becomes impossible. I’ve only advised you once—how you handle this is your decision.”

Hu Juncai left. Ma Wu returned to the room and discussed the matter with Li Banfeng.

“Brother Li, how much should we pay him? Three thousand taels seems too much—I’ll go negotiate tomorrow and offer two thousand.”

Li Banfeng put down his newspaper and looked at Ma Wu: “Didn’t we already say we won’t pay him?”

Ma Wu sighed helplessly: “We can’t refuse—we’ll be sabotaged.”

“How? Will they storm Lanyang Village?”

“Not directly,” Ma Wu shook his head. “The Liu family won’t fight us openly. But their covert moves are brutal. Liu Liangyi is an ex-bandit—I suspect he’ll cut off our sales route.”

Li Banfeng froze: “I completely overlooked that.”

Ma Wu’s expression turned grave: “We can’t overlook this. Two days from now, a shipment heads to Lüshui City—if it’s robbed, we won’t recover our money, and the business will collapse.”

…

Hu Juncai returned to the Paper Horse Shop and reported to Old Manager Liu Liangyi.

Liu Liangyi smiled faintly: “A true nobleman’s son—won’t give up a single copper.”

Hu Juncai said: “I checked his ledgers—he hasn’t made any profit. His purchase prices are too high.”

Liu Liangyi shook his head: “Old Hu, you don’t understand. In Pulu Province, Ma Wu is among the top earners. High purchase prices attract more hunters. The first few months may be tough, but once he breaks even, he’ll outearn Song Jia Sen by far.”

“Then let’s give him a few months’ grace.”

“No grace. Rules are rules. Once broken, they’re hard to restore. Whether he borrows, pledges goods, or pays in kind—he must pay the full amount.”

Hu Juncai nodded: “I’ll go to Lanyang Village again tomorrow and explain the rules once more.”

“No need to explain. The world’s rules aren’t spoken—they’re enforced.” Liu Liangyi called Liu Changyu: “Didn’t you want to meet Ma Wu? This time, I’m sending you—but not to Lanyang Village. Go to Jueding Mountain. Set an ambush along the road.”

“That road is the only path from Lanyang Village to Lüshui City. Whenever you see a cart or horse, stop it. Seize anything from Lanyang Village—only take goods, don’t harm anyone.”

“Ma Wu is clever—he may hold back his shipments these two days. You’ll have to wait longer. It’s freezing cold—can you endure the hardship?”

Liu Changyu patted his chest: “Father, don’t worry—I can endure it. I’ll get the job done.”

Liu Liangyi nodded: “Remember—only take goods. No injuries.”

“Understood, Father. Should we announce our name? So Ma Wu knows who to beg from.”

Liu Liangyi smiled: “No need. Jueding Mountain is our territory. If he’s robbed here, he’ll know who’s behind it.”

Liu Changyu led his men to Jueding Mountain and set up ambushes along the road.

The boy was tough—November’s wind cut like knives, peeling skin from his face.

Liu Changyu and his men rotated watches, posting ghost servants as sentries—no slack, no lapse.

A cart passed by; Liu Changyu immediately ordered his men to stop it. After inspection, they found it carried pottery bound for the city.

Many villagers were artisans—this wasn’t from the new lands. Liu Changyu let them pass and resumed waiting by the road.

Li Banfeng passed alone on the road and sensed movement beside it. Listening through his thread-earring, he confirmed an ambush.

Using Golden Eyes’ Microscopic Vision, he saw numerous spirits nearby.

Ma Wu’s guess was correct—the Liu family had indeed blocked their sales route.

Li Banfeng looked at the weather—it was snowing. Snowflakes melted instantly on the ground—how miserable to wait in this wilderness.

Not easy at all!

These men were clearly used to hardship.

Li Banfeng was just a passerby, without carriage or horses, and easily overlooked; Liu Changyu naturally didn’t stop him.

Upon reaching Lüshui City, Li Banfeng rented a house, moved his goods out of the Personal Dwelling, went to Yufangzhai, and found Shopkeeper Zhu, asking him to send someone to collect the goods.

Shopkeeper Zhu accepted the goods and paid him on the spot with the ledger.

Li Banfeng put the money into the Personal Dwelling, then went to Miaosheng Phonograph Shop to buy some fuel and oil, and selected several phonograph records.

After leaving the phonograph shop, Li Banfeng found an old restaurant, ordered a hotpot feast, boiled a jar of Shaoxing yellow wine, and summoned two girls to sing songs to entertain the table.

After eating and drinking his fill, Li Banfeng wiped off the rouge and powder from his skin and returned to the Personal Dwelling.

“Hey~ In the bitter cold of winter, has your husband frozen stiff? Come quickly to your little servant’s side.”

His wife specially exhaled a puff of steam, embraced Li Banfeng, and they slept soundly through the night.

The next morning, Li Banfeng began his return journey; passing Jueding Mountain, he noticed someone still on guard by the roadside.

Liu Changyu is truly a child who can endure hardship; his father told him to stand watch here, and except for sleeping, he never moved from his spot.

Good job!

Those who endure the harshest toil shall endure even harsher toil; these people have perseverance—they’ll surely have endless hardship ahead!

Li Banfeng silently praised them, then returned to Lan Yang Village.

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(End of Chapter)