What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 163 Want to mess with Su Mo? Did you ask the Empress for permission?

Liu Siyun looked at Su Mo with fear in her eyes!

He's not even human!

Then, Jiang Lan became extremely frightened!
This man didn't need to rest all night!

Su Mo also sensed that something was wrong.

He felt as if he were possessed, tormenting Liu Siyun and Jiang Lan for a whole night, something that wasn't the case before.

After thinking it over, it seems the only possible explanation is that he was tricked on the cold carriage.

But upon closer examination, it seems impossible.

If Leng Xixi were to drug herself, wouldn't she be harming herself?
With her frail, pale face and sickly appearance, I could take her down with a single finger!
In the end, I could only blame it on the fact that I hadn't tasted meat in a long time.

Afterwards, he cultivated the Yangtian Technique for two major cycles and spent some time nurturing the sword embryo.

It was nearly 9:00 AM.

Su Mo sighed.

His cultivation was stuck at the peak of the Body Contemplation Realm, as if a large rock was blocking his way. No matter how much he tried to flush it out with his magic power, it wouldn't budge!
It seems that the only way to improve one's cultivation level is through the tasks assigned by female officials!

The task of Nangong Sheyue was almost completed, but unfortunately, there was no reward of cultivation points, only a second-grade sword embryo.

Thinking of this, Su Mo couldn't help but open his mouth and spit it out.

A beam of white light shot out from his mouth like lightning.

It circled the study once, then opened its mouth and swallowed it back!

Two zhang away, a vase on a bookshelf silently split in two, while the bookshelf remained completely undamaged.

It is evident that Su Mo's mastery of the sword embryo has reached a level of complete control!
Su Mo was indeed quite satisfied.

He hadn't forgotten that this was a world where the strong prey on the weak.

You may not have to take action yourself, but you absolutely cannot be without the ability to protect yourself!
He refines and controls this sword embryo whenever he has free time, and its destructive power is definitely several times stronger than the Five Thunder Technique!
Once the sword embryo reaches the second rank, it can make another leap forward!
He retrieved the sword embryo and then cultivated the Five Thunder Technique, the Soaring Dragon Step, and the Green Wood Technique.

They stopped cultivating only after the Vajra Pestle had exhausted its energy!
Su Mo is now using the Vajra Pestle as a power bank.

Three faint streams of energy slowly flowed into the Vajra Pestle!
Others might not be able to sense it, but Su Mo could feel it very clearly!

The slightly thicker ones come from the direction of Changping County.

The other two weaker streams come from Gufeng Mountain and Shangzuosuo respectively!

Su Mo is now certain that this strange energy is definitely the so-called "incense and prayer power"!
Su Mo had to admit it.

He may be greedy for money himself, but he treats his subordinates quite well.

For example, merchants in Changping and Liangshi, yamen runners, and private salt dealers in Chenjiazhai.

Another example is the lower-ranking soldiers in the upper left garrison.

Then there are the artisans from the artisan battalion.

I have indeed made their lives better.

In Changping County, some people even erected longevity plaques for themselves, expressing great gratitude.

The strange energy absorbed by the Vajra Pestle is their power of will!
The current Vajra Pestle contains four to five times more energy than it did at the beginning.

Lord Qianhu said that Su Mo could not cultivate with her at the moment, and Su Mo was really a little unconvinced!
With his peak self-awareness realm and the Vajra Pestle acting as a super-powerful energy source, his endurance might not be inferior to that of a Soul-Stabilizing Realm cultivator!

However, since Lord Qianhu was unwilling, Su Mo had no choice but to comply.

You can't exactly tell her that you have a Vajra Pestle to help you and that you can easily take care of her, can you?

Cultivation complete.

Liu Siyun sent someone to report that Commander Nangong and Commander Shangzuo, who were both being tested, had arrived at the second reception hall.

Su Mo tidied herself up and quickly walked towards the second living room.

Upon arriving in the living room, as expected, they saw Lord Nangong Sheyue sitting coldly on the left side with an expressionless face.

The two commanders of the Left Office, Wen Yannian and Feng Mu, sat solemnly on the right side of the living room.

Manager Liu Siyun stood respectfully to the side, accompanying him.

Su Mo bowed to the three men and said in a deep voice, "I am late, please forgive me, esteemed sirs!"

Nangong Sheyue's favorability rating has somehow reached 15 points.

Yesterday, Su Mo took the blame for the cost of the Divine Arm Bow in front of the Empress, which indeed increased the cold and aloof Lord Qianhu's goodwill towards Su Mo.

Therefore, he nodded to Su Mo, a rare occurrence, and his voice was not as cold as before. He said calmly, "We haven't been waiting long, Young Master Su, please have a seat!"

As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Wen Yannian and Feng Mu: "In my opinion, it is not appropriate to address each other by their official titles at this time."

"Do Wen and Feng have any objections?"

Wen Yannian laughed and said, "That's only right!"

"Brother Su, please have a seat!"

Money makes you a god of wealth, especially since Su Mo has the background of Fengmingxuan and is a trusted and beloved general of Lord Qianhu.

Wen Yannian and Feng Mu dared not underestimate Su Mo.

Didn't you see that even Nangong Sheyue didn't give Su Mo a hard time?

Everyone in the upper and lower ranks of the Left Office treats Su Mo like a treasure.
Wen Yannian and Feng Mu believed that if they had a conflict with Su Mo, it would most likely be them, the two trial commanders, who would leave instead of Su Mo!

Su Mo certainly wouldn't be presumptuous.

He bowed to the three of them again before taking his seat.

He then got straight to the point: "The reason I invited Miss Nangong, Brother Wen, and Brother Feng here today is to discuss the restaurant's profit sharing."

As he spoke, he gestured for Liu Siyun to bring the account book and slowly said, "Everyone should already know about the profit and loss situation of the two restaurants this month, so I won't waste my breath on it."

"but!"

Su Mo changed the subject: "I think that the restaurant's profits should not be divided up entirely."

"Some reserves should be set aside for emergencies."

Wen Yannian and Feng Mu were slightly taken aback.

After hesitating for a moment, Wen Yannian asked, "May I ask, Brother Su, how much will you receive in dividends this time?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "Each of us will receive four thousand taels!"

Wen Yannian and Feng Mu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Su Mo's expression turned serious: "According to our agreement, Miss Nangong and the two of you will each receive two thousand taels!"

"The money is all in the treasury; you may have it taken away at any time."

"However, the restaurant mainly accepts copper coins, which are quite heavy. I lack the means to exchange them, so I hope you will understand."

Feng Mu chuckled: "With money, why worry about not having enough manpower to move it?"

Wen Yannian also laughed and said, "This money should also be distributed among the garrison, so we don't have to go and exchange it for a large sum of money again!"

Although His Majesty has issued a secret decree, 70% of the profits from the Upper Left Office must be taken away.

But the remaining 30% of the profits far exceeded their estimates.

Six hundred taels of silver, one hundred for Lord Lin, and fifty each for them, which is quite good.

That adds up to six hundred taels a year, three times the annual salary!

A fifth-rank official serving as a trial commander received an annual salary of 168 shi (a unit of dry measure), which was equivalent to no more than 150 taels of silver!

More importantly, by using other people's money to fill the emperor's treasury, two officials were appointed as trial commanders, which won the emperor's favor.

Are you still worried about not being able to be promoted to a full commander in the future?

All three brought their men with them.

Su Mo instructed Liu Siyun to lead the people from Fengming Division and Shangzuo Office to the treasury to withdraw money.

His expression then turned serious, and his gaze fell on Nangong Sheyue.

"May I ask Miss Nangong, do you know the background of the events on the first floor that day?"

Nangong Sheyue frowned slightly and looked at Su Mo suspiciously: "What do you mean by that, Young Master Su?"

Wen Yannian and Feng Mu also showed strange expressions.

Su Mo's heart stirred slightly. It seemed that Tianyi Tower's background was even more powerful than he had imagined.

He took a deep breath and slowly said, "People from Tianyi Tower have come, saying they want to invest in Baiyujing and Yanyu Tower, and that they have royal connections."

"I am but a lowly person with little influence, and I cannot refuse."

"It's just that each of the two restaurants has a stake in Fengming Division and Shangzuo Office, so we invited the three of you here to see what you think."

Nangong Sheyue's pretty face darkened slightly as she slowly asked, "How much of a share does Tianyi Tower want?"

Su Mo shook his head: "I don't know about that." "However, I have already invited people from Tianyi Tower to come. Miss Nangong can ask them personally later."

Nangong Sheyue remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The one behind Tianyi Tower is Zhang Guojiu!"

Wen Yannian and Feng Mu's expressions changed again.

He simply remained silent.

As officers of the Imperial Guard, they were naturally aware of Tianyi Tower's background.

Naturally, he wouldn't offend Zhang Guojiu for a few hundred taels of silver in dividends each year!

Su Mo gasped, staring at Nangong Sheyue in shock: "Zhang Guojiu?"

He's no longer the newbie who just arrived in Beijing!

Lin Moyin had told him that there were people in Shenjing who should not be offended easily, such as the Duke of Ningguo, and Zhang Guojiu!
Zhang Dingsong, Empress Dowager Zhang's own brother!
The Empress's maternal uncle!

No wonder Tianyi Tower is so arrogant. Knowing that Yanyu Tower has the backing of Shangzuo, they dare to take away a share of the money just by sending a manager!

This is not a behemoth that Su Mo can stage an accident for.

Even the Upper Left Office can't afford to mess with them!
It all depends on whether Fengming Division can hold out.

If it really doesn't work, there's nothing we can do even if we give up the restaurant's share!

Despite my resentment, reality is cruel.

The law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, has little logic to it!

Nangong Sheyue's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Let's see how big this person's appetite is before we can discuss anything further!"

"If it's only 20%, we'll each contribute 10%."

Su Mo frowned: "If it exceeds 20%?"

Nangong Sheyue snorted: "If it exceeds 20%, I will handle it myself, there's no need for you to worry!"

Su Mo nodded and said no more.

He knew that the money of Fengming Division was handed over to the Empress.

What he feared was that Fengming Division wouldn't follow the rules, and that Tianyi Tower would have to pay its share from his side.

If that's really the case, then let's just break up.

Even if the restaurant is taken away.

Without Chef Jiang Lan and MSG, it would be just another Tianyilou at best.

How will they explain this to the Empress when they see it?!

……

The four people, each with a different expression, waited in the living room.

Not long after, the doorman came to report that the manager of Tianyilou had arrived.

After bringing the person in.

This man in a blue scholar's robe and turban, with a jade pendant hanging at his waist, looked more like the manager of Tianyilou, a middle-aged scholar.

He instructed the two capable guards who had accompanied him to wait outside.

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, lingering slightly on Nangong Sheyue on the left with a hint of surprise, before finally settling on Wen Yannian and Feng Mu.

He then cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, saying in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, "Huang Youde, the manager of Tianyi Tower, greets all of you esteemed gentlemen!"

Su Mo smiled and gestured to the seat below: "Manager Huang, please sit down!"

Huang Youde didn't stand on ceremony and took a seat directly.

His gaze fell upon Su Mo, and he said in a deep voice, "You must be Commander Su Mo!"

"I, Huang, have visited Lord Su in Baiyujing many times, but unfortunately I have never met him. Now I have finally met Lord Su."

Su Mo nodded: "I already know why Manager Huang has come."

He pointed to Nangong Sheyue: "This is Miss Nangong, this is Brother Wen Yannian, and this is Brother Feng Mu!"

"The shares of Baiyujing and Yanyulou are all here."

He paused slightly, his expression turning serious: "I wonder what percentage of revenue Tianyi Tower wants from our restaurants, and how they intend to do so?"

Huang Youde frowned slightly and looked at Nangong Sheyue again.

Unfortunately, her pretty face was cold, revealing no expression whatsoever.

However, in the Great Wu, the left is considered superior.

Wen Yannian and Feng Mu, representing the Upper Left Office, could only sit on the right side, clearly indicating that this aloof woman held a higher status than the Trial Commander!

It's astonishing that someone as lowly as Su has such a powerful backer.

No wonder they dared to open these two high-end restaurants in Shenjing and steal business from Tianyilou!

Tianyilou specializes in high-end cuisine, and the impact of restaurants like Baiyujing and Yanyulou on it is far greater than that on other restaurants!
It's not so much that it's deserted, but rather that nobody cares about it!
Rich people aren't stupid, and money doesn't grow on trees.

Tianyilou's stir-fries start at one tael of silver, while Baiyujing and Yanyulou only require thirty coins, a difference of thirty times.

Moreover, Baiyujing and Yanyulou taste even better!

Anyone would choose Baiyujing and Yanyulou.

In addition, those high-end customers who don't care about price but only about prestige are also Baiyujing and Yanyulou!

Their high-end restaurants have red menus in their brochures, making them far more sophisticated than Tianyilou!

Of course, in Huang Youde's view, no matter how powerful this aloof woman's background was, she could never be more powerful than Zhang Guojiu.

Therefore, after a slight pause, he said slowly, "I am a businessman."

"If possible, Mr. Huang would naturally prefer to talk about the rules of buying and selling."

He paused, then continued, "Tianyi Tower can offer three thousand taels of silver, with Baiyujing and Yanyu Tower each taking seventy percent of the shares!"

"in addition!"

"If General Su and others open restaurants again in the future, their share will remain the same, and Tianyilou will also share 70% of the opening costs!"

Shuran stroked his long beard and looked at Su Mo with obvious confidence.

He believed that Wen Yannian and Feng Mu had already told Su Mo and the woman about Tianyi Tower's background.

In Huang Youde's view.

The Imperial Brother-in-law only asked for 70% of the profits from the two restaurants, and even offered an extra 3,000 taels of silver, which was already quite generous.

Su Mo had no choice but to agree!
But upon closer inspection, Su Mo's face instantly darkened!
The aloof woman let out a heavy snort.

Even Feng Mu and Wen Yannian had rather grim and unpleasant expressions.

Upon seeing this, Huang Youde felt a sudden jolt of fear.

Could it be that even Wen Yannian and Feng Mu didn't know the true background of Tianyi Tower?

This is the property of the emperor's brother-in-law!
Wen Yannian, his face grim, squinted at Huang Youde for a long time before finally speaking coldly: "Such arrogance!"

"Three thousand taels of silver, and you want to take seventy percent of the profits from two restaurants? Why not just buy both restaurants outright!"

Even a clay figure has a touch of fire.

Not to mention Wen Yannian and Feng Mu, who were both fifth-rank Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) officers on trial!

Although they were wary of Zhang Guojiu, seventy percent of the profits from the Upper Left Office were sent to the Empress's inner treasury.

Feng Mu also said coldly, "I think this Manager Huang has gone mad. Does he really think he's the emperor's brother-in-law?"

Huang Youde felt a chill run down his spine.

They knew the true background of Tianyi Tower.

But why are they so arrogant?

His expression changed, and then he said in a deep voice, "Of course I am not the Emperor's brother-in-law!"

"However, I am here on the orders of the Emperor's brother-in-law!"

"If you all disagree, I will have no choice but to return and report the truth to the Imperial Brother-in-law!"

Su Mo's face was as black as the bottom of a pot!

With a dark expression, he looked at Nangong Sheyue and said coldly, "Lord Nangong, what do you think?"

Nangong Sheyue raised her delicate hand expressionlessly, and from her large sleeve emerged a fist-sized, red-clawed, red-eyed eagle!

She didn't leave any message on the falcon either.

With a flap of its wings, the little falcon transformed into a streak of red light and flew at an astonishing speed toward the palace!

Su Mo's heart skipped a beat!
Clearly, the message Nangong Sheyue sent was definitely to the Empress!
Su Mo never expected that a matter concerning just two restaurants would be reported to the highest authorities by Fengming Division Commander!
Today is a holiday, so I'm taking a break. I'll update with 8,000 words tomorrow.

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(End of this chapter)