Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 185 Retreating at the Right Time, Eliminating the Root of the Problem

The maids and guards serving in the courtyard were so frightened that they dared not breathe, each keeping their eyes down and ears open, wishing they could turn into pillars.

Chen Shunan and the other two remained expressionless, seemingly unaware of what they had heard, and walked into the main hall.

A maidservant served tea, and Madam Zhao personally received them.

She forced a smile, but her eyes betrayed a hint of weariness. She curtsied to the three of them and said, "Please wait a moment, my master... will be well soon."

"Madam, please don't stand on ceremony. We'll make ourselves at home."

Chen Shunan nodded slightly, his tone calm.

Chen Shunan and the other two sat in the main hall for a while before seeing Liu Qingyi and Qiu Chen stride away with great confidence.

They clearly received a satisfactory share of the profits.

Lu Jing followed behind the two, seemingly in a good mood, with his brows relaxed, a faint smile on his lips, and a light, graceful figure.

After a long while, heavy footsteps came from the direction of the study.

Zhao Guangxi's eyes were bloodshot, and his clothes were somewhat dirty. He walked silently into the main hall.

"How is the Guanghui Money Shop doing?"

Zhao Guangxi's face was gloomy as he rubbed his furrowed brows.

Chen Shunan quickly got up and called out towards the door.

Soon, two burly men carried in two large boxes. The boxes made a dull thud when they hit the ground, causing the ground to tremble slightly and creating a shockwave.

Upon opening the box, it was found to contain neither gold nor silver treasures.

Instead, it was filled with all sorts of ledgers, bank drafts, and contracts written in black and white.

Chen Shunan stepped forward and reported the situation of Guanghui Money Shop in detail, including the details of the raid on Sukehachi's residence.

They actually raided the home of a Baishan resident?

Upon hearing this, Zhao Guangxi's eyes widened suddenly, revealing a look of surprise.

I never expected that Old Chen, who usually seems so timid, would be so bold at a crucial moment!

However... he's just a mere member of a fallen royal family.

They also found various stolen goods.

Zhao Guangxi can handle it!

Not afraid of making an example of someone to scare others, which incurred the hatred of the rest of the Baishan people.

After all, if you throw a brick into a pile of dogs, the one that barks the loudest is the one that gets hit the hardest.

Anyone who shows their face is the one with a problem!

Then it will be time for joint enforcement by multiple parties!
Then, listening to Chen Shunan's account, they learned that more than 200,000 taels of silver, as well as countless pieces of jewelry and antiques, had been confiscated from Guanghui Bank.

And this doesn't even include some of the good items that are still available for immediate purchase, such as in pawnshops.

Zhao Guangxi's previously tense shoulders suddenly relaxed, his pupils dilated slightly, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

His many days of planning and taking such a big risk were not in vain.

Zhao Guangxie is rich now!

Finally, we don't have to eat coarse food and white porridge anymore!
This is natural, as Guanghui Money Shop was a large money shop that combined a money exchange, a pawnshop, and a gold and silver shop.

The income from pawnshops alone is substantial.

Someone brought a fine mink fur coat to pawn, but the shopkeeper glanced at it and said, "It's gnawed by insects and rats, bare and hairless, with a missing collar and short sleeves, missing buttons and no closures—just a tattered fur coat!"

They're all doing mindless, unscrupulous business.

Of course it's profitable!

After Chen Shunan finished speaking, Zhao Guangxi pondered for a moment and then said,
"Gentlemen, what do you think should be done with this Guanghui Money Shop?"

Although Guanghui Money Shop was a privately owned business, it had been operating for many years and had a complex network of connections. If it were to be destroyed, countless people would suffer losses, and businesses and workshops would come to a standstill.

Although the government hasn't said anything yet, they're probably keeping an eye on it.

Zhao Guangxi looked at Lin Shouzhou.

Lin Shouzhou stared wide-eyed and said in a muffled voice,
"I don't understand."

Zhao Guangxi shook his head, not expecting anything from Lin Shouzhuo, and then looked at Jiu Chanhui.

Jiuchan Hui remained silent for a moment, clasped his hands together, uttered "Infinite World Honored One," and then said nothing more.

Two trash!

Then, Zhao Guangxi could only look at Chen Shunan.

Chen Shunan frowned slightly, as if he was carefully considering the matter.

After a moment, Chen Shunan said,
"Master, in my humble opinion, you could take over Guanghui Money Shop and revitalize it. The core functions of the money exchange, pawnshop, and loan sharking business should remain unchanged, with only minor adjustments. The only thing needed is a new location, complete renovations, and the establishment of 'Guangxi Money Shop' to differentiate it from Guanghui Money Shop..."

One whale falls and all things are born.

When one Guanghui Money Shop falls, thousands upon thousands of others will rise up.

Rather than handing over such a large untapped business opportunity to someone else.

It would be better for Zhao Guangxi to get involved himself.

He has connections.

He has a reputation now.

He didn't have any funds before.

But now there is.

"it is good!"

Zhao Guangxi slammed his hand on the table, a resolute glint in his eyes.

Zhao Guangxi had already made up his mind, but he was still hesitant and indecisive. He just needed someone to trust him and affirm him.

Therefore, having gained Chen Shunan's support, Zhao Guangxi immediately made the decision and said loudly.

"Then let's do it this way... Old Chen, are you interested in being the manager of Guangxi Bank?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the main hall instantly quieted down. Lin Shouzhou's face showed a hint of surprise.

Jiu Chan Huidu couldn't help but breathe slightly faster, and silently recited a few more Buddhist chants.

Unexpectedly, Chen Shunan shook his head, politely declining.

"Thank you for your kind offer, sir. However, I am getting on in years and am also very busy with the affairs of Wohujing. I am already overwhelmed and would appreciate it if you could find someone more capable."

Although being the manager of a money exchange is a lucrative and desirable job.

But Chen Shunan had a very clear plan for himself.

By attaching themselves to water-rich areas, they could become water well managers or owners, and then use this as a springboard to enter the Water Merchants Association, or donate money to become officials in the Five Rivers Water Conservancy Bureau, hoping to become a river official.

Only in this way can one get close to springs, rivers, lakes, and marshes, complementing one's own spiritual path.

and……

This time, Chen Shunan not only exposed and reported Zhao Guanghui, but also led people to raid his home.

They've already stolen the spotlight.

It is wise to retire gracefully at the peak of one's career to preserve oneself.

"That's all..."

Zhao Guangxi gave Chen Shunan a deep look, then shook his head regretfully and gave up trying to persuade him.

Three rounds of tea were added, and as the sun rose higher, the light shining through the window became increasingly intense.

It wasn't until daylight that the details regarding the location, renovation, and staff allocation of "Guangxi Money Shop" finally took shape.

"correct."

Zhao Guangxi suddenly spoke, his gaze flickering as he slowly looked at Lin Shouzhou and Jiu Chanhui, his voice lowered slightly.
"My elder brother died young, leaving behind a widow and her young child. I would like to ask you two to help send them back to their hometown in the countryside..."

Chen Shunan immediately understood Zhao Guangxi's unspoken meaning.

This is to...

Cut the weeds and eliminate the roots?!
He wouldn't even spare his own sister-in-law and nephew?!

Chen Shunan's face showed emotion, and he was secretly shocked by Zhao Guangxi's ruthlessness.

However, only those who are like this can go further.

After all, Zhao Guangxi already had a lot of trouble behind him. He needed to maintain the balance within Shuiwozi, carefully manage his relationship with the major forces in Wuqing County, especially the Duifang, and was also ordered to slay demons.

In addition, his falling out with Lu Jing indirectly led to a bitter feud with the Liangjiang Military Academy.

It's always best to plan ahead and avoid trouble.

Lin Shouzhou and Jiu Chanhui were well aware of Zhao Guangxi's plan, and silently nodded in agreement.
“I understand this.”

……

Seeing Chen Shunan, Lin Shouzhuo, and Jiu Chanhui leave one after another.

Zhao Guangxi was finally left alone in the main hall.

His tense nerves completely relaxed, and he revealed the air of a wealthy lord. He called softly to the door, "Someone, change my clothes and help me leave the mansion."

Immediately, two maids with their hair in double buns quietly stepped forward.

One person helped him rinse his mouth with salt, while another brought him a scalding hot towel to apply to his face.

Then Zhao Guangxi, dressed in a Ning silk long gown with slightly rolled-up cuffs revealing half of his moon-white inner garment, and with a Hetian white jade peace and safety plaque tied to his belt, looked radiant.

"Come on, don't follow me. It's been a while since I've had silver fish and purple crab. Let's go to Huixianju to relax!"

Zhao Guangxi picked up the pair of iron pearl balls on the table and strolled out of the mansion.

Judging from his appearance, he really wanted to vent all the frustration he had accumulated over the past two months of saving money.

When they arrived at Huixianju, the waiter saw Zhao Guangxi and was overjoyed, as if he were seeing his own parents. He immediately greeted him and led him to a private room.

"Master Zhao, it's been two months since we last saw you!"

Zhao Guangxi brushed the snow off his shoulders and walked straight to the private room, his tone tinged with impatience.
"Enough with the nonsense, bring me three pounds of silverfish and purple crabs, which are in season right now. Set up a hot pot, and I'll enjoy them slowly!"

Upon hearing this, the waiter immediately looked troubled and said,
"Master Zhao, it's really bad luck. There's a monster in Banno Tsudo, and those beasts have eaten a lot of silver fish and purple crabs. We can only deliver goods every few days... Today we only have two catties in total."

Just two pounds?
Zhao Guangxi paused, inwardly sighing with regret.

Silverfish and purple crab are traditional delicacies of Beijing.

The best purple crabs are the plump, lantern-shaped ones, which are purely wild. I heard they come from the sea eye at the Three-way intersection, brought in by the seawater. Each one is full of roe and fat, and you can suck on the crab shell all night long!

The silverfish are of slightly lower quality, as they are local catches from Wuqing County.

But if the two are combined, the purple crab's claws are chopped off, its navel is removed, and the silver fish is used as the bottom of the pot. They are then placed in a hot pot and simmered.

No seasonings are needed; just drinking the clear broth is enough to make your taste buds sizzle!
Back then, Zhao Guangxi and Lu Jing were still sleeping side by side, having just established themselves in Wuqing County.

Anyone who has money will patiently wait until winter arrives to come to Xianju for a meal of silver fish and purple crab.

They were really making a smacking sound, licking the rim and the bottom of the bowl.

You cook the hot pot, I gnaw on the bones; I can't bear to waste a single bit.

The reason for requiring three catties is to make it lively and exciting, with everyone vying for it!

It also makes others think that the two of them are poor and have no money.

So, although so many years have passed, things have changed drastically.

Zhao Guangxi still retains his original habits.

Whenever I strike it rich or am in a good mood, I come here for a meal.

"Alright, then let's order a pound."

Zhao Guangxi frowned, but ultimately decided not to pursue the matter further and turned to enter the private room.

"Ah, one jin? Oh, okay, Mr. Zhao, please wait a moment!"

The waiter was taken aback for a moment, then quickly agreed and turned to run towards the kitchen.

(End of this chapter)