Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Lou Bancheng understood why Li Jiuzhou asked that question. Two years ago, Li Jiuzhou had told him privately that when it was time to withdraw, they should withdraw.

Lou Bancheng had already donated all his family property to the country, and now he only had a few courtyards and some money left.

Lou Bancheng is now a wealthy man with a little money. He doesn't farm, nor is he a landlord. At most, he's a patriotic businessman, and he's even been recognized by the state and featured in the news.

Because the state has vouched for him, Lou Bancheng has been living a very comfortable life these past few years, which is no different from retirement.

Therefore, he doesn't quite agree with Li Jiuzhou's question, "Why haven't you left yet!"

Lou Bancheng then joked, "Jiuzhou, I'm just an ordinary old man now, just living a little better and eating a little better." He glanced at Li Jiuzhou, and as if sensing Li Jiuzhou's gaze sharpening, his tone softened, "Um...and a little money..."

"Ah, hahaha... Oh my old boss, this is interesting, really interesting." Li Jiuzhou was amused by Lou Bancheng's self-deprecating humor.

"Uncle Lou, in principle, I am not qualified to evaluate you, after all, you have the status of a red businessman issued by the state."

"But I can tell from your voice that you're quite satisfied with your life now."

"What does it mean to dress better, live better, and have some money?"

Lou Bancheng spread his hands:

"To be honest, isn't this exactly what I'm like right now? Don't you know my situation, Kyushu?"

Li Jiuzhou shook his head:

"Uncle Lou, you should know that 90% of the people in our country are working class, and businessmen like you only make up a small minority."

"Look at the people on the street outside, what they wear, what they eat, and what they live in."

"And you also said you have a little bit of money. Come on, tell me, how much is a little bit of money? Give me a precise figure."

Lou Bancheng felt a little embarrassed after hearing Li Jiuzhou's words. He glanced at Li Jiuzhou and then asked:

"You want to know the inside story of my Lou family?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jiuzhou's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He immediately sat up straight, poured Lou Bancheng some tea, and lit a cigarette for him.

"I wasn't curious at first, but if you're willing to talk about it, Uncle Lou, I'm all ears."

"I also want to know how much wealth Lou Bancheng, who claims to have enough assets to buy half of Beiping, actually has."

Lou Bancheng smiled as he recalled those days:

"Hahahaha... What do you mean by buying half of Beiping? It's all thanks to my friends in the underworld back then. Where would I get so much money?"

"If I were that rich, I would have been thrown into the sea by the Japanese and their bastards back in the Republic of China era to feed the fish."

"Jiuzhou, I won't hide it from you, we have so much money at home, we can't even fit it all in..."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiuzhou cursed inwardly, and waved his hand impatiently:

"Don't show off to me, just tell me how much money you have."

Upon hearing this, Lou Bancheng sat up straight and thought about it carefully:

There are over 300 million yuan openly deposited in banks, and another 700 million yuan is kept at home.

"All of this is still in cash; the gold and silver jewelry combined is worth at least seven or eight million."

"There are also some antiques, but these are hard to appraise."

"Real estate isn't worth much now, so let's not count it."

Li Jiuzhou was already dumbfounded. Damn capitalist, you're really rich. If we don't take you down, who will we take down next?

Lou Bancheng continued:

"It's nothing. I've donated all my assets, which adds up to at least 30 to 50 million."

"What I have in my hands is the result of generations of hard work in my family."

Li Jiuzhou let out a long sigh:

"Uncle Lou, you know this isn't a small amount of money, right? The question is, can you hold onto it?"

After Li Jiuzhou said this, Lou Bancheng was now in a dilemma, his tone complex:

"I don't know either. The country is treating patriotic businessmen like me quite well these days, and hasn't been harsh on me."

Li Jiuzhou added another sentence:

"Wouldn't it be much more open and free to go elsewhere?"

Upon hearing this, Lou Bancheng remained silent for a moment:

"I really want to go out, but it's not safe. I've received news that many people who went out were killed, their entire families wiped out."

"Although I have some connections overseas, I wouldn't dare gamble with the lives of my entire family."

Li Jiuzhou fell silent after hearing this, even though going overseas was just a matter of a word.

But the risks here are not small. Money doesn't always work outside. You might be targeted and murdered or robbed, which happens far too often.

Li Jiuzhou could understand Lou Bancheng's feelings.

"So what are your plans next?" Li Jiuzhou decided to ask Lou Bancheng.

"I'm just waiting for the right opportunity and the right policies. If all else fails, I'll donate the money anyway," Lou Bancheng said helplessly.

Li Jiuzhou smiled gently:

"Heh...wouldn't that make me like meat on a chopping board?"

Lou Bancheng's expression became very complicated, and he lowered his voice to say:

"What can I do? I've donated everything I could. Can't I at least keep some money to get by?"

"Are you suggesting I take the lives of my entire Lou family?"

Li Jiuzhou quickly waved his hand:

"No, no, Uncle Lou, please calm down."

Lou Bancheng let out a long sigh:

"Jiuzhou, I would only say these things to you and me. I really wouldn't dare say a word to anyone else."

Li Jiuzhou nodded:

"Thank you for your trust, but Uncle Lou, I haven't asked why you wanted to see me today. Just for tea and a chat?"

Lou Bancheng smiled and shook his head:

"There is indeed something I need to trouble you with."

"Just tell me, and I'll do whatever I can for you as long as it's within a reasonable range," Li Jiuzhou said without refusing him.

Lou Bancheng was overjoyed upon hearing this, but his tone was somewhat bitter:

"Well, my youngest daughter is 20 this year, her name is Lou Xiao'e. I want to find her a job. She's been spoiled since she was little, and it's giving me a real headache. I can't just let her stay at home all the time, can I?"

"She will eventually get married; she's only affected by my identity."

Li Jiuzhou listened attentively. It was indeed Lou Xiao'e, and it was time for her to make her appearance.

"That's no problem. Comrade Lou Xiao'e is educated; how about we arrange for her to be a broadcaster in the propaganda department?"

"The work isn't tiring, it suits her well. I'll have the head of the publicity department come over and let him make the arrangements. He's also an acquaintance of yours, Uncle Lou."

Lou Bancheng was stunned for a moment:

"An acquaintance of mine? Then I'll have to meet him."

"Hahahaha..." Li Jiuzhou chuckled, picked up the red phone on the table, and said after answering:

"Have the head of the publicity department come to my office."

After Li Jiuzhou hung up the phone, Lou Bancheng gave Li Jiuzhou a thumbs up:

"It has to be you, Jiuzhou! You have the air of a true boss!"

"Back in the day, I was just like you, sitting at my desk, giving orders and pontificating."

"Sigh... things have changed..."