Morax is dead, Liyue will fall into my hands.

"I think it's possible that Master Li is a good person in every way, except that he's too kind-hearted and willing to trust anyone."

"Sigh, if anyone goes to Scarlet Cloud Slope one day and meets Master Li, tell him not to trust any 'Northern Bank,' those people from the Winter Solstice Kingdom are all unreliable."

The people who make a living at the docks have such simple and unpretentious thoughts.

They didn't consider the intricacies of the situation, nor did they believe that what they knew, Master Li would certainly know as well. They simply assumed that the "Northern Bank" group was trying to swindle or take advantage of Master Li, and that Master Li was suffering a great loss in this matter.

Another young person said, "Master Li also said that we should listen to the Liyue Seven Stars regarding the matter of Lord Geo's murder. Perhaps the 'Northern Bank' is indeed willing to pay for a good reputation."

"If that's the case, then there's some room for argument. Anyway, I think as long as 'Northern Bank' is willing to pay, it's not unreasonable to criticize them a bit less."

Mr. Li was the most stubborn one. While shoveling rice into his mouth, he said, "I don't care. Whoever lets my child go to school, I'll believe him. If Mr. Li can help my child become successful, then when I go back, I'll put up a longevity tablet for Mr. Li next to the tablet of the Rock King."

Compared to the school, there is not much discussion about the cafeteria. Perhaps caring about children is human nature, while the elderly are naturally easily forgotten.

But Li Ye knew very well that the academy was there to cultivate talent for him, and the canteen, which few people cared about now, was the key to earning a good reputation.

But that's a story for later. Right now, he's more interested in what's going on with the "Northern Bank." He's sure Pantalone will be incredibly touched by the surprise he's prepared.

.....

Inside the conference room of the Northern Bank, a group of core members sat nervously in their seats, not daring to utter a sound.

In the past, the last person these core members wanted to see was that silver-haired girl. They always felt that it wasn't serious enough and had a childish feel to it.

But after reading the front page headline of today's "Wanmin Daily," everyone began to miss that silver-haired girl.

The man presiding over today's meeting, "Pantarone," is a handsome adult with a gloomy face. His most striking feature is the scar on his cheek that runs from the corner of his eye to his jaw.

Pantalone has countless stand-ins, but few can appear continuously. The "Scarface" in front of us is one of them.

Moreover, his appearance often meant that someone was about to suffer misfortune.

Scarface picked up the newspaper in front of him and said in a gloomy voice as he read it, "Has everyone here read today's 'People's Daily'? What do you think?"

Burns, you were the one who delivered the letter to Li Ye. Tell me your thoughts.

Core members, including Burns, knew that the scarred Pantalone liked people who made mistakes to admit them, and he didn't mind dealing with them leniently if that happened.

Burns, who had been named, was sweating profusely. He stood up tremblingly and said, "I bear the main responsibility for this... I shouldn't have given Li Ye three days."

After listening to Burns' explanation, Scarface paused for a moment and said, "Starting today, you'll be standing guard at the bank entrance."

“Yes…” Burns was almost in tears. He had worked hard for half his life, but because of a mistake when delivering the letter, he had to start all over again.

He suppressed his despair and reluctantly left his seat.

Just as he reached the door, the scarred man's voice suddenly rang out behind him: "Do you know why I made you work as a security guard at the bank?"

Burns turned his head, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, and replied, "Because...because of the mistakes I made, the bank suffered losses."

The scarred man, who was usually inscrutable, had a flash of anger born of disappointment in his eyes upon hearing Burns' reply: "A bit of fresh air might clear your head. Get lost."

Scarface's answer left Burns utterly devastated, and he left the conference room like a walking corpse.

After he left, Scarface turned to the others: "Does anyone know what exactly Burns did wrong?"

In the quiet meeting room, no one spoke.

He seemed unsure how to answer Scarface's question.

Finally, just as Scarface was about to ask a second time, Ekaterina, the receptionist in charge of taking meeting minutes, mustered up her courage and said, "He...didn't make a mistake."

Upon hearing this answer, Scarface's anger vanished instantly. He addressed the crowd in a cool voice, saying, "Whether Burns promised a charity donation of no less than ten million Mora or gave Li Ye three days, these were all within the authority I granted him."

Even if someone has to pay the price for this mistake, it should be me, not him.

I asked Burns to share his thoughts so I could get his opinion on how to handle the situation, not to get him to admit his mistake!

He didn't make any mistakes, yet he insists on taking the blame. He lacks a clear understanding of the current situation and of himself; such a person doesn't deserve to sit in this meeting room.

The scarred man looked at the receptionist girl: "What's your name?"

"Ekaterina".

"Tell me, what's your plan for 'Northern Bank' to do next?"

Ekaterina considered for two seconds: "Let's make this a real-life collaboration and continue working with Li Ye."

Scarface: "From today onwards, you will be replacing Burns in his position."

Chapter 65: Li Ye's Big Trouble (4/5)

Everyone knows that every time Scarface Pantaloni appears, someone will be unlucky, but only one person will ever be unlucky.

Regardless of the reason for Burns' demotion, at least the core members who were in office are now comfortable.

"Better to sacrifice a friend than myself"—that's how simple-minded the core members of "Northern Bank" always are.

With his worries resolved, the scarred-faced Pantalone regained his calm expression and said, "Li Ye's move to turn the tables was truly a brilliant tactic, but it doesn't mean he's won."

It's just a mere ten million molars, which "Northern Bank" can easily afford. The only concern is that Li Ye might find the money too hot to handle.

Charity is the easiest place for corruption to occur. I believe Li Ye can control himself, but I don't know if he can control the people under him.

Furthermore, doing charity work is not easy; it requires a clear understanding of Liyue Harbor and even the entire Liyue region, which cannot be figured out in a day or two.

There are probably no more than five people in the entire Liyue region with the ability to do so. If Li Ye were to devote himself wholeheartedly to this, he might actually succeed, but he would neglect his own business.

Burns also said that Li Ye is buried in various documents every day and is so busy that he hardly has time to rest. I don't believe he can spare the time to do a good job in this charity.

There's an old saying in Liyue: "A small favor is appreciated, but a large one breeds resentment." Don't be fooled by Li Ye's current popularity; once his charitable endeavors fail, it will be the beginning of his widespread condemnation.

As Pantalone finished speaking, a chilling glint flashed in his eyes: "Furthermore, we must continue to invite the guests who should be invited. As long as Li Ye dares to come to 'Northern Bank,' I'm not afraid he won't take the bait!"

In their first encounter, Li Ye had a slight advantage, but there's still a long road ahead. Let's wait and see!

......

"Ah."

Li Ye, who had just woken up while sitting in his office chair, sneezed.

He's been incredibly busy lately, having not been home for four days straight. He spends almost all of his time in the office, working through the night, only taking a nap in his chair after dawn.

(；!д!)

Did you catch a cold? Someone must be yelling at you.

It's quite normal; it would be strange if no one criticized it.

Mr. Li lifted the clothes covering him, took a sip of the leftover cold tea, and then picked up the project plan he had worked on all night.

Li Ye didn't just come up with the idea of ​​setting up a public welfare and charitable foundation on a whim.

He had mentioned this to Gan Yu long before he took over Jiaxuan Teahouse, and Gan Yu also thought it was feasible.

However, back then, Li Ye was penniless, so he could only dream about it. Now that the opportunity had come, he naturally couldn't miss it.

The idea for the school was actually inspired not by Hope Primary Schools, but by training institutions.

Before Li Ye transmigrated, the reputation of various training institutions was already notorious.

It's nothing more than luring in young people who have just graduated, can't find a job, or are not satisfied with their job, and don't have much social experience, and then starting to make all sorts of empty promises.

Such claims include guaranteed job placement after graduation; tuition refunds if income falls below a certain threshold.

Anyway, it's just talk; it won't come true at all.

They regret it after the young people have signed the contract.

Unless you take legal action and sue the training company in court, the tuition fees will not be refunded!

In reality, most people with that kind of drive wouldn't join a training company.

Even if you're unlucky enough to actually encounter one, it just means you'll lose money from one less person; you can then go and scam other unfortunate souls.

It can be said that the training model itself was not problematic, otherwise it would not have been able to develop.

But even the best business model is useless if it encounters a businessman who has no moral bottom line, no sense of contract, and only thinks about making money.

In fact, training models also exist in Liyue, with apprenticeship models in some blacksmith and carpenter shops that are quite similar to training models.

However, for apprentices in Liyue to learn real skills from their masters, the price they have to pay is far more than just being ripped off.

Another key to running a training institution is that it can provide Li Ye with the talent he needs.

The saying "teaching a disciple can lead to the master's starvation" often arises because of an imbalance between supply and demand.

For example, if a small town only needs one blacksmith, and the master has taught the apprentice, then from a competitive standpoint, the older master is indeed no match for the younger and stronger apprentice.

But what if a merchant came along and said to the old blacksmith: "Don't worry about not having a job. Just keep making them. I'll buy as many as you can make, and I can supply you with any raw materials you need."

In this situation, let alone the old blacksmith being unwilling to teach his apprentice everything he knew, he probably wished he could gather all the young men in town together and teach them how to forge iron one by one.

Only after this factory-like model emerges can a breeding ground for technological innovation appear.

While this model may lead to a situation where "sheep eat people," we should not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

It's not that it's impossible for individual entrepreneurs to achieve technological innovation on their own, it's just too difficult, and the slow efficiency leads to low returns.

It can only be said that everything has two sides. All Li Ye can do is lead the new model while making preparations in advance to prevent tragedies from happening.

In addition, regarding the public welfare canteen, Li Ye believes that this is a good business with low investment, quick results, and huge profits!

He who takes a bribe is bound to do his bidding; he who eats another's food is obligated to do his bidding.

Schools provide educational opportunities for teenagers, but how many people actually see them?

The canteen is different. They find an open space and build an open-air canteen, so that the elderly and children who were originally lonely and helpless can finally have a full meal with meat.

Find a good angle, take a few photos, then find a writer to pen a vivid and moving article and publish it in the newspaper! Even people from Liyue who have nothing to do with it will be moved after reading it and say that Lord Li has done a great thing.

Li Ye did not think there was anything wrong with this kind of reporting.

Doing good deeds anonymously should be respected, but it should not be encouraged.

In his view, doing good deeds should be recognized, reported, and known to everyone! Everyone should praise you!

Only when people see that doing good deeds can be recognized, praised, and even bring benefits will more people be willing to do good deeds.

Is doing good deeds with a "purpose" not a good thing?

Why can't we help those who need help?

That doesn't make sense.

Because the risks of doing good deeds are too great and the rewards are too small, fewer and fewer people want to do good deeds.