Zhao Cheng flipped through the plan in his hand, saying without looking up, "Stop dawdling, hurry up and get to the point!"

"In the past three days, more than a dozen new shops have opened in the city, all displaying signs in the name of Your Majesty, such as 'The Prince Consort's Porridge Shop,' 'Victory Restaurant,' 'Young Prime Minister's Treasure Pavilion,' and 'The Prince Consort's Steamed Buns.' I've heard Your Majesty mention the word 'infringement,' and I was thinking of trying to extort some money from them... but then I thought, the people of Yanchuan say this because they admire Your Majesty and feel that Your Majesty has become the pride of Yanchuan City. We should feel proud..."

Zhao Wu shook his head and continued walking outside, saying, "Never mind, it's a small matter. Master, I'll take my leave now."

Snap!

Zhao Cheng slammed the plan on the table and shouted, "This is a big deal!!!"

Zhao Wu immediately turned around and asked, "Do you want them to pay compensation?"

Zhao Cheng rushed out from behind his desk in a panic, saying, "Is the key to this matter just about losing money?!"

"What's that?"

"Reputation!"

Zhao Cheng said in a panic, "You just said it yourself, these shops are displaying their signs in my name because they respect me and consider me the pride of Yanchuan City. What does this mean? It means my reputation in Yanchuan City has changed!"

Zhao Wu looked blank and didn't understand.

"Master, I don't understand..."

Zhao Cheng asked, "Tell me, how did the people of Yanchuan view me before?"

"Lustful, spendthrift, spoiled brat, scoundrel!" Zhao Wu blurted out without thinking.

"Yes, that was great, that was the impression I gave to Changsui. But now! They treat me like a hero, the pride of this city, and I'm in danger!"

Zhao Wu thought about it and agreed, saying, "Recently, everyone in the streets, alleys, teahouses, and taverns has been praising you, Master, saying that you truly deserve to be the eldest son of the Right Chancellor, surpassing your master..."

Zhao Cheng was increasingly alarmed as he listened; the student had even surpassed the teacher!

You want me dead?

He paced anxiously, saying, "No! I've worked so hard and kept a low profile for five years; I can't let these people trying to ride my coattails ruin everything!"

Zhao Wu also became anxious and asked, "Master, what should we do?"

Zhao Cheng thought for a moment, then his eyes darted around, and he said, "Go and call Wudi here!"

A moment later, Park Moo-di followed Zhao Wu in hurriedly.

As soon as Zhao Cheng entered the room, he smelled the alcohol.

"They're already drinking at midday??" Zhao Cheng asked.

Park Moo-di wiped his mouth and said, "Today is a treat from the young master of the Zhu family. He and Xu An are close, so I really can't refuse. If you don't like me drinking at noon, I won't accept any more invitations during the day!"

I like it! Drink as much as you like!

"ah?"

Zhao Cheng pointed to a stack of silver notes on the desk and said, "Take this money and spend it."

Park Moo-di swallowed hard, but still shook his head and said, "I haven't even spent all the thousand taels of silver you gave me last time..."

"This is 100,000 taels!" Zhao Cheng slammed the silver note down heavily.

Park Moo-di's pupils shrank. Although his family was poor, they had been wealthy before and were not unfamiliar with money, but the fact that they were giving away 100,000 still shocked him.

Park Moo-di asked, trembling, "Whose life do you want... to take? No, you wouldn't hire me for a murder case!"

"I want you to become the most notorious young master in Yanchuan City!"

"What the heck?" Park Moo-di was a little confused.

Zhao Cheng explained, "After you take this money out, you can use my brother's name, or the name of a lackey of the Right Prime Minister's mansion, it's up to you. The point is to let people know that everything you do is permitted and authorized by me. Go and smash up those newly opened shops that are using my name, or collect exorbitant protection fees from them. In short, prevent them from continuing to do business!"

"Besides that, you can go ahead and bully others, indulge in drinking, gambling, whoring, and even harass respectable women or steal candied hawthorns from three-year-old children on the street. Do whatever you want, I'll protect you!"

Park Moo-di rolled his eyes and said, "I can understand not letting those who open shops in your name continue to operate. But what happened after that... Ah-cheng, are you deliberately trying to smear your reputation?"

"Smart!" Zhao Cheng snapped his fingers.

"Then why don't you go yourself? The results will definitely be better."

"I'm extremely busy and can't be in two places at once!"

Zhao Cheng pointed to a pile of documents on his desk and said, "I'm also afraid of getting beaten up!"

Park In-di: "..."

Zhao Cheng asked, "Are you going to do it or not?"

Park Moo-di patted his chest and said, "This is something I'm good at, why wouldn't I do it?"

"Alright, this 100,000 taels is for working capital. Come back to me if you need more!"

“That’s enough, that’s enough…” Park Moo-di picked up the banknotes and said, “This money is enough for me to organize a gang.”

"Go ahead!" Zhao Cheng grinned and said, "Don't take me seriously, and don't think of yourself as a human being either."

"Ah Cheng...you've really had a tough time!" Park Moo-di exclaimed before striding away.

Park Moo-di understood Zhao Cheng's intentions, but he did not act in the order Zhao Cheng spoke; he had his own plan.

He felt that he needed to establish his villainous image before dealing with the new shops.

For the first three days, Park Moo-di led a dozen or so young men from Yanchuan indulging in debauchery day and night. Wherever they went, they would cause trouble. They didn't harass respectable women, but they wanted to find someone to fight.

Everyone knows that Zhao Cheng is behind him, and that he has a powerful background. Most people choose to swallow their anger and keep quiet. Only a few are tough enough to stand up to him, but they usually suffer losses.

The young masters who followed Park In-di appeared to be his henchmen, but they were all from wealthy families in Yanchuan City, each with their own guards and thugs. With a mere shout, Park In-di could gather over a hundred men; most people were no match for him.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!