Jing Zhe most likely won't eat any of this huge spread.

But for the sake of the plot, he couldn't refuse, since he was there to celebrate. How could he celebrate without wine and food?

As for a minor character like Manager Lin, Jing Zhe didn't intend to make things difficult for him. He was at most a pimp, and the young men he pimped didn't lose out except for some protein and energy, since they all enjoyed a different kind of excitement.

Ultimately, the one who suffered the most in this whole affair was Master Feng, since he had been unjustly cuckolded countless times. If anyone should be punished, it should be Master Lin, not Master Feng.

The waiters put down the dishes, closed the door, and left. Manager Lin stayed in the room, setting out dishes and pouring wine for Jing Zhe, while Jing Zhe, like a grandpa, half-lying down and half-sitting in the room, completely at ease.

At that moment, the door to the next room opened and then closed, with the voices of several people talking in between. Although the voices were not loud, Jing Zhe, with his level of cultivation, could still hear them.

"Manager Lin, I can eat by myself. You can go back to your work."

Jing Zhe stood up and said.

"President Jing, don't you need me to serve you here?"

"I asked Manager Lin."

"Need not."

"President Jing, I'll take my leave now. If you need anything from me, just call me!"

After finishing speaking, Manager Lin hurriedly retreated, eager to leave and not stay there to serve Jing Zhe!

After he left, Jing Zhe closed the door, then strolled to the wall and listened to the sounds from next door.

"Brother Feng, there's no need to be angry. We brothers all believe that the man surnamed Jing is just relying on those Grand Secretaries behind him!"

"Yes, it's just a matter of pooling our wisdom and efforts, what's there to be afraid of?"

"Ah, you just don't understand! With Brother Feng's talent, how could he be afraid of someone surnamed Jing when it comes to poetry? The reason Brother Feng is angry is entirely because of Miss Lin!"

"..."

At this point, there was silence in the next room.

At this moment, Feng Mubai, who had been silent until now, spoke up: "Thank you for comforting me, brothers. I sent someone to inquire, and Wan'er is indeed a sister surnamed Jing, but there is no blood relation. It is not incomprehensible that she is closer to me."

"hiss!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone gasped. After all, siblings who are not related by blood are even more troublesome!

At this moment, someone offered a suggestion: "Brother Feng, I've also inquired about this Jing's deeds. He's not only the second-rank official president of the Da'an Daily, but he's also become the leader of some martial arts alliance. If we want to deal with him, we can only outsmart him, not attack him head-on!"

After a moment of silence, Feng Mubai nodded, presumably: "Everyone saw what happened at Peach Blossom Temple today. The man surnamed Jing relied on his official position, and even Prefect Xu couldn't do anything to him. I won't be foolish enough to confront him head-on."

Upon hearing this, several people in the room echoed in agreement. Although they were Feng Mubai's "brothers," they were at best just drinking buddies. They were fine with bragging, but they were definitely no match for dealing with a court official like Jing Zhe.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that Feng Mubai had chosen to outsmart him.

Then someone asked, "Judging from Brother Feng's confident demeanor, you must have already devised a plan?"

Feng Mubai stood up: "As you all have heard, the man surnamed Jing came to Jiangling for his Da'an Newspaper. What does Da'an Newspaper do? It publishes and distributes newspapers. Ultimately, it uses his writing to influence the people of Jiangling! If Da'an Newspaper is established, it will definitely have a tremendous impact on the literary landscape of Jiangling. Therefore, we cannot let him succeed!"

At this moment, someone cautiously asked, "Brother Feng, but I heard that His Majesty specifically appointed someone surnamed Jing to run the Da'an Newspaper. If we obstruct it, will His Majesty blame us?"

Feng Mubai sneered after hearing this: "Blame? His Majesty is busy with countless affairs every day, how would he know what happened in Jiangling City? His Majesty only cares about whether the newspaper has been built or not. If it fails, he will definitely blame the Jing family!"

"Brother Feng is right!"

"Brother Feng is truly farsighted!"

"We are truly impressed!"

"..."

Then came the sounds of several people flattering and fawning, along with various clinking of glasses and the sounds of drinking.

Jing Zhe, listening from next door, sneered repeatedly, but he didn't choose to kick down their door and beat them up—didn't they say they wanted to outsmart them? The lifestyle section of the first issue of the newspaper had to be arranged, and Jing Zhe had even thought of the headline:

The mystery of Feng Mubai's background!

Then we'll start a serialized story about him and the public's opinions, and I guarantee Feng Mubai will become incredibly famous!

Meanwhile, Feng Mubai next door was still unaware of the storm he was about to face and remained in high spirits.

"First, we need to target the person who sold the land to him!"

Feng Mubai analyzed, "The most important thing for the man surnamed Jing who wants to open a newspaper is choosing a location. But the good spots in Jiangling City are currently all controlled by businesses. If he wants them, he has to buy them."

"So, as long as we find out in advance what kind of land he wants to buy, we don't need to send anyone to persuade the shopkeeper there. We can just write a poem and start cursing him. Then, we can find some thugs to smash up the shop at night and see if he dares to keep operating!"

"Great idea!"

The others then showered him with praise, saying, "If we follow Brother Feng's idea, who would dare to sell him a place?"

"Hehe, we can't guarantee that there won't be any bosses who are blinded by greed and don't know what's good for them, so we need to have backup plans. That's all up to you guys!"

"Oh? Brother Feng, please speak freely!"

“I know that you brothers know a lot of people, including many private tutors, so you can spread the word in advance that the man surnamed Jing has a chaotic lifestyle and that this newspaper has distorted values. This will make people feel disgusted with the newspaper in advance. So even if the Da'an Newspaper chooses a good location and prints the newspaper in the future, I believe no one will buy it. It will go bankrupt in just a few days!”

"That's a brilliant idea!"

"As expected of Brother Feng!"

"Come, let's raise a glass to Brother Feng, wishing him success in this endeavor, and also thanking him for his hospitality today!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Feng Mubai immediately replied, "Gentlemen, you are too kind. Today's meal is not only on me, but from now on, you are welcome to come to Feng's Restaurant for meals and lodging. Just mention my name, and Manager Lin will definitely give you a free meal!"

"Thank you very much, Brother Feng!"

"Brother Feng is so generous!"

I salute Brother Feng!

That's exactly what those guys were waiting for. Who wouldn't want a free meal and drinks? Besides, they had no doubt about Feng Mubai's promise, after all, the Feng Family Restaurant was theirs!

Meanwhile, Jing Zhe next door had narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with a cold smile.

————