"The Xiao family of Qingdong?"
Upon hearing these four words, Wang Mazi immediately became interested, since the matter Zhang De had sent someone to discuss yesterday was related to the Xiao family.
"I have absolutely no connection with the Xiao family, so what business could we possibly have to discuss?"
A confident smile appeared on Zhao Cheng's face as he said loudly, "My master is Xiao Luomu of the Xiao family, the younger brother of General Longxiang. He sent me here to give Boss Wang a big business deal!"
Zhao Cheng's words immediately piqued everyone's curiosity, and they all stared at him intently.
Wang Mazi said, "Tell me about it."
"My master is building a winery in Hannan City. You've all heard of Immortal Wine, right? It's an absolute must-have, and my master is counting on it to make his fortune. But Hannan City is right at the foot of Lingshan Mountain, and everyone knows that there are countless bandits on Lingshan Mountain, and occasionally even sea pirates come to rest there. My master is worried that once Immortal Wine becomes a hit, it will attract unwanted attention, so he wants to hire a group of guards to watch over the winery for him."
Zhao Chengchao looked around and said, "Each person will receive twenty taels of silver per month, with additional bonuses for good performance!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Twenty taels of silver!
Most of them, having become outlaws, were self-sufficient and didn't have a family to worry about. Even if they ate and drank extravagantly for a month, they wouldn't spend more than ten taels of silver, and that was under the condition of extravagance. If they used it normally, five taels of silver would be more than enough, and ten taels of silver could even support a family.
The Xiao family immediately asked for twenty taels! The bandits marveled, thinking that the Xiao family truly lived up to its reputation as the wealthiest family in Jingdong County, possessing both confidence and generosity!
The leaders all looked at Wang Mazi, clearly starting to be tempted.
Zhao Cheng pressed his advantage, continuing, "Actually, you don't need to think too much. All you need to do in this business is provide manpower and effort, and you'll receive a high reward and a legitimate identity. Most importantly, with a stable income and the status of a bodyguard, those of you with families down the mountain can reunite with them and use your income to support them and give them a decent life!"
"Big brother..." Zhu Lao Er couldn't help but speak.
Wang Mazi immediately raised his hand to stop him, saying, "You just said yourself that there are countless bandits on Ling Mountain, so why are you looking for us?"
"Hahaha... Chief Wang, that's too modest a question!"
Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "My master is quite familiar with the situation in Lingshan. May I ask, who on Lingshan is stronger than you, Chief Wang?"
Wang Mazi immediately became excited, and subconsciously slammed his hand on the armrest, saying, "That's definitely not the case!"
Hmm... Xiao Luomu has a good eye for talent.
My third son is a martial arts prodigy and will soon become a top-notch master. When that happens, he will surely dominate Lingshan.
Zhao Wu glanced at Wang Mazi and, seeing his excited expression, thought to himself that another person was about to be fooled by their master.
"Chief Wang, and all of you leaders!" Zhao Cheng stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute to everyone, and said loudly, "The Xiao family's wealth and integrity go without saying. For you, this is not only business, but also an opportunity. Please seize it and don't miss this chance!"
After speaking, Zhao Cheng closed his eyes and said, "I will stay here and await good news."
Zhu Lao Er said, "Please take a seat!"
"Wait!" Wang Mazi quickly interrupted, glancing unhappily at Zhu Lao Er before getting up and walking towards Zhao Cheng.
"Go back and tell Xiao Luomu that I'm afraid I can't do this business."
Upon hearing this, apart from He Laosan and Zhu Laoer, the other heads of the household all showed regretful expressions.
"Why did Chief Wang refuse so decisively? Was the price offered by the Xiao family too low, or..." Zhao Cheng suddenly opened his eyes and said sharply, "Did Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei offer a higher price?!"
Wang Mazi's eyes widened, and he immediately became alert.
Seeing this, He Laosan quietly came up behind Wang Mazi.
Zhao Wu and Heng Wenhao glanced at He Laosan at the same time, and both began to gather their inner strength to prevent the other from making a sudden move.
Zhao Cheng sighed and said, "I really don't understand why you wouldn't do the honest work we're given, but instead help them do these deadly things?"
Wang Mazi said, "Xiao Luomu is not simple. He even knows Boss Zhang's plan."
Zhao Cheng's heart skipped a beat; it turned out that Zhang De had come up with the idea.
Wang Mazi stared into Zhao Cheng's eyes and said in a deep voice, "The price offered by the Xiao family is very tempting, and in the long run, it is indeed higher than the price offered by Boss Zhang. However, I, Wang Mazi, will never do anything that goes against my word. Since I promised Boss Zhang, I will not stab him in the back!"
Zhao Cheng was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Wang Mazi to refuse for this reason.
When did mountain bandits become so loyal and trustworthy?
Zhao Cheng smiled.
Wang Mazi said with slight anger, "What are you laughing at?"
"What I'm laughing at is... that you're keeping your word and not stabbing people in the back, but you'll be the one getting stabbed in the back later."
Wang Mazi shook his head and said, "You underestimate me, and you underestimate Boss Zhang. Zhang De is not the kind of person who would stab me in the back."
"Is that so?" Zhao Cheng was not afraid of Wang Mazi's gaze at all. He took a step closer and said, "Did Zhang De tell you that besides my master, there are two other people in the winery that you can't mess with?"
"These two people are the young prime minister Zhao Cheng and the young marquis Xu An, with the powerful figures of the right prime minister and the marquis of Qingdong behind them!"
“Although you are mountain bandits, if you stay on the mountain obediently, the imperial court will not care about you. But if you storm into the county town and destroy the winery, damaging Zhao Cheng and Xu An’s foundation, the imperial court will not be able to withstand the pressure from the Right Chancellor and the Marquis of Qingdong. Will they let you go?”
"At that time, in order to protect themselves, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei will be the best scapegoats for them!"
Zhao Chengchao looked around, his voice becoming stern, and said, "Are you willing to sacrifice these brothers who have risked their lives for you, for the sake of so-called loyalty and your own worthless reputation?"
"How could you face them?!"
Upon hearing this, the people on both sides stood up, looking at each other in bewilderment, some even showing signs of panic.
"Spreading rumors and misleading the public! Third brother, shut him up!!"
Wang Mazi immediately took a step back and ordered He Laosan to make the move. He knew that if Zhao Cheng continued to speak, his men would lose their support.
He Laosan moved with lightning speed, immediately reaching out towards Zhao Cheng's throat.
Clang!
As Zhao Wu drew his knife, He Laosan immediately sensed immense danger, his hair standing on end in fright, and he quickly withdrew his hand.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down his forehead. If he had been just a fraction slower, his hand might have been gone.
This swordsman is a master whose strength can easily overwhelm me!
"Ouch, my head hurts, my head hurts! I'll never drink heavily again! Wang Mazi, what's all the commotion about at this hour..."
Just as the atmosphere was tense, a man walked in, covering his head. He stopped abruptly in front of Zhao Cheng halfway through his sentence, staring blankly at Zhao Cheng's fake beard.
"Young...young...young Prime Minister?!"
Zhao Cheng froze, then exclaimed in surprise, "Ma...Ma Cong?!"
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