"Does Your Excellency feel a bit too modest? In my opinion, this matter has far from reached its current stage!"
Shao Bowen said as he reached out to pour himself a cup of tea.
"What does Mr. mean by that?"
Liu Siye was not a fool, and he naturally heard the underlying meaning in Shao Bowen's words.
"My meaning is very simple. I can help you, brother Liu, overcome this calamity. I can even help you ascend within your family. If the opportunity is right, I can also help you secure the position of a city lord. Of course, it all depends on how you choose!"
As Shao Bowen spoke, he directly picked up the teacup in front of Liu Siye, poured out the cooled tea, and refilled it for him.
"May I know what I can do for you, sir?"
After taking several deep breaths, Liu Siye asked again.
"What I want is very simple: I want grain, a large amount of grain, at least one million piculs annually!"
Shao Bowen was not evasive about his objective.
"This is impossible. How much grain can Jiaozhi produce in a year..."
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Liu Siye interrupted him.
"Malaria is rampant in Jiaozhi. What if I can provide a large quantity of medicine? For example, ten thousand pills per year!"
After Shao Bowen finished speaking, Liu Siye was stunned. He immediately understood.
"If I'm not mistaken, Xie Zhen must have a method for mass-producing this medicine, and the output is likely not low, right?"
"Does that matter? Brother Liu, isn't it enough for you to know that I can ensure that you are the only one in all of Jiaozhi who possesses this item?"
Shao Bowen did not answer his question but instead asked back nonchalantly.
"My own strength is too weak. Even a city lord cannot push this matter forward!"
Although Liu Siye was indeed shocked by his words, he still maintained his basic rationality at this moment. However, Shao Bowen did not seem angry. Instead, he appreciated him more, as he needed a clear-headed person. Otherwise, to accomplish such an almost impossible task, he couldn't personally stay there and strategize for him every moment.
Compared to foreign merchants like them collecting grain over the long term, it was more convenient for locals to do so.
"I said, I can help brother Liu gain power within the family. If brother Liu has the ability, or I can hire assassins to help brother Liu advance further within the family, how about that?"
Shao Bowen's words were like a key, directly unlocking the innermost door of Liu Siye's heart.
"The elders of the Liu family would not let me rise to power. I am merely a son born of a concubine..."
Although he said this, Liu Siye's heart began to pound uncontrollably.
"In our Great Song, I feel there are a few sayings that can be shared with brother Liu for mutual encouragement! The first is 'Man proposes, God disposes,' and the second is, 'Are kings and generals born to their stations?'"
At this moment, Shao Bowen was like a seducing demon. Every word that came out of his mouth was like poison from hell, constantly corroding Liu Siye's already scarce conscience...
"Alright, I've said what I needed to say. I will be staying in Sumao City for a few more days. When brother Liu makes up his mind, have someone bring this thumb ring to find me!"
Shao Bowen said as he took off a jade thumb ring from his thumb.
"By the way, brother Liu, don't take too long to consider. This is Jiaozhi, after all. If you are truly sent back to Shenglong Prefecture, I might not be able to guarantee your life!"
As he was about to reach the door, Shao Bowen suddenly stopped again. After a pause, he said with a smile.
"Walk slowly, don't bother sending me off!"
Not long after Shao Bowen's carriage left the Liu residence, a group of officers was seen heading straight for the Liu residence.
"Sir, do you think this Liu fellow will listen to us?"
On the way back, the accompanying guards couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
"If it were Mr. Zhang, he might struggle for a while longer, but for him, I think three days is looking too far ahead!"
At this moment, Liu Siye had reached a point of no return. With his own strength, he could not break free from this cage.
And the Liu family, which was originally his backing, had now become the king of hell aiming for his life.
Unless he was willing, he would live a mediocre life, at the mercy of others and under the sway of others.
Besides Shao Bowen, he truly had no other path to take.
If he had been a mediocre person before, he might have chosen that kind of ordinary life.
But the problem was, he had already climbed to this position. After tasting the sweetness of power, how could he return to mediocrity?
Even if he himself didn't want to walk this path, Zhang Jing and those people from the Liu family would help Shao Bowen push him onto this path. Shao Bowen was deeply convinced of this.
——————————————————————
"Sir, may I know why you have summoned me today?"
After seeing Han Mo again after many days, Qian Lang's smile was still the same, but his expression was clearly less natural than before.
"How is it? After such a long time, have you, brother Qian, and the others reached any conclusion?"
Han Mo said as he stood up and personally poured Qian Lang a cup of wine.
"If it's about that matter, then Qian Lang is afraid I will have to apologize to you this time!"
After a brief hesitation, Qian Lang spoke directly again.
"It's alright. There are no absolute right or wrong answers in such matters. Since this official sits in this position, I can only serve the Emperor. Your desire to protect your own interests is also understandable!"
Han Mo said as he picked up his wine cup and drank the fine wine in one gulp.
"Sir, this matter has incurred the wrath of the masses. Aren't you afraid that our seven great families will join forces to ruin your future?"
After taking a deep breath, Qian Lang spoke again.
Han Mo's schemes and methods had already been fully displayed during the Battle of Mingzhou Defense.
Coupled with the fact that Han Mo himself came from a prestigious family, had a deep background, and was deeply favored by the Emperor.
Such a person, if it were not absolutely necessary, Qian Lang was truly unwilling to stand against him.
"No, no, no. You overestimate your alliance of interests. Within three days, the seven families will become six, and within ten days at most, the six families will become three! For the sake of our acquaintance, and because you have contributed to the Battle of Mingzhou Defense, I will give you one last chance. If you still oppose me after three days, do not blame me for destroying the Qian family with lightning speed!"