It had to be said that Old Master Zhou's psychological fortitude was excellent. Even when Ye Feng sent people to find him, he could still rise up with an unperturbed expression and say,
"Very well, the King of Chu summons you. Please accompany this general!" Lu Bu waved his hand slightly. "However, please rest assured, Old Sir, the King of Chu harbors no ill intentions!"
"I know," Old Master Zhou nodded and replied. Yet, as he walked, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. He wondered what Ye Feng wanted with him!
"I boldly ask, General, what important matter has the King of Chu invited me for? Is it convenient to reveal a little?" Old Master Zhou asked sincerely.
"The King's invitation naturally has his reasons. You will know once you arrive, Old Sir. I cannot say for sure why at this moment!" Lu Bu said with a smile. "However, one thing is certain: please put your heart at ease, Old Sir, the King harbors no ill intentions!"
"Ah! Thank you, General!" Old Master Zhou responded with a resolute sound, following Lu Bu like a puppet.
"My Lord, Lu Bu has brought the person!" Lu Bu gestured slightly with one hand and then quietly withdrew.
"General, General!" Old Master Zhou, facing Ye Feng alone, trembled all over. He couldn't utter a word, his face pale as he said, "My Lord, I don't know how I, through some unwitting mistake, have offended the King. I beg the King for mercy!"
This behavior struck Ye Feng as rather excessive worry. He hadn't said a word, yet this man had conjured so many scenarios. He had truly been bullied severely by Old Master Ma. However, such a person was precisely what he needed.
"Old Master, please rise quickly. I, this King..." Ye Feng paused, then quickly changed his approach, "This invitation to you, Old Master, is absolutely not directed at you personally. It is for a matter of great importance!"
"I beg the King of Chu to command. Even if it means selling everything we own, the Zhou family will agree!" Old Master Zhou said urgently, prostrating himself on the ground.
Ye Feng felt a surge of speechlessness. He wondered how Old Master Zhou, with such a timid disposition, had managed to build the Zhou family into such a large enterprise.
However, there was an advantage to such a person: they were easy to control and would never harbor ulterior motives. Ye Feng said with a smile,
"What are you saying, Old Master Zhou? This is entirely a discussion with you. If you are unwilling, I will find someone else, but I fear you might regret it for the rest of your life!" Ye Feng hinted, "Old Master Zhou, are you sure you don't want to hear what it is? Perhaps it could help you avenge yourself."
"I have always been benevolent and harmless. What grudges could I possibly have? You jest, King of Chu!" Old Master Zhou said with a smile. "If there is nothing else, may I trouble the King of Chu to let me return?"
"You may return, Old Master. However, regarding dealing with Old Master Ma, I will have to find someone else!" Ye Feng said with feigned regret, sighing heavily. "I thought Old Master Zhou would be interested!"
Dealing with Old Master Ma!
For other matters, Old Master Zhou might have been indifferent, but for this, he would go to any lengths to participate, especially when Ye Feng had presented him with the opportunity.
Old Master Zhou slowed his pace considerably. It wasn't until he reached the doorway that he mustered the courage to stop and ask, "May I know the King's plan? I am willing to offer my full support!"
Ye Feng pretended to look troubled. Why had he refused him just now? "Old Master, what nonsense are you spouting? I said nothing just now. I fear you are hallucinating!"
Old Master Zhou became extremely anxious. He couldn't let this hard-won opportunity slip away. Disregarding everything else, he knelt on the ground with a thud, tears streaming down his face, "This old man knows it's a bit sudden. The King summoned me here surely for important matters, most likely to deal with those two!"
Ye Feng shot him a disdainful glance, sat down, and coolly held his teacup. "You dare to spread rumors? I can kill you and show everyone the consequences!"
"This tea is a bit cold, isn't it? Not like Liangzhou!" Ye Feng picked up the teacup, about to drink it down. Old Master Zhou quickly stepped forward, discarded the old tea, and replaced it with fresh, fawningly saying, "If the King wishes the tea to be hot, it will be hot. It is the same for Liangzhou City!"
"Why are you so certain I would choose you over others?" Ye Feng blew away the foam from the tea. "There is more than just your family in Liangzhou City!"
"Your Majesty, you jest!" Old Master Zhou quickly replied with a smile. "Liangzhou City is not just my family's, but no one is more suitable than I am."
Seeing Ye Feng remain silent, Old Master Zhou, unwilling to lose this excellent opportunity, boldly and hastily said, "Although there is now Wannián City in Liangzhou, nominally controlled by Your Majesty, in reality, it is like a blazing fire with a bright surface."
"In truth, it is still those two individuals who have their hands over everything. Therefore, supporting one's own forces is urgent. There are countless individuals, big and small, in Liangzhou City who could oppose those two, but the most suitable one is me."
"Firstly, this old man has been oppressed by those two before, making me the most suitable candidate!"
"Secondly, I have sufficient time and energy to undertake this task, having endured for so many years!"
Ye Feng blew on the tea, quietly waiting for Old Master Zhou to finish his reasons before saying, "You, you are too cunning! If it were business, I would certainly not be your match!"
Seeing Ye Feng smile, Old Master Zhou knew that more than half the battle was won. He said slowly, "If Your Majesty were in business, I fear we would all starve. If you were to become angry for a moment and deploy the Third Legion, that would be no laughing matter!"
"Hahahaha," Ye Feng let out a few hearty laughs, then straightened his expression. "Have you thought it through? If there is the slightest mistake, you and the entire Zhou family might face eternal damnation!"
Old Master Zhou gave a self-deprecating smile. "Living these days is no different from being dead. It's better to fight with all your might and earn a tomorrow for yourself!"
"Since you have made up your mind, I will not dissuade you. This matter is of paramount importance. If a third person learns of it, I will surely take the lives of your entire family!" Ye Feng said coldly. "I will also provide you with some support so that you are not so passively facing those two."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. May I know what Your Majesty can offer this old man..." Old Master Zhou's face showed anticipation. He was a merchant; the extent of his capabilities would depend on the favorable terms Ye Feng could offer!
"You sly fox! All rent from Wannián City will be refunded. In addition, this business of bank notes will be handed over to you to manage!" Ye Feng said with a smile. "Of course, I will also discuss with His Majesty that all future court transactions will be conducted using bank notes!"
"Is that true!" Old Master Zhou's face lit up with joy, and he asked urgently. With this, if he still couldn't handle the other two businesses, he would be a complete fool!
"Thank you, Your Majesty. With this, this old man will surely be able to take over the businesses of the other two families!" Old Master Zhou vowed confidently.
"Very good, very good. I wish you a triumphant victory!" Ye Feng said with a smile, picking up his teacup to toast Old Master Zhou.
Old Master Zhou lowered his posture, appearing hesitant. Ye Feng said coldly, "Old Master, you are now my partner. Naturally, you can drink with me. Are you afraid I would do something unsavory? You underestimate me too much!"
"How dare I, how dare I!" Old Master Zhou hastily declined. "The respect I command is all given by Your Majesty. You bestow honor upon me, and I cannot overstep my bounds and make Your Majesty laugh!"
"Good. I did not misjudge you!" Ye Feng said solemnly. The last shred of his doubt vanished with Old Master Zhou's words.
As for whether Old Master Zhou's words were true or false, Ye Feng did not care at all. Given his current status, he could re-establish another entity and bring ruin to the Zhou family in an instant!
When Old Master Zhou left the reception hall, he was still beaming with joy. Zhou Yang cautiously asked, "Father, what good news is it? If you tell me..."
"What does a child know? Don't ask about things you shouldn't, or you will harm yourself and others!" Old Master Zhou reprimanded him sternly.
Although Zhou Yang had a belly full of questions, seeing his father like this, he could only suppress them. After a while, he came to his senses and cautiously inquired, "Father, what should we do next?"
"Find people to build everything here magnificently, to become a unique architectural marvel of Wannián City. My Zhou family will finally have reason to hold our heads high!" Old Master Zhou said with a smile. "No, I will ensure that no one else in Liangzhou City can find a second one!"
Zhou Yang's expression changed dramatically. This was no laughing matter, especially with Old Master Ma and Old Master Shi watching them like hawks. What if they came looking for trouble?
Thinking himself clever, Zhou Yang hurriedly reminded him, "What about those two Old Masters..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Yang's face was met with a heavy slap. "What are they worth now? I told you to do it, so hurry up, or don't blame me for dealing with you!"
Zhou Yang covered his face and stared at the transformed Old Master Zhou. Ultimately, he did not speak and rushed off to find artisans to build numerous ticket houses, which was also part of what Ye Feng had promised them!
"Father, the King of Chu will agree to us taking over the ticket houses. That is..." Zhou Yang rattled on with his logical arguments, but Old Master Zhou seemed to turn a deaf ear.
"Father, if we truly offend the King of Chu, our Zhou family will have no chance of recovery. Please think of the Zhou family!" Zhou Yang earnestly pleaded, only to receive a glare in return. Old Master Zhou cursed, "Foolish thing, I am your father! If I say it will happen, it will happen! Get out of here, I don't have a son like you!"
"Father!" Before his words could fall, Zhou Yang was dragged away by the servants, leaving only Old Master Zhou with a contemptuous look. "It was one thing before, but now the Zhou family has the King of Chu as our guarantor. This is a golden opportunity. How can one achieve great things by being timid and hesitant!"
Before nightfall, ticket houses of various sizes had sprung up in Liangzhou City and the surrounding five hundred li. Due to the matter of the auction, people had immense faith in these ticket houses and did not harbor the slightest doubt!
Meanwhile, Lu Bu had been waiting outside the door for a long time. It was only then that Ye Feng's door slowly opened. Lu Bu strode in, his face still etched with worry.