novelAbuy Chapter 22 Negotiating Conditions
Chapter 22 Negotiating Conditions
Li Chong knew in his heart that Xue Tao had spoken boldly before he even voiced his guess, clearly indicating that he had already suspected something.
However, before Xue Tao came to Yanggu, Zhu Binghe of the Zhu family was Yang Chengde's man, and Fu Shun was a slippery fellow who refused to do his job. Even if Xue Tao wanted to suppress the bandits, he had no way to do so.
His arrival not only changed the political landscape of Yanggu County, but also gave people like Xue Tao new ideas.
This is a good sign.
Li Chong put down his wine cup and looked at Xue Tao with a smile: "I wonder, Patriarch Xue, who do you think is the inside man?"
Xue Tao was quick-witted and immediately laughed it off: "How would I know anything about an inside man? I just heard some rumors from the streets. Your Excellency, you mustn't take it seriously."
The two exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.
Raise a glass and drink; everything is understood without words.
Li Chong continued, "Let's ignore all the rumors circulating in the streets. These bandits still need to be wiped out, which is why I've come to see Patriarch Xue."
Xue Tao looked at Li Chong, feigning ignorance while knowing the truth: "I wonder what the magistrate needs my help with? If I can do it, I will gladly die for it."
Of course, his subtext was that if it can't be done, then there's nothing that can be done.
Li Chong cut to the chase: "I hope that Patriarch Xue will respond to my call and donate money and supplies to help me wipe out the bandits of Dafeng Mountain."
Xue Tao didn't expect Li Chong to be so straightforward.
He hesitated for a moment, glancing at Li Chong a few times, worried that Li Chong was just using the opportunity to solicit bribes, rather than genuinely wanting to suppress the bandits.
As if sensing his concerns, Li Chong chuckled and said, "Of course, I won't let the Xue family contribute alone. Since it's a fundraising effort to rid Yanggu County of this scourge, naturally everyone in the county should participate. So, the Xue family head is just helping to get started and create public support. Once the Xue family contributes, why would anyone else be stingy?"
Li Chong got up and walked to the window, looking at the bustling crowd below: "With the sheer number of people in Yanggu, even if each household only contributes a few coins, it would still be a huge sum. Why should I care about the meager amount from the Xue family? Besides, if the bandit suppression is truly successful, I will erect a monument to commemorate the achievement, and the name of the Xue family head will be forever recorded in the annals of Yanggu County."
These words deeply moved Xue Tao.
He didn't care about empty titles or merits; what he cared about was whether Li Chong truly wanted to suppress the bandits.
Now it seems that Li Chong was not soliciting bribes.
After downing the wine in his cup in one gulp, he decisively looked at Li Chong and asked, "How much money does the magistrate intend to raise?"
Li Chong didn't dare ask for more, and spread his five fingers: "Fifty strings of cash."
Xue Tao gritted his teeth and nodded vigorously: "I'll pay for it!"
He put down his wine glass, his expression becoming serious: "However, I also have a request for the county magistrate."
Li Chong was taken aback upon hearing this, then gestured with his hand, "Please speak, Patriarch Xue."
Xue Tao pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "My Xue family has been in business for generations, relying on the principle of integrity. Fifty strings of cash is no small sum, and I am not a fool; I will not give it away for nothing."
He looked directly at Li Chong: "I demand a guarantee from the county magistrate that this money must be used to suppress bandits, and that I, Xue, must see results. If the county magistrate is merely taking the money to make a show of it, then I, Xue, cannot agree to that."
Li Chong raised an eyebrow. This Xue Tao was quite shrewd, even trying to bargain with him.
He didn't agree immediately, but instead asked, "Then, in Patriarch Xue's opinion, what would constitute effective results?"
Xue Tao thought for a moment and said, "If the bandits of Dafeng Mountain are still around within three months, then this money will be a waste of my time. But if the magistrate really wipes out that gang of thieves, I will not only not take the fifty strings of cash, but I am also willing to donate another fifty strings as a congratulatory gift for the magistrate's inauguration."
Li Chong squinted.
Three months is a reasonable timeframe.
If it's too short, nothing can be accomplished; if it's too long, Xue Tao won't feel at ease.
However, this also means that Li Chong must actually wipe out the bandits of Dafeng Mountain within three months, otherwise not only will the fundraising become a joke, but his prestige as the county magistrate will also be ruined.
Choi was terrified as he listened from the side.
He glanced at Li Chong furtively, and seeing that Li Chong looked calm, he felt even more uncertain.
That's fifty strings of cash, not fifty coins!
If the bandit suppression fails, how will we repay this money?
Li Chong smiled.
He raised his wine glass and toasted Xue Tao from afar: "Patriarch Xue is indeed a straightforward man. I agree to this condition."
A hint of surprise flashed in Xue Tao's eyes; he hadn't expected Li Chong to agree so readily.
It's important to understand that eradicating the bandits of Dafeng Mountain in three months is no easy feat.
Fu Shun led the county constables to besiege the area countless times, but all their attempts were in vain.
Where did Li Chong, a scholar, get his confidence?
Xue Tao tentatively asked, "Does Your Excellency have some brilliant plan?"
Li Chong shook his head: "It's not a brilliant plan, just some ideas. We'll have to wait until we've raised enough money before we can discuss the specifics."
He then changed the subject: "However, since Patriarch Xue has agreed to provide the funds, I also have a request."
Xue Tao's heart tightened: "Your Excellency, please speak."
Li Chong slowly said, "I hope Patriarch Xue can do me a favor and spread the news of this fundraising, preferably so that all the people in the county know about it. Especially those merchants who have suffered at the hands of bandits, I believe they will be willing to contribute this money."
Xue Tao suddenly realized that Li Chong wanted to use the Xue family's reputation to create momentum.
Although the Xue family was not as prominent as the Zhu family in Yanggu County, they were still influential figures.
If the Xue family takes the lead in donating money, other merchants will surely follow suit.
At that time, not only will enough money be raised, but it will also allow Magistrate Li Chong to establish prestige among the people.
Kill two birds with one stone.
Xue Tao admired Li Chong's scheming in his heart, but remained outwardly calm: "Of course, since I have promised, I will not go back on my word. Tomorrow morning, I will send people to spread the message everywhere."
Li Chong nodded in satisfaction: "Then thank you very much, Patriarch Xue."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Li Chong got up to take his leave. Xue Tao personally escorted him downstairs and watched Li Chong and Cui Shi leave.
Only after Li Chong's figure disappeared into the night did Xue Tao turn around and go upstairs.
His son, Xue Ming, was already waiting upstairs. Seeing his father return, he hurriedly asked, "Father, is that new Magistrate Li reliable? Do we really have to give him fifty strings of cash?"
Xue Tao did not answer immediately, but walked to the window and looked at the night outside.
After a long pause, he finally spoke: "Whether it's reliable or not, we'll find out by trying."
Xue Ming wanted to say something more, but Xue Tao waved his hand and said, "Go and make preparations. Tomorrow morning, spread the news. Remember, make it a grand affair, so that everyone knows that our Xue family is the first to respond to the county magistrate's call."
Xue Ming responded and turned to go downstairs.
Xue Tao continued to gaze out the window, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.
Li Chong, if you can truly wipe out the bandits of Dafeng Mountain, then this fifty strings of cash can be considered an investment from the Xue family.
If not, it doesn't matter; the Xue family will only lose some money anyway.
But if you dare to take the money and not do the job, then don't blame the Xue family for turning their backs on you.
Xue Tao is just a county magistrate with no real power base. If he's really determined to oppose Li Chong, he can make Li Chong feel very uneasy.