I Don't Agree to the Terms
Chapter 523 - 287: Did I Take It? Who Saw?_2

Chapter 523: Chapter 287: Did I Take It? Who Saw?_2

Face is one thing, substance another.

On the matter of face, one must handle it well.

As the evening gradually approached, they finally escorted Gu Shanhai to his residence. Although there was supposed to be a second event, Gu Shanhai declined, feeling that wasting an entire afternoon with them was enough; a second round would not be worthwhile.

Though the second event might have been more stimulating than the first, Gu Shanhai had never been a person who focused on excitement and enjoyment; stability suited him better.

Since Gu Shanhai did not participate, the second event simply fizzled out.

"Marquis, these people are up to no good," Xu En reminded him.

"As long as they work, it doesn’t matter if they have ill intentions," Gu Shanhai had indeed noticed what these people were plotting. At the banquet, everyone seemed cordial, but in reality, they hoped Gu Shanhai would drop dead.

"As long as they don’t act on it, don’t mind how the other party thinks. But if they do act, just deal with it."

"Finding a three-legged toad is troublesome, but two-legged men are everywhere."

Gu Shanhai simply didn’t care about their thoughts. When he had overwhelming strength, no minor move from the other side mattered.

It wasn’t about being capable or taking a hike; if you are not capable, you must die.

Thinking of escaping to save one’s life? No such good treatment exists.

Did they really think Xuanzhou was still the same as before?

"But this might lead to unpredictable consequences," Xu En said tactfully, implying that harsh measures should not be used since it could lead to mutual destruction.

"Unpredictable? If I chop off their heads, what could the other side possibly do that would be unexpected?" Gu Shanhai replied with sarcasm.

People would die, and if enough died, some would certainly be afraid.

Simple, brutal.

This was how Gu Shanhai dealt with the matter; he truly didn’t have time to engage in a battle of wits with these people.

"When will the management and technical staff arrive?" Gu Shanhai changed the subject, not wanting to continue discussing this topic with Xu En, and asked for updates.

To initiate maritime operations in Xuanzhou, the prerequisite was to enhance productivity and then develop corresponding industries. Therefore, it was not just Gu Shanhai coming alone, but a group of people.

Gu Shanhai simply arrived faster.

"They will arrive in three days at the most," Xu En promptly responded, as he had been keeping a close eye on this matter.

"Hmm, I understand. I won’t involve myself in the matters afterward unless someone hinders the progress and you can’t handle it," Gu Shanhai was merely calculating the timeline.

He was here to intervene only if there were insoluble issues; he could not possibly oversee everything personally, right? Once the management and technical people arrived, he wouldn’t need to meddle—just let things run their course.

"Yes, Marquis." Xu En was also familiar with Gu Shanhai’s approach; usually, he really didn’t manage things, but if he did, it meant serious business.

After settling the accompanying personnel, Gu Shanhai dove back into his studies and research. There was no need for rest, let alone complain about travel fatigue; he could run back and forth seven or eight times without tiring.

Time swiftly passed, and half a month later, Xuanzhou had entered a vigorous phase of reform, with Gu Shanhai not intervening at all.

The newcomers were experienced, naturally sparing Gu Shanhai any worry.

However, the locals lacked experience, and conflicts were inevitable.

"Marquis—Marquis, these people are driving me to death!"Outside, Jiang Geng knelt at the door, crying and shouting loudly.

Hearing this gave Gu Shanhai a bit of a headache; he had not expected this guy to come and tattle.

"Let’s hear it, what’s the situation?" Seeing this, Gu Shanhai had someone bring Jiang Geng inside to see exactly what was being plotted.

"Those gentlemen, they... they want to..." Jiang Geng sobbed and spoke.

Gu Shanhai quickly understood; essentially, the management wanted to restructure and the technical staff needed resources. Whether it was one or the other, both were harming the local forces, even planning to dismantle and reorganize the gentry, clans, and even the original Xuanzhou officialdom.

He outwardly claimed that this act would harm the people, but it actually infringed on his own interests.

"So it’s like that," Gu Shanhai nodded and then bluntly said, "What’s in it for me if I help you?"

These words were said without any concealment. Jiang Geng stopped his complaints immediately. You could have been a bit more subtle—what if we got caught?

"The lower official and some of the Family Heads have gathered together some modest gifts." With that, the other party hastily took out a stack of land deeds, house deeds, silver notes, and other items, and even arranged for someone carrying a load to bring in ten large boxes of gold, silver, jewels, jade, and so forth.

"Is that all?" Gu Shanhai said, his tone filled with disdain upon seeing these items.

Jiang Geng thought to himself that this guy was really greedy.

"I dare not hide it from the Marquis, there are still some small items that haven’t been brought over," Jiang Geng finally bit the bullet and said.

"Good, good, I like your kind," Gu Shanhai said with a smile, "I’ll give you a good word about this matter."

"It can’t be that everyone gives the same, certainly some give more, some less. My handling of this may also vary."

Hearing this, Jiang Geng was speechless. So, you’re aiming to shake down even more?

"Of course, of course, I’ll have someone make up the difference today," said Jiang Geng, relatively unconcerned since he knew the kind of Family Heads Gu Shanhai was targeting.

"Sigh, it’s not about making up the difference. This first time is very important; I just want to know which of them are good to me," Gu Shanhai indicated that you misunderstood.

Jiang Geng indicated that he hadn’t misunderstood at all; he was being asked for a list, then those who had given less would be made to cough up more.

"The Marquis is wise; I have already prepared a list," Jiang Geng cooperated and presented the list of gifts.

Gu Shanhai took it, scanned it briefly, then nodded in satisfaction, "Good, go back and wait for the news. You’ll have it by tomorrow at the latest."

"The lower official thanks the Marquis on behalf of the people," Jiang Geng also felt a rush of joy; with such a commanding figure speaking out, it wasn’t a problem.

"Tired. You may go," said Gu Shanhai, waving his hand.

Jiang Geng, knowing his place, said, "This lower official takes his leave," and then left.

After the man had left, Gu Shanhai then said to Xu En, "Take care of these items brought by the others, and then act according to this list."

"Act ruthlessly, they’ve already brought their money, don’t show any mercy. Eat what should be eaten, take what should be taken, strike where you must strike."

Gu Shanhai spoke in a calm tone.

"Yes, Marquis, I’ll make sure the message is passed on," Xu En hurriedly agreed.

"With this little stuff, they dare try to bribe me," Gu Shanhai fully expressed his disdain, thinking they really took him for a fool.

Once the Xuanzhou sea trade is successfully developed, it will be a treasure trove producing a vast amount of wealth continuously. The things these people brought couldn’t compare to a single hair.

It’s as ridiculous as these people giving Gu Shanhai one cent to give up a gold mine.

If they didn’t oppose but instead went with the tide, while they might suffer losses at the start, once the whole sea trade industry chain was established, their fortunes would multiply a hundredfold without issue.

Unfortunately, these people were short-sighted, only seeing the immediate losses and not the long-term benefits.

So, since they’ve come to him, might as well deal with them all.

To successfully bribe Gu Shanhai isn’t impossible, just offer more than what the Xuanzhou sea trade could.

The problem is these people simply couldn’t afford that much, and even if they could, they wouldn’t want to do so. After all, such a huge fortune would be better used for staging a rebellion than given to someone else.

"But Marquis, if you accepted their offerings and then let this happen, wouldn’t that seem a bit improper?" Xu En hesitated for a moment and asked.

"Accepted? What have I accepted? Did you see it, or did anyone else?" Gu Shanhai indicated that everyone from top to bottom was his man; if he said there was nothing, then there was none. As for those who dared to question, the Heart Demon Dao Soldiers would make them permanently silent.

"Marquis, you are brilliant!" Xu En had seen shameless people before, but this was his first time encountering someone this utterly shameless.