My book friend Long Aotian

Chapter 162 Director Li Brings Goods
what?
Taoist Ling is already 48 years old this year. He has worked diligently in the Cao Gang for most of his life and is very trusted by Ma Fulong. He is also a man who has seen the world, has been through many battles and is very shrewd. No matter what he sees or hears, he will not lose his composure.

But after hearing about Ma Fulun’s unprecedented path, I was still confused.

Li Bailong? Introduced into the gang?

...Were you stupid because of his scolding today?
Taoist Ling turned his inner complaints into an expression of wanting to say something but stopping himself.

"I know this sounds weird..."

Master Ma also thought it was a bit far-fetched: "But I just suddenly discovered that Li Bailong has a strange sense of identity and closeness to our gang...see for yourself."

Taoist Ling looked over.

Lord Li from the Tongwen Bureau was bragging and telling dirty jokes to a group of low-level laborers from the Cao Gang.

Such a scene is simply magical.

——He had lived for forty or fifty years and had met countless people, including many hypocrites who pretended to be friendly and approachable. No matter how brightly those people smiled or how polite their attitude was, even if they wore coarse linen clothes and ate simple meals, they still could not hide the arrogance and contempt for the untouchables in their eyes.

But Li Bailong is different from those people.

He was even wearing an expensive suit from the Tianyi Pavilion that cost more than 100 taels of silver, but his lively street style and even dirty words made up for the material gap.

He sat among the workers, as if he was born to be here.

“…It really opened my eyes.”

Taoist Ling muttered, "I have to say, if an outsider who doesn't know him were to come and see him, they would all think that he is a member of the Cao Gang...but what does that prove?"

Ma Fulong did not answer directly, but pondered: "Today we gathered here, but he did not send troops to suppress us, nor did he even arrange guards, let alone panic. At first I just thought he was very calm, but now it seems that he has no hostility at all..."

"The most important thing is that I just talked to him. He has great goodwill, recognition and even closeness towards our gang. There is no falsehood in this. Especially the sentence 'it can be better'..."

Ma Fulong whispered: "It seems to agree with me. Tell me, is it possible..."

Taoist Ling was a bystander and frowned, saying, "Master Xiang, don't forget that he is King Zhao Zhengjun, and he is our enemy. Just like we have no personal grudge against him, but for the benefit of the Cao Gang, we have to be hostile. We just have different positions. This is our fate. We have no choice, and neither does he..."

Hall Master Ma said calmly: "What if there is a choice?"

Taoist Ling was stunned at first, then seemed to think of something and his pupils shrank slightly.

Preventing the promotion of cultural equality is the strategic position of the Cao Gang.

But completing that task is Dafang’s primary mission.

Compared with the latter, the former seems to be able to make slight concessions.

"I know this sounds ridiculous and difficult."

Ma Fulong was always paying attention to his left and right. Their conversations were all enhanced by the secret method of the Cao Gang, a technique that allowed gang members to maintain smooth communication in the midst of strong winds and huge waves. However, to outsiders, it only sounded like meaningless noise.

"But Lord Yun has already made a plan to carry out the first step of the plan in Huazhou to conceal it from the public. Then Li Bailong will be the biggest variable that will interfere with the plan."

"We cannot physically destroy him because this would draw the wrath of King Zhao and lead to a thorough investigation, and the plan would be at risk of being exposed and out of control."

"It is difficult for us to defeat him within the court rules. You have already seen how difficult he is."

"but……"

Master Ma glanced at Li Bailong.

The other party's mouth was full of saliva, and his voice came from afar: "Go buy it and have a look! If it's not good, come and kill me! Go to ０文店! Buy "Legend of the Imperial Battle Heaven"! Family members, I will help you get the price down! When you see Chen Botang, tell me my name! I'll give you a discount! The biggest discount!"

"But if we can get him into the gang, these problems won't be a problem anymore."

"because……"

Ma Fulong pressed his chest and sneered.

"If he joins the Cao Gang and comes to hinder that matter again, it won't be us who will deal with him, but..."

Taoist Ling suddenly woke up.

They said in unison: "Brother Wan Yunlong!"

"If he has no interest in our gang at all, then this plan is nothing but wishful thinking. But since he has shown such closeness and interest, then we can find a way to trick him into joining the gang. We will make money."

Ma Fulong's eyes were blazing: "Besides, this person is really amazing. With his help, Lord Yun can accomplish great things."

As the deputy, it is Ling Daoren's job to find out the gaps and fill them in. He does think this idea makes sense, but there are many problems in its execution.

"He has unclear ties with the Lingyu Sect and is also a member of King Zhao's faction. Moreover, there are rumors about Master Zhang... How can we convince him to abandon these three sects and join the Cao Gang?"

The Taoist smiled bitterly and said, "Even if he wants to join the Cao Gang, the leader of the third branch lives in Baihua Valley. With this relationship, he should join the leader of the third branch. Why would he go to the faraway place?"

——They don’t know about the Cao Gang’s son-in-law.

Ma Fulong said coldly: "The leader has no second sister to sell. The next election is coming soon. How can he win? The third house also needs to consider a way out. Yun Gong must be the next leader. Why is there a saying that he would give up the near and seek the far?"

"As for how to persuade him to give up Prince Zhao, Lingyu Sect, and even Xuanyuan Sect, and choose Cao Gang..."

Master Ma thought for a while, his eyes suddenly became sharp and cold: "If it's impossible to persuade him, then there's no need to persuade him. Let him retain his current relationship and identity, and join the Cao Gang at the same time..."

"——Anyway, there is already a precedent for this!"

Ling Daoist was shocked. This "precedent" from a few years ago was a taboo that everyone in the Cao Gang kept silent about.

A huge scandal involving the current leader's family, and also the secret of the entire gang.

He trembled and asked, "How can this be done?"

Ma Fulong sneered: "If the Third House can do it, can't the First House do it? However, this is a serious matter and I cannot make the decision. It must be decided by Lord Yun. I will report this idea to him and see how he responds."

That's more or less.

Taoist Ling breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement.

But I was sighing in my heart.

Damn it, it's easier to be an official if you have someone in the court. Lord Yun is your uncle, you dare to say anything, if I submit this proposal, I will board the ship and go to sea the next day.

So he asked, "During this period, will you still fight with Li Bailong?"

Ma Fulong replied, "This guy has promised to let the Cao Gang enter the scene in front of everyone today, so he can't go back on his word. Let's get this done first, take over Zheng Xiuyuan's industry, inject capital, use the money to calm people's hearts, and then win over other bosses in the Huazhou literary world, set up the stage first, and see how Lord Yun responds."

"If he doesn't agree with this plan, it won't be too late for us to fight Li Bailong again..."

As he said this, he went to look at Li Bailong again.

Governor Li personally came out to promote the goods and sent someone to ask Chen Botang to deliver the books directly over.

"It's quite interesting..."

Hall Master Ma seemed to be thinking about something, and then he said, "It seems that the effect of having a public figure with a certain reputation to sell a certain item or certain products is good? Please make a note of it."

Taoist Ling agreed.

Ma Fulong looked at Li Bailong jumping up and down and shook his head slightly.

Selling the emperor's uncle was probably to break the trend of women in Huazhou. This was probably also part of the strategy of educating people of the same culture. It was truly remarkable that Li Bailong could quickly judge the situation and strike with the most effective means.

But, do you want to use your brothers in the Cao Gang to help you promote and spread these books?
Naive.

The book you spent so much effort to sell today, I can just raise my hand tomorrow, and with the blessing of Brother Wan Yunlong, they will be able to throw the book away.

They might even go and smash up that ０文 bookstore.

It's a waste of effort. You have no idea of ​​the strength of our gang.

As he was thinking this, he saw Li Bailong looking at him from afar, waving at him and inviting him to come over and have fun.

This young hero from a famous family in Baihua Valley sat next to the common people, chatting and laughing freely, mingling with these rough guys at the dock, and it seemed that he had established basic friendship and acquaintance with them.

Seeing this scene, Ma Fulun walked over with a smile.

As the head of Yunhua Hall, he has neither the time nor the need to deal with or make friends with ordinary laborers. After all, their fate is clear and everyone should just take what they need and do their job.

However, since Li Bailong invited him, he felt that he needed to discuss their friendship with the other party.

So Master Ma walked over, and the people around him made way for him. The noble master nodded politely to thank them one by one, and then sat upright next to Li Bailong.
: "What are you talking about..."

Before he finished speaking, Li Bailong grabbed his arm and said, "My dears, Hall Master Ma is here! I think Yunhuatang should also pay attention to the spiritual life of the canal workers! So Yunhuatang should also pay a part of the money as a book purchase allowance, okay? My dears, this is really the benefit I fought for you!"

"..."

What is this guy talking about?
Li Bailong talked incessantly, but he felt relieved in his heart.

Finally tied this guy up here.

If you run away halfway, I won't be able to continue this show.

——Director Li sneered in his heart.

Damn it, I asked someone to block me, how can I not pay the price?
Fortunately, I had made a secret move beforehand and found a few thugs to pretend to be members of the Cao Gang and go to Moshangsang to set fire and cause trouble. Calculating the time, it's time to start now.

When there's a quarrel, I'll first hold you responsible for the leadership and throw you into jail. Then I'll find a way to get that fortune-telling thing off your chest!
Thinking of this, Li Bailong looked at Ma Fulun and smiled kindly.

Master Ma was also thinking about how to trick Li Bailong into joining the game, and he responded with a gentle smile.

At this moment, near Moshangsang, several temporary workers who had already changed into the clothes of the canal workers looked at each other, took out the fire starters, rushed out of the alley, and ran towards the Huazhou headquarters in Baihua Valley.

"Li Bailong's crimes are so heinous that the people of Huazhou are complaining!"

The leader shouted, "We, the heroes of the Cao Gang, are going to teach this dog official a lesson today! Let him see how powerful our Cao Gang is... Watch out!"

The lit fire pots were thrown in from outside the wall, and several people threw them and shouted curses.

According to the plan, they would run half a circle and make a noise for a while. As long as they saw a fire, they could escape. The Lingyu Sect would pick them up and help them escape from Huazhou, and their mission would be accomplished.

However... there was no sound of the fire pot breaking or the flame starting.

Several people looked at each other, and suddenly they heard the sound of wind, and saw several lumps of ice smashing out from the wall. In the crystal clear ice were frozen cans full of kerosene. They hit the ground, jumped a few times, and rolled out with a dull sound.

Then, a cold voice floated out from inside the wall.

"Which branch are you from? How many incense sticks would you like to burn?"

(End of this chapter)