Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Gao Zhao's grand hawking career ended as soon as it began!

A 10% discount on salt certificates is like taking a hundred yuan and shouting on the street that you're selling it for ninety yuan—you're basically giving money away for free.

The alleyway was frequented by wealthy merchants, which immediately caught their attention. They wanted to see which fool or swindler it was.

While everyone was still hesitating and observing, the manager of the brokerage shop ran over and invited Gao Zhao back.

Finally, Gao Zhao walked out happily with a thick stack of longevity vouchers totaling 90,000 strings of cash!

This Longevity Treasury is owned by the Great Xiangguo Temple, so its reputation is guaranteed, much better than that of the Song Dynasty government!

The shopkeeper at the salt exchange was also very happy, as he made a fortune from the issuance and receipt of salt permits!

Besides, letting Gao Zhao dump his wares at low prices here would also affect his business!

By taking a small loss and making a larger profit, and then getting rid of him, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?

Win-win means winning twice in a row, haha...

"Once we've finished our business today, let's continue our journey at Fanlou!" Gao Zhao felt the weight of the tokens in his arms and felt extremely at ease!

Then he took out a small-denomination note and exchanged it for some cash, which he then put in his pocket.

A man can't be without money! Otherwise, he'll lack confidence and feel insecure!

Relying on yourself is worse than relying on anyone else. Gao Qiu? Ha, a treacherous minister. I wouldn't even want to use his money!

They want to control me with money!

Do you think I, Gao Zhao, can tolerate this? Do you think I can be manipulated by a treacherous minister like him?

No one in this world can control me!

I will not let this sky obscure my vision! I will not let this earth bury my heart!

I want Li Shishi to offer her loyalty as well!

Gao Zhao was full of vigor, but the two men behind him were stiff-faced and trembling!

They followed Gao Zhao all the way and knew how he got his money!

One hundred thousand strings of cash! That's five thousand strings of cash in interest a month!

Not to mention his own meager salary, even Gao Qiu's salary next year would only amount to a few hundred strings of cash, not even enough to cover the interest!

You've made such a huge mess, why aren't you scared?

If this gets out, Gao Qiu will probably skin you alive. And yet you're still thinking about going to Fanlou to have some fun!

"Young master...you should go...and return the money..." Gao Yi's face was pale, and his voice trembled so much that you could hear his teeth chattering. He was still paid by the coin, and he had a natural awe and fear of such a large sum of money!

Lu Qian also advised, "Young Master, this matter should be handled sooner rather than later. We should quickly inform the Grand Commandant and return the money. Perhaps, out of respect for the Grand Commandant, the other party will not have to pay much interest!"

Gao Zhao turned and glanced at the two of them, saying unhappily, "Pay back the money? Pay back what money? Who borrowed money from them!"

Lu Qian said urgently, "No, young master, you have a written agreement and it's registered with the Kaifeng Prefecture. You can't renege on this debt! Besides, the other party dared to lend you so much money; they certainly aren't afraid of the Grand Commandant's power!"

"Who said I was going to renege on my debt!" Gao Zhao corrected, "I borrowed salt certificates, and the contract states that I must return salt certificates!"

"Isn't that the same..." Lu Qian suddenly paused, puzzled. "Is the young master planning to steal the Grand Commandant's salt permits to return to them?"

This left Gao Zhao bewildered, and he asked in surprise, "How does he have salt permits?"

Lu Qian explained, "The Emperor often bestows salt upon his close military officials and border generals as a reward, and the Grand Commandant naturally receives it as well!"

Gao Zhao slapped his thigh, finally realizing the strange expression on the manager's face when he said he wanted to buy more salt permits. It turned out that all the salt permits in the salt exchange shop were bought from military officials like Gao Qiu!

That's true. If a supplier suddenly becomes a major customer, I would be just as surprised!

"Young Master, even if the Grand Commandant kept all the salt permits, there certainly wouldn't be that many. You should discuss a solution with the Grand Commandant!"

Lu Qian really didn't want Gao Zhao to be disliked by Gao Qiu because of this. He had invested too much in Gao Zhao, even involving Lin Chong, and didn't want all his efforts to be in vain!

"I borrowed it through my own abilities, why should I pay it back!" Gao Zhao snorted coldly and continued walking forward without caring.

The money is already in my hands, how could I possibly return it? If I were to return it, it would be the salt permit!

Are salt permits equivalent to money?

not necessarily!

He vividly remembered the day he first met Gao Qiu, when the blond-haired, wide-mouthed Wang Zhongcheng said that within ten days to half a month, Cai Jing would order the abolition of the existing salt and tea permits!

Since it has been abolished, salt certificates will definitely be devalued...

Ha, you want my interest, but I want your principal!

It's impossible for me to repay the money, but I'm not one to shirk responsibility. Once the salt certificates become worthless, I will definitely repay the full amount!

Lu Qian and the other man were unaware of his plans and continued to follow behind, trying to persuade him and patiently analyzing the pros and cons for Gao Zhao. However, Gao Zhao turned a deaf ear and just kept walking forward.

Before long, the three arrived outside the Suanzao Gate. Looking up, they saw a quiet garden with lush bamboo and trees, neat vegetable plots, a manure pit in the corner, and several green willows by the wall, where crows had built their nests.

Gao Zhao had been in the Song Dynasty for several days and was well aware of the exorbitant land prices in the capital city of Bianjing. When he saw that the Xiangguo Temple, located in the heart of the city, had set aside such a large plot of land to grow vegetables, he couldn't help but marvel.

These monks are really rich!

After walking a few more steps, they saw two people sitting under the shade of a green willow tree, drinking wine and laughing heartily. One of them was the fat monk.

Seeing that this fellow was living such a happy life, Gao Zhao was displeased and was about to scold him, but before he could speak, he heard a whoosh behind him.

He turned his head in surprise and saw that Lu Qian had already darted several feet away, and in a few steps, he turned into an alley and disappeared!

"Such fast movement!" Gao Zhao slowly shook his head, his eyes filled with shock.

Turning his head to take a closer look, he saw that the person sitting opposite Lu Zhishen was indeed Lin Chong!

He couldn't help but sigh, "Indeed, the person who knows you best is always your enemy!"

……

"Still eating! I'm coming to get you!"

Under Lin Chong's astonished gaze, Gao Zhao strode up to Lu Zhishen and snatched the chicken leg from his mouth!

Lu Zhishen flew into a rage, jumped to his feet, and roared, "It's you again, you damned brat! I didn't even bother to look for you, but you delivered yourself right to my doorstep!"

As he spoke, he reached out to grab Gao Zhao.

Seeing this, Lin Chong hurriedly stood up to stop him, "Senior brother, calm down! Don't hurt him!"

Gao Zhao stood behind Lin Chong, looking at the impotently furious Lu Zhishen. He took a bite of his chicken leg and said disdainfully, "You frivolous monk, you've always been a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong. If you were truly a hero, why didn't you leave your name when you beat up the Beggars' Clan yesterday, but instead mentioned my name!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhishen, instead of being angry, burst into laughter: "Do you think I'm a fool? Knowing you're deliberately provoking me to provoke the Beggars' Sect, I'm not falling for it. I'll just leave your name here and let you dogs fight each other!"

"You're too clever for your own good!" Gao Zhao scoffed. "Lin Chong will tell him!"

Lin Chong quickly said seriously, "Senior brother, the Beggars' Clan learned yesterday that you are an imposter, but they don't know your true identity. They are probably looking for you now!"

"No, no, no!" Gao Zhao shook the chicken leg in his hand, correcting, "They already know his identity, and he's probably on his way!"

Lu Zhishen's expression changed drastically, and he asked anxiously, "How did they know my identity so quickly?"

Gao Zhao patted his chest and said proudly, "I said it!"

Everyone: "..."