Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 1327 619: Talent Beyond Measure 8斗_2

...

Du Wenming returned to the Ye Tang Tea House in Greenwater City and relayed the details of the recent confrontation to Mr. Kong Fang.

Mr. Kong Fang shook his head and took a sip of tea: "Sending you to deal with Zhang Wanlong is somewhat challenging, after all, he is a standout among the farming cultivators."

Du Wenming remained silent.

Mr. Kong Fang added: "The Outside Provinces and Puluo State are ultimately different, you who often reside in the Outside Provinces, surely have not encountered such characters."

Du Wenming still did not respond.

After a moment of thought, Mr. Kong Fang assigned a task to Du Wenming: "There are a few businesses on Bridge Yesong that have not settled their accounts for a long time, go and collect the debts."

Du Wenming did not speak, and his face showed no special expression, yet every word from Mr. Kong Fang pierced his heart.

Collect debts?

He was the second-in-command of Snowflake Beach; was this really his job?

Mr. Kong Fang noticed Du Wenming's dissatisfaction and offered an explanation: "That's just how things are in the Outside Provinces. You must devote more attention to your ventures in Puluo State."

All the while, Mr. Kong Fang continued sipping tea, the brim of his bamboo hat obscuring his face, though his indifferent dismissiveness was palpable.

Without the identity from the Outside Provinces, it seemed Du Wenming held little value.

Seeing Mr. Kong Fang's attitude, Du Wenming directly retorted: "Second Boss, I truly don't understand, why must we buy seeds from Zhang Wanlong?"

Mr. Kong Fang blew on his tea: "The situation in Puluo State is unlike the Outside Provinces; some things I cannot explain to you."

"Please, take your time to explain, I'm listening attentively."

Mr. Kong Fang put down his teacup and said: "Because we need bait, I want to create bait like myself to lure Zhou Badou out from the Lu Family Bookstore, so I can seize the chance to bring Yu Yaoming out."

"Then there's no need for Zhang Wanlong's seeds, I'll be the bait and lure Zhou Badou out from the Lu Family Bookstore."

Mr. Kong Fang sighed: "Wenming, I don't mean to underestimate you, I'm just honestly telling you, with your current strength, Zhou Badou wouldn't be drawn out by you; he wouldn't even glance at you."

Suppressing his anger, Du Wenming continued: "Then I won't be the bait, you lure Zhou Badou out, and I'll go in to bring Yu Yaoming away."

Mr. Kong Fang laughed: "Honestly, I'm not underestimating you. Even if Zhou Badou wasn't there, you wouldn't be able to take Yu Yaoming away from the Lu Family Bookstore."

"Let's give it a try!" Du Wenming couldn't contain his anger any longer.

It's not that he was impulsive; if he continued to endure, he'd never make it to Third Boss. In the future, he could only start with mundane tasks like collecting debts.

Mr. Kong Fang waved his hand: "We cannot act on impulse; let's think of another plan."

Du Wenming shook his head and said: "I'm not acting on impulse, Second Boss, I've been loyal to you for years, please grant me this one chance to achieve something big in Puluo State."

"Alright, you have ambition." Mr. Kong Fang picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea for Du Wenming, who drank it in one gulp.

...

Zhang Wanlong picked up the teapot and poured Li Banfeng another cup of tea: "Seventh Master, you didn't come here today just for a chat, did you?"

Li Banfeng shook his head and said: "Big Brother Zhang, I actually have something to ask of you. I heard you're not selling seeds anymore, but I'm in need of some."

Zhang Wanlong's eldest daughter-in-law came over: "Seventh Master, buy seeds somewhere else, our Old Zhang has never sold seeds!"

"Nonsense!" Zhang Wanlong glared at his wife, who stuck out her tongue and turned away.

"Seventh Master, to be honest, I wouldn't sell to anyone else, but you are a loyal customer, just tell me how many you need."

Li Banfeng said: "Not much, just 500 seeds, a hundred each of cabbage, winter melon, corn, wheat, and green pepper."

"Fine." Zhang Wanlong had his wife pack up the seeds without further questions.

But Li Banfeng volunteered the explanation: "These seeds are not for my use, they are for the Foreigner Cui Tiq, for the sake of matters at De Song Cliff."

Root gave Li Banfeng a glance, signaling that it was not something to mention.

Zhang Wanlong was stunned: "Seventh Master, there's no need for you to tell me this, the seeds are already in your hands."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "Business shouldn't be done like this; if you don't want the seeds to go to Cui Tiq, I can return them now, and I promise that any seeds I currently possess won't be handed over to Cui Tiq either."

Seeing Li Banfeng's sincerity, Zhang Wanlong spoke the truth: "Seventh Master, as for De Song Cliff, I'm genuinely afraid of being implicated."

Li Banfeng produced the Contract Book: "The seeds were bought from you, if anyone questions this matter, the responsibility is mine."

"Refreshing!" Zhang Wanlong looked at Li Banfeng with respect, "I agree to the matter, but I have one request in return."

"Please speak."

"Our village's territory is expanding, but only three li of wasteland has been developed. Many fields have crossed the border, and the strange monsters outside frequently covet and damage my property,

Moreover, the new lands we plowed are bathed in Heavenly Light, weak as it may be, yet essential to some crops. I wish to expand the territory to ten li, but the local deity remains unresponsive,

I've heard you, Seventh Master, have a good relationship with the local deity here. Please, could you arrange a suitable day for us to open up the new land?"

Li Banfeng nodded and said: "Alright, leave it to me. Once the date is decided, I'll inform you immediately."

With the matter settled, Li Banfeng stayed for lunch at Zhang Wanlong's home, initially planning to take a stroll around the village when Luo Zhengnan called, inviting Li Banfeng to the bookstore by request of Boss Lu, who even sent a special invitation.