Advanced Experience

A whole case of glittering Imperial banknotes, each worth ten thousand Imperial yuan—the highest-denomination paper currency in the Empire.

These notes were entirely golden, as though printed from gold itself. On the front was the Imperial coat of arms, composed of lions, tigers, dragons, blades, swords, the sun, and the moon. On the back was a map of the realm and its people. The craftsmanship was exquisite and lifelike at a glance, clearly extremely difficult to counterfeit.

It was also said that every ten-thousand-yuan note contained 3 grams of gold and 27 grams of silver, serving as a guarantee of the Empire's credit.

The big fat man smiled. "Three million, as a small token of respect."

Lin Wen glanced at it. "Sorry." He stood up.

Fang Weiwei happened to reveal a faint sneer and rose alongside the Commandery Governor.

"Wait!" the big fat man called, looking apologetic. "I haven't finished speaking, Governor Lin. Please, take a look."

He lifted the three hundred banknotes, revealing the gleaming, genuine gold beneath.

"Ten bars of pure gold, issued by the Imperial Bank. Each weighs five hundred grams and is worth one hundred and eighty-five thousand."

Lin Wen still shook his head. "Boss Zhang, this is a five-billion project. Though we're only bidding out part of the construction materials, a conservative estimate puts it at over one billion."

Zhang Fatty cried, "Governor Lin! You're a high-ranking Imperial official, busy with countless affairs every day—you don't understand the hardships of us lowly contractors. Too many people make road materials, and prices are squeezed to the bone. Even if we scrape every last bit out of this project, our net profit won't exceed ten million. The sweat and blood of so many brothers, and we're taking out half of it at once to show our respect—that's already the greatest sincerity we can offer."

Lin Wen sat back down. "Then tell me about it."

Seeing there was hope, Zhang Fatty immediately took out his briefcase and pulled out a project sheet. "Look, the main material is concrete. Imperial highways are first-class roads, so the concrete has to be at least C35. The regular market price is 320 per cubic meter. Long Mountain Commandery is remote and inconvenient to reach, so costs rise by at least fifty. I can even handle transportation for you. You absolutely won't find a lower price."

Lin Wen smiled faintly. "C10 will do."

For the first time in a business negotiation, Zhang Fatty felt like he had lost control of his facial features. Only after quite a while did he stammer, "B-but... this is an Imperial highway."

Lin Wen smiled. "Then use half C10, some C20, and a small portion of C35. You can adjust the exact ratios yourself."

Zhang Fatty lowered his voice. "What about the Empire?"

Lin Wen smiled and lowered his voice as well. "Then how do you think I jumped seven ranks in three years?"

Zhang Fatty was instantly filled with respect. "My apologies, my apologies. May I ask which immortal power stands behind you?"

Lin Wen shook his head. "You don't need to know that." He revealed an unfathomable smile. "The time has not yet come."

Zhang Fatty nodded. This was easy to understand. The two sides had yet to enter into deep cooperation, so naturally Lin Wen would not reveal his full hand. Conversely, it also meant that if they worked together happily, Zhang Fatty could take another step forward and cling to this powerful thigh.

Yet there were still many doubts surrounding the whole matter. Zhang Fatty fell silent for several seconds.

Lin Wen smiled and said casually, "To be honest, I've never even been on the dike."

Everyone present shuddered in alarm. They exchanged glances and saw a chill in each other's eyes.

Half chilled and half burning with excitement, Zhang Fatty felt this was an enormous opportunity. If handled well, it could send him soaring into the heavens in one leap. But he did not dare make a rash decision, so he cupped his hands and said, "Sorry, sorry. My kidneys aren't doing well—I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back. Please, Governor Lin, lower yourself and wait one minute for old Zhang."

With that, he immediately slipped out. The others all suddenly developed problems with their internal organs and likewise slipped away.

Only Lin Wen and Fang Weiwei remained.

Fang Weiwei's expression was difficult to read. She ventured closer and asked Lin Wen, "Was what you said true?"

Lin Wen smiled slightly and whispered by her ear as well, "I was just fooling them."

Fang Weiwei immediately felt at ease. She shot the Commandery Governor a sidelong glare, then resumed her queenly bearing.

At that moment, Zhang Fatty happened to come through the door and see that final gesture. Rather than harboring the slightest doubt, he became even more certain. He must be some great figure. Otherwise, how could a woman of this caliber come to such a tiny post to serve as a secretary? I just don't know which noble family's phoenix she is.

His heart suddenly brimmed with jealousy, sourness surging up within him. They must have known each other for a long time. Judging by their ages, they might even be childhood sweethearts.

But after years of rising and sinking through the battlefield of commerce, Zhang Fatty would never let a trace of such emotion show.

Before long, everyone returned, and Zhang Fatty offered a new price.

"Ten million, in cash."

The two sides continued to haggle, but there was no longer any doubt that they would ultimately reach an agreement.

In the end, the price was set at fifteen million. Lin Wen laid out numerous methods they had never heard of before and guaranteed that absolutely nothing would go wrong.

Zhang Fatty had no doubts at all. He merely sighed inwardly that a great figure was indeed a great figure—far more adept at playing the game than they were.

As he was leaving, Zhang Fatty deliberately asked in a low voice, "Governor Lin, your esteemed secretary is truly irresistible. I wonder if you might bear the pain of parting with her? I can offer an extremely high price."

Lin Wen laughed. "Bullshit. Even I don't dare order her around casually. Where did you get the dog guts to say that?"

The last trace of resentment in Zhang Fatty's heart vanished at once. With a lewd grin, he said, "I overstepped, I overstepped. Then could you pass along a message and ask whether your esteemed secretary might fulfill one special request of mine? I'll pay one million."

Just as Lin Wen was about to curse him out, Zhang Fatty continued, "Governor Lin, please don't misunderstand. I don't have that kind of dog guts. I only want your esteemed secretary to step on me once."

Having come from a world of exploding cultural abundance, Lin Wen was immensely worldly. He instantly understood Zhang Fatty's desire.

One million for a single step—what a great deal.

But Fang Weiwei found it unbelievable. There was actually such a strange request? She whispered, "Ten thousand yuan for one step? He doesn't want me to step on there, does he? I won't do that."

Lin Wen hurriedly said, "No, no. He's that fat man from yesterday. You stepped on him there yesterday, so step on him there again today."

Although Fang Weiwei found it strange, after thinking about it, she realized she had nothing to lose. Everything she owned had been rented, there was still no sign of her promotion, and money was tight. Getting those ten thousand yuan would greatly ease her burden, so she agreed.

Zhang Fatty had long since lain down in position. With Lin Wen's support, Fang Weiwei's step nearly sent his soul flying out of his body.

Then Lin Wen simply carried three large black leather cases and took the official car back with Fang Weiwei.

The other six were full of admiration. "Sure enough, he covers the sky with one hand, utterly without scruple."

"This time, we've climbed aboard a mighty ship."

"Glory, wealth, and rank are just around the corner!"

"Brothers! I did a rough calculation—going by County Chief Lin's methods, we'll make at least sixty million in pure profit."

"Haha, we're rich! We're rich!"

"Where's Old Zhang?"

Everyone turned around and saw Zhang Fatty collapsed on the floor.

"Hey, Old Zhang, what's wrong with you?"

"His eyes have rolled back."

"Does Old Zhang have some kind of illness?"

"Does erectile dysfunction count as an illness?"

Only Old Zhang, lost in a hazy dream, kept muttering, "Pink... it's pink... Today's pink..."

Lin Wen returned to the County Government Hall and headed straight for the Finance Department. He set down three huge suitcases with a bang, startling everyone.

"Fifteen million, nine hundred and ninety thousand in total. Count it immediately, then enter it into the accounts as special funds for post-disaster reconstruction. Restart the reconstruction plans that were put on hold at once. Don't delay me by even a second."

The Finance Department Director looked utterly bewildered. "Th-this... where did this come from?"

Lin Wen sneered. "I pulled some strings. The Empire specially issued these post-disaster reconstruction funds as a priority."

The Finance Department Director could hardly believe it. "There's such a thing? How come I've never heard of it?"

Lin Wen couldn't be bothered to explain further. "I have other business. Get it done quickly. If I find even one cent missing later, watch your head."