The bright mood of early morning was shattered in an instant.
County Magistrate Zhang no longer knew how to deal with Pei Zhu. He had already said everything he needed to say, made his stance perfectly clear—any decent person would have turned and left by now. Yet this man endured it, laughed off the mockery, and even handed him a so-called workshop proposal with both hands.
Just look at him—Pei Zhu gazed at Zhang earnestly.
After a long, silent standoff, Zhang, exhausted, finally accepted the proposal, saying he would consider it for two days. Only then did he manage to get this man to leave.
The person had left, but Zhang knew this wasn’t the end—it was the beginning. The beginning of endless trouble. Had he known today would come, he should have given Pei Zhu a couple of slaps the first time they met, been a little harsher—then he wouldn’t have become so brazen.
Too late for regrets…
Pinching his nose, Zhang opened Pei Zhu’s strangely detailed proposal. The man had thought it all out: the location of the workshop, its scale, its style, the number of workers, even the name. He had clearly been quietly pondering it for a long time. It would be one thing if he were thinking about other people—but now he was thinking about Anping County’s money! Zhang found it impossible to calmly read through the plan. When he noticed that the profits were to be split 50-50, his annoyance reached a new high.
Yongning County was utterly poor, yet they were being asked to invest, and now the proposal expected them to split the profits evenly?
“This is just a fool’s dream,” Zhang muttered, snapping the booklet shut. Out of sight, out of mind.
The two officials at the prefectural office received another letter from Yongning County. Ever since Zhao Bingwen had been sent there, nothing useful had been reported. Lately, every daily report was about Pei Zhu going to Anping County asking for money to build a factory.
Prefect Liu laughed as he handed the letter to Du Liangchuan. “Look at this. He really takes people for fools. No one’s money grows on trees—how could it be given out so easily?”
Du Liangchuan read it and openly laughed. “He actually thinks he can go anywhere and borrow money with that shameless attitude? Ha! If County Magistrate Zhang had actually given him money, I’d have lost respect for him.”
Unlike Zheng Xingcheng, the two men were not easily fooled. They understood exactly why Pei Zhu had been assigned to Yongning County and had never taken him seriously. Sending someone to watch him was only because Pei Zhu had been too wild before. They didn’t begrudge him personally but couldn’t tolerate such a headstrong person. The world doesn’t tolerate those who are too flashy—they need to stumble a few times to be manageable.
Pei Zhu returned empty-handed, yet his enthusiasm remained undiminished. At least this time he made progress: he had left the proposal with Zhang and planned to try again tomorrow. As the saying goes, a determined person won’t be deterred—Pei Zhu was certainly not one to give up easily.
The more setbacks he faced, the braver he became, which made Wei Ping anxious; he wished he could take Pei Zhu’s place.
But before he could speak, Wang Chuo stopped him: “Only if the master goes himself will sincerity be seen.”
Wei Ping lowered his head. “True, but it’s too unfair for him.”
Wang Chuo shook his head. Unfair? Not necessarily. Pei Zhu was open-hearted and cheerful. What they perceived as injustice might just be narrow-mindedness—they probably didn’t even care. Sometimes it’s exactly this earnestness that moves people the most.
While they remained steady, Zhao Bingwen grew weary. Initially, he had tried to follow and monitor Pei Zhu, but after sitting through cold indifference in Anping County, he no longer wanted to humiliate himself. He simply sent a daily letter to the prefectural office, reporting Pei Zhu’s failures.
After a while, even Zheng Xingcheng felt some sympathy for Pei Zhu. Another county magistrate living such a difficult life—he couldn’t have endured as Pei Zhu did. After so many attempts with no results, Zheng even hesitated to mock him, advising instead: “Maybe we should try a different magistrate? I know a few people in Huaixian.”
Better not to hang all hopes on a single tree, Zheng thought, feeling embarrassed for Pei Zhu.
Pei Zhu, however, was confident: “No rush. I have a feeling County Magistrate Zhang will agree soon.”
Seeing him so determined, Zheng Xingcheng held back from discouraging him. After all, Zhang had already given him enough setbacks.
Zhang, too, was in a dilemma. Year-end was approaching, the office was about to close, and Pei Zhu kept showing up daily. This man would not leave without the money. Zhang couldn’t tell if denying him was tormenting Pei Zhu or himself.
If he spent money to get him to leave, he might regret it—the scented soap might not even be better than ordinary soap. If he didn’t give it, Pei Zhu’s constant attempts to charm him softened his own stance—after all, Zhang was not heartless. Sometimes he even found Pei Zhu’s persistence annoying.
A decision had to be made. Zhang was just waiting for a trigger to make up his mind.
After a long day, Zhang returned home, still in his official robe, when his wife called him.
Madam Yang asked eagerly, “Do you still have that thing you brought back last time?”
Zhang was confused. What had he brought back?
“The hand-washing thing you had the servant deliver,” she reminded him.
Zhang squinted in frustration, not wanting to think of anything related to Pei Zhu. Work at the office was bad enough—now even home brought suffering.
Madam Yang continued: “It’s like ordinary soap, but far better. I didn’t think much of it at first, but after two days, I realized how good it is. I gave it to our daughter. Didn’t you say it came from the County Magistrate of Yongning? You should ask him if he has more. If he does, get several more—I can use them as New Year gifts.”
Zhang raised an eyebrow. If even his picky wife approved, this scented soap must indeed be clever. He calmly said, “It’s called Xiangyi, not cheap, and using it isn’t cost-effective. If it’s just for washing hands, ordinary soap beans would suffice.”
Madam Yang pinched him. “You know nothing! Both are for washing hands, but this keeps the scent longer, and the skin feels softer. Those two points alone justify the price.”
Zhang winced and pushed her hand away, continuing cautiously: “So even if it’s expensive, wealthy people would buy it?”
“Why are you babbling so much today? Expensive soap beans sell fine—why wouldn’t this? Tell someone to buy from Yongning immediately, don’t delay my New Year gifts!”
It seemed he had underestimated Pei Zhu. Embarrassed by his wife’s insistence, Zhang hurried to make inquiries, feeling uneasy.
Once Anping County’s representatives arrived, Pei Zhu immediately handed them the scented soap, asking for no money, and set off with Wang Chuo.
Zhao Bingwen, seeing them leave so briskly, hurried to follow.
Though Pei Zhu found him annoying, he endured out of respect for Prefect Liu.
Zheng Xingcheng, peeking out, saw that they were already gone. Shaking his head, he wondered what whim had taken hold of them.
When Zhang saw Pei Zhu again, he didn’t know how to react. After much internal struggle, he simply sighed.
Fine, he would resign himself. He would gamble—if it made money, so be it. Besides, he truly couldn’t withstand Pei Zhu’s relentless persistence; a decision had to be made.
Pei Zhu smiled as before, sitting comfortably with Wang Chuo, spinning his vision: “You’ll see, sir. Today’s decision is flawless. In time, the Xiangyi from both counties will sell widely, dominating the market. Other counties that suppressed us will be gone—all thanks to your discerning eye.”
Zhang twitched his lips. The flattery was precise. “Enough, let’s talk business.”
By now, both sides understood each other. Pei Zhu got straight to the point.
In truth, everything was already planned in the booklet he had given Zhang. All that was needed was to follow it. Zhang tried to negotiate over the money, but Pei Zhu simply smiled, shrugged, and said Yongning County had no money—the entire cost would have to come from Anping County.
Zhang couldn’t believe it. “Such a large county, how could there be no money?”
Pei Zhu explained: “It’s true. Every year, Yongning County is raided, no one helps us, and the prefectural allocation is already spent. Honestly, we wouldn’t keep chasing you unless we were desperate.”
They were truly broke, unable to contribute a single coin.
Zhang tried to negotiate the profit split, but Wang Chuo easily defused it. In the end, nothing was gained.
They would pay for building the workshop.They would buy the raw materials for the scented soap.They would handle the distribution to the capital.
Costly, labor-intensive, and all effort—yet only half the profits would go to them.
No matter how he thought about it, Zhang couldn’t get angry. Wang Chuo spoke so persuasively that even refusal left one convinced.
Damn it, where did Pei Zhu find such a smooth-talking subordinate?
After much discussion, the original plan was maintained. Zhang wasted his breath in vain. He had to promise payment before the year’s end, but reiterated that if the workshop failed, the money would still have to be repaid.
Pei Zhu pounded his chest, promising: “Rest assured, sir. This venture will be immensely profitable, no loss at all.”
Zhang still felt uneasy: “Let’s hope so.”
Zhao Bingwen, listening behind them, was utterly astonished. Wait, hadn’t yesterday’s negotiation failed? How could it succeed today? Was there something he didn’t know?
Finally, a sum was promised. The county office would soon be strapped for cash. Zhang could no longer vent his frustration on Pei Zhu; Wang Chuo was too composed. He turned to Zhao Bingwen, cowering and watching, and immediately found a scapegoat.
As they left, Zhang sneered at him: “Learn your manners! I’m discussing serious business with your master, and you’re skulking around spying. Next time, there’ll be no mercy!”
Pei Zhu was stunned. Was this a rare stroke of justice for him? But even then, it didn’t seem excessive. He would have to remind Zhang about Zhao Bingwen’s identity next time.
Zhao, gritting his teeth, had never been so humiliated. Worse, Pei Zhu didn’t defend him and even sneaked a laugh!
In that moment, Zhao felt like a dog kicked for no reason while standing in a corner.
He decided to get revenge before returning, writing a letter to report the day’s events, even sneaking in extra accusations:
County Magistrate Pei is eloquent and shrewd, easily tricking others into giving large sums. County Magistrate Zhang is weak-willed, indifferent to Anping County’s people—clearly unfit for office!
Pei Zhu didn’t notice Zhao’s secret complaint. He had finally closed the deal and was ready to return, triumphant, eager to show off.
He wondered if Prefect Zheng would be “happily” dumbfounded. Hehe…