However, Li Zhen had already established a considerable foundation by then, and with the enormous benefits binding everyone together, no one would come forward to expose him.
They were all in the same boat now, wearing the same pair of pants. If Li Zhen fell, would they benefit?
Thus, everyone kept their eyes on their noses and their noses on their hearts, pretending not to know anything. In reality, these people were extremely cunning. They watched the fire from across the river, ready to withdraw and sever ties with Li Zhen at any moment.
“Lu Ning, tell your Elder Brother whether the rumors outside are true. This matter is extremely serious. You must not drag your Elder Brother into trouble. Tell me now, and perhaps I can still save your life.”
Only Hong Jinshan, the Lord of Jinyun City, who had followed Li Zhen from the very beginning, still showed some concern for him.
“Eldest Brother Hong, rest assured. Ignore the rumors outside. You do not need to worry about my identity. Those people are merely jealous of us and deliberately trying to slander us. Do not take it seriously.”
“You must believe that after some time, the rumors Outside will collapse on their own.” Li Zhen answered calmly, his complexion not showing the slightest panic.
Li Zhen’s composed performance infected Hong Jinshan, and the heart hanging in his chest finally settled.
Soon, Li Zhen’s trouble arrived.
Prince Lu had come to settle accounts.
Prince Lu and his party entered through the city gate and headed straight for the West Lake Villa where Li Zhen resided.
“Look, that Young Master Lu is about to fall.” A busybody shouted.
“Do not speak nonsense. If Young Master Lu falls, will those Lords benefit?”
“I heard that Young Master Lu set up a Longevity tablet for Prince Lu in every major city. Could even that be fake?”
Thus, countless people secretly watched every movement taking place there.
Li Zhen’s influence had already been established and was enormous. If he truly fell, the consequences could be imagined.
If he really fell, it would be equivalent to an earthquake throughout the entire dynasty.
Everyone believed that Prince Lu had come to demand an explanation.
Inside the West Lake Villa.
“I hear you have been acting recklessly Outside under my name.”
Prince Lu and Li Zhen sat facing each other. There were only the two of them in the courtyard.
Li Zhen did not answer directly. Instead, he personally poured Prince Lu a cup of tea before saying:
“Your Highness, do you still remember the time twenty years ago when you opened your grain stores to relieve the disaster?”
“I remember. But what does that have to do with you?”
“It has everything to do with me.”
“Twenty years ago, my family fell into decline, and my father took me and fled for our lives.”
My father starved to death. I survived only because of the porridge you bestowed upon me, Your Highness.
You saved my Life, Your Highness. You are my reborn parents. From that moment on, I set up a Longevity tablet for you, hoping that Heaven would protect your safety.
Perhaps others saw me setting up a Longevity tablet for you and assumed that you and I had some relationship. That was how the rumor spread.” Li Zhen’s answer was extremely sincere.
Before setting up this scheme, he had already conducted his research, studying whom he could exploit.
Prince Lu was a suitable candidate.
Not only was he kind and generous, but more importantly, he had secretly provided disaster relief several times and enjoyed deep popular support.
To set up his plan, whenever Li Zhen arrived in a city, he would go to a temple and establish a Longevity tablet for Prince Lu. It was all for this moment.
You indirectly saved my life, so I established a Longevity tablet for you. Others spread rumors, but that had nothing to do with me.
“So that is how it is. You and I actually have such an origin.” Prince Lu took a sip of tea and sighed softly as well.
With a smile on his face, he carefully looked around at Li Zhen, finding the situation interesting.
In reality, he had already investigated Li Zhen before coming. Li Zhen’s tricks could deceive others, but not him.
However, if he brought Li Zhen down, the impact would be too great.
Conversely, if he could make good use of Li Zhen, it would be equivalent to immediately taking control of a sharp weapon.
Anyone capable of sitting in the Prince’s chair clearly understood what mattered more and what mattered less.
That was also why he had chosen to come personally instead of sending people to arrest Li Zhen directly.
His arrival at Li Zhen’s Residence had already made his attitude clear.
Li Zhen understood this point as well. In fact, he had already known this would be the result when he began laying out his plan, so he was not nervous.
“Your Highness once saved my Life. If possible, I hope Your Highness will recognize me as your godson. From now on, I will obey your every command.” Li Zhen stood up, bowed, and offered Prince Lu a cup of tea.
“Good, good, good! I accept you as my godson. Hahahaha!” Prince Lu laughed heartily with delight.
The purpose of his trip could be considered fulfilled.
It had gone even more smoothly than he had expected.
Prince Lu stayed at Li Zhen’s Residence that very night. The next day, the two of them even went out together to enjoy themselves.
They used facts to show everyone that they truly were father and son, and that their relationship was excellent.
The previous rumors unfavorable to Li Zhen immediately collapsed on their own.
“So Young Master Lu really is Prince Lu’s Offspring.”
“I told you. Young Master Lu has such a refined appearance. How could he possibly have committed fraud?”
“Exactly. So many Lords were involved as well. Could they all be swindlers?”
“I knew it all along.”
Public opinion Outside turned entirely in Li Zhen’s favor, and everyone began praising his reputation.
This made Hong Jinshan, who had been watching Li Zhen all along, immensely happy.
“My worthy younger brother truly did not deceive me. Excellent!”
On the third day, Prince Lu left, taking the ten million taels of Silver Li Zhen had given him.
In addition to those ten million taels of Silver, there was also a promise of ten million taels every year thereafter.
However, Li Zhen felt that it was worth it, because from that day onward, his luck rose like a great roc catching the wind, soaring ninety thousand miles into the sky.
In a very short time, he had already filled the ten-million-tael shortfall.
Money continued to flow into his pockets.
The Mission target of One hundred million taels of silver was already within reach.
However, he did not intend to leave this mess behind.
Thus, Li Zhen made his third move at this moment.
It was considered the closing Work for this mess.
After Li Zhen made this move, new shops appeared in the major cities the next day like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Their Name was—Tianyun Shops.
The so-called Tianyun Shops sold Tianyun Tickets, which were actually Lottery tickets.
Except for the few cities nearby, Tianyun Ticket shops would subsequently open in all the other major cities as well.
In the future, Tianyun Ticket shops would spread throughout every major and minor city, and every major and minor county.
As for the initial investment, Li Zhen had already ordered it stopped.
Those who had invested early had already earned several times their principal.
Presumably, the future operating income from the Lottery shops would be enough to fill the remaining holes.
As long as they were operated well, continuing to make money would not be a problem.
“Master, now that you are so wealthy, it is time to leave some Incense and Fire for the Huang Family.” During this period, Fugui had been deeply troubled by the matter of helping Li Zhen continue his bloodline.
In Fugui’s old-fashioned view, once one had money, continuing the bloodline was naturally the most obvious matter.
“All right. Then I will marry someone.” This time, Li Zhen did not refuse.
Among the many introductions, he chose a young woman with exceptional beauty and a voluptuous figure.
Alongside the opening of countless Lottery shops, Li Zhen also took a wife in this World.
On the day of the wedding, celebrities from every field gathered, while countless officials and wealthy merchants came to pay their respects.
In their eyes, Li Zhen was a miracle—the man who had led them to a mountain of gold.
Although the enormous profits from before had been halted, everyone present still had a share in the future profits from Tianyun Tickets.
Li Zhen, who gave everyone meat to eat, was surrounded by the crowd like the moon among stars.
He was their living God of Wealth.
“Worthy younger brother, I toast you.” Hong Jinshan raised his wine cup high, his face filled with joy.
Having such a brother made him feel honored.
The others also came forward one after another to offer toasts.
That night, Li Zhen did not drink much. Instead, he went to consummate the marriage.
In the room, looking at his beautiful wife, Li Zhen could not help feeling dazed.
Although this was a wedding in a Different Dimension, it was also his first time.
“I never expected there to be such an extended function.” Holding the beauty in his arms, Li Zhen’s thoughts drifted freely.
The main line was to complete Missions, while side quests allowed him to experience life. This could also count as a Benefit in disguise, right?
This Life Protector Work was truly excellent.
Li Zhen thought happily to himself.
He was becoming increasingly satisfied with this Work of his.
A few days later, Li Zhen finally received the notification that the Mission had been completed. At that moment, he felt his consciousness sway.
When he restored his consciousness, he had already returned to the bed in his own room on Earth.
“Sigh~ I suddenly feel as if something is missing.” Touching the empty, icy-cold bed beside him, Li Zhen felt somewhat lost for a moment.
Actually, for one brief moment, he had wanted to bring over the wife he had just married. But after thinking about it, he gave up. First, they had no feelings for each other and had merely engaged in an Exchange of benefits. Second, if she came here and found herself completely out of place, that would also be troublesome.
With no woman in one’s heart, drawing one’s blade is naturally divine.
“That’s right. Women are troublesome creatures. They will only affect my ability to complete Missions.”
“As a great man, my goal should be the Sea of Stars, not romantic entanglements.” Li Zhen quickly pulled himself out of his melancholy Emotion.
Overall, the Mission involving One hundred million taels of silver had gone quite well.
Even though he encountered some problems along the way, he had resolved them perfectly.
Li Zhen was very satisfied with these moves of his.
He had the courage to act and dared to think and do.
In the end, power, wealth, and beauty had all fallen into his hands. It could be said that he had reached the peak of his life.
Just as Li Zhen was still recalling and summarizing this wonderful experience,
the System’s voice suddenly rang out in his mind.
The Panel formed by the Heart of Concept had already been silently regarded by Li Zhen as the System.
【Mission: Kaister’s Plea. Mission Difficulty Level: Level 1】
【Mission requirements: Protect Kaister and help him complete the Mission. If Kaister dies, Mission failed. Return to the main timeline at any time】
【No penalty for mission failure, No reward. Mission completion reward: one Origin Point】
【View Current Mission Image】
【Accept Mission】
【Please select the Specific Teleportation Location】
Do not make things difficult for my fellow travelers. Throw the tickets my way.
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