“One hundred thousand!?”
Even though Zhang Li was an experienced casino manager, she was still startled by this astronomical figure.
What did one hundred thousand taels of silver mean?
In the entire Great Qian Nation, an average family of three would consider it a decent life if they earned five taels a year.
The total annual tax revenue of the entire nation was only six million taels.
Yet Lin Zhen said they could make one hundred thousand in three months!
Was he overestimating himself? Or overestimating Zhang Li?
Zhang Li showed a troubled expression. She turned over countless ideas in her mind but still couldn’t come up with a strategy to earn one hundred thousand taels in such a short period. She bit her lip tightly, bent slightly, and spoke helplessly, “Young master, earning one hundred thousand in three months is no different from dreaming. Please forgive me, I can’t do it.”
Hearing this, Lin Zhen smiled meaningfully, a secret confidence hidden in his smile.
He lightly waved his hand and walked deeper into the casino, leaving a sentence lingering in the air, “No, you can do it.”
“Young master… you…”
The one guarding the gate was Fatty’s personal guard, Han Zhong.
He was a military officer of the Longxiang Battalion, one of the four major battalions, highly skilled and upright.
Unfortunately, due to his straightforward and inflexible nature, he was often ostracized and troubled within the battalion and was eventually assigned by the deputy commander to protect Fatty Wang.
Thus, he harbored much dissatisfaction toward Lin Zhen and Fatty Wang.
It made sense too. How could a dignified military officer not be discontent being forced to babysit a group of good-for-nothing dandies instead of earning military merit on the battlefield?
Seeing Lin Zhen approach, Han Zhong’s attitude was cold and disrespectful.
“Greetings, young master.”
The four words were said lightly, without any trace of respect.
Lin Zhen didn’t mind at all. He patted Han Zhong’s shoulder with a smile, “If you don’t want to guard here, go back to the camp.”
Everyone had their own aspirations, and Lin Zhen never forced anyone. But those willing to follow him would never miss out on benefits.
He still remembered when he was first stationed at the grassroots level, the town office assigned him a driver, a smart and handsome young man. Later on… well, that’s a story for another time.
The point was, anyone who sincerely followed Lin Zhen would never suffer a loss.
Inside the casino, Gu family’s servants were still complaining while moving things back and forth, looking very conspicuous.
“It’s all because of that scoundrel from the prince’s residence. Now we don’t even have a job!”
“Exactly! Where are we supposed to find such an easy job again?”
“Prince? Ha! Shamelessly opening a casino. Isn’t he embarrassed?”
Seeing this, Lin Zhen instantly became furious.
What official wasn’t cursed at? It only proved an official was incompetent if no one criticized them.
What made him angry was that these people were moving his belongings!
“Guards!”
At his command, several personal guards stormed in with broadswords.
Lin Zhen shouted to the crowd, “Put down everything in your hands, or don’t blame me for showing no mercy!”
The servants in coarse clothes were so frightened they didn’t dare move and slowly placed the items on the ground.
With his hands behind his back, Lin Zhen scolded like Li Yunlong, “Damn it, rebelling now? Is there no law? Dare to snatch things on my turf?”
“Who sent you?”
One servant’s legs were trembling as he stammered, “It… it was Prime Minister Gu who told us to take back our Gu family’s belongings…”
“Go back and tell him, everything inside this casino belongs to me! No one is allowed to touch a thing! Get lost!”
“Yes, yes!”
“Let’s go, let’s go!”
“Hurry back and report to Prime Minister Gu!”
The servants ran off in terror, still haunted by what happened that morning.
Lin Zhen watched their retreating figures, cursing again, then picked up an antique vase from the ground and placed it back on the shelf. “Such a fine piece, yet they handled it like junk. A bunch of wastrels.”
“Giggle giggle, I didn’t expect the young master to be so fond of these objects.”
“Nothing should be wasted. Waste is a great crime.”
Hearing a notorious spendthrift saying such words sounded utterly awkward. Zhang Li rolled her eyes. “Young master, let’s get back to the real issue. How do we make one hundred thousand in three months? If not, I might have to resign, you know~”
Lin Zhen turned around.
In fact, he had already made a plan when he caused the commotion earlier.
Originally, this casino was a money-laundering front for the Gu family, but since Lin Zhen’s money was clean, there was no need for laundering. What he needed was to expand the casino’s influence.
How did casinos make money? Two ways.
Cheating; lending.
But both required one thing first—people.
Without people gambling, how could they make money or lend money?
So, popularity was the key.
As for how to rig the games and lend money, that would be Zhang Li’s job.
Lin Zhen leaned close to Zhang Li’s ear, speaking ambiguously, “I plan to hold a King of Gamblers Tournament.”
The ticklish feeling in her ear made her tremble all over as if a hyacinth breeze had touched her soul.
Zhang Li stepped back two steps, glared at Lin Zhen, and said with mock annoyance, “I thought it would be some brilliant idea. We’re not some Jianghu sect, why organize a tournament?”
“You don’t get it, do you?” Lin Zhen leisurely strolled inside the casino, admiring his first business. “The winner of this tournament will be conferred by the court as the King of Gamblers and announced to the world, admired by all gamblers!”
Zhang Li was shocked.
King of Gamblers?
What kind of title was that?
Unless the Emperor had lost his mind, how could he grant such a title?
Zhang Li was so stunned her mouth could swallow an egg. “Young master, would His Majesty agree to such a thing?”
“This title is different from nobility. It’s just an honorary title, with no real power or benefits. Many merchants and commoners don’t care about wealth as much as they crave status and reputation! Once we throw out this heavy bombshell, gamblers will flock here.”
“As long as there’s a crowd, with your skills, do you still fear not making money?” Lin Zhen looked at her confidently. “Just do as I say. The imperial edict will be delivered soon.”
Zhang Li was utterly shocked.
Indeed, as long as there were people, the casino would definitely make money. But the real question was, would His Majesty agree?
If he agreed to grant gamblers a title, wouldn’t that mean thieves, robbers, and prostitutes could also be titled?
Wouldn’t the nation fall into chaos?
Zhang Li tried to digest Lin Zhen’s words, her gaze no longer held contempt, but she still didn’t admire him either.
After all, any dandy who could come up with such a rotten idea wasn’t worth admiring.
Zhang Li thought for a moment, then smiled slyly, “Young master, I’d like to make a bet with you.”
Lin Zhen raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Speak.”
“If His Majesty really agrees to your request, I’ll tell you a big secret about the Gu family; if not, you will have nothing to do with the Yuanda Casino ever again, and this casino will be under my sole control.”
Lin Zhen’s smile turned cold, sending chills down people’s spines.
“Heh, what? Trying to make a move on me without capital? You’re still too green.”
He liked ambitious people, but not those whose ambition surpassed their loyalty to him.
Zhang Li looked elsewhere, saying nothing.
Lin Zhen said coldly, “This is your last chance to waver. If you falter again, I’ll crush you completely.”
“Remember, in this world, those who follow me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish.”
“I accept this bet.” Lin Zhen paused, then added, “But I have one more condition. If you lose, I want you to help me kill someone.”