"Boss Ling was offended before. I hope you will not blame me for being a villain."

"What kind of person is Boss Ling? How could he be petty with the little businessmen like us? You said yes, Boss Ling?"

"Boss Ling, this is my intention to prepare. I hope you don't dislike it..."

Only one day later, many businessmen and gentlemen who had wanted to deal with Li Ling came to apologize, saying good things and giving gifts, all of them put their attitudes to the lowest level, and they almost knelt down and admitted their mistakes.

Obviously, after learning about Lingli's "true identity" from the Magistrate Huo, they were scared. That was a big man who could hand over words to the powerful and even local officials in the court. How could a small businessman like them offend?

In connection with his previous attitude and methods, these people had no doubts at all, and they only felt panic in their hearts, so they came to apologize. As for their own losses this time, they didn't even dare to mention them.

Li Ling did not force them to admit their mistakes so sensible. He just said a few words indifferently, and then signaled that he would no longer care about it and let them just rest assured.

However, it was obviously not the whole purpose of these businessmen coming over. Seeing that the previous friction had passed, Shu Wenqing stammered and said, "Boss Ling, you have a noble status and are more knowledgeable, and you are not comparable to us. I wonder if you have any insights into our food transaction in Huguang this time?"

"Gao Jian? I am a businessman like you, and I am not a local person from Huguang. What do you think of your business this time?" Li Ling pretended to be incomprehensible and said with a smile.

"Boss Ling is joking. With your vision and wisdom, how could you not see the key points in this?" Boss Zhou hurriedly said with apologizing. After seeing Li Ling frowning slightly, Shu Wenqing followed and said, "Boss Ling, I dare not hide it from you. We actually have no idea about exchanging grain for land this time."

"Oh? But are you worried that the government will pursue the matter?" Li Ling asked casually.

Shu Wenqing shook his head: "This is only one aspect, and as of now, the joints of various yamen have long been opened, so there will be no consequences."

Li Ling felt a stern when he heard this, but his face was still calm: "What else are you worried about?"

"Of course, we are not strong enough in our own strength and financial resources. To be honest, our Guang'an is a very inconspicuous county in Suizhou. We have some money in the county, but it is not worth mentioning at all when we put it in the prefecture. What's more, this big deal in Suizhou will attract all the big merchants in Huguang. How can we beat them by then?"

"Yes, those real big merchants have more than tens of millions of dollars in wealth. Compared with them, our little food is just a small fuss, so we hesitated."

Everyone agreed, talking about their own difficulties, then looked up at Li Ling, as if seeking his advice and help. Li Ling glanced at random, then smiled and said, "This is not simple. You just don't fight with them. With the food you buy now and the financial resources you have now, you should have no problem protecting yourself."

"But how can I be willing to do this..." Shu Wenqing said what everyone was thinking, which immediately caused everyone to nod and say yes.

Yes, this time I have such a good opportunity at my doorstep. Once it is really done, the income will be less profitable if it increases by three or five times, and it may even be possible to achieve class leapfrogs and transform from an ordinary small businessman into a real local tyrant. Under such a great temptation, who would be willing to just watch from the wall?

Li Ling nodded as if he had some understanding: "You want to participate in this big deal in Suizhou, but you are worried that you will lose your capital instead?"

"That's right. You don't know anything. This time, there are many wealthy families who are eyeing those lands. Some people can even collude with the government and turn the grain in the official warehouse into their own use. The number is too thin. Compared with the hundreds of thousands of stones on our hands, we have to...

"So you want to beg me to help you?" Li Ling looked at them, his lips curled up slightly, "It's not impossible. But I have the conditions."

"Sir, please say that as long as we can make money, we will agree to you all the conditions!" In desperation, these positions did not hide their concealment and directly called Li Ling. Although they "know" that he was just an imperial merchant and seemed to have no official position, their status was far above everyone else.

Li Ling was not polite and immediately put forward the conditions: "First, you have to listen to me. Everything next is up to me. No matter what decision I make, even if you throw all the food into the water, you have to do it! Can it be done?"

Everyone was a little hesitant. If they really wanted to respond to this, they would have no autonomy. But after some exchanges, they decided to believe this boss Ling, and Shu Wenqing took the lead and said: "I agree to this one. From now on, you will be the one in my family. You said that I will never go west!"

With the first statement, the people behind him naturally had fewer concerns, and they followed up: "Boss Ling, you are the one who decides my family's food!"

"So too!"

"So too!"

In just a short time, more than a dozen businessmen reached an agreement, which made Li Ling happy and couldn't help feeling a little pressure. It was obvious that the opponents they had to face this time were far stronger than they thought, making them have no confidence in themselves and could only turn to him as the imperial merchant.

The thought flashed, and Li Ling smiled: "You are indeed people who do big things, Ling admires it! Second, we are going to set off to Suizhou, start the layout before that real big deal, and send all the food there to spare."

Even they agreed to the first one of the most difficult ones, but naturally no one raised any objections to the second ones, and they nodded and agreed immediately.

Then Li Ling put forward the third condition: "Third, after the matter is done, I will get 20% more benefits!"

"This is a matter of course. As long as you can really help us make money, let alone 20% of it, we are willing to give it 30%."

"Then let's make up. You all hurry up and make preparations. We will set off in the afternoon. The food must be shipped within two days, and there must be no delay." Li Ling immediately entered the role and ordered decisively.

Although these merchants could not keep up with such a fast pace, they still agreed decisively after staying there, and then stopped delaying, and stood up to salute and left quickly.

It was not until these people left that Li Ling exhaled. The development of this matter was smoother than he thought. However, he knew better that the more this time, the less he could not relax. I am afraid that among these seemingly dedicated businessmen, there must be other larger businessmen's eyeliner or even inner-comer, so at the critical moment, what he could believe was the people he brought.

Thinking of this, he went out and called Yang Zhen and several imperial guards: "I will go to Suizhou with all the merchants later. You can stay and protect the food and rush over, and be sure to ensure the safety of the food."

"Sir, is this a bit too risky? You can only have Brother Li and the other two guards by your side. If something goes wrong..." Yang Zhen said uneasy when he heard this.

Li Ling waved his hand and said, "It's okay, I'm just a businessman now, and I don't have any mortal grudges, so nothing can happen. Besides, the more I make such arrangements, the less others will doubt my true identity. In addition, besides Mo Yun and others, aren't there anyone else in Baiyitang walking with us, so safety is not a problem."

Seeing that Li Ling had made up his mind, Yang Zhen, as a subordinate, couldn't say anything else. He could only go over and talk to Li Moyun about some precautions after agreeing, and then retreated.

When Li Ling was busy arranging his departure, County Magistrate Huo rushed over again, but after knowing that they were going to Suizhou, he was a little worried and came to inquire about the news: "Sir, are you really planning to go to Suizhou with those merchants?"

"What, what's wrong? I came here to find out the truth of the matter and find evidence of the collusion between officials and businessmen. How can I get things done if I stay here?"

"But in Suizhou... the situation there is complicated, and those people have deep backgrounds. The officials are worried, and you may not be able to cope with it if you are worried."

"You don't have to worry about this. Since I have made a decision, I will have a way to deal with it. But you, don't reveal my identity, otherwise you will know the consequences."

"The servant understands, don't worry, even if someone asks him with a knife, the servant will never dare to reveal his true identity to him. Otherwise, the servant will not die well!"

Seeing him swearing like this, Li Ling smiled again: "No need to do this. You just need to know a little. If I succeed, it will be considered a contribution to you. At that time, not only will I have previous sins, but also a heavy reward. It will be enough to raise your official position."

Sure enough, as soon as he heard this promise, a light suddenly popped up in County Magistrate Huo's eyes, and he hurriedly thanked him, and promised again that he would not reveal a word.

It was not until the county magistrate was taken over and there was no more trouble that Li Ling took Li Moyun out of the inn. At this time, many carriages were parked there outside. It was Shu Wenqing who had taken the lead and they came to meet up.

After lunch, Li Ling officially took the car and brought a caravan of about 200 people out of Guang'an County, heading straight for Suizhou Prefecture.

Behind him, the people who had no food to escape were now holding their rice bowls and eating dry porridge and rotten rice, and everyone showed long-lost smiles on their faces.
Chapter completed!