Chapter 519 - 521: No Problem

Chapter 519: Chapter 521: No Problem

He Gaofei scoffed internally. He was starting to understand why this man was here.

Li Ji said, "I hear that Mr. Gu comes from a refugee background. To build such a fortune in such a short time... it’s truly enviable."

He Gaofei replied, "That’s not the kind of thing we can envy. Who can blame him for having good luck? He married a golden goose.

I hear General Li isn’t married yet. You have a much better chance than we do. Keep your eyes wide open, and maybe you’ll also find a wife like Mrs. Gu."

The words sounded fine, but Li Ji frowned, feeling that something was off.

"Indeed," Lu Shenggen chimed in. "We old-timers have no chance at all anymore. But you, General Li, you still have options."

Li Ji said, "Since ancient times, marriage has always been a matter for one’s parents to decide. Let’s not talk about such things right now.

I wonder, how many shares did you gentlemen invest? And how much Silver did you spend in total?"

He Gaofei glanced at Lu Shenggen. "We each only put in several hundred taels of silver. We’re not expecting to strike it rich. If we can just make enough extra Silver for a few more meals here, that’ll be good enough."

"...Just several hundred taels of silver?"

"Of course. If General Li doesn’t believe it, feel free to ask around," He Gaofei said with self-deprecating humor. "Like we said, we’re as poor as church mice—probably the most miserable officials in history.

Even now that we’ve been assigned out here, this place is dirt-poor. We’ve hardly seen any wealthy merchants, so naturally, no one gives us tributes. Life is even more of a struggle."

"That’s right," Wu Yichen said, patting his small, flat purse. "We’re all depending on that meager salary to get by these days. If General Li hadn’t invited us today, I wouldn’t have had the courage to even step foot in here."

Li Ji was speechless. ’Then why were you so generous earlier, saying it was your treat...’

He Gaofei was silent. ’This Wu Yichen... that little rascal almost had me fooled...’

Lu Shenggen was also at a loss for words. ’I’d better just keep my mouth shut...’

As if sensing he had misspoken, Wu Yichen said, "I was being sincere when I offered to treat you all earlier. Please, don’t hold back on my account later."

"Weren’t you just saying you’re out of silver?" He Gaofei asked, lowering his head to hide the smile in his eyes.

"What’s the big deal? Worst case, I’ll just borrow some from Mr. Gu and pay him back after I get my next salary."

Li Ji’s expression changed slightly. "Mr. Wu, please don’t say that. I was the one who invited you all here, so of course, I’ll be the one to treat you.

If I really let you pay for it, wouldn’t that make me lose face?"

He finally understood. He was going to have to pay for this meal whether he wanted to or not.

"Oh, I’d feel so bad about that," Wu Yichen said, once again pinching his empty purse. "Next time, next time when I’m a little more flush with Silver, I will be sure to treat General Li properly."

"Of course, of course."

After their tea was refilled once more, the waiter finally returned with other attendants, bringing in the dishes.

Looking at the feast covering the entire table, Li Ji started to get a headache. ’There are only four of us,’ he thought. ’Was it really necessary to order this much food?’

His hands even began to tremble, especially when he heard the waiter give a lengthy introduction with every dish he served.

These were all expensive, high-class dishes. He could already imagine that the silver notes he’d brought with him might not be enough to cover this meal.

He looked at the waiter, his face troubled. "Are all the dishes here?"

The waiter beamed. "Does our distinguished guest feel that this isn’t enough food? I can arrange for a few more dishes for you."

"No need!" Li Ji cried out. Seeing the surprised looks from the other three officials, he realized he’d lost his composure. "N-no, I was just asking. You may go for now. If it’s not enough, I’ll call for you later."

The waiter’s smile never wavered. "Of course. I will be waiting just outside. If you gentlemen need anything, just give a shout."

At that moment, Li Ji wished he could go back in time just a few minutes and slap himself. ’This is what you get for putting on airs when you first walked in,’ he thought. ’Now you have to pay the price.’

He Gaofei and the other two stared at the feast on the table with expressions of fond remembrance. It had been so long since they had tasted dishes like these.

"We really have General Li to thank today. I toast this cup to you, General." He Gaofei could tell from the aroma that the wine was expensive. He quickly found an excuse to drink, eager to taste it.

Although his heart ached at the cost, there was no turning back now. Li Ji raised his cup. "To meet is to be bound by fate. Please..."

...

The banquet didn’t end until every last plate and bowl was wiped clean.

Watching the three old foxes stumbling out, drunkenly leaning on one another for support, Li Ji could only clutch his purse and head to the counter to settle the bill.

When he heard the Shopkeeper announce the total, Li Ji suddenly felt faint. This place was a total clip joint.

"How can it be so expensive?"

"Sir, please have a look. We served you our most luxurious, top-tier dishes. You can ask around about the cost of such things—we truly aren’t overcharging you.

And look at this wine. I’m sure you’ve tasted it. It’s the kind that’s nearly impossible to find, even for a thousand pieces of gold."

"But I asked you to just handle the arrangements, I didn’t say to use the most expensive..."

The waiter, standing by with an aggrieved expression, chimed in, "But sir, you specifically told me to serve you the most expensive dishes. Everyone heard you at the time."

Li Ji was speechless.

In stark contrast to Li Ji’s predicament, the moment the three supposedly drunk men entered the alley leading to the back office of the government office, they all straightened up and started pointing at each other, roaring with laughter.

"If we got a sucker like that every day, we’d probably be as round as balls by the time we go back," Lu Shenggen said, rubbing his bulging stomach with a look of pure satisfaction.

"I’m finally satisfied. The food at Tianfu Restaurant really lives up to its reputation. Every single dish was exquisite."

"I was more impressed by the wine. It finally managed to soothe the drunkard in me."

The men walked on with their arms slung over each other’s shoulders. "Mr. Wu, I never would have guessed you were the slyest one among us. Were you planning to fleece him from the very beginning?"

Wu Yichen put on an innocent expression. "I was just feeling a bit peckish, and he happened to show up.

But you all played along quite well just now. I was afraid you might contradict me."

"I didn’t catch on at first. It was Mr. He who secretly gave me a hint." Lu Shenggen had genuinely been about to lose his temper. If He Gaofei hadn’t kicked him at the crucial moment, he really might have flipped out.

"Then you really don’t know me at all," Wu Yichen said, shooting him a glance. "I may not have been here long, but I’ve heard about this Li Ji many times.

Who in all of Lu City doesn’t know he’s an informant for that old fossil, Chen Zishu?

Back in the day in Shangjing, which one of us didn’t suffer at his hands?

We’re too insignificant to shake him, so are we not even allowed to let off some steam at the expense of this fellow, Li?

As the saying goes, ’When someone’s being nice for no reason, they’re either a thief or a scoundrel.’ So tell me, what do you think he was really after by seeking us out?"