Shin Koihime Musou Heroes of Romantic Legends

by Rantaid

Indefinite hiatus.

21. Tao Zhugong 12 Golden Rules for Business

Tao Zhugong's 12 Golden Rules for Business (The Great Merchant part 3)

In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women. - Tony Montana,"Scarface"

XXX

Tao Zhugong or also known as Fan Li lived during the Spring-Autumn Period. He was a native of Wan (Nanyang, Henan Province) in state of Chu. Due to his extraordinary talent in military strategy his name was far known even reaching to the King of state of Yue, Gou Jian and was appointed as his high officer. For more than twenty years Fan Li had toiled without sparing himself in the service of Gou Jian.

After the state of Yue was defeated in Kuaiji against the state of Wu, Gou Jian was made a prisoner of war. In suffering the humiliation and disgrace, Gou Jian swore revenge with Wo Xing Shang Tan and made preparation with the advice of strategist Fan Li to strengthen the state of Yue first.

Agriculture were developed and productivity were bolstered, while expenditure were carefully and meticulously regulated to avoid inefficient spending. Arms of wars manufactured while soldiers were trained. Soon enough, Fan Li's strategy proven effective to make state of Yue as respected state among the other state of Spring Autumn period. Gou Jian soon was able to avenge his disgraceful loss with the suicide of Fuchai, King of Wu. Now, Gou Jian was able to become the last Hegemon of the Spring-Autumn Period with Fan Li as his supreme commander.

After his return, Fan Li realized that he was too prominent and noticed Gou Jian true character as 'good companion in hardship but not during delight' (in short and simple term, the modern word is 'ingrate'). He there fore requested his king's permission to retire from his position. Gou Jian refused to grant his request and threaten to kill him if he left him.

Fan Li sighed and replied "A sovereign gives commands, a subject does what he thinks is right", thus he gathered all the wealth he had and ordered his family and relatives to pack up and set out from Yue in secret. Wen Zhong, another close retainers of Gou Jian and also a friend of Fan Li stayed and latter was accused of rebellion. He was thus forced to suicide.

Extracted from Sima Qian's Record of Grand Historian (Shiji) on the biography of Gou Jian, the king of Yue:

Then Fan Li left, sending Wen Zhong a letter from Qi in which said;

"When all the birds are killed the good bow is placed away, When the cunning hares are dead the hounds are made into stew. The king of Yue with his long neck and predatory mouth is good companion in time of trouble but not in peace. You had better leave him."

Fan Li went to Qi and lived by along the eastern shore and called himself as 'Zhiyi Zipi'. He and his son made living by tilling the field (agriculture) and salt salinization. In few years, due to good management, he was able to amass enormous wealth even attracting the state of Qi's sovereign's attention.

In his advice on fishery business he made a basic calculation of breeding fish in a 4 acre pond. After detracting the production cost and another additional cost, he estimate that at leat in a year there will be about 56% profit while in the second year (if there is no trouble) the profit will double. The possible risk would be disease and 3% mortality rate, however from business sense it is good investment.

Extracted from Sima Qian's Record of Grand Historian (Shiji) on the biography of Gou Jian, the king of Yue:

"For a private citizen to make thousands pieces of gold or for an official to become minister are the highest achievement an ordinary men would dreamt of, but no good can come of long period of fame and nobility."

The King of Qi wanted to make him his minister however he refused. He then gave away all his money to his friends and neighbors and left quietly with his wealth. Fan Li says; "Save money when it is usable and Give them away when it became a baggage." (Between life and wealth, Fan Li picked life.)

After leaving state of Qi, he settle in Dingtao (Zibo, Shandong province), a great commercial centre where merchants and peddlers gathered to trade goods from everywhere around the regions. He change his name into 'Tao Zhugong'. Here he made living by tilling the soil, breeding cattle, and trading.

According to the Law of Supply and Demand of Goods and Commodity;

Whenever the supply decrease and the demand remain stagnant (or rose); the price rose. On the other hand, when the supply increase in surplus while the demand remain stagnant (or wane); the price dropped. Whenever a demand of certain goods or commodity rose or dropped, it shall influence the circulation of that commodity which in turn affect the price. Hence price of certain commodity is always influenced and dependant to the cycle of supply and demands.

During the harvest of certain agriculture commodity (i.e. wheat), the price of wheat will drop due to surplus of supply of wheat commodity. With his money, Mister Tao Zhugong quickly made purchase as much as he can and stock pile them in his granary. So, during the food shortage (bad harvest season), due to scarcity of wheat while the demand for wheat remain and even rose; the price of wheat quickly skyrocketed. Mister Fan Li taking advantage of the market situation and the current price was able to sell the his stock piled wheat in highest price. In the other hand, as one commodity price rose, there will be another commodity which shall be in surplus due to good harvesting season on contrary to the that certain commodity. That is a cycle of nature. So Mister Tao Zhugong would set his sight on that commodity and made purchase on them, in ad infinitum process.

Taking advantage of this insight on the circulation of supply, demand and its influence on price; Mister Tao Zhugong was able to make at least 10% profit of each of his transaction. And so, in short time he was able to amass more money than before.

How quickly after gain, the whole world races!

How madly after gain, the whole world chases!

To this day, whenever Chinese people made remark about how wealthy or how rich a person is, they would always remark "as rich as Mister Tao Zhugong!", proving of how famous his reputation was. People to this day always searched on the secret of being rich (and that is why most Chinese descent people are seen as rich; even more the Hakka… Just like the term everyone gave to Jew descent) and one of them studied on how Mister Tao Zhugong conducted his business.

The Record of Grand Historian (Shiji) wrotes:

Observing that Tao at the hub of the realm was a centre of communication and trading, he purchased land property there stored up commodities and made profit by biding his time without much exertion. He was a good manager, a sound judge of men able to take advantage of times. Three times in nineteen years he accumulated a thousand pieces of gold and twice divided these between distant relatives and those in want. He was, in fact a rich philanthropist. Later, when he grew old and infirm, he turned over his affairs to his sons and grandsons, who carried on and developed his business until they had millions.

Fan Li shared the secret of his successful business life and composed them into twelve simple rules which to this days become the guidance for modern entrepreneur and businessmen. Indeed, Fan Li (Mister Tao Zhugong) is the true God of Wealth! He knows the importance of wealth and was able to gauge the priority on which need to be favored first. He is the wisest among the God of Wealth! It was such a fortune that he left us his 12 Golden Rules for Business.

XXX

The Lawyer with the briefcase steals more money than the man with guns. - Mario Puzo's The Godfather

The female musician who call herself 'Ziyu' is the owner of small business venture engaging in sericulture and agriculture trading. She also owned adequate farming field and livestock as her assets. For a young widow like her, it was quite admirable that she alone manage to built this small business, however as her business growth, she started to feel overwhelmed by her own limits. She started to think the needs of someone , if possible a male figure to become the head figure for him. In modern words; the madam owner Ziyu could be likened as 'The Chairwoman owner' of the business who wished to back down and picked a capable officer as her 'manager' who shall be responsible to manage her corporation. In short, she realized that her small business venture needs a new 'CEO' to operate on behalf of her all decision in regards of her own business growth.

It was quite fortunate that she met a past acquaintance who willingly accepted this responsibility. To the public, Madam owner does not want to disclose, but rumor among her employee was that this new CEO hand picked by madam owner is in reality the true owner and the true financier who provide the capital for madam owner to build the business, and now Madam owner willingly step down from her position to let the true owner manage it himself while she was given honorary position. The new CEO himself who call himself mister 'Lu Su' dismissed this rumor and only claimed this as 'preposterous' and officially stated that madam owner is the true owner of the whole business venture and he was but a 'salary man'. Another rumor spoke that mister 'Lu Su' is madam owner's past unrequited lover, however the madam dismissed the rumor as factually unproven (though she did not deny of having romantic feeling).

On his first day, Mister Lu Su was having discussion with madam owner regarding the business;

"Business is good, madam owner." Lu Su began his speech. "Have you ever thinking of expanding your vision from here on?" he asserted his point as he calmly raised his cup of tea. A good business deal is always discussed over cup of tea, as always.

"Hmm… I have expected you to confront me about that sooner or later." Ziyu placed down her cup. "But never for once I expected you to speak it at the first day."

Mister Lu Su smirked. "I have read all your past financial report. Frankly speaking there is nothing need to be worried from your current business situation. you have no liability and your assets are solvent. With only minor supervision there is nothing to be worried about with its general operational." After taking a sip and enjoying the memorable taste of Oriental Beauty Wulong which reminded him with a passionate feeling he once experienced. "It think it is time to improve our situation by expanding and broadening our vision."

"I also felt that way…. With nothing had troubled me, I think it is good to try on new business plan. There are also enough capital…. However… do we really need to? Frankly I am content with current situation. just kinda afraid to change the today situation."

Mister Lu Su smiled, understanding madam owner's anxiety. "Indeed, it would not be easy. However your business venture has quite a flaw. It is has quite short life expectancy." Mister Lu Su placed down his tea cup and start his logical fallacy. "farming is good. In spring we start planting, in summer we work on it and in autumn we harvest the result, however what about the winter? Men does not hibernate. We still need to eat during winter. On the other hand live stock are prone to disease and mortality (not a very liquid and solvent asset). Sure madam owner had ample farming field and enough gold as your assets… however if the money does not pour in, we would only squandering your saving during winter. Your trading depended too much on weather, while you have people under your pay." While madam owner was taken back by his sweet talking, Lu Su continued "People often say start during spring, work in summer, harvest in autumn and rest in winter. However, those outdated thought is only suitable when you are tending for your own." Mister Lu Su judging the madam owner's expression whether she agrees or not with his fallacy. "We ought not only thinking about current situation, but also on the future." Mister Lu Su asserted.

"My apologize, Lu Darren…. However… I am not really confident to…"

Mister Lu Su laughed seeing her reply. He notices that madam owner shown interest with his words, it just she is not certain and afraid to made the decision. Moreso…. She is quite unsure. "Madam owner, today we might be living. But what about tomorrow? We live in an uncertain era, living in fear not knowing where we would still live or die tomorrow. Who would knows that soon there would be a big battle which influences even the lives of us; the civilians? The ordinary? The warlords today might be warring against themselves in this realms. However it is always us, the ordinary civilians who suffered. I am confident that expanding our vision would benefit us in later days. And this business expansion shall serve as our capital."

"Our… " madam owner thinking to herself, starting to understand what Lu Su is spouting. It is not just for her, but he is also thinking for his own future, his own ambition. Usually, there would be no employee who would speak of his grand ambition, more so if it spoke of to surpass his own master…. It is always touching to see this kind of honesty. Madam owner start to see what kind of character this man Lu Su is…. She sighed…. Could she catch up with him…? though they were separated in this table length distance…. But why does she feel of being left out by him? She sighed…. Reluctantly sighing…. There is always more capable person in each of period of life…. Madam owner was always proud of her own academic background as devout Confucius scholar… but seeing this man….. she felt ashamed of her lack of talent. Perhaps it was an envy felt by inferior seeing the awesomeness of those who are more superior? She softly muttered to herself…. "My sisters….Kongming….Gongxiu…. if it was you who are in my place…. Could you catch up with him? I, Ziyu for the first time in my life wished that I have at least your brilliance or your resoluteness."

"Madam owner, what are your decision?" Lu Su offered "I am prepared to accept your decision."

"Just one thing. I know the limit of my talent." Madam owner spoke. "I am not a really capable as you thinking of; I am confident of taking care of domestic problem… but…"

"You have me on your payroll madam owner." Lu Su looked pleased knowing what she was thinking. "I am your chief executive officer. You can leave those boring matter to me. You can supervise and oversee all my work… just one thing I ask."

"I don't mind. as long you are not doing anything immoral or illegitimate." Ziyu, saluted and raised her cup of tea before him.

"Except if my decision would caused monetary loss (in your judgment); please never question of my action." Mister Lu Su raised his own cup and drank it.

"Very well." the madam owner; Zhuge Jin styled Ziyu followed the same and continue "I hope this alliance would benefit us all." And those were promises made between them, and days has passed for long like an arrow released from its bow.

XXX

The Way of Business: Honesty makes it last while monopoly is priority. Move in when the time is right and merging is a fundamental. Forget old misgiving and every venture should be profitable. - Chan Mou's Ravages of Time vol. 20 chapter 162 translations by mercury blood

The beginning of their encounter felt like a mere coincidence, who would've thought that this would turn out later as a destined once in a life time encounter? (The author). After that man replaced her as the manager who take care all decision for her business, business start to grow. The first time Mister Lu Su in his position, he took his attention to madam owner's farming field. During this era where land certificate is still but an unknown concept, the width of their ownership is decided by how many land you can open and transform into a paddy field. So it is not very strange that regular farmer here has at least few hectares for themselves. The problem lies on whether the farmer / land owner was capable in tilling their field and produce enough to pay periodically levy made by authority government. Rich landowner would pay poor farmer to till their rice field and paid several strong men as means of 'security'. Hence, they could easily manipulate the situation as long as they had enough money.

When Mister Lu Su turn his attention to the farming field, he noted that madam owner preferred to do it in honest and humble way. She does not have any desire to use any means of 'protection and security' to oppress her worker and rarely relied on money to take care all matter. This what ignorant people spoke as 'honest' way. Mister Lu Su thus made several changes. First, he led the labors to open new rice field. The eastern river region was still quite remote unlike the northern region, more less the central region. Hence there is no problem in opening new paddy field. The next problem comes when it was about the tending the farming field. Paying the poor farmer using money was the easiest solution, however Mister Lu Su decided to make deal with the farmer that they will take care all the process until the harvest with promise of 40% shares of the harvest. "However as I explain, if the bad harvest occur, you will hardly get anything." Mister Lu Su spoke to their representative. "So, make sure to carefully think what you will plan and harvest during the right season."

All the farmer at first was quite unused by this concept, true. Because this concept was based on government levy toward rich landowner. Ignorant people and commoner hardly get any understanding of this foreign concept. But, this promise was better than money payment; although the farmer get money, they are still forced to purchase daily needs from those rich landowners. So in sense the circulation of money and goods remain stagnant, more less those rich landowner could arbitrarily control the price of their commodity as they please. This offer was more enticing, especially the promised share amount is quite generous. But there is still hesitation from their face, when they asked for guarantee that Mister Lu Su would not broke his own words, Mister Lu Su calmly spoke.

"Look, you want guarantee? What kind of guarantee you expected? A writing on a paper? To be upheld by what court?" Mister Lu Su calmly spoke of their positions in this deal. "My apologize. When I say that I will do it, I will do it." Lu Su sneered before continuing. "Let me gave you my honesty. Even if we… say…. Write it down on a paper, do you expect some court would defend you from any wealthy clan who was able to bribe all the judge under the heaven, pro bono?"

The farmer talked among themselves in distinct murmur, admitting his words. During this chaos stricken and poverty rampant realm, where everyone from themselves no one could gave any guarantee …. And this mister Lu Su was being brutally honest about it without sugarcoating his words. If what he says is a lie, they would not be forced to work for low salary; being used by rich, powerful land owner.

"Fortunately, my madam owner is soft hearted. She wished everything done fairly. So I assure everyone here that I shall keep my words." When he spoke of it, everyone felt overwhelmed by his imposing gesture and charisma. "So I expect the same from everyone here."

The farmers thus complies. Though there is still some reluctance on their face. Mister Lu Su however ignored them, as he consider it as minority feeling of everyone here. What mister Lu Su expected was right, that those discontent voice was but a minority voice from everyone who had not know him. The moment he took care the planning for irrigation, fertilization and such made people realize that Mister Lu Su was not some nobody. Hence, from thereon there is not much opposition.

Madam owner also owned livestock like chicken, pigs, cows and one or two horse (just imagine stupid Harvest Moon game). During this era, the way of breeding chicken was still common to let them run around in the field and let them find their own food (or by scattering feed). This method was preferable if those were for self consumption, however Mister Lu Su seeing their potential then start to design new kind of cage. The old method was tedious in collecting their product (meat, eggs, feather and such), hence he designed a battery type cage and ordered the carpenter to build them. This new cage allow efficiency for breeding and cultivating their product. As the battery type was less time consuming than letting them ran around. All their product were used efficiently. Manure can be used for fertilizer, feather, meat and egg product can be sell for good price with less than usual cost production.

Seeing the internal production line was taken care, Mister Lu Su asked for permission to market the product under his supervision. When he first contacted the madam owner's usual retail seller, he notices that he could negotiate them to increase their purchase from them. They looked reluctant. "Mister peddler, we have for long established good relationship. On what account there is some slight of doubt you have on our words?"

The peddlers for long had supplied their merchandise from madam owner, however they replied that purchasing too much is prone from pillaging, as they lacked means of security. Indeed in eastern river region there is still disturbance caused by barbarians around Shanyue region. With the lack of insurance company like Lloyd of London or security, they are reluctant make deal more than they could confidently kept, out of fear the unpredictable loss when the Shanyue barbarian's raided on their convoy in the deeper parts where Shanyue tribe roamed.

"I see…" Mister Lu Su shortly replied to the peddler and thanked him for the business deal, in his brain however he already thought of several measures to rake more profit. "Oh, gentleman sir…. Whose ships are those?" Mister Lu Su stopped for a moment, admiring those beautiful large merchant ships being moored around the harbor.

"You don't know sir? Those are owned by Counselor Xu Gong. a new rich businessman."

"Haha… no wonder Mister Lu is quite shocked. Owning ships this days around the eastern river of Changjiang by itself is a prove of one being hailed from rich family. With the traffic of the east river being controlled by the monopoly of two Zhang, two Qiao and young mister Taishi who served the Sun clan of Eastern River."

"But I heard Counselor Xu Gong is involved with dishonest deal, some linked him with crooks."

"haha…. I bet those are words of those who are jealous of him."

Mister Lu Su only remain quiet, watching those fellow merchants exchanging information among themselves. In this lively area, information always flows, and those information can become precious or rubbish depend on how capable one processed them into valuable asset.

XXX

The Record of Grand Historian says:

There is no fixed road to wealth and goods do not stay with the same master forever. Wealth flows to those with ability but slips like a smashed tile in the hands of incompetent men. (On the Money makers)

"Madam owner, please lend me fifty strong men who are capable in martial arts." One day, Mister Lu Su requested to the madam owner of those demand. The madam owner looked troubled by this request, it is not about the size of his demand, but he was quite curious why he would ask for such things.

"Recently our merchandise distribution area was infested by mountain bandits, if it is possible I wish for those men as security." Mister Lu Su replied when inquired for the purpose of the demand. While she still confounded, nevertheless she granted it. after expressing his gratitude, Mister Lu Su spoke out "Madam owner, I've heard recently about Mister Xu Gong. what if we extend our hand in friendship with him? I think we can expand our distribution area with his help."

"No." to his dismay and surprise, madam owner gave firm and short answer.

"hm? Why you refuse madam owner? I always know of your kind nature. Even from those who are still questionable in reputation, you would still help them. But why would you refuse to make friendship with Counselor Xu Gong who in my judgment would benefit us all?"

"My apologize mister Lu, I don't want to deal with crook who make common people suffer." And madam owner looks as if she does not want to talk about it anymore. However due to Mister Lu's insistence, the madam owner elaborate the whole story of how Counselor Xu Gong does his crooked deal.

Sighing for a while, she turned with a serious looks. "Mister Lu, do you know what is the most profitable business scheme?" The madam owner does not look like she was casually talking, this time she showed a looks trying to judge a people character. Mister Lu Su being smart enough to understand what her expression meant to be calmly replied.

"For a business man, having a loyal customers is the best in which your flow of money and goods are never hampered. Continuous flow of money (no matter how small) is more preferable than a single big transaction deal which only happened once. No business man would want to see his business stalled. Without a doubt, there is only but one scheme to reach this. Blind loyalty by taking advantage of people's faith (not just trust) to depend only to us."

"And is there any possible way to reach this method?" Madam owner looked somewhat pleased that this man was quick to catch on.

"Only one, by profiteering on one beliefs; 'religion' ." Mister Lu Su coldly spoke. "Men are easy to be controlled likes flock of sheep, with these slave mentality they would blindly follow whatever order their 'beliefs' beckon them to." Mister Lu took a cup of tea before him and gulped them to wet his throat. "I never sees someone as loyal to one cause as believer of their own faith."

"People always says heaven this heaven that." Madam owner sighed as if reminiscing something "but do the heaven or this 'god' whom we never understand would advocate on anything related to men's riches? A true religion should be advocating peace, kindness and love; not about meddling with people's riches and swayed people to gave away their riches to god."

"Haha… men are gullible and fearful. They did not understand the concept of dead. If their money can buy them a nice place for them in 'heaven' later after their demise, why wouldn't they? After all it is good deal. Really, if there is really such nice place where we can 'purchase' them using our mortal money." Mister Lu Su says them sarcastically in mocking tone. "Those kind of fright are easy to be taken advantage of…. Beside who can prove something abstract like that exist? It is a swindler best method. Like Han Fei Zi spoke; to paint a ghost are easy because no one ever saw them, while to paint dog and horse are hard because everyone sees them."

Madam owner took a piece of paper then draw a triangular shaped diagram. Mister Lu Su quickly recognized it because he is familiar with it, but he waited until madam owner explain it… could it be….. "At the north area in region of Hanzhong…. There is a man who call himself as Zhang Lu. He was previously a merchant… he claimed that he got an enlightenment and creates a system where everyone would donate five peck of rice to join his system where he would gave them tranquility and secret of life. Healing disease, life free of worries, anything that men would usually wishes for… using talisman or prayer. His follower would be called 'spirit troops', then above them libationers who act as chief of each five to ten man group. Then above them are head-libationers who headed each five or seven libationers. Sincerity and Obedience is their fundamental tenet. Common men call Zhang Lu of Hanzhong's people movement as 'The Five Peck of Rice'."

"This is disgusting…" Mister Lu Su showed displeasure… after getting an understanding from madam owner simple explanation he notices something that common people would miss from their sight. "girl, please fetch me some abacus and paper."

Mister Lu Su then read aloud somekind of calculation and compare them with madam owner's simple diagram, he recite each of them and bid the servant to calculate each number he spoke. "There!" Mister Lu Su thus showed what he found.

"This is….."

"What he is doing is not a religious volunteer act! This is a swindling! With this so called method, he would easily amass ten thousand gold for each levy! I've heard of this disgusting pyramid scheme!" Lu Su notices that when madam owner draw those diagram, it resembles something once taught to him; Pyramid scheme is unsustainable business model that promise of some kind of reciprocation for enrolling other people into this scheme and this method would always be followed by using Ponzi scheme in their execution. "I bet at first these libationers and head libationers are the first member group of this Five Peck of Rice movement! Those ignorant people would then be satisfied and treated psychologically with empty promises. Sometimes to show their true sincerity to confuse ignorant mass, they would do false philanthropy act to people without them realizing that they are being paid using their own money. If each period quota this movement would easily amass more than ten thousand gold, it would be small sacrifice made!"

Madam owner inspected the calculation he made. "I always notice something suspicious about them, but having difficulties to explain and prevent those people being lied and taken advantage off by this shady movement. So this is the secret of their pseudo religious movement. Alas…." Madam owner sighed…. "It is too late. It won't be long when all region in Hanzhong would fall to this man 'Zhang Lu."

Religion should be guiding people, not to deceive them. If not, it is just becoming a despicable business method!

The Yellow Turban of Taiping movement and The Five Peck of Rice movement…

Soon… a theocracy state will take a shape in Hanzhong.

XXX

"But madam owner, what is the relation between the Five Peck of Rice movement with this counselor Xu Gong?" Mister Lu Su inquire.

"Xu Gong's modus operandi and those of the Five Peck of Rice movement was quite similar." Madam owner pointed out what she spoke "Xu Gong himself was quite an astounding figure. He was once a former Yellow Turban high officer when the three Zhang Sister start their Taiping movement idol." Another sip of tea before she continues "But after the disbandment of this Yellow Turban in Jingzhou, he made several deals with a renowned figure in Jingzhou and sold out former accomplice and companion to Imperial Uncle Liu Biao of Jingzhou to save his own skin during the cleansing of this former trouble. Quite a drastic change right? even though Liu Biao himself was known as idol otaku but after the three Zhang sister disbanded, everyone of the Yellow Turban run amok like loose sand without the three Zhang sister guidance. The idol otaku's hand was forced to stop everyone and cleanse them before they become trouble."

Indeed, Mister Lu Su recall…. those three idol sister; Zhang Jue, Zhang Bang, Zhang Lang died during their concert in Jingzhou and everything lost control for those former members. Some become criminal and fugitive, mountain bandits like those in Runan and around Mount Taishan, some who roamed in east river region commit bandit activity and mass pillaging; a trouble for this centre of business and trading area.

"Xu Gong, former Yellow Turban of Taiping movement betraying everyone became Liu Biao's henchmen…. But when Sun Jian's revolt … he vanished quickly without trace, and appeared some months ago as rich merchant. Everyone talked and quite suspicious of his background… those are some rumors floating… but I… confirmed most of those rumors are true… just not enough evidence." Madam owner asserted.

"I see…. Indeed the merchant not just exchanges goods, but also information…" Mister Lu Su contemplated. Mister Lu Su raised his cup, emptied them and placed them down. He then stood up and greeted madam owner by cupping his hand. "well then, madam owner…. I take my leave. Thanks for granting my request"

"um… please be careful."

Mister Lu look amused by how much concern madam owner gave to him, he replied. "haha…. I am just peddling and distributing goods as usual, why the worry?"

"you are right…." Madam owner laughed. "silly me…"

XXX

Mister Lu Su and his convoy has departed and now entering the deeper area where once was part of the state of Wu. He was told that on opposing path would led them toward Lake Poyang, and as they are travelling by land with guide helping them on the path.

"Around the south area the specialties are rare expensive teas and expensive medicinal herbs and aphrodisiacs….-brrr! So good for our ladies at home, am I right, fella!?" the guide jokes to lighten the mood which everyone responded enthusiastically (you say it bro!) "But darn, they are located in such treacherous area no one could get them. Beside no one would be able if the barbarians and bandits are roaming here."

Muttered among themselves while Lu Su was in look out of the surrounding.

"Well, of course we all know what our purpose here is…." another joke and "But who would refuse to take sight for a moment of those exotics animals? There is always demand for rhino's horn, tiger skin, bull's leather… also, around here is rich with saltpeter, sulfur, and many minerals…. Except gold of course."

"Ha! If there is really some gold you would not carelessly spoke of them! And you would mine it yourself!"

"You say it bro!" and those speech were responded with exploding laughter. "Mister Lu, what do you think about it?"

"Well…. I just want to spoke that…. Judging how eerily quiet than what I expected…." Mister Lu Su asserted. "perhaps those mountain bandits and criminals around the area has been locating us."

"Hm? Quite a weird reasoning Mister Lu."

"I think we are about to be ambushed…." As Mister Lu Su about to finished his words, a weird noise echoes to each other and resound in the middle of their path of journey. Everyone become wary and quickly reached their weapon and with their hands grabbed them tightly…. Some suspicious groups of individual each of them brandishing their weapon, afar some of them are armed with long bows aimed at them. Tightly veiled to cover their face and a loud muffled shouts could be heard. "starting now." And Mister Lu Su quickly draws his tian sword sheathed in his hip.

Someone among those bandits ambushing them, who seemed to be the leader of the pack spoke. "Drop everything you got there, or die a dog's death." While the mocking laughter filled the atmosphere.

"Dog's death, eh?" Mister Lu Su calmly spoke. "What do you think everyone?"

"Not really wrong…" "Son of…" "Thinking that I was about to be bored…." All the companion who followed Mister Lu Su's expression changes as if waiting for this moment, and the smile of confidence arose. "Congrats mister Lu Su, another correct foresight." The guide spoke.

"Let see… kill anyone who retaliate as hostile target. But seize those who look smart. Dead people can not talk so it would be pointless. If everyone's dead, there will be no bonuses from madam owner. So on my mark…." Mister Lu Su quickly vanished using his ginkang and with forward thrust slash…. Already stabbed through the neck of the bandits at the far most who wield the archer, stunning the others bandit. "disperse."

YAAA-H!

The loud yell and roar from their battlecries, while the bandit still unable to put their mind into focus due to Mister Lu Su frightening ginkang who already disabled one of their archers, with the fugitives losing their focus, the bow wielding bandits was rendered useless into giving support. While everyone under Mister Lu Su intoxicate themselves in the frenzy filled massacre, the bandits was not able to gave proper instruction among themselves. Mister Lu Su waited and observe from afar and he has not moved after killing one bow wielding bandits at far distance. He remain look out to observe their movement and to seek who among those bandits are playing the leaders.

"As expected from common bandits, they are lacking coordination…. "while Mister Lu Su was quite bored seeing this battle where he already know of the results, he notices one of them are pulling back. "Bingo."

Mister Lu Su then whistled, and one of his underling notices. He made some hand sign to explain that he is going to make pursue. The underling nodded and agrees to take care of the situation on his discretion on mister Lu Su absence.

The single bandits ran as fast as he can, staying away from the killing fields of his comrade, not knowing Mister Lu Su used his foremost and formidable ginkang which is incomparable. While the bandits several times looked behind to see whether he was being followed, though to his bad luck, he does not know that Mister Lu Su is lurking behind, trailing above the trees in hiding with his ginkang traversing each path he took…

Yes…. Guide me to your nest…. His mind spoke to himself, while the expectation could not wait.

Stopped, Mister Lu Su notices some kind of settlement. "Not quite a den of plunderers as I expected." He sees from afar, enough for his scouting a mix of female and male, also some children around the area…. This more like an isolated small village settlement. He notices the man ran to the big establishment which in his deduction seemed to be their command center. He notice in another opposing direction of a settlement is some kind of rice field in bad shape. Seems to be very under developed.

Hmm….

He muttered to himself, "I better return first, it would be bad if they brought more reinforcement." And as he back to his group, he questioned one among the captive who still alive. "now speak…" one of Mister Lu Su underling forced him, by stomping on his back. "Are you part of the Shanyue barbarian around here?"

The man showed a shocked expression on his face, and for Mister Lu Su this is enough to confirm his suspicions. "Good…. Everyone, release those captive." All the living captive shows a surprised looks. All his companion and underling though confused does so nevertheless. "We should go, we are not here to pick fight. would be bad if they bring reinforcement. Let us quickly left."

While Mister Lu Su and all his companion quickly pack up and on move, one among them could not resist to not ask why he is swiftly leaving this place. "Have all those bandits we captured gone?" his underling nodded to answer his question. "I see… I hope they understand we are just doing this on self defense."

"Huh?"

"I am a businessman; each side takes what they need to benefit us. Knowing where they came from is already more than sufficient."

"Mister Lu Su, could it be…-?"

"Mission accomplished. The Shanyue's barbarian is right in my hand to control." Mister Lu Su looked pleased and clenched his fist as if grabbing a fortune before his eyes.

XXX

"The Shanyue barbarian was a group of tribe who resided in southern China were in the past was where the state of Yue existed. Living in seclusion and seen as outsider of the central kingdom they would perform regular raids toward Han citizen for living. Those poor people was never considered as fellow citizen part of Han empire and often persecuted due to their past whom intermixed with those fugitive and prisoners who are exiled to this place during the reign of Emperor Shihuang of Qin." The girl explain before mister Lu Su. After successfully getting away from the Shanyue tribe who posed as bandits and tries to raid their convoy, Lu Su make a visit to one of madam owner's acquaintance in this area and asked for some information.

"Hmm… I see… what a poor fellow." Lu Su calmly spoke the matter of fact.

"That is right, I always tried to spoke to the authority around here to help them, however they always turn to deaf ears! I am frustrated with this, how could they disregard of their condition and instead label them as if they are pest although they are fellow men!?"

"Well, there is nothing we can do about it. if you want to complaint better get higher position and spoke directly to the Sun clan who ruled the Eastern River region."

This girl looked like a mere bookworm without glasses (more like Shiori from TWGOK), she is frail but that does not make her least frightened facing mister Lu Su who look imposing as man. "Listen. The only reason I am willing to explain this to you is just because you are Ziyu's companion. I can't put this to words…. But I have a feeling I can't trust you. unlike her who is known as honest and trustable, you are suspicious…. It is like you are hiding your own agenda…. So I suggest you not doing anything that would put my friend Ziyu into a shame."

Mister Lu Su sighed. "well… honestly my reason for coming here beside making official visit to the administrator of the city is because I am intrigued to see how well Master Cai Yong's apprentice come to fare." Another sighs in regret. "what a pity that you came to despise me."

"How… you know about master Cai Yong?"The girls who seems to be the administrator of the city's expression changed in to surprise. Her eyes widened due to his unexpected words. "Who are you…?"

"A businessman ….with grand ambition." Mister Lu Su clasped his hands to introduce himself. with a cunning expression to let his intention leaked. "Well then…"

"Wait…. Don't tell me you are trying to take matters on your own hands…." The girls seems to have some kind of inclination of what kind of character Mister Lu Su is. "Stop…! Whatever you are trying to do… the state has its own laws! It is not necessary for you to take matters on your own hands!"

"haha… like the words in the street, you are a righteous character and always strict to yourself." Mister Lu Su felt bemused by her innocent character. "But if it is so, wouldn't your report regarding the Shanyue be at their attention if the law is really just?" The girl looked ashamed by his retort.

"No need to worry though." Seeing her looking concerned, Mister Lu Su spoke coldly. "I would not do anything that violate the law… beside it might bring benefit to both the Shanyue or the people who already being leeched by the greedy counselor Xu Gong with his false cult. Many thanks…. Miss Gu Yuantan." An encounter followed by a farewell to each other.

Extracted from Chen Shou's Record of Three Kingdom (Sanguozhi), on the biography of Gu Yong styled Yuantan:

Gu Yong, styled Yuantan hails from Wu county in Wu prefecture. She learnt fine arts of music and calligraphy from Cai Yong when the latter came to Wu to hide from his enemies. Her fellow prefecture and countrymen all petitioned to recommend her for political office.

Mister Lu Su then went out from her office with a big smile, feeling satisfied that he sees that his path is the correct one.

XXX

What are you doing? These are mine! These are my workers! They should be on my train! They're skilled munitions workers. They're essential. Essential workers! Their finger polishes the insides of shell metal casings. How else am I to polish the inside of a 45 millimeter shell casing? You tell me! You tell me! - Oskar Schindler, "Schindler's List"

Mister Lu Su patiently sat at the outside of the small tavern. He let all his companion of the convoy to take rest and having small drinks and party, and the atmosphere brightened due to his generosity. After taking several cup of tea for himself and some snack, he excuse himself outside after paying all the bill to seek out some fresh air while the other still continues having fun.

He does not care about the ruckus insides and seemed to be waiting for someone. While he contended himself making observation around the city, his mind flies thinking of what kind of profit he can reap from this small city, but nevertheless the real reason he was told to wait here was because madam owner's acquaintance who took role as the administrator of this small city; miss Gu Yong directed him to make a meeting with some people she arrange for if he want some information about Counselor Xu Gong and his racketeering.

"Hmm… quite unusual that they took so long…" Mister Lu Su thought to himself. as he was about to relaxed himself and ask some waiter to get him something, someone… no two persons seemed to be approaching him.

"Erm…" They are seems to be two girls with rough clothing which seems to be out of place here. Due to those two having lack of nice cosmetic dressing applied to them, they looked plain and boring which would not attract anyone. But Mister Lu Su, being a man of aesthetic (an euphemism for the word 'pervert') quickly notices how well they would be with a nice treatment. He only muttered some slight of regret that these girls was lacking in treatment to be appreciated fairly. "my apologize if we are wrong…" both of them felt reluctant and frightened seeing mister Lu Su. Perhaps they are being unused and felt imposed by his stature? Indeed compared to them, mister Lu Su looked like a man of noble upbringing (and it is no secret that madam owner have some soft spot on him which mister Lu Su appreciated and reciprocated with his loyal work)…. However it seemed they need to spoke to him. "are you mister Lu Su? We were sent because administrator Gu told us that you are seeking some information regarding counselor Xu Gong…."

Mister Lu Su's expression hardened. He looked serious and the perverse thought which previously surfaced vanished without trace. "Are you the informant?"

"um…" one of the girls fearfully nodded. "yes we are." From Mister Lu Su's first impression in seeing them, he felt like the girl who spoke her although afraid and was pathetically trying to gather her courage just to speak with him. perhaps she just want to end this as soon as she can. "erm… we don't need any money for this information, just one thing…"

"Resume to talk." Mister Lu Su raised his tone and glared at them.

The second girl behind the girl who speak was startled and cowered behind, only dared to peek from her back. But the first girl, though was quite worried try to dismiss the feeling of fright and calmed her companion by stretching her hand as if trying to become obstacle whether the man before her (mister Lu Su) was trying to attack them. "Please recruit us as one of your employee. We don't care for whatever job you gave to us. We are begging you." Though shaky in appearance, this time the girl who speak looked angered as if holding a grudge.

"This is not going anywhere…." Mister Lu Su showed a bored look, and leaned back as if looking as he lost interest in them. "There is no need. I'll ask Administrator Gu to send me another informant. Please leave."

The two girl looked shock and in distraught shout "Wait! Are… are you not interested in our information? Didn't you…?"

Mister Lu Su not wanting to look at them just gesture to shoo them away. "Whenever I ask someone who applies for me; I only ask whether they have some worth and values which profited me" Mister Lu Su mocked them. "just go away girls, just get some nice husband, raise a happy family for you both. The price you asked are unreasonable. Forget whatever grudge you have. "

"Don't you dare!" the girl cries, her face harden with tears falling from their eyes, and their hand grabbed mister Lu Su who coldly ignored them. "So you think that our parent aren't worth avenged, while that greedy bastard live contently after sucking up our family fortune?"

"Your parents are also partly guilty for being swindled. Their own avarice by itself is the catalyst for your current situation." Mister Lu Su shook his head in disappointment and moved away. "Well, I just leave you some money because I have troubled you two."

"Wait!" The girls unwilling to leave this chance prevent him from going away. But swiftly Mister Lu Su restrain her and quickly pinned her before the wall. "Ku-! … they say that you are a nice person…! They say that you are very generous and willing to listen to…." While the other girl only stared helplessly with widened eye and great shock.

"They are mistaken." Mister Lu Su coldly spoke. "listen, are you prepared for whatever consequences in avenging your grudge? It is not just you, many who should not be involved shall be dragged even to the deepest of hell." Slowly he release her. "You two have each other."

Mister Lu Su calmly cleaned himself from dirt and coldly turn his back away. The two girl looked at each other, and thus made their decision in which they would not regret. "Mister Lu, we will offer everything which we possessed, we shall devote our life, soul….. body.." they looked embarrassed when they spoke of this. "It does not matter if we will be killed or being tossed away as good, but if we live on without avenging our parent… we will live on as unfilial child."

"And that can't be." The other girl finally spoke in soft tone. "We'd rather die." She hissed in chilling expression

Mister Lu Su was stunned for a moment seeing them. Sighing for a moment, he pulled a chair and slumped himself. thinking for a moment while those girls waited nervously. "Well, sit there." He pointed his fingers. "Let start from how valuable your information will be."

"Mister!? Then…!?" The girls look excited.

"Don't think that it would be easy. I am a businessman, and make sure you have some value for me." The girls nodded and nervously took the seats.

"Also… welcome aboard."

XXX

All our men are businessmen. Their loyalty is based on that. - Michael Corleone, "The Godfather II"

Recently, the situation worsen. Due to unknown cause, the Shanyue tribe of bandit activity escalated. They rampaged and attacked every merchant convoy passing their region, but not just that. They also started to emerging out from their settlement, crossing the border and started raiding small village and farming field to rob the granary. People panicked, price rose and merchant has to pay for more security during their distribution. Usually, Shanyue would not be this active.

Administrator Gu Yuantan was receiving many reports and complaint everyday about this and she was feeling overwhelmed. While her request for expediting the Shanyue was still on pending, she receive words on street in which the Shanyue bandit activity was getting worsen due to failed harvest and their field was in ruin due to forest fire. She tried to deal with it herself with her office authority by sending help, however the Shanyue is not the most welcoming tribe of outsider and foreigner coming to their land due to the past of them being ostracized; seen as outsider and treated like pest since the reign of Qin and Han . Each attempt done by her was failed and no one in her office dared to make friendship attempt to them. This situation brought problem to the trading atmosphere and everyone was influenced by this and the circulation of goods and money become stagnant. Only very rich merchant dared to take risk of distributing goods by paying more money.

One of them are a rich merchant named Xu Gong, whom preferred to be called as Counselor Xu Gong whenever he is mentioned. He persist on distributing goods due to his ownerships on several big merchant ships moored near the harbor, yet although he had ships on his own to distribute goods out of Eastern River region, he still has problem of reaching the supply of goods from the production area which mostly located in the inner region; south of the great river and passing through the area of the Shanyue tribe.

Using land transportation passing by the area of Shanyue tribe, he paid more people for security reason. In his calculation, he still gain some profit by this action especially what he sells are the only specialty of the eastern river region which he can profited a lot by selling them in hefty price, because people will do pay them. The logic here, if there are people idiot enough like the late Yuan Shu whom arbitrarily purchase junk with lot of money, there are people as idiot as her.

But, as the long convoy entered the area, the Shanyue already watch on them since the news were leaked. Indeed, the world of business is merciless. Someone might have profited if Counselor Xu Gong were somehow being robbed…. Maybe perhaps he can put claim on this incident through insurance company like Lloyd's in England? Oooo… sorry I forgot that they haven't exist….! (LOL) anyway… not knowing that they are being sighted like a prey of predator, the Shanyue knowing that raiding this convoy alone would be enough to fulfill what their own people needs quickly prepare themselves. For this case weapon and their best men were carefully prepared…. And they say they are just dirty stupid ancient civilization….

"YAAAA-!"

People were alerted, this was all too sudden! The Shanyue having learned from their past bandit activity and being desperate on their situation into do or die; quickly picked the option of massacring everyone and taking the spoil later. Yep, though they claim to be veteran and experienced, they are not a specialist like Sagara Sousuke from how late they are to act. If they are Sousuke, uncaring of how despicable or low their method are (like when he discipline the karate club and forced to duel)…. As long as it is… "No Problem. Mission accomplished" then it's good. It's all good. Quickly, without wasting anytime (like Sousuke Sagara) the Shanyue stab and kill without mercy. Counselor Xu Gong who led this convoy was greatly terrified. Not just because he already paid some dear money to his useless guards, but because he will be next being targeted. He was afraid… well some people picked importance on money, reputation and life. Now I think the most important priority now is saving his own asses. Forget about money! His mind shouted. He can just get them (although he usually so greedy about money and neglect everything) now he was greatly terrified and would prefer to gave even half of his money as long as his life is saved (good, even in this kind of situation, he still think not just gave away everything. I think I can relate this guy).

As all option seems to be exhausted… dam-darararam… (cue to stupid cool bgm), a hero emerges. (Geez, even I felt embarrassed in writing this part. What a farce). The Xu Gong who felt cornered crawled and does not realize he was touching someone's leg. As he feel something before him, he fearfully look up.

"are you part of those mountain bandits?" the man coldly asked him while his eyes still set on the scene. Xu Gong in fright shook his head, and the man only replied "I see…." The man then rose, valiantly shouted before his henchmen. "Everyone, don't give them any mercy. Kill everyone who resist!" the henchmen behind him all emerges , and while the Shanyue barbarian still preoccupied with seizing their spoils, they had not realized that another group is preying on them. Some of them who has not getting wise to retreat and who reluctant to part ways with their newly gotten wealth was all become victim to the blade of the man's henchmen. As they got the situation under control, one of his henchmen reported;

"Sir, most of them have retreated and we are unable to make pursue. But they have not the chance to take anything."

"Seems to be good news to you, sir." The man looked to Xu Gong who is still shaken by this sudden incident. "you are quite lucky to cross path with us in this coincidence." He thus gave instruction to his henchmen "Well, make sure to treat those who are wounded. Rest awhile, then we shall continue our journey."

When he was able to calm himself, he asked this man. "Who are you?"

"Another fellow merchant like yours respectfully sir. As you know recently bandits activity was getting worse. I don't know what makes them to escalate. It is unusual." Seeing most of his men was having recovered by previous battle he announce. "Alright everyone, let us continue." While this man turned to the merchant "Sir, all your merchandise are fine and unharmed. But, regretfully most of your men are died. What are you going to do?"

Counselor Xu Gong thought for a moment. "Young sir, it is quite embarrassing…. But I don't feel safe travelling alone with that much goods. Can you accompany me until I reach my destination? I am willing to pay for this service."

The man thought for a while. "are you going to the harbor? Well what a perfect coincidence that is our destination. I am hoping to get some ship to send madam owners good…." He smile then "look, sir. Don't bother about payment. We are going to the same destination, why talk about payment. Just follow us like a companion. Then we can part ways there."

Xu Gong looked surprised. Is it due to naivety? Everything is based on money, how could he spoke to do this on freebies? But he himself has his own pride as moneymakers . "Ooo… thank you, thank you! having such reliable ally would definitely help! O… speaking of which are you sir was looking for some ships in the harbor? Why don't you let me repay this favor? I myself had some ships for cargo… let me help you on this!"

"But sir… how could impose of you!? Madam owner would…"

"I have to insist sir, you have saved my life. This is the least I, Counselor Xu Gong do to repay the favor."

"oh… who would expect in the middle of nowhere like this I would have the chance to see the famous merchant of this region by myself. I feel small seeing Xu daye here…"

"No, no… by all means. Please let me learn of your name gentleman sir… how could I not know of the name of my savior."

"If you insist… my name is Lu Su, an upstarter in the world of business… may I have your wise guidance in this world, Xu daye…." Some small chit chat not too important was passed, and they get close among each others. After some reluctance to part ways while Counselor Xu Gong took care of things in the harbor, two girls with some inconspicuous clothing made their appearance to Mister Lu Su to make report.

"Mister Lu Su, we have finished our task. Mission accomplished."

"Everything in the vicinity has been burned. The Shanyue would have to pass the next season with empty stomach."

Mister Lu Su nodded. He only muttered softly "good. Nice job girls. I am glad that I let you two handle this."

The two girls although veiled looked pleased and blushed seeing their employer praised them. Words can not express how grateful they are. "I have done my part here also. Soon it won't be long …. in the mean time, the time to satisfy your grudge also come close…"

The two girls silently nodded and looked at each other. Though veiled, they both shared the same feeling now…. And they quickly part ways.

XXX

Since the day that mister Lu Su saved Counselor Xu Gong from harm, their friendship goes deeper. Counselor Xu Gong felt that he can gave his trust to this man and he talked many things and gave him many guidance in world of business. Seems that seeing this man; Lu Su's enthusiasm has awoken his intuition as business tutor. Truthfully Counselor Xu Gong is a man with ample experience. He spoke of how he build his business, and mister Lu does not know whether he fabricate or not, as he felt some of the content was quite mismatch. He however does not hide the fact that he made many relationship with figure head and corrupt bureaucrats in Eastern River Region or Jingzhou. He told him of how he had to make list of payroll (bribery) to make sure his business goes smoothly. One thing bother mister Lu Su, however…. Is "Counselor Xu Gong, as I try to calculate it carefully… my apologize if I spoke of this bluntly…. But your profit margin if compared to the amount of spending you made (especially due to your amount you gave to bribe those bureaucrats) are too far different." Mister Lu asked him carefully. "Pardon my words if this offend you, but we are all smart businessman here, and so let us keep whatever we say here to remain here…." The man nodded. "Are you doing some dirty dealing?"

"Men had to do various way to obtain money, there is always some risk involved in it." Counselor Xu Gong spoke.

"I see…."

"Later I will tell you when we reach my residence…. seems my daughter was quite fond of you."

"Haha… who would hate such cute girl like Miss Xu?" Mister Lu Su maturely spoke. The girl which Mister Lu Su spoke is Counselor Xu Gong's daughter. She is young and innocent, and people might be quite surprise to know that the greedy merchant has such lovely daughter comparable to newly bloomed flower. Whenever Mister Lu Su make a visit to Counselor Xu Gong's house, little miss Xu always welcomed him warmly like receiving a close friend. Perhaps it is just child adolescent or precocious attraction seeing opposite gender with such dashing figure or whether she was quite attracted to him. Yet, little miss Xu life although wealthy was quite pitiable in Mister Lu Su's mind. seeing that the father always busy with his work, little miss Xu always led a lonely life where no one dared to come close to her, and seeing the first time of someone beside her father might not be surprising if little miss Xu was quite attached to him. Even Mister Lu Su himself pities this girl and gave her many cute trinket to console her. It is no wonder if miss Xu sees mister Lu Su as her favorite beside her always busy father.

XXX

There are many things my father taught me here in this room. He taught me; 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.' - Michael Corleone, "The Godfather II"

One day, Counselor Xu Gong admitted and explained his other business… and as Mister Lu Su's already guessed since the beginning of this chapter and as he had heard from Madam owner… this method and whatever blabber he tries to convince Mister Lu Su… is no other than a pseudo Ponzi-pyramid business scheme. Long blabber goes on… how unrealistic his calculation like how Multi Level Marketing tries to recruit a member… this is the pseudo brainwashing via word of persuasion… the most feudal (oldest trick) in the book and the most despicable method used. Even religion used them… (ups, sorry author personal feeling is also involved…. Let us pretend I don't write that just now…. Mmmkay? Good.) Mister Lu Su only gave thin smile on this, and merely sigh how pitiable his daughter is … to have such idiot and disgusting father….. He merely looked agreeable on the surface while in the inside he start to loath and disdain Counselor Xu Gong…. he finally realized what kind of suffering all and most of his victim experienced. Getting suckered like a writhing idiots, fooled by their own delusion of grandeur (Punya helicopter, punya mobil ndiri, pekerjaaan mu payah dasar goblok diajak sukses kok gak mau…. Model apa saja yang digunakan MLM ket biyen… jan modyiar tenan mungsuh wong koyo ngene. Wis gak usah tak tulishlah… bahkan aku ra sudi ngrendahin diri nulis detailnya. Kaya wong goblok bahkan sampe ngaku-ngaku foto-foto mobil orang lain sebagai mobil ndiri) …. While not realizing that they are swindled and used to the bitter end… no wonder those two girl's parent was even forced to suicide when they burdened by the debt that they should not shouldered…. This is the most despicable business method…. No, this is not even a business…. It is already a crime! A swindler!

Mister Lu Su sighed and felt satisfied that he had gone this far….. Knowing it themselves was quite enlightening…. But it is really tiring to look agreeable while he secretly disdain and loath him. no wonder Mencius spoke it as it is much more hard than doing farm work by yourself. Mister Lu Su sighed and spoke to himself as if trying to congratulate himself. "Welcome to the world of adult…. This is how business works out."

Long story shorts…. Mister Lu Su has returned to madam owner residence. Inside he sees that the madam owner was talking with the administrator; Miss Gu Yuantan (Gu Yong). Mister Gu Yong seems to relate the story on the escalation of Shanyue's bandit activity.

"It is really worrying that they did not stop, Ziyu…. I don't know how I can deal with it anymore…" Gu Yong sighed and looked helpless.

"Calm yourself, Gu Yuantan. I am sure everything would turn out alright. Did not the Sun clan finally want to make a move after the Shanyue start to target the city area like Chaisang. I heard fleets are moving from lake Poyang…"

"It would be too late then…" Gu Yong sighed. "How come they not moving faster!?"

"I heard that since the loss in Shouchun and Jiangxia, they are becoming more careful in making decision. I think they are trying to conserve their fighting forces. I've heard that the result of Guandu and the Northern Invasion has been cleared…. No wonder the Sun clan is growing more anxious." Ziyu looked uneasy. "I heard that another big war is coming close before our door…."

"Madam owner, sorry to bother you but…." Mister Lu Su come to her and made report "I have returned to report the result of my expedition."

"Ohh!? I don't realize your arrival" madam owner looked surprised "sorry, but can we postpone it later? I am having important conversation with Gu Yong here."

"Very well… it just small matter anyway." Lu Su smiled and then after saying so, greeted Gu Yong. "Miss Gu, what an honor for your visit." Gu Yong coldly replied the gesture as she turned her face away because he is still suspicious with Mister Lu Su's character which she had difficulties to read. Then Ziyu asked him to sit with them to join the conversation, and he was told that it was small discussion regarding the recent escalating Shanyue bandit's attack.

Gu Yong thus clarify the situation. "I've heard that from rumor their escalating activity was driven by their failure in harvest. The Shanyue bandit not wanting to die with empty stomach was thus forced to do this act. I myself felt pity with their situation…. alas, it is hard to win their trust….."

"I think you should send someone more capable, not just with words. Someone who really has the muscle. I think they are confident with their strength… they would never appreciate some orator in this case. Someone who are both good with muscle and tongue." Mister Lu Su asserted.

"We don't have someone like that." Gu Yong sighed.

"I see…" However, though he spoke that he faintly smiles and turned to madam owner. "madam owner, what do you think if we profited from this situation? you can send me with some men to send the Shanyue barbarian some relief assistance. Did not we have enough wheat from last harvest surplus? I think stubbornly keeping them for good price would hurt us due to our small granary, after all the storage cost still hit on us. Rather than throwing them away, why don't we gave them away to those poor hungry Shanyue tribe?" Mister Lu Su with a very fake smile spoke to madam owner. The madam owner was always a very kind lady, and it is not certain whether she is just naïve or whether she is head over heels to Mister Lu Su that she complies without any complains to his opinion.

"Sure, but are you willing to undermine this task? I am afraid of your safety…"

"No worries, compared to their poor suffering, would not our heart ache hearing it?" With sickening fake smile he assures her. "Oh… our tea has been emptied, let me get another."

"Ah, let me do so…. Sometimes I want to serve mister Lu Darren who had tired himself working for me." Lu Su was about to refuse but, Zhuge Jin winked at his direction and spoke. "It just once for a while, let me do so… onegai?" well… hard to refuse…. Then Zhuge Jin stood from his seat and left them alone.

As they are waiting patiently, Gu Yong suddenly spoke. "…what are you planning?"

"Hmm?" Mister Lu Su pretend not to know "What are miss Gu, the administrator of this area are speaking about?" and he replied by faintly smiling, it is hard to guess what is his intention when he smile at her.

"Don't treat me like a fool! To gave away that wheat for free to the poor hungry stricken Shanyue tribe while knowing that he risked his own life while doing so!? Pei-! You are not Ziyu, you have the eyes of common profit maker, a business man! I've seen lots of your like…. And words around the street has spoken of what kind of character you are!" Gu Yong glare, because she is the most righteous character Lu Su faced. She always play by the book. "The greedy opportunist …. I've heard your exploit although no one dared to spoke aloud of it…. one person says you are inseparable from that Counselor Xu Gong…. another spoke of rumor Counselor Xu Gong's repeated failed attempt to make profit as if being sabotaged since he met you…. other spoke about the burning of Shanyue field!"

"My… quite a rumor." Lu Su calmly spoke as if he does not care.

"Now you are talking about helping the Shanyue with such generous charity!? Ha-! What a big lies! Do you take me like a blind fool!? To repay such loss (injury) with kindness, who on earth is this saintly!? quid pro quo I guess…. I've heard that the Shanyue are good at collecting mountain resources… expensive rare herbs, mushrooms like Ling Zhi…. Minerals…. Aren't those what you expect from your adventurous venture…eh? Mister Lu Su?"

"I think you should shut your mouth now…. Administrator Gu…" Mister Lu Su looked calm when he spoke his warning. "you are certainly smart, but you should know not to talk about it too much."

"so this is your true character…." Gu Yong coldly spoke, albeit satisfied with this result. "Remember mister Lu Su, I will watch over you…. don't you try to do something violating the law because it exist for a reason!"

"Please do so." Mister Lu Su spoke calmly uncaring of how surprised Gu Yong looked like. "Madam owner personally asked me not to do anything illegal or dangerous." Madam owner finally come with the tea pot. She served them with brightened expression while Lu Su smiled contently as if to spoke of appreciating this gesture.

Gu Yong finally felt this man being so detestable rose from his seat and was about to go before Mister Lu Su gave her his parting words. "Administrator Gu, I would not deny of your views on me previously. Indeed I am just a greedy opportunist." Nonchalantly Lu Su sipped the newly served tea and continues "and a businessman true nature is to climb for gain then devour when the opportunity arise….. and the greedy counselor Xu Gong is right before my lips."

XXX

I don't feel the need to wipe everybody out, Tom. Just my enemies. - Michael Corleone, "The Godfather II"

The two girls sighed…. It was a long waiting since the moment would come true. The two helpless girls… who would have thought that they are now has entrusted their life to the scary looking merchant; Mister Lu Su? In exchange for their service, Mister Lu Su promised them to avenge their grudge over the cause of their parents suicide…. Of being swindled like a fool.

"are you familiar with terms of libationer like Hanzhong's five peck of rice?" Mister Lu Su once back then asked them of unfamiliar term. The two girls shook their head, however when Mister Lu Su explained the meaning of this term and how they worked, in which a libationer is a member of Hanzhong's five peck of rice where they are tasked to recruit five people, in which each five people are tasked to donate some plenty money (while in Hanzhong they are asked to donate five peck of rice) and collected them regularly. Now this new five people would be tasked individually the same task of getting another five new member with same task of collecting some money from the new member, the system goes on ad infinitum. Imagine how taxing and unstable this worked. First the member were tasked to get five member with every method they could think off, then to get some money from them. This is no easy task, and sometimes the libationer would have to swindle their own relatives, or friends (thereby risking ruining their social relationship), and if the libationers are not good in social relationship, they sometimes would shoulder the burden themselves while listing ghost (fictitious) name, and this are much more difficult if they money comes from shouldering debts. What happened to the two girls parents are more or less like this. Being enticed, and fooled by Xu Gong with this ponzi-pyramid scheme they was forced to get members. While some of them get the members, there are case when they fail. But in this case, Xu Gong by himself was not a faithful man, as he pretense ignorance on sharing the benefit or profit (and considering this is ponzi, it is unrealistic to get profit when the source of money is not from business but from recruitment fee). The two girls parent was then seen as the person responsible due they are the 'libationer' who recruit the members. Then, when people demand their money returned while Xu Gong feign ignorance, their parents were blamed and cornered into committing suicide. That is the whole story.

Right now, the favor was about to returned. Mister Lu Su has ordered many kind of task for them with the intention to sabotage each of Counselor Xu Gong's business plan. Right now, the cycle of event return to the mind but now the actor is the counselor himself. Like their parents back then, Counselor Xu Gong's residence were raided and bombarded by many people who felt swindled by his unprofitable scheme demanding their money to be returned. And he has no means to retreat due his name being too well known now compared to the time when their parents are still alive.

Serves him right! the two girls thought to themselves seeing many people breaking through his house and taking everything they could get their on hand, ransacking and looting. A horrifying sight which haunted their past back then. Now they are standing beside Mister Lu Su who are confronting Counselor Xu Gong. the counselor still shamelessly begging for help. While Mister Lu coldly replied. "Are you familiar with the concept of M&A counselor?"

Merger and Acquisition…. To join and take over the business and changing ownership and organization structural of its body…. Xu Gong are quite familiar, but he does not understand why he had to bring this up now while previously he was begging Mister Lu Su to lend him some money. "yes… but I don't see how…."

"I will purchase the ownerships of your business venture and take over of it from your hand …. With this I can guarantee that those people on whom you owe money can be calmed with it."

"No, I was asking to borrow some money… I promise to.."

"I am not interested to lend you any money. You are not credible as creditor. I am afraid if I lend you money, you won't be able to return it. so instead I shall purchase and take over the debt myself." Mister Lu Su sighed for a moment, pretending to think… "about the price…. Let see… what about one copper coin? Quite a generous offer I think. (even Mister Burns can not do better than Lu Su when he repurchase his own nuclear plant. This roughly count to…. A buck at most)

"But that is…." when he spoke of it… finally, Counselor Xu Gong come to realization of what kind of person Mister Lu Su is. … and he realize that Mister Lu Su has planned for long of this day…. "You…. You planned all of this?"

"… why not? You also try to swindle me with your despicable business method (ponzi-pyramid). Do you take me for a fool? I am just being smarter than you." Mister Lu Su calmly seated himself in the chair of Counselor Xu Gong, while he looked down on him… crawling in the floor. "Don't feel too bad about it….. after all it just a business."

While Counselor Xu Gong still trying to think up with something to save his own asses…. Mister Lu Su calmly spoke, already having foresight what kind of words Xu Gong tries to speak. "if you are talking about your debt…. I can negotiate with them… they only had me or have to kill themselves to solve their debt. I am their only way out…. And I am confident with my negotiating skills."

"the money…"

"I can easily return their debt with just several business… thanks to your beautiful fleet of merchant ships and the Shanyue barbarians whom I can take advantage on…." Mister Lu Su haughtily spoke. That is right, you have nothing now….. just give up….

"Promise to save me from those people?" with words of resignation come from the defeated men.

"Sure. Even I can not touch you now…. Nevertheless them."

"Alright…." The two girls took some document regarding ownerships and even Counselor Xu Gong's secret and personal letter, among them coming from Huang Zu…. But it is a later story….. Right now… is about change of ownership, new management….. after the legal problem are solved…. Mister Lu Su looked satisfied with this result. Now he is the sole ownership of the whole fleet of merchant ship and all former Xu Gong's former business. Later, He defaulted and liquidated the business which he disagrees with (the one which worked like Hanzhong's five peck of rice movement and all his crooked deals) and use them to pay half of the creditor. The half of them seeing that there is good faith in repayment complies to Mister Lu Su's brilliant negotiating skills.

Congratulation Mister Lu Su on your success in building your own business…. He talked to himself in satisfaction. Meanwhile for this Xu Gong…. who already waited to be spared… Mister Lu Su turned to the two girls and spoke.

"Do whatever you want with this man, you two…. Did not you said you have some grudge to be resolved?"

The two girls brandished their killing weapon and come to the man who looked greatly shocked.

"Wait! Wait! Did not you said that you will spare me!?" Xu Gong protested. "This is…"

"I did." Mister Lu Su spoke calmly. "But that only count on me and those people on whom you are indebted into. It does not extend to what you've done to these girls." He walked away and ignoring the plea of mercy the counselor Xu Gong spoke. "Girls, it is nice of having business with you two. I think it is a good bye."

"Mister Lu… we are both orphaned girls…. Can we continue living in your employ?" "We have devoted our whole life to you." The two girls looked at each other after restraining Xu Gong… Seemed they had made this decision since long.

"Sure, having obedient girls like you two are the best; Ding Feng…. Xu Sheng…. Well I will not bother you two anymore then…." His words was responded with a pleased sigh and exclaim from the two girls…. While Xu Gong still in disbelief continuously muttered words for mercy…. Mister Lu Su left this room and when he heart a cold sound of metal weapon being lowered to take one life….. He muttered….

"Adios, counselor Xu Gong."

XXX

Mister Lu Su entered this room, he felt a bit reluctant… but he know it is partly of his responsibility of doing this to her.. but at least he vowed to himself to take care of her after he end her father's life… he know how hypocritical was his action but… that is his only atonement.

But what he saw shocked him wordlessly. Word was unable to express how grieved and pained he saw what man can do in the most despicable act. The pungent smell, the splattering liquid was enough to drive a people to throw up.

"She was just an adorable, adolescent child! She is innocent… a harmless girl! how could they…." He cradles and hugged her almost lifeless body…. her expression only showed a slight looks of relief that someone she could recognize has come for her….. Lu Su was horrified…. Seeing the consequence of his own action…. No matter how many words he tries to spoke to her, he can not erase the feeling of regret in his heart…. that is right, this is the consequence of an action, why are you so shocked Lu Su? You are a business man right? and Business was like a war…. We do it disregarding of other people felt…. It is hard to distinguish the turmoil in his mind cries and laughter he expressed while cradling her body. There is no atonement, there is no turning back…. No luxury of getting this redemption and salvation…. Little miss Xu reached out her hand fearing that he would vanish… and this was just a small illusion while her suffering still continues…. aaa… the inaudible words she tries to express was not able to went out from her lips…. And this only added more aches to his heart. he could only hugged her tighter to solace his heart…. although his eyes are wets with tears….

Like a broken doll…. She is already beyond repair… and the only thing he could do is by ending her misery is as peacefully as he can…. "I am sorry…." And the expression harden for a moment, perhaps she is resisting to the silent pain…. And single tears brimming from her eyes…. And…. Like the end of marionette at the end of play…. she was placed down lifelessly.

Father and daughter of Xu….. may you are joined in the after life, with a pull down of the curtain over your role…..

War brings out the worst in people. Never the good, always the bad. Always the bad. - Oskar Schindler, "Schindler's List"

XXX

Seeing his incredible success, many people come to Mister Tao Zhugong and asked him to share the secret for his success. Mister Tao spoke, "There are twelve rules in basic principle and prohibition to bring success in every business; recruitment, service, main business, reputation, risk taking, credit and solvable debt, management, marketing, prudence, market knowledge, discipline, and business planning and innovation." - Tao Zhugong's Twelve Golden Rules in Business.

Mister Lu Su has returned to madam owner Zhuge Jin…. On the contrary of how Mister Lu Su looked like…. Perhaps he was just exhausted, madam owner thought to herself… but nevertheless…. She was getting a good news… she want to share about it to mister Lu Su and thus she spoke.

"Mister Lu Su, do you know? My youngest sister replied back! She said she was accepted in their employ! I am really glad that my youngest sister send words about herself! It was thanks to your recommendation letter back then!" However, seeing Mister Lu Su merely slumped in his seat and shortly speak 'that is good.' Madam owner felt suspicious.

"Mister Lu Su, what is it? are you having a problem?"

"No, perhaps I am just exhausted. Business are fine, it just too many things happened at once so suddenly. I am just glad that it was all over." Lu Su only weakly smiled seeing Zhuge Jin's concern…. That is right… seeing her looked spirited, he felt cheered up.

"I see…. Also that girl who newly joined us…. Who is her name once again? " Zhuge Jin was thinking on trying to recall… "Ah…! That is right, she is Kan Ze! Administrator Gu said that she is a famous astrologist and astronomer …. She was anxious to join us… what do you say about it?"

"Well… we always need such nice talent… I think we can use her, like how Bai Gui predict the weather and climate to decide which plantation we planned in each season from now on. But why did she want to join us?"

"Administrator Gu said that after Xu Gong went bankrupt, she was penniless…. And so she directed miss Kan Ze to us because she recognize her talent."

Lu Su only nodded repeatedly and only gave dry comment. "Ay… when a business went bankrupt like mister Xu Gong, who would knows how many life are lost and influenced? What a pity…. what a pity…. At such ravaging times like this… a businessman has to be really prudent. Because not just our employee who depended on us, but also our creditor, investor, consumer…. Too many to count. Mister Xu demise was really unfortunate." Though he spoke like this…. Mister Lu Su remain disinterested.

Zhuge Jin then confront Mister Lu Su and asked him with a concerned look in her face. "Mister Lu…. Are you dealing with something dangerous… or perhaps doing something illegitimate?" there is some kind of pause between them. Zhuge Jin looked concerned and frankly worried seeing how lifeless and distant Lu Su looked like to her…. seems like something that she does not know happened which changed him.

"No." Lu Su shortly answered.

Zhuge Jin then resigned seeing him looked determined and calm when answering her. "I see… I guess we are just exhausted…. Too many things happened between us…. " Ziyu then rose and smiled at him reassuringly…. "let me fetch you a nice cup of tea…."

Mister Lu Su was then left alone in this room…. Slumping in his comfy chair… recounting everything that has happened since he took this name…. and then … he took a sigh with a longing feeling. Only emptily gazing at his ceiling…..

Extracted from Chen Shou's Record of Three Kingdom (Sanguozhi), on the biography of Lu Su styled Zijing:

Lu Su's family was quite wealthy and he was known to be a philanthropist. He had many fields of grains which he used to relieve the poor, the starving and such. Hence he received much praise for his generous reputation.

---

Author Note:

Sorry late, Ramadhan (selamat lebaran) and too busy. That is all I guess.

Review:

Firelord 626: think the artifact as the Rune system in Suikoden series. Then the military treatise type which are the Seven military treatise are like the 27 True Runes. On the other hand, all seven has been revealed right? more like six because the seventh; Taiping Jing is already destroyed.

REVANOFSITHLORD: berani sumpah bahwa saya berpikiran murni! Bahkan kalau ketemu langsung ama mbak Sabina cuma akan saya ajak main volley…. Volley gamie tapinya :D

Tsun: now I have sent the PM. Well… I have the animesuki thread where you can see some of the character depiction. See them in my profile.

Soft overcoming (subduing) hard is the martial arts made famous by Thio Samhong. Not wong feihung.

Enigma95: quite normal lah… nibbling on your own nail are much disgusting. Know some of them.

P4Nd0Ras: well… please judge it yourself. But one thing for sure, no one is amnesiac …. No body. and never.