Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

"The Iron Sheep Trio are already dead. The others aren't much stronger than Lu Xiaolan. Besides, she still has Spider Bin and her mother, both Fifth Layer experts. Her mother is a given. As for Spider Bin, just offer him more money. He must help her secure the position of Fort Master. The people from Iron Sheep Mountain are still useful!"

Ling Miaoying acknowledged, and He Jiaqing fell silent.

Things changed too quickly, He Jiaqing thought, unable to figure it out. "Who is it? Who could have killed Rong Yeguang?"

Ling Miaoying said, "The initial suspicion is on Ma Wu. A spy from New Land sent word that Ma Wu had previously inquired about the location of Iron Sheep Mountain, and shortly after, Rong Yeguang met his end."

"Ma Wu?" He Jiaqing scoffed. "The He Family and the Lu Family couldn't even take down Iron Sheep Mountain. What does Ma Wu amount to? Who does he think gave him such ability?"

"Jia Qing, Ma Wu isn't who he used to be. It's said he has developed a ten-mile plot in New Land, something neither the Lu Family nor the Chu Family managed to do, even together! I suspect he has a formidable person backing him, and that person is most likely your friend."

"Li Banfeng? He killed Rong Yeguang? On what grounds? He's only been in Puluo State for a few days! Even if he had several more lives, could he even make it up Iron Sheep Mountain?"

Ling Miaoying sighed. "Jia Qing, Big Brother is gone, and the Ling Family's situation isn't great either. We need to be more careful.

"As for your friend, it's best to drive a wedge between him and Ma Wu. I always feel those two will stir up more trouble."

"Indeed, we should!" He Jiaqing agreed. "Let our people have a word in Ma Chunting's ear. It's time for Ma Wu to come home."

"The Ma family head ordered back then that Ma Wu was never to set foot in the family home again. Recalling him now might be quite difficult," Ling Miaoying said.

He Jiaqing smiled. "The Ma Family's main enterprises are in Greenwater City and Hai Chi Ridge. The business in Hai Chi Ridge is nearly bankrupt, and the Greenwater City operations aren't doing well either. Ma Chunting is old. He can't manage on his own anymore, and his children are all good-for-nothings. Ma Wu is the only capable one. If he doesn't call Ma Wu back, is he just going to watch the Ma Family decline?"

Ling Miaoying was still a bit concerned. "But if Ma Wu becomes the Family Head of the Ma Family, your friend's backing will become much stronger."

He Jiaqing said, "Ma Wu will not become the Family Head of the Ma Family. He's the Ma Family's toilet paper: needed for the dirty work, but once used, he's discarded as filthy."

Ling Miaoying considered Ma Wu's position in the Ma Family and felt that He Jiaqing had a point. "But what if Ma Wu refuses to return?"

"He'll definitely go back. Eleven years ago, when your business was starting to pick up and your company was established, all the major families sent people to attend your celebration banquet. You remember that, right?"

"How could I forget? Our friendship began then."

"Ma Wu was there too that day. While we were discussing important matters, guess what he was doing?"

"He was sleeping with my newly promoted leading actress."

"Thirteen! He was only thirteen that year. That's Ma Wu for you. He can't accomplish anything significant. In the end, he still has to return to the Ma Family to be their toilet paper. Just do as I say, and the matter will be settled within a month."

* * *

Ma Wu was balancing the books in Zhengjing Village when Xiao Chuanzi delivered a letter. "Master Wu, this is from Fourth Master."

Which Fourth Master? Ma Wu wondered as he opened the letter. It was from his older brother, Ma Junjiang.

The letter was clear: as long as Ma Wu returned and sincerely kowtowed to his father to admit his wrongs, past issues could be forgiven.

Ma Wu set the letter aside, pretending he hadn't seen it.

A few days later, Ma Junjiang arrived at Blue Poplar Village to meet Ma Wu.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ma Junjiang brought up the topic of returning home again. "Junyang, Dad really wants you to come back. Just sincerely kowtow to Dad in front of the whole family, and then to Third Brother. Everything will be as before, and you'll still be the Fifth Young Master of the Ma Family."

Ma Wu took a deep breath. "I also need to kowtow to Third Brother?"

Ma Junjiang frowned. "You slept with his wife. Shouldn't you make amends for that?"

"Indeed, I should," Ma Wu nodded, "but I don't have the face to return. I've disgraced the Ma Family too much. I can't bring myself to enter our family home again in this lifetime."

Ma Junjiang's face darkened. "Old Five, now is not the time to be stubborn."

"Fourth Brother, I'm not being stubborn," Ma Wu said, standing up to see him off. "Go back and tell Dad that since he said he doesn't have a son like me, then let him continue believing it!"

After sending Ma Junjiang away, Ma Wu handled some business in Blue Poplar Village. He was preparing to return to Zhengjing Village when Yang Yanzheng arrived.

Ma Wu assumed he was there for trouble and specifically had Zuo Wugang stand by his side.

Yang Yanzheng wasn't there to cause trouble; he was there to discuss business. Chu Er was focused on cultivating at Bitter Vegetable Manor and couldn't manage her Greenwater City business. She wanted to sell Xiaoyao Lodge to Ma Wu.

Ma Wu was overjoyed. Xiaoyao Lodge was his own painstaking effort. Not long after he was driven out of his family, it had been sold to the Chu Family due to the Ma Family's poor management.

Even when he was rummaging through trash for food, Ma Wu had kept longing for Xiaoyao Lodge. He thought he would never see it again, but now he finally had the chance to get the business back.

Chu Er offered a price of 150,000 Ocean Dollars. This wasn't considered expensive, but it wasn't a small sum for him and Li Banfeng. They had to discuss it with Old Qi.

Ma Wu rushed back to Zhengjing Village overnight and found Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng had heard Ma Wu talk about Xiaoyao Lodge more than once. In Ma Wu's descriptions, it was a paradise on earth. This was great news.

"Do we have enough money in our accounts? If not, I'll go out and gather some," Li Banfeng said.

Ma Wu waved his hand. "The money in our accounts is just barely enough, but it's really not a small amount, and I'm worried..."

"Don't worry. Let's secure it first," Li Banfeng agreed.

Ma Wu immediately found Yang Yanzheng. They settled the accounts, Ma Wu paid the money, and Yang Yanzheng handed over the property deeds and Land Deeds to Ma Wu.

This matter was of great significance. It meant that Li Banfeng and Ma Wu had struggled all the way from Blue Poplar Village to establish themselves in Greenwater City.

The two arrived at Xiaoyao Lodge, and Li Banfeng took a look around.

Xiaoyao Lodge was small: a three-story Western-style building, a large ballroom, and ten private rooms—not even close to the level of Hundred Joy Gate.

Moreover, Xiaoyao Lodge's location was much more secluded than Hundred Joy Gate's.

Li Banfeng expressed his disdain. "Old Five, your 'paradise on earth' is somewhat lacking."

"Don't worry!" Ma Wu said. "All this open land around us is ours. Give me a few years, and I guarantee Xiaoyao Lodge can become the second Hundred Joy Gate."

Li Banfeng was displeased. "Why second? This is all our hard work. If we can't surpass Hundred Joy Gate, then what's the point of all this effort?"

The two celebrated at Xiaoyao Lodge for the night. Early the next morning, Chuanzi woke Ma Wu. "Master Wu, the Account Manager is here."

Which Account Manager? Ma Wu wondered. He hadn't hired an Account Manager yet.

"The Account Manager from the old residence, Yu Zhihe, Mr. Yu."

Yu Zhihe is the Ma Family's chief Account Manager. What's he doing here?

Ma Wu tidied his clothes and hurried to the accounts room. Upon entering, he saw Yu Zhihe sitting there, fiddling with an abacus and managing the books. Who gave him permission to touch the ledgers?

Ma Wu was angry. "Uncle Yu, what are you—"

Without standing up, Yu Zhihe remained seated. "Junyang, the Family Head asked me to check the accounts and discuss business matters with you."

Ma Wu frowned. "You don't need to worry about business matters. I can handle them myself."

Yu Zhihe smiled. "Junyang, Xiaoyao Lodge is Ma Family business; this is known throughout Puluo State. I've always managed the business accounts. There's nothing to dispute about this, right?"

Ma Wu clenched his teeth, furious.

His father intends to forcefully take over Xiaoyao Lodge.

Li Banfeng wasn't annoyed. He stood quietly at the door, watching Ma Wu's reaction.

* * *

Late at night, Ma Wu found Li Banfeng to strategize. "I'll talk to Yang Yanzheng again tomorrow. We'll try to sell Xiaoyao Lodge back to the Chu Family. We absolutely cannot let my father just take the ripe peaches for free. We can take a loss on the price, but I'm afraid Chu Er won't want to get involved in our family affairs."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "I can personally write to Chu Er. She wouldn't mind buying it back at the original price; she's not one to fear trouble. But that's pointless. Old Five, it doesn't matter if we have a little more or less business, but we absolutely can't keep swallowing our pride like this. Today he installs an Account Manager in Xiaoyao Lodge. What if tomorrow he extends his reach to Blue Poplar Village? What then?

"Xiaoyao Lodge cannot be conceded. If this is difficult for you, we brothers can split the business and part on good terms."

Ma Wu was silent for a long moment, then looked up. "Old Qi, I'll listen to you."

Li Banfeng smiled. "Tomorrow, talk to that Account Manager. Try to persuade him to leave. Just try once."