Chapter 1 The Wedge Seeking Collection

  Upon entering the backyard, a beautifully scenic and elegant classical garden unfolds before everyone's eyes. On one side, various rare flowers and grasses are planted, but most of them are only for aesthetic purposes and don't have any special features. Along the wall, "warm trees" that keep warm in winter and cool in summer are planted, which can adjust the temperature within a small range, and some wealthy families would also plant some.

  Not far away, there is a small lake in the mansion, with sparkling water rippling in circles as the wind blows. Occasionally, a few small fish jump out of the water to chase the invisible wind. In the center of the small lake stands a delicate pavilion made entirely of solid granite.

  At this time, a slightly fat middle-aged man was sitting in the pavilion tasting tea. Seeing Wang Yu and others enter, he slightly raised his head to greet them.

  Wang Yu and his entourage didn't slow down as they stepped into the pavilion, calmly sitting down and pouring themselves a cup of tea to savor. "Good tea! Hehe, the City Lord's tea is indeed not ordinary." Wang Yu was very satisfied with the tea in his cup.

  However, the city master felt somewhat surprised at Wang Yu's actions, what a big nerve he had, without a hint of fear towards him.

  "Foolish child! You are guilty!" The originally peaceful atmosphere was completely destroyed by this loud shout.

  "Heh heh, what crime have I committed? Please enlighten me, Lord City Master." Wang Yu still wore a smile, calmly responding to everything.

  That self-confidence from the heart made this Shen City Master stunned.

  "Hum! You dare not kneel when meeting the master of this castle? This is a great disrespect! Not being invited yet sitting and drinking by yourself, this is two disrespects! Bringing weapons into my backyard garden, this is three disrespects! Don't try to argue! Guards, take this little one away!" The master of the castle turned his face faster than turning pages in a book, he had already changed his attitude before even finishing speaking.

  "Heh heh, what does Lord Shen mean by this? I'm sure you don't know the purpose of my visit yet, do you?" Wang Yu's eyes narrowed into a slit.

  "Hahaha! You'd better say something, what's your purpose?! If you can't come up with an answer that satisfies me, humph!" The city lord's eyes flashed with a cold light, and a wave of oppressive aura burst forth from him, this was the demeanor cultivated over time by one who had long held power.

  "Hand over your money!" Wang Yu lightly spat out four words.

  "What?! Send money?! Did I hear that right?!" The originally stern face, like a hungry wolf and tiger, suddenly changed to a shocked expression, staring at Wang Yu.

  "You're kidding me?! Send me money?"

  "Of course, Lord Shen didn't mishear, it's indeed sending money!" Wang Yu smiled with a hint of mockery.

  "Hum! What a joke! Sending money? Are you trying to bribe me?! Shen Cheng's face turned cold."

  "Oh, didn't Lord Shen accept bribes? What's recorded in this little book then?" Wang Yu pulled out a yellowed booklet from his bosom and beckoned to Lord Shen.

  Shen Chengzhu was also taken aback when he saw the small booklet, and immediately reached out to grab it. However, how could Wang Yu let him have his way? He dodged backwards, quickly retreating, not giving Shen Chengzhu a second chance to attack. Wang Yu flipped open the booklet, and on the first page, it was written in bold letters: "Shen Xiong accepted 100,000 taels of gold from our Wolf Tooth Gang on XX day, XX month, XX year, at XX o'clock, along with silk fabrics and brocades..."

  "Shen Xiong and Shen Long, in the year XX, month XX, day XX, at XX o'clock, accepted 100,000 taels of gold from me, Wolf Tooth Gang, as well as silk, satin, brocade...” Wang Yu read out one word at a time. Before he finished reading, Shen Xiong's face turned pale by a shade.

  "What's this, Lord Shen seems to be familiar with these things." Wang Yu said coldly.

  Shen Xiong took a deep breath and gazed at Wang Yu with profound eyes: "Say whatever you want to say."

  "Don't be alarmed, Master Shen. We didn't come this time to threaten you with these handles. But to discuss some matters with you and bring you money." Wang Yu put away his sarcastic tone and spoke seriously.

  "Lord Shen, as long as you nod in cooperation. I guarantee that every year, I can give you at least 100,000 taels of silver or more in compensation, and all you need to do is turn a blind eye to the management of the city, relax a bit. How about it? Is this deal worth it?" Wang Yu once again showed his "charming" smile, every time this smile appeared, someone was about to fall into his trap...

  "How can I believe you?!" Shen Xiong's one sentence hit the nail on the head.

  "Why don't we make a written agreement?" Wang Yu asked tentatively.

  "Hum! Do you think I'm a three-year-old kid? Written words as evidence? This will become a handle, and from now on, we'll be tied to the same boat, no way!" Shen Xiong immediately refused without thinking.

  Wang Yu's face turned awkward, and he thought to himself: "Damn it, this guy is neither soft nor hard, if I catch his weakness, I'll fix him till he's dead!"

  At this time, Wang Yu's true nature as a rogue was just beginning to reveal itself. Don't forget what Wang Yu used to do before he started cultivating! He was a notorious scoundrel in the ancient city, but unfortunately, he had planned to swindle Wuyaozi out of a meal, only to be dragged up the mountain by him. After going up the mountain, all he did was cultivate, so when would he have time to cause trouble?!

  Wang Yu took a deep breath and said, "What does Shen Cheng want?"

  "Nowhere, how is it what I want? Since Prince Wang has spoken out, of course, I have to give a few points of face. Let's do this: every year at the end of the year, give me 200,000 taels of gold. If you can do that, I guarantee that Lei Hu and Pu Tianyi will do their things cleanly. If by the end of the year I don't see those 200,000 taels of gold... Hehe, then it's not good." Shen Xiong spoke with a sincere face to Wang Yu, but his words did not contain even half a bit of sincerity.

  Lei Hu behind Wang Yu also had a face full of anger, never thought that this city master would be so greedy and insatiable.

  "Alright! It's settled then! Every year, at the end of the year, I'll give Shen Chengzhu twenty million taels of gold!" Wang Yu seemed to treat it as if he was giving away twenty copper coins, without any hesitation. You want twenty million? Then you'll get twenty million.

  Shen Xiong was also stunned, 200,000 is not a small amount! The annual tax revenue of the entire city is only over 500,000 taels, and he took out nearly half of it himself! "Cough cough, are you really capable of taking out 200,000 gold coins for me every year?"

  "Is there still a fake? I, Wang Yu, have always been a person who says one and not two. What has been said and done is considered to be reliable." Wang Yu said with great righteousness, but in his heart, he added another sentence, this is for people I acknowledge.

  "Alright! I, Shen Xiong, am a man of my word. Your matter is settled! Twenty million taels of gold every year, not one less, or don't blame me for turning against you!"

  "Of course, of course. As long as Lord Shen is a bit slower in deploying troops when dealing with the Wolf Teeth Gang, and a bit faster in handling business procedures for Pu Tianyi, that's all that's needed, no need to trouble Lord Shen further."

  "Alright, alright."

  "Master Shen, I have one more thing to ask of you below, this won't make your trip here in vain."

  Shen Xiong narrowed his eyes and said, "Oh? What's up? As long as it's within my authority, I'll make sure to take care of it properly for you, brother."

  There's a lot of room for maneuvering in this statement, and it's no wonder that he's a seasoned politician.

  Make up for it...... I'm really sorry, the chapters owed will be returned to everyone, don't worry...