readytorunbook Chapter 185 Electing the President
Chapter 185 Electing the President
As Lin Ping said, not only were wealthy businessmen gathered here, but even the prefect was present, which fully met the criteria for electing the chairman.
“That’s right, let’s elect one today!” Zhu Ji was the first to support it. If he didn’t stand with Lin Ping at this point, he would definitely be out of his mind.
Tang Wunao and Tang Jianren's fathers echoed their sentiments. These three were all prominent and wealthy businessmen with considerable prestige, and they quickly gained the approval of most people.
Hearing the word "chairman," Su Hongxin felt a little more confident. Although he hadn't managed to win over more people, getting more than ten votes wouldn't be a problem, since the prefect would help him anyway.
As expected, the prefect nodded secretly, indicating that he could turn the tide with this, since he couldn't let Lin Ping humiliate him every time.
"I vote for myself!" Su Hongxin said shamelessly, even revealing a sinister smile.
Wu Guo values etiquette and humility, which are traditional virtues. Even if he really wanted to be the chairman, he couldn't say it. He had to ask other merchants for recommendations and then reluctantly take office.
“I’ll also vote for Boss Su.” A loyal supporter of Su Hongxin echoed, clearly indicating a deep entanglement of interests.
Before long, Su Hongxin had received eight votes, and with two more votes, he would be able to secure the position of chairman.
During this time, Lin Ping didn't say a word, only wanting to see how many people were opposing the City Lord's Mansion.
"I vote for Young Master Lin!" Zhu Ji finally couldn't hold back and shouted loudly. As long as Lin Ping takes the position of chairman, he can increase the sales of salt and thus make profits for the shareholders.
Lin Ping waved his hand and said seriously, "The laws of Wu Kingdom stipulate that officials should not engage in business. As the son-in-law of the city lord's mansion, I, Lin Ping, should naturally abide by the law. However... I can recommend someone."
Upon hearing this, everyone spontaneously gave Lin Ping a thumbs up, admiring his integrity and uprightness. Even with a large fan base, he would not ask his fans to do things for him, just like... the author.
Before long, a middle-aged man dressed in shabby clothes walked over, with a smile on his face the whole time.
"Father, what brings you here?" Jiang Yunying respectfully kowtowed.
This man is Lin Fugui, Lin Ping's father, and now the owner of Qingfeng Tower.
Lin Fugui was once a prominent figure, and most wealthy businessmen had dealt with him. Naturally, he knew that Lin Fugui was Lin Ping's father. Thinking of the man's eloquent speech just now, he almost... spat out a mouthful of phlegm.
"I vote for Boss Lin!" Zhu Ji broke the awkward atmosphere.
Supporting Lin Fugui is equivalent to supporting Lin Ping, and they need not question it.
With Zhu Ji as the starting point, everyone began to vote for Lin Fugui.
It wasn't just out of admiration for Lin Ping, but also because they wanted to buy salt. They couldn't let the restaurant close down, and they couldn't let the kiln stop operating.
Lin Fugui had gained the support of over a hundred people in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, while Su Hongxin still only had the support of his seven people, including himself.
"Boss Feng, it's your turn to vote," Su Hongxin hurriedly reminded the other three major salt merchants lying on the ground.
The three men staggered, shaking their heads, and asked, "What happened?"
"Vote, vote for Su." Su Hongxin reminded him again.
Now, these three have lost their minds and have no intention of voting. They just keep laughing incessantly and can't say anything coherent for a long time.
“Boss Feng, you’ve reached the age to enjoy your retirement, why ruin your reputation in your later years?” Lin Ping smiled as he walked up to the three men, casually pulling out a stack of silver notes, and continued, “Here are thirty thousand taels of silver notes. How about I buy all your shops?”
Thirty thousand taels of silver was no small sum for Boss Feng, especially at this critical juncture. It was like sending charcoal in snowy weather. Without thinking, he snatched the silver notes and loudly declared, "I will vote for Boss Lin!"
At the same time, two other salt merchants also received 30,000 taels of silver from Lin Ping, and both made their choices without hesitation.
Buying the shops of the three major salt merchants for 90,000 taels of silver was not a waste of money, but rather an attempt to expand the business. Lin Ping knew exactly how much rock salt was buried under that barren land. He not only wanted to monopolize the salt industry in Jiangcheng, but also to expand into the entire Wu Kingdom. This required the shops and sales channels left behind by the three major salt merchants.
Su Hongxin gasped, surprised that none of the three major salt merchants supported him. He smiled obsequiously at the person next to him and said, "Mr. Li, it's your turn to speak."
This man had clearly received a favor from Su Hongxin. His expression was conflicted; he wanted to vote for Su Hongxin, but he was afraid of incurring the wrath of the City Lord's Mansion. He was caught in a dilemma.
Lin Ping smiled and waved. Surprisingly, Tian Duoduo, Jin Manlou's second-in-command in Wu Kingdom, appeared, frantically flipping through an account book, and said softly, "Li Wangcai owes Jin Manlou ten thousand taels of silver..."
Before he could finish speaking, the other person had already collapsed to his knees and weakly cast his vote for Lin Fugui.
Next, no matter who thinks of voting for Su Hongxin, Tian Duoduo will have to look through the ledgers.
In this market economy era, no shop can do without a money exchange. Lin Ping just happened to give Jin Manlou a chance to turn over a new leaf and easily get rid of Su Hongxin.
After the last person voted, Su Hongxin was still stuck with eight votes, while Lin Fugui had soared to over two hundred votes.
"It's over, it's all over this time." Su Hongxin fell to the ground again, having lost tens of thousands of taels of silver and his position as chairman.
Su Hongxin was filled with hatred, but he didn't hate Lin Ping; he hated himself.
He should have forced Su Lianlian to marry Lin Ping back then, and then used the wealth of both families to buy that inferior land. He could have just sat at home and made money without having to worry about the magistrate's mood, and he shouldn't have let his daughter marry Zhang Hongyuan, who had homosexual tendencies.
"No, you can't leave!" Su Hongxin suddenly found his strength, wrapped his arms around Lin Ping's thighs, and pleaded, "Lianlian, I'll let Lianlian marry Young Master Lin!"
At the same time, Su Lianlian also knelt before Lin Ping, pleading, "Young Master Lin, let's make up. I will serve you well."
Lin Ping was amused by the funny father and daughter; they were even more shameless than him.
"Do you have a hymen?" Lin Ping asked seriously.
Su Lianlian was dumbfounded, mistakenly thinking it was a proper mold, but it turned out to be a small organ.
"My wife is not only a princess, but also a hundred times cleaner than you. Why would I marry you?" Lin Ping said coldly, even spilling a cup of water on the ground, and continued, "What's done is done. I hope you and your daughter will think twice!"
After speaking, Lin Ping took Jiang Yunying's hand and led her to the carriage, not wanting to look at this filthy woman even once more.
"My husband, my hymen will always be reserved for you," Jiang Yunying comforted him, half-understanding his feelings, though he could see Lin Ping's sorrow.
Su Lianlian was, after all, a woman Lin Ping had once loved. Although Lin Ping could not forgive her, it did not mean he would not be heartbroken. If he were truly a heartless and ungrateful person, he would not have won Jiang Yunying's favor.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ping blushed, seemingly realizing he shouldn't have told Jiang Yunying a joke.