Chapter 98: Never Loose the Hawk Before the Hare Is in Sight

Xu Mo said, “Boss Zhao, forget for the moment what kind of business I’m in. I only want to ask you this: should I deposit these one hundred thousand strings of cash with you, or with Sihai?”

Zhao Mingju blurted out at once, “Of course you should deposit it with our Rongsheng Exchange Bank!”

“Boss Xu, our Rongsheng Exchange Bank has just cut its custodial interest by fifteen percent. You’ve really come at the perfect time!” Zhao Mingju added quickly.

He finished and looked at Xu Mo with eager anticipation.

Xu Mo smiled faintly. “Boss Zhao, there’s no problem depositing one hundred thousand strings with Rongsheng. But I have one condition. If you can agree to it, then depositing even more money here in the future won’t be a problem at all.”

Zhao Mingju said immediately, “Boss Xu, just name it. As long as Zhao can manage it, I’ll agree to it.”

“Relax, Boss Zhao. You can definitely handle this,” Xu Mo said.

“Please, go on,” Zhao Mingju said.

Xu Mo’s expression turned solemn. Fixing Zhao Mingju with a steady gaze, he said, “Boss Zhao, I’d like to ask you to do me a favor. Please ask your man Xu Tong for me...”

“Xu Tong?” Zhao Mingju was baffled. Why was Xu Tong suddenly being mentioned?

Xu Mo nodded. “Ask him this: he came to my house and threw dung all over it. Why won’t he admit it? If he dares do it, why won’t he own up to it? Is he still a man or not?”

Zhao Mingju froze for a moment, thinking he had misheard. “Boss Xu, did you say he threw... threw dung?”

“That’s right!” Xu Mo said gravely. “Dung as in excrement, plain and simple.”

Zhao Mingju was stunned. In an instant, he understood that Xu Mo’s true purpose in coming to see him was Xu Tong.

Frowning, Zhao Mingju said, “Boss Xu, I don’t know what Xu Tong has done to you, but every debt has its debtor. If you have a grudge against him, you should settle it with him, not come to me!”

With that, he called out toward the outside, “Someone! See the guest out!”

At that moment, Zhao Mingju was convinced that the one hundred thousand strings Xu Mo had spoken of did not exist at all; it was merely an excuse he had made up to get in and see him.

A moment later, a servant appeared at the doorway, ready to escort Xu Mo out.

But Xu Mo did not rise. He remained seated, calm and steady, and said, “Boss Zhao, if you do this, you’ll lose me as a major customer.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhao Mingju said, “Boss Xu, I know most of the big merchants around Xinyu County. But you’re so young—at most in your early twenties—and you claim to have one hundred thousand strings. Hah, that’s hard to believe, isn’t it?”

Xu Mo smiled and asked slowly, “If that’s the case, does Boss Zhao know who owns the Peony Brand soaps?”

As soon as Zhao Mingju heard that, his expression changed.

These days, Peony Brand soap and bath soap were known by everyone. His own household used them too.

What was more, Zhao Mingju’s wife especially liked the Peony-scented soap. Whenever she bathed, she had to use it, no exceptions.

Although Zhao Mingju had never met the owner of Peony Brand soap, he did know the man’s surname was Xu.

And the young man in front of him, who spoke with such confidence, also happened to have the surname Xu. Could it be...?

Thinking of this, Zhao Mingju could no longer stay composed. He immediately asked, “Boss Xu, could you be the owner of Peony Brand?”

Xu Mo smiled faintly and nodded. “Exactly.”

Though Zhao Mingju had already guessed as much, hearing Xu Mo confirm it himself still shocked him deeply. He could not help but study Xu Mo more carefully.

Then Zhao Mingju waved to the servant outside the hall. The servant promptly withdrew.

Xu Mo stood and cupped his hands. “Boss Zhao, let me introduce myself again. I am Xu Mo, the owner of Peony Brand soap.”

“Young and accomplished, Boss Xu. Admirable indeed!” Zhao Mingju’s tone was clearly much more courteous now.

After that, Zhao Mingju asked about the dung incident.

Xu Mo did not hide anything. He immediately explained how he had borrowed money from Changlong Gambling House, how he had later beaten Xu Tong while repaying the debt, and all the other details.

Zhao Mingju was greatly startled, wondering how Xu Mo had managed to repay one hundred and thirty strings in just five days.

Then he reacted and asked, “Boss Xu, could it be that you were able to repay one hundred and thirty strings so quickly because of the soap business?”

Xu Mo nodded.

Zhao Mingju immediately said, “Impressive!”

After a pause, Zhao Mingju asked, “Boss Xu, why didn’t you report Xu Tong to the authorities?”

“Boss Xu, rest assured. Xu Tong was in the wrong first. If you report him and have him arrested, that would be entirely reasonable. Even if he works under me, I will not protect him!” Zhao Mingju said righteously.

But Xu Mo only shook his head helplessly. “Boss Zhao, without proof, what could I possibly report to the authorities? What evidence do I have to have him arrested?”

Zhao Mingju quickly shot back, “If there’s no proof, then how did Boss Xu decide it was Xu Tong who did it?”

Xu Mo said, “I can’t think of anyone else besides Xu Tong.”

Zhao Mingju thought it over and asked, “Boss Xu, if I help you deal with Xu Tong, then will those one hundred thousand strings definitely be deposited with our Rongsheng Exchange Bank?”

“Yes,” Xu Mo said.

Nodding, he added, “Not just the one hundred thousand strings. In the future, the money I earn will continue to be kept here with you, Boss Zhao. We can cooperate for the long term and both benefit.”

“Good. It’s a deal!” Zhao Mingju was delighted.

For a man as desperate for funds as Zhao Mingju, exchanging Xu Tong for one hundred thousand strings of deposits was a deal that could only mean profit.

Besides, what Xu Tong had done was truly outrageous. Teaching him a lesson through this matter was entirely deserved.

If word got out, it would embarrass Xu Tong’s own employer badly. Worse still, it might drag Changlong Gambling House’s reputation down with him. And if that happened, wouldn’t Tianli Gambling House be the one to profit?

After a brief consideration, Zhao Mingju said, “Boss Xu, how about this? Once your one hundred thousand strings are deposited, I’ll immediately have someone bind Xu Tong and bring him here. Then you can do with him as you please.”

Zhao Mingju had been in business for many years and never moved without seeing the rabbit before releasing the hawk. He certainly wasn’t going to be swayed by a few words from Xu Mo alone.

Xu Mo understood that perfectly, so he said, “Please wait a moment, Boss Zhao. The money is already on its way.”

The reason Xu Mo had come alone was that he had anticipated this very situation.

These people were not fools. If they couldn’t see the money, why would they help you deal with Xu Tong?

So Xu Mo had sent Chen Miaoyi and Qin Mutou to find Ning Yaxin and asked her to deliver the one hundred thousand strings to Rongsheng Exchange Bank at once.

“Good!” Zhao Mingju said with a smile.

Then he walked to the doorway and called out loudly, “What’s the delay? I told you to bring Boss Xu a better pot of tea. Why is there still no sign of it?”

Not long after, a servant brought in a fresh cup of tea. Looking closer, even the teacup itself was of a finer grade.

At that point Xu Mo understood. Zhao Mingju’s earlier request to change the tea had only been for appearances’ sake; he had never truly intended to replace it. Only now that the matter had been settled did he have someone bring out the good tea.