Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Chapter 832 - 501: Wait for Me (Part 2)

Everyone agreed, then Li Banfeng had to talk to Ma Wu about some matters alone, mainly about business.

In other places, there’s no need to say more, Ma Wu can manage things in an orderly manner, the only problem lies at Bridge Yesong.

Every time he arrived at Bridge Yesong, Ma Wu would wear the word "disdain" on his face.

It’s not Ma Wu’s fault, Bridge Yesong indeed attracts disdain. Every shop there is a century-old establishment, when you ask a merchant, their ancestors have been trading in this business.

In a place like Bridge Yesong, you can’t see even a hint of freshness. It’s always the same goods, always the same prices. Doing business here, one could calculate the profits for the next hundred years. In such a place, Ma Wu surely feels disgusted.

Yet Li Banfeng still wants Ma Wu to do well in business at Bridge Yesong.

Ma Wu felt helpless: "Old Qi, the business in Qi Qiu City is getting impressive, the business at Loess Bridge is also gradually picking up. If I focus on these places, at least I can see changes. Why do you insist on making me care about Bridge Yesong? What sense does it make?"

How to make sense of this?

I’m already Above the Clouds, I need human energy, you must help me manage Bridge Yesong?

This matter can’t be directly explained, Li Qi’s justification was: "I’ve looked at the feng shui, the market at Bridge Yesong is about to boom, such a good opportunity can’t be missed."

Ma Wu agreed to it, as long as it’s something Li Qi instructed, he would definitely do.

Li Banfeng explained some trivial matters, and when the Portable Residence finished repairing the station, Li Banfeng went to Fool’s City.

Some businesses can be handed over to Ma Wu, but some still need to be handled personally. Li Banfeng gave ten thousand Ocean Dollars to Tang Changfa: "While I’m away, live well, don’t let everyone suffer."

Tang Changfa didn’t understand Li Banfeng’s intention, Yan Qing’er cautiously asked: "Shopkeeper, are you abandoning us?"

"What kind of talk is that! I’m just going on a long trip, I’ll be back after a few days. Where’s our City Lord?"

Yan Hong’er said: "The City Lord has brought back two assistants from outside, one called Ah Gui, the other called Ah Huang. They’ve been frequently going out to handle things recently, but we’re not clear on the specifics."

Li Banfeng had met Ah Gui, but what’s Ah Huang’s origin?

Judging by the name, doesn’t seem like any important figure.

Leaving Fool’s City, Li Banfeng went to Iron Gate Fort. Despite Luo Zhengnan leaving spies here, Li Banfeng still couldn’t relax about this group of Home Cultivators.

Upon seeing the Fortress Lord, Wu Yongchao spoke excitedly about the recent battle: "Fortress Lord, that person named Chen Weixin was driven away, it was you who took action, right?"

Li Banfeng smiled silently, checked the accounts, left some money for the fort, and called Luo Zhengnan, asking him to keep a close watch.

Luo Zhengnan was still looking for Hidden Form Space at Bridge Yesong, upon hearing Li Banfeng mention Iron Gate Fort, Luo Zhengnan was very confident: "You don’t need to worry about Iron Gate Fort, it’s hard to say about other places, but you surely don’t need to worry about this place!"

Li Banfeng didn’t understand Luo Zhengnan’s meaning, Luo Zhengnan said: "Some matters can’t be discussed over the phone with you, for fear it might be overheard. Once you’re in Outside Provinces, I’ll come to see you, then you’ll understand."

Leaving Iron Gate Fort, Li Banfeng went to Medicine King Valley. Qiu’s Pharmacy has opened two branches, and the business is growing ever bigger.

Qiu Zhiheng had just recently visited Elder Yao’s residence: "Old Xu has found a high-level Alcohol Cultivator, who is treating Elder Yao, I estimate Elder Yao might wake up,

Brother, since you’re going to Outside Provinces, I have a friend to introduce you to."

Qiu Zhiheng wrote a letter, handed it to Li Banfeng: "This friend engages in black market business, there are quite a few Cultivators in Outside Provinces, but most of their identities aren’t public, the ones who deal with them the most are these black market merchants,

This person is familiar with me, seems decent in nature, might be useful in the future."

The Lu Family’s business in Outside Provinces was all handled by Qiu Zhiheng back then, so his connections are naturally very reliable.

Leaving Medicine King Valley, Li Banfeng went to Qi Qiu City, went to Black Stone Slope, went to Loess Bridge, explaining what needed to be explained, and the ten-day mark arrived.

The night before departing, Ma Wu hosted a farewell banquet at Xiaoyao Lodge for Li Banfeng, he asked Jiang Mengting to sing. Jiang Mengting kept tearing up, unable to sing.

Li Banfeng frowned and said: "Why are you crying? I’m not leaving forever."

Jiang Mengting wiped her tears and said: "Seventh Master, can you take me along?"

Li Banfeng said: "Our Singing Empress from Puluo State, can’t simply go to Outside Provinces? Let me go out and prepare a bit, set up a tour performance, then you’ll have a chance to take the stage."

Jiang Mengting didn’t know what a tour performance was, but the tears still couldn’t stop falling.

Li Banfeng reassured her: "No more crying, sing a song for me!"

Jiang Mengting composed herself for a long while, placed the record on the phonograph, and sang that song, "When Will You Return."

"Good flowers don’t bloom long, good scenes don’t last, sorrows pile upon smiling brows, tears sprinkle fervent longing. After tonight’s departure, when will you return..."

Jiang Mengting’s voice was so beautiful, apart from his wife, Li Banfeng believed no one sang better than her, not even Meng De.

Li Banfeng lit a cigarette, continuously applauding and cheering for Jiang Mengting, hearing Li Qi’s voice, Jiang Mengting sang with more passion, when the song ended, she looked towards the seats, but couldn’t find Li Qi’s figure.

There was still half a glass of wine in the cup, and a half-cigarette placed beside it, Jiang Mengting sat at Li Qi’s seat waiting for a long time, unable to wait for Li Qi’s return.

Where did Li Qi go?

Ma Wu didn’t know either.

At Greenwater City Railway Station, Li Qi had already reached the platform.