Chapter 170: Sun Tao’s Golden Advice

On the way back, Li Dong remained silent.

It wasn't until they arrived at the gate of Wanyuan that Li Dong said, "Have Hongbing go to the finance department to collect thirty thousand. The others will each get three thousand."

Cao Hongbing's breathing became irregular, and he stammered, "Mr. Li, thirty thousand is too much."

"This is how it's decided. I, Li Dong, am not a stingy person! Afterward, go to the hospital to take care of your arm, and then take a week off. Come back when your injury is healed."

Cao Hongbing wanted to say more, but Zhou Haidong gently pulled him and said, "Mr. Li has spoken. Just take it and do your best in the future."

Cao Hongbing immediately showed gratitude, "Mr. Li, I'll make sure to show you my performance in the future!"

Li Dong smiled, patted his shoulder, and said, "Go on, take care of your wound and come back once you're healed."

Cao Hongbing quickly expressed more thanks before heading to the hospital under Li Dong's urging.

As soon as Cao Hongbing left, Li Dong's expression turned cold, and he asked Zhou Haidong, "How are Wang Cheng and the others handling things?"

Li Dong had assigned Wang Cheng and his team to keep an eye on Niu Meng and Zhang Qing mainly to prevent retaliation.

However, these guys had been boasting and making a fuss, almost causing a slip-up.

Zhou Haidong moved his lips, wanting to explain but not knowing how to articulate it properly.

Eventually, he said sullenly, "Mr. Li, this is my responsibility."

Li Dong frowned slightly and said after a long pause, "This time, I'm giving them a chance. If they still want to stay in Yuanfang, I don't want a repeat of this."

Zhou Haidong breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Thank you, Mr. Li. I guarantee there won't be a next time!"

Li Dong didn't say anything further. He understood that the core issue wasn't with Wang Cheng and the others. It was easy to find contacts these days, and even if Wang Cheng and his team were monitoring and eavesdropping, they couldn't know all of Niu Meng's movements.

The real problem was the same old issue: Li Dong's foundation was unstable.

Aside from lacking a powerful backer, his base in Pingchuan was also thin.

In Yuanfang, the only notable store was Longhua, and apart from that, he had nothing substantial, which naturally made him less intimidating.

Although Li Dong knew this, finding a solution wasn't something that could be achieved overnight.

Sighing, he realized he still needed to work harder.

While Li Dong was thinking about how to resolve these issues thoroughly, Zhou Haidong was considering atonement and asked, "Mr. Li, how about I have Wang Cheng and the others make some noise?"

Li Dong understood his intention but had more in mind.

Continuing to clash head-on wasn't meaningful. Even if he broke Niu Meng's legs or killed both Niu Meng and Zhang Qing, he would still be entangled in trouble. Moreover, would he continue this way indefinitely?

Killing a second-generation heir was straightforward, but killing their fathers as well? Li Dong wasn't arrogant enough to think he could get away with it, and such actions were rare and dangerous.

The previous incident with Zhu Hongtao had been forced upon him. Given Zhu Hongtao's low social status and unsavory background, it was done and dusted.

But killing officials would bring him closer to his own downfall.

Li Dong didn't share these thoughts with Zhou Haidong, knowing he wouldn't understand. After pondering, Li Dong said, "Forget about Niu Meng and Zhang Qing for now. Focus on Wang Fei from Feiyang Bar. Find a way to cripple him!"

Li Dong had no reservations about Wang Fei. As a bar owner who dared to meddle in his affairs, it was necessary to set an example to prevent others from daring to challenge him in the future.

...

The matter of the surveillance quietly subsided.

Apart from the three unfortunate individuals still being detained, it seemed as if nothing had happened.

On July 25th, Sun Tao, who had been on leave for over a month, finally returned.

Li Dong breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but joke when he saw Sun Tao looking refreshed, "Brother Sun, you're like a phoenix rising from the ashes, looking radiant."

Sun Tao smiled but didn't respond directly. Instead, he asked, "I see you're frowning. Have you encountered trouble?"

Li Dong touched his brow and smiled, "Did you notice that?"

He then didn't hide anything and briefly recounted the recent events, finally saying, "I've been worried about finding a strong backer recently."

Sun Tao frowned and disapproved, saying, "Relying on others is not a long-term solution. You have to be strong yourself."

"Even if you find a backer, can they watch over you for a lifetime? The military is like a flowing river, and even officials can't stay in one place forever."

Li Dong was somewhat stunned and after a while asked, "So what do you suggest I do?"

Sun Tao didn't answer directly but asked, "Do you think every wealthy person has a backer?"

Li Dong raised an eyebrow and didn't respond, waiting for Sun Tao to continue.

Sun Tao didn't keep him in suspense and continued, "Apart from having a backer, there are many other ways to establish a solid foothold."

"Tell me more."

Li Dong was interested. Sun Tao was the only one who could provide guidance now, and he was eager to listen.

Sun Tao, noticing Li Dong's interest, began, "First, immigration!"

"Immigration?"

Sun Tao nodded, "Yes, with your current wealth, immigration is quite simple. Once you become a foreigner, you'll be a privileged class domestically, and many problems will resolve themselves."

Li Dong pondered for a moment. Although he was reluctant to admit it, Sun Tao's advice was reasonable.

However, he still shook his head, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of becoming a foreigner.

Sun Tao, unperturbed, continued, "Second, fame!"

Li Dong's eyebrows raised at the mention of fame. He asked, "You mean becoming famous through charity work and then people won't dare to attack me?"

Sun Tao first nodded, then shook his head, "Charity is just one way. Fame doesn't only mean public recognition. For example, you could become one of Jiangbei Province's top ten youths, or a member of Pingchuan's Political Consultative Conference, or support certain government projects…"

Sun Tao listed many examples and concluded, "Fame is not the goal. The purpose is to attract the attention and importance of higher-ups, making others wary of you. That's the benefit of fame."

Li Dong felt enlightened by Sun Tao's words.

He had been preoccupied with finding a backer and had overlooked these aspects.

Li Dong, now eager to hear more, asked, "What else?"

"Third, investment!"

"Investment?"

"Yes, large-scale development and investment! If you invest in building distribution centers, headquarters buildings, or opening multiple branches, investing one or two billion or even more, do you think a second-generation heir would dare to make things difficult for you? At that point, you'll be a guest of the municipal or even provincial government. What reason would they have to trouble you?"

Li Dong's eyes brightened. Sun Tao's advice was spot on!

He hadn't realized Sun Tao was such a strategic thinker before.

Eager to learn more, Li Dong asked, "Anything else?"

"Fourth, find a backer."

"Pfft!"

Li Dong spit out his drink. After all that, he still needed to find a backer?

"You've misunderstood me. I mean, once you achieve the above points, a backer will naturally come to support Yuanfang. Right now, you're like a headless fly, buzzing around aimlessly. Even if you find a backer, they won't take you seriously."

"But once you become famous and bring investments and contributions to Pingchuan, no matter which leader is in power, they won't abandon Yuanfang. That's the long-term solution."

Li Dong's expression became serious. Sun Tao's words hit the mark.

After contemplating for a long time, Li Dong said earnestly, "Brother Sun, your advice is truly invaluable. I've learned a lot!"

Sun Tao smiled but said nothing, feeling a slight relief inside.