Chapter 0002: Deception

After Master Fang entered the room with Luo Feng, he was only slightly taken aback by the luxurious decor inside, but his eyes quickly returned to their usual calmness. Since entering the room, Luo Feng had been observing Master Fang's expression closely. Noticing that the moneylender was only mildly surprised before quickly regaining his composure, Luo Feng seemed quite satisfied. He waved his hand towards several maidservants in the room, and they respectfully retreated, quietly closing the door behind them.

"There is no need for you to be so reserved, Manager Fang. I, Luo, am a straightforward person and will not beat around the bush." After saying this, he took out a banknote from his pocket and handed it directly to Manager Fang, staring at him without any intention of providing an explanation.

"Young Master Luo is being too polite, is this not the birthday of Mr. Zhefang?" Manager Fang said with a look of trepidation, slightly bowing to Luo Feng.

Oh, I heard that Brother Fang's wife and children have moved to Anding City, so I should pay a visit. The originally gentle voice suddenly turned extremely cold, and a glint of frost flashed in the eyes, which remained fixed on Fang Mu without moving.

According to reports, the first ancestor of the Luo family, Luo Hai, once followed the founding emperor of the Yuanjiang Kingdom in his military campaigns, achieving numerous remarkable feats. The founding emperor had promised a marital alliance between the royal family and the Luo family for generations, granted three death exemption gold medals, and allowed the Luo family to maintain private soldiers, bestowing upon them an extraordinarily noble status. Since the establishment of the Yuanjiang Kingdom, only three prominent families have held such honors, with the Luo family being one of them. Within the borders of the Yuanjiang Kingdom, no one dares to provoke these three families. Furthermore, Luo Feng's mother is Princess Guiyun of the former royal family, who is the younger sister of the current emperor of Yuanjiang and one of the favored daughters of the empress dowager, often summoned to the palace to accompany the empress dowager. The current head of the Luo family is the Minister of Rites, Lord Luo Zeng, who is one of the emperor's favored officials, wielding significant power over life and death in the court. Although they are referred to as the three prominent families, the Luo family's influence is the strongest, which is why this young master of the Luo family dares to act so arrogantly in the capital, frequently engaging in unsavory activities such as forcibly seizing women and extorting merchants. In the city of Anding, he is also notorious. As the Minister of Rites, Luo Zhen cannot tolerate his son's behavior and has expressed his anger several times. However, the current Lady Pei, Madam Fan, who is also the present Princess Guiyun, excessively indulges Luo Feng. Each time Luo Zeng loses his temper, she uses the empress dowager's name to pressure him, leaving Luo Zeng with no choice but to endure. After several such incidents, Luo Feng's actions have become even more reckless and unrestrained, displaying cruel methods at a young age, which is why the shopkeeper Fang dares not offend him.

"Alright, Fang agreed, but he had a condition: the young master must sign a written agreement on this counterfeit one-hundred-yuan banknote and affix his seal. Fang had no other intentions; he merely sought peace of mind and hoped the young master would understand." Fang Mu knew he had no choice left and gritted his teeth as he spoke

Hehe, I believe Brother Fang has also noticed that these two silver notes are both ordinary deposit and withdrawal notes of one hundred taels from the Baotong Bank. However, one is genuine and the other is counterfeit. Even someone as astute as Brother Fang took half a stick of incense's time to discern this, which indicates that this counterfeit note is indeed very convincingly made. Therefore, I think...

Initially, the shopkeeper did not go to receive it, but after some thought, he gritted his teeth and took it. After scanning the banknote a few times with a slightly puzzled expression, he said to Luo Feng: "I wonder what Young Master Luo means by this..." Luo Feng seemed to have anticipated the shopkeeper's expression, so he took out another identical banknote from his sleeve and handed it to the shopkeeper, saying: "Brother Fang, please take a close look to see if there is any difference between these two banknotes."

After listening to Luo Feng's words, the expression on the face of Manager Fang became increasingly grim. After a moment of contemplation, he said in a deep voice: "As a person of lowly power, I fear I may fail the trust placed in me by the young master, therefore..."

The man known as Manager Fang approached the handsome gentleman with utmost respect, saying, "Surely, you must be the eldest son of the Minister of Rites, Lord Luo Zeng, the young master Luo Feng. I am Fang Mu, currently the manager of the Baotong Bank in the capital. If the young master has any instructions, please feel free to speak. It is my honor to assist you." As the manager of the largest bank in the Song Dynasty, Manager Fang, although not the owner behind the scenes, held a prominent position in the capital. The reason for Manager Fang's deep respect was not solely due to the esteemed status of Young Master Luo, but also because the Luo family was not an ordinary official family.

Is the young master threatening Fang? Fang Mu's face turned slightly red, and his expression was extremely serious. "Threaten you! You are not even qualified for that. Don't overestimate yourself; I will ask you one last time: do you want others to suffer, or do you want your own wife and children to suffer?" Luo Feng smiled slightly, and a look of disdain immediately appeared on his face. "As long as you cooperate with this matter, the bank won't suffer much loss. Besides, with me backing you up, what are you afraid of?"

Luo Feng walked around the room to confirm that there were indeed no other people present. Only after that did he smile and invite the shopkeeper Fang to take a seat. He personally picked up the wine jug and poured a glass of wine for the shopkeeper Fang.

At this moment, it seemed that the shopkeeper Fang finally realized something. Without saying a word, he took the banknote and carefully compared the two banknotes in his hand. In less than half a stick of incense's time, the shopkeeper Fang's expression changed from shock to one of great displeasure.

Brother Fang, you are overthinking this. How could Luo allow you to do such a thing? I merely wish to ask for a small favor. This banknote was crafted by a remarkable individual from the martial world, and I am confident that very few can discern its authenticity. Moreover, your esteemed bank has extremely unique methods for producing and verifying banknotes over one thousand taels, which are never disclosed. Outsiders cannot replicate this at all. I have also exerted tremendous effort to create this one-hundred-tael banknote. Three days from now, I will have someone publicize that there is a banknote capable of deceiving the Baotong Bank's verification, which will be secretly sold in a small house in the west of the city. Those who come to purchase counterfeit banknotes will certainly want to take a few to use outside. It does not matter where else, but I am just afraid that we cannot deceive the eyes of your bank's note collectors. Therefore, I will need Brother Fang to cooperate discreetly. On the first day of sale, regardless of who brings how many counterfeit banknotes, you only need to accept them. After the matter is accomplished, all losses incurred by the bank will be borne by me, and I am also willing to pay you an additional fifty thousand taels of silver as a reward. I believe those individuals will not bring many counterfeit banknotes to the bank for exchange, as counterfeiting banknotes over ten thousand taels can lead to imprisonment. At most, it will be just a few hundred taels. This is a business that guarantees profit without loss. I wonder how Brother Fang feels about this?" As Luo Feng spoke, a hint of madness flashed in his eyes.

Haha, then please, Manager Fang, come with me into the house for a small gathering, allowing me, Luo, to extend my hospitality as the host. " After saying this, he waved his hand at Steward Gao, turned around, and walked into the house with Manager Fang, while Steward Gao nodded in response and quietly left with the Wang surname guard and a group of black-clad individuals.

Oh, what kind of business is it? Young master, please speak plainly." The voice of this Master Fang remained exceedingly respectful

"Well said, since Manager Fang is so straightforward, I will speak frankly. I, Luo, would like to collaborate with Manager Fang on a significant business deal. I wonder if Manager Fang has any interest in this?" Luo Feng said with a faint smile, gazing at Fang Mu.

There is no need to say more. If Young Master Luo wishes for Fang to assist you in exchanging this counterfeit banknote for real gold and silver at the bank, then please forgive Fang for being unable to comply. Although Fang is greedy for wealth, he would never do anything to betray his old master. After saying this, the shopkeeper Fang's eyes seemed to carry a resolute expression.