Universe Infinite Canteen

Luo Xiangshi had the typical mindset of a businessman. He had crossed swords with Ma Lu a few times and failed to gain any advantage, so he decided to simply make an offer to buy Hou De outright.

The proposal for Ma Lu to join the board of directors was an impromptu addition by Luo Xiangshi, which even Luo Yuxiang wasn't aware of, leaving him totally confused upon hearing it.

Luo Xiangshi genuinely admired the young man before him.

He was well past the age of youthful exuberance and did not place much emphasis on temporary wins or losses. In his opinion, the fact that Ma Lu had led the weak Hou De to defeat Heroic Concealment was sufficient proof of his talent.

Knowing that there would be no good outcomes from tonight's banquet, yet daring to attend, and showing no fear or restraint in his presence, also served to highlight his valor.

Such a person, both brave and strategic, was exactly what Hero Group needed.

It was for this reason that Luo Xiangshi entertained the thought of turning an enemy into a friend, offering such generous terms.

But he hadn't expected Ma Lu to reject the offer so quickly, so decisively, and with undisguised scorn on his face.

The others at the table didn't understand why Ma Lu wasn't even slightly interested in negotiating.

200,000 was not a small amount, especially considering that Hou De currently only had a little over forty teachers and students combined. The price they offered was not low, not to mention the position on the board of directors.

Even if dissatisfied, one could still continue to negotiate. There was no need to flip the table so early.

Yet Ma Lu, as if not yet satisfied, added another sentence, "Hou De is not unsellable, but it's just not something you, Boss Luo, can afford. Even if you packaged the entire Hero Group together, you wouldn't be able to buy a single school building of Hou De."

Ma Lu was telling the truth.

Not long ago, he had used education points to max out the buildings of Hou De. Coupled with the effects of various scientific research projects, the enhancements Hou De could provide its teachers and students had reached a rather astonishing level.

If this situation were in an immortal novel, it would surely be a paradise, enough to make those ancient sects rack their brains out.

Luo Xiangshi thought a few hundred thousand yuan and a lousy director's position could buy it, Ma Lu really thought he had drunk too much.

Regrettably, honest words are often unpleasant to hear. Luo Xiangshi furrowed his brow; he began to feel that the young man before him was a bit too arrogant.

Since the other party refused to toast, Luo Xiangshi gave no more courtesy, but looked past Ma Lu at the others at the table and asked.

"What do you all think of this proposal?"

Director Hou Chengyi of the Ministry of Education was the first to express his opinion. "I think the offer is quite generous. Hero Group has a strong teaching staff, and all six of their schools are among the top hundred educational institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education.

"If they are willing to open a branch in Ping City, it will be good for both the local students and the citizens."

Hou Chengyi had been an old friend of Hou De for a long time. When Hou De recruited new students, he personally led people to cause trouble, trying to cap the number of enrollments at Hou De and make them lose their education qualification.

However, Ma Lu miraculously found 10 qualified new students overnight, leaving Hou's efforts in vain, and he could only slink away.

After that incident, he knew that his relationship with Hou De was probably not very good, and since he was already close with Luo Xiangshi, he was the first to stand up and express his support.

Ma Lu glanced at him, "Director Hou, Hou De is now also among the top hundred, while on the other hand, Heroic Concealment under the Hero Group has already fallen out of the rankings."

Hou Chengyi was taken aback, "This...is just a temporary ranking, it doesn't prove anything."

Pan Taiyan, the largest landowner in Ping City, had been meditating with his eyes closed up until that point when he suddenly spoke up.

"Boss Luo, Hou De is our own talisman master school here in Ping City, and it has a history of over seventy years, having become a part of this city. You're talking about acquiring it just like that, this... isn't quite appropriate, is it?"

Hou Chengyi was a bit baffled. As far as he knew, Pan Taiyan and Hou De didn't have anything to do with each other, and he hadn't expected Pan to speak out for Hou De at this time.

But considering the man's usual behavior, he didn't seem to have any sense of justice, so why would he step forward now?

Luo Xiangshi, however, appeared as if he had been expecting this, and indifferently said, "The location of Hou De was specially approved by the construction bureau back then to promote education. Ping City has always had a strong culture of learning, so the land was granted quite generously, maybe even too generously.

"They allocated half of Shouyang Mountain to the school, but in fact, the school doesn't need that much space, and it's inconvenient for the teachers and students to live there.

"After the acquisition, I plan to sell a part of the land on the mountain. I wonder if Mr. Pan might be interested in purchasing it. I will certainly give you a suitable price."

Upon hearing this, Pan Taiyan was overjoyed and stroked his beard, "That would be splendid."

Luo Xiangshi then turned to the police chief beside him, and said, "Mr. Ye, I heard that your son was recently found to have Talisman Master qualifications."

Ye Zhi slightly nodded, "It's a pity that he only qualified for Grade D, which may make it tough to get into a prestigious school."

"That's an easy fix. As long as Mr. Ye is willing, I can have Hero send your son an acceptance letter right now. Once he starts school next year, I'll also arrange for the best teachers to tutor him, ensuring he doesn't fall behind in his studies."

Ye Zhi was quite tempted. He had four children, but unfortunately, three were daughters, and both parents cared deeply for their only son, having begun to look for schools for him early on.

Although Ye Zhi was the chief of police, coming from a common background, he didn't have many connections in the education sector. He initially wanted to wait and see if Hou De, with its sudden rise, would work out; if there were no issues, he intended to send his child there.

It would be easier for him to look after his child if he stayed locally, but now a better option had come along, and going to Hero, the number one school ranked by the Ministry of Education, was naturally a superior choice.

After finishing his statement, Luo Xiangshi had already instructed his staff to call the principal of Hero and directly arrange the matter. He then looked towards the head of the railway bank's Siping branch, He Junli.

"President He, I heard in Xindu that the supervisory officer is coming to inspect your bank next month. Do you need me to go say hello to them in advance..."

Everyone present understood what Luo Xiangshi was hinting at.

He had clearly done his homework before inviting everyone to the banquet, figuring out what each person wanted.

Apart from Huang Xian, the mayor, who was somewhat displeased, the others didn't mind Luo Xiangshi's approach.

Politics, after all, is about the exchange of interests. If Luo Xiangshi was willing to offer what they needed, they didn't mind returning the favor.

Moreover, after Luo Xiangshi whispered a few words in Huang Xian's ear, Mayor Huang's eyebrows also relaxed, and the banquet once again buzzed with laughter and lively voices as everyone began toasting each other.

Yet this time, everyone deliberately or inadvertently ignored Ma Lu sitting off to the side, as if he didn't exist at all.

The old ginger is hotter than the fresh, and Luo Xiangshi had no intention whatsoever of engaging in a war of words with Ma Lu that evening. Instead, he directly subdued these local snakes of Ping City with his skilled political maneuvers.

As long as these people agreed to the merger and acquisition deal, the opinion of Ma Lu, the principal, would become insignificant.

They had plenty of ways to prevent a school from continuing in Ping City.

Ping City was originally Hou De's home turf, but Luo Xiangshi's move had effectively reversed their positions.

By comparison, among everyone at the table, Ma Lu now seemed more like the outsider.

He sat there quietly, looking rather isolated and alone.

Just then, the big star Chen Meng suddenly picked up her wine glass, stood up, and said, "This glass, I'd like to dedicate to someone I deeply respect."