Chapter 40 Flattery

What manner of man was Cai Minde? A grand tycoon, a prominent and influential figure within this little realm of Bianliang, yet he had been utterly and barefacedly ignored by his own servant and a shabbily dressed young man.

What an absolute humiliation!

Since he had not yet met Li Qi, that could still be forgiven, but as for that Old Third Cai—had Li Qi not been present, the tycoon probably would have given him a slap across the face long ago.

Realizing his blunder, Old Third Cai felt a bitter pang of distress in his heart. Hastily trying to make amends for his mistake, he beckoned to Li Qi and squeezed out a smile, saying, "Master Li, come, come, come. Allow me to introduce you to a person of great distinction."

"A person of great distinction?" Li Qi asked, looking thoroughly "surprised."

"This distinguished gentleman is none other than my master, the renowned tycoon of Eastern Capital, widely known as Patron Cai."

Old Third Cai gestured toward Cai Minde, introducing him with a proud expression on his face.

"Patron Cai?"

Li Qi instantly drew in a sharp breath of cold air. Ignoring Old Third Cai entirely, he walked straight up to Cai Minde, gazed at the tycoon with an expression of disbelief, and asked in astonishment, "Could this be the esteemed wealthy patron who once served as head chef in Grand Tutor Cai’s manor, and later abandoned the culinary arts for commerce?"

Hearing Li Qi bring up that past chapter of his life, Cai Minde frowned slightly, then nodded with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, saying, "You flatter me. I am indeed he!"

"Oh, my goodness!"

Li Qi suddenly let out a startled cry, almost frightening the trembling Old Third Cai nearly out of his wits. Before master and servant could even react, Li Qi abruptly bowed deeply to Cai Minde.

Cai Minde never expected Li Qi to suddenly bestow such a grand courtesy. Startled for a moment, he hurriedly helped Li Qi up and said, "Master Li, please rise, please rise! What virtue or ability does this Cai possess that could possibly warrant such a grand courtesy from you?"

After rising, Li Qi said with utmost "excitement," "Patron, you are too modest! Your esteemed name has long resounded in my ears like thunder; to finally behold you today fulfills a lifelong wish!"

Scarcely a few words had been spoken, and already the flattery was flowing.

Yet who does not love to hear pleasant words?

Cai Minde waved his hand and chuckled heartily, "Master Li jests. This Cai is merely a merchant stinking of copper coins, not worth mentioning at all, not worth mentioning!"

"Patron is too modest!" Li Qi shook his feet, cupped his hands toward Cai Minde, and said, "Your heroic exploits from the past are already known to every household. In this younger brother's view, calling you the Zhuge Liang of the business world is hardly an overstatement."

Among the surrounding patrons sat quite a few literary scholars. Hearing Li Qi compare this man-eating, bone-chewing Cai Minde to the Sleeping Dragon, they instantly bristled with rage, their mustaches quivering. Had they not been wary of Cai Minde's power, they probably would have swarmed forward and given Li Qi a collective beating.

Still, a few "radical youths" muttered a few words of derision.

"Shameless villain!"

"Hmph, yet another sycophantic flatterer!"

"How can one possibly eat a meal under the same roof as such a shameless person? Brother Longting, I suggest we find another place."

Li Qi did not care about these sneers in the slightest; in fact, he found them rather amusing. You pedantic scholars, who do nothing all day but flatter ancient sages, have the audacity to mock me? Truly, the pot calling the kettle black.

When Cai Minde heard Li Qi praise him as the Zhuge Liang of the business world, a flicker of joy initially bloomed in his heart. But upon hearing the sneers from the surrounding people, his expression suddenly turned somewhat awkward. With a red face and a sheepish laugh, he said, "This Cai is truly an insignificant merchant; how could I possibly compare to the Sage Zhuge? I hope the young master will say no more, lest others overhear and ridicule me."

You tell me not to speak, yet I am all the more inclined to speak. Even in gambling, there is a rule of losing only half, but when it comes to flattery, how could there ever be such a thing as giving only half?

Li Qi cast a disdainful glance at those people, then bowed once more to Patron Cai, saying, "The Patron is a man of great wisdom; you must never mind the foolish words of those pedantic fellows who do nothing all day but wag their heads. How could men who live off their ancestors' legacy ever comprehend the hardships of Patron Cai? Forgive me for daring to ask a question."

"Master Li, please speak," Patron Cai gestured, signaling him to continue.

Even the most foolish person would never stop another from flattering them.

"I have heard that the Patron was born into a peasant family. Might I ask if this is true?" Li Qi asked.

He had long since thoroughly investigated Cai Minde's background—the so-called knowing oneself and knowing the enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles.

Patron Cai was slightly taken aback. Though he did not know why Li Qi would ask this, he could see that Li Qi was not deliberately ridiculing him. He nodded and sighed, "To not keep it from Master Li, my ancestors for generations lived by farming. It was not until my generation that—" At this point, he sighed again, shook his head, and said, "It makes Master Li laugh at me."

"Admirable, truly admirable!"

Li Qi exclaimed with a sigh, gazing at Cai Minde with an expression of open adoration as he passionately declared, "As the saying goes, a hero should not be asked his origins. Back in the day, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was also born of a peasant family, yet he still went on to found the Han Dynasty, which lasted over four hundred years.

"Though the Patron's origins were humble, you have forged such a massive family enterprise through your own sweat and hard efforts. For this alone, looking across the entire commerce of the Great Song, there is not a single person who can match you. You are truly a model for our generation, and to compare you even to Zhuge is no exaggeration at all.

"Furthermore, what is wrong with being a merchant? Could it be that every single coin a merchant earns requires no sweat? In this younger brother's view, those who are lazy and gluttonous all day, making no progress and not even knowing where their rice comes from, are the ones truly deserving of contempt."

Following these words, the so-called literary scholars present were instantly rendered speechless. Each of them turned red in the face, yet they could think of no way to refute him. Besides, Li Qi had not named anyone specifically for being lazy and gluttonous—if anyone were to step forward now, wouldn't they simply be admitting the shoe fit?

Hearing this, Cai Minde's heart blossomed with joy. Radiant with pride, he felt as though he were floating on air. He had always regarded his origins as an indelible stain upon his life, yet today's words from Li Qi actually made him feel proud of his roots.

Seeing his big boss looking so delighted, Old Third Cai—who had always made a living by his tongue—finally realized there were heavens beyond the heavens and men beyond men. This flattery was so masterfully executed it could practically be used as a textbook.

He was ashamed! Truly ashamed!

However, Li Qi was not actually a sycophant by nature. It was simply that back when he used to follow his father-in-law—who regularly made the Forbes list—he had listened to countless elaborate and flowery flatteries, and over time, he had grasped the true essence of the art.

Besides, what Li Qi had just said was not entirely falsehood. Regardless of how wicked Cai Minde might be, the fact that he had achieved such success today was proof enough of his extraordinary abilities.

Precisely for this reason, Li Qi needed to make him lower his guard. By doing so, his chances of winning would increase by several layers anyway.

In any case, flattery cost nothing. Why not engage in such a sure-win business?

"Splendid! Well said!"

Observing the expressions on the faces of the scholars and literati, Cai Minde felt exceptionally gratified. He cupped his hands toward Li Qi and said, "Hearing a single remark from the young master has enlightened this Cai entirely. Your insight fills me with profound admiration!"

"The Patron flatters me!"

Li Qi smiled faintly and said, "This younger brother simply could not stomach those who disparage the Patron. Come, come, please, take a seat."