154: Chapter 154 The Analects Engraved in Pure Gold: A Little Hobby of the Minister of Commerce

"A special hobby?"

Zhao Ming muttered to himself,

his brow furrowed.

Suddenly,

his eyes lit up,

as if he had thought of something.

"It couldn't be..."

He looked at Bai Jingqing with a somewhat mischievous gaze,

as if he was too embarrassed to say the rest out loud.

Bai Jingqing felt somewhat bewildered. "What do you mean?"

Zhao Ming chuckled,

saying, "He couldn't possibly like *that*, could he?"

"*That*?"

Bai Jingqing was still very confused.

"Kid, speak clearly to me,

don't play riddles with me here."

Zhao Ming scratched his head,

saying sheepishly, "I mean, liking lolis."

Now,

it was Bai Jingqing's turn to be stunned.

"Lolis? What lolis?"

Zhao Ming said, "Boss,

don't you know?

I'm not sure if it's because foreign women age faster,

but,

there are many foreigners

who like those little lolis.

Even Hawking, who couldn't even stand up,

liked those little lolis.

Supposedly,

he liked having lolis stand on chairs,

leaning against high blackboards,

solving equations."

Bai Jingqing smiled helplessly,

saying, "I'm not talking about that.

According to my investigation,

the head of the Eagle Country's Ministry of Commerce,

James Smith,

shouldn't have that kind of fetish."

Zhao Ming became even more confused,

asking, "Then Boss,

what is this special hobby you're talking about?"

Bai Jingqing said, "According to my investigation,

this person is a China hand.

He really likes our Dragon Country's ancient traditional culture.

The one he admires most is Confucius,

because he knows the saying 'half of the analects can rule the world.'

He really likes 'the analects' compiled by Confucius.

So you can start from this point

to try and grease the wheels."

Zhao Ming scratched his head in confusion,

asking again, "He likes 'the analects',

but what does that have to do with me?

I only have a superficial knowledge

of 'the analects'.

I can't exactly go over there and give him a lecture on 'the analects', can I?"

"Oh,

I get it,

Boss Bai,

you mean

for me to hire a few masters who study 'the analects'

to go over and give him lessons, right?"

Bai Jingqing: "Lessons my foot!

Can't you be a bit more flexible

with that brain of yours?

Since he likes 'the analects',

then you can use that as a breakthrough point.

For example,

you can find a few master carvers

and have them carve a copy of 'the analects' in pure gold,

then give it to him."

Zhao Ming immediately understood.

Bribery!

Who wouldn't know how to do that!

However,

it was still Boss Bai who dared to think big.

A whole set of 'the analects' books carved in pure gold—

how expensive would that be!

Whether it's the cultural value

or its actual value,

even just the carving labor

wouldn't be cheap!

Of course,

if this set of pure gold carved 'the analects'

could change James Smith's mind

and stop him from pursuing the issues with honor phones,

then it would all be worth it.

Having a plan,

Zhao Ming immediately went to work.

While arranging for people to carve the pure gold 'the analects',

Zhao Ming didn't stay idle either,

inviting James Smith to dinner multiple times.

Although James Smith was somewhat resistant,

he ultimately couldn't withstand Zhao Ming's persistent nagging,

and he finally showed up.

When James Smith arrived at the address Zhao Ming had given him

and saw the restaurant where they were to have dinner tonight,

he couldn't help but gasp.

Just looking at the restaurant's decor,

one could tell the prices were definitely not low!

If he continued in his position strictly by the book,

he might never eat at a restaurant like this in his entire life.

Zhao Ming was indeed willing to spend money in this regard.

After James Smith arrived,

he didn't even ask what he liked to eat;

he basically ordered one of every dish on the menu,

the more expensive, the better.

Then,

he even clapped his hands,

and five or six models with excellent figures appeared,

surrounding James Smith

to serve him during the meal.

James Smith had never seen such a scene,

and he immediately got a little excited.

His instinct was to leave,

but those famous models

were like clingy little wildcats,

pulling at him,

making it impossible for him to get away.

All sorts of expensive dishes,

accompanied by world-class supermodels for dinner—

this was a luxury James Smith could never have imagined.

Since he couldn't leave,

James Smith simply began to enjoy it all.

Thinking of the tigress at home who was as fat as a pig,

then looking at the supermodels around him attending to his every need,

James Smith's hands started wandering,

groping these famous models.

"By the way,

Mr. Smith,

I also have a small gift for you."

Zhao Ming put down his steak knife and fork,

wiped his mouth,

and signaled for someone nearby to bring the gift up.

This gift

was the set of pure gold carved 'the analects' he had meticulously prepared for half a month.

"Mr. James Smith,

I heard you like 'the analects',

so this is a small gift prepared especially for you.

I think

this set of 'the analects'

can bear witness to the friendly development between our two countries, Dragon and Eagle.

This is also a small token of my appreciation,

and I hope you will accept it."

At this moment,

James Smith realized

that the person in front of him was clearly bribing him!

He became somewhat angry. "Mr. Zhao Ming,

you said at the time that having dinner with me

was to discuss how to handle the honor phone issue.

I came here with that purpose in mind,

but I didn't expect that after arriving,

you would make the whole dinner so extravagant!

Ordering so many expensive dishes

and calling these women over!

I endured all of that,

but now you're giving me this thing—

are you trying to bribe me?"

Zhao Ming shook his head. "What bribery?

We're all friends.

What's wrong with giving each other

a small gift?

You should open the gift and take a look first."

Without waiting for James Smith to refuse,

the person nearby opened the gift box,

and the contents were presented directly before James Smith.

When James Smith saw what was inside,

he was instantly stunned.

It was all gold!

The golden glitter almost blinded him!

And,

it wasn't just ordinary gold.

As the person nearby took the items out to show him,

he discovered that what was carved on them

was actually 'the analects' that he knew so well!

"This, this, this!

This is too heavy,

I can't accept it!

This is no small gift between ordinary friends!"

James Smith waved his hands repeatedly,

yet his eyes remained fixed on that set of pure gold carved 'the analects'.

Clearly,

he really wanted it.

He truly did like 'the analects',

and he really liked the thoughts and culture of some ancient Dragon Country masters.

He had even thought about running for president after fully understanding 'the analects';

he felt he would surely become a good president who would leave his name in history.

And now,

seeing this set of pure gold carved 'the analects',

how could he not be tempted?

This was simply a world-shaking work of art!

If he truly owned this thing,

he couldn't imagine how happy, excited, and thrilled he would be.

However,

he hadn't forgotten

that he was a civil servant of the state

and could not accept gifts from others at will—

this was bribery!