Teacher Wende summoned his disciples to the study. They looked at each other, all wondering what had happened.
"Gao Ji was very satisfied with his daughter's changes and gave us a reward of one hundred million yuan."
One hundred million?
In an era where being a "ten thousand yuan household" was a source of pride, what did one hundred million yuan represent?
Despite being stunned, Teacher Wende's disciples were no ordinary individuals. None of them spoke, patiently waiting for Teacher Wende to continue.
"How do you all plan to divide this hundred million yuan?"
"Boss Gao Ji is clearly no ordinary person; there must be some rules, right?" Zhu Guang said with a grin.
Teacher Wende nodded. "Gao Ji knows that we, the schemers, are all astute. So, he wants to see how we will handle this. The rule is simple: Pirate Gold Distribution. Have you all heard of it?"
No one spoke. Only Cao Shi raised his hand and asked, "Master, what is Pirate Gold Distribution?"
"Old Ninth, explain what Pirate Gold Distribution is."
Li Jiu glanced at Cao Shi with displeasure. "I've told you to study diligently on weekdays, but you never do. You don't even know what Pirate Gold Distribution is."
In economics, there's a "Pirate Gold Distribution" model: it describes five pirates who plunder 100 gold coins. They sequentially propose a distribution plan according to their draw order. First, Pirate 1 proposes a distribution scheme. Then, all five pirates vote. If the plan is approved by more than half the votes, it is implemented. Otherwise, Pirate 1 is thrown into the sea to feed the sharks. The process continues with the remaining pirates.
Regarding Pirate Gold Distribution, if we reason backward, we can understand its intricacies. Suppose only Pirate 4 and Pirate 5 remain. If Pirate 5 disagrees with Pirate 4's proposal, the votes cannot reach a majority, and therefore, all the money will be obtained by Pirate 5.
Similarly, Pirate 3 needs to win over one other pirate to secure more than half the votes. If Pirate 3 is eliminated, Pirate 4 will receive nothing. At that point, Pirate 3 can secure Pirate 4's support to pass the proposal with more than half the votes.
Pirate 2, like Pirate 1, needs to win over more people to get their proposal approved.
Finally, everyone drew lots. Wang Ren was first, Senior Brother Zhang Si was second, Zhu Guang was third, Cao Shi was fourth, and Li Jiu was fifth.
Judging by the draw order, Li Jiu had the best chance, but he was likely to face off against Cao Shi, making the situation quite interesting.
Wang Ren did not hesitate. Getting the first draw, she actually felt fortunate. Wang Ren said, "We are all Teacher Wende's disciples. If outsiders watch us make a spectacle of ourselves, this hundred million yuan will be divided equally among us."
She raised her hand, but after waiting for a long time, she saw no agreement from her senior brothers.
Wang Ren became unhappy and said loudly, "After studying for so many years, have our minds been cultivated in vain? If we are swayed by money, are we still worthy of being Teacher Wende's disciples?"
No one spoke; they remained in silence.
"Senior Brother, say something. Why are even you interested in this money?"
Senior Brother was about to explain, but Teacher Wende waved him to stop. Teacher Wende smiled and said, "Girl, since no one agrees with your proposal, you are eliminated."
"This..."
Wang Ren was angry but helpless. After all, there were rules, and no matter how angry she was, she had to abide by them.
With Wang Ren eliminated, it was Senior Brother's turn to propose a plan. In the evening, his scholarly persona emerged, making him appear calm and harmonious. Senior Brother said, "I roughly understand Mr. Gao Ji's intention. When Master was chatting with Mr. Gao Ji today, I was listening nearby. This hundred million yuan is Gao Ji's way of testing our abilities. However, Mr. Gao Ji and I are of similar age, and his help to me will not be very significant. Therefore, my proposal is that the second brother and I will not participate. This money will be divided equally between the Ninth Brother and the Tenth Brother."
This was a good plan, though slightly unfair to Zhu Guang. However, it prevented a final conflict between Cao Shi and Li Jiu. Cao Shi did not react, observing everyone's expressions. Master inadvertently revealed a disdainful smile. Wang Ren supported Senior Brother's opinion, but she was already out and had no voting rights. Zhu Guang's face remained expressionless. He looked at Senior Brother raising his hand but did not raise his hand in agreement.
Cao Shi looked at Li Jiu. As long as Li Jiu agreed, he would agree. Li Jiu frowned in thought, but he never raised his hand in agreement.
This proposal was still defeated by Senior Brother's single vote.
Senior Brother shook his head and said helplessly, "Since you all have your own ideas, then proceed according to your own thoughts."
With two of the five disciples eliminated, only Zhu Guang, Li Jiu, and Cao Shi remained. Next, Zhu Guang would present his plan.
"Simple Pirate Gold Distribution is not interesting at all. Ninth Brother, Tenth Brother, why don't we add some stakes?"
Wang Ren seemed displeased. "Second Senior Brother, what is this about? Don't let outsiders laugh at us by fighting."
"Junior Sister, didn't you hear what Senior Brother just said? This is Mr. Gao Ji looking for a helper. I've been studying for twenty years, and it's all for fame. With the extremely wealthy Mr. Gao Ji, my talent will surely be unleashed."
Wang Ren still wanted to speak, but Teacher Wende stopped her. "Girl, girl, you're already out. Don't get involved anymore. Your second senior brother is right. Studying for twenty years is all for success and fame."
"Master~" Wang Ren stomped her foot and cried out. Teacher Wende smiled. "Girl, I'm thirsty. Go to the south room and brew me a pot of jasmine tea."
"Alright."
As Wang Ren left, Cao Shi also asked, "Master, this is not your scheme, is it?"
"A gentleman's word is his bond. I have already sealed the deal, so I naturally won't start a new one. Besides, this is not a big matter, and I have no need to break my promise and play with you children."
Zhu Guang smiled and said to Li Jiu, "Sometimes, the best position doesn't necessarily lead to the best outcome. Your position at the end means that you won't even have a chance to oppose my plan."
"Senior Brother, has a mere hundred million yuan revealed your true nature?" Li Jiu retorted coldly at Zhu Guang.
"This is not about the hundred million yuan; it's about the future."
Cao Shi listened to Zhu Guang and Li Jiu bicker and secretly observed Teacher Wende. Teacher Wende smiled broadly, truly living up to the saying, "He who watches a good show never tires."
"My stake is simple. Gao Xiaojuan, that beautiful woman, has been in front of us for over a year. You all know I, Zhu Guang, am lustful. I've refrained from making a move on Gao Xiaojuan out of brotherly affection. Now that her wealthy father has given us a challenge, I think it's time to put aside this false brotherly affection."
Senior Brother Zhang Si heard Zhu Guang say this and kindly advised, "Zhu Guang, don't say that. We senior and junior siblings are as close as family."
"Enough, Zhang Si! Go play elsewhere. I've had enough of your hypocritical pretense. I want that hundred million yuan, and I want this opportunity."
Li Jiu's face showed disgust. "Zhu Guang, stop the nonsense and state your proposal. After all this boasting, you might not get our approval."
"Fine. My proposal is this: whoever wins Gao Xiaojuan gets the hundred million yuan."
"Nonsense! You want me to gamble with Gao Xiaojuan? Absolutely not."
"Oh, Junior Brother, you're now pricing your love? Today, when you learned she had a child, who was it that let go of that soft, tender hand? It was you, Li Jiu."
Hearing Zhu Guang's proposal, Cao Shi's forehead tensed. He looked at Teacher Wende, who smiled without speaking. He then looked at Senior Brother, who, although he said nothing, shook his head, indicating for Cao Shi not to agree with this plan.
Just then, Wang Ren returned with the teapot. Hearing the tail end, she became furious.
"Second Senior Brother, what do you want to do? Are you trying to tear this family apart?"
Facing Wang Ren's questioning, Zhu Guang showed no restraint and said loudly, "Enough, Wang Ren. I am your Second Senior Brother, and this family is not yours to command. Tear this family apart? This family was never whole to begin with. Master has always taught us that there is only one schemer in this world. Now is the opportunity to prove which of us senior and junior siblings is more qualified to be the schemer."
Wang Ren did not know how to respond. She glanced at Teacher Wende and complained, "Aren't you going to do anything?"
This time, Teacher Wende did not help Wang Ren. Instead, he chuckled and put his hand on the sweating Cao Shi. "Do you agree with your Second Senior Brother's proposal?"
"Master, can I add a condition?"
"Let me hear it."
"Whoever wins will be the successor of the fifty-fifth generation of schemers."
"They've gone mad, all of them?" Wang Ren mumbled and glanced at Senior Brother. Senior Brother shook his head, indicating he could not help. Wang Ren prepared to persuade Master again, but Master surprisingly agreed. "Alright, if you all agree to this proposal, I will permit this condition. Whoever wins will be the fifty-fifth generation schemer."
Li Jiu looked at Cao Shi in confusion. Cao Shi avoided Li Jiu's gaze and whispered, "I agree with Second Senior Brother's proposal. Whoever wins Gao Xiaojuan will be the fifty-fifth generation schemer and receive one hundred million in prize money."
This infuriated Li Jiu. He grabbed Cao Shi by the collar. This time, it was Second Senior Brother Zhu Guang who pulled Li Jiu's hand away. He smiled and said, "Junior Brother, the end of scheming is human nature. If one does not look out for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them. This is human nature."