However, Chen Jie wasnât much of a gossip. He looked at such matters and just moved on; didnât everyone have a past they preferred to keep to themselves?
Chen Jie settled some money, and when he was tallying up the account, the shopkeeper insisted on giving him a twenty percent discount. Chen Jie didnât know why, but since they insisted, he couldnât refuse.
He rode his horse back into the city.
As soon as he returned from South Street to his home at the Big Vegetable Market, he found a crowd of Fishing Guild youngsters gathered at his doorstep.
There were about forty to fifty people. He initially thought something had happened, so he rushed over, only to see Su Yunjin talking with Zhou Chu.
Seeing Chen Jie return, Su Yunjin immediately said joyfully, "Husband."
Chen Jie walked over and asked, "Whatâs up?"
Upon hearing this, Su Yunjin replied, "Husband, Brother Zhou said theyâve come to help us move."
Chen Jie turned and looked at Zhou Chu, who said, "Jiu Si, that place in Zheng Chuan has already been prepared for you. The maids and servants have all been bought; all thatâs left is for you to move. Everyoneâs here to help you with the move."
Hearing this, Chen Jie looked at Su Yunjin and said, "Wife, I forgot to tell you, Godfather gave us a big house, and we have to move in."
Su Yunjin said, "Husband, here..."
"Hmm, I know youâre used to living here, but there are some things I canât explain easily right now."
"Then donât explain. Iâll just tell Sister Hua and go with you."
Chen Jie said, "Alright, Iâll wait for you."
At this point, Zhou Chu asked, "Jiu Si, are you moving these cabinets?"
Chen Jie replied, "Move, my ass, Iâm moving into a new houseâwhat do I need with old furniture? Iâll just take some gold and silver trinkets."
Hearing this, Zhou Chu said, "Thatâs quite a few people you have here."
Chen Jie replied, "We canât let the brothers come for nothing. Today at noon, Yang Family Restaurant, Iâm hosting to celebrate my move to a new home, hahaha..."
Hearing this, the surrounding lads responded in agreement.
Then Chen Jie asked Zhou Chu, "Are they all our people?"
Zhou Chu replied, "Yes, theyâre all our people."
No sooner had they said this than they heard a voice from afar calling, "Brother Jiu Si~"
Chen Jie turned around and immediately saw Chen Xiaohu, laughing, "You finally decided to come back."
Xiao Hu ran over quickly, showing a vigorous and efficient demeanor.
Chen Jie looked and asked, "Reached the Willow Tendon Realm?"
Xiao Hu said, "Thanks to Brother Zhouâs Muscle Relaxing Pills, many thanks to Brother Zhou."
Zhou Chu, upon hearing this, said, "Brother, youâre speaking out of turn."
After saying this, Zhou Chu turned to Xiao Hu and said, "Spending just two days with Uncle Fu, youâve become much more capable."
Xiao Hu replied, "Hehe, learned quite a bit."
Chen Jie said, "Great timing. Now that youâre back, help your brother manage White Tiger Hall. Now that weâve established ourselves there, Zhou Chu will handle Nan Lake Salt Field, Xiao Hu, you take care of Yongchang Street and the Big Vegetable Market, and Iâll oversee everything. The three of us will make a mark together."
"Alright."
"Alright."
Xiao Hu and Zhou Chu felt a rush of enthusiasm from Chen Jieâs words, and then Chen Jie continued, "But the most important thing now is to cultivate trusted allies. Without them, that wonât do."
Zhou Chu said, "Jiu Si, we already have more than a hundred and fifty people who have joined us."
Chen Jie replied, "Most of these people are like reeds swaying in the wind; truly loyal ones are few and far between, so we must be cautious."
"Hence, we proceed with two steps. Xiao Hu, try to establish contact with the people in Xiantao Village. See if any of the brothers we left behind have shown potential; as long as they have talent, we can recruit them quickly and spend money to buy them medicinal broth for cultivation."
"Secondly, Zhou Chu, you strictly control the people who join us, trying to select and promote those truly loyal to us."
"Without steadfastly loyal subordinates, it wonât work."
Hearing this, the two of them cupped their fists in response, "Yes."
Zhou Chu, despite usually addressing him as Jiu Si, knew he worked for Chen Jie and thus understood his position as a subordinate.
He also performed his role aptly at this moment.
After organizing everything, Third Miss Hua brought Su Yunjin out, saying, "I got it, I know where the place in Zheng Chuan is. Itâs just a street away. Iâll visit when I have some time."
"Look at you, moving into a big house and living the good life, yet youâre still crying over just being a street away," Third Miss Hua said with a smile to Su Yunjin.
Even Su Yunjin didnât know why she wanted to cry.
At this point, Chen Jie went over to talk with Third Miss Hua.
Third Miss Hua looked at Chen Jie and said, "You, treat Yunjin well. This girl has had a tough life and hasnât lived the good life. You see, just moving to a new house has her crying like this."
Chen Jie then lightly grasped his wifeâs hand, saying, "Sister Hua is right. Oh, Sister Hua, itâs just a street away, come and visit when you have time."
"Alright."
Chen Jie said, "How about I set up a tofu shop next to us?"
Chen Jieâs idea was great. Third Miss Hua, a Thirteen Grand Protector Energy Transformation Masterâif they could set up a tofu shop near their house, wouldnât that be like having a built-in Energy Transformation Master bodyguard?
Third Miss Hua replied, "Forget it. You canât sell tofu pudding well in that place. Besides, Iâm used to living here."
Chen Jie said, "Then I wonât force you, Third Miss. Weâll head out first; visit us sometime."
Third Miss Hua laughed, "Alright, Iâll come and see your big house."
With that, Chen Jie led the group to the grand mansion in Zheng Chuanâs place.
Ruirui was seeing such a big house for the first time, with even a big pond in the yard. What a vast space it was.
She ran wildly through the yard.
At this moment, Chen Jie looked at the Fishing Guild lads who had followed him. According to Peng Shizhongâs regulations, such a residence was allowed to have forty guards, although the salary needed to be handled by the owner.