Chapter 1060 - 260: Chen Jie: Oh, You Look Surprised

After hearing this, Xiao Hu said, "Yes, Jiu Si, I’ll go ahead and take a look first."

Chen Jie said, "No, we are unfamiliar with this place, let’s not split up, let’s go together. Yu Chun, follow along."

"Yes, Gang Leader."

Saying this, the three of them continued walking ahead for a while and finally saw a shop at the crossroads.

An old and run-down looking shop with a sign that read: Zheng’s Shop.

Chen Jie looked over and saw a few horses at the entrance, it must be an inn.

Chen Jie said, "Let’s go and take a look."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hu and Yu Chun both followed along, and the group quickly arrived in front of Zheng’s Shop, just in time to see a waiter come out to pour water.

Chen Jie then asked, "Waiter, may I trouble you to ask for directions?"

Saying this, Chen Jie took out a small string of ten Copper Coins from his pocket and tossed it over.

The waiter was initially indifferent, but upon seeing the string of Copper Coins thrown over, he immediately smiled and said, "Oh, so you’re guests? What would you like to ask?"

Hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Waiter, may I ask, in which direction is Chongshan City, and how far is it from here?"

The waiter replied, "Chongshan City? Are you also heading to Chongshan City to seek treasure?"

Chen Jie said, "Treasure hunting, what treasure? We’re merchants, going to Chongshan City to purchase some silverware to sell in Hubei."

"Oh, you’re in business, just follow this road, go ahead, then cross two hills. When you see a river, head east along the river for sixty li, and you’ll reach Chongshan Prefecture City."

Hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Isn’t that over a hundred li away?"

The waiter said, "About eighty or ninety li, but it’s getting dark, the hills are hard to cross, and there are poisonous insects and fierce beasts, so be careful. I suggest you wait until dawn to continue. This Chongshan Prefecture is not like Hubei, there are too many snakes and insects in the mountains, it’s very dangerous."

Chen Jie looked at the waiter and asked, "Is there anywhere to stay on this road?"

The waiter said, "Apart from our shop, if you go another fifty li ahead and cross two hills, there should be an old Tujia shop where you can lodge."

Chen Jie, upon hearing this, said, "Oh, according to you, waiter, your two shops are on either side of the hill, with no other shops in between?"

The waiter said, "Haha, you’re joking, who dares to open an inn in the middle of the hills, wouldn’t the poisonous insects and fierce beasts devour it?"

Chen Jie, hearing this, looked at the waiter and said, "Waiter, based on what you said, we won’t be moving on. Are there any rooms available?"

The waiter said, "We do have rooms, but I’m afraid the three of you won’t be able to stay in it."

"Why?"

Chen Jie was a little surprised by this and looked at the waiter. The waiter said, "There’s only a large shared room left, and you three seem to be nobles, unsuitable for the shared room."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Waiter, you’re underestimating us. We’ve traveled and done business everywhere, stayed at all sorts of inns. Just not sleeping in the wilderness is already good, leave that room for us, we’ll stay here."

The waiter said, "Well, let me warn you, our house is expensive, this large shared room costs one tael of silver per night."

"What!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hu immediately screamed, "One tael of silver, why don’t you just rob us!"

After all, even the big inns in Huangzhou Prefecture cost only two or three hundred cents a night, and here in the wilderness, staying in a large shared room costs this much, it’s simply outrageous.

With that in mind, an argument was about to ensue, but the waiter said, "Honored guests, stay if you wish, but if not, that’s how it is here in the wild mountains."

"Hey!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hu rolled up his sleeves, ready to teach the waiter a lesson.

Chen Jie, seeing this, waved his hand and tossed two taels of silver to the waiter, saying, "Today’s room fee, use the rest to get us some food, we’re hungry."

Upon hearing this, the waiter said, "Alright, shopkeeper, we’ve got three honored guests."

"Please, come inside."

Chen Jie and the other two entered, leaving their horses at the door, while other staff came out to tie them up.

They then entered the building, led by the waiter to a room. The waiter said, "Honored guests, tidy up, and have your meal in the lounge later."

Inside the small room, Chen Jie and Xiao Hu saw a kang, rare to see in Hubei, but here it was with a layer of ragged quilt on top, and straw underneath. The whole room appeared exceedingly simple.

Xiao Hu said, "Jiu Si, this is a damned black inn, one tael of silver for this shabby room."

Chen Jie said, "In the wilderness, this price isn’t too high."

Yu Chun, hearing this, said, "Gang Leader, Master Hu, tonight you sleep on the kang, I’ll manage on the chair for the night."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jie looked at Yu Chun and said, "You, being courteous outside, today we’ll all sleep on the kang."

Yu Chun said, "Gang Leader, I..."

Chen Jie understood that he felt unworthy of sleeping on the kang with leadership due to his status.

Chen Jie said, "We don’t need to say much."

Then, Chen Jie looked at the two and said, "When we go out for dinner, don’t rush. I’ll first see whether there’s poison in the food before we eat."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hu said, "Jiu Si, are you saying they might double-cross us?"

Yu Chun, listening on the side, said, "Master Hu, isn’t that called murder for gain!"

Xiao Hu was momentarily confused, then followed up, "Isn’t that what double-cross means?"

Chen Jie said, "You should spend some time studying."

After speaking, Chen Jie said to Xiao Hu, "Alright, let’s go eat."

Very soon, the three of them went out, and there were already other guests in the inn.