Chapter 537 - 539: Inside Information

Chapter 537: Chapter 539: Inside Information

At that moment, Little Stone took the broken silver from his robes. He had intentionally held onto it, waiting for Brother Li to return before dividing it up.

"This is all the profit we made from this trip. Brother Li had me bring it back first."

Huang Anping and the others who had collected and delivered the goods already had a good idea of what to expect, but seeing such a small amount of broken silver still left them feeling disheartened.

Wang Li forced a smile and said to them, "As you all know, I’ve found a new job, so I won’t be involved in this business anymore.

Consider my share this time as me treating you all to a meal. Just split it among yourselves."

"We can’t do that! We agreed this is a business for all of us. No one gets left out."

"That’s right, Brother Li! Saying that is an insult to our brotherhood. We agreed to share the good times and the bad, so how could we possibly leave you out when we’re splitting the silver?"

Wang Li said, "Don’t argue with me. It’s settled. Just be prepared when you deal with Zhaoyu Village. The fact that they’re bold enough to brush you off like this means they’re certain we can’t do a thing about it. Next time, they might even try to pass off inferior goods as high-quality ones. If you don’t want to get cheated, remember to inspect everything thoroughly."

The moment this came up, Little Stone’s hot temper flared. "Those bastards have completely forgotten it was you, Brother Li, who led them to those prime sea grounds in the first place! We should have held back and never taught those sons of bitches the secrets to diving!

They’re so ungrateful. We’ll see who dares to go to their village from now on."

"Why don’t we intercept the tourists on their way here and tell them not to buy their dried goods?"

Wang Li cut in, "If you have a death wish, go right ahead.

The few times we intercepted people before, we just got lucky that they were timid. If we’d run into someone with any authority, we would’ve been in deep trouble."

"Should I ask my cousin to intervene?" Huang Anping asked hesitantly.

Wang Li glanced at him. "Favors run out the more you call them in. Besides, even though you and Chief Huang are cousins, the connection is distant. It’s not worth using up such a favor over something so minor."

Huang Anping said, "But they’re going too far..."

Wang Li said, "Today is a good day, actually. I’ll go test the waters for all of you. If the job is really viable, then you can all try to get in on it too.

As for Zhaoyu Village... what goes around, comes around. They’ll get what’s coming to them one day.

Let’s go. It’s still early. We’ll go foraging on the shore and see if we can scrape together enough for a decent meal and some drinks."

...

「Tianfu Restaurant」

Once they finished their work, a few of the waiters gathered to gossip about the day’s interesting events.

"Why do you think our Shopkeeper didn’t post a notice at the city gate?

Posting it just outside the restaurant door... who’s even going to see that?"

"Exactly. The people who eat here all have money; they wouldn’t give a job like this a second glance.

The ones who asked about it before probably just saw it by accident."

"Oh, you guys don’t know, do you? I’ve got the inside scoop. Wanna hear it?"

"Yeah, what’s the scoop? Tell us."

"It’s obvious, isn’t it? The Shopkeeper’s relatives have their eyes on these jobs. Just wait and see, they’ll be here in a few days."

"Oh? How come I haven’t heard about this?"

"You don’t need to be told. It’s the same old story..." Suddenly, he felt a light nudge from the person beside him. He looked up and saw the Shopkeeper staring at him, his face dark.

"Sh-Shopkeeper..."

Ming Nian said, "You were on such a roll. Why stop now?"

The waiter’s face went pale with fright. "I was just talking nonsense! Of course the Shopkeeper isn’t like that..."

"I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I am exactly that kind of person.

You’ve managed to conjure up relatives for an orphan like me out of thin air. When you find them, be sure to bring them to me. I’d love to meet them."

The waiter had no idea. Realizing he had just touched a raw nerve, he broke out in a cold sweat.

"Alright, that’s enough. Stop scaring him," Yu Min said, holding an account book. "Come here and check the accounts with me."

Then, he turned to the huddled waiters. "Just do your own work and don’t worry about things that aren’t your concern. A job like this isn’t easy to come by, after all."

The waiters meekly agreed, but inwardly they were groaning. ’Life is going to be hell from now on. We’ve managed to piss off both of the big shots in the restaurant.’

Ming Nian snorted. "Get this main dining room cleaned up, now. If I find a single spot of grease later, you’re all fired."

"Yes!" No one dared to object.

"Why do you even bother getting angry with them?" Yu Min said, shaking his head as he walked on. "We may not have any family, but we’re all brothers here."

"I mean, seriously. They have no idea about my good intentions, and they’re still gossiping behind my back. How am I supposed to feel good about that?"

"They’re right about one thing, though. You really won’t attract anyone acting like this."

Ming Nian retorted, "I don’t like the sound of that. Didn’t someone come to apply just today?

I have my reasons for posting it on the door. Anyone who has the guts to walk up here and read the notice isn’t timid. Plus, it means they’re literate, which will save our master a lot of trouble.

See? I struck gold today. Not only is he literate, he’s also an excellent swimmer. If we train someone like that properly, he’ll have a bright future."

Yu Min said, "You always have an answer for everything. But don’t forget, they’re just going to be boat hands. What’s the use of knowing so much?"

"Hmph, we’ll see about that. I’ve already sent a message to the estate."

Yu Min was speechless. "...Whatever makes you happy. Now come help me check this. Once these accounts are reconciled, and if there are no issues, I’m sealing them up."

Ming Nian grabbed the ledger. "See, this is the benefit of being literate. My math might not be as good as yours, but I’m much better with people."

Yu Min thought, ’...’ ’This kid... give him an inch and he’ll take a mile. He’s only been a shopkeeper for a short while and he’s already getting a big head.’

...

Ancient Wenheng and Zhou Shixiong spent half the day conferring in the government office before finally having Fan Changxi bring Prince Zuo Tengshang to the main hall.

Three more days had passed since Prince Zuo Teng had last been out of his cell. His lips were now covered in fever blisters. When he saw someone coming for him, he strode out of the cell without even a glance for the hopeful subordinates behind him.

When he arrived at the Magistrate’s main hall again, he saw it wasn’t just the few officials from before. This time, there were also solemn-faced generals clad in armor.

To this day, he still didn’t even know which one of them was the renowned General Zhou.

"Mr. Gu, aren’t you going to introduce me? Who are all these people?"

Ancient Wenheng lowered his gaze. ’It seems he’s getting anxious,’ he thought. ’Speaking first is an admission of weakness.’

Ancient Wenheng wasn’t sure if the man was being deliberately obvious or was simply too impatient to observe his surroundings.

’Isn’t it obvious who has the authority to sit beside me in this hall?’