Chapter 77: Let the Shopkeeper Take Kickbacks

"My two guests, I am so sorry. The last few red carps were bought by the guest just now." The shopkeeper was not sure what the two people in front of him were going to do when he saw that they looked unfamiliar.

Xu Zhao guessed that the red carp might be difficult to buy, and he was not surprised that the shopkeeper said so.

"That's such a pity. I looked at the carp, its body was bright red, and in the sun, its scales looked like they were coated with a layer of gold. If it was kept in a fish pond, it would definitely look beautiful."

The shopkeeper had a sharp eye. He looked at the two people in front of him. Although they were dressed simply, it was easy to tell from their temperament that they were either rich or noble.

"Boss, you really don't have any left? You see my wife likes them so much, I am willing to pay ten times the price to buy a few of your red carps," Chen Yu pretended to be affectionate, "This business is a sure win for you."

A few red carps, ten times the price. The shopkeeper has been in business for some years, and it is hard not to be tempted when hearing this number.

Can……

The shopkeeper looked apologetic and said, "My dear guests, I really don't want to do business with you. We don't have any red carp at the moment."

"In that case, my husband, please don't make things difficult for the shopkeeper. When doing business, harmony brings wealth. I think the shopkeeper will not cheat us."

Xu Zhao took Chen Yu's arm and said, "Boss, where did you catch this red carp? I have never seen such a novel fish in this city."

Shen Yu didn't expect Xu Zhao to do such a bold move, and his body froze, not daring to move.

Xu Zhao looked innocent, and there was no sign of any other meaning in his expression. The shopkeeper thought that the two men did not make things difficult for him, and that they were probably wealthy businessmen passing by in disguise.

There were frequent wars on the border, and wealthy businessmen from various countries would be a little careful when they came here, and it was common for them to disguise themselves.

But he still had doubts.

"Ma'am, you may not know that the red carp in our store only come from the river that separates Yue Country and Zhongjin Country. They are caught fresh from the river in the morning and delivered to our store in the afternoon. They are kept in water throughout the journey. If a carp dies on the way, we will immediately put it in ice to keep it fresh."

Hearing the two of them saying that they were husband and wife, the shopkeeper naturally called Xu Zhao "Madam".

"It sounds strange." Xu Zhao was very used to the identity that Shen Yu gave her.

There was a map of the borders of Mobei, Yue and Zhongjin in Chen Yu's tent. Xu Zhao often went in and out of his tent, so he must have seen it.

There is a big mountain at the border between Mobei State and Zhongjin State. It is a no-man's land and difficult to cross, so it is often heard that many refugees from the two countries fled to the mountains to survive.

The border between Mobei and Yue is a plain with an unobstructed view, which makes it easy for Mobei to harass Yue's border.

The entire Yue Kingdom and Zhongjin Kingdom were separated by a surging river. If you want to go to Zhongjin Kingdom, you must take a large ship.

And this red carp comes from this river.

"I'm telling you this, you will also have red carp tomorrow?" Chen Yu asked. He didn't expect that the red carp was not something found in this city and required some methods to transport it.

The shopkeeper stroked his mustache and said, "I'm afraid there won't be any fish tomorrow?"

"What is the reason for this?"

Xu Zhao released Chen Yu's arm, looked up and saw a budgie with sky blue feathers, which looked very cute, so he wanted to tease it, also to make the shopkeeper relax his vigilance.

But she does like these cute little things.

The shopkeeper saw Xu Zhao set his sights on the parrot again, so he picked up a long pole and took down the birdcage hanging above his head.

There was a thin iron chain tied to the parrot's feet. The shopkeeper opened the birdcage and took the parrot out. Its claws tightly grasped the shopkeeper's fingertips, and he teased it in front of Xu Zhao.

"We have to make reservations for our red carp. As you can see, not everyone who passes by my store will come in to buy something. Some people don't even come in to take a look."

"We need ice to transport the red carp here. Madam should know that ice is not easy to store and is consumed a lot on the road, so the price is high. Only if you order in advance can we prepare the red carp on the same day."

The shopkeeper thought that if the couple were really wealthy businessmen, they would miss a chance to make a lot of money if they left. As long as he didn't reveal the information of the previous buyer, he could probably let the couple know a little more.

In other words, Xu Zhao and his companion were lucky today, as they happened to catch the trading day of red carp. Otherwise, Xu Zhao might not have remembered such a thing so easily.

After all, history books will record when and where the war failed and the reasons for its failure, but they will not record in detail where and when the red carp was bought.

Xu Zhao picked up a willow branch and teased the parrot standing on the shopkeeper's fingertips.

"If Madam likes it, you might as well take this parrot away. It can also entertain you on weekdays."

The shopkeeper saw that Xu Zhao's eyes were fixed on the parrot, and thought that he must like it very much, so he would promote it well. It would be best if he could forget about the red carp.

"This parrot is really cute. Does Madam like it?" Chen Yu had naturally seen Xu Zhao teasing the parrot. As long as she said she liked it, he would buy it on the spot.

Hearing this, Xu Zhao shook his head and pouted, seeming a little unhappy. "Although this parrot is pretty, it doesn't make me as happy as the red carp. It looks cute and has good meanings."

The red carp was brought up again.

"But all the red carp for today have been sold out. Otherwise, I will send my men to catch them in the river." Chen Yu saw Xu Zhao was unhappy and looked anxious. "Madam, please don't be unhappy. As long as you want it, I will get it for you."

Chen Yu looked like he had money and could do whatever he wanted.

Xu Zhao was teasing the parrot in a depressed mood, and the shopkeeper saw clearly how he was trying hard to arouse its interest.

"Boss, I just heard you say that it is difficult to transport the red carp, is that true?" Shen Yu inquired about the news step by step.

The shopkeeper nodded, "Indeed."

Chen Yu: "If that's the case, then when will you send them next time? If my husband and I haven't left by then, we will buy a few from your store."

"This..." The shopkeeper hesitated. If it was an ordinary item, he would have told the two guests. However, the people who came to buy the red carp were from Mobei. It would be a big deal if they were discovered.

What's more, he always suspected that these two people had other purposes.

"Since the transportation is complicated, it is natural to send it together with the next customer who has made a reservation. This is the most cost-effective." Xu Zhao agreed, "Boss, as long as you can sell me a few red carps, I will give you an extra ounce of hard-earned money for each one. This money will not be included in the account."

Xu Zhao had made it very clear what he said; he wanted the shopkeeper to take kickbacks.