Chapter 70 Self-directed and self-acted

Shopkeeper Wang had a greedy look on his face. He slowly took a handkerchief to wipe his hands. Facing the urging of the man beside him, he calmed down and said quietly, "I'll buy all your soap, but you have to tell me where it comes from."

The man refused and reached out to take the soap back, cursing, "Damn it! Why are you talking so much nonsense when doing business? You don't care if I stole it or robbed it, as long as it's in my hands, it's mine!"

Just as he finished speaking, a rude voice came from outside the grocery store, "Brother Zhao, it's that kid, we found him!!"

What did you find?

Shopkeeper Wang was just wondering when he saw several tall and strong young men rushing in. Most of them were of sturdy build, with dark skin and sharp eyes. They looked like people who had been traveling all year round.

The leader was a short, stocky, middle-aged man. He appeared with a fierce aura, sweeping everyone in the room. Then his gaze fell on the young man selling soap. "Ming Dashuang, you're so good at stealing things from us brothers? If I don't make you spit out what you got today, I'm not surnamed Zhao!"

After saying that, the man was about to come in waving a big stick. When the shopkeeper heard the word "stealing" and saw the aggressive looks of those people who were collecting debts, he immediately understood most of what was going on.

These people are probably the buyers of the soap in Beijing!

Shopkeeper Wang felt that he was blessed by the Buddha today, as such a lucky thing happened to him.

The young man selling soap was dragged out by several of them, begging for mercy non-stop: "Master Zhao, Master Zhao, I was wrong. I shouldn't have stolen your goods! I have an 80-year-old mother at home and a hungry son. Please... please let me go. The goods haven't been sold yet. I'll give it back to you, I'll give it back to you. Can you please spare my life?!"

"Bullshit! Your mother died a long time ago. How can you, such a poor fellow, get a wife? And you still want a son! Give us back what you took. We'll take your hand too!"

Several big men dragged him out, and one of them came back to take away the soap.

Upon seeing this, Shopkeeper Wang almost immediately stepped forward and grabbed the leader. He was somewhat afraid of the momentum of these people, but he could not tolerate this great opportunity slipping away. Without having time to think, his mind was in a mess, and he almost took action immediately.

"Master Zhao, please stay. From what this kid said, do you have soap in your hand?"

Those people turned their heads to look at him. Master Zhao narrowed his eyes, waved his hand, and someone nearby dragged the man away.

"Yes." Master Zhao looked Shopkeeper Wang up and down, then said with a smile, "But I'm not selling it."

Seeing that Mr. Zhao's expression had eased, Shopkeeper Wang was no longer so frightened. He shook himself, and put on the airs of the head shopkeeper of Zhao's Grocery Store, a smile on his face. "Mr. Zhao, you're a courier, right? May I ask where you're going to sell this batch of goods?"

Mr. Zhao seemed reluctant to say more. "My goods have already been ordered. I have to take this batch of goods back to report to my boss. I know what Manager Wang means, but don't worry. I have taken this batch of goods from the capital. You can wait a little longer. Another batch will be produced in another six months. Then you can go to the capital to pick up the goods, right?"

Half a year?

Why does soap production take so long?

And judging from Mr. Zhao's tone, he actually knows the boss behind the soap?

Shopkeeper Wang didn't dare to be careless. He quickly signaled the waiter to serve tea and then dragged Mr. Zhao inside, trying to get information. "Why are you in such a hurry? It doesn't matter who you sell it to. Why bring it all the way back? May I ask where you want it?"

"It's a long way to the north. To be honest, boss, I know what you're thinking. You really don't need to bother with me. I'm just an errand boy. I came to the capital and discovered this thing called soap. The boss has invested the wives of all the brothers who have come this way in their next lives, hoping to bring back soap to impress the master."

Shopkeeper Wang pulled Master Zhao affectionately, already having a clue in his mind. "From what you said, I'm afraid you don't know there's been a famine in the north lately. It's freezing cold, and the people in the north are probably selling their children. Who knows, there might be a large number of refugees heading south like last year. You're carrying all these valuables, aren't you afraid of being robbed on the way?"

Master Zhao patted his chest and said, "Why should I be afraid of refugees? Many of my brothers are martial artists. If they dare to come and steal my things, I will make sure they leave without a trace!"

"Alas, these refugees are a minor matter. Last year, bandits were rampant in the north, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities. Mr. Zhao and his men are strong, but they're desperate. What would we do if we ran into them?" Shopkeeper Wang brought a few cups of hot tea and warmly greeted his brothers. He smacked his lips and continued slowly, "Since Mr. Zhao is so frank, I won't hide anything from you. I want this batch of soap. I'll give you a price that satisfies you."

Just as Mr. Zhao was about to refuse, the shopkeeper, Pian Wang, continued, "Don't be so quick to refuse. Listen to me first. First, my Zhao's Grocery Store is well-known for its integrity and fair prices. You won't have to worry about us gouging you. I guarantee you'll be satisfied with the price I offer. Second, you're carrying so much goods north. As you know, the north has been in turmoil since the year before last. There are refugees and bandits everywhere, and there are even rebellions in several places. Given the timeframe, you're bound to encounter bandits and refugees, and if they rob you of your goods, wouldn't that be worth the loss? Third, you're trying to curry favor with your employer by selling the soap. Why not just sell it all for cash? Let me be frank: the people of Henan Prefecture are wealthier than those in the north. This soap might sell for five taels of silver in Henan Prefecture, but can people in the north really afford that price? Why not sell the soap for a high price and return with a large sum of money? The journey will be safe and easy. With such an achievement, who cares if your employer won't look upon you with respect?"

Mr. Zhao fell into deep thought, and seemed to be a little moved. Seeing this, Shopkeeper Wang smiled and said, "Besides, Mr. Zhao, you haven't heard my offer yet."

Master Zhao glanced at him with a squinting eye, somewhat doubtful. "As the head of the business, are you capable of making such a decision? We have a lot of goods, and I'm afraid you can't finish them all."

Shopkeeper Wang was stunned for a moment, but still asked, "How much goods do you have?"

Mr. Zhao put his hand back into his sleeve and counted with Manager Wang under the cover of his sleeve.

Shopkeeper Wang took a deep breath, and then there was a hint of madness in his eyes.

Good boy, this is going to be posted——

If all these soaps were sold, we would make a fortune!

Shopkeeper Wang quickly calculated the costs in his mind. With such a large expenditure, he really didn't dare to make a decision on his own. So Shopkeeper Wang secretly winked at the servant, who understood and quietly went out from the backyard to consult the boss for a decision.

But Shopkeeper Wang didn't show it on his face. He just kept making promises, "Oh my god, you probably don't know who owns our Zhaoji Grocery Store. I've worked at Zhaoji for over 20 years, so I can make this kind of decision. But, this price..."

"Alas..." Master Zhao waved his hand to stop him. "I'm just an errand boy. My real master is outside the city. Please talk to my young master. But we have to be quick. My master is afraid that the snow in the north will make it difficult to travel, so we have to travel day and night to get back. Look, we came into the city to get supplies, and we have to hurry back immediately!"

How could Shopkeeper Wang let go of this unexpected opportunity? Naturally, he quickly agreed, "In that case, why not set off now to avoid delaying your Excellency's trip?"

Shopkeeper Wang said this and immediately ordered a servant to follow him. He then said to another, "You stay here and guard. I'll go buy some time. Once you get the boss's approval, come find me outside the city right away. Remember to hurry!"

He had to be quick, as Zhao's Grocery Store and Fengqi Pavilion were at odds with each other. Fortunately, he was lucky enough to have met a noble person. If he didn't act decisively and swallow all the soaps in one gulp, and the people from Fengqi Pavilion heard about it, wouldn't all his efforts be in vain?

Manager Wang immediately asked someone to harness a carriage and hurried out of the city. He walked into a small alley and was stopped by another carriage that had been waiting on the roadside.

The carriage was made entirely of pear wood with intricate patterns, and a wooden nameplate in the front hung with the word "Phoenix".

Shopkeeper Wang's eyelids twitched and his heart skipped a beat. What he feared really came true.

Why did I meet someone from Fengqi Pavilion at this moment!

Could it be that everyone in Fengqi Pavilion is born in the year of the dog? Why did they come here just by smelling the scent?

No, Shopkeeper Wang's eyes flashed fiercely, there might be a traitor in his shop.

At this moment, Shopkeeper Wang could no longer care about anything else. He had originally intended to hide behind the curtains in silence, praying that the other party would leave quickly. Suddenly, the person across from him opened the curtains, revealing the Second Miss Qi, the head of Fengqi Pavilion.

It's over.

Why did it have to be her?

The Second Miss Qi was truly remarkable. The Qi family had only one son and one daughter, and the eldest son had been the head of the household. Unfortunately, the eldest son died young, caught in a downpour and falling off a cliff. The Qi family's vast wealth was about to be confiscated by the clan. The Second Miss Qi, who had married at the age of nineteen, had just returned home from divorce and quickly found a husband under the guise of a son-in-law, taking over the Qi family's vast fortune.

Shopkeeper Wang still remembers the time when the Second Miss Qi and the elders of the Qi family went to court to sue each other. They were gentle and kind, but each move was fatal. During that time, the whole Henan Prefecture was talking about the Second Miss Qi.

Miss Qi, with her hair neatly combed, smiled like a businessman whenever she met someone. Even when she was facing the head of her sworn enemy, she appeared amiable and affable. "Manager Wang, where are you going in such a hurry?"

Shopkeeper Wang wiped the sweat from his forehead. He no longer held on to the illusion that Second Miss Qi was still unaware of the appearance of the soap. Nonsense, at such a sensitive moment, the other party happened to appear halfway. It seemed like a long-planned plan.

"Oh, what a coincidence, isn't this Boss Qi?" Shopkeeper Wang put on a smile. "A few friends came over, and I happened to go pick them up."

"So Shopkeeper Wang also knows Master Xu. What a coincidence! Master Xu is also my friend. It's better to meet by chance than to invite each other. Why don't we go meet him together?"

Shopkeeper Wang broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this. He stared in amazement as he watched Boss Qi smilingly closing the curtains and leading the way ahead. He felt anxious and short of breath for a moment.

It's over, it's time for the boss to take action.

When Miss Qi steps in, how can he, a shopkeeper, withstand her?

Shopkeeper Wang quickly pulled Master Zhao aside and asked, "Master Zhao, why didn't you tell me earlier? Your son is friends with Boss Qi, right?"

Master Zhao looked completely bewildered. "I haven't heard of that. If you really have a friend, you would have come into the city to visit him, right?"

Shopkeeper Wang understood immediately.

Damn, this woman is talking nonsense again.

Why do I always fall for her tricks?

Shopkeeper Wang is now just praying that his boss can show up in time, otherwise he will be no match for Boss Qi on his own.

Two carriages, one in front and one behind, slowly drove out of the city until they reached the official road about a mile away from the city gate. The sun was setting and the sunlight was golden. Master Zhao jumped off the carriage first and saw Xu Qingying's ox cart from a distance.

He tried hard to suppress the excitement and excitement in his heart. If it weren't for Xu Qingying's calm gaze that suddenly made him feel cold, Zhao Bantou would have almost floated up while walking.

Damn, this is so exciting. I’ve never felt so excited in my life.

He thought that doing business required servility and a forced smile, but according to Xu Qingying's method, these people were like crazy, begging him, persuading him, and praising him to sell.

Even if he brags about this kind of experience, no one will believe him.

No, I have to finish the performance and not let anything slip, otherwise all my efforts will be wasted.

Xu Qingying brought the carriage she had borrowed from the Fang family and also borrowed Zhao Bantou's carriage for the occasion. She was dressed in a coarse linen shirt and hadn't dressed up much, except for her hair in a man's bun.

It is said that people only respect clothes and not people. Zhao Bantou was originally afraid that Xu Qingying would be exposed by dressing like this, but now he saw that person standing there, with a pair of eyes as cold as water, calm and experienced. The whole demeanor of this person could not be ignored no matter how you looked at it.

Zhao Bantou stepped forward, bowed, and whispered in Xu Qingying's ear, explaining the whole story.

Shopkeeper Wang had already rushed forward, smiling like a Maitreya Buddha, "I just heard Brother Zhao talking about you. I didn't expect you to be so young."

Miss Qi also stepped out of the carriage and looked Xu Qingying up and down, her gaze shone with a hidden scrutiny. This person was dressed in men's clothing, but had pierced ears, bright eyes, and white teeth, looking like a woman disguised as a man. Her fingers were calloused, her figure was straight and tall. Although she looked a little disheveled, her eyes held an undeniable pressure.

Quite interesting.

Second Miss Qi did not point out Xu Qingying's identity as a woman. She naturally knew that there were many things that women did when they went out. Wearing men's clothes, dressing a little sloppily, and deliberately looking ugly would make people more convinced.

"Mr. Xu."

Xu Qingying smiled and said, "Since you two have followed me here, it shows your sincerity in cooperating. Lao Zhao has already told me the whole story. As for me, time is short and I have to hurry on my way, so I'll just get straight to the point."

Boss Qi quickly praised him, "Mr. Xu, you are so generous. I really want your soap. So, I'll be honest with you. I want all of this soap. Please give me a price."

Shopkeeper Wang got anxious when he heard this, "Boss Qi, do you understand the first-come-first-served rule?"