Chapter 50: A Meal at My Home, Bribing Young Master Xie, Step Two. ...

Guizhi'er didn't even know that she was being "plotted against".

The scholars only saw the master frequently traveling back and forth to Bailuzhou every day. As for the master's servants, they even strolled all the way from Yanliupu to Taohuadang.

"Mr. Muxi has his own reasons." Wang Pu concluded his speech.

No matter what, the wind and snow from the north could not reach Chu Huai.

On a drizzling day, pink apricot blossoms, adorned with glistening water droplets, bloom on the branches. Half-open, like a shy young girl, they dance tenderly with the raindrops.

Guizhier took a brocade sachet and went to the drugstore to ask the clerk to prepare some mugwort, mint, cloves and other herbs to ward off evil spirits and avoid filth.

As the waiter skillfully placed the scale to weigh the item, he asked, "Miss, is this a gift for an elder or a lover?"

"For a friend." Guizhier answered with a smile.

"Your embroidery is so detailed and lifelike. Every stitch and thread is the result of your hard work!" The clerk agreed that it was a gift for her lover and spoke wittily.

Guizhier suddenly found it funny.

She can wield swords and guns, but she really can't use an embroidery needle.

However, the clerk's praise was an affirmation of her vision, and it was worth her careful selection at the market and the half-string of copper coins she spent.

The second step in bribing Mr. Xie is to give him gifts.

Although the sachets and herbs were purchased, her heart was sincere. She couldn't possibly give her homemade braised food seasoning to a refined figure like Young Master Xie.

"In order to facilitate the transaction, it is worth giving a little favor." Guizhier nodded.

So she held up her oil-paper umbrella and climbed up Bailuzhou again.

Before I even entered the door, I heard a loud noise upstairs.

"Your young master has a guest?" Gui Zhi'er turned her wrist slightly, tilting the umbrella slightly. After closing it, water droplets rolled down the umbrella like silver beads.

"They seem to be some traveling merchants. Please go into the inner room, lady." The servant walked lightly and led the way.

As she stepped onto the unevenly wide steps, Guizhier heard fierce shouts.

"Those people in the brokerage business are only interested in profit. Their hearts are blacker than ink! They usually interfere with transactions, and this time, they really made us angry!"

"Yes, I won't stop until justice is done to me!"

"Captain, Mr. Xie, please be fair. The trading company is holding back this batch of first spring tea and refusing to ship it out, yet it's still charging us warehouse rent as usual." The leading merchant cursed angrily.

"Most of us merchants are small businesses, and we can't withstand the turbulence."

"At worst, we can just burn the goods and not leave any for them!" A middle-aged man was so angry that his eyes turned red.

Guizhier listened for a while and finally understood.

It’s not that the merchants are unwilling to adapt, but when you are under someone’s roof, you have to bow your head.

If they could have paid a little more money to settle the matter, it would have been fine. But they couldn't accept the fact that even their own servants had been tricked and thrown into the ash house.

"Isn't this bullying?" Guizhier knocked on the door and spoke up for justice.

Everyone turned their heads.

The woman who was speaking was dressed in red, like the morning glow, and wearing long boots, showing her heroic appearance. She had a straight nose, slightly thick eyebrows, and a pair of bright eyes filled with righteous indignation.

For no reason, I developed a liking for her.

"Who is this..." the leading merchant asked in confusion.

"Miss Gui, she is a straightforward person and doesn't like flattery." Xie Yuan stood up and said with a smile, "If I say something wrong, please don't be offended."

"Nice to meet you! You are so frank and sincere, lady." The merchants hurriedly bowed.

"Hello everyone." Gui Zhier seemed to be socializing with everyone cheerfully, but her eyes inadvertently glanced at the man in the VIP seat.

He was a burly man with a stern face. He wore a bamboo hat and palm leaves, a coarse shirt, and hemp shoes, which had a faint fishy smell.

Especially those hands, rough and powerful, with deep palm lines.

It seems like he is used to pulling the towline and holding the harpoon.

"This must be Chu Huai's captain. I've heard of your name for a long time!" Guizhier smiled brightly.

The boatswain nodded silently, his posture neither hurried nor slow, showing his own dignity.

"I just overheard everyone's accusations, and I'm furious," Guizhier continued. "Those corrupt officials, whenever they see the slightest bit of profit, they're salivating over it."

When everyone's eyes were focused on her, Guizhier clenched her fists.

"I have a plan, I hope you will adopt it."

"Oh, tell me about it?" Even the calm captain became interested.

"We are Jianghu people, and we have our own Jianghu solutions." Gui Zhi'er defended the injustice. "To be honest, I have tasted this first batch of spring tea in Young Master Xie's building. It is fresh, tender, and pure. It is truly top-notch."

No matter how many holes there are, flattery will never wear out.

The merchants were delighted to see that Guizhier knew the goods. After a long journey from the mountain paths of Lingnan to the river by boat, the journey was not in vain.

Now all that’s left is the finishing touch.

"Just steal the goods, burn the evidence, and then ask the broker for compensation for improper storage." Guizhi'er never stops talking until her words are shocking.

"Great... No, that's not right. This bulk cargo is so conspicuous, how can we steal it or transport it?" The leading merchant changed his mind as the words were about to come out of his mouth.

His eyes were wide open like copper bells, full of astonishment.

But you know what, although this method is unethical, it is very satisfying!

The merchants looked expectant, waiting for Guizhi'er's detailed explanation.

"Su Ji Yahang's warehouse is at Pier No. 3. They rely on their brother-in-law, the warehouse manager," Gui Zhier recounted. "But management is quite lax. I went to spy on them and saw the guards gathered in their tents at night, drinking and playing dice."

She held out her palm and blew gently.

"A bottle of Ten Fragrance Softening Powder can easily control it."

Gui Zhier turned around and looked at the captain: "The shipping company has a long-term berth of ferry boats at Pier 3. It would be enough to allocate one or two to pick up the tea."

She bent her index finger and put it together with her thumb.

"The profit from the sale will be split 30% and 70% respectively, with 3% being your shipping fee."

"40% to 60%! We'd rather lose money than make a living. If this thing can be accomplished, we'd be willing to lose money." The leading merchant answered first.

"That's right, that's right, your plan is excellent." The others also nodded repeatedly.

On a dark and windy night, it is the time to kill and set fire.

Guizhier knew that the times were tough and the boat gangs turned a blind eye to even the flesh trade. It would be great if she could get a piece of this sure-win business.

As long as the evidence is wiped out, everything will be fine.

The captain narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a row of neat white teeth, which were particularly eye-catching against his dark skin.

He raised his hand and asked, "That's a good idea, but there's a problem."

"Without the guarantee of the broker, who can buy this batch of goods in one go?"

A handful of first spring tea is worth at least one tael of silver.

"It's far away, yet it's right before our eyes." Gui Zhier replied slowly, "I said this first batch of spring tea is really top-notch."

"I'd buy it all at the market price."

Everyone was stunned, unable to understand what the connection was between the wandering female knight and tea.

Xie Yuan, who had been listening for a long time, saw that the time had come and pushed open the window with the cross-begonia pattern.

On Bailuzhou, the sky was still not clear, the spring rain was still dripping, and the sound of people selling apricot blossoms could be heard from afar.

"It's almost noon, and I have a meal ready for you all. Please stay and have a drink together." He said with a smile, "Miss Gui, could you please add another dish of tea-flavored spareribs?"