Thirteenth Master had timed it perfectly, waiting on the path that the White Lotus Sect's purchasing team was bound to take, deliberately blocking their way. The women immediately became alert, each putting their hands on their waists and staring at Thirteenth Master.

Thirteenth Master raised his hands, feigning panic and begging for mercy. The woman in the lead approached him, looked around, and asked in a low voice, "Who are you? Why are you following us?"

Thirteenth Master hurriedly explained, "You esteemed guests have misunderstood. I am a grain merchant from the neighboring county. I heard that a major client in Songjiang Prefecture purchases grain every month, so I came here out of curiosity..."

The woman reached out and touched Thirteenth Master's body, but found no weapons. Her expression gradually relaxed, and she pressed him against the wall, saying sternly, "Tell me quickly... how did you know our whereabouts?"

Thirteenth Master, sweating profusely and trembling with nervousness, stammered, feigning fear, "We merchants all have our own chambers of commerce. As demand increases in each region, it naturally attracts the attention of other merchants. Please, sir, show mercy. I only thought of trying my luck because I heard that one could meet a major client at the port..."

The woman reached out and locked Thirteenth Master's throat, saying sternly, "Then don't blame us, it's just your bad luck..." As she spoke, she increased the pressure, and Thirteenth Master dared not move, only feeling his breathing becoming more and more rapid, and he couldn't breathe.

"Stop!" Just then, a woman dressed in green stepped forward from behind and scolded, "Our master sent us out to purchase grain and fodder, and instructed us not to cause any trouble... Since he is a grain merchant, let's let him go for now..."

Thirteenth Master finally caught his breath and slumped to the ground. When he opened his eyes again, the women were already far away. Unwilling to let this opportunity slip by, he scrambled to his feet and shouted, "Esteemed guests... I have a large stockpile of grain here, and the price is fair. Would you be so kind as to make a deal?"

As expected, the woman in green stopped in her tracks, and the Thirteenth Master immediately trotted forward, smiling obsequiously, "Esteemed guests, I know that Songjiang Prefecture is experiencing a food shortage, and it is indeed difficult to meet your needs. However, I have sufficient grain on hand, and I sincerely hope to cooperate..."

The woman in green sized up the Thirteenth Master and asked, "How many do you have?"

The Thirteenth Prince laughed and said, "How much do you want? I'll have as much as you want."

The woman in green, her eyes dark, tentatively asked, "The price?"

Thirteenth Master confidently held up three fingers and said with a smile, "Three taels of silver per stone!"

The woman in green's expression changed slightly, and the Thirteenth Master immediately explained, "Actually, I was forced into this situation. Last year, I thought sales would increase significantly this year, but I got greedy and ordered too much. Now it's hard to sell them, and if they stay any longer, they'll probably get moldy... That's why I'm offering them at a third of the market price. If you're satisfied, I'll be extremely grateful..."

The woman in green was about to speak when her companion behind her quickly pulled her back, whispering in her ear, "Master, our leader said we should stockpile more grain. Since Songjiang Prefecture doesn't have any, why don't we just buy some from him..."

The woman in green pondered for a moment, then said coldly, "How much grain do you have? If the price is right, we'll buy it all..."

Thirteenth Master was secretly delighted and, without thinking, blurted out a number: "Thirty thousand dan! I have thirty thousand dan!"

The women exchanged surprised glances and, as expected, did not continue walking.