After the meal, Jing Zhe was pulled out by Liu Jinghong again.
This time, Liu Jinghong didn't ask Jing Zhe to buy melons, candied hawthorns, or other snacks like she did yesterday. Instead, she took Jing Zhe to a place in the city that sells women's jewelry.
Because the western frontier is rich in gemstones and jade, there are many shops selling bracelets or necklaces in Liangzhou City.
These items would be quite valuable in any city in Anguo, but they are not very expensive in Liangzhou. Therefore, many Anguo people passing through Liangzhou choose to buy some ornaments here to take back with them.
It can be considered a specialty of Liangzhou.
The jewelry store is usually not very busy, and with the temple fair and free beef being offered in the city these past few days, the store is even more deserted, and the owner is slumped over the table, half asleep.
The surrounding tables were filled with open wooden boxes, each containing a variety of ornaments, a dazzling array that was hard to look away from.
Upon seeing someone enter the shop, the shopkeeper immediately perked up.
"Amazing...General Jinghong!"
When he saw who it was, he stammered.
"Bring out your best bracelets and necklaces."
Liu Jinghong nodded and said.
"Alright, General Jinghong, please wait a moment!"
So the shopkeeper went into the inner room and came out a short while later carrying a box.
Jing Zhe clicked his tongue in amazement; it seemed this was the real trump card.
"General Jinghong, these are some good goods I collected before. I usually don't want to take them out. Since General Jinghong wants them, just pick one and take it!"
As he said this, the shopkeeper kept glancing at Jing Zhe. Liu Jinghong, dressed in casual clothes, brought such a handsome young man to buy jewelry, and the shopkeeper felt that something was amiss.
Promising a piece of jewelry at this time is perfectly reasonable!
"No need, I'll buy it."
Liu Jinghong said calmly.
"General Jinghong, your words are a slap in my face!"
The shopkeeper waved his hands repeatedly: "If word gets out that I accepted money from General Jinghong and it gets out that my colleagues or the people in the city have heard about it, I won't be able to stay in Liangzhou City!"
"Yeah?"
Liu Jinghong said calmly, "What if I said I wanted three bracelets and three necklaces?"
"this…"
The shopkeeper's face turned pale.
You should know that the jewelry he sells is made from raw materials sourced from Xinjiang, and then crafted by specially hired artisans. Even though they can buy these jade and gemstones from Xinjiang at a lower price, the overall cost is still not low.
Especially the box he just brought out, which contained jewelry that could be considered his prized possessions, priceless.
However, Liu Jinghong had a huge influence in Liangzhou, and the shopkeeper admired her very much. Therefore, he planned to give her one no matter what, so that she would have something to brag about to her colleagues in the future.
But... six items...
This was an unbearable burden for the shopkeeper. He could grit his teeth and bear two items, but six... he was truly powerless to do anything about it.
Seeing that the shopkeeper was quite old and sweating despite the cold weather, Liu Jinghong said, "Shopkeeper, I bought these things as gifts. The price doesn't matter; it's the thought that counts. If you don't accept a penny, there's no point in me giving them away."
Seeing that the shopkeeper's expression had softened a bit, he continued, "So you can give me the cost price, but you can't give me it for free. And although I'm the one buying it, it's my brother who's paying the bill. Hmm, he's very rich."
"..."
The shopkeeper looked at Liu Jinghong with gratitude, and at the same time realized the relationship between Jing Zhe and her, feeling ashamed of his wild guess.
"In that case... then General Jinghong, please make your selection. I will definitely buy it at cost price!"
Following the steps Liu Jinghong offered, the shopkeeper finally came down.
With Jing Zhe's current financial resources, backed by Wenxiangju and Zhangjia Winery, two shops that are more like money shops than actual money shops, he wouldn't even blink an eye if he bought the entire shop, let alone the six pieces of jewelry for Liu Jinghong.
Especially after Wenxiangju and Zhangjia Winery open branches throughout Anguo, he will be richer than a country. At that time, money will really just be a string of numbers to him.
His only question now was that Liu Jinghong said she bought these items as gifts, and he guessed that they were definitely for his woman. But how were these six items calculated?
Because there were outsiders present, he couldn't ask too many questions and could only wait patiently until they left to talk.
"Shopkeeper, please feel free to set the price. I have everything I need—especially money!"
"..."
The shopkeeper thought that Jing Zhe was young and impetuous and would say something like "I lack everything except money." Little did he know that Jing Zhe was a level above him and was putting on a very sophisticated act!
"Young master is too kind. With General Jinghong here, how could I dare to ask for a single extra penny from you?"
The shopkeeper chuckled, and Liu Jinghong, unlike traditional women who dawdle when choosing things, quickly picked out three jade bracelets and three necklaces. When the shopkeeper announced the price, Jing Zhe paid without hesitation and came out.
...
After leaving the jewelry shop, Liu Jinghong continued on her way and bought many more things, such as cotton clothes and quilts made from cotton from Xinjiang, which she said she would bring to Aunt Wu.
He bought an inkstone made of black jade and a writing brush made of fine yak hair, saying he wanted to give them to Zhu Xinning, since she was known as the most talented woman in Jingzhou, and these things would be useful to her.
Then we went to the place where the Iron Cavalry processed the yaks. Apart from the beef that was taken to the temple fair to be cooked, the rest were placed here to be dried beef jerky. Some of it had already been smoked, and the water in the meat had been basically removed. It would be no problem to store it for ten days or half a month.
Liu Jinghong picked out two of the best hind legs and had them delivered to the general's mansion, saying that the New Year was coming soon and Liangzhou didn't have any special products, so this smoked yak meat would serve as a local specialty.
As Jing Zhe finished buying these items, his curiosity grew stronger. Judging from Liu Jinghong's attitude, she really didn't hold a grudge against Zhu Xinning anymore, and even brought her a fine inkstone and a calligraphy brush.
So... who are these six pieces of jewelry for?
With everything prepared, the two were ready to return.
On the way, Jing Zhe finally had a chance to ask, and Liu Jinghong generously said, "Zhe'er, these bracelets and necklaces are for Princess Mo Chen, Yu Xiangrong, and Zhang Xiaoyu. Logically speaking, as their eldest sister, I shouldn't buy these for them, but since I am the eldest sister, I can't be stingy. Consider it a gift for them when we first meet!"
"..."
Liu Jinghong acted like a domineering wife, leaving Jing Zhe dumbfounded.
Then, she handed the things to Jing Zhe and told him to take good care of them. Jing Zhe smiled and said, "Since it is Fifth Sister's kind intention, it is only right that Fifth Sister gives them to them. What would it be if I took them?"
"Take it if I tell you to. You can give it to me back when we get back to Jingzhou!"
Liu Jinghong looked into the distance and said softly.
"Okay, then I'll keep it safe for Fifth Sister for now!"
"..."
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