With the plan in place, the rest followed naturally.
Early the next morning, General Meng Wei, in front of all his soldiers, showed unprecedented enthusiasm and respect to his newly arrived "cousin".
He would first offer words of comfort, asking his "cousin" if he had slept well the night before; then he would beat his chest and stomp his feet, complaining that his Zhenbeiguan was a poor and desolate place with nothing of value to offer his elders.
His "filial nephew" act made the eyes of the lieutenants twitch.
And our military advisor, Qian, naturally saw all of this.
After finishing his morning exercise, Meng Wei "happened" to run into Qian Canjun, who was also "happened" to be heading home, on his way back.
"Oh, General Qian, good morning!" Meng Wei greeted him warmly, a departure from his usual aloofness.
Qian Canjun was flattered and quickly bowed, saying, "Good morning, General! I wonder if your cousins are finding their stay comfortable?"
“I’m used to it, I’m used to it!” Meng Wei waved his hand, but a hint of distress and regret appeared on his face at just the right moment. “It’s just that my cousin is used to enjoying a life of luxury in Jiangnan. It’s really unfair for him to come here.”
He lowered his voice and, in a tone that was both boastful and helpless, "unintentionally" revealed to Qian Canjun:
“Commander Qian, you have no idea. My cousin is no ordinary man! He… is in the salt and iron business in Jiangnan! He has connections everywhere! He’s incredibly wealthy!”
"He came to visit me this time, firstly to see relatives, and secondly..." Meng Wei sighed, "mainly to see if there were any ways to make money in this northern region. Unfortunately, he's unfamiliar with the area and is quite worried about it!"
After saying that, he patted Qian Canjun on the shoulder, as if to say, "I was just saying that casually," and walked away humming a little tune with his hands behind his back.
Qian Canjun was left standing there, stunned. In an instant, a wolf-like greedy light flashed in his small eyes!
Salt and iron business!
An immensely wealthy man from Jiangnan!
He has connections to everyone!
I was just worried that I had no business opportunities in the north!
These keywords, like heavy hammer blows, struck Qian Canjun's heart hard!
He could feel his heart pounding wildly!
This isn't some poor relative; this is clearly a walking, talking gold mine!
Looking back now, how wise I was to test him at yesterday's banquet!
Qian Ming is determined to cling to this powerful figure!
...
Sure enough, that afternoon, a beautifully crafted, gold-embossed invitation was respectfully delivered by Qian Canjun's confidant to Meng Wei's "cousin and aunt".
Tonight, Qian Canjun will host a grand banquet at the most luxurious restaurant in Zhenbeiguan, "Zuixianlou," to entertain "Master Xiao" and "Lady Lin" and to "welcome them home."
His intentions are as clear as day.
That night, at Zuixianlou.
This is the only place in Zhenbeiguan where one can still find traces of the refined elegance of Jiangnan. The carved beams and painted rafters, the melodious sounds of traditional music, stand in stark contrast to the rugged, iron-willed style outside.
Those who can afford to spend money here are either rich or powerful.
Tonight, the entire third floor of Zuixianlou was booked by Qian Canjun.
When Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan entered the most luxurious private room, personally greeted by Qian Canjun with bows and scrapes, even Xiao Che, who was used to the extravagance of the palace, couldn't help but secretly gasp in amazement.
Qian Ming is really rich.
Inside the private room, delicacies from land and sea were laid out, and several scantily clad and beautiful dancers were gracefully performing, while a band of musicians played seductive music nearby.
This spectacle was even more extravagant than his daily meals as emperor.
"Master Xiao, Madam Lin, please take a seat!" Qian Canjun was all smiles as he personally served them food and poured them wine, his attentive manner resembling that of a waiter.
"This is just a small amount of wine, nothing more. I hope you two won't find it offensive!"
Xiao Che simply smiled faintly and sat down in the main seat without making a sound.
The more nonchalant he appeared, the more Qian Canjun felt that this "Master Xiao" was unfathomable and had a powerful background.
After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Qian Canjun finally couldn't hold back any longer and got down to business.
He dismissed all the dancers and musicians, and the entire private room instantly fell silent.
He personally poured Xiao Che a glass of fine wine from the Western Regions, and with a tentative smile on his face, he spoke.
"Master Xiao, I heard General Meng say during the day that you... are doing 'big business' in Jiangnan?"
They've arrived.
Xiao Che sneered inwardly, but on his face, he put on a perfectly timed expression that carried a hint of loneliness and melancholy.
He picked up his wine glass, swirled it gently, and let out a long sigh.
"well……"
This sigh, brimming with countless emotions, perfectly portrays the image of a "great businessman" whose business has suffered setbacks and whose hero has fallen from grace.
"What big business is it?" Xiao Che waved his hand, speaking in a tone that was feigned modesty but was actually Versailles-like, "It's just a small business. It's just... helping the court transport some salt and iron, earning a little hard-earned money. It's nothing, nothing at all."
"hiss--"
Upon hearing this, Qian Canjun gasped in shock!
Transport salt and iron for the imperial court!
Not even worth mentioning?!
What terrifying power this is!
The greed in his heart, like a wildfire doused with oil, instantly raged!
The way he looked at Xiao Che was no longer looking at his "thighs," but at his "living god of wealth"!
"My lord! You...you are too modest!" Qian Canjun was so excited that his face turned red. "Everyone knows that the salt and iron business is the most profitable business in the world! If you can do this, you must be a very influential person with connections everywhere!"
Xiao Che just smiled bitterly, shook his head, and sighed again.
"A hero doesn't dwell on past glories. Business in Jiangnan, no matter how good, is all in the past. Now, in the North... alas, I'm unfamiliar with the place, have no connections, and have nowhere to use my talents!"
His words were practically a blatant message to Qian Canjun: Come quick! I have money and connections, all I need is a local partner!
How could Qian Canjun not understand the implied meaning?
He felt his chance had come!
He slapped his thigh, leaned forward, lowered his voice, and wore a mysterious yet excited smile.
"My lord! You jest! What do you mean by 'a hero has no place to use his skills'? You've come to the right place!"
"Oh?" Xiao Che raised an eyebrow, a perfectly measured expression of interest appearing on his face.
Seeing this, Qian Canjun knew the fish had started to bite. He cleared his throat and said in an even more mysterious tone:
"To be honest, I... also manage a batch of 'goods' in this army."
He deliberately emphasized the word "goods," and a greedy glint gleamed in his eyes.
"However, this batch of 'goods' is a bit special. I'm just a nobody, and I've been struggling to find a way to sell them."
"I wonder... if you, sir, would be interested?"
Looking at his impatient appearance, Xiao Che sneered inwardly.
But his face showed an expression of extreme surprise.
He abruptly put down his wine glass, leaned back slightly, and looked at Qian Canjun with an incredulous gaze.
"Goods from the military?"
His voice, though not loud, reached Qian Canjun's ears clearly.
"That...that's a job that could cost you your head!"
These words did not deter Qian Canjun; on the contrary, they excited him even more!
He knew that the greater the risk, the greater the profit! And the reaction of this "Master Xiao" in front of him proved that he understood!
Qian Canjun moved even closer, almost touching Xiao Che's ear.
His voice was extremely low, like the whisper of the devil, full of deadly allure.
"Fortune and wealth are often found in perilous situations!"
“My lord, you are a man destined for great things, you surely understand this principle.”
"As long as... as long as you, 'Master Xiao,' have the connections to get this batch of 'goods' out of Zhenbei Pass without anyone noticing..."
He held up three fingers and gestured.
"Profits, we..."
"70/30 split!"
"You get seven, I get three!"
After saying that, he looked at Xiao Che expectantly, waiting for the reply from this "living god of wealth".
The private room was completely silent.
Xiao Che's face still showed that shocked expression mixed with some hesitation.
However, a brand new emoji has quietly appeared above his head—
It was a pixelated, plump fish, foolishly biting a glittering fishhook.
Next to the fishhook, there was a line of cheerful, jumping text:
[They've taken the bait.gif]
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