Zhang San's mind was completely filled with the "30% profit" pie-in-the-sky promise Xiao Che had painted. He felt as if he had already ascended to heaven, transforming from a small border sergeant into a wealthy tycoon. His cousin, Military Advisor Qian, and General Meng Wei—all were mere bargaining chips to be sold for the sake of money!
"Inspect the goods! It should be inspected! It must be inspected!" Zhang San was so excited that his face turned red. He lowered his voice and said to Xiao Che with a fawning expression, "Thirteen... no, Brother Xiao! Wait here, I'll go and call my cousin right now!"
"No need." Xiao Che waved his hand and said in an unquestionable tone, "Just take me there. My boss said that the fewer people who know about such an important matter, the better. If your cousin finds out that I called you in the middle of the night, he might have some thoughts about it."
Zhang San thought it made sense. Such a big business—what if his cousin became suspicious and thought he was planning to start his own business? The identity of this "insider" had to be kept secret!
"Brother Xiao is right! I didn't think it through!" Zhang San slapped his thigh, his gaze towards Xiao Che becoming even more affectionate. "Come on! I'll take you there right now! I know my cousin's place well!"
He excitedly put on his clothes, looking so impatient, as if if he were a second late, the mountain of gold ingots would grow legs and run away.
The two men slipped out of the barracks one after the other, acting furtively. Zhang San led the way, his steps as light as a weasel that had just stolen a chicken. He never dreamed that he was personally leading the most ferocious prehistoric beast toward the lair of his poor cousin, who was still counting his coins in his dreams.
Qian Canjun's residence was not far from the recruit camp. It was a small, independent courtyard, which could be considered a rare "mansion" in this harsh border region.
Zhang San, familiar with the place, led Xiao Che around to the back door and knocked three times in a peculiar rhythm.
"Who is it? In the middle of the night!" came the sleepy voice of a servant from the courtyard.
"It's me! Zhang San! I have important business to discuss with you, Advisor!" Zhang San called out in a low voice.
The door creaked open, and a servant poked his head out. Seeing that it was Zhang San, he relaxed, but when he saw Xiao Che behind Zhang San, he became wary again: "Who is this?"
"My brother!" Zhang San shoved him aside and pulled Xiao Che inside. "Great news! Go wake up the military advisor!"
A moment later, Qian Canjun, still sleepy-eyed and wearing only an outer robe, yawned as he walked into the main hall.
Qian Canjun was a thin, middle-aged man with a shrewd mustache and a pair of small eyes that always gleamed with calculation. When he saw his beloved cousin standing excitedly in the hall, with an unfamiliar recruit beside him, he was instantly wide awake, his brows furrowing tightly.
"Zhang San!" His voice was shrill and sarcastic, full of dissatisfaction. "Are you crazy? What are you doing here in the middle of the night, bringing a greenhorn like a recruit?!"
Zhang San shrank back at his outburst, but the thought of the 30% profit emboldened him again. Just as he was about to explain, Xiao Che stepped forward first, gave Qian Canjun a slight bow, and wore the typical smug smile of a spoiled brat.
"Lord Qian, don't be in such a hurry."
Qian Canjun sized Xiao Che up and down, his eyes filled with suspicion. He vaguely remembered this recruit; he was the one Zhang San had ripped off earlier that day because of connections. How did he end up hanging out with Zhang San?
"Zhang San! How dare you bring new recruits here?!" Qian Canjun's anger was reignited. He felt extremely uneasy because an outsider had intruded into his secret territory.
"Cousin! Let me explain!" Zhang San was sweating profusely with anxiety.
Just then, Xiao Che spoke again. His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap that exploded in Qian Canjun's ears.
“Master Qian, my ‘big boss’ is afraid you’ll double-cross him, so he sent me here… as an ‘insider’.”
Double-crossing? Big boss? Inside man?
Qian Canjun's mind raced, his small eyes fixed on Xiao Che, trying to discern something from his face.
Xiao Che, however, looked completely at ease, even showing a hint of pride at being sent by an important figure to handle matters.
Seeing this, Zhang San quickly leaned close to Qian Canjun's ear and, at top speed, embellished the grand blueprint that Xiao Che had just used to deceive him: "a major salt and iron merchant," "north-south trade," and "30% profit."
As Zhang San recounted the story, Qian Canjun's expression shifted from anger to shock, then to ecstasy, and finally to deep suspicion. His ever-changing expressions were as captivating as a theatrical performance.
After listening, he did not immediately express his opinion, but waved for Zhang San to step aside, and his pair of sharp eyes locked onto Xiao Che once again.
“Young man…” Qian Canjun’s tone became more polite, but his suspicion deepened. “You say you are a major salt and iron merchant in Jiangnan. Why should I believe you?”
It's here!
Xiao Che sneered inwardly, but on his face he wore an expression that said, "I knew you would ask that."
"Based on my 'pledge of allegiance'."
He slowly took something out of his pocket and placed it on the table.
It was a piece of warm, smooth mutton-fat jade pendant, carved with intricate dragon patterns; it was clearly no ordinary item. In the center of the pendant was an ancient seal script character—"澈" (che).
This was naturally Emperor Xiao Che's personal jade pendant.
But these country bumpkins from the borderlands, who among them recognized the emperor's private seal? In their eyes, it was merely a priceless token representing supreme power.
Qian Canjun's eyes were instantly drawn to the jade pendant! Although he didn't know much about jade, he could tell it was genuine! The warm luster and the exquisite craftsmanship were clearly extraordinary!
His heart was already seven-tenths convinced.
But being naturally suspicious, he still wanted to make one last test.
"A jade pendant doesn't prove anything," he said, feigning composure.
"Is that so?" Xiao Che's smile turned somewhat cold. "Then my boss gave me another instruction."
He leaned forward and said, word by word, "He said that if you don't hand over the 'real ledger' that records all the details of the embezzled military pay... he will personally go to General Meng Wei tomorrow to report you for embezzling the martyrs' pension."
"boom!"
Qian Canjun's mind completely exploded!
He embezzled the martyrs' pension funds! He did this extremely secretly; only he and a few close confidants, including Zhang San, knew about it! How could an outsider know so much?!
Unless... unless he really has immense power behind him and has already thoroughly investigated him!
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Qian Canjun's forehead.
He stared at Xiao Che, his eyes filled with terror. This young man before him was no longer a recruit he could easily manipulate, but a devil who held his life in his hands!
On one side is a potentially disastrous business deal that could make him rich for ten generations; on the other side is a catastrophic disaster that could immediately cost him his head!
A threat! A blatant threat!
Bribery! A deadly temptation!
Qian Canjun's face turned pale and then red, his inner balance swaying wildly.
Zhang San watched anxiously, scratching his head in frustration. He was terrified that his cousin would make a mistake and ruin this enormous fortune. He kept giving him meaningful glances and hissing sounds like a leaky bellows.
Xiao Che didn't urge him, but leisurely picked up the cold tea on the table, gently blew on it, as if savoring some exquisite tea. He gave the other party ample time to weigh the pros and cons.
Finally, after a long and oppressive silence.
Qian Canjun seemed to have all his strength drained away. He slumped his shoulders, gritted his teeth, and squeezed out a few words:
"Okay! I'll trust you this once!"
He walked shakily to the wall, fumbled around on an inconspicuous brick for a while, and with a "click," a hidden compartment opened in the wall. From inside, he carefully took out a thick account book wrapped in oilcloth.
This is all the evidence against him, his core secret, the very thing he used to control his subordinates and blackmail his accomplices.
He slammed the ledger down on the table, pushed it toward Xiao Che, and said with a complicated expression, "Is this the 'sincerity' you wanted? I hope your boss won't disappoint me!"
Xiao Che slowly put down his teacup, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
He reached out and took the "real ledger" that was enough to kill everyone here a hundred times over.
It feels heavy in your hand, as if it carries the blood and tears of countless soldiers.
He casually flipped to a page, looking at the dirty deals recorded in tiny characters, and a murderous intent surged deep in his eyes.
In the unseen void, above his head, a pixelated figure snapped its fingers in delight, with several large, shining words appearing beside it:
【bingo! .gif】
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