Chapter 179: Apparently I Was the One Who Came First

That evening, Han San arrived at Zhang Yunxiu's small residence.

After more than a month of recuperation, supplemented by the medicine from Zhao Zhenren, Zhang Yunxiu felt full of vigor. His daily energy had nowhere to be vented, so he ran wildly around the small courtyard.

By the time Han San arrived, Zhang Yunxiu had just finished his workout.

Zhang Fu hurriedly handed over a towel to wipe the sweat from him. Han San seized the opportunity to step forward, smiling as he began to flatter him: "Young Master is truly strict with himself. You have been in this small courtyard for over a month, yet you still insist on tempering your body every day. It truly makes this humble one feel ashamed."

Flushing and panting for a few breaths, Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand and said, "Speak, what is it?"

"Oh, it's like this," Han San chuckled. "There is a merchant from Linqing who claims to be a friend of Boss Hao. He wants to ask you, Young Master, to get some Salt Permits from the Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner."

At the mention of Hao Ren, Zhang Yunxiu's anger flared up.

Last time, it was this fellow who tempted him into making a mistake and nearly caused him to fall into a trap. He hadn't dared to speak of this to anyone, just for fear of losing face.

Now, hearing Han San bring it up, he puffed out his cheeks in anger and questioned, "Since he is his friend, let him go handle it himself. Why send you to find me?"

Han San did not know why the Young Master was angry, but he had, after all, accepted silver from Hao Ren and Song Ming.

Take someone's money, do someone's business.

After a few seconds of contemplation, Han San laughed it off: "Young Master, Boss Hao did lend you one hundred thousand taels of silver some days ago. Furthermore, Boss Hao has also provided quite a bit of support for the businesses here in West City and Songjiang Prefecture."

"Do you think I am unfeeling?" Zhang Yunxiu snatched the cloth from Zhang Fu's hand and stared at Han San, retorting.

"No, no, absolutely not," Han San waved his hands repeatedly, denying it firmly.

"How much?"

"Thirty thousand taels of silver worth of Salt Permits," Han San hurriedly replied. "This humble one thought that since these permits have to be sold to someone anyway, it might as well be a favor. Besides, Young Master, you won't suffer any losses."

Moreover, the current Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner was Zhang Yunxiu's brother-in-law, Xu Yuanchun.

That was family.

"Give it to him. I will write a letter to my brother; you just have him take it," Zhang Yunxiu decided after a few seconds of simple thought.

"Ah, good." Han San accepted with a smile and turned to leave, but stopped before reaching the courtyard gate.

"Anything else?" Zhang Yunxiu asked.

"This Song Ming also said he wants to meet with you, Young Master," Han San replied.

What was there to see a merchant for?

He had heard of this Song Ming; although he had some influence in the pugilistic world, that bit of influence was not worth mentioning in front of the government.

He had plenty of things to do now; since the matter was already settled, why waste time?

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu remain silent, Han San slapped his forehead and laughed awkwardly: "Oh, look at my memory. Young Master, this person also entrusted me with a gift. I was so focused on the business just now that I forgot."

As he spoke, he took a small sandalwood box from his bosom.

He opened it to take a look.

Inside was a pair of jade pendants, green enough to be refreshing to the heart.

One was dragon-shaped, the other phoenix-shaped.

"This is just a greeting gift. If you are willing to see him, Young Master, there will be a heavy reward," Han San added.

Zhang Yunxiu clicked his tongue in secret.

Zhang Fu, who had remained silent until now, suddenly said sourly: "Brother Han, your prospects have been rising lately. Everywhere you go, you see such figures; surely you must be rolling in silver every day."

Han San remained unhurried, smiling as he defended himself: "Brother, you are wronging me. I am busy running errands for the Young Master every day, so busy my feet don't touch the ground. This is just a friend I happened to meet by chance."

How could Zhang Fu believe him? In the past, the two of them were on equal footing, but ever since this fellow took charge of the Northern Suppressing Faction...

There were clearly many more people fawning over Han San than over him.

For one, he really had a lot to do; not only did he have to manage the mansion, but he also had to manage the businesses with Zheng Xi'er. This fellow Han San was different. He had heard that this guy just went to the office to sit for a while every day to sign in. If there was anything to do, he would dispatch his subordinates to do it while he hid away to enjoy his leisure.

When he left the office every day, it was eight times out of ten because someone had sent him silver.

He even called it: investigating cases.

Investigating a ghost of a case! It was clearly he who had brought this Han San ashore in the beginning, and now the guy was riding on his head.

Thinking of this, a sense of bitterness welled up in Zhang Fu's heart.

Without noticing Zhang Fu's grievance at all, Zhang Yunxiu draped the cloth over his shoulder, looked at Han San, and said, "Fine, fine. Since he wants to meet, then let's meet. Come here in three days."

"Yes." Han San turned and left.

Zhang Fu saw him to the gate.

By now, the sky had turned completely dark, and firelight flickered outside Zhang Yunxiu's small residence.

Bathed in moonlight and candlelight, the two walked along the secluded path outside the courtyard, which was planted with tall locust trees and slender willows.

After walking about a few dozen steps, Zhang Fu curled his lip and couldn't help but look up and sigh: "Brother Han, you've really struck it rich lately. It's just as that Li Banxian said, I am destined for a life of toil."

"Unlike you, you are truly someone who can call the shots now."

"What shots can I call? Isn't it all just doing whatever the Young Master tells us to do?" Han San shook his head with a smile, looking humble.

"And when the Young Master isn't around?" Zhang Fu retorted.

If the Young Master hadn't agreed immediately today, this guy would probably have pocketed that pair of jade pendants again.

Hearing this, Han San smiled and said nothing.

He was, after all, a Brocade Guard Commander; he couldn't possibly do everything himself. Besides, if he did everything himself, how would those below him get the chance to train and grow?

At the same time, Han San knew that Zhang Fu was feeling unbalanced.

He dared not be careless with this servant by Zhang Yunxiu's side, who was also a helper to Zheng Xi'er.

If Zheng Xi'er were to whisper in Zhang Yunxiu's ear while he was sleeping...

That would be trouble for him.

Thinking of this connection, Han San stared at Zhang Fu and patted his chest, saying: "Brother Zhang, I heard your daughter is getting married soon, right? How about this, I will cover all of your daughter's dowry."

"I will see her married off in grand style."

Sure enough, Zhang Fu's expression softened significantly: "How could I let you go to such expense, Brother Han?"

"Why go to such expense? Brother Zhang and I are friends who have shared hardships. Your daughter is my junior; what does it matter if I give a junior some dowry?" Han San waved his hands repeatedly and asked with a chuckle.

When Zhang Fu heard this, he felt incredibly comfortable inside.

What is the use of you being more arrogant than me outside? When you see me, aren't you just as well-behaved?

Thinking this way, his heart immediately felt much more balanced.

As the two walked, they stepped out of the dim, tree-lined path in the blink of an eye.

Han San hurriedly shouted "stay your steps" to Zhang Fu, then ran forward quickly. Zhang Fu stood in place, watching Han San leave until his back disappeared into the night.

Only then did he turn his body around, clasping his hands behind his back, swaying with every step.

Humming a joyful little tune, he headed back to the residence.

When he returned to the residence, Zheng Xi'er had found her way there at some point.

Zhang Fu smiled tactfully, leaving the two of them some private space.

(End of chapter)