Chapter 37: Selling Goods

After resting for a day at the inn, Li Banfeng and Xiao Pang hired a carriage and set off.

Li Banfeng had assumed Qin Xiaopang would take him to a very special place.

But in reality, the place Qin Xiaopang took him to was Ligou.

Standing on the street corner, Qin Xiaopang gave a word of advice: "Brother, that man is too cunning. Don't listen to his sob stories, and don't listen to him talk about his difficulties. You must have a price in your heart; if it's lower than that price, you absolutely cannot sell!"

Li Banfeng had a target price in mind.

His expectation was five thousand dollars per pill; he could not sell for anything less than that.

The logic was simple: for a good item worth ten thousand, if he couldn't even sell it for five thousand, Li Banfeng might as well eat the elixir himself. In any case, he wasn't short on travel money.

He still remembered the peddler's instruction: a cultivator must not miss their cultivation for a single day.

If he encountered special circumstances in the future where he couldn't go out, or couldn't return to the Leaving Suishenju, having a Snake-Pattern Pill could make up for a day's cultivation.

If the famous sprinter Qiao Yuesheng had had enough Snake-Pattern Pills, presumably he wouldn't have died so miserably.

Having made up his mind, Li Banfeng asked Qin Xiaopang, "Aren't you coming with me?"

Qin Xiaopang shook his head and said, "I'm not in a rush to sell my elixirs. Such good elixirs, I can't bear to sell them cheaply either.

I originally wanted to go with you to negotiate the price, but last time I went to his place to buy a weapon, I spoke a bit too impatiently and damaged the harmony somewhat. I won't go and cause trouble for you this time.

After you finish your business, I'll wait for you at the steamed bun shop on the street corner."

He had been so mysterious, yet in the end, the place Xiao Pang found was still Feng's General Store.

But then again, without Xiao Pang's guidance, Li Banfeng would never have imagined that a general store would actually buy elixirs.

Upon entering the shop, Shopkeeper Feng welcomed him with a smile: "Boss Li, you're back. How was the harvest on this trip?"

Li Banfeng laughed: "The harvest wasn't bad. Isn't this me coming to you to sell some goods?"

Shopkeeper Feng was startled: "Boss Li, we don't buy Snake-Pattern Chrysanthemums here. I don't have the recipe for refining elixirs."

"It's not Snake-Pattern Chrysanthemums. Let's find a place to talk."

Shopkeeper Feng invited Li Banfeng into the back room. Li Banfeng first took out thirteen hundred dollars.

"Five hundred for the sickle, eight hundred for the shovel. Let's pay off the debt first!"

Shopkeeper Feng smiled as he took the money: "Boss Li is generous! I wonder what goods Boss Li wants to sell here?"

Li Banfeng took out a Snake-Pattern Pill and handed it to Shopkeeper Feng.

Shopkeeper Feng took the elixir, put on his reading glasses, looked at it for a long time, nodded, and said: "Good quality. It's better than the elixirs produced by the medicine shops."

Li Banfeng sipped his tea and laughed: "Shopkeeper Feng knows his goods!"

Shopkeeper Feng also smiled, then returned the elixir to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng was stunned: "What do you mean? You're not buying?"

Shopkeeper Feng shook his head: "It's not that I'm not buying; it's that I need to tell you the rules first. This isn't a medicine shop; it's a general store. While business can be done, this isn't my main trade.

If placed in a medicine shop, this elixir could be worth twelve thousand, but here, I can't give you that price.

I don't know how to refine elixirs. For every buy and sell, I must make a profit on the difference. Furthermore, with the elixir sitting here, I don't know when I'll be able to sell it, so I have to press the price down. I'm afraid I can't satisfy you."

Li Banfeng nodded. Talking about difficulties and sob stories—Li Banfeng had been prepared for this long ago. But no matter what he said, Li Banfeng definitely wouldn't sell for less than five thousand.

"You name a price."

Shopkeeper Feng extended five fingers. Li Banfeng thought it was exactly five thousand, but heard Shopkeeper Feng say: "Fifty percent. I can give at most fifty percent—six thousand dollars per pill."

There was no fluff in this price. Shopkeeper Feng gave him an honest figure; this was the maximum, because these were elixirs of unknown origin, and he had to bear a great deal of risk.

Of course, there was a reason he didn't press the price further: he had a favor to ask of Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng nodded. Six thousand dollars per pill—for him, he was very satisfied with this price.

But although he was satisfied inside, Li Banfeng didn't show it on his face: "Six thousand is a bit low. Let's see how many Shopkeeper Feng can take?"

Shopkeeper Feng stroked his handlebar mustache: "That depends on how many Boss Li wants to sell."

"Sixty-five pills. Can you take them?"

Shopkeeper Feng nodded: "I can take them."

"Shopkeeper Feng is a straightforward man. Deal!" After saying this, Li Banfeng took out a bag and poured out the elixirs.

Shopkeeper Feng counted the number, nodded, and said: "Boss Li is also a straightforward man. For such a large amount, other places would probably have to put it on account, but today at my place, I'll give you cash directly."

After saying this, Shopkeeper Feng waved his hand and called the clerk over.

The general store only had one clerk, named Shengzi. Shopkeeper Feng whispered a few words to Shengzi. Shengzi went behind the shelves, entered a small door, and before long, brought out a leather suitcase.

Shopkeeper Feng opened the suitcase in front of Li Banfeng. There were thirty-nine stacks of banknotes, ten thousand per stack.

Don't look at the shop as small; this Shopkeeper Feng really had substance.

"Thirty-nine thousand. Please count it."

Li Banfeng laughed: "Could I not trust Shopkeeper Feng?"

Li Banfeng counted it three times and put the leather suitcase away.

Shopkeeper Feng took the elixirs and smiled: "Boss Li, thanks to your patronage, the business is done. But we must make the rules clear:

I didn't ask you about the origin of the elixirs, and in the future, who I sell the elixirs to and at what price, you cannot ask."

"Rest assured, I won't break your rules."

Li Banfeng had no mood to ask about these things. He took the money and immediately went to the station, bought a ticket, and hurried back to Yuezhou.

He would first probe for news to see if the people from the Anxing Bureau could let him go.

If there was nothing major, he would hurry to the hospital to see what condition He Haiqin was in.

Just as Li Banfeng was about to leave with the money box, Shopkeeper Feng said: "Boss Li, stay a moment. The item you wanted, I have been keeping it for you."

After saying this, Shopkeeper Feng pulled down the cloth curtain, and that phonograph appeared before Li Banfeng once again.

A rustic red mahogany cabinet with three brass horns—one large and two small.

Just this design alone made it impossible for Li Banfeng to look away.

"Boss Li, do you still want this phonograph?" Shopkeeper Feng observed Li Banfeng's expression, pondering his next sales pitch.

"If I want it, I'm going on a long journey. Carrying this thing isn't very convenient." Li Banfeng tried hard to move his gaze away from the phonograph.

Shopkeeper Feng was deeply surprised: "You don't need to carry it when you go out; just leave it at home."

Li Banfeng picked up his teacup and sipped again: "If I leave it at home with no one to look after it, wouldn't that be ruining such a good item?"

Hearing this, the clerk kept winking at the shopkeeper.

Shopkeeper Feng sighed lightly: "Boss Li is a straightforward man. Since you've taken a fancy to this phonograph, I originally intended to give you a discount and sell it to you for eighteen thousand."

Li Banfeng took a deep breath and said: "Wait, wait a little longer."

Shopkeeper Feng picked up a record, placed it on the phonograph, added two cups of water, and lit the wick below the phonograph.

Chi! Chi! Chi!

The small horn on the right rhythmically spat out steam. The record rotated, and a fine, crackling noise slowly began to sound.

"The butterflies fly away, the heart is also gone. In the desolate long night, who will come to wipe the tears from my cheeks..."

It was this song again.

"Wild Grass and Idle Flowers Bloom in Spring."

Li Banfeng couldn't restrain himself anymore.

Shopkeeper Feng sighed lightly: "Yesterday, a customer took a fancy to this phonograph. I said this phonograph had been reserved by a customer, so I didn't sell it to him.

Boss Li, if you wait any longer, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep this item.

I was counting on waiting for you to return so you could listen to a song properly, but when you come next time, I'm afraid you won't be able to hear it even if you want to."

Return?

Will I still return?

After returning to Yuezhou, Li Banfeng planned to find any job, live in the Leaving Suishenju from then on, with no mortgage, no traffic pressure, and live a happy little life.

As for Puluozhou, he probably wouldn't come again.

Thinking of this, Li Banfeng stood up abruptly, took the money box, and left the general store.

The mournful music lingered in the shop. The clerk stamped his foot, looked at Shopkeeper Feng, and said: "Shopkeeper, I think he really wanted to buy it. We set the price too high."

Shopkeeper Feng sighed repeatedly: "I have no choice. If I sell it too cheaply, this thing won't be willing to leave the shop!"

The clerk had a bitter expression: "What can we do? When will this thing be sold!"

Shopkeeper Feng was full of helplessness, and sighs echoed in the general store.

After the song finished, the needle reached the end. Shopkeeper Feng extinguished the fire and vented the steam. Just as he was about to cover the phonograph, he suddenly saw Li Banfeng walking back.

"Sixteen thousand. Sell or not?"

The clerk looked at Shopkeeper Feng with anticipation.

Shopkeeper Feng deliberated for a moment, his expression calm: "Sold!"

A few beads of sweat seeped from his forehead. Shopkeeper Feng wiped the sweat away casually, not revealing any flaws in front of Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng immediately counted out sixteen thousand and slapped it on the table.

Shopkeeper Feng didn't count it, took the money directly, and instructed the clerk: "Shengzi, prepare the carriage and deliver the goods for Boss Li!"

Just as the clerk was about to prepare the carriage, he suddenly heard Li Banfeng say: "Wait!"

The clerk was startled and looked at Shopkeeper Feng.

Shopkeeper Feng remained composed: "Boss Li, the business is already done. Haggling again wouldn't be appropriate."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "It's not haggling. It's that I want to buy something else."

He wanted to buy a bed.

Since he was going to live in the Leaving Suishenju for a long time, sleeping on the floor definitely wouldn't work.

He had originally planned to buy a bed after returning to Yuezhou; online shopping was cheap, and there were many styles.

But thinking about the journey, Li Banfeng decided to buy it directly at the general store.

He didn't want to live in the train anymore; he didn't want to encounter three-headed monsters at the Three-Headed Fork again, nor did he want to resist unbearable temptations at the Trouser-Belt Ridge.

He could live in the Leaving Suishenju; as long as he hid the key well, he could successfully avoid all dangers in the train carriage.

After buying the bed, he would buy more food and drink; even if the train broke down again, it wouldn't affect Li Banfeng's happy life.

"Buy a bed..." Shopkeeper Feng originally intended to say they didn't have one, but right next to the shelves in the back room sat a four-poster wooden bed.

The so-called four-poster meant there were four pillars on the bed, with a frame on top of the pillars and railings in the middle. The bed was 1.5 meters wide and 1.2 meters high. The whole structure looked like a small house, and sleeping inside gave a special sense of security.

Li Banfeng took a fancy to this bed: "Shopkeeper Feng, name a price."

Shopkeeper Feng didn't look at the bed; he kept looking at the phonograph.

He didn't know if it was an illusion, but that phonograph seemed to have moved slightly.

Not good, this thing might not want to leave.

Shopkeeper Feng gritted his teeth and said: "Boss Li, I like your straightforwardness, and you've patronized my business quite a bit. I'll give you this bed!"

He didn't want to waste any more time; he didn't want to delay even for a moment.

Li Banfeng waved his hands repeatedly: "How can that be..."

"Boss Li, if you don't accept it, you're looking down on me!"

"That's not how you put it. Such a good bed, how can I take it for free? You name a price, and I'll take a look at the bedding."

"Bedding is easy to talk about. Shengzi, get two sets of satin-faced bedding for Boss Li."

"No, that, Shopkeeper Feng," Li Banfeng didn't understand the situation, "I came to your place to buy things, not to take advantage. I also planned to buy two sets of clothes..."

"Shengzi, get the measuring tape and measure Boss Li's size!"

Shengzi stepped forward and, without allowing any argument, measured Li Banfeng from top to bottom, then turned back and brought a pure white suit.

"Boss Li, I've decided to make you my friend. The clothes are also a gift for you."

"No, I don't usually wear white; it's hard to take care of..."

"Bring that black set!"

"Black is also easy to get dirty..."

"Bring that beige plaid shirt!"

"Forget it, I won't buy clothes anymore," Li Banfeng was completely confused by Shopkeeper Feng, "I'll buy two candles."

"Shengzi, get a bundle of candles, and bring that candlestick from England for Boss Li."

"No, you, you, I, I won't buy anything anymore. I'll just buy two records."

Shopkeeper Feng went to the shelf, grabbed a dozen records, and placed them on the counter together: "I'll also give you two barrels of fuel, one barrel of machine oil, a kettle, two water cups, a water bucket, and a bundle of wicks.

I also have a set of tools here; the pliers and wrenches are all complete. If the phonograph has any small problems, you can fix it yourself."

"No, that, what..."

Shopkeeper Feng took another feather duster and stuffed it into Li Banfeng's hand: "The phonograph is afraid of dust; you should clean it often. Boss Li, I am just such an honest person. If you don't accept it, I'll really be angry!"

Li Banfeng stopped talking.

He couldn't talk anymore.

The clerk hired a carriage, first moved the bed up, then moved the phonograph up, and the quilts, clothes, fuel, candles, water bucket... all the items were delivered to the carriage.

Li Banfeng held the feather duster and stood at the entrance, dazed.

The clerk helped Li Banfeng onto the carriage, and the shopkeeper shouted: "Boss Li, take care, I hope to have your patronage again!"

After saying this, Shengzi urged the driver, and the carriage left.

Watching the carriage disappear at the street corner, Shopkeeper Feng and the clerk stood in the shop for a long time.

"Shopkeeper!" Chunsheng's voice was trembling.

"Shengzi!" Shopkeeper Feng was also a bit choked up.

"Shopkeeper!" Chunsheng's eyes were red.

"Shengzi!" Shopkeeper Feng wiped the tears from his eyes.

"Shopkeeper, was the item really sold?" Chunsheng still had some doubts in his heart.

"Shengzi, go to the back room and take a look. I feel the price was sold a bit cheaply. Take a closer look and see if that thing has come back again?" Shopkeeper Feng's attitude was also very cautious.

Chunsheng trotted into the back room and ran out in the blink of an eye.

"It hasn't come back. This time it's really sent away."

"Shengzi!" Shopkeeper Feng burst into tears.

"Shopkeeper!" Chunsheng's tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Shengzi!"

"Shopkeeper!"

The two sat on the ground, wailing loudly.

The clerk wiped his tears and said: "Finally, we can do business with peace of mind."

Shopkeeper Feng stood up and tidied his clothes: "What kind of business are we doing? Close the shop today, go to the Fenglai Tower, order a table of good wine, call two girls to accompany us, and let's brothers enjoy ourselves for a few days first!"

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(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 38 =====