Chapter 1219

Gu Jia-yuan stared wide‑eyed; apparently they thought it was cheap, I this fool, why didn't I say five thousand taels? But now regret is too late; even more regretting than him is fatty Liu Zhiyang, Liu Zhiyang seeing his companion easily get five hundred taels, thinking he sold the Jade Thumb Ring for fifty taels is really too cheap.

Everyone took Hu Xiaotian as a sucker; nowadays meeting a sucker is like finding treasure, everyone hurriedly wanted to sell their personal ornaments to Hu Xiaotian, they all brought out their accessories. Li Mingju couldn't bear to watch, seeing this bunch who claimed to be cultured and reasonable all scheming against an outsider merchant, he felt indignant, he calmly said: "Mr. Hu, we are having a small gathering and have some private words to exchange; please don't disturb us, if there's anything else we can talk later."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Really sorry to disturb you gentlemen while you're eating; how about I put this meal on my tab? I'll take my leave first—I'm staying in room number one, heavenly character, at the Immortal Guest Inn. If you gentlemen have time, feel free to come by for a chat and make friends." He cupped his hands in farewell and returned to his seat.

Just as Hu Xiaotian left, Liu Zhiyang and Gu Jia-yuan both started complaining about Li Mingju. Liu Zhiyang whispered: "Brother Mingju, why did you drive him away? It's not easy to come across a fool; making a little silver to spend is also good."

Gu Jia-yuan said: "Exactly, exactly; since we've gained an advantage, naturally we won't forget your share, brother."

Li Mingju was obviously somewhat angry; he spoke solemnly: "We are scholars of Bohai State; we represent not only ourselves, but often the image of Bohai State. Don't think that earning a little petty profit from others makes you smug; if they discover they've been cheated, what will you do then?"

Gu Jia-yuan said: "Once they realize they've been cheated, where would they go to find us?" The fatty nodded.

Li Mingju angrily said: "Finding you would actually be good. If they can't find you, they'll vent their resentment on the whole of Bohai State; because of you, all the people of Bohai State will be blamed, you've done bad deeds yet want Bohai State's reputation to suffer, all the while claiming you read the sages' books. What face do you have to perform rites before the sages' statues?"

Several people's faces turned ugly from his words, yet nobody felt they were in the wrong.

Although Hu Xiaotian was far away, he heard their words clearly; he secretly sighed, Li Mingju is indeed a sincere gentleman, but his several friends are truly despicable in character, treating him as a mark, each wanting to swindle money from him. Hu Xiaotian had already cast his bait; he just waited for the bait to hook on its own, he didn't say more, called the waiter and directly threw him a silver ingot, then turned and went back to his room.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian's behavior, Li Mingju and his companions became even more convinced that this person was a nouveau riche. Li Mingju said: "Gentlemen, I still have business; I'll take my leave."

Gu Jia-yuan, Liu Zhiyang and the others each had their own thoughts; seeing Li Mingju leave, they were secretly delighted, and one by one they gave him a false, insincere farewell with clasped hands.

After Li Mingju left, he hurriedly pursued Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian had left the restaurant and was on his way to the rear courtyard inn when he heard someone behind him call out: "Sir, please wait."

Hu Xiaotian stopped, turned and saw Li Mingju; he couldn't help a quiet smile. Not knowing whether Li Mingju had stopped him to give a warning or to ditch the others and try to get more benefit from him alone, Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Master Li, what do you need from me?"

Li Mingju glanced behind, afraid his companions might see, then he lowered his voice to Hu Xiaotian: "I caught up just to give you a friendly reminder: the things they just sold you are worth nothing at this price; you seem not knowledgeable about jade and jewelry, as an out‑of‑town merchant in Bohai State you'd better not flaunt your wealth; looking at you, you're also a scholar—don't you understand the principle of not revealing your riches?"

Having already decided Li Mingju was a good person, Hu Xiaotian cupped his hands and said: "Thank you for the reminder, Master Li; I have my own plans." With that he strode away.

Li Mingju gazed somewhat bewildered at Hu Xiaotian's back, thinking to himself: "What does he mean by 'I have my own plans'? Did I overthink it? Ah! Anyway I've already warned him; whether he listens or not is up to him." Li Mingju shook his head and also left the Immortal Guest Inn.

Hu Xiaotian returned to the inn, had the waiter bring a pot of good tea; sure enough, not long after he heard a polite voice from outside: "Is Mr. Hu the wealthy one in?" Without opening the door, he could tell from the heavy footsteps outside that it was Liu Zhiyang.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "The door isn't locked; just come in."

The plump Liu Zhiyang walked in, his face all smiles, his eyes almost dripping honey.

Hu Xiaotian feigned surprise, rose and said: "I wondered who it was; it turns out to be Master Liu. I failed to greet you properly from afar, Master Liu, please don't take offense."

Liu Zhiyang chuckled: "No need for formalities, no need for formalities; I and Master Hu the wealthy one hit it off at first sight. Looking at you, you seem a few years older than me; if we're not standing on ceremony, I'll just call you Elder Brother Hu."

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, "Old man, where do I look older than you? I'm wearing a human‑skin mask," he laughed: "Then I won't stand on ceremony, Elder Brother Liu—did you come to see me because you regret it? Do you want the Jade Thumb Ring back?"

Liu Zhiyang hurriedly waved his hands, "How could I possibly take back the cheap goods I finally managed to sell? Do you think I'm as stupid as you?" He spoke solemnly: "A gentleman's word is hard to retract even with four horses; Elder Brother Hu, I am a reader of the sages' books—how could I go back on my word?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "All right then, please sit down quickly! I was just thinking Elder Brother Liu might have changed his mind."

After Liu Zhiyang sat down, he took the cup of tea Hu Xiaotian offered, sighed, and said: "To be frank, I certainly regret it, but regret doesn't mean I can go back on my word."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder Brother Liu, I also know this deal gave you an advantage; having been in the jewelry business for many years, with my eye I can tell at a glance that the Jade Thumb Ring you sold me is more precious than the jade pendant Master Gu just sold me."

"That's right!" Liu Zhiyang seized the moment to protest.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder Brother Liu, at first glance I can tell you're more upright than Master Gu; to be frank, this is my first time doing business in Bohai State—I have no connections here, when I'm out I can only rely on friends. I see your appearance is loyal and you're earnest; you're definitely someone I can befriend."

Liu Zhiyang thought in his heart, "You've misjudged me," but aloud he said: "Sure, sure, of course—I also feel we get along well, Elder Brother Hu."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I came to Bohai State specifically to trade in jade and jewelry; I originally wanted to source from Ju Bao Zhai, but for some reason it's been sealed off, and I'm unfamiliar with the place, afraid of being scammed. Elder Brother Liu, do you know any reliable channel here where I can buy genuine good goods?"

Liu Zhiyang said: "Well…" He deliberately adopted a deep, mysterious tone, aiming to lure Hu Xiaotian into his trap.

Hu Xiaotian pulled a thick stack of banknotes from his pocket and slammed them on the table; Liu Zhiyang stared at the thick stack, his eyes almost popping out, thinking to himself, "This guy really is loaded."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If Elder Brother Liu can help me find a genuine source of goods, I will certainly not shortchange you, and I will buy from you at a price thirty percent above market value."

Liu Zhiyang had completely let greed occupy his mind; he nodded and said: "Not satisfied, Elder Brother Hu? I actually have some treasures stored at home; if you're interested, I'll go fetch them for you right now."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Hurry! Hurry! No matter how much money, I can afford it!"

Liu Zhiyang rose, waddling away; this fellow was off to purchase goods, imagining how quickly all those banknotes would become his own—his heart could hardly contain how wonderful it felt.

Just as Liu Zhiyang left, Gu Jia-yuan arrived; after Gu Jia-yuan left, the drinking companions at the same table came again. Hu Xiaotian naturally followed the same routine, going back and forth, and from these people he gathered a lot of information: Ju Bao Zhai has now been sealed, including the managers and accountants of its branches have all been arrested and taken to the Ministry of Punishment. Recently, merchants in Haiwang City dealing in jewelry dare not act rashly, because they previously had many ties with Ju Bao Zhai, and everyone fears that any trouble at Ju Bao Zhai might implicate them.

Hu Xiaotian simply sat still in the room and gathered a lot of intelligence; Liu Zhiyang, Gu Jia-yuan and their crowd were not idle either—seeing how wealthy Hu Xiaotian was, they all went out to procure goods, not only spending the silver Hu Xiaotian gave them but also adding more of their own money, unwilling to let the child go unsnared, they all thought they had found a sucker and planned to reap huge profits from him today. Someone like Liu Zhiyang, who is well‑off, took two thousand taels of banknotes from home to buy jewelry and jade, intending to resell them to Hu Xiaotian; he wasn't overly greedy—turning two thousand taels into ten thousand would be enough.

As for Gu Jia-yuan, who usually doesn't have much money, he not only spent the five hundred taels Hu Xiaotian gave him but also borrowed everywhere, raising three thousand taels, even taking out high‑interest loans; Gu Jia-yuan is greedier than Liu Zhiyang.

In the evening, this bunch of fellows arrived one after another, each carrying big or small bundles to the Immortal Guest Inn; after they met, everyone understood why the others were there, yet nobody spoke, each pretending not to have seen the other.

Hu Xiaotian flung open the door and shouted for the whole lot to come in.

Liu Zhiyang and Gu Jia-yuan burst into the room at the same time, both panting from exhaustion; Liu Zhiyang said: "I arrived first, Elder Brother Hu, please look at my stuff first."

Gu Jia-yuan stammered: "Hu… Elder Brother… I… I…"

Someone behind called out "Grandfather Hu!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Don't rush, don't rush; I'll take everything you bring. Come on! Elder Brother Liu, put yours on the table—I'll look at it first."

Liu Zhiyang spread out his bundle, revealing the jewelry and jade inside; Hu Xiaotian glanced over and saw at once that the quality was much better than last time, though there were still no real treasures. He told Gu Jia-yuan: "Spread yours out on the floor." Then he turned to the others behind: "Everyone, lay your things out on the floor so I can inspect them."

Everyone obediently complied.

Hu Xiaotian pulled out the thick stack of banknotes from his pocket.

Everyone's gaze locked onto the banknotes in his hand.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your stuff is all good; I'll take it all!"

Whoever said they'd catch a cold relapse? You got it right—Zhangyu first sends the First Update, striving to write the second update! In the midst of painful agony……(To be continued~^~)