Chapter 189: A Big Deal

Zhang Laoya told Xu Yuan some more basics, mainly about how to cultivate the Merchant Dao.

The core is simply to do more "transactions."

Whether with ordinary people or cultivators, any exchange counts as practicing the Merchant Dao.

The larger the transaction amount and the deeper its impact, the more noticeable the advancement.

But all capital must be your own—nothing given to you by your father or others.

After finishing his explanation, the two fell silent for a moment, then Fu Jingyu knocked on the door: "We're coming in."

Xu Yuan stood and opened the door; Lin Wanmo followed behind Fu Jingyu. When Zhang Laoya saw her, his whole body tensed uncomfortably.

Then he frowned in confusion: "Is this your stepmother?"

Xu Yuan nodded: "My late father remarried."

Zhang Laoya: "Why don't you learn Artisan Cultivation from her instead of coming to me for Merchant Cultivation?"

Xu Yuan waved his hand and ordered Lang Xiao Ba: "Bring the dishes."

During the meal, Lin Wanmo exchanged a few words with Zhang Laoya.

They spoke only of Merchant Cultivation.

Zhang Laoya answered seriously.

Lin Wanmo nodded in approval and said: "Don't cheat our child."

"Of course not!"

After eating, the group returned to the Nancheng Patrol Office, where Xu Yuan arranged a room for Zhang Laoya.

Da Fu was still lying on the bridge stone.

Xu Yuan called Lang Xiao Ba: "Build a nest for Da Fu right next to that stone."

"Yes."

Lin Wanmo pulled Xu Yuan back into the room and questioned him in detail about what Zhang Laoya had taught regarding the Merchant Dao. Finally, she sighed in relief: "Those who cultivate the Merchant Dao are all shrewd foxes—you must be careful not to get sold by this old man."

Xu Yuan nodded: "I'll certainly stay alert."

"Also, San Niang's people—how do you plan to handle them?"

Suddenly, Xu Yuan had an idea: Why not make a deal with Da Huoshi?

To advance the Merchant Dao, you must carry out one transaction after another.

Xu Yuan summoned Qin Ze and Di Youzhi and went together to the jail.

The Nancheng Patrol Office's jail was small; Da Huoshi, Wei Yunhua, and others were all locked up together.

When the cell door opened, Wei Yunhua immediately stood up: "Has Master Xie told you?"

Her triumphant expression was hard to suppress.

Yesterday, when we were arrested, our families must have already gone to beg Xie Qingman for help.

In Wei Yunhua's mind, once your superior speaks, wouldn't you immediately release us?

"He told me," Xu Yuan nodded.

Wei Yunhua gripped the iron bars, waiting for Xu Yuan to let them out.

But Xu Yuan stood outside the bars, showing no intention to release them.

"Da Huoshi," Xu Yuan said, "I've come to make a deal with you. I'll free you, and in return, those two Artisan items are mine."

Wei Yunhua shrieked: "Xu Yuan, you're mad! Master Xie has already spoken—how dare you keep us locked up?"

"Dare," Xu Yuan replied with just one word, then continued speaking to Da Huoshi: "Those two Artisan items are useless to you.

Better to trade them for your freedom.

I'll give you time to consider."

Xu Yuan turned and walked away.

Wei Yunhua stared in disbelief, shaking the iron bars violently: "How will you explain this to Master Xie? Master Xie will surely…"

Xu Yuan grew impatient: "Master Xie can't save you. By the way, Da Huoshi—those two Artisan items can buy only your freedom. This woman is not part of this transaction."

Wei Yunhua froze, released the bars, staggered backward several steps, and cried out: "How… how could this happen? How dare you, how dare you…"

Xu Yuan had already walked out of the jail in long strides.

Da Huoshi's face was pale as ash; the cell fell into deathly silence.

The other Fire Masters exchanged glances, then gathered around Da Huoshi: "Maybe… consider Master Xu's offer?"

Their inner scales had shifted.

…

This deal was huge.

If properly valued, those two Artisan items each exceeded one hundred thousand taels.

And under normal circumstances, San San Nianghui would never sell them.

If completed, Xu Yuan would make a massive profit!

The Merchant Dao would surge forward rapidly.

…

Xu Yuan stepped out of the jail. Lang Xiao Ba, who had just finished building Da Fu's nest, hurried over: "My lord, someone from the office has come—Magistrate He asks you to return immediately."

Xu Yuan nodded and summoned Fu Jingyu and Song Lu, then headed back to Zhancheng Office.

At the gate of the yamen, Xu Yuan dismounted.

A Captain eagerly took the reins and helped Xu's lord tie up the horse.

Seizing the moment, he whispered quickly to Xu Yuan: "Master Xie wants to force this assignment onto you."

"Assignment?" Xu Yuan glanced—the man was one of Shi Bading's subordinates.

Xu Yuan gave a barely perceptible nod, filing away Shi Bading's favor.

In He Youxing's duty room, Xie Qingman, Qu Jinpeng, Shi Bading, Wan Yun, and Sang Yizi were all present.

Seeing Xu Yuan enter, He Youxing smiled: "Everyone's here. Let's discuss it. The Shanhe Office has forwarded a document…"

He and Xie Qingman had both read it; now he passed it down to the four patrol inspectors.

Xu Yuan finished reading it in a few glances.

Strange occurrences have recently plagued Chengnan's Yujing Village.

The incident began months ago, when a boat capsized on the canal near Yujing Village.

The Shanhe Office investigated the matter.

They later discovered something in the water was causing trouble, capsizing the boat and devouring the drowned laborers.

But Yujing Village is seventy li from the canal!

According to the Imperial Ming division of duties under the "Zhu Sanya of the Strange," the fifty li along either bank of the canal fall under the Shanhe Office's jurisdiction.

Beyond fifty li, the case must be transferred to the Quhui Office.

Yes, such a division does indeed exist among the Zhu Sanya of the Strange.

But the Shanhe Office is tyrannical—whenever a case even touches the canal, no matter how far away, they will seize it without hesitation.

They forbid the Quhui Office from interfering.

Likewise, the Quhui Office is no pushover.

When some cases are investigated and reveal ties to the canal, they are kept secret, never reported to the Shanhe Office.

Only after closing the case do they send a document to the Shanhe Office as a courtesy.

This time, the Shanhe Office's Chengnan branch has actually changed its ways—Yujing Village, seventy li away, wants the Quhui Office to join the investigation.

Xu Yuan finished reading and said nothing, passing it to Wan Yun beside him.

When everyone had read it, Xie Qingman could no longer hold back and spoke up: "I recommend Patrol Inspector Xu for this case."

Patrol Inspector Xu has solved major cases one after another—he's exceptionally capable and deeply cultivated. Only Patrol Inspector Xu can ensure we don't fall behind the Shanhe Office in this matter."

Qu Jinpeng coughed and said: "Madam Xie, I am the patrol inspector; Xu Yuan is merely my deputy.

Any matter must be handled under my leadership, but my body is too frail to endure the Shanhe Office's turmoil. My lord, please find someone more capable.

Xie Qingman was instantly silenced.

This old man is indeed Xu Yuan's direct superior!

At least one patrol inspector must be dispatched—otherwise, the Shanhe Office will surely accuse the Quhui Office of "negligence in official duties" and file an upper-level complaint.

Shi Bading smirked inwardly: the commanding officer had arranged guards for Brother Xu—think you can manipulate him so easily?

Xie Qingman glanced at Wan Yun.

He smiled: "If Elder Brother feels he can't bear the burden, then lend me Patrol Inspector Xu. I'll take him to Yujing Village—Xu Yuan's abilities are obvious, and I'd like to leverage them to earn some merit…"

Shi Bading immediately glared, leaping to his feet and shouting: "Wan Yun, are you even a man? Who taught you this indirect slander?"

If you've got the guts, point your finger straight at my nose and call me out—I'll respect you as a true man!"

(End of Chapter)