Chapter 139: Prefect Zhao's Calculations

After Jiang Xiaomu took his seat, Zhao the Prefect slowly spoke:

"Jiang Boss, your Mu Yu Lou's business is really booming; I've also heard a bit about it."

Jiang Xiaomu felt alarm bells ringing in his heart; Zhao the Prefect's words sounded like casual chat but hid a sharp edge.

He replied cautiously:

"Thanks to the Prefect's blessing, my shop's business is barely getting by."

"Barely getting by? Hehe," Zhao the Prefect looked at him with a half-smile.

"Jiang Boss, you're too modest."

"I've heard that your Mu Yu Lou brings in a fortune daily."

Beads of fine sweat appeared on Jiang Xiaomu's forehead; he forced himself to stay calm and replied:

"You're joking, Sir; my shop is just a small business, nowhere near making a fortune daily."

Zhao the Prefect stopped beating around the bush, stared directly at Jiang Xiaomu, and his tone turned icy.

"Jiang Boss, among sensible people we don't speak in riddles."

"Your Mu Yu Lou's business is so booming; I'm also quite envious."

"How about this: you transfer thirty percent of Mu Yu Lou's shares to me?"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted; he finally understood Zhao the Prefect's intention.

As it turned out, he had taken a liking to Mu Yu Lou's profit-making ability and wanted a share of the pie.

He took a deep breath, striving to keep himself calm.

If he refused, he feared it would bring greater trouble.

Yet to hand over Mu Yu Lou, which he had painstakingly built, left him utterly unwilling.

"Prefect Sir," Jiang Xiaomu said in a low voice:

"My shop is a small operation with meager profits; I'm afraid…"

He hadn't finished speaking when Zhao the Prefect cut him off.

"Jiang Boss, could it be that you think it's too little? Fifty percent, how about that?"

Jiang Xiaomu felt anger surge; fifty percent of the shares was practically handing over Mu Yu Lou!

But he dared not show even a hint of it on his face, merely forcing a bitter smile and saying:

"Prefect Sir, it's not that I, a commoner, think it's too little; it's just…"

"Seventy percent!"

Zhao the Prefect slammed the table hard, his words laced with threat.

"Jiang Boss, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink the penalty!"

Seventy percent of the shares—what's the difference from outright robbery?

Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath, striving to maintain outward calm while his mind raced to devise a counterplan.

If he didn't agree today, he feared he wouldn't make it out of the Governor's Mansion alive.

"Please calm your anger, Prefect Sir," Jiang Xiaomu said, forcing a smile and clasping his hands.

"I, a commoner, am not unwilling to cooperate with you, Sir, but this matter is of great importance; I need some time to consider it carefully. Might you grant me a few days?"

Zhao the Prefect narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Jiang Xiaomu.

Jiang Xiaomu was no ordinary man; this boy still had some use value in the future.

Thinking this, his tone eased slightly.

"Very well, I'll give you three days to consider; after three days, bring your answer to see me."

"Thank you, Sir!"

Jiang Xiaomu felt as if pardoned, hurriedly rose and took his leave.

Returning to Mu Yu Lou, Jiang Xiaoyu came up to meet him, seeing her brother's pallid face, she asked anxiously:

"Brother, what's wrong? Your complexion looks so awful."

Jiang Xiaomu forced a smile.

"It's nothing, Xiao Yu; I'm just a bit tired."

He didn't want his sister to worry, so he concealed what had happened at the Governor's Mansion.

"Brother, you definitely have something you're hiding from me."

Jiang Xiaoyu is thoughtful; she instantly noticed her brother's oddness.

Jiang Xiaomu sighed and ended up telling his sister the whole story.

Upon hearing it, Jiang Xiaoyu's face flushed red with anger.

"That Zhao Prefect is simply bullying too much! Brother, we can't just let this go!"

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed his sister's hair.

"Don't worry, Brother won't let anyone bully you."

Going head‑to‑head definitely won't work; Zhao the Prefect's influence is deeply entrenched, and I'm no match for him—I need another plan.

Suddenly a flash of inspiration struck—Zhao the Prefect wants shares; ultimately, isn't it just about money?

Rather than let him forcibly seize seventy percent of the shares, it would be better to proactively give him something valuable; perhaps that would loosen his grip.

"Xiao Yu, do you still remember that Treasure Pavilion Hawei mentioned last time?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked.

"I remember, what's up, Brother?"

Jiang Xiaoyu was puzzled.

"I want to go to the Treasure Pavilion to have a look; maybe I can find some treasure that would satisfy Zhao the Prefect."

Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed with a sharp gleam.

But, brother, the treasures in Treasure Pavilion are worth a fortune; we...

Jiang Xiaoyu was a little worried.

Don't worry, Xiao Yu, I know my limits.

Jiang Xiaomu patted his sister's shoulder; this is currently the best solution.

Inside Treasure Pavilion, dazzling treasures were displayed in exquisite counters, emitting an alluring glow.

Upon seeing Jiang Xiaomu, Hawei immediately broke into a grin and went up to greet him.

"Boss Jiang, rare visitor, rare visitor! What wind blew you here?"

Hawei warmly greeted him.

"Boss Hawei, your Treasure Pavilion truly lives up to its reputation."

Jiang Xiaomu looked around and praised.

"That's natural; I, Hawei, have traveled south and north for so many years—what treasure haven't I seen?"

"Everything in my Treasure Pavilion is top-notch; I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Hawei patted his chest, speaking full of confidence.

Jiang Xiaomu smiled, didn't respond, walked straight to a counter, picked up a jade ruyi, and examined it closely.

The jade ruyi was entirely green, finely carved, and obviously valuable at a glance.

"Boss Jiang has a good eye; this is premium Hetian jade."

"It's carved with the 'fu shou shuang quan' pattern, symbolizing good fortune and fulfillment—perfect for giving to elders."

Hawei introduced from the side.

Jiang Xiaomu put down the jade ruyi and shook his head.

"Boss Hawei, I came today looking for something special, something that would catch the eye."

Hawei's eyes shifted, and he immediately understood Jiang Xiaomu's meaning.

"Boss Jiang, rest assured, I have plenty of good stuff here—come with me."

Hawei led Jiang Xiaomu to the inner chamber of Treasure Pavilion, opened a locked cabinet, and took out a brocade box from inside.

"Boss Jiang, please look."

Hawei opened the wooden box; inside lay a pearl, still and quiet.

The pearl was entirely crystal clear, emitting a soft glow; even in daylight it looked especially dazzling.

Jiang Xiaomu was deeply attracted to the pearl; he had never seen such a beautiful treasure.

He reached out to touch it, but Hawei stopped him.

"Boss Jiang, this night pearl is called 'Mermaid's Tear'."

"Legend says it is formed from the tears of a mermaid when she weeps, possessing miraculous effects."

"It can prolong life and preserve eternal youth."

Hawei introduced.

"What is the value of this night pearl?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked.

Hawei extended five fingers.

"Fifty thousand taels of silver."

Fifty thousand taels of silver!

Even though Jiang Xiaomu had been mentally prepared, he was still startled by the price.

This was almost his entire fortune!

"Boss Jiang, this 'Mermaid's Tear' is a rare treasure in the world."

"Fifty thousand taels of silver is absolutely worth it."

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu's hesitation, Hawei quickly added.

Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath; to preserve Mu Yu Lou, he had to pay the price.

"Alright, I'll buy it!"