Chapter 209: The Sincerity of Yude Business Business Business Business Business

While Chen Wuji was playing with mud at home, two constables brought a refined, well-dressed man in black who suddenly came to visit.

"Brigade Commander, this is Deputy Shopkeeper Huo Bai of Yude Business Business Business Business Business. He brought a letter from the Shi Family to call on the magistrate, but the magistrate had no choice, so he sent us two to bring him here." A constable shoved a jar of wine into Chen Wuji's hand, whispering, "This is what the magistrate entrusted us to bring; he says it's his own brew, please try it, Brigade Commander."

"How can this be!" Chen Wuji was truly flattered and startled.

Just being made a brigade commander, this change in status is really somewhat exaggerated; the magistrate actually sent him a gift—what kind of backwoods logic is that?

"Brigade Commander, we're just errand runners; even if you think it's improper, you have to take it." The constable laughed.

"Besides, the magistrate said that day drinking with you, Brigade Commander, was thoroughly enjoyable, yet he tossed the proper business into a wine jar; he'll personally handle the militia household matter and will surely pick for you someone handsome, pleasant to look at, and capable of fighting."

"These are the magistrate's exact words; he ordered that they be conveyed to you, Brigade Commander, verbatim."

Chen Wuji: ……

"Why does the magistrate want me to pick someone handsome and pleasant to look at?"

This hiring standard left Chen Wuji inexplicably feeling insulted.

That day, he didn't seem to show any interest in male beauty, did he?

The constable gave an embarrassed smile, "Actually, the magistrate originally meant... good-looking, well-proportioned, but later changed to this phrasing. I don't know why."

Chen Wuji's expression turned slightly dazed.

What does Magistrate Qin think selecting militia households is like?

"Please tell the magistrate I don't want handsome or pleasant-looking; I just need someone honest and obedient." Chen Wuji said, slipping a fragment of silver silently into the constable's sleeve, "You two split it yourselves; please have a cup of tea."

The constable's face instantly broke into a chrysanthemum-like smile, "Brigade Commander, you're too generous; we'll chat, then go rest over there. Call us if anything comes up. If this old brat dares to act up, we'll carry him back sideways if he comes upright."

"Thanks, you two go inside and have a cup of tea first." Chen Wuji called out.

"Sure, then we'll impose."

Chen Wuji ordered Yuan Jinshi to bring the two constables inside for tea, then he turned his gaze to the refined man, whose whole demeanor was extremely steady, standing like a rock—Huo Bai.

"Shopkeeper Huo, I've long admired you!" Chen Wuji clasped his hands.

Huo Bai returned the salute, "Not at all, I'm merely the deputy shopkeeper."

Chen Wuji ignored his deliberate correction and continued, "I don't know why Shopkeeper Huo has honored my humble abode with his presence; what brings you here?"

Huo Bai smiled faintly, "Brigade Commander, you needn't be so wary; I come today with no ill intent. Some servants of our business mishandle affairs and have offended you; I'm here to make amends."

Chen Wuji glanced at Huo Bai's empty hands.

Is this your attitude of making amends?

Servants from noble houses, even their apologetic attitude, are somewhat intimidating.

Huo Bai noticed Chen Wuji's gaze, smiled, and said, "Brigade Commander, my gift isn't in my hands but in what I'm about to say; I wonder if you could spare a moment for me to speak."

"Speak!"

Huo Bai nodded, "Yude Business Business Business Business Business's trade is mainly concentrated in the southwest and northwest of Da Yu, with close ties to resident and wealthy merchants everywhere. In light of previous unpleasantness, we're willing to sell Yang Ji's iron pots at a two-tenths discount."

"That is, no matter what price we sell Yang Ji's iron pots for, Yude Business Business Business Business Business takes only forty percent of the profit. If Brigade Commander Chen is dissatisfied with this profit split, we can also purchase the pots at a ten percent markup, buying as many as you want."

Without waiting for Chen Wuji to speak, Huo Bai smiled confidently and continued, "Brigade Commander, you might not be entirely at ease with the first option, but based on our past experience, a sixty percent profit should earn a bit more than buying at a markup."

Chen Wuji pondered and asked, "How much do you plan to sell each pot for?"

"Not fixed; the poor have their way, the rich have theirs, but we generally start with the rich. Before the wealthy can afford stir-fried dishes, the poor shouldn't expect to buy a pot—this period will last at least a year." Huo Bai said.

"If you really want to cooperate, then just take the markup." Chen Wuji said.

The first scheme Huo Bai mentioned, he could calculate it himself, and it would surely earn more.

But he didn't trust Yude Business Business Business Business Business; he preferred seeing actual silver, which felt more solid.

"Good!" Huo Bai replied calmly, smiling faintly, "Brigade Commander, you seem to harbor some reservations about our business, but never mind; after more cooperation, you'll surely find that Yude Business Business Business Business Business merely has a few rotten apples, and essentially it's a very trustworthy partner."

"Then I'll keep an eye on you." Chen Wuji gave a noncommittal reply, then suddenly asked, "Is this your master's attitude, or is it your business's own decision?"

Huo Bai tucked his hands away, "As servants, how dare we trouble the master with such matters? If a few rotten apples nearly ruined a big deal and we brought it to the master's attention, I fear we might not even get a chance to stand before Brigade Commander Chen and say this."

Just listen to that; it's actually hard to tell truth from falsehood.

However, Chen Wuji also gathered from the side a bit of the Shi and Lu families' attitudes.

They, between seizing and cooperating, have temporarily chosen cooperation.

"Iron pots are recently in short supply; we can't cooperate with you in the short term—let's wait half a month." Chen Wuji said, "You're well-informed; you should also know that iron pots are all the rage in Yunan City right now."

"Of course it's clear; then I'll come again to pay my respects to Brigade Commander Chen in half a month." Huo Bai clasped his hands.

Chen Wuji raised his hand, "Take your leave; no need to see me out."

Sitting in the courtyard sipping tea, constantly observing Chen Wuji and Huo Bai's two constables, upon seeing Huo Bai depart they quickly set down their teacups and bade farewell.

These people had just left when Chen Bushi arrived.

He stepped inside without a word of small talk and said directly, "Wuji, tidy up; tonight we're going out to do some work, come up with a plausible excuse, don't show any flaws."

Upon hearing his tone, Chen Wuji roughly guessed what they were about to do and couldn't help joking, "Finally willing to show me those secrets of yours?"

"You already guessed it, what's there to be curious about?" Chen Bushi said, "From now on, even I, a presented scholar, will be ordered around by you—what secrets could there be?"

"Hold it, I wouldn't dare order you around." Chen Wuji raised his hand to cut him off, "Wait a moment, I'll go find an excuse."

"Hmm."

Chen Wuji went inside, grabbed two bundles of Shocking Heaven Thunder and stuffed them into a sack, then said to Huo Sanniang,

As for the reason, there is none.

Chen Wuji merely told Huo Sanniang that he had some business to attend to in the city tonight.

Having a concrete reason would be a lie; with Shen Youwei's sharp wit around, the flaw would surely show, so better say nothing at all.