Chapter 231: with translation of chapter title

Wu Bu Yong's face showed no expression; after calmly looking at Chen Wuji for a moment, he waved his hand, letting the Young Strongmen surrounding them lower their weapons: 'The pelts aren't here, Brigade Commander Chen, come with me!'

Chen Wuji also had no regret about the failed talk, raising his hand to signal Wu Bu Yong to go first.

Chen Luozi saw this, but he became a little anxious, and said in a low voice: 'Wuji, are you just giving up like that?'

'Hmm, don't rush, I have a plan in mind.'

'You have... what kind of plan, you...' Chen Luozi poked Xiong Paozi, asking, 'Do you have any ideas?'

Xiong Paozi shrugged his shoulders: 'I only have solutions for killing people and livestock; don't ask me about anything else—I'm someone who can't even speak clearly, so why are you asking me this?'

Chen Luozi let out a vexed sigh: 'Too bad, I should have had Lao San come.'

'Let's go, first go check the pelts!' Chen Wuji said calmly.

There is still hope, but hoping to achieve it all at once leaves little hope.

The three followed Wu Bu Yong into the village stronghold, entering a stilted building.

Upstairs, all kinds of pelts were hung densely, the quantity so large it was astonishing.

Chen Wuji stepped inside, his eyes nearly popping out.

Have they never sold any before?

This room of pelts must be worth several thousand taels.

Even if Chen Wuji emptied all his savings, he might not be able to afford these pelts.

'Chief Wu, how long have you been accumulating these pelts?' Chen Wuji asked curiously.

'Several years, really—who can remember exactly? Anyway, whenever we hunt and process them, we just toss them in here.' Wu Bu Yong stood at the doorway, raised his hand, and said, 'Take whichever you want, pick them out!'

'I want them all!'

'Cough...' Wu Bu Yong was taken aback, 'You're not joking with me, are you?'

Chen Wuji asked strangely: 'Why would I be joking?'

He wanted to get more pelts to increase his own capital in preparation for the upcoming matters, but all of that was unattainable; now that he has encountered this, even if his money isn't enough, he also had to let him eat it all.

'You have that much silver? Kid, if you're deceiving me, the best outcome would be me personally picking a grave for you.' Wu Bu Yong was full of suspicion, trying to discern his true intentions from Chen Wuji's face.

But Chen Wuji was quite calm: 'Chief Wu, estimate a price for all of these! Don't worry about the silver—I may not have enough on me today, but I won't be short by even a tael.'

'You estimate the price; I don't know. I'll sell if I think it's appropriate!' Wu Bu Yong said.

He suspected Chen Wuji was teasing him, but had no evidence.

Wu Bu Yong not even knowing the price of the pelts surprised Chen Wuji: 'Haven't any merchants come up to Tianchi Pass? You've never taken them down to the city to sell, have you?'

'They don't dare, and we haven't had the chance to go down the mountain these past few years.' Wu Bu Yong said.

Chen Wuji frowned: 'Then how do you solve your need for salt, tea, and other provisions?'

'So this is your real purpose, is it?' Wu Bu Yong's eyes instantly turned dangerous, his hand even falling onto the knife hilt.

Chen Wuji immediately explained: 'Misunderstanding, I won't ask further. I just happened to mention it; it's not as complicated as you think, I'm just surprised you don't know the price of the pelts.'

This guy mistakenly thought he was here to probe their secrets.

He really isn't that idle.

Merchants don't dare go up the mountain, and they themselves don't dare go down lightly; in fact, Chen Wuji could roughly guess where their daily supplies come from without even asking.

As expected, the only way is to go through Tianchi Pass to trade with the mountain folk to the north.

They can be self-sufficient in grain and meat, but salt is a necessity.

This mountain doesn't look like it could squeeze out brine.

Wu Bu Yong didn't relax his vigilance, staring at Chen Wuji and saying in a low voice: 'Give an estimate.'

'Let me take a look first.' Chen Wuji walked calmly into the pile of pelts.

These pelts come in all varieties, mainly from muntjac, badger, and pig.

But the quantity is truly too great, making it somewhat difficult for Chen Wuji to estimate a total price all at once.

After examining them carefully, he then gave Wu Bu Yong a price: 'One thousand taels!'

'You're not deceiving me?' Wu Bu Yong's face lit up with joy, his mouth almost unable to contain his smile.

Chen Wuji: ……

He wanted to test the waters, so he deliberately reported a low price.

As it turned out, he really didn't know.

These pelts are worth roughly three thousand taels.

But now that the price has been quoted, it's impossible for him to raise it.

If he doesn't raise the price, later if Wu Bu Yong learns the true value of these pelts, he will inevitably bear a grudge, which would be detrimental to future matters.

Being a little low would be fine, but the difference here is about two thousand taels.

He's making a profit off this difference that's a bit too ruthless.

Had he known, he would have quoted a higher price; this carelessness has instead given himself a problem.

'Chief Wu, I'm not as complicated as you think. The previous matters have already been settled; now it's just business—I'm buying your pelts with silver, how could I be deceiving you?' Chen Wuji said.

'Fine, I agree, let's haul them away.' Wu Bu Yong loosened his grip on the knife hilt, the excitement he'd been suppressing beginning to show on his face; this smile of his added a touch of simplicity.

Chen Wuji raised his hand to stop Wu Bu Yong: 'Chief Wu, don't rush this; we only have three people, to transport this many pelts we must rely on your manpower.'

Besides that, I also want to discuss another business with Chief Wu.

'What other business?' Wu Bu Yong asked.

Chen Wuji asked: 'Do you now dare to go down the mountain and enter the city?'

'What's there not to dare? It just requires careful planning, and I… am unwilling to let my brothers sacrifice themselves in vain. No, what exactly do you want to say?' Wu Bu Yong shouted.

Chen Wuji smiled faintly: 'If Chief Wu nominally becomes my subordinate, this matter would be easily resolved. It's just nominal—I'll do you a favor either way, and I won't be taking any of you to war; I simply ask that in the future, you trade any pelts you hunt, or any mountain herbs, exclusively with me.'

Wu Bu Yong eyed Chen Wuji suspiciously: 'Just putting on an act?'

Just acting!

Regarding this matter, I need to discuss it a bit; I'll reply to you later.

'Fine.' Chen Wuji said with a gentle smile, continuing, 'Then let's talk about another business.'

More?!

'Earning silver—do you, Leader Wu, still think it's too much?' Chen Wuji asked with a smile, 'Some of my Chen clan members have never touched a knife or spear in their lives; now that great calamity has befallen us, I'd like to ask Leader Wu to bring people or send people down the mountain to train my clan troops, ten taels of silver per person per month, for one month.'

Wu Bu Yong looked Chen Wuji up and down, 'You have that much silver? Can a hunter get that much silver?'

'He is our Family Head!' Xiong Paozi said, seeing the opportunity.

'Oh? Family Head, meaning you all have to earn silver for him?' Wu Bu Yong asked.

Xiong Paozi shook his head, 'No, that's not it; our family still has some clan property.'