Chapter 122: Made a Killing

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had just stepped out of that filthy prison, the stench still lingering in his nostrils, yet he inexplicably caught a whiff of victory. The county yamen guards rushed over to deliver news: the Inspector's men had arrived.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was stunned, not yet having reacted, when he saw an old acquaintance, Master Jing, appear before his eyes like a splash of red in winter.

"Ah, it seems since we last met, Lord Jiang's aura has grown even stronger."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly rose and clasped his hands, saying, "Master Jing, the journey was arduous."

"Haha, I dare not accept, I dare not accept. I did not come here to drink tea and chat." Jing Jing Xingwang smiled warmly, his words brimming with ease.

"The Inspector is in high spirits and specially sent me to inform Lord Jiang that the buyer for the iron ore has been found."

He patted the snow off his clothes as if joking, his expression saying, "I have brought you good news."

"What is more, the Lord has rented several shops to prepare for the upcoming transaction."

His eyes were filled with anticipation for the future, as if this news was more important than his own life.

Joy overflowed on Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face: "This is truly wonderful. Master Jing, please take a seat."

"I have already learned the quantity temporarily needed by the Inspector and will prepare as soon as possible." Jiang Jiang Mingyu's lips curled slightly upward, unable to conceal his inner delight.

Jing Jing Xingwang patted his belly contentedly: "Lord Jiang is indeed a sensible man. To be frank, the quantity the Inspector needs this time is three hundred thousand jin."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's chin nearly hit the floor, as if he had just weathered a violent storm: "Th-three hundred thousand jin?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart sank; he felt something was amiss. He asked again, "Does Master Jing know who the buyer of the iron ore is?"

"Lord Jiang, do not be alarmed; it is not a single buyer."

"To put it plainly, in the entire prefectural city, who dares not respect the Inspector's face?"

"Ever since hearing that His Excellency has started doing business, buyers visiting to pay respects have nearly trampled the threshold."

"To speak harshly, these people usually cannot even find a way to send silver to the Inspector."

"Such a good opportunity; how could these cunning fellows with eight hearts possibly miss it?"

"There are many who failed to grab a share, waiting in line behind. Lord Jiang, you are about to make a fortune."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, holding his teacup, understood. No wonder the quantity was so staggering; it turned out to be this reason.

"Then may Master Jing tell me the price of the iron ore?"

"This..." Jing Jing Xingwang finally smiled. "I do happen to know this. The Inspector said he will give you ten wen per jin of iron ore."

"What?!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu exclaimed. He thought he had misheard. He knew the market price of iron ore was five wen per jin; the Inspector was actually giving him double! What did this mean? Was there another purpose?

"Lord Jiang, do not be too happy; this price comes with conditions." Jing Jing Xingwang continued, "The Inspector said you must transport the three hundred thousand jin of iron ore to the prefectural city within one month, or it will be settled at the original price."

"One month?!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu exclaimed again. He felt the Inspector had set him up.

He knew his iron mine could mine at most five thousand jin of iron ore per day; to complete the task of three hundred thousand jin within one month, he would have to work overtime, day and night.

Moreover, he had to consider the transportation issue; the road from the county town to the prefectural city was three hundred li, taking ten days to travel.

This left him with only twenty days to mine the iron ore. How was that possible?

"Lord Jiang, do not worry; the Inspector has prepared some helpers for you." Jing Jing Xingwang added, "The Inspector said he will send one thousand soldiers to help you mine the iron ore and provide one hundred horse-drawn carts to assist with transportation."

"Soldiers? Horse-drawn carts?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu was even more confused.

He did not understand why the Inspector wanted to do this.

Did he not fear arousing the suspicion of the imperial court?

"Lord Jiang, do not overthink it; the Inspector has his own plans."

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's uneasy expression, Jing Jing Xingwang comforted him, "The Inspector said this is a rare opportunity; as long as we complete this task, we will make a fortune."

"Moreover, the Inspector also said he will give you a grand gift, allowing you to take revenge on your enemies."

"What grand gift?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but ask.

"This..." Jing Jing Xingwang smiled. "I am not entirely clear either. The Inspector only said it is a surprise beyond your expectations and did not specify details."

"Oh..." Jiang Jiang Mingyu helplessly shook his head.

He felt he could not refuse.

"Very well, this official understands. I will certainly transport the iron ore to the prefectural city as soon as possible."

Jing Jing Xingwang reached into his sleeve, pulled out a stack of silver notes, and said, "This is a deposit of one hundred thousand taels; please keep it safe, Lord Jiang."

It seemed Wang Zhe had already taken his share of fifty percent, Jiang Jiang Mingyu calculated silently as he accepted the silver notes.

The custom in business here is to take half the deposit first; thus, this deal would earn Jiang Jiang Mingyu two hundred thousand taels.

Putting aside the past, the military expenses for the next half year were secured, Jiang Jiang Mingyu thought.

When he came to his senses, Jiang Jiang Mingyu realized that Jing Jing Xingwang, sitting opposite, was staring at him with ulterior motives.

He was just one step away from openly asking for money.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately understood, quickly took out one thousand taels in silver notes, placed them on the table, and smiled awkwardly: "Master Jing, the journey was arduous. This is a trifling amount; please have a cup of tea."

"Lord Jiang, is this not inappropriate?"

Jing Jing Xingwang's eyes immediately lit up; while saying he dared not accept, his hand quickly pocketed the silver notes.

Seeing his greedy face, Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled inwardly.

The atmosphere of the conversation naturally grew more harmonious with the appearance of the silver notes.

After chatting about everything under the sun for a long while, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, holding his teacup, casually asked, "How has Zhu Ge Yu been lately?"

By his estimation, Zhu Ge Yu must currently be holding the new poem Jiang gave him, strutting around with boundless pride.

Unexpectedly, Jing Jing Xingwang sighed heavily: "Master Zhu Ge's situation is somewhat dire."