Chapter 111: First Volume, Chapter 111: Coercive Buying and Selling

First Volume, Chapter 111: Coercive Buying and Selling

Chen Ping and his three companions brought a total of sixty thousand jin of raw sugarcane; their massive convoy was parked entirely on the Official Road into Jingdu. Under Qin Feng's unyielding instruction, Chen Ping did not hesitate and immediately set about assembling the convoy—so long as they moved quickly, all the sugarcane could be transported into the Qin Family Back Courtyard within two days.

After leaving the Yi Guan, Qin Feng did not return to the Qin Residence but first went to the Wuhu Da Jiu Lou.

Lu Ming, despite his minor injuries, refused to leave the front line and had already resumed renovating the wine house, hiring a batch of temporary craftsmen.

Although these craftsmen were all locals of Jingdu and looked down on Lu Ming, they dared not offend Qin Feng, and with Qin Feng offering high wages, they worked diligently and honestly.

Seeing Qin Feng arrive suddenly, Lu Ming immediately stopped his work: "Young Master, what brings you here?"

Qin Feng, with his hands behind his back, surveyed the renovation progress; seeing it had returned to track, he felt a wave of satisfaction: "Do well. Isn't your goal to restore the Lu family? When the project is done, I'll fund you to rebuild your home."

At these words, Lu Ming's heart surged with emotion; he dropped to his knees and banged his head three loud thuds on the ground: "Young Master, I have no way to repay you—anywhere you need me, even through fire and mountains, I will not hesitate!"

Qin Feng kicked out without hesitation, irritable: "A man's knees hold gold. If you kneel again, do you think I won't beat you?"

Though kicked and scolded by Qin Feng, Lu Ming felt no resentment—only warmth. His life had been full of misfortune; he had thought he'd drift aimlessly until he met Qin Feng.

To Lu Ming, Qin Feng's kindness was like giving him a new life. And anyone who could be scolded or struck by Qin Feng was truly blessed!

Just look at Qin Xiaofu.

He's constantly ordered around by Qin Feng, yet he's grown fat and healthy—how many would kill for the chance to be scolded by Qin Feng?

What they didn't know was that Qin Feng always kept emotions and business strictly separate—each matter accounted for on its own.

He promoted Lu Ming not only because the boy was reliable, but because Lu Ming was clever and skilled; whether launching other businesses or designing weapons for the Army, Lu Ming would be indispensable.

Lu Ming, Lin Quqi, even Shen Qingshuang—all were reserve talents.

"When can you open for business?" Qin Feng cut straight to the point; the day to strike Zui Xian Lou was drawing nearer, and there was no time to waste.

Lu Ming clenched his teeth; without Qin Feng prompting, he voluntarily swore a military oath: "Two days! If I delay your plans, I'll bring my head to you!"

Qin Feng clapped Lu Ming on the shoulder, satisfied: "Good. I trust you. The wine house is yours. Also, hire a few more people—quickly make me ten juice presses. Simple tools for squeezing sugarcane juice. Can you handle it?"

Though sugarcane stores well, it can't be left exposed to wind and rain in the Back Courtyard forever—it must be processed into sugar as soon as possible.

Lu Ming grinned confidently, not even regarding the task as difficult: "Juice presses are extremely simple. Just hire a few craftsmen—they can be made in less than a day. Leave it to me, Young Master, rest assured."

With the sugarcane raw material and juice presses settled, only the storage issue remained—then everything would be resolved.

Leaving the wine house, Qin Feng first went to the Da Zhanlan pottery market and walked into a random shop.

The shopkeeper was a middle-aged man who instantly recognized Qin Feng; his eyes lit up: "Young Master Qin! What wind blew you here? Come in, come in! Wife, Young Master Qin is here—hurry and brew tea! Hey, you old woman, which Young Master Qin could it be? Of course, the son of the Minister of War!"

Qin Feng, hands behind his back, circled the shop, then pointed to the largest jar: "Shopkeeper, how much for this one?"

The middle-aged shopkeeper rubbed his hands, beaming: "For Young Master Qin, we only charge cost—two hundred wen per jar."

Qin Feng sneered: "Don't play games with me! This jar's total cost—materials and labor—is at most one hundred and forty wen. You're taking advantage and acting smug. Get me fifty quickly, delivered to the Qin Family Back Courtyard. Here's twelve taels of silver. Take it."

Qin Feng pulled out one large and two small silver ingots and tossed them into the shopkeeper's hands.

The shopkeeper held the silver, stunned: "Young Master Qin, did you learn arithmetic from your servants? One jar is two hundred wen, so fifty should be ten taels—why did you give me twelve?"

Qin Feng shoved his hands into his crotch and strolled out lazily, tossing off a remark: "The extra two taels are for the kids to buy sugar."

The shopkeeper beamed, rushing to see Qin Feng off, unable to help but sigh: "Among all the noble sons in Jingzhong, there's only one like Young Master Qin. If you ever need jars again, I'll give you a ten percent discount. You brat, hurry over and thank Young Master Qin!"

Lin Quqi, who had been walking beside Qin Feng all along, felt deeply conflicted.

From initial admiration, to later contempt, to now astonishment—Lin Quqi's emotions had never steadied. Finally, he couldn't hold back and asked in a low voice: "Brother Qin, is… this pottery shopkeeper a relative of the Qin Residence?"

Qin Feng looked puzzled: "No. Why ask that?"

Lin Quqi said nothing, frowning, head down, mentally calculating.

This man was not only the son of the Minister of War, but also a favorite of the Emperor, the first in this dynasty to be awarded the Golden Sash for extraordinary merit. His status should have been unapproachable.

Lin Quqi had met countless sons of officials—even the sons of Nine Rank clerks were arrogant beyond measure, feared like tigers. Yet Qin Feng mingled freely with commoners; this plain-folk pottery seller didn't fear him—he even dared to joke with him…

Yet Qin Feng was not a gentle or approachable man.

On the contrary, he was ruthless, with a notorious record in Jingdu; even Li Rui, the Minister of Revenue's son, and the Little Marquis of Yong'an Marquis Mansion had suffered bloody losses at his hands.

Lin Quqi could not fathom it—could such a person truly exist? Brutal toward noble sons, yet kind to commoners?

Seeing Lin Quqi suddenly stop, Qin Feng smiled: "Brother Lin, are you thinking that associating with me lowers your status? Corrupts your dignity?"

Lin Quqi clenched his fist tightly and bowed deeply to Qin Feng, voice firm and clear: "I, Lin, was blind—I failed to recognize your great wisdom. Please forgive me. There are countless ambitious men in Heaven, but all they do is talk big, empty words. You, Brother Qin, act without speaking—truly, I am ashamed."

Lin Quqi's doubts had vanished entirely; he now felt only admiration for Qin Feng.