Chapter 373: Chapter 294: House Servant?_2
"Vice Minister Xu is renowned for his extraordinary talent and fame; how could I not know of him? However, I am merely a traveling merchant. Although I admire him, I have not had the fortune to meet the Assistant Minister."
"This time I have come to this esteemed place for the first time and, unexpectedly, by chance, arrived at Vice Minister Xu’s hometown. If I don’t earnestly complete this deal, I would indeed be letting down the opportunity Heaven has given me."
Jiang Lin said as he took out the travel permit from his chest and placed it on the table. It was something Fu Zhen had obtained for him from the government office before he left, with the government’s official seal genuine and untampered.
Zhou Yi examined it carefully, then pushed it back with a smile, saying, "So Boss Jiang shares the same surname as Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites Jiang Hui. Assistant Minister Jiang works quite harmoniously with our master; in that case, we might consider you half of our own."
"Thanks for the compliment, Housekeeper Zhou."
Zhou Yi waved his hand, "Let’s skip the formalities. Boss Jiang is a big businessman and should know that families like the Xu Mansion don’t see a shortage of merchants like you seeking trades every year. The price offered by Boss Jiang shows your sincerity. I have no reason to turn away a god of wealth for our master. But, just wondering, how long does Boss Jiang plan to do business with us?"
"As long as Housekeeper Zhou is willing to deal with me, I assure you, I’ll do business for that long with you!"
Jiang Lin gave an understanding glance.
Over the years, Xu Yin has been building a reputation for integrity and has left no clear evidence of profiteering. However, judging by his lifestyle, he is not lacking, and importantly, he needs to support many guards around him, which surely requires money.
Where does his money come from?
There might be other channels, but with so much farmland in his ancestral hometown, he wouldn’t waste it.
His position as a powerful minister in the court can attract many indirect benefits. With Yukou Village close to the docks, it’s a ready-made channel of profit.
Jiang Lin cast out the bait, and indeed Zhou Yi’s expression turned much more serious.
"If only Boss Jiang had come a few months earlier, I could have reserved this year’s grain for you. Unfortunately, except for the grain already committed to previous rice merchants, there’s not much left, and I’m afraid you may not find it appealing."
"What are you saying? As long as Housekeeper Zhou is willing to accommodate, even if it’s just a single stone of rice for sale, I, Jiang Lin, wish to establish this relationship with your household as well!"
Before coming, Jiang Lin was prepared for the possibility that the business deal might not work out, given that it was not the right season.
Zhou Yi’s words clearly were also bait, wanting to keep hold of this lucrative opportunity, and how could Jiang Lin not follow suit?
"That’s good then!" Zhou Yi laughed, "Boss Jiang truly is a straightforward person!"
Jiang Lin took the cue and said, "Might I ask if it’s convenient for Housekeeper Zhou to lead me to the warehouse to inspect the rice? If it’s satisfactory, I’d like to haul it away within the next two days! To be honest, I’m afraid of delays causing others to snatch this deal."
The Rice Shop Manager, who made the introduction, was expecting a commission and immediately said upon hearing this, "What’s said is true! Now that the deal is struck, no time should be wasted."
Zhou Yi stood up, "Then Boss Jiang, please follow me."
The granary was in the north rear courtyard, with a small gate leading outside. However, since everyone was already inside the mansion, they naturally went directly through it.
Along the way into the courtyard, Jiang Lin kept his eyes and ears open. The information Liu Quan gathered about there being few servants at the Xu Mansion was indeed true, as they only saw four or five people on the way.
Inside the granary, they conducted a routine inspection by grabbing a few handfuls of rice. The two sides then agreed to transport the rice the day after tomorrow.
"The day is still early today, perhaps we could finalize the contract now," said the Rice Shop Manager, as the two of them were pondering the number of carts needed, tactfully pulling Zhou Yi aside.
Jiang Lin took advantage of the moment to observe the surroundings. This was a typical Tanzhou residence with multiple courtyards. Compared to those in the capital city, the yard was more intricate; many courtyards had open-air wells in the middle, connected by winding paths. Under the eaves were stacks of firewood and bricks.
From this, it seemed that the mansion Xu Yin arranged for people to guard showed no anomalies.
He withdrew his gaze and was about to discuss signing the contract with Zhou Yi when a middle-aged house servant, hunched over, entered carrying two clay pots.
His face had scars over seventy to eighty percent of it, remnants of burns. One of his eyes had its shape altered, and due to the tension from the scar tissue, his left eye was noticeably smaller than the uninjured right, barely exposing a single pupil.