A thin, middle-aged man sat in the main seat. Though gaunt, his eyes shone brightly, making him appear sharp and capable.
Batu stepped forward, cupping his fist. "Batu greets Lord Miao."
The man waved his hand. "Guest Batu, you are too kind. I, Miao Qingfeng, merely serve before the National Preceptor; I am not worthy of the title 'Lord'."
Batu chuckled. "Lord Miao, you are too humble."
Miao Qingfeng's smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression.
"Guest Batu, let's speak plainly. I want you to work for the National Preceptor. Name your price."
Batu's expression also turned serious. He cupped his fist towards Miao Qingfeng. "Lord Miao, since you put it that way, I won't beat around the bush. Our Vermilion Bird Gang has always taken money to solve problems. As long as your price is right, even if you want the old Emperor's head..."
Before he could finish, Miao Qingfeng's face darkened. "Guest Batu, don't blame me for not warning you. It's good you're saying this to me. If you said this to others, it would be considered treason and your head would be forfeit."
Startled, Batu shrunk his neck and quickly clasped his hands. "Thank you, Lord Miao, for the warning. I'm just used to speaking my mind."
"Good. Since you won't say it, I will!"
"In Qingniu County, there is a wealthy family named Liu. The head of the household, Liu Rumei, is a woman. I want you to annihilate the Liu family. The reward is five thousand taels of silver."
This...
Batu shivered inwardly. They had traveled thousands of miles from Tianzhu country, and it was precisely at Liu Rumei's invitation that they had come to do business.
Who would have thought that with a turn of events, the National Preceptor would offer five thousand taels to have the Liu family annihilated?
Batu was a quick-witted fellow. He instantly understood.
Liu Rumei had been the one urging them to quickly enter the mountains to ambush their opponent.
The news they received was that the one ambushing them was Sun Jian. This indicated that Sun Jian and the National Preceptor were in league. Sudan Novel Network.
If that was the case, they would have to keep their subordinates away from Sun Jian and his men in the future. What if someone in Sun Jian's group let slip something, and their own brothers found out the truth? Would they seek revenge then, or not?
These were matters for later. The immediate five thousand taels had to be earned.
With this thought, he cupped his fist. "Lord Miao, please rest assured. Our Vermilion Bird Gang has never failed a job. Just wait for my good news."
Miao Qingfeng chuckled and produced a bank note from his sleeve, pushing it towards Batu. "This is a deposit. After the job is done, the remaining three thousand taels will be immediately handed over."
With that, he stood up, cupped his fist towards Batu, and entered the back hall.
After the back hall fell silent, Xiao Cui walked in with a smile.
"Guest Batu, congratulations, congratulations."
Batu chuckled. "Miss Xiao Cui, what is there to celebrate?"
Xiao Cui leaned closer to Batu. "Isn't becoming the Vermilion Bird Gang's patron something to be congratulated?"
Batu playfully lifted Xiao Cui's chin, a hint of flirtatiousness in his demeanor. "Miss Xiao Cui, shouldn't you offer some token of appreciation?"
Xiao Cui smiled even more brightly, her face like blooming peach blossoms. "When the patron returns victorious, I will naturally express my gratitude. But for now, we must conduct business."
Saying this, she extended her hand towards Batu.
Batu laughed heartily and took out a bank note from his chest, gently placing it in Xiao Cui's palm.
"How could I forget your share?"
It was a five-hundred-tael bank note. Xiao Cui took it, examined it in her hand, and then, satisfied, tucked it into her sleeve, stepping back.
"Guest Batu, please have a seat and enjoy a cup of tea before you go."
Her attitude was entirely different from before, making Batu grit his teeth in anger.
"I'll skip the tea. Thank you, Miss Xiao Cui, for your introduction. If there are any more profitable ventures in the future, Miss Xiao Cui, please don't forget me."
With that, he cupped his fist and turned to leave.
Batu re-boarded the carriage and returned the way he came.
He traveled north for about four or five li and stopped beside a somewhat dilapidated inn, located far from the bustling town and thus quite deserted. The innkeeper's assistant hurried forward to take the reins of the carriage upon seeing Batu arrive.
Batu casually tossed him a piece of silver. "Please thank your master for me."
It turned out the carriage was rented.
After saying this, Batu lifted the wooden chest from the carriage and strode towards the backyard.
Yang Zhi and Yang Bo bypassed the courtyard wall and went to the outside of the backyard wall, crouching by the corner to observe carefully.
There was a row of main rooms in the backyard, about twenty in total.
Batu entered one room first, and then people emerged from the other rooms, all flocking into it.
These were all members of the Vermilion Bird Gang.
Yang Zhi was somewhat surprised that so many of them were still alive.
Inside Batu's room, the scene was chaotic, with everyone surrounding Batu and asking questions.
Batu cleared his throat, signaling for quiet. "Everyone, stop the noise and listen to me."
"After much investigation, I have confirmed that it was that Liu Rumei who sold us out."
"This woman is truly heartless. How can we not kill her to avenge our fallen brothers?" someone shouted loudly.
The momentum carried, and everyone began clamoring to kill Liu Rumei.
Hearing this, Yang Bo couldn't contain himself. He said to Yang Zhi, "Brother Zhi, shall we go too?"
Yang Zhi shook his head. It would seem too sudden if he revealed himself now.
It would be obvious that he had just followed them.
He explained his thoughts to Yang Bo, who looked bewildered. "Then what should we do?"
Yang Zhi smiled slightly. "It's simple. We'll wait until noon, find a place to eat and drink, and then come here to stay. Wouldn't that be a chance encounter!"
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei had also arrived in the county town.
Upon arriving at Hua Hao Tang, Chen Xiaobei first produced a ginseng root. Jia Wannian's eyes lit up upon seeing it.
"This ginseng is at least two hundred years old. This is the absolute best of the best. I must keep this as my shop's treasure."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's thoughts stirred. He smiled and asked, "Then how much do you think it's worth?"
Jia Wannian spread out five fingers and extended them towards Chen Xiaobei. "I'll give you fifty taels for this. What do you say?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled slightly. "Alright, I trust you!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. Jia Wannian immediately instructed a shop assistant to bring drinks, while he himself, holding the ginseng root, carefully moved into the back hall.
Taking the money, Chen Xiaobei got up and left with Li Dong.
As they walked out of Hua Hao Tang, Li Dong asked in confusion, "Brother Xiaobei, why didn't you give him the other two?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly. "There are two other pharmacies. Let's visit them."
"You mean Jia Wannian offered a low price?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "It's not about the money. He just said he wanted to make it a shop's treasure. I suddenly realized, if I gave him all four, wouldn't they become less valuable?"