novel-bin 58. Asking about the knife
58. Asking about the knife
"Haha, Liu Yunfei really knows how to get things done."
Ren Qingshan nodded with a smile.
This was a simple matter for him; he didn't even have to lift a finger, he just opened his mouth, and Liu Yunfei quickly took care of it.
Of course, for Liu, it was just a matter of a word.
After chatting with Hu Xiaofeng for a while, Ren Qingshan finally said, "Old Hu, do me a favor. Select three mature and reliable people from among the demon hunters, who have connections in the city. Including you, that makes four. I'll need manpower for my business in the future."
Ren Qingshan didn't want to experience transporting corpses a second time.
Taking on apprentices is a serious matter, so you need to choose carefully. First, spend money to hire a few temporary workers. If they are useful, keep them; if not, fire them.
Hu Xiaofeng didn't expect such an unexpected surprise. He asked in detail about the requirements for selecting people and the general tasks to be done. Finally, he shamelessly asked about the monthly salary before leaving with profuse thanks.
It's climbed up a big tree!
……
Over the next two days, Ren Qingshan received and saw off various guests.
He was even called over by Fang Yanping to inquire about the bandit killing, and was praised a few times.
Ren Qingshan then suggested that he wanted to open a grain store and asked for some advice.
Fang Yanping praised this as a good thing, emphasizing that agriculture and sericulture are fundamental. He and Master Zhou each shared their thoughts, taking stock of the dozen or so grain merchants in the city, the various grain transportation channels, and grain prices, etc.
This business is already very mature and sophisticated.
There was a chamber of commerce: the Rice Industry Association.
Logistics and transportation are available: both by water and land.
Warehousing: Businesses that specialize in grain storage.
There are large-scale wholesalers: "River Merchants" located at the docks that handle large-scale grain transactions, and "Slope Merchants" located in bustling city centers.
Retail: scattered rice shops, grain shops, and mom-and-pop shops.
Financial activities: Large grain traders often engage in usury or use "seedling money" to pre-purchase grain.
Although the grain industry is complex, Ren Qingshan has a clear mind.
For now, don't touch anything else. Just open a grain store and start with retail. Use it as a window for acquiring land and wait for the money to roll in before planning to expand and strengthen the business.
Buying land is my core priority.
……
They found Ren Yaokang and helped him find a suitable storefront for opening a grain shop, as well as a house in the inner city.
Then Ren Qingshan went straight to the Lu family.
Two things:
First, I'll take on a disciple from the Lu family.
Secondly, I'll borrow a manager from the Lu family to do my bidding.
Ren Qingshan had already figured out the staffing structure for the grain store: the Lu family would lend him a manager, Hu Xiaofeng and three others would do various odd jobs, and a relative from the village would be called in to form a relatively stable triangular structure.
Once personnel matters are settled, land deeds will naturally be delivered to your door in a steady stream.
Then, as their own strength and reputation increase, they can naturally benefit the grain store business.
……
Where is your mother?
When Ren Qingshan was welcomed into the Lu family's residence in the inner city by the servants, he learned that only Lu Qingyi was there, and Jin Xiulan was not.
"She...she went back to Lujiazhuang to take care of some things."
Lu Qingyi said in a serious tone.
After returning home the day before yesterday evening, although her mother was very satisfied with the bandit killing, she asked why she didn't go to the prefectural city and also asked about her and Ren Qingshan... Lu Qingyi was so bothered that she chose to return to Lu Family Village alone yesterday morning to find some peace and quiet.
However, in the afternoon, the mother persisted and chased after him back to Lujiazhuang.
So today, she ran back to her home in the inner city.
The main theme is "Kings Never Meet".
There's no need to tell Ren Qingshan these things; it would be too awkward.
"Oh? Nobody's home? Do you have a cat?"
Lu Qingyi, of course, didn't understand his joke and was slightly taken aback: "There's a calico cat in the backyard that guards the granary and catches mice. You like cats?"
"No, not really. How about we go back to Lu Family Village? I need to speak with your mother."
Ren Qingshan explained the reason for his visit.
She hesitated for a moment, a troubled look in her eyes, but still agreed.
As a daughter, I know my mother's temperament perfectly well.
With Ren Qingshan around, Mother wouldn't ask any more questions.
Moving around like this will make things much easier going forward... going forward will be much easier.
……
Hundreds of miles away.
Killing the tiger.
Lu Jiu led his caravan to a large teahouse about thirty miles from Shahu Pass. They waited all morning, seeing several caravans and many pedestrians.
Only then did the group travel together in a grand procession.
This is the norm.
Although the bandits at Shahu Pass were well-behaved, they were still bandits after all, and they had no regard for the law. It would be safer if there were more of them.
On the way, Lu Jiu chatted with the leaders of several other caravans, and all he heard was their high praise for Ren Qingshan, which subtly elevated his own status.
Although he felt a little uncomfortable, Lu Jiu quickly composed himself and dealt with the situation calmly.
It's certainly a good thing that the Lu family has such a powerful ally.
This crisis was only managed to be weathered safely thanks to Ren Qingshan.
Hopefully, this man is of good character, respects his status and age, and doesn't have any improper thoughts about the young lady!
"Everyone...you're here!"
"Our usual routine, hahaha."
As soon as they arrived at Kill Tiger Pass, more than a dozen burly men wielding knives rushed out of the forest. They had fierce-looking faces, but they were laughing as they spoke.
The caravan and pedestrians knew the rules, so they lined up to pay in turn.
The Thirty Articles for Pedestrians.
One-tenth of the caravan's value.
"Hey, Mr. Lu, hahaha, the Lu family's been making quite a splash these past few days..."
Lu Jiu looked at the ruthless bandits in front of him, nodded and smiled, and said modestly, "Not at all, I can't compare to the glories of your leaders."
Thinking to himself, the bandits at Hukou wouldn't cause trouble for Yixiandao and the Lu family, since they each had their own territory, and there were so many people around.
"We're just trying to make a living, and all we're doing is protecting you all..."
This bandit leader robbed people on the road, yet spoke of lofty ideals.
The bandits behind him burst into laughter.
Not wanting to offend him, Lu Jiu chuckled twice, remained silent, and waited for him to continue, secretly gathering strength in his feet.
"Nothing else, don't be nervous. Kill Tiger Pass has its own rules."
"However, there is one thing I would like to trouble you, Master Lu, to ask Ren Qingshan when you get back."
The bandit leader laughed.
"you say."
Lu Jiu breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"Yesterday, a bandit from the prefectural city came to ask my chief a favor: to retrieve the treasured sword of Yixian Dao. This sword is the heirloom of one of the nineteen bandit groups in the prefectural city, passed down for over a hundred years, and every brother in the underworld recognizes it. I suppose Ren Qingshan is a righteous man, so he has no use for this sword."
"If we can return the knife, this matter will be considered closed, and they will admit defeat. But if we don't return it, there may be some trouble in the future. After all, there are always some brainless brutes who want to make a name for themselves and rise to power."
Upon hearing the bandit leader's words, Lu Jiu's eyes narrowed slightly.
This knife is Ren Qingshan's spoils of war. Shall I go and ask for it back?
Am I overestimating myself?
"How could I possibly make such a decision? Please tell the chief that I can only convey a message; as for whether it will succeed, I cannot guarantee it."
"No problem, no problem, just pass on the message."
After exchanging a few more words with him, I paid the toll and passed through the Tiger Killing Pass safely.
However, Lu Jiu couldn't help but have doubts.
This was something that bandits had never heard of before, and it was even somewhat absurd.
He doesn't really believe in tokens of love or keepsakes.
Strength is the true proof.
What use is a deadly blade?
Could it be that there is something extraordinary hidden inside that precious sword?
The story of hiding treasure in a knife is not uncommon in the martial arts world.
……
……