Chapter 291: Cooperation
Editor: Atlas Studios
Qi Haoran’s words opened a door for Mu Yangling. One look at her reaction and Qi Haoran knew that it hadn’t occurred to her. He snorted and mocked her. “You said you wanted to do business, but you didn’t even notice the business that came knocking on your door.”
Qi Haoran said seriously, “Go and tell them that outsiders are now prohibited from entering Hanzhong Prefecture. Now, those who can come and go freely are all major merchants. It might take them an entire lifetime to earn the sort of money needed to bribe the government office. Tell them this to make them give up on the idea of going to Hanzhong Prefecture.”
Mu Yangling had never done such a thing. After all, he had asked her to inquire about the travel documents, but by doing this, she would be intercepting his business.
Qi Haoran rolled his eyes at her. “You can’t set aside your pride, huh. Let them wait. I’ll go and see them personally.”
“Don’t.” Mu Yangling pulled him back. “I can’t take all the benefits while you bear the infamy. I’ll talk to them.”
Mu Yangling kept mentally building herself up and said, “This is normal in business, right?”
Qi Haoran huffed at her. “It’s a very normal thing.”
Mu Yangling had a document personally stamped by Qi Xiuyuan. Not to mention going to Hanzhong Prefecture, even if she went all the way to the capital, she wouldn’t have to go through the government office. Moreover, with her relationship with Qi Haoran, the bailiffs of Hanzhong Prefecture really didn’t dare to take a commission from her goods.
Perhaps Qi Haoran could not wait for them to slip up themselves. At that time, he would have a reason to punish them. However, one who could rise to become a magistrate in Hanzhong Prefecture was certainly no fool. He had long given orders to his subordinates not to investigate anything related to Qi Xiuyuan and his brother. Therefore, not only did the bailiffs pretend not to see Fan Zijin’s goods entering and leaving Hanzhong Prefecture, but they did not even dare to ask him for the entrance tax.
As for the soldiers guarding the city? They would only help with the cart.
Therefore, Mu Yangling could be considered to have relied on their power for once.
Mu Yangling returned home and mentally prepared herself for the night. Still blushing slightly, she brought Zhang Liu and Xiuhong to look for Butcher Qin.
The person who came with Butcher Qin was not a stranger. The last time, Butcher Qin had come with him to collect Mu Yangling’s sheep. His surname was Hua, and he was also a butcher.
Mu Yangling had never been good at beating around the bush, so although she blushed, she still said, “Uncle Qin, I’ve helped you ask around. Now, Hanzhong Prefecture is very heavily guarded. Those who can pass are all major merchants who have the means to pay a very heavy bribe to the government office. With your assets, I’m afraid…”
Butcher Qin and Butcher Hua’s expressions were a little dark. Actually, they had already found out yesterday. After all, Mu Yangling was only a child of a military household, so Butcher Qin mainly focused on the bailiffs in the government office.
Perhaps because the bailiff felt embarrassed for accepting 20 taels of silver for free, he had finally told the truth yesterday. Not to mention them, even officials below the sixth-grade in the government office could not enter Hanzhong Prefecture. Those who could pass through Xingzhou Prefecture were all backed by officials from both Xingzhou Prefecture and Hanzhong Prefecture. And also, the major merchants at the West Camp.
And what they heard from Mu Yangling today only made them more convinced of this news.
This could be said to be a shocking thunderbolt for the two of them. Not to mention that they had wasted the past few days, they had spent more than 30 taels of silver on food and accommodation. In addition, they had spent more than half a year’s worth of income to gather information and find connections.
This time, in order to be able to import mutton, he had set aside his pride to borrow money from the bank.
“Moreover, Hanzhong Prefecture is very strictly watched at present. Extortion by the bailiffs happens from time to time. Considering we’re only doing a small business, if someone takes some away, there won’t be much left.”
Butcher Qin forced a smile and cupped his hands at Mu Yangling. “No matter what, I have to thank Miss Mu. You’ve made a wasted trip.”
He turned around and said to Butcher Hua, “Brother, I’ve implicated you this time.”
“What are you talking about, Big Brother?” Butcher Hua said angrily, “Do I look like an irresponsible person? At that time, I was the one who wanted to go with you. So what if I suffered a loss? At most, I’ll tighten my belt and in two years’ time I’ll recover. But you… your mother’s medicine money…”
Butcher Qin hurriedly waved his hand to interrupt him. “There will be a way out when the time comes. I don’t believe that the heavens will leave me with no way out.”
Mu Yangling blushed when she heard that. Just as she was about to speak, Xiuhong beat her to it and said, “Uncle Qin, it’s not like there’s no way.”
“What way is there?” Butcher Qin and Butcher Hua looked up at Xiuhong, but they didn’t harbor much hope.
Smiling, Xiuhong looked at Mu Yangling and said, “Cousin, don’t you have a document personally signed by Big Brother Qi? Uncle Qin and his friend can’t go, but you can.”
Butcher Qin and Butcher Hua looked at Mu Yangling with bright eyes.
Mu Yangling could only play along and nod. “I can go, but my document only allows me to bring one person over. Moreover, that person has to be my family and have a household registration and road pass.”
Butcher Qin and Butcher Hua were not fools. They instantly thought of a solution. Their eyes lit up as they said, “Miss Mu, I have a business deal. I wonder if you’re interested?”
“I know what business the two of you are talking about, but the end of the year is approaching. I’m not sure if the shepherds in Hanzhong Prefecture still have their sheep.”
“As long as you’re willing to go, you’ll definitely be able to find it. When the time comes, give us a price. We’ll take over the sheep from you, and earn less at most. At least that would mean we didn’t make a wasted trip.”
“Sure, but you have to wait at the checkpoint. I’m in a hurry to go home, so it’s impossible for me to herd the sheep to Xingzhou Prefecture.” It had to be known that it took her a day to ride a horse from here to Hanzhong Prefecture. If she were to herd the sheep on foot, it would take two days.
Butcher Qin nodded repeatedly and said, “Miss Mu, don’t worry. We’ll wait for you at the checkpoint and trade there. As for the price…”
“Let’s not set the price yet. We’ll talk about it after I get the goods. As you know, I don’t know what the shepherds are asking for now.”
Butcher Qin and Butcher Hua could only suppress their eagerness and directly report how much silver they had on them. “We brought a total of 800 taels of silver this time. Miss, you can buy the sheep as you see fit.”
Mu Yangling didn’t expect them to be so honest. In that case, Mu Yangling returned the sincerity and said, “Don’t worry, since I won’t be spending much effort this time, I won’t make things difficult for you with the price.”
Butcher Qin heaved a sigh of relief. After sending them away, Butcher Hua said anxiously, “Why did you reveal what we had? Aren’t we giving her control this way?”
“Brother, when have I ever misjudged someone?” Butcher Qin said, “This Miss Mu is not inferior to men. Her straightforwardness is not inferior to mine. If we treat her sincerely, she will definitely treat us sincerely. I’ve just calculated in my heart. As long as her final price is not higher than four taels, we can still make a profit on this trip.”
Butcher Hua sighed. “I’m just afraid that she’ll directly quote a price of 4 taels and 200 or 300 copper coins. When the time comes, each of us will only earn three taels of silver per sheep. That’s not much different from losing money. Besides, it’ll take five days to walk from Hanzhong Prefecture to Xingyuan Prefecture.”
“Therefore, we can only gamble.” Butcher Qin was also a little disappointed. This time, it was because his mother’s illness had flustered him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have borrowed 400 taels of silver and taken on such a risk.
Butcher Hua also felt that the past few days had been too exciting and feared that his heart couldn’t take it. Regardless of whether he would break even or make a loss on this trip, he felt that he would only do this once.