Chapter 17: 1.16

Bai Zhishi soon left their group and went towards Uncle Tan's camp and proceeded to swiftly cook their meals.

After a short rest, they went back to traveling. Until they reached the Capital of Zou Kingdom. Bai Zhishi and Uncle Tan went directly to the closed Tea House and prepared for the Tea House's grand opening.

With his trusted little helpers named Kě xìn and Táoqì (Faithful and Naughty), They spread the news and gave fliers to passing individuals.

The grand opening was a success, there were a lot of civilians and nobles who came and congratulated them. Serving the best dishes and best service, everyone was pleased and praised them to the heavens. There were some nobles who wanted to gossip about the outside of Zou and Bai Zhishi quench their thirst for his best capabilities. Everyone left the Tea House with a filled stomach and a good mood.

"The grand opening of our Teahouse is a hit Master!"- Taoqi said and smiled from ear to ear. Bai Zhishi sat in his office as Ke Xin poured some tea for Bai Zhishi. Bai Zhishi thanked him and drank his tea before looking outside the bustling streets of Zou Kingdom. The sun was slowly setting as his employees cleaned the place and closed early.

"This is just the start of the business of our Teahouse, no need to be so overjoyed."- Bai Zhishi smiled at the two children.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Owner Lan drowning in gold! Hahaha!"- Taoqi said mischievously. Bai Zhishi only shook his hand and told them to rest early, they nodded and saluted to him before they withdrew.

Looking out the window as the moon slowly rises, His mind wanders off about the Great General he met in the woods and Bu Feng, he is in the South after all. Bao thought of the first stroll he would have, he needed to visit the most popular and festive streets know what are their trends, and invite some merchants to support the Teahouse and invest!

Bai Zhishi took a warm bath before going to sleep.

After a month, The Tea House flourished and many merchants came and went, exchanging food and trinkets, exchanging knowledge, and learning new things with Bai Zhishi.

Everyone's talking about the Huatian Tea House when Bu Feng returned to land from his expedition, he thought he got into the wrong kingdom.

"Boss! We'll start to unload these goods!"- One of his men said and he made a go signal before looking back at the human traffic, catching the words "Huatian Teahouse", "In Prosper Street", "So popular" and lastly, the name he was very familiar of, "Bai Zhishi"

"Boss! We are done!"- One of his men said with the list of their goods all checked. Bu Feng looked back at him and took the list, looking at everything swiftly before grabbing a bag of gold coins,

"Give two gold coins to each man, ask a few to guard the ship and the rest could go out in leisure. I will leave for a bit, Long! Come with this Master!"- He put the bag in the man's hand and left with his boy towards the prosper street. He could hear the loud "Thank you Boss!" and they shouted with enthusiasm but he paid them no mind and continued his way to his destination.

When he saw the familiar structure in the Zou Kingdom, he still couldn't believe it and stared outside with a foolish look on his face. Long look back at his Master before looking at the Tea House in front of them,

"Master, would Master like to reserve a private room in this shop? this slave will immediately do so if Master commands,"-Long said and bowed down facing his master. Before Bu Feng could answer, He saw a certain someone leading a couple of guests out with his pleasant business smile. After the guests leave, he gives a sigh of relief before wiping his sweat with his white handkerchief before turning to go back inside.

Somehow, Bu Feng's and Ba Zhishi's eyes met, and Bai Zhishi's eyes widened before he pleasantly smiled at him.

Just like from their first meeting, Bai Zhishi wore his emerald green robe with bamboo embroidered at the end of his robe, his hairstyle still neat with that white jade hairpin small silver crown. He still looks the same after more than a year!

"Bu Feng!"- Bu Feng made an awkward smile on his face before he walked towards Bai Zhishi's position, getting off-guard when the man dived into his embrace when he was within arm's reach. Bu Feng blinked and looked down at Bai Zhishi who was mumbling all his grievance and insecurity while being inside the Zou Kingdom.

"*cough* Bai Zhishi, I think it's best to talk inside?"- Bu Feng felt helpless with this man's lack of attention to other kinds of stuff. There are people looking at them and starting to gossip, he would like to have a clean name and dignity as well as Bai Zhishi too. Thankfully, Bai Zhishi immediately got the message and started to clear their names after he stood up properly and gave a greeting.

"Oh! Where are my manners, Mister Bu Feng, Thank you for coming to our Huatian Tea House. After my owner thought of the splendid Zou Kingdom and its prosperous economy, we just have to take your offer and build a second branch of our humble tea house! Thank you for giving us great insight!"- With Bai Zhishi's words, the spreading gossip stopped and they both recovered their face and dignity.

As they settle in a private room on the third floor, Bu Feng can't help but praise the interior designs and the ambiance of the tea house. Bai Zhishi smiled at this and answered him.

"Unlike the Zen Kingdom, Zou Kingdom's people were actually just after knowledge and not the extravagant interiors. I learned of that after the first day of the Grand Opening of the Tea House and it actually doubled the sales!" Bai Zhishi smiled and told him most of his discoveries.

"I am glad you are coping up in the Zou Kingdom,"- Bu Feng said and took a sniff of the tea presented to him by Bai Zhishi. It was a new product infused with a native flower and nut extracts, it was mild in taste and new to his tongue.

"This tea is good, Ladies will surely like this type of tea,"- Bu Feng said and smiled at Bai Zhishi. Bai Zhishi showed a relieved smile and finally laid out his plan. Bu Feng was baffled about this kind of cooperation but when met Bai Zhishi's resolute and serious face, He couldn't say no and felt that his gains were reasonable.

"This proposal between the Huatian Tea House and the Sea Serpent Mercenary will cooperate and will sell goods such as tea leaves, sugar, flour, and other products listed inside the contract. It will be credible and starting this day, xx-xx-xx until next year of the same day and month. The sales will be in the ratio of 75:25,"- Bai Zhishi said and presented the double contracts to Bu Feng and they signed the contracts.

After that, Bai Zhishi treated Bu Feng to a handsome meal and chatted for a little while before seeing him off.

"See you soon, I'll look forward to this cooperation!"- Bai Zhishi said and smiled at Bu Feng, Bu Feng nodded and smiled at him too, before turning around and walking away back to his ship.

As the closing time got closer, Bai Zhishi thought that everything would be done for the day, not until-

*slam!*

Bai Zhishi looked back at the door and saw his boy, Taoqi, panting and making his way towards him in haste!

"Master! Master! Ah, Master! Master!! Master!!!"- Taoqi shouted in a frenzied and loud manner, making Bai Zhishi, the other customers, and his employers slightly grimace.

"Shh! Why are you so loud? It's already getting late!"- Bai Zhishi said and scolded the young boy.

"M-Master! No time for that! The Prince! The Prince of Zou Kingdom!!! He's gonna visit us tonight!"- Taoqi shouted alerting the others. Ke Xin took the golden scroll from Taoqi's pouch and read the words on the scroll.

"Master... The Prince will visit the Tea house at exactly eight pm, this scroll... has the imperial seal,"- Ke Xin said in a serious tone.

"..... WHAT?!!!"