Chương 34: Deputy Manager
Biên tập viên: Henyee Translations
He saw a middle-aged man wearing a cotton-padded jacket in front of a spacious medicinal shop. He was thrown out of the medicinal shop by two strong men.
"If you don't leave, the city guards will take you down. By then, you won't be able to leave even if you want to!"
A man wearing a fur coat, who was standing behind the two strong men, threatened the middle-aged man.
"Shopkeeper, how can you do this!"
The middle-aged man was thrown to the ground and refused to get up. His expression was anxious. "We did not agree on this price. If you refuse to pay me the agreed upon price, how can I explain it to the folks in the village!"
"Explaining is your responsibility, it has nothing to do with me."
The man called the shopkeeper, turned around and returned to the store.
The middle-aged man crawled and hugged the shopkeeper's leg.
'This asshole…'
The shopkeeper gave two strong men a look.
The two strong men nodded slightly in response. They then each took out a thick stick from their waist, about to swing at the middle-aged man.
However, just as the stick was about to fall on the middle-aged man's back, the shopkeeper shouted.
"Stop!"
The shopkeeper sternly shouted.
This was not because he was suddenly showing some kindness, but because he noticed that there was a young man dressed in the Black Armored Guards uniform in the crowd.
The young man looked calm as he looked at him with an expressionless face.
The shopkeeper's heart dropped. He wanted to kick the middle-aged man, but since he was being watched by a Black Armored Guard, he forced a smile from his face.
"My brother…"
The shopkeeper bent down and held the middle-aged man's arm. "I'm sorry, I suddenly remembered. I was mistaken."
"What?"
The middle-aged man looked at the shopkeeper who suddenly turned into a completely different person. He couldn't react for a while.
He was mentally prepared to be beaten for asking to pay their previously agreed upon price.
But the shopkeeper seemed to have suddenly changed his temper.
"It's just a few hundred taels."
With that, the shopkeeper took out three silver notes and handed them to the middle-aged man.
"Go back and greet your fellow villagers."
"Thank you shopkeeper, thank you shopkeeper!"
The middle-aged man was flattered. He stood up, bowed and thanked many times before leaving with gratitude.
The short debacle was over, and the pedestrians who surrounded this place had also dispersed.
But Xu Ning did not leave, he stood still in place.
Feng Sigua was behind Xu Ning.
'This person…'
The shopkeeper leaned forward with a smile on his face. "Are you going to buy medicinal materials?"
Xu Ning glanced at the shopkeeper and didn't answer.
He was watching the actions of the shopkeeper just now.
He also knew very well that if he hadn't been here just now, that man would have been beaten. He wouldn't be able to get the 300 taels of silver.
"Master…"
The shopkeeper saw Xu Ning ignoring him. He felt a little anxious.
He lowered his head and gave a look at the strong man. The strong man nodded and left quickly.
"Old Feng, let's go in and take a look."
Xu Ning also wanted to see what a Dayuan Trading Company store looked like.
Feng Sigua was 30 years old, much older than Xu Ning, so Xu Ning calling him Old Feng was appropriate.
However, Feng Sigua was stunned that Xu Ning gave him a nickname.
Xu Ning stepped forward, and the shopkeeper followed closely behind.
"There are a lot of medicinal materials…"
Inside the shop, there were many types of medicinal materials.
Xu Ning glanced at them briefly. The quality was not bad.
After walking around, Xu Ning went up to the second floor.
On the second floor, Xu Ning saw some spirit medicine.
'Swallowtail Flowers, 300 taels for one?'
Xu Ning stood still in front of a Swallowtail Flower and took a look at the price. He felt that the price was not cheap at all.
Being Guo Ye's friend and receiving a family discount, a Swallowtail Flower was only 180 taels.
Even for Tao Yungang, who supplied supplies to other medicinal shops in the county, the harvest price was just 200 taels.
Yet here, the price was raised by 50%.
However, Xu Ning could understand why. This was a store, and they had to pay rent and wages.
"Do you like the quality of this Swallowtail Flower? If you want to buy it, I will give it to you for half the price."
The shopkeeper saw Xu Ning lingering in front of the Swallowtail Flowers, so he said quickly.
Xu Ning did not expect this shopkeeper to be so generous.
"Half the price is only 150 taels. Are you sure that you are not selling at a loss?"
When the shopkeeper saw Xu Ning speak to him, he was obviously relieved. "No worries, we are backed by Dayuan Trading Company, so our purchase price is low."
When talking about Dayuan Trading Company, the tone of the shopkeeper was slightly more serious.
Xu Ning smiled and shook his head.
This shopkeeper seemed to be deliberately reminding him of this shop's background.
"I didn't bring enough money."
Xu Ning had not planned to buy this.
Xu Ning also didn't want to take advantage of the discount.
He hadn't figured out the details of Dayuan Trading Company, so he didn't want to get involved with them too soon.
"It's fine, we can write it in the books, and you can pay when it's convenient for you…"
The shopkeeper had intentions to give it to Xu Ning, but suddenly there was another voice.
"Look at how selfish you are, Master Xu is interested, so just wrap it up and give it to him. Don't embarrass the Dayuan Trading Company!"
An old man with a skinny figure and a moustache walked down from the second floor.
He strode towards Xu Ning, and unlike the shopkeeper, the smile on his face looked sincere.
"Deputy Manager Yu."
The shopkeeper quickly saluted.
"Who are you? Do you know me?"
Xu Ning asked.
The old man called out his surname, so he obviously knew him.
But Xu Ning had just arrived at Maple Lane.
"Yu Xinghe, Deputy Manager of Dayuan Trading Company."
As Yu Xinghe spoke, he was full of confidence. "We got news yesterday about Master Xu's arrival at Maple Lane. When you came to Maple Lane today, we should have taken the initiative to visit. Now you are here in person, please excuse our rudeness."
Xu Ning narrowed his eyes and took a look at Yu Xinghe.
Although Yu Xinghe looked skinny, he had his own aura. He looked like a martial artist.
He was extremely confident when he spoke just now. There was no trace of nervousness when facing a Black Armored Guard.
"Dayuan Trading Company is well-informed."
Xu Ning responded
"After all, we are the landlords of Maple Lane. When we have guests on our own site, of course we must know in advance."
Yu Xinghe smiled.
Upon hearing this, Xu Ning's expression stiffened. He then laughed.
In Maple Lane, Black Armored Guards were outsiders, and he, the Deputy Manager of Dayuan Trading Company, was the real master.
'This Dayuan Trading Company is crazy.'
After Yu Xinghe spoke, he kept staring at Xu Ning's expression.
As a result, Xu Ning seemed to be a little surprised.
Yu Xinghe felt that this young man was more astute than he had imagined.
If another Black Armored Guard had heard what he said, they would either refute or question him. He didn't expect Xu Ning's nonchalantness.
However, Yu Xinghe's act didn't stop there. He clapped his hands and shouted, "Bring it over."
A young maid, holding a beautiful wooden box, walked forward.
She opened the wooden box, revealing three crystal clear dans.
"Please accept these Qinglu Dans, Master Xu."
Yu Xinghe said.
"Qinglu Dan?"
This was the first time Xu Ning had seen dans before.
He was going to wait until the end of the month when he was paid, to take a look at a Qinglu Dan, so he didn't expect to see it so early.
Xu Ning reached out and pinched a Qinglu Dan.
Sure enough, the Martial Arts Panel refreshed.
—
Discovered energy: 3 units
Absorb?
Yes/No
—
'500 taels for only 3 energy units?'
Xu Ning did not expect that the energy in this dan medicine was so little.
The Jasper Grass he had picked in the past was also worth 500 taels, but it had 6 energy units.
'It seems that dan medicine is not suitable for me…'
Xu Ning finally understood now.
When making dan medicine, the energy inside would not increase, only the utilization rate would increase. But since Xu Ning directly absorbed energy, he didn't have to worry about the utilization rate.
After seeing Xu Ning pinch a Qinglu Dan, a smile flicked across Yu Xinghe's mouth.
For warriors, resources are money. Anyone who loves money can be bought and used.
The Black Armored Guards in the Maple Lane Guard Station all loved money. They were all good friends with Dayuan Trading Company.
Chương 35: Boundaries
Biên tập viên: Henyee Translations
Xu Ning held the Qinglu Dan in his hand and began to think.
Yu Xinghe looked at Xu Ning, thinking that he was just thinking about how to accept the qinglu dan tactfully.
After all, he had seen this many times before.
'He is a young man after all, the temptation of a Qinglu Dan is too high…'
Just now Xu Ning gave Yu Xinghe a feeling of loss of control that was hard to fathom, but now, this feeling had disappeared.
"Master Xu…"
Seeing how Xu Ning was not speaking, Yu Xinghe prepared to take the initiative to relieve Xu Ning's plight.
"Deputy Manager Yu."
Xu Ning coincidentally spoke at the same time.
"This Qinglu Dan is too precious…"
Xu Ning gently put the dan medicine back into the box. "I will not accept it."
Yu Xinghe was initially smiling, but after seeing the Qinglu Dan being placed back into the box, his smile became a little stiff.
He looked at Xu Ning with puzzled eyes.
On the other side, Xu Ning looked at Yu Xinghe's eyes with a calm gaze.
In fact, Xu Ning was tempted by these three Qinglu Dans.
Although a Qinglu Dan's utilization rate was not high, as long as he accepted them, he could exchange it for silver tael, then use the silver tales to buy spirit medicine.
1500 taels could be exchanged for over a dozen energy units.
This temptation was very strong.
But unfortunately, Xu Ning felt that if he received the gift, he might be in debt forever.
During Xu Ning's interaction with Dayuan Trading Company, he had already learned that in the Maple Lane, Dayuan Trading Company was powerful and almighty; they were only superficially polite to the Black Armored Guards.
Dayuan Trading Company became the overlords of Maple Lane, while the Black Armored Guards were only puppets.
'Does the senior Black Armored Guards accept this behavior?'
Xu Ning refused the Qinglu Dans because he really didn't want to get into trouble.
Because Xu Ning knew well in his heart that even though Maple Lane was owned by Dayuan Trading Company, it was still inside Kangyun County.
The top controller of Kangyun County was still the Black Armored Guards.
The weakness of one Black Armored Guard station did not mean that the entire Black Armored Guards would tolerate the arrogant behavior of Dayuan Trading Company.
Revenge was a dish best served cold, and now was not the time yet.
"Master Xu, you don't need to mind the value of this gift. It's just a gesture from us."
Yu Xinghe felt that this young man was tricky to deal with.
Xu Ning waved his hand as a signal of rejection while still having a polite attitude.
What he had to do now was not to confront, but to keep distance.
Once he understood what the senior Black Armored Guards thought about Dayuan Trading Company, he would make a decision then.
Right now he did not want to get dragged into the deep end just yet.
"Deputy Manager Yu, I appreciate the gesture, but you can keep the gift."
Xu Ning no longer gave Yu Xinghe the opportunity to keep persuading him. He looked at Feng Sigua. "Let's go, Old Feng."
"Um…"
The shopkeeper stood aside. For a moment, he didn't even know whether to send Xu Ning off.
He subconsciously looked at the Deputy Manager Yu Xinghe.
Yu Xinghe paused for a second before smiling again. "If that is the case, we will not force you to accept the gift. When you have the opportunity in the future, make sure to visit us."
"Goodbye."
Xu Ning bowed with his hands and left with Feng Sigua.
Yu Xinghe stood in front of the window on the second floor as he looked at the two leaving.
"Deputy Manager Yu, this Xu Ning guy, can't be bought…"
The shopkeeper stood behind Yu Xinghe.
Yu Xinghe put his hands behind his back, his eyes deep in thought.
"Can't be bought?"
Yu Xinghe sneered. "Even Maple Lane Guard Station Head Chen Ren is under our control, let alone a small guard."
"Yes, yes…"
The shopkeeper said.
"But…"
Yu Xinghe said, "This Xu Ning guy acted beyond my expectations…"
"According to the information from the company, this Xu Ning is actually an outsider of Tao Village. Generally speaking, he has had the experience of being displaced and sent away. This kind of person should be extremely hungry for money and resources. He should be sensitive and have low self-esteem in his blood…"
"However, I can't find these flaws on Xu Ning." Yu Xinghe squinted his eyes. "He looks confident and secure. What makes me the most confused is his apathetic attitude towards resources."
"He refused three Qinglu Dans decisively. Xu Ning either has cards up his sleeves, or he is very smart…"
The shopkeeper stood by the side. This was the first time he had heard Deputy Manager Yu praise a young man.
"So you mean, this Xu Ning guy is hard to deal with?"
The shopkeeper leaned closer.
"Hard to deal with?" Yu Xinghe's tone changed again, "No matter how secure he is, we can penetrate his bottomline. No matter how clever, he has to consider the overall situation. He will succumb…"
"He has to accept these three Qinglu Dans, whether he likes it or not."
Yu Xinghe's tone was confident. "Today he did not accept it in public, but he will have to accept it in private the next day. Even if he does not want to, he has no choice…"
"After all, he is just a tiny… Black Armored Guard."
…
"Shame, what a pity…"
After leaving the door of the medicinal materials shop, Xu Ning shook his head gently and muttered to himself.
Feng Sigua followed him without talking.
He had just gotten to know Xu Ning, so it was better not to ask anything about Master Xu's personal finances.
However, from the bottom of his heart, Feng Sigua admired Xu Ning very much.
That was three Qinglu Dans, worth a total of 1500 taels of silver!
His monthly salary was ten taels, which was not bad in Kangyun County. But even if he didn't spend any taels for 10 years, he wouldn't be able to save 1500 taels.
"Old Feng."
Xu Ning said casually, "Is there a close relationship between Dayuan Trading Company and us Maple Lane Guard Station?"
Feng Sigua realized the intention behind Xu Ning's words. He hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Very close…"
After a pause, he clenched his teeth. "Lieutenant Chen and the Chief Manager of Dayuan Trading Company have a very good relationship, and because of this, the others in the guard station have also been controlled by Dayuan Trading Company."
Xu Ning glanced at Feng Sigua.
This was quite explicit.
Xu Ning understood Feng Sigua's intentions—this old city guard wanted to be on his good side.
Although he was a city guard, he was just an ordinary person with little knowledge of martial arts. If he wanted to have a better future, or even go further in life, he had to kiss the asses of the Black Armored Guards.
In fact, this was exactly Feng Sigua's intentions.
It's just that the other Black Armored Guards at the station didn't value him at all, and he happened to run into Xu Ning. This was a rare opportunity for Feng Sigua, hence the reason why he answered Xu Ning's questions truthfully.
"I heard that after coming to the guard station, I have the right to pick a few deputies from the city guards to do some chores for me?"
As Xu Ning spoke, Feng Sigua's heart was beating fast.
"Sir, there is such an arrangement…"
Feng Sigua felt his heart jump to his throat.
"I'm a newcomer and don't know anyone else. How about I take you under me?"
Xu Ning's words hit Feng Sigua like a tidal wave.
Feng Sigua's face flushed red, and he began to show his loyalty. "I am willing to go through fire and hell for you, sir!"
Xu Ning smiled, this loyal rhetoric was a bit old-fashioned.
"Let's go back to the guard station, and tell me some stories about the Maple Lane Black Armored Guards Post."
Xu Ning waved his hand and started their return journey.
Feng Sigua quickly followed.
…
Over the next few days, Xu Ning found Tao Qingyuan and the others. He asked them to inquire about the relationship between the other Black Armored Guards and Dayuan Trading Company.
During this time, Xu Ning also strolled around Maple Lane. He had learned a lot about Maple Lane from Feng Sigua.
In addition, Xu Ning also met a few other colleagues.
But they only came to the guard station as a formality, not to do any real work.
Everyone's performance was exactly the same as that of Lieutenant Chen—they were all slacking off.
On this day, Xu Ning went around Maple Lane with Feng Sigua as usual.
When he returned to his study in the guard station, he heard someone asking to see him at the door.
"Come on in."
Xu Ning said.
A city guard walked in, he lowered his head and said respectfully, "Sir, Lieutenant Chen asked you to come over."
"Lieutenant Chen?"
Xu Ning began to think.
He replied, "I'll head over right now."
"Thank you sir."
The city guard left.
Xu Ning stood up. He had a feeling that the reason why Chen Ren wanted to see him had something to do with Dayuan Trading Company.
'What does he want to say to me…'
Xu Ning left the room and walked towards Chen Ren's study.
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