Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 138 : Strategist

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When Shen Zechuan woke up in the morning, the day was just starting to break. After Shen Zechuan had his breakfast, he boarded the carriage and headed back to the cosmetics shop with Kong Ling. It was still business-as-usual in the front hall. Qiao Tianya and Fei Sheng stood guard in the courtyard, while the Imperial Bodyguards kept careful surveillance both inside and outside the shop. 

Half an hour later, Luo Mu’s sedan arrived too. He was wearing his usual attire—a deep red robe with a slanted collar. The shopkeeper at the front desk was sharp. Seeing as the attendants following behind Luo Mu were unfamiliar, he raised his voice and said, “It’ll be scorching hot soon, and it’ll be tough on you all to be standing outside. Men, lead these brothers into the room for some tea and a rest.”

Those few attendants exchanged glances. Presuming that Luo Mu would not be able to escape, they followed the shop assistant into a room. After entering, they insisted on hanging the curtains up so that they could keep an eye on the entrance of the front hall.

The shop assistant followed beside Luo Mu and offered a handkerchief to Luo Mu to wipe his hands. Luo Mu wiped his hands as per usual and took a look at the goods on the counter. The shopkeeper greeted him with a courteous smile and said, “The last time Your Excellency came by, we didn’t have all the goods. This time we have prepared them well in advance. There are even new jade pieces and trinkets that have just arrived from the east. They are all in the back. This way, please!”

Luo Mu appeared to be hesitating as he cast a glance at the attendants. 

The shop assistant continued, “This short distance will not take too much effort. Some goods are hard to come by, it’s not very convenient to bring them to the front for you to choose from, and it doesn’t look good on you when you view them there.” 

Only then did Luo Mu reluctantly nod and follow the shopkeeper to the courtyard at the back.  

Qiao Tianya personally drew the curtains. Luo Mu said his thanks and bent over to enter. He first paid his obeisances to Shen Zechuan, then looked at Kong Ling. It was only after seeing that both their expressions were relaxed that he took his seat. 

Shen Zechuan noted that Luo Mu was dressed as a literati today and presumed that he must have chosen his clothes and shoes carefully before leaving the house. Although he sat impeccably upright after entering, he would subconsciously look at Kong Ling wherever there was a conversation. The moment Kong Ling opened his mouth, Luo Mu’s eyes would be fixed on him.  

“Cai Yu has been going all out to hit out at the smaller gangs these days, but he knows not to go too far. He understands the principle of interdependency given that they share a common lot; if one falls, the other will be in danger too, and he also fears he will end up isolated by all if he crosses the line. So at the same time he strikes out at the smaller gangs, he attempts to win over the remaining younger generation by ‘offering low-priced grains to help the masses’.” As Shen Zechuan was at the side, Luo Mu was already trying to hold his gaze in check. “This approach is to sell the grains cheaply to the gangs who had not been stirring up trouble.” 

Kong Ling asked, “How much is that?” 

Luo Mu answered, “One tael for five dou of grains.” 

Kong Ling smiled and said, “The price isn’t really that lowered. His so-called ‘low-priced grains’ merely means he makes just a tiny bit less profit than the others out there. Cai Yu used to be generous in helping the needy, and he never used to think much of money and worldly possessions, but he’s so miserly now that he’s older.”