Chương 107: Acquisition

Shunfeng Escort Agency. Hearing Guan Xing's sincere advice, Song Que secretly nodded, approving of the man's character.

"Uncle doesn't need to worry. Since I want to establish a merchant caravan, I've naturally thought things through. They are just a bunch of grass bandits, nothing to worry about."

"Haha, Uncle, it seems you haven't realized who this is!" Guan Yu laughed loudly beside them, explaining, "My brother here is the Young Hero Song Que, whose reputation has been resounding throughout the city recently! He is the one who single-handedly slew Zheng Junqing! A bunch of petty thieves aren't even worth Young Master Song's time." The three men of the Guan family were shaken upon hearing this and hurriedly cupped their hands:"This old man was blind! Greetings, Young Hero Song."

"Uncle, there's no need to be so polite. Calling me Song Que or A'Que is fine," Grandee Song smiled and waved his hand.

"I cannot, I cannot. Among us martial artists, the accomplished are respected as teachers. I cannot abandon martial world courtesy." Guan Xing seemed somewhat stubborn and old-fashioned, absolutely refusing to address him from the position of an elder. Finally, after much persuasion, he followed Guan Yu's lead and called him 'Young Master Song'.

"Young Master Song, do you truly want to take over this Shunfeng Escort Agency?" Hearing Old Guan get to the main point, Song Que pondered for a moment and replied:"There's no rush. Could Uncle give me a detailed introduction to the agency?"

"Ah, I was muddle-headed." Guan Xing smiled, patted his head, and began to explain:"The Shunfeng Escort Agency was founded by my father over thirty years ago. This old man is ashamed that I couldn't make it flourish, and now I'm even ruining the family business. I truly let down my ancestors." Being older, Old Guan grew sentimental and sighed with emotion. After a while, he wiped the corners of his eyes and continued:"I've made a fool of myself, Young Master Song.

The agency is not what it used to be, but the core framework is still there. Currently, excluding the members of our family, the agency still has twelve escorts. Three of them are First-Grade martial artists, while the rest are in robust health and proficient in fist and kick martial arts."

"These men all have at least four years of escorting experience, with the most experienced having nearly twenty. I can guarantee they know the roads connecting the four towns and thirty-six villages around Qinghe County like the back of their hands."

"Furthermore, including supplies like twelve horses and four carts, if you want, Young Master Song, you can start escorting goods immediately without needing to restock anything."

"If those escorts find out that you've transferred the Shunfeng Escort Agency to me, will they feel dissatisfied and want to leave the team?" Song Que asked in confusion. This was what he cared about the most. His goal this time was the people, not the Shunfeng signboard. Who knew what those people would think? If they found out Boss Song was the Head Escort and they just packed up and left, who would he complain to? Money wasn't the main issue; it was the wasted time looking for people again.

"Rest assured, Young Master Song, they won't have any objections." Guan Xing guaranteed with full confidence:"Not to mention they all have deep feelings for the Shunfeng Escort Agency, they've also signed long-term contracts with me. If they quit, they'll have to pay a massive sum in compensation. You don't need to worry, Young Master Song."

"I see. Where is everyone right now?" Hearing his question, Old Guan smiled awkwardly:"When we had business before, everyone gathered here to practice martial arts and chat. But recently, due to the difficulties, I discussed it with them and only paid half their wages, allowing them free time to take up odd jobs and earn some extra income." Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

After asking a few more detailed questions and feeling that it wasn't bad, Boss Song didn't hesitate and decided:"Alright, I'm very satisfied with the Shunfeng Escort Agency's conditions. Uncle, give me a price. If it's suitable, I'll buy it."

"This..." Although he had decided to sell long ago, Guan Xing still felt a pang of reluctance at this final moment. He hesitated for a while, sighed, and turned to look at Guan Yu and his two sons, silently discussing the asking price. A long while later, Guan Yu stepped forward and asked on their behalf:"Young Master Song, how does five hundred taels sound?"

"No problem." With deep pockets, Boss Song readily agreed to the figure without a second thought. Behind them, the expressions of the three men from Old Guan's family were complex and indescribable. They were happy to shed the burden, no longer having to worry about selling belongings to pay wages every month, yet sad to part with their ancestral business. It was truly a mix of emotions. Noticing their expressions, Song Que smiled:"Uncle, after selling the agency, what do you plan to do in the future?"

Hearing his question, Guan Xing was slightly dazed. He agonized over it for a long time but couldn't think of an answer. He sighed and replied honestly:"I haven't thought of anything yet. I'll just take it one step at a time."

"I would like to invite Uncle and the two elder brothers to continue managing the agency for me. What do you think?" Faced with Song Que's question, the three Guan men were stunned for a moment before asking excitedly:"Truly?!"

"Truly. I don't have the time or energy to manage these matters. Brother Hong isn't familiar with this either. After thinking it over, I still feel you are the most suitable candidate. If everyone agrees, the salary is easily negotiable." Being able to continue doing the work they loved, and not having to leave their ancestral business—even if it nominally belonged to someone else—Guan Xing and his two sons were satisfied enough. The three looked at each other, grinning from ear to ear.

"There's no need for a salary, just a token amount is enough." His mood completely relaxed, Old Guan laughed heartily. Boss Song found it amusing upon hearing this. This was the classic 'working for passion'. But he didn't want to take advantage of them, so he shook his head:"Business is business. Let's do it this way: you will continue to act as the Head Escort for me, and your salary will be at least double that of a regular escort. Brother Hong will calculate the specifics in a few days.

The two elder brothers will temporarily work as regular escorts." What did 'temporarily' matter? The Guan family trio was a hundred times satisfied with this price. They looked at each other and smiled as brightly as blooming chrysanthemums. Simultaneously, they cupped their hands and bowed:"Greetings, Boss!"

"Haha." Song Que was also amused by them and waved his hands:"Uncle, and the two elder brothers, there's no need for such formalities; just address me normally. Uncle, please go gather everyone in a bit and announce this news. I'll also pay this month's full wages."

"Also, in a few days, we'll have our first shipment heading to Yellow Leaf Town. Once Brother Hong prepares all the goods, we will announce the specific time. Everyone, just be ready to set off at any moment." Hearing 'Yellow Leaf Town', Guan Xing initially thought to advise against it. But remembering that the youth before him had personally slain a Fifth-Grade martial artist, he swallowed his thoughts. His confidence surged considerably.

After all, the leaders of those bandit groups in the Huanglian Mountains only had average strength, around the First or Second Grade. If not for their superior numbers and geographical advantage, Old Guan wouldn't have been afraid of them either. Although he wasn't what he used to be, stuck at the Second Tier without progress, he believed that with his many years of escorting and rich martial world experience, he had an eighty percent certainty of killing the opponent and surviving if it came to a real fight.

After paying Old Guan five hundred taels of silver and giving him a few more instructions, the trio of Song Que, Zhong Hong, and Guan Yu set off to return.

"Brother Hong, go organize people to buy goods and supplies. Look into what the town lacks and buy those things, then pack them onto the carts and gather them at..." Mid-sentence, Grandee Song ran into a problem.

"Never mind, let's just temporarily store the goods at Uncle Guan's place. You have another task: buy a spacious manor to serve as the new headquarters for the escort agency. Prioritize locations near the West Gate; the larger, the better."

"You sure have it easy, just dumping tasks on my head the moment you think of them! I also demand a salary!" Zhong Hong, already swamped with work, glared at him in dissatisfaction upon receiving another heavy responsibility. Boss Song rolled his eyes at him:"When I pay you a salary, I'll charge you for the alcohol, how about that?" Brother Hong, who had just been righteously riled up to fight for his rights, instantly wilted. His expression changed into a sycophantic, flattering smile:"No, no, I was just joking!

Haha! Being able to help you, A'Que, is my greatest joy. Why even mention money?!" He had to yield! The fine wine Boss Song possessed couldn't be found on the streets; if sold, it would fetch at least fifteen or twenty taels a bottle. He was sipping a bottle every single day now; what salary could possibly cover that? He quickly added:"As long as the alcohol is supplied, it's fine." Boss Song snorted coldly, ignoring him. Listening to their exchange, Guan Yu felt a terrible itch in his heart.

Having tasted it a few times at the Song Manor, he was intensely craving it too. But being thin-skinned, he didn't dare freeload frequently, so seeing Brother Hong get to enjoy it every day made him extremely envious. But what could I do? I'll just have to find excuses to visit and freeload more often in the future. Unaware of Old Guan's thoughts, Song Que suddenly asked:"Brother Guan, did Brother Hong talk to you about the manor outside the East Gate?"

"Ah... now that you mention it. Brother Hong did speak to me about it. I was so preoccupied with the other matter earlier that I forgot to tell Young Master Song." Guan Yu, who had just been daydreaming about freeloading at the Song Manor, was startled by the sudden question. After a moment of daze, he slapped his head in apology and immediately explained:"I know of that manor; it's quite famous in the city. It belongs to Young Master Xu. He is the nephew of the County Magistrate, Xu Shisheng.

If you want to buy it, Young Master Song, I'm afraid it will be difficult."