Chương 201: Negotiation

Plum Manor. Boss Song's incredibly approachable reception made Fan Yiwang feel the 'warmth of the organization'. After dinner, dismissing Zhong Hong and Fan Yiwang to return to Qinghe, Song Que called Xiong Ba, Nie Feng, and Li Xin to head up to the Black Iron Stronghold once again.

"Greetings, Stronghold Leaders!" Even though it was late at night, hearing the news of their arrival, Knife and Bucktoothed Su still led people out to the gate to welcome them.

"Alright, everyone disperse. Knife, Bucktoothed Su, and Mo Yang, come with me."

"Yes, My Lord!" Leading the three of them back to the villa, Song Que turned and asked:"Has anything happened in the Stronghold these past few days?"

"To answer My Lord, everything is normal! The silver has all been placed in the Stronghold's treasury. It's just that the revenue from weapons sales this month wasn't very high," Knife answered immediately without thinking.

"My Lord, the decline in business is due to not having orders from the Locked Forest Stronghold anymore. Furthermore, I didn't let the brothers in the camp sit idle! During this time, following your modifications, we have already manufactured 10 carriages! My Lord can inspect them later." Mo Yang hurriedly explained, simultaneously proudly showing off the achievements of their Forging Camp! Hearing this news, Boss Song's eyes lit up with joy, his voice unconsciously rising a few pitches:"Really? Excellent work!

I will personally go take a look later."

"Have you manufactured any more military crossbows these past few days?"

"To answer My Lord, we have 5 more," Old Mo puffed out his chest proudly.

"Very good! Mo Yang, take this blueprint back and study it to manufacture a few sets for me! Have the people in the Forging Camp load all the sabers and crossbows onto the carriages and bring them down to the foot of the mountain! I will take them away later." What Song Que handed him was a blueprint for a distillation apparatus. It wasn't anything too special, just a few sealed barrels and some copper pipes; it shouldn't be difficult for Old Mo and his men.

"Yes, My Lord!" Mo Yang respectfully tucked the blueprint into his shirt, shouted loudly, and accepted the order to leave. Song Que then turned to the other two and said:"Bucktoothed Su, you are familiar with the path through Eagle's Sorrow. In the coming period, carefully investigate the rugged mountain paths and areas difficult for cargo carriages to traverse, and mark them on a map for me. This Stronghold Leader will need it later."

"Yes, My Lord!"

"As for you, Knife. I have had your criminal record in Qinghe County cleared! You can now freely enter the city! As for how you take revenge, this Stronghold Leader will not meddle in your affairs." Hearing Boss Song mention this, even though he knew this day would come, Knife couldn't help but kneel excitedly.

"Thank you, My Lord!"

"Alright, stand up. You too, Bucktoothed Su. As long as you work well for me, if anything happens, I will step forward to resolve it for you."

"Thank you, My Lord!" The two shouted in unison. Giving them a few more instructions, Song Que didn't stay long. That very night, he hitched up the 10 carriages and drove them back to Plum Manor through the night.... The Moon-Lacking Pavilion. Today, Song Que, the very 'negligent' Pavilion Master, returned here after nearly half a month!

After chatting with Old Shen and a group of elders and higher-ups about gang affairs and family matters for a short while, someone ran in and reported:"Pavilion Master, Chief Escort Guan of the Shunfeng Escort Agency requests an audience."

"Quickly, invite him in!" Guan Xing was exactly who Song Que had sent someone to find! He had been sitting here all this time just waiting for him!

"Greetings, everyone!" As a seasoned veteran of the martial world, Guan Xing absolutely didn't dare act arrogantly based on his age. He politely cupped his hands to greet Shen Ziming and the others before turning to ask Boss Song: Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

"Boss, you were looking for me?"

"That's right, Uncle Guan. How has the Escort Agency's business been these past few days?" Speaking of Shunfeng, Old Guan's face lit up with joy:"Boss, it's very good! Thanks to the help of the brothers from the Moon-Lacking Pavilion, our journey through the surrounding villages and towns can be said to be smooth and unhindered! More and more customers are coming to us! Now, the Escort Agency averages 2 escort missions a week; the income is very optimistic!"

Almost all the escort guards of Shunfeng had registered to join the Fierce Tiger Gang last time. The remaining people were naturally not enough to protect the escorts. Therefore, Song Que had specifically instructed Old Shen to regularly dispatch people to assist Guan Xing every week. Of course, this assistance wasn't free! The brothers who went on escort missions would naturally receive worthy remuneration from Shunfeng, which also counted as earning extra income.

"Mhm. Brother Shen, continue to look after Shunfeng for me later." Boss Song nodded in satisfaction.

"Rest assured, Young Master Song."

"Everyone, follow me! Uncle Guan, today I brought you a gift." Hearing this, the others curiously followed him out to the courtyard. There, they saw 10 brand-new carriages parked outside! Compared to ordinary carriages, these were significantly more spacious. Furthermore, from the color of the wheels, one could tell they were made of iron! Pointing at the carriages, Song Que introduced them to everyone:"Look, Uncle Guan! I specially commissioned people to manufacture these carriages!

The wheels and axles are made of refined iron! Compared to ordinary carriages, they are much sturdier and more spacious! One of these can roughly carry double the cargo of previous ones, and you don't have to worry about them breaking down on the road! It will be much more convenient for your escort missions in the future!" Hearing this, Guan Xing's eyes lit up brightly, and he couldn't suppress his excitement as he shouted:"Really?!"

"Haha, truer than gold! You can try them on your next escort mission, won't you know then?" Seeing him affirm it so confidently, everyone couldn't help but curiously step forward to inspect them. Old Guan even personally pulled a carriage around the courtyard for a lap! After finishing this, he happily shouted:"It's not any heavier than an ordinary carriage at all! Haha, thank you, Boss! With these treasures, returning within the day on an escort mission won't be a problem!" No wonder Guan Xing was so excited!

If these carriages were truly as Song Que said, their Shunfeng Escort Agency could complete round trips to surrounding towns within a single day! That would save an unknown amount of money on food and lodging! Wouldn't the Escort Agency's performance instantly skyrocket?!

"Alright, Uncle Guan, you can take these back and slowly get to know them. Everyone, go about your business! Brother Hong and Fan Yiwang, come with me; we are making a trip to the Sea of Clouds Pavilion."

"Yes, Pavilion Master!"... Cloud Sea Pavilion. Today, Yun Xi gave him plenty of face, personally coming down to the door to welcome Song Que's group. After leading everyone to the reception room, they ignored the discussions of the people below and casually moved a tea table out to the balcony to enjoy tea and chat. Looking down at the bustling stream of people passing by, Yun Xi suddenly spoke:"I wonder what plans Young Master Song has for the future?"

"Plans? Doing whatever I want, going wherever I want, eating whatever I want—does that count as a plan?" Song Que was also taken aback by her question. After thinking for a moment, he countered with the same question.

"Young Master Song is truly carefree." Carefully pondering his words, Yun Xi nodded in admiration.

"It's just that living in this world, at best, things only go our way eight or nine times out of ten. There are many things where we are bound by circumstances and have no right to choose." Seeing this young lady gently stroke her hair, a hint of melancholy appearing on her face, Grandee Song didn't find it hard to guess that she probably had her own unhappy matters! It was nothing more than the internal strife of wealthy families! Having watched many dramas, Boss Song could guess seventy to eighty percent of it!

The poor have the struggles of the poor, and the rich have the struggles of the rich! At least Song Que felt satisfied; he currently had no family, no ties, and his life was incredibly relaxed! Of course, Yun Xi's matter was someone else's family business! Boss Song couldn't be bothered to care! He merely casually said:"We feel bound by circumstances entirely because we are not strong enough!

If one day you become a Grandmaster—like Alliance Leader Zhao, Master Zhi Kong, or the Holy Mother of the White Lotus in the neighboring Jiannan Circuit—who would dare force you to do something you don't want?! If that's still not enough, then try a bit harder and become a Great Grandmaster! Or simply set your goal to be number one under heaven! Wouldn't all your worries vanish then?"

Hearing this guy speak so lightly and casually, Yun Xi couldn't help but roll her eyes at him:"This little woman's aptitude is dull; I have no extravagant hopes for this life! On the contrary, Young Master Song, with your talent, you might truly have a chance in the future!"

"Hehe, as long as I don't die prematurely, that is a certainty!" Grandee Song never lacked confidence, stating his dream completely straightforwardly! Yun Xi merely attributed it to the arrogance of youth and didn't pay it further mind. Song Que didn't continue this topic either, conveniently asking:"This lowly one has a matter to trouble Miss Yun with."

"Oh? Young Master Song, please speak! If I can help, I will absolutely do my utmost."

"I wonder if the Yun Family Merchant Guild has a channel to acquire a thousand-year spiritual herb? This lowly one currently has an urgent need for this item! If you can find one, this lowly one is willing to purchase it at a high price!" Based on his experience, consuming a thousand-year spiritual herb would be enough for the Tesseract to advance again! But in this surrounding area, there was no hope of finding such a treasure! Therefore, he could only place his hopes on the Sea of Cloud Pavilion!

Unfortunately, upon hearing his words, Yun Xi frowned in difficulty:"A treasure like a thousand-year spiritual herb can be used to increase cultivation or save a life! The moment one appears, it immediately triggers a scramble among First-Tier martial artists; it is truly not easy to find! When I return, I will have the people at Headquarters help you keep an ear out, but don't hold out too much hope! If it's just a several-hundred-year-old spiritual herb, I might be able to help you collect a few."

This wasn't an issue of quantitative or qualitative change! Song Que could only shake his head regretfully:"If it's not a thousand years old, then I don't need it. I will trouble Miss Yun to help this lowly one keep an ear out! If there is any news, please notify me immediately!"

"Rest assured, Young Master Song! As long as one appears, I will find a way to acquire it for you!"

"Then thank you, Miss Yun!" The two continued to leisurely enjoy their tea as before, occasionally chatting, while waiting for the people below to slowly negotiate.