After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 241: Chapter 240: Passing the Interview

Of course, it wasn’t a gift. The total price for the shop was 550 taels, which could be considered a massive bargain. If it weren’t for the chaos of war, a prime shop of this size on the main street of a state capital would be impossible to get for less than 1,200 taels.

It was clear just how determined the original owner was to offload the shop and get out of town.

After Steward Zhao left, Hee Lingchuan couldn’t help but let out a long whistle. ’Even back in the real world, yours truly is now a man of property!’

"Congratulations." Lingguang held out its paw to Hee Lingchuan. This was its way of asking for a treat.

Hee Lingchuan had no choice but to grab a large handful of winter melon milk candies for it. These things were a specialty of the neighboring county and weren’t cheap.

’How could a perfectly ascetic and pure-hearted Medicinal Ape become so worldly after spending time with me?’

While the monkey was happily eating its candy, a servant came to report again:

Shan Youjun had arrived.

Shan Youjun had clearly taken the first task Hee Lingchuan gave him seriously. He hadn’t delayed at all, bringing his recommendation, Ding Zuodong, over before dinner.

Ding Zuodong was dark-skinned, thin, and tall, and even slightly hunched—the complete opposite of Hee Lingchuan’s image of a proper steward.

As soon as he saw Hee Lingchuan, he gave a deep bow. "I am a man of humble talents, but I would be honored to serve as an aide to the Eldest Young Master. Please feel free to call on me for any errands."

Hee Lingchuan wasn’t married and hadn’t established his own residence, so Ding Zuodong couldn’t serve as a formal Housekeeper. Instead, he called himself an "aide"—a term for people who accompanied rich young masters, assisting with their leisurely pursuits and running errands.

"Alright, let’s test you." Hee Lingchuan gestured for him to sit. "A new branch of the Songyang Prefecture opened on the main street today. You know about it, right?"

Ding Zuodong nodded. "It opened this morning. Chief Steward Hee and several officials from the Prefecture Yamen attended. The Li, Zhan, and Shu Family also sent people to show their support."

"What do you know about their background? Tell me."

Ding Zuodong thought for a moment, then recounted everything he knew.

As Hee Lingchuan listened, he realized that not only did Ding Zuodong know about Songyang Prefecture’s main business, he even knew gossip about Marquis Songyang—

’In other words, a washed-up housekeeper from all the way in the Northern Xia State knew things that he, here in Shihuan City, was completely clueless about!’

Hee Lingchuan once again lamented how out of touch he was.

His sigh made Ding Zuodong a little worried. "Why the sigh, Eldest Young Master? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, the fault is mine."

"...?"

"Shan Youjun thumped his chest and guaranteed me that you know Dunyu City like the back of your hand."

"He’s exaggerating. I just know some of the local scuttlebutt."

"You managed all of Third Master Shu’s original businesses?" This was quite impressive. As far as Hee Lingchuan knew, his father, Hee Chunhua, didn’t entrust more than half of his assets in Black Water City to his housekeeper, Old Mo, because Old Mo mainly handled the miscellaneous affairs of the Hee Mansion.

But when Ding Zuodong was under Third Master Shu, he had to manage both internal and external affairs. He was a real workhorse.

"Precisely." This time, Ding Zuodong wasn’t modest.

The Shu Family had cut off all his prospects in Dunyu. If he didn’t want to crawl back to the countryside to live out the rest of his life in obscurity, this job with Eldest Young Master Hee was his only chance to make a comeback.

"The shop next to the Songyang Prefecture branch, the one to the east. What do you know about it?"

"The one to the east? That’s an apothecary, isn’t it? Called Huixiang Hall?"

Hee Lingchuan thought about it. ’Now that I think about it, that does sound right.’

"The owner of Huixiang Hall is named Cui, originally from Daji Village. His family has been practicing medicine for generations, and he’s the second generation to settle in Dunyu. But his medical skills are mediocre, and for such a good location, the business at Huixiang Hall is just so-so. Recently, there’s been a shortage of medicinal herbs from the south, and the war in the north is going poorly. I heard the Xunzhou Army is pressing forward and even massacred two villages in Xinxiang. He probably got the idea to move south because of that."

Rumors were flying everywhere right now, shaking people’s resolve. Hee Lingchuan smiled. "It’s a good location for a shop, isn’t it?"

"It’s a prime spot! Are you thinking of buying it?" Ding Zuodong thought for a moment. "But it’s such a shame. If you had asked two days earlier, I could have negotiated the price for you."

"Can’t be done now?"

"I ran into one of the clerks from Huixiang Hall around noon. He said the shop had just been sold, right before the Songyang Prefecture branch next door held its grand opening." Ding Zuodong sighed. "Once it’s sold, it’s out of our hands. There’s nothing to be done."

A thought struck Hee Lingchuan. "Before the Songyang Prefecture branch opened?" ’Isn’t that right before I went over?’

’Marquis Songyang clearly said she only bought one shop.’

’Looks like she bought both and just quietly transferred one to me.’

’Then again, who would complain about having too many shops in a location that good?’

Hee Lingchuan suppressed his questions. "If I had sent you to negotiate back then, what price could you have gotten?"

This time, Ding Zuodong mulled it over for a long moment before saying, "I could have tried to push it down to five hundred taels."

Hee Lingchuan laughed, took the deed for Huixiang Hall from his robes, and spread it in front of him. "You didn’t hit the bullseye, but you were close. The purchase price was 550 taels."

Ding Zuodong looked and was pleasantly surprised. "Ah, so the Eldest Young Master bought it! What a keen eye!"

"We’ll keep it as Huixiang Hall. The purpose won’t change, as I also need medicinal herbs for my Cultivation." Hee Lingchuan asked him, "How about I leave it for you to manage from now on? The situation in Xiazhou should stabilize in as little as ten to fifteen days, or forty to fifty days at most. As for the transport routes to and from the interior, you don’t need to worry too much about that." ’He was a member of the Hee Family. The transport caravans might not ship things for others, but would they dare refuse him?’

"Rest assured, Eldest Young Master. I’ll make sure it’s handled perfectly." Ding Zuodong stood up and bowed to him. "Third Master Shu also had an apothecary under his name, which I also managed."

"You have the right connections, brilliant!" Hee Lingchuan pulled him back down to sit. "You and Shan Youjun are really a strange pair. One loves to stand, the other loves to kneel."

Both men laughed.

Hee Lingchuan added, "From now on, just call me Master. You know I’ve just arrived in Dunyu and need to acquire some assets here. If you see anything suitable, secure it for me."

Ding Zuodong couldn’t help but lean forward. "Natural resource businesses, are those on the table, too?"

Hee Lingchuan smiled slightly. "Of course."

The so-called "natural resource businesses" referred to mines and timber on land, and fish and salt from lakes and rivers. Although these daily necessities circulated in the market, mines, lumberyards, fisheries, and salt fields were not something ordinary merchants could operate.

Those were all state-level businesses, managed by designated personnel.

Even now, during these turbulent times, if a seller wanted to unload them, any potential buyer would need to have the right qualifications.

In Dunyu, it went without saying that originally only the four great families were qualified.

And now, another family—the Hees—had been added to the list.

Ding Zuodong was overjoyed and shot to his feet again. "I’ll go back right now and draw up a detailed list!"

Hee Lingchuan waved his hand. "Not so fast. Let me give you the bottom line first. I only have one hundred thousand taels on hand."

Ding Zuodong pondered for a moment. "If we’re careful with it, it’s enough. Good assets are cheap these days. El... Master, rest assured. I’ll be frugal where I can be, and spend where I have to."

Hee Lingchuan smiled and tossed him a ten-tael silver ingot. "First, go get yourself a new set of clothes. You can’t look so shabby while working for me. Use the rest to buy some fruits and snacks for your kid. Tell them it’s on me."

Taking the silver in his hand, the serious expression on Ding Zuodong’s face melted. ’Back in the day, when I managed Third Master Shu’s businesses, I wouldn’t have even blinked at hundreds or thousands of taels of silver.’

’Alas, times had changed. Even a hero can be brought low by the lack of a single coin.’

’The last time his grandson cried for an iced dessert, he couldn’t bring himself to buy it.’

Ding Zuodong bowed deeply to Hee Lingchuan. "I will dedicate myself completely to your service."

Hee Lingchuan pointed at Shan Youjun, who had been listening the whole time. "Take him to Huixiang Hall and get him treated. I want my Gold Medal Boxer back, alive and kicking, as soon as possible."

It was getting late now, so after bowing and giving their thanks, the two of them took their leave.

After they left, Sun Hongye spoke up. "You’ve only met him once, and you’re already laying all your cards on the table, Master?" People in this era preferred not to flaunt their wealth.

"If you doubt someone, don’t use them. A desperate man can be trusted." Hee Lingchuan smiled. "The day he once again becomes the imposing Housekeeper Ding, that’s when I’ll need to watch my back."

He was banking on the fact that Ding Zuodong would cling to this last straw to turn his life around and would do his utmost for him.

For a good long while, at least.

"Shan Youjun and Jiao Tai were a captain and vice-captain when they were Rangers in the north. They’ve done camp raids, ambushes, reconnaissance, and interceptions, and have killed many people. Shan Youjun is steady and calculating, while Jiao Tai is straightforward and values loyalty," Sun Hongye said. "When I found Shan Youjun, he had already visited the jail twice. He told me that if we rescue Jiao Tai, their lives would belong to you, Master."

"Do they have families?"

"Neither of them do."

"Good. After we rescue Jiao Tai, have them swear a blood oath to follow me." Hee Lingchuan patted his shoulder. "You’ve handled this matter very well. Keep up the good work." ’It was a buy one, get one free deal. I ended up with Ding Zuodong completely by chance.’

’Ding Zuodong passed his interview with flying colors. I just hope the guy proves to be as capable as he seems.’

...

Amidst the complex emotions of the people of Dunyu City, five days flew by.

For three of those days, Hee Chunhua and his son ate, slept, and worked at the Prefecture Yamen, and when they went out, it was to conduct inspections. When Hee Chunhua returned home on the evening of the fifth day, he was met with Madam Ying’s reproachful aura, which seemed to be overflowing from the mansion itself.

"My dear, I had no choice!" After finally placating his wife, Hee Chunhua and his spouse bathed and changed, and the family of three had a sumptuous dinner.

One person was missing: Hee Lingchuan.

Hee Chunhua also hadn’t seen his eldest son for several days. ’In the past, Hee Lingchuan used to come to the yamen, but now that the old man has no time for his son, the son can’t be bothered to find his old man anymore?’

"Where’s Chuan’Er?"

"Where’s my brother?"

The father and son asked in unison.

"He went out early this morning and didn’t say where he was going. You two only sent word at noon that you’d be home tonight, so I couldn’t find him." Madam Ying said mournfully, "You’re all busier than the last, leaving an old woman like me to watch over this big mansion all by myself."

The father and son quickly apologized. Hee Yue laughed, "But aren’t you having fun too, Mother?"

The renovations on the large mansion, supervised by Madam Ying, were constantly ongoing, with endless clanging and banging from morning to night. The reason he and his father hadn’t been home for three days wasn’t just because they were busy; they were also afraid of the noise.

Madam Ying snorted but didn’t refute it. She was, in fact, having a great time.

After dinner, Hee Chunhua returned to his study.

The housekeeper, Old Mo, brought in some mouthwash tea and closed the door behind him.

"Has everything been alright at home these past few days?"

"Everything has been running smoothly, with no issues," Old Mo said. "Except that Madam was not satisfied with the corridor in the West Wing and ordered the foreman to tear it down and redo it."

"What about the household expenses?"

Old Mo replied with a few key figures, none of which exceeded Hee Chunhua’s expectations. "We’ve just arrived in Dunyu City and haven’t found our footing yet. We still need to be frugal with our money and not spend extravagantly."

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