I'm Just a Beast Tamer

Chapter 24: Chapter 23: News

「Early the next morning.」

Sifang County, Ping’an Post Station.

A Post Station was like an oversized inn. It didn’t just offer carriage travel; you could also ship short-distance cargo, send letters, and so on.

Some merchants would also buy goods transported from the villages and towns on the spot, making it a small marketplace of sorts.

"This is the steward in charge of our Post Station’s Red Fox Town route, Steward Xu."

When Jiang Zuo arrived at the Ping’an Post Station early in the morning, stated his identity, and asked to see the person in charge, a carriage driver led him to a young man with the surname Xu.

"You’re Jiang Zuo? You’re fine now, so what are you doing here? You’re not here to ask for money, are you? You got us into trouble. We should be asking *you* for compensation, and you have the nerve to come here demanding money?"

Xu Wenchang frowned at Jiang Zuo, his tone hostile.

In his eyes, Jiang Zuo was just some punk who’d run into a bit of trouble on a carriage ride and was now trying to pin it on them for compensation.

You couldn’t let people like that get away with it, or there would be endless trouble later.

"I’m not here for money... Forget it. Is your shopkeeper here? If not, I’ll just head over to the Yongsheng Post Station next door."

Jiang Zuo was a little surprised to hear Xu Wenchang’s words.

’Is the Yongsheng Post Station next door going out of business or something?’ he thought. ’Why is this guy’s attitude so terrible?’

But judging by his clothes and age, he was probably the son of a wealthy family sent down to gain some real-world experience.

Jiang Zuo couldn’t be bothered to argue with Xu Wenchang, but he wasn’t about to discuss business with him either.

Jiang Zuo was afraid that even if he wasted time negotiating a deal and Xu Wenchang seemingly agreed, the young man would turn around and intentionally lose his goods for some ridiculous reason.

"What do you mean by that? Are you threatening me? Don’t think dropping the Yongsheng Post Station’s name is going to work!"

Xu Wenchang’s expression changed. He was now even more convinced that Jiang Zuo was here to stir up trouble.

’Fine!’

Jiang Zuo was done wasting his breath. He decided to go to the Yongsheng Post Station.

Even though the Yongsheng Post Station didn’t have a route to Red Fox Town, he figured they would be more than willing to help him.

Jiang Zuo turned to leave, but just then, a slightly heavyset, middle-aged man hurried over.

Xu Mingde approached Jiang Zuo with an apologetic smile. "Young man, please don’t be in such a hurry to leave. My son was rude. I apologize for the poor display. I just received a shipment of excellent tea. Please, allow me to invite you for a taste, and we can discuss whatever is on your mind."

He had heard that Xu Wenchang had been behaving well lately, had kicked many of his bad habits, and was even starting to handle things competently.

Xu Mingde had been pleased by this and wanted to come over early to see for himself.

He hadn’t expected to arrive and, just moments later, witness a scene that made his blood pressure spike.

Jiang Zuo didn’t look like a troublemaker at all. And even if he were, you should still hear the person out before figuring out how to resolve the issue.

But Xu Wenchang had clearly shown no intention of even talking to him.

Seeing Jiang Zuo about to head for the Yongsheng Post Station, Xu Mingde felt a terrible premonition.

Having been in this business for decades, Xu Mingde had dealt with countless people and was incredibly experienced.

These premonitions of his were often uncannily accurate and rarely wrong.

Without a second thought for Xu Wenchang, he immediately stepped out to stop Jiang Zuo from leaving.

"Very well."

Jiang Zuo glanced at Xu Mingde, figured he was either the shopkeeper or the owner, and nodded. He then followed the man into a guest room.

"Wenchang, you come in too. Xiaowu, go to my room, fetch the tea leaves, and brew us a pot."

Xu Mingde shot a glance at Xu Wenchang, ordering him to follow.

He had put Xu Wenchang in charge of a few carriage routes precisely to help him accumulate experience. This was a perfect learning opportunity for him.

"My name is Xu Mingde, and I’m the shopkeeper of this Post Station. May I ask your name, young man, and what business brings you here?"

Xu Mingde said with a smile after Jiang Zuo had taken a seat.

"My name is Jiang Zuo. As for my business... Shopkeeper Xu, you must have heard about the carriage from Red Fox Town to Sifang County being ambushed by robbers yesterday, correct?"

Jiang Zuo said after a moment’s thought.

’Jiang Zuo?’

The name sounded familiar to Xu Mingde. Then he remembered—wasn’t this the fellow who had recently become famous in Red Fox Town for raising dogs?

’He’s even younger than the reports claimed.’

The Ping’an Post Station wasn’t just responsible for carriage travel, short-distance cargo shipping, and letter delivery.

The various smaller stations under its purview would also gather information on major local events and send it back to the main Post Station with the carriages.

Xu Mingde had read about Jiang Zuo in a report a week ago, so the name immediately clicked.

However, when Jiang Zuo asked if he knew about the carriage being robbed, Xu Mingde’s expression changed drastically.

He slammed a hand on the table. His face ashen, he glared at Xu Wenchang and seethed through clenched teeth, "You rebellious brat! You would hide something like this just to save a little money on guards?"

In the Post Station business, encountering robbers on the road was not uncommon.

Halting the service, hiring Martial Artists as escorts, or judging it safe enough to continue operations—no matter what decision was made, as long as there was a reason, even a flimsy one, he, as the shopkeeper, could accept it.

But hiding it and not reporting it was absolutely forbidden!

This wasn’t just an issue with a single route; it had the potential to affect the entire operation.

But what truly enraged Xu Mingde was knowing that Xu Wenchang had covered it up just to save a little money.

And he hadn’t saved it for the Post Station, but for himself!

To motivate Xu Wenchang, Xu Mingde had made a deal with him, putting him in charge of a few routes.

Xu Mingde had privately promised to give him half of the profits earned from these routes as his monthly allowance.

Beyond that, he wouldn’t receive any extra money.

In other words, the more profit the routes generated, the more spending money Xu Wenchang would have.

At that moment, Xu Mingde was filled with regret. He never should have made such an agreement.

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