The shopkeeper of Zhengde Spring, upon hearing that an expert had arrived at the store, invited the person to a private room on the second floor.
The shopkeeper, around forty years old, not tall, slightly plump, with eyes that narrowed into slits when he smiled, wore clothes made of Shu brocade. It was evident that he had made a fortune from Zhengde Spring.
He did not seem to have any ill intentions. He smiled with great kindness, personally dusted off the chair for Xuan Xuan, and watched her sit down before taking a seat opposite her. He pointed out, with a touch of smugness, that Xuan Xuan was a newcomer to Yuchen City.
Xuan Xuan nodded noncommittally, "The shopkeeper has sharp eyes."
The shopkeeper waved his hand, feigning humility, but his face displayed a look of self-satisfaction. "You flatter me, miss." After speaking, he turned to the attendant and said, "Huang Banjin, go to the kitchen and hurry up the dishes."
"Yes, shopkeeper," the attendant replied and turned to go downstairs, but Xuan Xuan stopped him, "No need to rush. Whether it's crispy tofu rolls or blanched vegetables, they are dishes that require slow cooking. There's no need to hurry. Besides, I'm not that hungry, so let the chefs take their time."
"Also, change the Huadiao wine to Nu'er Hong."
The attendant glanced at the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper exclaimed, "Why are you looking at me? Do as the lady says!"
"Certainly!"
With the order confirmed, the attendant turned and went downstairs.
The shopkeeper listened intently until the sound of footsteps faded away and could no longer be heard. He dropped the smile from his face, stood up, walked to Xuan Xuan, and knelt down, "Your subordinate, Qian Chuanzi, pays respects to Guard Xuan."
"I did not know Your Excellency was coming. Do you have any instructions?"
Qian Wansen, the shopkeeper of Zhengde Spring, code-named Qian Chuanzi, was sent to Yuchen City by Ji Hong ten years ago. In the same year, he founded Zhengyang Spring. In addition to making money for Ji Hong, Qian Wansen controlled the entire economic lifeline of Yuchen City. To put it boldly, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the uncrowned emperor of Yuchen City.
When Xuan Guards met, there were secret passwords. Furthermore, Xuan Xuan wore a jade pendant at her waist.
It was the most ordinary white jade, with cracks within the white jade, not a good piece of jade. However, it was carved with the old locust tree in front of the Dark Guard camp.
The Royal Dark Guards were divided into Ying, Xuan, Qian, and Mo!
Ying Guards were in charge of assassination, Xuan Guards were in charge of protection, Qian Guards were in charge of making money, and Mo Guards were in charge of weaponry.
Those who appeared on the surface were usually Xuan Guards.
Therefore, Qian Wansen, without asking, knew that the person before him was undoubtedly His Majesty's Xuan Guard.
Xuan Xuan glanced at Qian Wansen, motioning for him to rise and speak.
Qian Wansen stood up and stood with his hands hanging by his side in front of Xuan Xuan, awaiting her orders.
"You are now the wealthiest man in Yuchen City, but you are still young and ambitious. Therefore, you plan to go to Yuzhen Prefecture and open a branch of Zhengde Spring."
Yuzhen Prefecture?
Yuzhen Prefecture was a long distance from Yuchen City. Even if he were to open a branch, he shouldn't open it directly in Yuzhen Prefecture.
Qian Wansen thought for a moment and did not immediately accept the order. Instead, he said, "My lady, this is not appropriate."
Xuan Xuan raised an eyebrow and sneered, "What, are you accustomed to being the uncrowned emperor of Yuchen City, and you dare to disobey His Majesty's wise decree?"
"Your subordinate would not dare!"
Xuan Xuan's words made Qian Wansen break out in a cold sweat. Qian Wansen immediately knelt down and quickly explained, "It is not that your subordinate is defying orders, but rather that your subordinate believes the fundamental intention of this command from Your Excellency is to have me infiltrate Yuzhen Prefecture. However, if I were to open a branch directly in Yuzhen Prefecture, it would likely arouse suspicion. It would be better..."
At this point, Qian Wansen suddenly realized, "Your Excellency wants people to be suspicious of me?"
Xuan Xuan looked at him with a half-smile.
Qian Wansen understood. He no longer explained or said more, but instead said, "Please grant your subordinate a token of credentials."
Xuan Xuan took out a ring from her embrace and placed it in Qian Wansen's hand. It was a white gold ring with a ruby set on its surface. The ruby came from a mining area near the capital. Ten years ago, Ji Hong had given Qian Wansen an identical ring, with a copper coin engraved inside the ring band.
Representing the Qian Guards!
Qian Wansen received the ring with both hands and examined it carefully. After ensuring that the token was genuine, he kowtowed and accepted the order.
"Your subordinate will prepare immediately. After the new year, I will ensure that a branch of Zhengde Spring is opened on the most prosperous street in Yuzhen Prefecture."
Xuan Xuan nodded. Hearing footsteps approaching from outside the door, Xuan Xuan looked at Qian Wansen. Qian Wansen tucked the ring into his embrace and quickly stood up to sit back in his chair.
The attendant brought the Zhuangyuan Hong in a small wine pot, and also brought a dish. This dish was not one Xuan Xuan had ordered. Seeing Xuan Xuan's puzzled expression, the attendant smiled and said, "Customer, this is a new dish developed by our head chef. You are knowledgeable, so the head chef wishes for you to sample it."
"A new dish?"
Xuan Xuan's eyes lit up. She reached out, picked up her chopsticks, and took a bite. After savoring it carefully, she couldn't help but praise, "As expected of the head chef of Zhengde Spring! These fish slices are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The sauce is sweet and sour. One bite, and the crispy skin and the fresh, tender, smooth meat create a flavor that blooms on the taste buds. It is truly extremely delicious."
"You are truly an expert."
"With your words, the head chef will surely be overjoyed."
The attendant gave a thumbs up, his face full of admiration. He then thought that the head chef might reward him with a few trinkets upon hearing this, and was eager to go back and report the news.
Seeing his demeanor, the shopkeeper cursed and chased him away.
He also stood up and said to Xuan Xuan, "Please enjoy, miss. I will not disturb you any further."
"Alright, shopkeeper, take care."
Qian Wansen left the private room with the attendant. After closing the door, his smiling face immediately drooped. Turning to the attendant, his eyes were narrowed into slits as he smiled.
After Xuan Xuan had eaten and drunk her fill, she packed half a duck and took it back to the boat, as an additional meal for Zou Cheng. After the boat sailed away, that same evening, a shop attendant from Zhengde Spring accidentally fell into the water and drowned after getting drunk and content.
It was said that the chef at Zhengde Spring was happy that day and made him a new dish. He exchanged his wages for some wine, ate and drank his fill, and then went home, only to fall into the sea for some reason.
How unfortunate.
However, Qian Wansen, the boss of Zhengde Spring, was a great benefactor. He not only gave a sum of money to the attendant's family but also paid for his coffin and funeral, so he was given a grand send-off.
...
Xuan Xuan fiddled with a pill. This pill was placed on the table by Qian Wansen when he left the room.
Had someone infiltrated Zhengde Spring? Did Qian Wansen know but allow it? Or had he just discovered it? The dish the attendant later brought out had something in it. She had eaten it, but had not swallowed the dish. After Qian Wansen and the attendant left, she spat it out.
Xuan Xuan did not use the medicine given by Qian Wansen. After all, he had been in the wilderness for ten years and had been away from the capital for so long. How could she dare to gamble on how much loyalty he still had to His Majesty?
However, one thing was certain: Qian Wansen was definitely not controlled by people from Miao Jiang.
Xuan Xuan thought, and then took out a small bottle from her embrace. The bottle was given to her by His Majesty, and it was said to contain insect蛊 from Miao Jiang.