I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 213: Year-End Conference

The next day, Duan Rong went to Wild Boar Mountain, took six ten-thousand-denomination silver notes from the cave, and delivered them to Ximen Kankan.

That evening, after Ximen Yong had dinner, he sat in the flower hall drinking tea, and Ximen Kankan timidly stepped in from outside.

Upon seeing Ximen Kankan enter, Ximen Yong looked up and said, "Is there something you need?"

For the past six months, not only had Ximen Yong resumed urging Ximen Kankan to practice martial arts, but he also began involving him in business matters, which made Ximen Kankan quite anxious and even more fearful of his father.

Ximen Kankan said, "Duan Rong, Brother Duan, he is also interested in participating in the selection of Taiyi Sect’s registered disciples. The year is almost over, and Father, when you register me, also register him!"

As Ximen Kankan spoke, he placed the six ten-thousand silver notes on the table.

Hearing this, Ximen Yong was momentarily stunned, his eyes flickering.

Six months ago, on Black Tiger Ridge, Duan Rong’s strength was at least at the minor success stage of the Inner Breath Realm. With an additional six months of cultivation, he indeed had a chance in the selection of Taiyi Sect’s registered disciples.

Ximen Yong glanced at the silver notes on the table and asked, "Are these silver notes from your Brother Duan?"

"Yes, it’s a total of sixty thousand taels."

Ximen Yong picked up those silver notes, intending to return them to Duan Rong immediately. After all, he owed Duan Rong such a great favor; how could he charge him any silver coins for registration?

But after reconsidering, he realized that he and Duan Rong had never openly discussed the matter on Black Tiger Ridge. Returning everything to Duan Rong without reason might seem like a rejection.

After some thought, Ximen Yong decided to keep three of the silver notes and said, "Considering the relationship between your Brother Duan and our family, leaving just thirty thousand for the sect’s registration fee is enough. The gentry’s recommendation letter will be handled together with yours, without extra cost. Return these thirty thousand taels to your Brother Duan and assure him that I will manage his registration properly!"

Ximen Kankan blinked, slightly surprised. He didn’t believe his father’s claim that handling the gentry’s recommendation letter together with his wouldn’t cost extra, as he was well aware of those old folks’ exploitative tendencies.

Nonetheless, Ximen Kankan went over, took the remaining three silver notes from the table, and returned them to Duan Rong at Liu’s House that very day, relaying his father’s words to him.

Duan Rong touched his nose, tucked the three silver notes into his sleeve. From Ximen Yong’s subsequent reaction, Duan Rong had long realized that Ximen Yong had somehow recognized him as the person from Black Tiger Ridge.

By accepting only a thirty-thousand-tael registration fee, he was acknowledging the favor he owed from that affair on Black Tiger Ridge.

Duan Rong couldn’t help but feel appreciation; there was indeed a reason why Ximen Yong had managed to grow the Ximen family’s business so significantly.

Afterward, Duan Rong handed Ximen Kankan a newly painted spring palace scene, which delighted Ximen Kankan immensely as he took his leave.

While Ximen Kankan was visiting Duan Rong at Liu’s House, the back hall of Juyi Hall in Yuan Shun Escort Agency was packed. The original two rows of Grandmaster’s Chairs were insufficient, so additional seats were placed at the back.

By the end of the year, the escort agency had barely any business left.

The leaders of the six escort teams, rarely gathered together, were all seated in Juyi Hall.

Xiao Zongting and Luan Jingfu were naturally present as well.

From the accounting side, not only was Chief Accountant Xu Shouxian there, but also his two trusted aides, Wang De’an and Zhu Shicheng, were seated in the back as attendees.

Moreover, the heads of security and stewards from various courtyards were also in attendance.

Such a full assembly was indeed a rarity!

This was the annual meeting of Yuan Shun Escort Agency, held once a year to review the year’s achievements and plan for the coming year.

The meeting had already been going for over an hour, and most of the necessary discussions had been completed. On the grand and wide chair, a trace of weariness and impatience was already apparent on Ruan Fengshan’s face.

He had been attentively listening to the speeches of these minor and major stewards, occasionally bringing up particular problems and seeking opinions from certain individuals.

Seeing the meeting nearing its end, everyone felt relieved. Once the meeting dismissed, taking a few days off to relax would be appropriate before preparing for the New Year’s celebrations.

Ruan Fengshan took a sip of ginseng tea, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.

Indeed, there was still a most crucial matter on his mind that hadn’t been discussed.

It was the year-end accounting review.

In previous years, the mid-year inventory and year-end accounting review were tasks Zhou An was in charge of, essentially exercising authority on his behalf.

But since Zhou An’s passing, no one had yet succeeded Zhou An by Ruan Fengshan’s side.

Moreover, with the year’s end approaching, the matters on that side were already overwhelming for him; he didn’t have the energy to personally audit the escort agency’s accounts.

Yet, he had already pondered this matter long before and felt it best to entrust Xiao Zongting.

What needed auditing was Xu Shouxian’s accounts, related to the escort agency’s business. The Chief Leader Luan Jingfu and the six escort leaders were not suitable for involvement.

Only Xiao Zongting, with no vested interest in the escort agency’s business, was the right choice without any conflicts of interest.

Moreover, during the mid-year inventory, Xiao Zongting did a commendable job, uncovering several issues.

Ruan Fengshan suddenly looked at Xu Shouxian and asked, "Chief Accountant Xu, have this year’s accounts been organized?"

Xu Shouxian replied, "The accounts for the last month were organized a few days ago."

Ruan Fengshan nodded, then turned to look at Xiao Zongting, smiling, "Elder Xiao, I suppose we’ll have to trouble you with the burden of auditing. Please take on the task!"

Hearing this, Xu Shouxian’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Xiao Zongting with meaningful eyes.

Xiao Zongting, of course, noticed Xu Shouxian’s expression. Since the mid-year inventory uncovered some issues, Xu Shouxian had been making things difficult for him in the latter half of the year.

Xiao Zongting gave a bitter smile and said, "Shopkeeper, I’m already at this age and just a martial artist. Handling inventory is one thing, but how could I possibly audit accounts?"

"It’s fine," Ruan Fengshan noticed Xiao Zongting’s attempt to decline and said, "Xu Shouxian has always done a thorough and clear job with the accounts. You just need to follow the accounts for the audit. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you may ask them to explain the sources."

Xiao Zongting said, "Shopkeeper, my eyes are already getting old and dim. How could I possibly read those densely packed accounts?"

Sighing deeply, Xiao Zongting expressed his reluctance.

Ruan Fengshan, well aware that Xiao Zongting was pretending to be pitiful, knew that those sharp eyes still harbored suspicion. He pondered momentarily and said, "In that case, let Xiao Yu and Duan Rong handle it on your behalf. That boy Duan Rong just received an Award Order a couple of months ago, it’s time for him to put in some effort. That girl Xiao Yu has a bold yet meticulous nature. I think they make a suitable pair for the job."

"Chief Accountant Xu, what do you think?" Ruan Fengshan suddenly smiled, looking at Xu Shouxian and asked.

Xu Shouxian was slightly startled, nodded, and said, "The shopkeeper has chosen the generals himself, they are naturally suitable."

"Then it’s settled," Ruan Fengshan said, "Chief Accountant Xu, they are young, so you must fully cooperate during the audit to avoid any unpleasantness and save face for everyone."

A tremor of anxiety rippled through Xu Shouxian’s heart; it was clear this was a warning from Ruan Fengshan. He immediately gave an awkward smile, saying, "Shopkeeper, rest assured. I genuinely hope for issues to be found so I can urge my subordinates to correct and improve."

"That’s good," Ruan Fengshan nodded, before turning to Xiao Zongting, "Xiao Lai, I’ll leave it to you to brief them."

Xiao Zongting could only acknowledge silently. He knew in his heart that Ruan Fengshan was telling him that this responsibility was non-negotiable and unavoidable.

After the meeting, Xiao Zongting returned to his courtyard with a grim expression and called for Zhu Xiaoqi, instructing her to summon Duan Rong.