Medicine Master Disciple’s Cultivation Notes

Chapter 71: A Righteous and Benevolent Great Benefactor

Boss Tang didn't press with questions, only inviting Liu Da and Li Qiuchen to drink wine and eat food.

While eating, he chatted casually, "When I was your age, I was already wandering in the trade, coming through wind and going through snow, having tasted every kind of hardship. When I was young and strong, I didn't feel it was anything much. But these past two years, getting on in years with an aching back and sore legs, I'm increasingly unable to keep up."

"People, once they get old, easily think of home. But I have no relatives here, not even a place to settle down. They say approaching home makes one timid. Here I've already walked to the doorstep, just one final step away, but instead I feel a bit apprehensive."

Liu Da heard the implication in Boss Tang's words and tentatively asked, "Your meaning is, you want to return to Yun County for long-term residence?"

"I do have this thought, but whether I can live there long or comfortably is hard to say. I haven't been back in these years and don't know what the situation is in the county. Which lord is currently in charge, and whether they have any thoughts about people returning from the north."

Liu Da smiled, "If you'd asked me about other things I couldn't answer, but I actually do know a thing or two about this. The current Yun County magistrate is surnamed Peng. Both his official reputation and public standing are quite good. This lord values governing without interference, usually doesn't manage affairs much, and doesn't bring calamity to the local people. If you want to do business in the county, you can directly pay a visit. As long as everything is done according to the rules, there won't be any trouble."

Boss Tang's face showed a slight smile as he nodded, "I see. I understand."

Different people had different needs.

For legitimate merchants, a county magistrate who didn't make a fuss and followed the rules was the best kind of county magistrate.

It wasn't that they feared him being greedy for money, but that they feared his greed being insatiable.No matter what line of business you did, you couldn't avoid various investment costs. Shareholders' dividends, personnel training, quality of goods, greasing palms at checkpoints along the way... it wasn't like if you earned a hundred wen, all hundred wen would end up in your own pocket.

Some people didn't understand this principle, or simply didn't care. If you earned a hundred, they wanted ninety-nine and still felt they were doing you a favor. What business could you still conduct then?

The current county magistrate being a good person was very important.

"I wonder what preferences or taboos this Lord Peng might have?"

Liu Da sneaked a glance at the zhang-and-two-chi tall giant sitting in the corner of the hall, continuously stuffing food into his mouth without pause. He coughed and said, "To be honest with you, our Lord Peng usually has no particularly extravagant hobbies, nothing more than listening to little tunes and eating and drinking. But if I had to say what he dislikes most, it's people creating surprises for him."

Boss Tang immediately perked up, frowning to ask, "Tell me, what counts as a surprise?"

Liu Da gestured with his mouth toward the giant's direction and said quietly, "My experience is shallow, please don't take offense. This warrior of yours... should be of Ancient Clan ancestry, right?"

The demon clan was a rather broad term. In the eyes of inexperienced ordinary people, everything that looked different from humans and could breathe was a demon. What couldn't breathe was a ghost.

But in reality, the composition within this ethnic group was extremely complex.

For demons native to the northern frontier, locals collectively called them immortal families, or old immortals.

But outside the northern frontier, among the three major ethnic groups of the Border Wilds, those with horns on their heads were Rakshasa ghosts, those skilled in riding and archery with mixed human-horse settlements were nomadic peoples, and demon clans transformed from giant beasts called themselves the Ancient Clan.

Boss Tang nodded, "This brother of mine is named Aye. Don't look at how tall and large he is. He's actually an honest person with a simple temperament who won't randomly hurt people."

Ah yes, yes, yes.

My XX doesn't bite—all pet owners liked to say this.

Liu Da didn't argue with him, only spreading his hands, "I also know a few Ancient Clan friends over there and know their temperament. But Lord Peng might not know... with such a huge fellow standing at the county office entrance, Lord Peng probably won't be able to sleep at night."

Boss Tang nodded, "What you say makes sense. I actually also have this concern. So I was thinking, after the snow stops, could I trouble you to make a trip to the county seat for me and deliver a letter I've personally written to Lord Peng? I'll explain the circumstances in the letter and also let Lord Peng be mentally prepared."

"Huh? Me? This... what virtue or ability do I have?"

Liu Da was completely dumbfounded.

Come on, buddy, what kind of onion am I supposed to be?

You want me to go capture the Tang Monk and his disciples... no wait, you want me to go find the county magistrate? Do I even know which way the county magistrate's door opens?

Boss Tang saw his inner concerns and waved his hand with a smile, "Brother Liu, you needn't overthink it. I might as well tell you the truth. When I went north to make my fortune back then, I was single-handedly alone like you. Now returning with no relatives in sight, I'm precisely lacking assistants familiar with the local situation."

"I heard people mention that you're a capable person, forthright in character, and filial to your old mother. So today I specially invited you over for drinks. On one hand, to see your character and conduct with my own eyes. On the other hand... I had some thoughts about recruiting you to join my operation and help manage the family business."

Recruiting people to join... the way you phrase it sounds like a bandit gang.

Liu Da of course hadn't misunderstood and instantly grasped Boss Tang's meaning.

Outsiders wanting to do business locally would recruit locals to join and resolve the difficulties from both legal and illegal sides.

By rights, this kind of good fortune couldn't possibly fall on him.

The true local powerhouse of Blue Stone Platform was the Zhao family but the Zhao family had two problems. First, they had just experienced great turmoil and were currently half-dead without much spirit.

Second, they had no business connections in the north and didn't understand the ways inside.

Comparatively, although his side had no capital, having no capital was itself a kind of advantage.

Boss Tang clearly didn't lack capital. He only lacked someone familiar with the local situation who could run errands for him without generating all kinds of messy thoughts, an honest person.

Business minds were all flexible.

Understanding the key point here, Liu Da immediately felt reassured.

This was naturally a good thing, a great thing.

As for risks, of course there were. Right now he couldn't figure out Boss Tang's background and origins. What if he wasn't any proper kind of person...

But what business could be done without taking risks? People without the courage to take risks, where would they get the courage to venture out into the Border Wilds?

Thinking of this, Liu Da gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and patted his chest in guarantee, "Half my life I've traveled north and south without making any name for myself. The little money I make is only enough to support my family, I'll definitely handle this matter properly for you. At that time I wouldn't dare speak of joining anything. I only ask that you give me a stable meal to eat, and I'll be endlessly grateful."

Having said this, he raised his wine cup and drained it in one gulp.

Boss Tang smiled, "Old brother, those words of yours are too formal. Tang doesn't dare boast about other areas, but in treating my own brothers, I have a clear conscience. If I have a mouthful of meat, I cannot let my brothers eat vegetarian. If you can help me figure out the connections in the county, I'll permit you to be a shopkeeper. How about that?"

Liu Da's eyes lit up. In that instant, he just wanted to kneel down and kowtow to Boss Tang.

Why else could other people make big money? Look at this person's breadth of mind!

Li Qiuchen sat to the side without making a sound, eating his food with his head down.

He could already determine that this Boss Tang absolutely wasn't any proper kind of person.

At least not a proper businessman.

[NEXT CHAPTER]