v2c68 Update

An update to the ending part of chapter 68, after taking in some of the constructive ideas! hopefully this makes things more clear, and fixes some of the mistakes I made. the actual chapter will be updated as well, but the first part is the same, so If people don't feel like rereading that, here is this update!

The actual chapter will of course come later today.

================================

The Trading Company eventually got back to me. I was actually a little nervous, walking into what was essentially a board meeting. A bunch of steely-eyed merchants wanting what I had put me a little on edge.

Honestly? I hadn’t been taking this as seriously as I should have been, in retrospect. I was still just operating on “good rice” equals expensive, and having the Azure hills equivalent of a Fortune 500 company shit itself then call an emergency meeting was a bit beyond what I was expecting.

So I steeled myself, and walked into the lion’s den.

It was like something out of a period drama, we were seated across from each other on cushions. There were several older gentlemen, all seated when I arrived, who rose and greeted me as I entered. They were a bit stereotypical looking, long hair tied into a topknot with few mustaches on some of the otherwise bare faces. There was also a younger woman, who looked about Bo’s age, maybe in her early twenties, seated to the right of the old man at the front and center.

She was eye-catching, and had a bit of a resemblance to Bo. Her lips were painted red, and her face was pale. Her  green eyes were framed in rose eyeshadow, and her unusual red hair was done up in an elaborate braid.

Guan Bo was off to the side. Nearly at the end of the line of people. Further in the corner, the only man with a table sat with a pad of paper and a brush, ready to take notes.

As one the men and woman of the Azure Jade Trading Company bowed, the lowest I had ever seen somebody go beside Xiulan after we saved her life.

“We, The Azure Jade Trading Company, greet Master Jin,” they intoned.

Was I supposed to bow here too?

“Master Jin, thank you for your time. We hope that we have not unduly infringed upon it.” The old man said, his head still lowered.

I shrugged. “It hasn’t been too long.”

The men and singular woman raised their heads in perfect sync. “We thank you for your consideration. This one is Guan Xi, Head of operations while my honoured Grandfather, and Master of the Azure Jade Trading Company is indisposed at the Dueling Peaks. He begs your forgiveness for not being present.”

“There is nothing to forgive,” I said simply.

Xi’s eyes brightened just slightly, a smile coming across his features. The man in the corner, I noticed, was writing down everything we said. A scribe, for a business meeting, I guess.

“I have requested your attention to clarify a few matters. While our Guan Bo is a fine member of our company, the value of the goods you propose to exchange requires the oversight of one of a higher rank in the company. One with more experience, and of a higher position. Our Master, Guan Yang, offers to conduct business himself, when he returns. In the meantime, if it pleases you, we would assign one better suited to accommodating you.  ”

All of their heads bowed again. Including Guan Bo, who had a resigned look on his face.

I considered it. Business was all about relationships, really. Now, I wasn’t much of a calculating man, but it is better to do business with somebody who owes you a favor.

“Guan Bo has been great. I’m fine if our relationship continues as it is,” I said. The old man was the picture of serene grace, but Bo’s head snapped up, his eyes wide with shock and gratitude.

If he wasn’t my friend before, he certainly was now.

“As you desire, Master Jin.” The old man said, stroking his beard. “I am sure you see the value in our Guan Bo. And should you desire anything else, our Guan Chyou will be our point of contact, if it pleases you. She will be available at all times to meet your needs.”

The woman offered me a warm, pretty smile, and a deep bow.

I nodded absently. Kinda like a secretary, or Bo’s assistant?

“Then, Master Jin, we will proceed with negotiations.” The members of the trading company versus a street rat and a farm boy.

I swallowed, as I faced the united front.

In the end, I’d like to think I’d given a good battle. I certainly gave it my best shot. We settled on the price of fifty silver coins per bag. Nearly ten times the amount of a bag of even Silver Grade rice. The price alone was a good one: if I sold my entire harvest I would have more money than to know what to do with. Hell, even just these bags were more than enough to basically retire with.

I guess Meimei would be getting a bit of a bigger library than she bargained for.

But, as always, sometimes the more valuable thing isn’t the main, direct price of goods you get.

It’s the perks.

Preferred shipping of goods. Inroads to suppliers. Information. The Lord Magistrate was a god damn wizard, getting me tomatoes, but he was, at the end of the day, in a remote location.

Hell, I didn’t even have to pay for any inns I stayed at anymore. Like… ever. The Trading company would be footing the bill.

To use another modern analogy, I was getting wined and dined, then taken golfing. Something novel to both parts of my past. It was a little bit nice, getting my ass kissed, I’ll admit. An effective business tactic, to make somebody feel more important than they were.

We both got a set of the contracts, written by the scribe. Nothing seemed out of order, so we concluded our business for the day, and I got taken to a fancy restaurant for a feast.

And I may have had a bit much to drink, considering Chyou kept filling my glass, and the men of the company started toasting to my health, and good business.

“To your health, Master Jin!” one of the men called, and I obligingly drained the drink, nodding to the man. As I set down the cup, Chyou attentively refilled it. I nodded my thanks, and she bowed her head, as I took another bite of the food. This place was pretty good, and everything had gone bright, and pleasantly bubbly. Bo was already sheets to the wind, and passed the hell out.

I leaned back with contentment, as I popped another dumpling in my mouth. Maybe I had drunk a bit much, but after describing my interest in alcohol, the company had brought a lot of drinks out for me. Including one special one that they said was like a thousand years old or something, but the memory of it was a tiny bit fuzzy. It was real good though.

I noticed a shadow, watching me from the roof, and nodded to Big D. The Rooster bowed his head, and left.

Which reminded me that I should probably get to bed soon.

I waved to the bigshot guy, who nodded his head. “We have rooms available, should it please you.” he said, still remarkably sober.

I mulled it over for a second, before nodding. I’d go and get the rest of the guys in the morning.

“This way, Master Jin,” Chyou said, and I got up to follow her. We walked in silence for most of the way, Chyou beside me. She had been pretty quiet, aside from occasionally giggling at something I said.

“So, you’re going to be my guide in the morning too?” I asked Chyou.

The woman nodded, as we reached the building, and Chyou got out a set of keys, unlocking the door, and revealing a well furnished room.

“Of course, Master Jin, I am here to see to your every need.” There was an inflection in her voice that was slightly flirty. I wasn’t sure I liked it. I also… kinda felt a bit bad for the girl. Assigned as a secretary, and told to flirt with the bigshot customer probably sucked.

I nodded, swaying a bit, and leaned closer to her. She smiled prettily, leaning in slightly.

“How familiar are you with medical scrolls?” I asked.

The woman paused; seemingly surprised at the question.

“Not too familiar, but I know many who are, Master Jin.” She said tentatively.

“‘S good! Could you get a list for me, of what most of them think are the essentials?” I asked. There, something I needed, where she wouldn’t have to interact with me for a while.

She seemed a little confused, her eyes narrowing slightly. Curiosity, and something cunning lurked in those eyes, before her smile returned in full force.

“Of course, Master Jin. I shall have it prepared for you,” she agreed. “Do you need me for anything else tonight?”

“Nah. G’night. Thanks for the room, yeah?” I waved her off.

I slid into the bed as the door closed. I’d have a lot to do tomorrow, getting the rest of the stuff I needed, and having Noodle help me with the glass stuff. But at least I wouldn’t have to go searching around for suppliers, with an army of merchants eager to get me discounts and direct me where to go.