Chapter 49: The Last Batch ( 2 )

Chapter 49: The Last Batch ( 2 ) Yao Zhi nodded at Xue Ya’er’s words and said, "Madam is right. My father is satisfied with the things I sent back and has ordered our people to send more grains for exchange."

"Oh? I wonder how many dan of grain Young Master Lei has this time?" Xue Ya’er asked.

This time, Yao Zhi did not answer immediately but glanced at the servants waiting on the side. Understanding her intention, Chun Hua glanced at the second-rank maidservant. Receiving the order, the servants retreated, leaving only Yao Zhi, Xue Ya’er, and Chun Hua in the front hall.

"Young Master Lei, can you tell me now?" Xue Ya’er asked again.

Yao Zhi took a sip of tea before replying, "Madam, this time I want to exchange a total of 25,000 dan of grains for fabric and leather. If Madam does not have enough fabric and leather for this exchange, you may use gold ingots as payment."

The moment she finished her words, not only was Chun Hua stunned, but even Xue Ya’er could not help but observe her closely. She had sent people to investigate Lei Feng’s background, but after a few days, they found nothing.

Under normal circumstances, if a large amount of grain were transported from another place, there should be traces left, no matter how cautious the other party was. But they not only found no trace, but they could not even find this young man’s whereabouts during these past few days.

Based on this alone, Xue Ya’er was sure that this person was someone with a deep connection and immense wealth, or an Heir of a secluded sect. Due to this speculation, she decided to stop investigating and, unknowingly, saved Yao Zhi a lot of trouble.

After a moment of silence, Xue Ya’er said, "Young Master Lei, I am afraid that the amount of fabric and leather the General’s mansion currently has is not enough. We will pay the rest with gold ingots."

Yao Zhi knew that she still needed money in this era and agreed immediately. "Then, we will do as Madam said."

Delighted with her straightforwardness, Xue Ya’er instructed Chun Hua to inform Steward Han. Since the amount of grain was too much this time, Yao Zhi excused herself and went back to the warehouse with the guards from the General’s mansion.

Just now, they had sent over 10,000 dan of grains and left 15,000 dan of grains in the warehouse. To avoid going back and forth, Steward Han added more carts to carry the grains. When they arrived at the warehouse, everyone started to work.

At the same time, in the General Mansion, Xue Ya’er quickly wrote to her husband on a piece of paper. Afterward, she rolled the paper and slid it into a small bamboo tube.

After sealing the bamboo tube, she handed it to Chun Hua and said, "Send it to the General immediately."

Chun Hua accepted the bamboo tube with both hands and said, "Understood."

During this era, there was no pigeon post, and most influential and wealthy families would either train runners or use fast horses to send messages.

Although Lu Qianxuan served the court, he had a close relationship with several experts from Jianghu. In order to increase efficiency and safety when they exchanged messages, he hired these experts as messengers and bodyguards at a high price.

Equipped with fast warhorses and with their martial arts skills, they did not have to worry about people ambushing them or stealing the letters.

While the letter was still on the way, Yao Zhi had returned to the General’s mansion and was calculating the price with Xue Ya’er.

Because of the previous error in calculating, Steward Han paid more attention to the goods this time. He insisted on untying the sacks and checking the contents before they were moved to the warehouse.

Therefore, he found extra goods mixed in the grains. Compared to meat, salt, and sugar, grains were much cheaper.

At first, he thought that Lei Feng had made a mistake, but after thinking about it, there was no way a merchant would make such a low-level mistake. After reaching this conclusion, he decided to report this matter to Xue Ya’er.

Reading the report, Xue Ya’er turned to the young man sitting across from her and asked, "Young Master Lei, my people found meat, salt, and rock sugar mixed in the grains. Did your people make a mistake during the loading?"

Yao Zhi had already noticed Steward Han’s behavior during the loading process and was not surprised when she was questioned.

"Madam, my family owns several estates, and we not only grow our grains but also raise animals. Those meats, salt, and sugar are my family’s contribution to the army," she replied calmly.

"Young Master Lei, the amount of these gifts is not small. Are you sure you want to give them to us for free?" Xue Ya’er asked again.

Hearing this, Yao Zhi let out a chuckle and shook her head. "Madam, you are mistaken. My family did not give these things for free."

"Young Master Lei, what do you mean by this?" Xue Ya’er narrowed her eyes.

Although the Army indeed needs these things, she would not allow anyone to take advantage of the Army and harm her husband, even if this person was someone who helped them during this emergency.

Noticing the change in her attitude, Yao Zhi smiled and explained calmly, "Madam, my family is exchanging these things for peace. As merchants, we only hope for a peaceful era."

"If the country is peaceful, only then can the people prosper. Only when people have a stable job and income can they spend their money on other things and make the economy grow further. This way, we as merchants can earn more money and have a good life."

After pausing for a moment, she asked, "Madam, now, do you still think that the amount of gifts my family sent is too much?"

Before, Xue Ya’er might have thought that this young man must have a hidden intention for sending so much meat, salt, and rock sugar. But after listening to the explanation, she suddenly thought that this person was actually getting a bargain.