“Three thousand taels?” Qin Yining furrowed her brow and spoke in a very mercantile manner, “Are you planning to hire thousands of troops? Three thousand taels of silver would be enough to support an army.”
Manager Da Hu’s brow twitched, quite disliking Qin Yining’s tone. But Sitong Trading Company was a large and prosperous business, so it was understandable for the owner to be somewhat arrogant—she had the capital for such arrogance. Besides, she was just a woman after all.
A good man doesn’t fight with women.
Manager Da Hu said, “People need to eat and horses need to be fed—where doesn’t that require silver? Moreover, what we’re going to rob is the Tatar convoy escorting tribute goods. We’ll be facing real Tatar cavalry. If we’re not careful, we could lose our lives. When we hire people, even if we can’t be responsible for their lives, we at least need to provide settlement money for their families, don’t we? Besides, with all the unexpected situations that might arise, buying weapons and horses—all of that costs silver.”
Speaking to this point, Manager Da Hu picked up his tea bowl and took a gulp, moistening his hoarse throat. Ever since emerging from the desert, his already raspy voice had become even more hoarse.
“Furthermore, we’re not asking Sitong Trading Company for silver for nothing—isn’t this considered your investment and shareholding? The more you invest, the more you’ll naturally receive when the deed is done.”
Only then did Qin Yining nod with slight relief, “That’s true enough.”
Liu Ban lowered his head and curled his lip to the side.
Never mind that they planned to flee once they grabbed the treasure and would never give any silver to this wretched woman—even if they did give her something, could she actually follow along to “rob”? How could she determine the total amount of silver?
This Sitong Trading Company probably succeeded purely by luck, or perhaps there was actually someone else in charge at home, and this woman was just a figurehead put forward as a shield.
Not only did Liu Ban think this way—the others had the same thoughts. They all felt that she was just a woman after all, easy to fool.
Qin Yining noticed that all three men were looking at her strangely and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. On the surface, however, she displayed an ambitious appearance, “Very well then, I’ll agree to what you said. Three thousand taels, and after you succeed, I want fifty percent of the profits.”
Liu Ban’s brow furrowed, and he immediately said with displeasure, “Fifty percent? Aren’t you being a bit too greedy! Don’t forget! It’s us brothers who will be risking our lives! You’re not contributing any effort, yet you have the nerve to ask for fifty percent?”
But Qin Yining remained calm, displaying the slick side of a merchant to perfection, “Don’t you forget either—if I don’t provide this sum of silver, you won’t even have a chance at fifty percent.”
These words left Liu Ban speechless, and the others were also at a loss for words, looking questioningly at Manager Da Hu.
Manager Da Hu was somewhat annoyed by Qin Yining’s superior attitude when speaking. But thinking it over, as long as Sitong Trading Company was willing to pay, their affairs could be accomplished. If Sitong Trading Company didn’t contribute even a single coin, they wouldn’t even have the chance to hire Black Wind Stronghold.
Moreover, whether it was a fifty-fifty split or seventy-thirty or sixty-forty—they didn’t plan to give her a single coin in the end anyway.
With this thought, Manager Da Hu actually felt that Liu Ban was being too impulsive. He smiled and said, “What you say makes sense. Very well then, we’ll do as you suggest. After we succeed, we’ll split the gains equally. We brothers will handle recruiting soldiers, buying horses, and purchasing weapons ourselves. How does that sound?”
“Good, straightforward.” Qin Yining clapped her hands and laughed, “In that case, I wish you gentlemen success in advance.” She turned back to instruct Zi Yuan, “Go tell the counter manager to withdraw three thousand taels in immediately usable banknotes.”
Zi Yuan and Han Xiao had been listening in stunned silence on the side. Suddenly being called upon, they snapped back to attention and quickly composed themselves, saying, “Yes, Boss.”
Then she hurried out.
After waiting a moment, Zi Yuan returned with a thick stack of hundred-tael banknotes and handed them to Qin Yining with both hands.
Qin Yining smiled and waved her hand, using her chin to indicate she should give them to Manager Da Hu.
Manager Da Hu, Liu Ban, and the others had their eyes practically glued to the banknotes, their eyes shining with excitement.
Manager Da Hu calmly took the banknotes, counted them, and tucked them away safely. Then he stood up and said, “Good! Boss Qiu is indeed straightforward! Since you’re being generous, we’ll be generous too. We’ll take action immediately, and when we have good news, we’ll come tell you! Farewell!”
“Wait a moment.” Qin Yining called out softly.
Manager Da Hu and Liu Ban both frowned as they looked at Qin Yining.
Qin Yining said, “Now that the silver has been counted clearly, shouldn’t we draw up a written agreement? Come, let’s go to the front counter and establish a proper document before we continue.”
Manager Da Hu thought that regardless of what was written, he would never repay this silver, so whether there was a written agreement or not made no difference.
Therefore, he nodded very readily.
Qin Yining said no more, and the group went to the front. They wrote down the amount clearly, with the reason listed as investment in business. Finally, both parties signed their names and pressed their fingerprints.
Manager Da Hu signed the name “Li Dazhuang” on it, while Qin Yining signed the name “Qiu Gui.”
After all, Boss Qiu was a woman, and her given name couldn’t be casually revealed. She wrote randomly, and since the other party was there to swindle and cheat anyway, they wouldn’t pay attention.
The agreement was made in duplicate, with both parties carefully keeping their copies close.
Only then did Qin Yining say, “Then I wish Brother Li a victorious start.”
“Well said, Boss Qiu, please don’t see us out.”
“Safe travels, brothers.” Qin Yining smiled as she escorted them to the door.
Watching as the several “heroes” put on their bamboo hats and straw rain capes, their figures quickly disappearing into the curtain of rain, Qin Yining turned around and gave a meaningful look to Tang Xiu, who was standing in the corner.
Tang Xiu immediately came over.
Qin Yining whispered in his ear, “Have people follow them, but don’t alert them.”
“Yes.” Tang Xiu immediately nodded in acknowledgment and went to make arrangements.
Qin Yining returned to the main hall with Manager Yin and the others.
Manager Yin said, “Princess Consort, what do you think these people are planning to do? Can they be trusted?”
Qin Yining naturally couldn’t casually discuss the treasure matter. Even when giving the silver earlier, Zi Yuan had cleverly gone to find Ji Yun and Bingtang, using the silver they had brought with them. Therefore, Qin Yining wouldn’t tell Manager Yin the details. She just smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I have this matter under control. During this period, just manage your subordinates well and don’t let my identity leak out.”
Manager Yin nodded repeatedly. How would he dare to speak carelessly? If he ruined Qin Yining’s affairs, that would be equivalent to offending Prince Zhongshun, and offending Prince Zhongshun would be tantamount to offending his master.
“Please rest assured. Including myself and all the junior staff below, I will manage everyone well and not leak any secrets.”
“That’s good then. Thank you for your trouble.”
Qin Yining rested a bit longer at Sitong Trading Company. After Tang Xiu confirmed there was no tail following them, she quietly returned to the inn.
Xie Yue had been waiting for Qin Yining for quite some time.
Seeing Qin Yining return with her people, and noting her relaxed expression, he couldn’t help but smile, “Did everything go smoothly for the Princess Consort today?”
“Everything went smoothly. All within expectations.” Qin Yining smiled as she sat in the main seat and told Xie Yue about the day’s events. Finally, she said, “I’ve already ordered people to follow them to see what exactly they’re planning to do.”
“In this old man’s opinion, what these people said about recruiting soldiers and buying horses should be true. They probably want to find more people to carry stones.”
Qin Yining nodded, “I think so too. For now, let’s wait for news. It would be even better if our scouts could clearly see what their specific plans are.”
Xie Yue smiled, “Exactly so.”
Both of them laughed, and Qin Yining then asked about the residence matter.
“I’ve already found one. The house is in a good location—it’s a two-courtyard compound. The original residents were an elderly couple with a few servants. They said they were moving back to their ancestral home in their hometown. They’re not in a hurry to sell the house, but if the price is right, they’re willing to let it go. When the Princess Consort has time, we should go take a look.”
“Good. A residence that Master Xie has chosen should certainly be excellent.”
After settling matters with Xie Yue, Qin Yining went to wash and remove her disguise—before washing her face, she carefully observed everything, even memorizing the positions of those small moles.
That night, the Jinghu Guard that Tang Xiu had sent to gather information returned.
Qin Yining came out wearing her outer robe to meet him.
“Reporting to the Princess Consort. Your subordinate followed that group of people. They first used the silver to have a big feast at a restaurant, then left the city just before the gates closed, heading straight to a famous mountain to the northwest. There’s a stronghold on that mountain that looks like a bandit lair. Your subordinate followed from a distance the entire way without letting them discover any traces, but to avoid alerting them, I didn’t follow them inside. When returning, I took the opportunity of asking a few scattered poor families nearby for water to drink and inquired about it. That stronghold is called Black Wind Stronghold, with about a hundred or so heroes inside. They usually specialize in robbing the rich, though they don’t help the poor, and their appetites are quite large—they even rob poor people.”
“So those people went to contact Black Wind Stronghold?”
“It should be so.”
Qin Yining nodded and smiled, “You’ve worked hard. I had them keep chicken soup warm for you in the kitchen. You must be tired now—have them cook noodles for you. Go clean up first, and the noodles will be ready soon.”
This Jinghu Guard had served Qin Yining for a long time, so he didn’t stand on ceremony. He grinned and said, “Thank you, Princess Consort,” cupped his hands, and withdrew.
Bingtang went to the kitchen to cook noodles.
Qin Yining sat on the edge of the bed in her outer robe, holding a hand warmer, with Ji Yun sitting beside her.
Ji Yun whispered, “Princess Consort, do you think those people took the silver to find people from Black Wind Stronghold to cooperate with them?”
Qin Yining nodded, “It must be so. The treasure is buried deep, and without manpower, they simply can’t steal the stones out. When they go to Black Wind Stronghold, they’ll certainly use a different set of arguments, such as causing trouble for the court. They’ll probably just say they’re hiring the heroes on the mountain to help steal stone materials for the Emperor’s mausoleum construction, to vent their anger.”
Ji Yun nodded, “Their story about robbing the Tatars—the mountain bandits at Black Wind Stronghold are living well. Who would be willing to risk their lives fighting the Tatars?”
“Exactly.” Qin Yining smiled and nodded, but then a look of worry appeared between her brows.
Seeing this, Ji Yun asked with some confusion, “What’s wrong, Princess Consort? Everything is developing according to your plan—isn’t that good?”
“It is. But I’m somewhat worried.” Qin Yining moved closer to Ji Yun and asked quietly, “Do you think when they go to transport those treasures, they might take everything all at once?”