Chapter 13

I never dreamed that Xie Yun was actually the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion.

No wonder he was able to settle the major grain procurement issue in Qingzhou as soon as he stepped in!

The contract he produced was the one I signed with the manager of the Treasure Pavilion in Qingzhou.

It even bore Xie Yun’s personal seal!

If I let this fat, slippery fish Xie Yun get away, I’d be letting myself down.

The Treasure Pavilion’s business stretches across the land-who could have known that the Pavilion Master behind it all was the heir to a royal residence?

Xie Yun is truly skilled at making money.

My Broker Army takes on jobs everywhere, but more and more impoverished people are seeking refuge with me.

Too many monks, too little porridge; I don’t know how to do business, and life is getting harder and harder.

Sometimes I even dream of silver raining down from the sky.

“You really are good at hiding your talents.” Now that Xie Yun knew my identity, he seemed to see me in a new light.

It’s true-when two people share a secret, they become much closer.

Ever since I learned Xie Yun was the Pavilion Master, I seized every opportunity to ask him about business.

He’s sharp as a tack; with just two suggestions, he opened my eyes. I admired him even more.

“You’re right! I care too much about saving face in business! That won’t do.” My eyes lit up. “I’ll have someone disguise themselves as mountain bandits to harass those rich and heartless landlords. Once they’re scared, they’ll come to us for protection. Then we’ll have them hand over some land for my Broker Army to farm. That’s the way to survive in the long run.”

Most of the people who join the Broker Army are farmers, faces to the earth and backs to the sky.

They’re not quick-witted, and hard to train.

And they all come with families, so there are many tasks they can’t take on.

But since they’ve come to me for help, it’s because they want to eat their fill-I can’t just send them away.

I’ve been worrying about what to do with these people for the past two years.

If I can get them back to farming, things will be much easier.

Xie Yun smiled, “Those big landlords all have powerful backers. Don’t get too clever for your own good.”

“I know my limits.” I thought for a moment and said, “Xie Yun, I need to make a trip back to Liangzhou.”

Xie Yun grabbed my hand and looked at me intently, “What if you never come back?”

I scratched my head, “The Broker Army and Treasure Pavilion still have business to do. I can run away, but I can’t run from my responsibilities.”

“But I heard from Mute Uncle that you have a childhood friend who’s the Deputy General in the Broker Army.” Xie Yun said slowly, “Zhao Yunshu, you need to give me some assurance.”

I thought for a moment, then leaned in and kissed Xie Yun on the lips.

After a while, Xie Yun leaned against the wall, looking at me.

I helped straighten his clothes, which I’d messed up, and patted his hand, “Alright, I’ll be back in at most half a month. Mute Uncle will come to check your pulse during this time, so take care of your ears.”

Xie Yun lowered his gaze and said softly, “Zhao Yunshu, you really are…”

“Whatever you say, you can’t take it back now.” I said goodbye to Xie Yun and slipped away.

Later, when we talked about this, Xie Yun said with a suppressed smile that he’d only wanted to ask me for some silver, but I kissed him before he could say a word.

When I heard that, I kicked him off the bed.