Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Outside Liangzhou City.

After traveling without rest for seven or eight days, the group finally arrived at Liangzhou City.

The exhaustion of the journey seemed to melt like snow the moment they saw the city walls. Joy appeared on many faces, especially Lin Zheng’s.

“We are finally here. Nothing in this world compares to home!” Lin Zheng said with deep emotion as he led his horse by the reins.

“That is right. Home is always best…”

The members of the escort agency happily voiced their agreement.

“Teacher Lin, Liangzhou is right ahead. The wind and snow are fierce, so come down and walk for a while. Otherwise, the cold may become unbearable.”

Lin Ziyu did not put on airs. He climbed down from the carriage and walked with the others, chatting and laughing along the way. Only Zhao Jiu remained on horseback, admiring the scenery of Shu.

During the journey, Zhao Jiu had received two messages from Six Fingers by carrier pigeon. Both warned him to remain hidden and not return, as a major upheaval was likely brewing in Jiangnan.

Zhao Jiu had not concealed his whereabouts. He replied that he was already close to Liangzhou City, but Six Fingers sent no further response.

“Deputy Chief Lin, are there any courtyard residences for rent in Liangzhou City?” Zhao Jiu suddenly asked from atop his horse.

Although Lin Zheng did not understand why he was asking, he immediately replied, “There probably are not any for rent. Liangzhou has been rather unsettled these past few years, though, so several properties are up for sale. Their asking prices are not cheap.”

After a moment’s thought, he asked, “What do you plan to do with a courtyard residence, little brother?”

“Open a tavern. How could I travel around and enjoy the mountains and rivers in peace if I do not even have a place to live?”

“There are places suitable for a tavern, but the prices…” Lin Zheng replied awkwardly.

Zhao Jiu smiled and said generously, “Silver is not a problem, but the property must also be suitable for living. Deputy Chief Lin, please take me to have a look when convenient. Rest assured, I certainly will not let you help me for nothing.”

“That was not what I meant.” Lin Zheng waved his hands repeatedly and hurriedly explained, “I have been away from Liangzhou for several months, so I do not know whether those properties have already been sold. I cannot give you any definite information. Since you wish to look, however, I will take you there.”

Zhao Jiu cupped his fists. “Good. I will have to trouble you, Deputy Chief Lin. But I must still pay you. Otherwise, I would feel embarrassed.”

Lin Zheng said nothing more. If Zhao Jiu insisted on giving him money, was he supposed to become angry and refuse it? A little polite resistance was enough. He could hardly abandon money merely to preserve his pride.

After walking for another half an hour, the group entered the city with cheerful expressions. The others followed Old Liu back to the escort agency, while Lin Zheng and Zhao Jiu led their horses away to inspect the property.

They followed Lin Zheng through several streets and around several corners before finally reaching a secluded courtyard residence.

Lin Zheng stepped forward, knocked on the door, and called out. Before long, a prosperous-looking middle-aged man opened the courtyard gate.

When he saw Lin Zheng, he hurriedly saluted him.

“Deputy Chief Lin, you have returned from your escort mission? Please come inside. Come in.”

Lin Zheng’s face brightened.

“Brother Zhou, I have only just returned to Liangzhou. This little brother here wishes to purchase a courtyard residence. I thought your place would suit him well, so I brought him here to have a look. Forgive us for disturbing you.”

“Oh? The little brother behind you must be the one you mentioned.” The middle-aged man beamed. “Come in, quickly! Little brother, you truly are an outstanding young man!”

Zhao Jiu did not stand on ceremony. He cupped his fists in greeting and followed Lin Zheng into the courtyard.

The middle-aged man led them around the entire property.

The residence was quite large, occupying nearly a mu of land. It extended unobstructed from front to back and contained few unnecessary decorations. The front gate opened onto a street, though it was situated in a secluded area. The rear gate stood beside a river, concealed by lush trees and exceptionally well hidden.

The residence resembled a rabbit’s burrow. It offered routes in every direction while remaining sufficiently concealed, making it extremely suitable for someone like Zhao Jiu.

Zhao Jiu was very satisfied.

The three stood in the front courtyard. Zhao Jiu looked around at the surrounding walls and nodded repeatedly before speaking.

“Uncle Zhou, this residence is quite good. I am genuinely satisfied. Name your price.”

“Since you sincerely wish to buy it, little brother, I will also offer you a fair price in good faith. Eight hundred taels. I cannot accept any less. I spent a considerable amount of silver acquiring and furnishing this property. Were the situation in Liangzhou not so uncertain, I would be unwilling to sell it…”

The middle-aged man spoke with faint sorrow. His eyes flickered, and his reluctance to part with the residence was plainly visible.

Zhao Jiu smiled. Eight hundred taels was not much to him. He still had plenty of silver in his Storage Space, and since it could not be converted into God of Wealth Points, he might as well spend it.

He could also see that the middle-aged man was genuinely reluctant to sell, so he said solemnly, “Eight hundred taels it is. I will also pay the fees for the Property Deed and documents, but the transaction must be completed quickly. It would be best if we could settle the payment and transfer the property today.”

The middle-aged man immediately suppressed his sorrow.

“Good. Since you are so straightforward, little brother, I will not delay either. I have no other matters to attend to today, so I will accompany you to the yamen and transfer the Property Deed.”

Zhao Jiu wasted no time. He reached into his robes—or rather, into his Storage Space—and took out Banknotes worth eight hundred taels, which he handed to the middle-aged man.

Since Lin Zheng was already present, he served as their witness. The three went to the yamen, paid the required fees, and completed the transfer of the Property Deed.

From that moment onward, the courtyard residence belonged to Zhao Jiu.

By the time they returned, the middle-aged man had already parted ways with them, leaving only Zhao Jiu and Lin Zheng in the residence.

As he looked around the enormous courtyard, Lin Zheng’s eyes overflowed with envy. Zhao Jiu, meanwhile, could not stop smiling.

No matter the time or place, having a roof over one’s head brought an immense sense of satisfaction.

Zhao Jiu pressed ten taels of silver into Lin Zheng’s hand and asked, “Deputy Chief Lin, do you know any skilled carpenters? I would also like to have a signboard made.”

“I do. There is one near the escort agency. I will have them make it later. What words would you like carved on it?”

“Just the three characters ‘The Little Tavern’ will be enough.”

After speaking, Zhao Jiu handed Lin Zheng another twenty taels of silver.

“I will have to trouble you with the signboard and the other furnishings.”

Lin Zheng accepted the silver and nodded.

“Little brother, I will deliver them in five days. The Wine Vessels will have to be custom-fired, but as for the wine itself, I truly have no way to help you…”

Zhao Jiu nodded in acknowledgment.

Lin Zheng did not remain for long. After thanking Zhao Jiu, he hurriedly departed.

For the next half a month, Zhao Jiu remained in the residence, busily handling all sorts of matters.

After all, even a disguise had to appear convincing. A tavern without a single drop of wine would be far too suspicious.

However, Zhao Jiu genuinely had no way to obtain wine. He was not planning to run the place as a serious business. He merely wanted somewhere to conceal himself.

In the end, he sent a message to Six Fingers by carrier pigeon, asking him to deliver several cartloads of fine wine.

Time passed swiftly.

Another half a month went by. The signboard, tables, chairs, and benches delivered by Lin Zheng had all been put to use. Everything except the wine was ready.

Fortunately, Six Fingers finally replied. His letter stated that he was already on the road and would soon arrive in Liangzhou.

After waiting for three days, Zhao Jiu finally saw Six Fingers’ carriage arrive at sunset. As expected, the carriage was filled with wine.

Old friends had reunited, so Zhao Jiu did not stand on ceremony. He specifically went out to purchase a jug of fine local wine and an entire table of good dishes.

The two sat in the rear courtyard, drinking and chatting beneath the moonlight.

After several cups, Zhao Jiu was the first to ask, “Six Fingers, what exactly is happening in Bianzhou? I cannot even return home.”

Six Fingers looked the same as before. He pinched peanuts between the remaining fingers of his left hand and noisily slurped his wine. Although several of his teeth were missing, he still gnawed the beef with great relish.

Only after eating and drinking until his face was slightly flushed did he wipe his hands twice on his clothes and recline in his seat.

“Do not ask about Jiangnan. You once saved my life, so I would never harm you. Neither you nor I can influence what is happening there. Not even Jiangnan itself can control the situation!”

At this point, lingering fear appeared on his face, and he drank several mouthfuls of wine in quick succession.

“You did not see it yourself. The Zhao Family was a great clan with a century of history, yet the authorities confiscated everything the moment they decided to act. Human lives were treated no differently from pigs…”

Even Zhao Jiu was deeply shocked.

The Zhao Family’s reputation in Bianzhou was known to nearly everyone. Zhao Jiu had heard that the family had first risen to prominence during the reign of the Founding Emperor, so calling them a century-old great clan was no exaggeration.

One of their ancestors had served as the Second Grand Secretary. Although the recent generations had declined, the family still had a Fifth-Rank Official.

Moreover, the Zhao Family’s businesses extended throughout Jiangnan. They were even involved in the illicit salt trade.

Yet such a colossal force had actually been raided and stripped of its property?

“How did the situation become this serious?” Zhao Jiu still found it inconceivable.

A towering tree had fallen without warning. It was difficult to believe.

Six Fingers narrowed his eyes, smacked his lips after another sip of wine, and spoke with a sneer.

“Serious does not even begin to describe it. According to people from the Capital, an even greater operation is coming soon. The Northern Hu are raiding the border, and the Ministry of War needs money…”

After hearing this, Zhao Jiu finally understood part of the situation.

He had assumed everything was related to the Imperial Envoy’s murder, but that case had merely served as a pretext.

The palace was preparing to slaughter some fat pigs.

When Zhao Jiu remained silent, Six Fingers breathed out a mouthful of alcohol and spoke through hazy eyes.

“Old Nine, I also came to Shu this time to escape the trouble. Should we continue accepting jobs, wait for a message from my carrier pigeon.”

Zhao Jiu nodded and silently drank his wine.

Seeing this, Six Fingers continued, “Old Nine, I will be in Jinguan City. Send me a message when you run short of wine. Remember to pay me!”

“Also, times have changed. The people above said the commission will now be eight parts out of every hundred for each job. It has gone up slightly. Business is becoming increasingly difficult…”

“Fine.”

Zhao Jiu did not object. An eight-percent commission was not high.

Although it had previously been five percent, the current situation was unstable, and handling the aftermath of each job had become more difficult. A price increase was unavoidable. The rising costs were real, after all.

The two continued drinking until the moon rose above the willow branches. Only then did the drunken Six Fingers accept his payment and leave.

After moving the wine into the cellar, Zhao Jiu brewed a pot of tea and reclined in his seat, contemplating the path ahead.

He could not stop taking jobs. Apart from working as an Assassin, every other method of earning money was too slow to support his expenses.

Although the current situation was unfavorable, viewed from another perspective, how could such chaos not also be an opportunity for him?

This thought brought Zhao Jiu a measure of comfort.

He stopped dwelling on the matter, swallowed a Mystic Insight Pill, and sat cross-legged to cultivate.