First Meeting, First Gift - A Beauty

Lu Renjie's arrogant attitude made Xie Xian break out in a cold sweat.

Arrogant! Too arrogant!

For a merchant to reach this level must be unparalleled under heaven.

Lu Renjie looked at Xie Xian's reaction with approval.

Those words had struck a chord with him. He hadn't expected this newcomer to be so accommodating.

"Good, since you have the courage, this Young Master is willing to give you a chance."

"Have you been told the rules... has Lingfeng explained them to you?"

That easy?

This thought flashed through Xie Xian's mind, but he quickly replied: "He hasn't explained yet."

"Hmm, then let me give you a brief explanation." Lu Renjie paced about, wearing a faint smile.

"Since ancient times, salt merchants and private salt sellers have been mortal enemies. But do you know why my Lu family deals in private salt?"

Xie Xian thought for a moment and answered honestly: "I don't know."

"Though the government relies on salt merchants to sell salt, the prices are always set by the government. The prices are too high, so private salt never stops circulating despite repeated prohibitions."

"My Lu family once fought against private salt sellers with wit and strength, but those who risk punishment for profit are as numerous as fish crossing a river. Killing them doesn't stop them."

"Since private salt cannot be eliminated, why not have us do the business?"

"So the first thing I did after taking control of the family was to sell private salt."

"Three years later, in the areas controlled by the Lu family, apart from our people, there are no more private salt sellers!"

Lu Renjie told this story while nodding and shaking his head, seemingly extremely proud of his accomplishment.

Xie Xian smiled flatteringly: "Young Master's methods are truly brilliant!"

He understood a bit about this matter. The Master had explained it before.

This is called price discrimination. Those who can't afford official salt will never be able to, so naturally they can only buy private salt.

The Lu family sells both official and private salt, essentially devouring the entire market.

"Working with my Lu family, you won't lose out."

"From now on, six-tenths of the profits from all private salt you sell in Jianjiang must be sent back to Haiyuan City."

"Lingfeng is your introducer, two-tenths go to him, and you keep two-tenths for yourself. Lingfeng should have told you this."

Xie Xian looked at Du Lingfeng in confusion.

So I do all the work and half the profit goes to the introducer? This is a bit exploitative!

Du Lingfeng smiled awkwardly but said nothing.

Seeing their reactions, Lu Renjie laughed: "Of course, you two can work it out yourselves."

"If you're caught by officials, Lingfeng will also be punished... as for what to do if that happens, ask him privately."

"Don't underestimate your two-tenths profit. It's enough to make you a person of high standing, allowing you to become wealthy anywhere in the Jing Dynasty!"

"Of course, you don't have to sell only in Jianjiang. If you have the ability, you can sell private salt throughout the Jing Dynasty, and the Lu family will absolutely support you. The more you earn, the more we'll distribute to you."

"This is a chance to rise like a carp leaping through the dragon gate. Lingfeng is an old member of our Lu family. It's your good fortune that he introduced you."

"Yes! Yes! Xie Xian also feels extremely fortunate to meet Young Master Lu!" Xie Xian nodded repeatedly.

Lu Renjie was extremely satisfied: "You needn't be so polite. Now that you've entered the Lu family's door, you're one of our brothers!"

"Come here! Call Nong Yu!"

The maidservant obeyed and went to find someone. Shortly after, she returned with a woman with bright, beautiful eyes.

Her figure was graceful, with a hint of allure in her brow, but her expression also showed a touch of bashfulness.

Truly a gem among women.

Lu Renjie first embraced the woman, then pushed her toward Xie Xian.

He smiled: "Nong Yu, this is the Young Master's new brother. Serve him well."

Nong Yu agreed coquettishly, then stood softly and weakly beside Xie Xian.

This move startled Xie Xian for a moment. He hadn't expected Lu Renjie to be so agreeable, even giving him a woman right away.

This situation was beyond his expectations!

"Stay in Haiyuan City for a month or two and enjoy yourself slowly. Don't rush to go to Jianjiang yet. Wait for my notification before you go. You can return home now. I have some matters to discuss with Lingfeng."

Xie Xian bowed, then turned to leave, with Nong Yu following closely.

After the two left, the smile on Lu Renjie's face instantly vanished.

Walking up to Du Lingfeng, "Slap!" A hard slap landed on his face!

Du Lingfeng's cheek immediately swelled up. Then with a thud, he fell to his knees, shocked and frightened: "Young Master, please calm down! Young Master, please calm down!"

"You've been doing this for so many years. How did you expose yourself?"

Du Lingfeng swallowed hard and trembled: "Jianjiang was hit by disaster. The wealthy merchants in the city took on many government projects, so their expenses were huge."

"They had many disaster victims working for them and wanted to save money. I thought... I could take this opportunity to sell more and establish long-term relationships for the future... who knew they couldn't keep their mouths shut. It was Brother Xie who told me privately..."

"Is this Xie Xian clean?"

"Clean, absolutely no problem!" Du Lingfeng's heart was pounding.

He understood Lu Renjie all too well. This man would torment others at the slightest displeasure.

Lu Renjie's expression softened slightly: "Fine, since he's someone you found, and we don't have suitable personnel at the moment, I won't bother to investigate."

"But if he causes problems, don't expect to live. The higher-ups aren't allowing continued sales for some time. I don't know when they'll send someone to notify us. You stay in the city for now. Take this time to investigate further. Bring Xie Xian's family here too. Now get out!"

"Yes... yes!"

Du Lingfeng scrambled away back to the main hall.

At this time, Xie Xian and Nong Yu were standing awkwardly in the main hall.

Nong Yu didn't speak, and neither did he, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere.

Fortunately, Du Lingfeng appeared in time, and Xie Xian went to meet him: "Brother Du, what... what happened to your face?"

Du Lingfeng covered his face with a bitter smile, then first bowed to Nong Yu. Rubbing his swollen cheek, he pulled Xie Xian aside and said somewhat embarrassedly: "I was running and fell. I fell!"

"That... Brother Xie, I didn't have the courage to tell you about the profit-sharing. With our relationship, giving me one-tenth is enough."

Xie Xian immediately interrupted him: "Money isn't important. Without you, I couldn't earn this money, so Brother Du doesn't need to feel awkward."

Du Lingfeng was somewhat moved, but then his expression turned bitter again: "This... there's one more thing I didn't tell you. Do you think... could you bring your family over? Don't misunderstand! It's not that I don't trust you. It's just the rule. My family is in the city too."

"After all, with money, we can live well anywhere. Haiyuan City has everything you could want. As long as we don't cause problems, there won't be any issues!"

Hearing this, Xie Xian felt relieved.

That's more like it! It seemed too smooth before, making me uneasy!

But he still had to play his part.

Xie Xian's face fell, and he angrily said: "Brother Du! Why didn't you tell me this earlier!"

Seeing his anger, Du Lingfeng stammered: "Even if I told you, you wouldn't have dared to come... Ah, Brother Xie, now that you're here..."

"I can't leave now, can I? Can I not call my family?"

"Not really... you know too much..."

Xie Xian sighed heavily: "Brother Du, you should have told me earlier! If I had known, I wouldn't have gotten into this mess! Fine! I'll write a family letter tonight and send it back."

"But what's the situation with Miss Nong Yu? Is she Young Master Lu's maid?"

"Not a maid. She's Young Master Lu's concubine! After you're done with her, you have to send her back."

Concubine!?

Xie Xian's mind went blank as he looked uncertainly at Nong Yu.

This is Lu Renjie's wife? What kind of arrangement is this?

Giving away concubines is actually quite common, but usually it's from the bottom up.

Giving one to a subordinate so casually is really rare!

"What does this mean? Is he testing me? Will I die if I touch her?!"

Du Lingfeng's expression gradually turned lecherous: "Touch her all you want! Young Master Lu's women come and go like water, he gives them away everywhere. Given to you, you can do whatever you want with her."