As a lord, I was forced to farm

Chapter 902 Master Zhao

Qushuilou not only offers local specialties from Dasu, but also attracts merchants from Mingxiao and other places to join. The store offers a wide variety of goods, including delicacies from Yulongxuan and Nanke Tavern, as well as affordable and large portions of lobster that appeal to the general public, attracting customers from different financial levels.

No matter what world you're in, the wealthy are always a minority, while traffic and reputation often depend more on the general public.

Nowadays, when people mention Qushui Tower, it is often mentioned together with those forces that have been operating for more than a hundred years, such as Yuquan Tower. Perhaps this is because Qushui Tower has always been kind to ordinary people.

The drunkard outside Qushui Tower has been properly dealt with, and the masked well-meaning people have also dispersed.

Jiang Ran said to Liu Wenyan, "These people's kindness is easily exploited. With the power competition just around the corner, countless people are watching our Qushui Tower. If any unscrupulous people infiltrate among them and do something, it will be impossible to guard against them."

The slight smile on Liu Wenyan's face faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Your Highness is right."

She was a smart person to begin with, and after several years of experience, she has matured considerably.

So when Jiang Ran raised the question, she didn't panic. Instead, she quickly came up with a solution: "Your Highness, I see that we are currently short-handed. Since these warriors are willing but short of funds, why don't we try to recruit them and hire them to work as guards at Qushui Tower for a short period?"

In this way, the potential danger was resolved, the relatively cost-effective spirit crystals were used to hire people for Qushui Tower, and Qushui Tower's position in the hearts of those people was consolidated again. It can be described as killing three birds with one stone.

"Well, you can handle this as you see fit."

……

Jiang Ran came to Mingxiao City for two reasons: first, to participate in the power competition, and second, because she heard that Qushui Tower's business had run into some problems. Since she arrived at the power competition a few days earlier than expected, Qi Yu and Feng Chi were unaware that she had already arrived in Mingxiao City. However, she unexpectedly ran into Zhou Yixiao, who ran a spirit beast shop in Qushui Tower.

Upon seeing Jiang Ran, Zhou Yixiao was clearly pleasantly surprised. Although Qushui Tower was Jiang Ran's business, she remembered that Jiang Ran would not be able to come here for a few days.

"Ran...Master Jiang, I happen to have something I want to discuss with you!" Zhou Yixiao originally wanted to call Jiang Ran "Ranran," but seeing that Jiang Ran had someone with her, she still habitually addressed Jiang Ran as Master Jiang or Prince Jiang in public, for no other reason than etiquette.

Having known each other for several years, especially after her spirit beasts gradually migrated to Da Su, she spent much more time in Da Su. In fact, she had seen Jiang Ran more often in the past two years than Jiang Ran and Qi had met. They were even having tea together just a couple of days ago.

Liu Wenyan naturally recognized Zhou Yixiao as well. This Blue Spirit Fairy from Mingxiao Academy had quite a reputation in Mingxiao City, and many people were looking over at her.

Jiang Ran pursed her lips slightly, revealing a hint of a smile. She waved for Liu Wenyan to step aside and wait for her, then took a few steps forward, getting a little closer to Zhou Yixiao. "What is it?"

"Recently, many beast tamers who breed spirit beasts have flocked to Mingxiao City. They come from all over the country and have a lot of rare spirit beast cubs. Now they have gathered together to form a temporary spirit beast market. The spirit beast breeding bases such as Ziyun Palace are also in contact with those people to select spirit beasts with excellent bloodlines. Let's go and take a look together."

"Row."

Because they were in the public hall, the two only exchanged a few words, and Jiang Ran had urgent business to attend to. They agreed to arrange a specific time via the communication stone and then quickly parted ways.

...Upon arriving at Jiang Ran's private rest and study in Qushui Tower, the lamplight filtered through the glass shade, casting dappled shadows on the smooth, jade-like floor. A traditional Chinese ink painting hung on the wall, its mother-of-pearl inlaid with mountains and mica embellishing the clouds, creating an effect of flowing rosy light from afar. My gaze swept across the room, landing on the expansive long table in the center. On it lay a superior inkstone, its edges sharp and refined, exuding a subtle, cool fragrance; a jade-green brush with purple bristles, its tip glistening with light. Beyond that, there were neatly arranged but mountainous ledgers and various business records of Qushui Tower.

Most people would feel overwhelmed and want to avoid so many things to do, but Jiang Ran remained calm. She even felt that having so many accounts and things to handle actually showed that Qushuilou was truly different from before, growing bigger and stronger, and getting back on track.

Sitting down at the table, Liu Wenyan first respectfully poured Jiang Ran a cup of the finest spiritual tea.

Jiang Ran watched the crystal-clear tea leaves float and sink in the water, smelling like cedar wood that had been warmed by the winter sun—both cool and refreshing, yet also exuding a contradictory burning sensation from afar.

"This tea was bought from Xicha Village, right?"

"Yes, the spiritual tea from Xicha Village is of the highest quality in Mingxiao City. Moreover, the villagers treat us buyers very well and never cheat us on the quality. Therefore, all the tea drinks at Yulongxuan are sourced from Xicha Village."

After taking a sip of tea, Jiang Ran suddenly said, "Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I visited Master Zhao."

Liu Wenyan was slightly taken aback. Her mind raced for a moment before she realized that the only person Jiang Ran could call her "master" besides Pan Gushou was Zhao Rongyun, the tea master in Mingxiao City. "Your Highness is very busy with official duties and works tirelessly day and night. Master Zhao is a kind and gentle person, and I think she will understand you."

Master Zhao is as gentle as a chrysanthemum. Although she is capable of producing tea of ​​the highest rank, she has always stayed in the tea village and rarely sells the spiritual tea she makes to outsiders.

When Jiang Ran turned eighteen, in addition to the Qi and Feng families and a few friends she met in Mingxiao City, Jiang Ran naturally sent someone to invite Master Zhao. However, apart from sending a top-grade spiritual tea worth several million spirit crystals as a coming-of-age gift for Jiang Ran, Master Zhao did not go to Dasu.

Over the years, Jiang Ran would sometimes send messages to send people with local specialties from Dasu, but she hadn't actually visited them in a long time.

If word gets out, he'll be considered a complete unfilial son.

Let's take Qi Yu with us in a few days.

Jiang Ran thought to herself.

Nowadays, besides Tian Jing and Li Fusheng, who watched the original owner grow up and have been assisting her since childhood, the only people who can be considered her elders are her two masters, Pan Gushou and Zhao Rongyun.

Is this an invitation to meet the parents?

Thinking of this, Jiang Ran couldn't help but chuckle. In both her lives, this was the first time she had had such a novel experience.

"Keep an eye out for any top-grade spiritual herbs in Mingxiao City recently, and try to acquire them. I need to visit Master Zhao after the power competition."

Liu Wenyan immediately took note, "Yes, subordinate understands."