Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 95 The Big Boss
Wang Xun and the Shi family were related by marriage, so he was the first to be invited.

Before Old Master Shi could speak, Wang Xun said to Pei Qinghe, "Our Wang family and the Shi family will advance and retreat together. If Sixth Miss needs any amount of cotton cloth in the future, just ask. Our Wang family will only charge the cost price."

Pei Qinghe smiled and thanked her.

Wang Xun smiled and said, "It is my good fortune to have met such a heroic person as the Sixth Miss. The Wang family has an embroidery shop and skilled embroiderers. Whenever the Sixth Miss needs anything, just give the order."

It's clear to everyone that Pei Qinghe has lofty ambitions and is full of aspirations. There will come a day when he will need a military flag.

The second person invited was Zhan Fei, a salt merchant.

The Zhan family had a powerful background and influential connections in the imperial court. They controlled nearly half of the salt permits for the official salt production in Youzhou. The Zhan family's wealth was second only to the Shi family. Moreover, the Zhan family had many descendants.

Old Master Zhan is old and has not been involved in affairs for a long time. The current director of the Zhan family is Old Master Zhan's eldest son, Zhan Fei.

Zhan Fei, a man of forty-five years old, of medium height, with a fair complexion, no beard, and piercing eyes, spoke with a slight tilt of his head, his chin pointing towards Pei Qinghe: "Sixth Miss is in Youzhou, and I'm afraid she is unaware of the news from the capital. Several days ago, His Majesty issued an imperial edict to abolish the Eastern Palace, and the deposed Crown Prince was imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court. Many officials in the court have submitted memorials, requesting the Emperor to choose another virtuous prince as the heir apparent."

His words revealed a hint of arrogance and disdain.

Shi Yan frowned.

Old Master Shi remained impassive, his gaze fixed on Pei Qinghe's face. Everyone knew that the Pei family's greatest backer was the Crown Prince. Now, with the Crown Prince deposed, the Beiping army had mobilized to the capital to rescue him. The outcome was uncertain, with no clear plan.

At this time, associating with Miss Pei Liu carries enormous risks. Zhan Fei's arrogance at this moment is a test, as well as a way of assessing Miss Pei Liu's worth.

Pei Qinghe remained calm: "Youzhou is a thousand miles away. The chaos in the capital will not affect Youzhou. My Pei family is now established in Changping County, and what we care about is the safety of Pei Family Village. I will also protect the peace of those who are on good terms with the Pei family."

"As for other matters, I, Pei Qinghe, am powerless to intervene and will not concern myself with them. Young Master Zhan need not worry. Even if Pei Family Village is affected, it will not implicate the Zhan family."

"As far as I know, the Zhan family's salt is all sold to the Xiongnu. Could it be that they dare not sell it to my Pei family?"

Zhan Fei remained calm at first, but his expression changed slightly when he heard the words "Young Master Zhan".

He usually treated the prefects and magistrates as equals, and associated with powerful and influential families like the Old Master Shi. Who would have thought he would be so humiliated by Pei Qinghe today? A man in his forties, managing the household affairs, was still being addressed as "Young Master."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Zhan Fei's expression suddenly changed. He stood up abruptly, his eyes revealing a fierce look: "Sixth Miss Pei, please be careful with your words! My Zhan family has been in business for generations, doing business honestly and uprightly. How could we possibly have any connection with the Xiongnu?"

Pei Qinghe remained unmoved, a slight smile playing on her lips. "I've only heard rumors from the sidelines. Why is Young Master Zhan so agitated and angry? Could these rumors be true?"

Zhan Fei snorted coldly: "It's best for Miss Pei to refrain from spreading baseless rumors."

"If word gets out, the good reputation of the Zhan family for generations will be ruined by Miss Pei."

"Sixth Miss Pei probably doesn't want to make enemies with the Zhan family because of this!"

Pei Qinghe looked up and met Zhan Fei's gaze: "Of course. I only want to buy salt; I'm not interested in anything else related to the Zhan family."

Humans need salt to eat, and warhorses need salt in their water. To grow and expand, it is essential to have stable channels to purchase large quantities of salt.

Zhan Fei said with a forced smile, "If Miss Pei wants to buy salt, she can send someone with money to the Zhan family. Out of respect for Master Shi, I will definitely give Miss Pei a satisfactory price."

Old Master Shi coughed and smoothed things over, saying, "Thank you, Nephew Zhan." He then said to Pei Qinghe in a gentle tone, "Sixth Miss, why don't you buy five thousand catties of salt first?"

Based on a calculation of 1,000 men and 200 warhorses, 5,000 catties of salt would be enough for about a year.

This is to save face for Master Shi; it's a one-off deal. If anyone wants to buy later, they'll have to pay more or find another salt merchant.

Pei Qinghe gave Old Master Shi ample face and agreed with a smile.

Zhan Fei got up and left, deliberately leaving behind a few words: "The situation is unpredictable. If the capital is in chaos, the whole country will likely be in chaos as well. I advise Uncle Shi to be more cautious in his actions. Don't step into a quagmire, or the Shi family will be trapped and unable to extricate themselves."

Grandpa Shi chuckled, "I'm so old, half my body is buried in the earth. I've long since handed over all these family matters to Ayan. Let him take care of them!"

Shi Yan calmly replied, "Grandfather, don't worry, I won't misjudge you."

Zhan Fei twitched the corner of his mouth, got up and left.

After Zhan Fei left, Shi Yan's expression darkened, and he said to Pei Qinghe, "I didn't expect the Zhan family to be so short-sighted. In order to make money, they actually sold smuggled salt to the border region."

Whether this is true or false, you can tell by looking at Zhan Fei's behavior after his tail was stepped on.

Such a secret would never be easily revealed by the Zhan family. Even the Shi family doesn't know how Sixth Miss Pei found out.

Old Master Shi pondered inwardly, but remained outwardly composed: "The Zhan family sells official salt, and also has several teams selling smuggled salt, with quite a few men under their command. Moreover, the Zhan family has a rather good relationship with General Lü of the Fanyang Army. Miss Pei has great ambitions; there's no need for her to compete with or hold a grudge against the Zhan family."

This was a reminder to Pei Qinghe that the Zhan family had both official channels in the open and secret passages unknown to the public.

Ordinary merchants feared bandits and outlaws, but the Zhan family was not afraid at all. They didn't even take Pei Qinghe, who had wiped out White Tiger Village, seriously.

Pei Qinghe smiled calmly: "Thank you for the reminder, sir. I paid for the salt from the Zhan family, and that's all. As long as the Zhan family doesn't bother me, I'm happy to keep things peaceful."

Shi Yan raised an eyebrow: "The Zhan family is so ungrateful. Let's just do this one transaction and be done with it. Besides the Zhan family, there are several other salt merchants in Youzhou. I'll introduce them to the Sixth Miss when the time comes."

Even if the Zhan family is gone, there's still the Peng and Yue families.

Old Master Shi chuckled: "Very well, I'm old now, not as hot-blooded as you young people. You can decide for yourselves."

Shi Yan said calmly, "The Zhan family doesn't take the Sixth Miss seriously, which shows their arrogance. Our Shi family should have less contact with such people."

In front of Pei Qinghe, Old Master Shi could not say much.

Pei Qinghe gave Young Master Shi a deep look: "Young Master Shi has so much confidence in me, I will certainly not let you down."

Shi Yan and Pei Qinghe exchanged glances, their eyes filled with smiles: "Please wait a moment, Miss Six, I will introduce you to Physician Lu."

The Lu family has been practicing medicine for generations, and this generation produced a royal physician. Physician Lu served in the palace for fifteen years before retiring to his hometown two years ago. Now, the Lu family runs more than ten pharmacies, making them the largest pharmaceutical merchants in Youzhou. They sell both raw medicinal materials and finished medicines, especially a wound medicine considered a miracle cure by soldiers.

Pei Qinghe had long coveted the medicine for Lu's injuries, and rose to greet Physician Lu.

(End of this chapter)