Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune: Starting with death row inmates

Shen Chen took the contract, glanced through it, and suddenly frowned: "Boss Zhuang, there's something wrong with this contract you drafted."

"The contract only states that the salt well was sold to me, but we clearly agreed that the workers and facilities would be included in the package. Also, the breach of contract clause is far too simplistic; it should specify the liability for breach of contract in detail..."

Shen Chen meticulously pointed out every loophole in the contract to Zhuang Fu, who nodded repeatedly, saying, "Brother Shen is right; it was my oversight."

He was surprised; Shen Chen hadn't been this meticulous when making the agreement.

"Is this kid already determined to get my salt wells?" Zhuang Fu thought.

He didn't delve any deeper. He had wanted to sell the salt well for a long time. Shen Chen wanted to buy it and offered a reasonable price, so he might as well sell it to him. It was a matter of mutual consent.

Zhuang Fu revised the contract two or three more times before Shen Chen finally nodded in agreement: "I think it's fine now."

The two signed a contract, and Shen Chen bought four salt wells for 12,000 yuan.

A moment later, Qin Pi and Wei Xiong handed their share of the money to Zhuang Fu: "Manager Zhuang, please count it."

"Haha, Seventh Brother, of course I trust your credibility, there's no need to count it," Zhuang Fu laughed.

Qin Pi shook his head: "No, Third Brother, I'm afraid you'll change your mind later. You should just order it in front of everyone."

Zhuang Fu almost burst out laughing when he heard Qin Pi say that. Going back on his word? The most popular person in the entire mountain stronghold was going to teach him how to do things?

"Alright, let's count it then." Zhuang Fu then instructed his men to count the money.

After confirming that everything was correct, he patted Qin Pi on the shoulder and said, "Brother Qin, let me tell you something from the heart. It's best to avoid doing some unprofitable businesses. If you're really in trouble, you can borrow money from me. We're all family."

Qin Pi said, "Brother Zhuang, just don't go back on your word when the time comes."

Zhuang Fu didn't take it seriously. He then said to Wei Xiong, "Master Wei, are you here to join my stronghold? Old Twelfth just died recently, and there happen to be some empty chairs in the stronghold."

Wei Xiong said, "I'm used to a life of leisure and am here purely for business. Manager Zhuang is a man of his word, so don't go back on your word later."

Zhuang Fu was increasingly surprised. Why were they all telling him not to regret it later? These four salt wells were being treated like gold mines!

"Hehe." Zhuang Fuqian chuckled twice and quickly left.

He immediately summoned someone to ask, "Have you heard any news lately that salt prices are going to rise?"

The subordinate thought for a moment and said, "No, and recently the Great Yan government has been selling off large quantities of official salt, so the market price of salt is still falling!"

Zhuang Fu laughed: "They were just trying to fool me."

He leaned back comfortably in his chair, arms resting on his neck: "Great, it saves us a hassle. We can also dump the stuff from the salt well on them. Haha, what a good deal..."

Training ground.

"What do you want to do with the money you're asking me to borrow?" Shen Chen asked, looking at Zhao Qian and Wang Wu in front of him.

Although Shen Chen was the leader, he could clearly sense that the people under him did not respect him very much. On weekdays, no one sought him out to organize the communal activities in the mountain stronghold. He could only see his subordinates during the collective drills held once every two weeks.

As soon as they met, Wang Wu and Zhao Qian reached out to him again to borrow money.

Wang Wu said, "Boss Shen, I feel my bottleneck is loosening recently, and I'm probably about to enter the Internal Organs Realm. I urgently need some refining medicine, but I'm really short on funds."

Zhao Qian also said, "I had a sudden inspiration and sensed an opportunity. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I beg you, Shen Tou, to be generous and help me out."

Shen Chen looked at the two of them and drew a fortune stick.

Faced with two people asking you for money, what would you choose?

[Good fortune: Generous donations encourage the two to cultivate themselves diligently; auspicious.]

[Winning the lottery: To be honest, he said he was also short on money recently, but would try his best to help the two of them. Draw]

[Bad sign: A firm refusal, an unwillingness to part with a single penny, will cause your image in the eyes of others to decline significantly.]

Meanwhile, Zhuang Man observed Shen Chen's reaction and, seeing that he did not give an answer immediately, couldn't help but feel smug: "As expected, he simply can't lend any money."

"Recently, many of Qin Pi's men have defected to my cousin and Boss Mo's side. What my cousin said was true; Qin Pi is indeed in trouble, and Shen Chen is naturally short of money."

As expected, Shen Chen waved his hand and said, "To be honest, brothers, I don't have much money on hand these days."

Zhuang Man straightened up. Just as he had expected, it was time for him to step forward and generously spend money to win people's hearts.

"But I still have some precious medicinal herbs at home, like the Raw Skin and Blood-Activating Leaf. I've used some, and there are about four leaves left. Come with me to my house later to get them; this should be enough to help you overcome this bottleneck," Shen Chen said. "Let me know when you're tempering your bodies, and I'll protect you."

After saying this, he took off his money pouch and handed it to the two men: "Gentlemen, this is the best I can do for you right now. I hope you can reach the Internal Organs Realm soon."

Wang Wu and Zhao Qian stood there, looking at the money bag that Shen Chen handed over, too embarrassed to take it for a moment.

"Shen Chen is so generous and righteous, Zhuang Man, you've misjudged him..." The two secretly glanced at Zhuang Man, who was looking at Shen Chen with a complicated expression, clearly not expecting the current situation.

"Take it. Practicing martial arts is of utmost importance. Return it to me in the future." Shen Chen generously stuffed the money bag into Zhao Qianwangwu's hands, and then led them to his home to fetch raw bark and liniment.

Zhuang Man was astonished to see Zhao Qian and Wang Wu holding raw bark and fresh leaves. Shen Chen's actions were tantamount to giving his limited cultivation resources to two unrelated people, which was an extremely foolish move.

"That's good. His cultivation speed will definitely slow down. The mountain stronghold competition will be coming up soon. Let's see how he loses then," Zhuang Man thought to himself.

He took out the money bag he had prepared and strode up to Zhao Qian and Wang Wu: "Brothers, I heard you are in dire need of money. I happen to have some spare cash on hand, so I'll give it to you."

Zhao Qian hesitated for a moment, then took the money bag, his face full of gratitude: "Thank you so much, Brother Zhuang! You are truly generous and righteous..."

Wang Wu did not react as expected. He was silent for two seconds, then suddenly waved his hand and refused, saying, "No need, Brother Zhuang. What Shen gave me is enough."

Zhuang Man's smile immediately froze. He stared at Wang Wu: "Have you thought this through? You really don't want this money?"

Wang Wu weighed Shen Chen's shrunken money pouch in his hand, then glanced at the one in Zhuang Man's hand, and said in a flat tone, "No need, thank you, Brother Zhuang."

Zhuang Man, his face grim, handed the money pouch in his hand to Zhao Qian: "Since he doesn't want it, Brother Zhao, you can keep this money."

Zhao Qian turned to look at Wang Wu, blinked, and then smiled apologetically as he handed the money bag back to Zhuang Man: "Boss Zhuang, after thinking about it carefully, what Shen gave me should be enough for my breakthrough. You should keep this money for yourself."