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

Chen Wei laughed and said, "That's right, now is the time for us two brothers to make big money."

Zhang Fuguang's face immediately flushed. The supervisor Chen Wei, who had been sent down this time, was of the same ilk as him. Not only did he pocket all of Zhang's bribes, but he also took the initiative to teach Zhang a way to make money—reselling government salt.

Chen Wei had long-standing ties with the Northern Barbarians and knew early on that they would be heading south at the end of the year. He and County Magistrate Zhang Fuguang first shorted the price of salt and bought up large quantities, waiting for the war to break out so they could sell at a high price.

Dogtooth Mountain Village.

Zhuang Fu jumped up from his seat with a start: "What did you say?"

The confidant said in a hoarse voice, "Third Master, with the northern barbarians advancing south, salt prices have skyrocketed, almost increasing tenfold!"

Upon hearing this news, Zhuang Fu nearly fainted from holding his breath.

He suddenly remembered the four salt wells he had sold to Shen Chen that day, and his heart bled even more.

If he had known that the price of salt would rise that day, he wouldn't have sold it even if Shen Chen offered him 100,000 coins!

"No wonder he was in such a hurry to buy my salt wells; he must have anticipated this." Zhuang Fu clenched his fists so tightly that he didn't even notice his nails digging into his palms. "That guy surnamed Shen... could he really be a 'cunning strategist'?"

Although he deeply regretted selling the four salt wells to Shen Chen, Zhuang Fu quickly rallied. He still had three salt wells left unsold, and four salt shops in the East Market. With the current rise in salt prices, he could still make a profit!

Moreover, he had specialized salt-making craftsmen under his command, and Zhuang Fu was confident that he could crush Shen Chen, this lazy scholar, in terms of the quality of the salt he produced.

Zhuang Fu comforted himself for a while, then heard Xu Ning say, "I heard that Shen Chen's salt shop opened this morning, and it's our rival."

"Hmph, let's go take a look." Zhuang Fu snorted coldly, then got up and went to the East Market.

The East Market was unusually lively this time. Most people knew about the news that the Northern Barbarians were invading the south and that war was about to break out. They rushed to buy the daily necessities of firewood, rice, oil, and salt. The salt shops were packed with people.

Seeing the long line in front of his house, Zhuang Fu breathed a sigh of relief: "Good, business is really booming."

He took a few more steps closer and suddenly realized something was wrong: "Wait, why is this line going in the opposite direction?"

Zhuang Fu looked closely and saw that the line to buy salt was heading towards the salt shop next door, while his own salt shop was empty, and even the shopkeeper was nowhere to be found.

"Hey, you fatso, don't cut in line!" A henchman standing in the middle of the line shouted in annoyance.

Zhuang Fu forcibly suppressed his anger, his face ashen, and strode to the front of the line, just in time to see the manager of his salt shop: "Ma Jin, what the hell are you doing here?"

Upon hearing Zhuang Fu's voice, Manager Ma trembled and hurriedly ran to him, saying, "Third Master, I'm buying salt!"

"Buy salt?" Zhuang Fu was almost laughing in anger. "You're neglecting your own salt shop and coming to buy salt from someone else."

Manager Ma, drenched in sweat, said, "Manager Zhuang, the salt sold here is different. Please wait a moment while I go and fetch it for you to see."

Zhuang Fu frowned, ignoring Manager Ma, and pushed through the crowd to look at the salt sold in the shop.

For a moment, Zhuang Fu was stunned.

He saw a pure white expanse, untouched by any other color, truly pure white.

Is this salt?

Zhuang Fu muttered something to himself almost unconsciously.

"Master Zhuang, if you want to buy salt, why do you have to queue? Just let me know." Shen Chen's voice suddenly rang out.

Zhuang Fu quickly looked up and saw Shen Chen standing at the entrance of the salt shop. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I was unaware of your presence, Master Zhuang. Please forgive my lack of hospitality."

Zhuang Fu swallowed hard, his expression gradually returning to normal. He cupped his hands in greeting and asked, "Would it be possible to have a chat with Brother Shen inside?"

"Please." Shen Chen did not refuse.

The two entered the back hall, where Wei Xiong was also present. Upon seeing Zhuang Fu, he immediately smiled and said, "Master Zhuang, you promised us you would never go back on your word."

Zhuang Fu: "..."

It was impossible for Zhuang Fu not to regret it, so he could only smile and say, "I was short-sighted. To be honest, I do regret it this time."

He sighed deeply, his expression returning to calm: "Brother Shen, I admit, you are indeed skilled in strategy, managing to foresee the northern barbarians' southward invasion and the subsequent surge in salt prices..."

"I want to buy back these four salt wells. Name your price." Zhuang Fu went straight to the point and discussed the redemption of the salt wells with Shen Chen.

Shen Chen shook his head: "Master Zhuang, I will absolutely not be dealing with those four salt wells again anytime soon. Please don't mention this matter again."

Zhuang Fu paused for a moment, then said calmly, "This salt trade is indeed very lucrative, but Brother Shen, you also need to have the strength to hold onto this hot iron."

"Instead of clinging to it, it's better to get rid of it sooner rather than later, so you don't end up with nothing," Zhuang Fu said, seemingly unintentionally, his words carrying a threatening undertone.

He was the third-in-command of the village and wielded immense power. Reclaiming the four salt wells was not a difficult task for him.

As for a contract in black and white? Ha, would a bandit's principles be written on paper?

Faced with Zhuang Fu's threat, Shen Chen calmly brewed a pot of tea: "By the way, Master Zhuang, did you know that this salt shop was a gift from Chief Hu?"

Zhuang Fu's face immediately froze.

You've even brought the chieftain on board?

He wasn't so easily convinced: "Oh? Is that really true?"

"This was given to me personally by the chieftain." Shen Chen then showed the proof presented by Hu Muzhi.

Upon seeing Hu Muzhi's fingerprint, Zhuang Fu's pupils contracted, his mind raced, and he immediately let out a long breath, his eyes flashing as he forced a broad smile: "Brother Shen is truly capable. I admire you, I admire you."

His praise for Shen Chen was genuine. He was able to quickly assess the situation, invest in the salt well, and even bring the village chief on board before the deal was done. This kind of courage is not something ordinary people have.

"This kid is very capable and can accomplish things. I must not ruin my relationship with him." Zhuang Fu's mind raced, and he immediately said, "Hehe, I came here today not to renege on the sale of the salt well, but just now I was joking."

"That old man changes his tune so fast..." Shen Chen thought to himself.

Zhuang Fu said decisively, "I have come here today to purchase Brother Shen's salt-making method for 100,000 coins. I wonder if Brother Shen would be willing to teach me?"

100,000 coins!

Wei Xiong, who was standing next to him, lit up and almost agreed on Shen Chen's behalf.

Shen Chen was also taken aback, but he quickly calmed down and asked in a deep voice, "Is it counterfeit currency?"

Zhuang Fu shook his head, and Shen Chen and Wei Xiong's expressions immediately turned to disappointment. If Zhuang Fu was offering Great Yan Treasure Notes, then it was no different from trading with a pile of waste paper.

"I'm referring to the Qin Dynasty knife coins," Zhuang Fu said.

Shen Chen immediately stood up and firmly grasped Zhuang Fu's hand: "Deal."

This price is definitely sincere. At the same time, Shen Chen couldn't help but be secretly surprised by Zhuang Fu's wealth and generosity, as he could casually pull out 100,000 yuan.

Zhuang Fu smiled and shook Shen Chen's hand: "Half of this 100,000 coins is for the salt-making method, and the other half is to buy Brother Shen's friendship."

"Brother Shen, if you ever find a way to make money in the future, don't forget me," Zhuang Fu said.

Shen Chen replied, "I will never forget the friendship shown by Master Zhuang."

Zhuang Fu kept his promise, and soon enough, the money, filling several horse-drawn carts, arrived at Shen Chen's door.