Qin San's Bitter Loss

"Nineteen thousand taels? Boy, do you know what you're saying?!"

Qin San exploded with rage, his eyes reddening as he glared at Gu Sheng. He had spent his days hunting swallows, only to have a sparrow peck out his eye today. That smiling little bastard had actually fooled him! If the setting had been different, he would have loved nothing more than to split that smiling tiger in two with a sword.

"Your arithmetic is pretty good!"

Miss Li nodded at Gu Sheng, then turned to Qin San beside her. "Qin San, since this boy has already offered compensation, we'll do as he says! Business is business. For merchants like us, reputation is the key!"

"Miss!"

Qin San's face showed his distress. He had profited from both ends of this deal. Though most of the silver he had skimmed had gone into his own pocket, some had been used to grease connections. If he really had to pay nineteen thousand taels, not only would he make nothing, he would suffer a heavy loss.

Lord Li, the fair-faced middle-aged man, said coldly, "What, are the other Jade Chill Blades defective as well?"

"The other Jade Chill Blades are fine, though they haven't been inspected closely yet. I'll have someone check them again."

Qin San's expression worsened. Of course he knew there was nothing wrong with the Jade Chill Blades, but he could not say so outright. And with everyone watching, it would be difficult for him to tamper with them again. Did he really think the master's family was blind?

Lord Li seemed to think of something. He glanced at Qin San's little movements, then told another guard, "Forget it. Qin Da, you inspect them instead."

One of Lord Li's two personal guards immediately walked over to the Jade Chill Blades. As he passed Qin San, he shot him a fierce glare, then picked up one blade and casually swung it a few times. Turning back, he said, "My lord, these Jade Chill Blades are quite good. They are more than sufficient for ordinary guards."

With Qin Da's discernment, how could he fail to see that the Jade Chill Blade in Qin San's hand had been rolled by someone's Inner Force? He had long disliked this greedy junior brother of his, so he could not be bothered to cover for him now.

Qin San had always been crooked, yet he was unreliable in handling matters. This time, he had actually let these country bumpkins spot the flaw. If this continued, who knew what trouble might arise? If the master's family became angry, they might all get dragged down with him.

Gu Sheng hurriedly fawned over Miss Li. "Miss, what do you think?" Compared to the inscrutable Lord Li, this Miss Li was clearly more easily swayed.

Miss Li looked at Gu Sheng, then swept her hand. "Fine! Since there are no other issues, then for this transaction... the remaining payment of nineteen thousand taels—Qin San, pay it."

Qin San's expression became even more bitter. He carefully glanced at the expressionless Lord Li, gritted his teeth, and cupped his fists. "Their blades did have problems, after all. Nineteen thousand taels is too much..."

"My lord is right. This was our fault!"

Gu Sheng hurriedly added, "How about fifteen thousand taels? We only hope that Lord Li will look after us in the future." As he spoke, Gu Sheng cautiously glanced at Lord Li.

"Miss, that would work..."

Qin San's expression relaxed. Fifteen thousand taels was still beyond what he had expected, but he could at least still turn a profit. It would be less than before, but at least he would not lose money.

Rather than being pleased by Qin San's words, Miss Li's face instantly darkened. "Qin San, what do you mean by that? I said nineteen thousand taels, so it is nineteen thousand taels—not a copper less.

Business is business. The reputation of our Li Commerce Company cannot be tarnished."

"Mi—"

Qin San still wanted to speak, but the guard named Qin Da standing before him stopped him. Qin Da lowered his voice. "Third Junior Brother, don't try to pocket every bit of silver. Keep this up and my lord will get angry. When that happens, don't blame your senior brother for not helping you."

Qin San secretly glanced at Lord Li and saw that the master's family was indeed displeased. He did not know whether it was because he had blown this matter up or because he had contradicted Miss Li.

Miss Li said impatiently, "Qin San, listen carefully. Right now, immediately, take out the banknotes." Qin San had repeatedly objected to her decision, and she was already extremely unhappy with him.

Besides, in her view, even after paying nineteen thousand taels, Qin San would still have the three hundred taels in errand fees for the two Jade Chill Blades! As a servant, it was already good enough for him to get the loose change. She had been generous enough not to make him return those three hundred taels.

Qin San coldly glanced at Teng Yongfan and the others, then looked at Gu Sheng with thick killing intent in his eyes. "Old Zhang, bring the banknotes. Nineteen thousand taels!"

"Chief!"

Old Zhang shrank back somewhat. Their entire squad had taken part in this affair. Some people had spent all their share on the very day they received it. In that case...

"I told you to bring the banknotes!" Qin San roared.

"Y-yes, yes, yes!"

Old Zhang hurriedly took out banknotes worth nineteen thousand taels. This was not the first time their group had bled the master's family dry. Nineteen thousand taels was a lot, but they could squeeze it out. Still, this time, they were suffering a major loss.

"Take it. Nineteen thousand taels!"

Qin San walked over to Gu Sheng and slammed the banknotes into his palm, taking the opportunity to shake his hand. At the same time, an imperceptible An Jin surged into Gu Sheng's arm.

"Thank you, my lord!"

Without revealing anything, Gu Sheng dissolved the weak An Jin. After withdrawing his hand and taking back the banknotes, he respectfully bowed to Miss Li and Lord Li. "Thank you, my lord and miss, for supporting our business."

"Mm. If there is nothing else, you may leave."

Lord Li, the middle-aged man, nodded indifferently. He then looked at his daughter beside him. Seeing that her gaze lingered on Gu Sheng, his brow furrowed slightly. "Yu'er, we still need to visit your Uncle Liu today. It would not do to arrive late."

"Got it, Father!"

Miss Li answered, then said to Gu Sheng, "Hey! Count them and see if the amount is right!"

However, Gu Sheng simply tucked the stack of banknotes into his robe. Smiling as he cupped his fists toward Miss Li, he said, "We trust the reputation of the Li Commerce Company. Let's leave it at that today. Goodbye, miss!"

Gu Sheng hurriedly signaled Teng Yongfan, Teng Qingshan, and the others with his eyes. Then, with a smile, he cupped his fists toward the Li family members and led the way out of the Li Family Estate at Yang Province Commerce Hall.

At the end of the day, Qin San had simply been too greedy. For a wealthy merchant like Lord Li, money was a small matter, while face was a major one. He might have known about Qin San demanding bribes behind the scenes, but under those circumstances, he could not break the rules for Qin San's sake.

Just as Miss Li had said, business was business. Reputation was extremely important to the Li family. Moreover, his precious daughter had shown him a grand vision. At such a critical time, he was even less likely to ruin his own name for the sake of a guard captain.

Lord Li walked up beside Miss Li. "Yu'er, let's go. Don't keep your Uncle Liu waiting."

As Qin San watched Gu Sheng and the others' departing backs, a vicious glint flashed through his eyes. He beckoned to a burly man in black beside him. "A Lang, make the arrangements..."