Professional Team

After leaving the eatery, Xu Qing headed straight for the brokerage.

He had previously purchased two coffins from Hu Baosong's coffin shop to house the bodies he had helped pass on.

Now that the coffins were full, he needed to find a place to deal with the bodies.

Xu Qing had considered sending the bodies with no remaining value to the mass grave outside the district, but he ultimately abandoned the idea.

He gave up for two reasons.

First, when he followed Liu Youdao through forests and graves, he had encountered many strange and unusual events. Burying bodies outside, especially in a mass grave, was too dangerous.

Second, the river defense fortifications were nearing completion, and with the increase in refugees, entry and exit would inevitably involve checks by the garrisoned soldiers. If they discovered him carrying so many bodies, it would undoubtedly cause trouble.

Xu Qing had also thought about burying the bodies in the backyard of the Corpse Driver's Shop, but the yard was too small, which didn't align with his business philosophy of growing bigger and stronger.

After much thought, he decided it was better to find a dedicated place for handling bodies.

Upon arriving at the brokerage, before even entering, Xu Qing heard Fourth Master Li inside cursing loudly.

"You sons of bitches from the Jinmen Gang, stealing Fifth Brother's territory is one thing, but you dare to extend your reach to me!"

"Third Brother, don't stop me. Today, I will go to the wharf and settle this with them, life or death!"

In the chilly spring weather, Fourth Master Li, dressed in a scholar's robe, fanned himself vigorously and angrily lifted the curtain. However, before he could take a step, Fourth Master retracted his leg.

Inside, Third Master Huang poured a cup of steaming tea and said calmly, "I'm not stopping you. If you've calmed down, come over for some tea. Look at you, I'm just a common merchant and I'm not even worried, yet you, a scholar with official honors, are the one rushing."

Xu Qing, with his sharp ears and keen eyes, heard the commotion from afar and knew it wasn't a good time to interrupt.

He waved to a familiar clerk at the brokerage, and they huddled together. He asked, "What happened to Fourth Master Li? Why is he so angry?"

The clerk sighed and shook his head, "It's not a big issue, but it's not small either. Just a few days ago, Fourth Master found an old acquaintance among the refugees. That person used to be a doctor in Xiping County. When Fourth Master was young and taking his exams, he fell gravely ill, and that doctor, with his incredibly skillful acupuncture, saved Fourth Master from the clutches of death!"

"Fourth Master naturally holds this kindness in his heart. Seeing his benefactor down on his luck, Fourth Master couldn't bear it. So, he got him an identification plaque and set him up with a shop near the wharf to continue practicing medicine."

"But who would have thought that the Jinmen Gang, from who knows where, found out about this and deliberately brought a dying person to the old gentleman for treatment. Before the person could even be registered, they just made eye contact and then, with a clang, died in the clinic."

"The Jinmen Gang immediately barged in, claiming Fourth Master's benefactor had botched their brother's treatment and demanding the old gentleman pay with his life."

As Xu Qing listened to the clerk's story, he kept an eye on Fourth Master Li's side. Seeing that there was still arguing inside, he temporarily put his own concerns aside and focused on the juicy gossip in front of him.

"What happened next? The old gentleman couldn't have been killed by the Jinmen Gang, could he? Weren't they afraid of the authorities investigating?"

The clerk bared his teeth and retorted, "The authorities? Do you really think the Jinmen Gang has no backing?"

"They came all the way from Jinmen Prefecture City!"

Xu Qing nodded and continued to press, "What happened to the old gentleman later?"

The clerk heard this, turned his head, and gestured towards the ground in front of them.

"Look, isn't he lying right there? The body probably hasn't even cooled yet. Speaking of which, you've come at quite the opportune moment. Fourth Master might even ask for your help later to arrange the funeral and burial."

Xu Qing followed the clerk's gaze to a stretcher placed on the ground in the middle of the hall. It was covered with a white cloth, and he could vaguely make out a person lying inside.

He never imagined that he would get a job offer while out running errands!

Meanwhile, Fourth Master Li had finally calmed down. He lifted the curtain, saw Xu Qing, and was momentarily stunned before beckoning him inside.

A stove in the room was burning good charcoal. Fourth Master Li unfolded his fan and fanned himself continuously.

One doesn't know if this is how rich people live.

"Shopkeeper Xu, you've come at the perfect time. I..." After explaining the aftermath of the old doctor in the front hall, Fourth Master Li closed his fan and tapped Xu Qing's shoulder with it.

"This matter is different from your usual business of buying and selling bodies. He was my benefactor, so you must handle it with care, ensuring he has a dignified and grand send-off. Do you understand!"

Xu Qing nodded in agreement. Then, while Fourth Master Li was still free, he took the opportunity to explain his own situation.

"Fourth Master, besides the shop on Jingxia Street in Linhe, I have no other place to stay. I thought this wouldn't do, so I came to the brokerage to see if you had any vacant residences."

"You want to rent a residence?"

"Not rent, buy."

Fourth Master Li's eyebrows shot up at this. He immediately called for the manager in charge of property sales and rentals to inquire. Upon learning that there were still a few properties available for sale or lease, he had the manager accompany Xu Qing to view them.

Xu Qing, being perceptive, said that he would first properly arrange for the old gentleman lying in the front hall before discussing business matters.

Fourth Master Li was touched by this and no longer called him "Shopkeeper Xu," as it sounded too formal.

"Brother Xu, no need to say anything further. From now on, Fourth Master will definitely not let you suffer any losses!"

Xu Qing smiled and cupped his hands, not taking the words to heart.

He left the brokerage and immediately began calling for help.

Since the client had asked him to arrange a grand funeral for the old gentleman, he had to utilize his professional skills and connections in the funeral industry.

Arriving at Jingxia Street, Xu Qing first asked Old Master Hu at the street corner to select a good coffin. Then, he asked the proprietress of the incense and candle shop to gather a crew from the funeral parlor, including those who played wind instruments and those dressed as filial mourners, to be ready.

The paper horses and wreaths from the neighboring paper craft shop, along with the funeral banners, would also need to be arranged according to custom.

By early the next morning, Xu Qing led the entire funeral procession from the street, exuding a somber aura, to Fourth Master Li's doorstep.

Fourth Master Li had just woken up and was being served by a maid while washing his face when he heard someone outside wailing as if their own father had died, their cries truly heart-wrenching.

The sounds of various instruments and suona horns suddenly blared from the doorway, the commotion jolting Fourth Master Li awake.

"Who? Who's wailing outside my door so early in the morning?"

As he pushed the door open, a servant rushed forward. "Fourth Master, you've forgotten. Today is the day Old Master is being sent off. You got drunk last night and went to bed early. Shopkeeper Xu didn't want to disturb you, so he arranged for people to set up the mourning hall and even kept vigil for Old Master on your behalf all night."

"And now, he's here with people from the funeral parlor to prepare for the coffin ceremony and send-off."

Fourth Master Li slapped his cheeks, and once he was fully awake, he quickly took off the brocade robe he had just put on. He ordered, "Quick, go find me mourning clothes!"

Outside the courtyard, a group of his brothers were waiting for him. If he showed up dressed in silk, how could he claim to be loyal and righteous?

After the shop assistant found the mourning clothes, Fourth Master Li stood behind the curtain, blinking hard. He thought of every sad thing he could remember from his life, but still couldn't force out a single tear.

After a moment's thought, inspiration struck. He turned to the charcoal brazier in the middle of the room, picked up a few fresh lumps of charcoal with iron tongs, and generated some smoke.

Before long, his eyes, which were close to the brazier, turned red, and tears streamed down his face as if they were free.

Dressed in sackcloth and mourning, Fourth Master Li, with his eyes blurred by tears, entered the courtyard. Seeing their Fourth Master weeping so sadly, his brothers also felt a pang of sorrow. Some of the more emotional men even secretly wiped away tears, thinking their Fourth Master was truly a man of deep feeling!

Over there, Xu Qing was having the filial descendants kowtow. Fourth Master Li rushed to the front, wailing.

He said that his parents had died young, and if it weren't for Old Master's help, he wouldn't be where he is today.

For both reason and sentiment, he should be a filial descendant and see off the elder who had shown him kindness beyond measure.

Halfway through the memorial ceremony, from the brokerage, Third Master Huang and Fifth Master Chang, as well as Second Master Xue, whose name was well-known but whom they had never met, also heard the news and rushed over.

Fourth Master's father had passed away; this was a major event, and as brothers, they couldn't not come.

Xu Qing, who was presiding over the rituals, hadn't expected such a grand affair. In half a day, not only were the people from the brokerage all present, but many merchant friends who knew the brokerage's bosses had also arrived.

There was no choice but for Third Master Huang to instruct the accountant to set up a table specifically for collecting funeral gifts.

Fourth Master Li's face was numb from crying, but he still had to hold on.

He had asked Xu Qing to make a big deal of it, but he hadn't expected this big!

Now, it was as if his own father had passed away.

After the funeral procession, Fourth Master Li slumped into a chair and looked at Xu Qing, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Finally, he waved his hand, telling a shop assistant to take Xu Qing to the accounting room to settle the expenses for presiding over the funeral. They would pay whatever it cost, and the customary envelopes wouldn't be short.

"Fourth Master is a man of principle."

After receiving the money, Xu Qing chatted with the accountant for a while before returning to Jingxia Street.

Starting from the first coffin shop, he settled the expenses for this job one by one. By the time he returned to his own shop, night had swallowed the last trace of light in the sky.

Closing the shop door and lighting a green lamp, Xu Qing finally had the time to take stock of his day's earnings.