Shipping Goods

After resting at the inn for a day, Li Banfeng and Xiaopang hired a carriage and set off.

Li Banfeng had thought Qin Xiaopang would take him somewhere very special.

But in reality, Qin Xiaopang took him to Inner Gully.

Standing on the street, Qin Xiaopang cautioned him, "Brother, that man is too slippery and crafty. Don't listen to him pour out his bitterness, and don't listen to him talk about his difficulties. You need to have a price in mind. Absolutely don't sell below it!"

Li Banfeng had an expected price in mind.

His expectation was five thousand per pill. He would not sell for anything less.

The reasoning was simple. If something good worth ten thousand could not even fetch five thousand, Li Banfeng might as well eat the pills himself. It was not as if he lacked travel money.

He still remembered the Peddler's reminder: cultivators could not miss their cultivation every day.

If he encountered special circumstances in the future, could not go out, or could not return to the Portable Abode, one Snake Spot Pill could still make up for a day's cultivation.

If the famed sprinter Qiao Yuesheng had possessed enough Snake Spot Pills, he presumably would not have died so miserably.

Having made up his mind, Li Banfeng asked Qin Xiaopang, "You're not coming with me?"

Qin Xiaopang shook his head. "I'm not in a hurry to sell my pills. They're such good pills—I can't bear to sell them cheap.

"I originally wanted to go with you and help negotiate the price, but when I bought weapons from him last time, I spoke a little too hastily and hurt our harmony somewhat. I won't go make trouble for you this time.

"After you finish the deal, I'll wait for you at the Steamed Bun Shop on the corner."

After being so mysterious about it, the place Xiaopang had found was Feng's General Store after all.

Still, if Xiaopang had not pointed the way, Li Banfeng would never have imagined that a general store bought pills.

When he entered the shop, Steward Feng greeted him with a smile. "Boss Li, you're back. How did this trip's business go?"

Li Banfeng smiled. "The harvest was pretty good. I came to you to ship some goods."

Steward Feng froze. "Boss Li, we don't buy Snake Spot Chrysanthemums here. I don't have a pill refining formula."

"Not Snake Spot Chrysanthemums. Let's find somewhere private to talk."

Steward Feng invited Li Banfeng into the back room. Li Banfeng first took out thirteen hundred in cash.

"Five hundred for the sickle, eight hundred for the shovel. Paying off the debt first!"

Steward Feng accepted the money with a smile. "Boss Li is generous! What goods does Boss Li wish to sell through me?"

Li Banfeng took out a Snake Spot Pill and handed it to Steward Feng.

Steward Feng accepted the pill, put on his reading glasses, and examined it for a long time. He nodded. "Fine quality. Better than the pills produced by pharmacies."

Li Banfeng took a sip of tea and smiled. "Steward Feng knows his goods!"

Steward Feng smiled as well, then promptly returned the pill to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "What does that mean? You won't take it?"

Steward Feng shook his head. "It's not that I won't take it. I just need to explain the rules first. This isn't a pharmacy—it's a General Store. We can do this business, but it isn't my line of work.

"In a pharmacy, this pill could be worth twelve thousand, but I can't offer that kind of price here.

"I can't refine pills. With goods coming in and going out, I have to earn a margin. Besides, if I keep these pills here, I don't know when I'll be able to sell them, so I have to press the price down. I'm afraid it won't satisfy you."

Li Banfeng nodded. Talking about difficulties and pouring out bitterness—he had been prepared for that. But no matter what Steward Feng said, Li Banfeng definitely would not sell below five thousand.

"Name your price."

Steward Feng held up five fingers. Li Banfeng thought it was exactly five thousand, but then Steward Feng said, "Fifty percent. At most, I can give you fifty percent—six thousand per pill."

There was no watering this price down. Steward Feng had given him the honest truth: six thousand was the absolute maximum, because these pills were of unknown origin, and he had to shoulder considerable risk.

Of course, there was also a reason he had not bargained the price down further. He needed something from Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng nodded. Six thousand per pill was a price that satisfied him greatly.

But though he was satisfied inside, Li Banfeng did not show it on his face. "Six thousand is a little low. It depends on how many Steward Feng can take."

Steward Feng stroked his eight-shaped mustache. "That depends on how many Boss Li wishes to sell."

"Sixty-five pills. Can you take them?"

Steward Feng nodded. "I can."

"Steward Feng is a straightforward man. Deal!" With that, Li Banfeng took out a bag and poured out the pills.

After Steward Feng counted them, he nodded. "Boss Li is straightforward too. For such a large amount, other places would probably put it on account. But today, here with me, I'll pay cash directly."

With that, Steward Feng beckoned and called over the clerk.

There was only one clerk in the General Store, named Shengzi. Steward Feng whispered a few words to Shengzi. Shengzi went behind the shelves and through a small door. Before long, he emerged carrying a leather suitcase.

In front of Li Banfeng, Boss Feng opened the case. Each stack contained ten thousand, and there were thirty-nine stacks of banknotes inside.

The shop might not have been large, but this Steward Feng truly had substance.

"Three hundred ninety thousand. Count it carefully."

Li Banfeng smiled. "Could I possibly not trust Steward Feng?"

Li Banfeng counted it three times and put away the leather suitcase.

After taking the pills, Steward Feng smiled. "Boss Li, thank you for supporting my business. Now that the deal is done, we should make the rules clear.

"I didn't ask where your pills came from. Likewise, you can't ask whom I sell them to in the future, or how much I sell them for."

"Don't worry. I won't break your rules."

Li Banfeng had no mood to concern himself with that. Once he had the money, he would immediately head to the station, buy a ticket, and hurry back to Yuezhou.

First, he would sound things out and see whether the people from the Dark Star Bureau could let him off.

If there was nothing major, he would hurry to the hospital and see what condition He Jiaqing was really in.

Just as Li Banfeng was about to leave carrying the money case, Steward Feng called, "Boss Li, wait. I've been keeping the item you wanted for you."

With that, Steward Feng pulled down the cloth curtain, and that phonograph appeared before Li Banfeng again.

An antique redwood cabinet, three brass horns—one large and two small.

That shape alone made Li Banfeng unable to look away.

"Boss Li, do you still want this phonograph?" Steward Feng watched Li Banfeng's expression as he considered what to say next.

"If I wanted it, I'd have to travel far. Carrying something like this wouldn't be very convenient." Li Banfeng tried hard to tear his eyes away from the phonograph.

Steward Feng was deeply surprised. "You don't need to take it with you when you leave. Just leave it at home."

Li Banfeng held his lidded teacup and took another sip. "Leave it at home without anyone to tend to it? Wouldn't that be wasting such a fine thing?"

At this, the clerk repeatedly signaled to the steward with his eyes.

Steward Feng sighed softly. "Boss Li is a straightforward man. Since you've taken a liking to this phonograph, I had planned to give you a discount and sell it for one hundred eighty thousand."

Li Banfeng drew a deep breath. "Wait. Let me wait a little longer."

Steward Feng picked up a record and placed it on the phonograph. He added water to two cups and lit the wick beneath it.

Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!

The small horn on the right rhythmically puffed out neat bursts of steam. The record rotated, and faint crackling gradually rose.

"Butterflies fly away, and my heart is gone as well. In the bleak, clear night, who will come to wipe the tears filling my cheeks..."

That song again.

"Wild Grasses and Flowers Meet Spring."

Li Banfeng was having trouble restraining himself.

Steward Feng sighed softly. "Yesterday, a customer took a liking to this phonograph. I told him it had already been reserved by another customer, so I didn't sell it to him.

"Boss Li, if you wait any longer, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep this item.

"I truly hoped to wait for your return and listen to another song properly, but when you come next time, I'm afraid you may not be able to hear it even if you want to."

Come back?

Would I come back?

After returning to Yuezhou, Li Banfeng planned to find some casual job and live in the Portable Abode from then on. No mortgage, no commuting pressure—he could happily live his quiet little life.

He probably would not come to Pro State again.

With that thought, Li Banfeng abruptly stood up and left the General Store carrying the money case.

The mournful music lingered through the shop. The clerk stamped his foot and looked at Steward Feng. "Steward, I think he really wanted to buy it. We set the price too high."

Steward Feng sighed again and again. "I can't help it. If I sell it too cheaply, this thing refuses to leave!"

The clerk wore a bitter expression. "What are we supposed to do? When will this thing ever sell?"

Steward Feng was filled with helplessness, and sighs rang out repeatedly in the General Store.

When the song ended and the needle reached the end, Steward Feng extinguished the flame and released the steam. Just as he was about to close the phonograph, he suddenly saw Li Banfeng return.

"One hundred sixty thousand. Are you selling or not?"

The clerk looked at Steward Feng with eager anticipation.

After considering it, Steward Feng said calmly, "Sold!"

Several beads of sweat seeped from Steward Feng's forehead. He casually wiped them away, not letting Li Banfeng see through him.

Li Banfeng immediately counted out one hundred sixty thousand and slapped it onto the table.

Steward Feng did not count it. He accepted the money directly and instructed the clerk, "Shengzi, prepare a carriage and deliver the goods for Boss Li!"

The clerk was just about to prepare the carriage when Li Banfeng suddenly said, "Wait!"

The clerk started and looked toward Steward Feng.

Steward Feng remained composed. "Boss Li, the deal is already done. It wouldn't be appropriate to haggle the price down again."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'm not haggling. I want to buy some other things too."

He wanted to buy a bed.

Since he was going to live in the Portable Abode for a long time, sleeping on the floor would definitely not do.

He had originally planned to buy a bed after returning to Yuezhou. Online shopping was cheap and offered many styles.

But after thinking about the journey along the way, Li Banfeng decided to buy one directly at the General Store.

He did not want to live on trains anymore. He did not want to encounter three-headed monsters at Three Heads Junction again, nor did he want to resist unbearable temptations at Belt Ridge.

He could live in the Portable Abode. So long as he hid the key well, he could successfully avoid every danger in the carriage.

After buying a bed and more food and drink, even if the train broke down again, it would not affect Li Banfeng's happy life.

"Buy a bed..." Steward Feng had intended to say he had none, but beside the shelves in the back room stood a four-poster wooden bed.

The so-called four posters meant the bed had four supporting pillars. Above the pillars was a canopy frame, with railings around the middle. The bed was one and a half meters wide and one point two meters high. Its whole structure resembled a tiny house, making it especially safe to sleep in.

Li Banfeng took a liking to the bed. "Steward Feng, name a price."

Steward Feng did not look at the bed. He had been staring at the phonograph.

Perhaps it was an illusion, but the phonograph seemed to twitch slightly.

Not good. This thing might not want to leave.

Steward Feng gritted his teeth. "Boss Li, I like your straightforwardness. You've supported my business plenty as well. I'll give you this bed!"

He did not want to waste any more time—not a moment.

Li Banfeng waved his hands repeatedly. "How could that be acceptable..."

"Boss Li, if you don't accept it, then you're looking down on me!"

"That's not how it is. How can I take such a fine bed from you for nothing? Name a price. I also want to look at bedding."

"Bedding is easy. Shengzi, bring Boss Li two sets of satin-faced bedding."

"No, um, Steward Feng," Li Banfeng could not understand what was happening, "I came here to buy things, not to take advantage. I was planning to buy two sets of clothes too..."

"Shengzi, bring the measuring tape and take Boss Li's measurements!"

Shengzi stepped forward and, without allowing any argument, measured Li Banfeng from top to bottom. He turned around and brought back a pure white suit.

"Boss Li, I've decided you're my friend. The clothes are yours too."

"No, I don't usually wear white. It's hard to keep clean..."

"Bring that black set!"

"Black gets dirty easily too..."

"Bring that beige plaid shirt!"

"Forget it, I'm not buying clothes." Li Banfeng was completely bewildered by Steward Feng. "I'll buy two candles instead."

"Shengzi, take a bundle of candles and bring Ingrid's candlestick for Boss Li."

"No, you—this, I—I won't buy anything else. I'll just buy two records."

Steward Feng went to the shelf, scooped up more than ten records in one armful, and set them all on the counter. "I'll also give you two barrels of fuel, one barrel of machine oil, a kettle, two cups, a bucket, and a bundle of wicks.

"I also have a set of tools here, complete with pliers and wrenches. If the phonograph has any minor problems, you can fix it yourself."

"No, I, um..."

Steward Feng took another Feather Duster and stuffed it into Li Banfeng's hand. "The phonograph is afraid of dust. Clean it often. Boss Li, I'm just this kind of honest man. If you don't accept it, I'll truly get angry!"

Li Banfeng stopped speaking.

He could not say anything more.

The clerk hired a carriage. They first moved the bed onto it, then the phonograph, followed by the quilts, clothes, fuel, candles, bucket... every last item was sent onto the carriage.

Li Banfeng stood dazed in the doorway, holding the Feather Duster.

The clerk helped Li Banfeng into the carriage. The steward called out, "Boss Li, travel safely! I'll have to rely on your support for business in the future!"

With that, Shengzi urged the Carriage Driver onward, and the carriage departed.

After watching the carriage disappear down the street, Steward Feng and the clerk stood in the shop for a long time.

"Steward!" Chunsheng's voice trembled slightly.

"Shengzi!" Steward Feng's voice was somewhat choked as well.

"Steward!" Chunsheng's eyes reddened.

"Shengzi!" Steward Feng wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.

"Steward, did we really sell it?" Chunsheng still had some doubts in his heart.

"Shengzi, go look in the back room. I feel we sold it a little too cheaply. Look carefully again—is that thing back?" Steward Feng's attitude was equally cautious.

Chunsheng ran into the back room, then ran out again in the blink of an eye.

"It didn't come back. This time, we really sent it away."

"Shengzi!" Steward Feng burst into tears.

"Steward!" Tears streamed down Chunsheng's cheeks.

"Shengzi!"

"Shopkeeper!"

The two sat on the ground, weeping bitterly.

The clerk wiped away his tears. "We can finally do business with peace of mind."

Steward Feng got to his feet and straightened his clothes. "What the hell business are we doing? Close the shop for today. Let's go to Phoenix Comes Pavilion, book a table of good wine, call over two girls to keep us company, and let us brothers have fun for a few days first!"

PS: Dear readers, it's the last day of October. Give all your monthly tickets to Salad, give all your comments to Salad, and have fun together with Salad!

(End of chapter)