Back at the small courtyard of Tanlong Alley, the sky was not completely dark yet, but it was also turning a blue-gray color like a fish belly.
It was quiet in the yard, and the old well looked like a giant sleeping eye, reflecting the few sparse cold stars above its head.
Qin Geng pushed the door open and entered the house without lighting a lamp. He took advantage of the dim light coming through the window lattice and sat next to Eight Immortals Table.
He poured himself a bowl of cold boiled water and drank it down in one gulp. The refreshing coolness slid down the throat and into the stomach, making his mind instantly clearer.
Qin Geng closed his eyes slightly, and his mind sank into the depths of the sea of consciousness.
Wow-
It was like the sound of wind blowing through the pages of a book, and the simple and thick book [Book of a Hundred Trades] slowly unfolded in my mind.
Golden writing emerged in the darkness, which was the basis for his current livelihood.
[Martial Artist]Level 18.
Qin Geng looked at this number and thought about it in his mind.
That layer of Hidden Force window paper has been almost done, and only the final effort is left.
In the Ye Residence martial arts arena before, Master Ye Lanzen said that this profession of Martial Artist becomes more and more difficult the further you go, it is just a matter of time and effort.
"Level 30----"
Qin Geng's eyes fell on the gloomy talent behind.
[Dragon-Tiger Convergence]: Unlocked at level 30.
This is the next big hurdle for Martial Artist's career.
The so-called Dragon-Tiger Convergence is the complete fusion of Qi, blood and muscles and bones in the body, which is the ultimate in internal strength, and it is also the evolution of Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
However, Qin Geng can't quite understand Essence, Qi, and Spirit's discussion now.
"You still have to practice."
Qin Geng sighed secretly in his heart.
From level 18 to level 30, there are two major hurdles in between: Hidden Force Transforming Force, which cannot be overcome in ten days and a half.
Move your eyes to look at the next line.
[Way Cultivator]Level 44.
This is currently the highest level profession.
Thanks to Carriage Driver's running around day and night, coupled with Bell Mountain's long-distance trip, and the shuttle in the city in the past few days to prepare for various matters, Way Cultivator's experience value has increased rapidly.
Especially the characteristic of repairing dangerous roads, the more dangerous the place, the more experience you will gain.
"Level 44----not too low."
Qin Geng thought, "But Way Cultivator's big Supernatural Ability is still behind."
[Avert Calamity and Attract Good Fortune]: Unlocked at level 60.
This is a magical skill.
It's not a vague feeling, but a real ability to predict misfortunes and blessings.
If you have this, you will save countless lives when you travel around the world in the future.
But the threshold of level 60 is really too high.
According to the current progress, unless you run in a desperate situation every day, if you want to reach level 60, you will probably have to count the years.
Finally, my eyes fell on the latest career.
[Fisherman]Level 23.
This was achieved by leaps and bounds after the Bell Mountain water battle and the competition with Ma San.
[Waterborne Spirit]'s talent has been unlocked, making him a living king of hell in the water.
"Today, of these three professions, Martial Artist is the foundation, Way Cultivator is the means to save one's life and escape, and Fisherman is the support on the surface and under the water."
Qin Geng tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic "tuk-tuk" sound.
"But it's not enough."
"Martial Artist has to break through, Way Cultivator has to endure. Although Fisherman upgrades quickly, it is also limited by the environment."
"Now I no longer have to go to the street to pull a truck every day. I have a lot of time and resources on my hands."
"As the old saying goes, you can't bite off more than you can chew."
Qin Geng A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
That's for ordinary people.
Ordinary people have limited energy, and they have to spend most of their lives practicing martial arts. How can they have the energy to learn anything else?
But he is different.
With [Book of a Hundred Trades] in hand, as long as you enter the door, it will be a visual experience. As long as you have the liver, you can become stronger.
Moreover, various professions are actually inextricably linked.
"We need to open two new businesses."
Qin Geng has some concerns in his mind.
"The first one is to study medicine."
People who practice martial arts will inevitably encounter bumps and bumps.
And when it comes to advanced levels, understanding the meridians, acupuncture points, and the movement of qi and blood in the human body is a top priority.
The second senior brother Zheng Tonghe is the shopkeeper of the Hundred Herb Hall, which is Tianjin Xinglin Sage.
The second senior brother gave me several illustrated books before, which were for identifying treasures.
If you study medicine seriously with your second senior brother, you will not only be able to better regulate your body, but also [Martial Artist]
You can get twice the result with half the effort through practicing, and you can also learn how to use poison and detoxify it.
"This second one----"
"It must be the craftsmanship of Netherworld Office trade."
The next trend, whether it is to find Magic Artifact that was switched from the aunt's hand, or to deal with Foreigners's covetous pursuit of Dragon Vein, cannot avoid those deep mountains, swamps, and ancient tombs.
Most of the nine Dragon-Suppressing Pieces Magic Artifact are buried in places that never see the light of day.
If you don't understand Feng Shui and the taboos of Yin and Yang, no matter how high your martial arts skills are, your eyes will go dark when you enter a place like that, and you will easily fall into the trap.
The seventh senior brother Lu Xingmin is Paper Effigy Maker, and he is the newly sealed Dragon-Guard Office Geomancy Office Earth Official Chief. This skill is a unique skill.
You can definitely learn from him.
"If someone else wanted to learn these two skills at the same time, I'm afraid the master would have to beat him out with a big stick and accuse him of being greedy."
"But I can get through it."
"The worst thing I can do is sleep less in the future and use more lamp oil."
"In these troubled times, having too many skills is not a burden. An extra talent means one more way to survive."
Having made up my mind, Qin Geng is not worried either.
He stood up and was about to change his clothes and ask Senior Brother Lu for advice.
"Tuk-tuk-tuk."
There was a gentle knock on the courtyard door.
This knocking on the door is very particular, not urgent nor slow, three times in a row, showing discipline and caution.
Qin Geng paused in his steps and raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Who?"
"Fifth Master, it's me."
Abacus Song's unique and somewhat flattering voice came from outside the door.
Qin Geng went over and opened the door.
I saw Abacus Song holding a blue cloth bundle in his hand, with two thick account books tucked under the creaking nest, standing at the door and hunching.
Seeing the door open, Abacus Song immediately smiled on his face, "Come to bother Fifth Master at this time. There are really some things that I need to report to you before going to bed, otherwise I won't feel at ease."
"Come in."
Qin Geng step aside to get out of the way.
Abacus Song entered the room and did not dare to look around. He stood by the table honestly.
Qin Geng walked to the stove, picked up the kettle, and grabbed a handful of tea leaves from the jar.
"Fifth Master! You can't do it! You can't do it!"
When Abacus Song saw that Qin Geng wanted to make tea himself, he was so frightened that he quickly put down the things in his hands and reached out to grab the kettle. "How can you let you do such a rough job? I'll do it! I'll do it!"
"Sit down."
Qin Geng's voice is not loud, but it exudes unquestionable majesty.
With a flick of his wrist, he avoided Abacus Song's hand and poured the boiling water into the teapot steadily.
The water vapor is evaporating, and the aroma of tea overflows.
Qin Geng poured two cups of tea, pushed one cup in front of Abacus Song, picked up a cup himself, and sat down opposite.
"You are my great steward and a great contributor to Ping'an Cart Company."
Qin Geng blew on the tea foam and said, "Here I am, there are not so many vain rules. Drink tea."
This hand moved Abacus Song so much.
He has been around the world for so many years, serving old Dragon Head and also serving Jiang Hailong.
When did those two gentlemen meet him without shouting and drinking?
When did you ever give him this kind of dignity?
Abacus Song Holding the tea cup with both hands, he felt the hot temperature reaching his heart.
He took a deep breath, calmed down, and suppressed the emotion deep in his heart.
"Fifth Master, then I will tell you directly."
Abacus Song opened the account book he brought, spread it on the table, and ran his fingers across it line by line.
"Now Dragon King Society is completely settled, and the car dealership is almost integrated. It looks like Third Month, Twelfth Day's Grand Sacrifice. Before that, we have to completely set the rules for this harvest."
"Well, you tell me and I listen."
Qin Geng nodded.
Abacus Song cleared his throat, pointed to the first account book and said, "Let's talk about the car dealer first. According to the iron law you set Fifth Master, the 30% of the money is untouchable. The first 10% goes to Benevolence Fund, and the 20% is yours."
"I asked Xu Chun to take the accounting room down below and review the running water on our Ping'an County Town land over the past few days."
"This number Carriage Driver is more than a thousand, plus the interest our car dealer makes from leasing foreign cars and reselling old cars, excluding the daily maintenance expenses——"
Abacus Song paused and stretched out four fingers. "Every month, Fifth Master, the net amount that falls into your hands is about this amount. Four hundred yuan."
Four hundred dollars.
Qin Geng nodded slightly.
This is already a large number.
That's money that many people will never earn in their lifetime.
"This is after deducting various points."
Abacus Song continued, with a look of pain on his face. "Fifth Master You also know that in this land business, although we are the only one in the business now, the king of hell is easy to see in the official world, but the devil is difficult to deal with."
"Every month, we have to send a charcoal gift to the county magistrate in the county government office, and we have to send tea money to the Black Dogs gang at the patrol station."
"This does not include the extra filial piety during the holidays."
"This expense alone costs more than 100 yuan a month."
Qin Geng didn't speak, just listened quietly.
Abacus Song opened the second account book and pointed to the dense numbers on it. "Let's talk about Dragon King Society's surface business."
"This is a big fat piece of meat, but it's also hotter."
"When Jiang Hailong was here in the past, he was very evil. Whether it was fishermen fishing, merchant ships passing by, or even coolies carrying big bags on the dock, he would pluck the hair of the goose and take 40% or even 50% of the penalty."
"Fifth Master You are kind and righteous, and you definitely can't do this."
"But even if we lower the rules, the water flowing on the water will be several times that of the car traffic."
Abacus Song frowned, seeming to be considering his words: "However, we don't have all the bulk on the water."
"Xun River Wharf is stationed over there, Tianjin, a battalion of navy soldiers from Great Xin. They say they are navy soldiers, but they are actually gangsters."
"In the past, Jiang Hailong had to send 30% of the profits to the garrison master every month, otherwise those gangsters would dare to seize the ship for you in the name of prohibiting contraband."
"And Ping'an County Yamen, because it involves water transportation, we have to draw another portion."
"After all, although the turnover is large, the only hard-earned money that really falls into our pockets is our hard-earned money."
Speaking of this, Abacus Song sighed with a look of helplessness on his face, "Fifth Master, this is the way the world is. When we eat meat, we have to let those people in official clothes drink the soup, otherwise this business will not last long."
Qin Geng put down the teacup and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"Old Song."
Qin Geng looked at Abacus Song, with an expression that was half a smile but not a smile, "Your calculation is quite detailed. However, that is the old almanac from the past."
"Huh?"
Abacus Song was stunned and didn't respond, "Fifth Master, what do you mean--"
Qin Geng said nothing, just stretched out his hand into his arms.
"Click."
"Click."
Two crisp metal collision sounds were heard.
Two heavy waistbands were casually thrown on the table by Qin Geng, placed on top of the two account books.
One piece is made of Black Iron, carved with two dragons playing with beads, and written "Wave-Quelling Bureau·River-Blocking Guard";
One piece is made of bronze, engraved with a one-eyed animal head and written "Customs Bureau·Truth-Hearing One-Eye".
Under the dim yellow oil lamp, the two waist badges glowed with a faint cold light, and the lines on them were clearly visible, especially the three small characters "Dragon-Guard Office" with official authority, which were even more dazzling.
Abacus Song's eyes suddenly widened.
He is a knowledgeable person.
Although I have never seen this new style of waistband, the regulations on it and the chilling air that hit my face are definitely not fakes in the world.
"This----this is----"
Abacus Song tremblingly stretched out his hand, wanting to touch it, but he didn't dare, as if he was afraid of burning his hand.
"Dragon-Guard Office, Wave-Quelling Bureau Subordinate Ninth Rank Water Official River-Blocking Guard."
"Dragon-Guard Office, Customs Bureau Truth-Hearing Guard monocular."
Qin Geng reported these two names: "With this thing here, do you think we still need to send money to the county magistrate and the naval garrison?"
Abacus Song felt a "boom" in his head, like a thunderous explosion.
He raised his head suddenly and looked at the young Fifth Master in front of him.
The look in his eyes was more than just awe, it was like looking at a true god.
Dragon-Guard Office!
That is the Tongtian Yamen that has been making a lot of noise recently. It goes directly to Tianting and is responsible for Dragon Vein major events!
The navy is guarding in front of the Wave-Quelling Bureau Water Official, and it is just a gatekeeper!
"I'm such a good boy----"
Abacus Song murmured to himself and slapped his thigh, "Fifth Master! You are----True Dragon flying into the sky!"
His mind was spinning very fast and he straightened out the stakes in this matter in an instant.
"That's it."
Abacus Song said, "From now on, in this Tianjin land, it doesn't matter what the county magistrate says, Tianjin Governor says it doesn't matter, Dragon-Guard Office says it matters. Even if you give it to them, they won't dare to take it——"
Qin Geng smiled, "Yes."
"Save it! Save it all!"
Abacus Song rubbed his hands excitedly. "This means that our profit is pure profit! No one dares to reach out!"
"Since no one dares to reach out, we can be more lenient to the brothers below."
Qin Geng pointed to the account book about Dragon King Society and set the tone.
"Fishery Enclosure's income over there is not easy. Those fishermen come and go and make money by working hard."
"Jiang Hailong We won't do that kind of thing of killing the goose that lays the eggs."
Qin Geng raised a finger. "All the catches will be purchased at 70% of the market price!"
Abacus Song was shocked. "Seventy percent? Fifth Master, this is incredibly kind! I used to be considered conscientious if I could give you four percent."
"Give me 70%."
Qin Geng spoke firmly, "10% will go to Benevolence Fund, and I will give it to the brothers on the water as life insurance money. The last 20% will be mine."
"As for the money from renting and selling boats, or miscellaneous items on the dock, I won't get rid of it. It will all be put into the car dealership's account to support daily expenses and support people."
This is simply throwing away money.
But Qin Geng knows in his heart that money can never be made, but people can gather their hearts.
In these troubled times, a human heart is worth more than the ocean.
"Fifth Master atmosphere!"
Although Abacus Song feels sorry for money, he also admires Qin Geng's courage.
"However, there is one more thing you must remember."
Qin Geng said sternly, "Watch the people under your command. The bad habits left by Dragon King Society in the past are hard to change. If anyone dares to go behind my back and still engage in such things as sucking blood to death and oppressing fishermen, please tell me in time."
"My waist card is for killing Foreigners, but it's also very easy to use to kill a few bad apples."
"Also, it's the same as on the land."
"Among the fishermen from the surrounding areas, if there is anyone with good water skills and skills, even if he is a dull gourd, as long as he is talented, please report him to me."
"I, Qin Geng, am in charge of your connections and skills. Whether you send Naval Academy or follow me to practice martial arts, I will never bury your talents."
"You can inform me about this."
Qin Geng is too lazy to go over and over again about Benevolence Fund in front of everyone, so he simply leaves it to Abacus Song.
Abacus Song He still feels at ease when doing things.
It deserves no less of a reputation.
"Okay."
Abacus Song closed the account book and calculated an account in his heart.
"Fifth Master, I'll take care of this matter right away. I already know this account well."
"According to your new rules, although we will make a lot of profits, it is because we have omitted official arrangements and no one dares to take advantage of it."
Abacus Song stretched out a slap in the face. "In this car dealership, plus the savings, I can earn 500 yuan a month."
He stretched out two fingers again. "Dragon King Society, although they only charge 20% profit, they can't support the large size. In addition, there is no need to pay taxes on various miscellaneous items. Even in the off-season, you can get a thousand yuan in your hands every month!"
"That's a total of fifteen hundred dollars!"
"This does not include the extra money you can bring from your powers, such as suspending transportation or inspecting prohibited items."
One thousand five hundred dollars.
This is a tremendous amount of wealth.
"I know how to make money with my authority, and that will not be included in the public account."
Qin Geng knocked on the table, indicating that the topic was over.
The authority of River-Blocking Guard is a bargaining chip used to gamble in strong winds and waves, not to make dead money.
If official power is lost, it is a serious matter of beheading.
"Okay, it's getting late."
Qin Geng Pick up the tea cup, which means serving tea as a farewell to guests.
"Then I'm going to do something right now, pass on this new rule, and let the brothers follow suit and enjoy themselves."
Abacus Song stood up with a wink, held the account books and baggage in his arms, bowed deeply to Qin Geng, and then exited the room.
After sending Abacus Song away, Qin Geng looked at the two waist cards on the table.
With this monthly income of fifteen hundred yuan, he can buy more rare medicinal materials to temper his body and improve his martial arts realm.
"The next step is to get those two new professions on Book of a Hundred Trades."
Qin Geng stood up, put the two waist badges in his arms, pushed the door open and went to Osmanthus Fragrance Studio.