Wang Yuanzhi's smile became more sincere than before.
"As a jeweler, this resale would fetch not a few hundred or a thousand taels. The profit margin in your line of work is quite substantial!"
He understood so clearly, even better than he did, that Fan Zehao immediately put on his best demeanor and became humble again. "Alas, it's not as good as you say, but it's definitely profitable. The main thing is to acquire some cheaper goods, and then let the craftsmen process them back home. That way, the profit will be even greater, don't you agree!"
Wang Yuanzhi nodded repeatedly. "That's absolutely true, that's precisely how it works!"
Seeing that he seemed to be taking the bait, Fan Zehao struck while the iron was hot. "I'm just not sure how you sell your gold."
"Of course, the cheaper the better. That way, I'll earn more, and I won't forget your kindness!"
Wang Yuanzhi lifted his eyelids, then looked at the cup of tea in his hand. After a moment, he smiled. "No rush, no rush. You've traveled a long way, so you should rest first. We can discuss things after you've recuperated!"
Fan Zehao couldn't help but detect the evasiveness in his words. It was clear that he wasn't convinced yet.
Given this, he decided to play along. He would discuss it thoroughly with his wife later and wouldn't be in a hurry.
Before arriving, he hadn't noticed anything suspicious about this village. But now that they were inside, things were not as simple as they had imagined.
Since they were going to investigate, they would investigate thoroughly!
"If that's the case, then we'll return to the inn first and come back after we've rested!"
Seeing them about to leave, Wang Yuanzhi raised an eyebrow. "Staying at an inn is quite inconvenient. Our three-courtyard house is very spacious. Why not stay with us, so I can fulfill my duties as a host!"
As he spoke, he instructed someone to prepare a guest room without waiting for a reply, then pretended to ask, "Where did you say you were from? Qingzhou Prefecture~"
"No, we are from Songling Prefecture!"
Wang Zhiyuan smiled faintly. "My memory is failing me. I forget things so quickly. I'm getting old, useless."
Is he truly useless, or is he overthinking things?
Up to this point, they hadn't revealed their origins. They had only used aliases when introducing themselves.
Wang Yuanzhi arranged for them to stay in the three-courtyard house and sent someone to investigate in Songling Prefecture. Clearly, Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi had anticipated this.
As soon as they entered the room, Fan Zehao gave instructions to the chief subordinate. "Transmit the message that we are establishing a luxurious residence in Songling Prefecture. Act quickly!"
The chief subordinate understood the importance of the task and was about to leave when Zhao Jiaqi called him back. "Wait. Remember to hang portraits of us, husband and wife, in the main hall!"
To make the act complete, if they were to know about the residence, they should also see their portraits, which would lend credibility.
Whether they believed it or not, they had done everything possible. They would deal with any subsequent issues later.
After the chief subordinate left, the couple remained alone in the room. They exchanged glances, not daring to speak loudly, and could only discuss trivial matters, fearing eavesdropping.
As they were thinking this, a head flashed past the window. Were they eavesdropping even in broad daylight?
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and deliberately raised her voice. "Husband, why do I feel like the village chief isn't interested in doing business with us!"
"You can't say that. Firstly, we arrived unexpectedly. If we had an intermediary, perhaps it wouldn't be like this!"
Zhao Jiaqi: "Why would business require an intermediary? We are legitimate businessmen, and we don't do anything illegal. Why would we need an intermediary!"
"Wife, you're thinking too simply. Think about it, we're buying gold. Even a small nugget like this is worth a lot of silver. It's not wrong for the village chief to be cautious!"
Fan Zehao glanced at the head outside the window and smiled, continuing, "Besides, we're newcomers. The village chief doesn't know our capabilities, so it's understandable that he wouldn't trust us easily. Once he believes we are sincere after a few days, he'll do business with us!"
Zhao Jiaqi snorted. "We are a prosperous family, how could we lack this little bit of money? Moreover, we came with bank notes. Aren't bank notes as good as real silver and gold!"
The two were putting on a show in the room, while the people outside listened with great interest. After hearing these conversations, the eavesdropper felt they had heard enough and left.
Returning to the front hall, they relayed Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi's conversation to the village chief.
"I think these two genuinely have money to spare, and they know nothing about our village's situation. I believe this couple is harmless, just foolish and rich."
Wang Yuanzhi drank his tea and sighed softly after listening to the report from his subordinate. "Not knowing doesn't mean they don't want to know!"
"Regardless of what they think, once they enter this village, they won't be leaving without leaving something behind!"
The subordinate raised his eyebrows at this. "Village chief, do you mean that these three people are here to cause trouble?"
Wang Yuanzhi was uncertain and uncommitted. He shook his head slightly. "I'm concerned. In this day and age, it's better to be careful!"
Afterward, he pondered for a moment, then took up his brush and wrote a letter to the prefect of Xiuzhou. He handed it to the subordinate and said, "Go to the prefect yourself and deliver this letter. See what his intentions are!"
The subordinate took the letter and left immediately, leaving the village chief alone in the front hall, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao, seeing that the messenger had left, finally felt at ease to speak!
"Wife, I find this place very strange. The village chief doesn't look like a village chief at all. On our way into the village, we didn't see a single villager!"
"And all the doors are locked. Why do you think that is?"
Zhao Jiaqi was speechless. "If you don't know, how can I know?"
She wasn't a god; how could she understand everyone's thoughts!
However, this phenomenon was indeed peculiar. Not even a dog in the village barked. Normally, when strangers entered a village, wouldn't dogs bark a few times?
Or perhaps the dogs' sense of smell was impaired? Or maybe there were no dogs in this village!
Everything was speculation, so the couple couldn't discuss it further and decided to go with the flow and see how things unfolded. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Husband, have the chief subordinate gather some soldiers and station them nearby. I have a feeling this is not as simple as it seems, and I'm feeling a bit uneasy!"
Fan Zehao saw his wife's complexion change. He pulled her into his arms and gently patted her back, offering comfort. "Alright, I'll do as you say. I'll have him do it shortly!"
"No matter what happens, I will not let you get hurt. Trust your husband!"
She trusted that she wouldn't get hurt, but she was worried about her husband, not herself!
Lunch was brought by the village chief's daughter, Wang Hui. It consisted of four dishes and one soup. Although it wasn't lavish, they were all home-style dishes.
Upon seeing Fan Zehao, Wang Hui shyly and awkwardly called out, "Brother Fan, it's time to eat!"
Zhao Jiaqi saw the young girl call her husband "Brother" and immediately frowned. "Seeing as you're about the same age as my daughter, calling you 'Brother' is indeed a bit of an understatement for you!"
Fan Zehao, who had just sat down at the table, chuckled inwardly upon hearing his wife's words. His wife was jealous, which was a rare sight!