“We understand!”
Cheng Biyuan nodded and Innkeeper Zhu looked happy. Deacon Linlooked less unhappy while Deacon Bai waited quietly, he knew he hasn’t finishedwhat he was going to say yet.
As expected, Cheng Biyuan continued, “Gentlemen, to be honest,Deacon Ko from the Ning’s visited us a few days ago and he had the sameproposal. We are in a pickle here.”
“Deacon Ko from the Ning’s?” Innkeeper Zhu was truly surprised.
Both deacons looked concerned. They knew someone had located theCheng’s before them, but they didn’t think it was someone from the Ning’s.
“Yes, Deacon Ko from the Ning’s!” Cheng Biyuan got the sense thatthey didn’t believe him fully, so he continued to explain, “My wife and mydaughter ran into Deacon Ko the first time they went to the marketplace. He wasthe one who purchased our goods.”
Even though Innkeeper Zhu had not heard of this previously, hebelieved Cheng Biyuan’s words. After all, the Ning’s beat them to the Cheng’s,that would confirm that they have also noticed that products from the Cheng’spossess mythical properties.
He didn’t want to make the call, so he looked at Deacon Baistanding next to him. Deacon Bi frowned and said to Cheng Biyuan, “Mr. Cheng,you should sell to the highest bidder. We are will to pay one teal over whatthe Ning’s are paying you. We hope you will make the right decision!”
“We have recently planned to sell some of our produces and farmanimals, but we are not quite ready to part with them just yet!” Cheng Biyuancasually changed the subject instead of giving him a definitive answer.
Deacon Bai stared at him intensely and said in a serious tone,“Mr. Cheng, your produces and farm animals are exactly what we need. We hopeyou will sell them to us, we promise you will be happy at the price.Furthermore, we will like to purchase any further goods that you will have inthe future.”
“I believe in your sincerity, gentlemen,” Cheng Biyuan looked atthem without revealing any of his thoughts, “But, the Ning’s left the samemessage. This puts me in a very difficult situation!”
“What do you mean?” Deacon Lin was not holding back anymore. Afreezing look from his eyes and he coldly said, “You are just a martial master,you think you can guard these goods of yours? Do you know what it’s meant byinnocent person, guilty jade?”1
Deacon Bai turned white and Innkeeper Zhu was also shocked by hiswords. This was no way to negotiate, this sounded more like the behavior of abandit!
“You are right, I am but a martial master, if you want to take mygoods by force then go right ahead!” Cheng Biyuan’s smile turned cold. He saidwith despise, “Let’s see if you are able to take my goods by force!”
It was all over. Deacon Bai thought to himself. This was a wastedtrip!
Innkeeper Zhu looked bitter, he wanted to say something, but hewasn’t sure what he could say.
Cheng Xiao Xiao calmly observed as the entire scene unfolded infront of her. She looked directly at Deacon Lin and found him to beridiculously arrogant. He was just a hired hand, but he certainly act like hewas the high-up master and looked down on everyone as though they are beneathhim.
“Oh, you don’t think I will?” said Deacon Lin coldly with a cruelsmile.
Cheng Xiao Xiao was finally angered. She tried her best tosuppress her anger and said nonchalantly, “You want to kill the chicken to getthe egg? Do you really that’s what your master would want you to do?”
“You…”
Deacon Lin’s look could make h.e.l.l freeze over. Cheng Xiao Xiao methis gaze in stride and lightly said, “Don’t treat others like they are yourslaves. This is a business discussion and you should treat it as such. You arenot going to get what you want if you resort to violence. Perhaps we don’t havethe ability to guard our own good, but I trust that there are others out therewho are will to help us guard them, won’t you say?”
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Note:
1.Means the person was innocent, but thepossession of valuable goods make you guilty, meaning having precious goodswill attract trouble.