Chapter 415 - 261: Reckless Overconfidence
Chapter 415: Chapter 261: Reckless Overconfidence
Lou Yuxue, of course, had no idea that Chen Yi was hiding nearby, eavesdropping.
But right now, she was indeed thinking about Chen Yi.
To be precise, she was thinking of "Liu Wu."
Of course, Lou Yuxue wasn’t thinking about questioning "Liu Wu" as to why he had killed Lv Jiunan, thereby delaying Lord General’s meeting with King Landu.
Instead, she was considering the deal she had discussed with him earlier.
’Since Lord Pavilion Master has decided to recruit him even after learning he killed Lv Jiunan, our cooperation can proceed.’
’It’s just... why now, of all times...’
In fact, after taking the deposit, Lou Yuxue had already used the Bright Moon Building’s channels to contact grain merchants in Jing State, You State, Yan State, and other regions.
She had preliminarily secured fifty thousand measures of grain.
But this was still a long way from the three hundred thousand measures of grain that "Liu Wu" wanted.
It wasn’t that Lou Yuxue couldn’t find more; rather, she knew the real culprit behind the rising grain prices in Shu State was the Ji State Trading Company.
Fifty thousand measures of grain was the absolute limit of what she could purchase through her channels.
If she tried to buy any more, word would likely get back to the people at the Ji State Trading Company.
At that point, even as a Chief Steward of the Bright Moon Building, and even if she used the excuse of making a little extra money on the side, she wouldn’t be able to get around the Ji State Trading Company.
They wouldn’t even need to show themselves. A single word from the leader of the Bright Moon Building would be enough to make her meekly hand over all that grain.
Or, she might be ordered to cooperate with the Ji State Trading Company’s operations in Shu State.
After all, the Ji State Trading Company was the real power behind the Bright Moon Building.
Therefore, after leaving the tailor’s shop, Lou Yuxue didn’t head straight back to the Spring Rain Building.
Instead, she took a detour and blocked Cui Qingwu’s carriage.
"Simurgh Phoenix, let’s talk."
The driver, Huan’er, sized her up and frowned. "Lord Lady Tiger, it’s late. My lady needs to rest."
Just then, Cui Qingwu, who had heard the voices, spoke from inside the carriage, "It’s fine. Let’s hear what she has to say."
"For Lord Lady Tiger, who is never one to give us the time of day, to come block our path in the rain... it must be something important."
Lou Yuxue gave a noncommittal nod. "Let’s talk in private."
"No need for all that trouble. Get in the carriage."
"I don’t want your business to interfere with my rest."
Just as Lou Yuxue was about to climb aboard, she heard Cui Qingwu say with a hint of disdain:
"Leave your raincoat, bamboo hat, and boots outside. I’d rather you didn’t dirty my carriage."
Lou Yuxue’s eyelid twitched. "...Fine!"
She promptly removed her raincoat, bamboo hat, and boots, placing them by the driver Huan’er’s feet before lifting the curtain and sitting inside the carriage.
A warm lamp hung from the ceiling, its candlelight illuminating the space.
Inside the small carriage, a carpet imported from the Western Regions was laid out. Threads of gold glittered within it, and it was as soft as a tiger’s pelt.
A far cry from her previous coldness in front of the General, Cui Qingwu was now lounging lazily against a jade pillow, her body veiled in light gauze, her hazy form faintly visible.
Lou Yuxue glanced over, then sat cross-legged near the entrance. "I have a favor to ask."
Cui Qingwu propped her head up with one hand, her clear eyes gazing at Lou Yuxue with a half-smile.
"Hearing the word ’ask’ come from your lips... that’s surprising."
"You didn’t even use that word when you came to me looking for a hiding place before."
"What’s the matter, Lord Lady Tiger? Hit a snag?"
Lou Yuxue ignored her teasing and said bluntly, "I need to buy two hundred thousand measures of grain."
Cui Qingwu paused, slightly stunned. "Two hundred thousand measures? What are you doing buying so much grain?"
"Grain prices in Shu State have been rising lately. I want to take the opportunity to make a profit."
This was the most suitable reason Lou Yuxue could think of that wouldn’t expose her cooperation with "Liu Wu."
Cui Qingwu asked thoughtfully, "Is it really that simple?"
She clearly didn’t believe it.
Just as she’d said—the Lady Tiger was never one to be pleasant with her and would never approach her without an important reason.
Just to make money... The reason felt a bit too flimsy.
"It’s that simple!"
Lou Yuxue said with finality, "I’m still short seventy thousand of the silver coins I promised the Hawk. This is a good chance to make it up while Shu State is short on grain."
Cui Qingwu’s interest was piqued. "I can agree, but I want twenty percent of the gross profit."
"Ten percent, at most."
"This price hike in Shu State won’t last long, so I’m just looking for a quick turnaround. The profit won’t be that high."
After a pause, Lou Yuxue snorted, "If it weren’t for the Ji State Trading Company backing those other grain suppliers, I wouldn’t have come to you at all."
Hearing this, Cui Qingwu gave her a long, hard look.
’If that’s the case, then it’s a real possibility.’
The people from the Ji State Trading Company were the greediest of all. Causing such a disaster for the state and its people in Shu State was certainly in line with their style.
"I agree."
"The grain will be delivered to you within ten days."
"My thanks."
Lou Yuxue was about to leave when Cui Qingwu stopped her. "About Liu Wu, what are your plans?"
"Are you referring to ’inviting him to join the White Tiger Guard’?"
"You’re asking when you already know the answer. I refuse to believe that after he embarrassed you so badly, you’d be willing to let him join."
’It’s not entirely out of the question.’
Lou Yuxue thought to herself, her expression unchanging as she said, "It’s an order from Lord Pavilion Master. Neither of us can refuse, can we?"
"That Liu Wu embarrassed me in front of Yunfan before. I don’t want him in the White Tiger Guard."
"Are you thinking of disobeying an order?"
"It’s not entirely out of the question... Forget it. I can compromise."
"How about you teach him a lesson for me?"
Lou Yuxue said irritably, "How about no."
"I’d advise you to drop the idea. The loss would outweigh the gain."
’Has she gone mad?’
’Never mind that "Liu Wu" hasn’t even agreed to join the White Tiger Guard yet.’
’Even if he did, based on what I know of him, that bastard would never let anyone push him around.’
’Besides, what would I even use to teach "Liu Wu" a lesson?’