Chapter 49: Money is a Big Problem

  Liu Xuan never liked having maidservants serving him, he thought it was not very convenient. For example, in the summer, he couldn't take off his shirt and cool off in the room.

  However... this little girl is quite clever and lovely, pitiful and adorable, and very understanding. Since she has already come, Liu Xuan no longer refused, smiled and nodded, "Let's talk inside!"

  As I walked into the courtyard, I saw the whole house. The small yard was not big, with a tall and straight old apricot tree planted in the upper left corner. The canopy was very large, like an umbrella, covering half of the house.

  The house has about six or seven rooms, and behind it there is a small vegetable garden. The inside and outside are very clean, it's a very ordinary little house, giving Liu Jing a not bad first impression.

  Meng Shu went to feed the horses, and Xiaoyan led Liu Xuan to his room.

  "Master, this is a house with two rooms inside and outside. Uncle Meng said that the inner room is your bedroom, and the outer room can be used as a study."

  The maid asked in a low voice: "Does the young master read books?"

  "It's okay! Sometimes I'll take a look."

  "Oh! My mother said that being able to read and write is a big deal, and in the future I can be an official. But my father is illiterate, so now I can only be a maid." Ah Duo pouted slightly, her face flushed with anger.

  Liu Xuan saw that she was still childish and couldn't help but smile, "Next time I have time, I'll teach you to read."

  "Great!"

  Ado clapped her hands in delight, but immediately lost enthusiasm. "You taught my father to read and write, that's okay, but I'm just a little woman, even if I can read and write, I still can't be an official."

  After she finished speaking, her heart felt another wave of gloom, unfortunately, Father had passed away at the beginning of the year.

  Liu Jing didn't notice her psychological changes, sat down in front of the window, he hadn't sat properly for a month, at this moment sitting down, stretching his waist lazily, made him feel so comfortable, it was simply exhilarating.

  "Sir, haven't you eaten yet? I'll go make some pancakes for you. I can make mutton and scallion stuffed pancakes, they're delicious! Would you like some, sir?"

  A pair of big eyes full of expectation looked at Liu Xuan, and Liu Xuan saw that her face was round like a snow-white bun, so he smiled and said: "I'll give you a new name!"

  "Great!" Duo Er was overjoyed and clapped her hands. In the mansion, there was a widow named Duo Gu Niang, whose reputation wasn't very good. Duo Er had disliked this name for a long time. Since Young Master wanted to give herself a new name, it was perfect.

  "What does the young master call me, Spring Orchid or Winter Plum?" Her large eyes sparkled with anticipation.

  "Then just call... Little Baozi!" Liu Jiong said with a smile.

  "Baozi?"

  Many children were stunned, "What is baozi?"

  "It's something wonderful, and I've always missed it."

  Although she didn't know what a baozi was, and 'little baozi' sounded somewhat unpleasant, since the young master missed it so much, she nodded her head, "Then let's listen to the young master, call him little baozi, my mother's surname is Bao anyway!"

  She pouted and said: "But when you grow up, don't call me by this name."

  Liu Xuan burst out laughing, "Wait until you get married with great fanfare in the future, then call him by his official name, this is just a nickname."

  The boy's face turned bright red, he lowered his head, pinched the corner of his clothes and whispered: "It's still... early!"

  Liu Jing saw her lovely appearance and couldn't help but smile: "Little baozi, I'm starving, hurry up and make some mutton pancakes with scallions."

  "Alright! Let's go."

  Xiao Baozi responded with a "yes" and turned around, happily running away. Liu Xuan gazed at her lively back as she ran off into the distance, only then realizing that having a little servant girl wasn't so bad after all, at least it wouldn't be so boring.

  At this time, Liu Jing calmed down and needed to sort out his thoughts. According to the requirements of the Jade True Man's book, he needed many things: a large wooden bucket, herbs for bathing every day, his big appetite, and in the future, he would need to decoct medicine, including snake gallbladder over 30 years old, musk, and hundred-year-old lingzhi mushroom. These were all extremely precious medicinal materials.

  Liu Xuan now knew what he lacked the most - money! Although the Liu family gave him 300 taels of silver and a stone of rice every month, this amount of money and rice had no significance to him at all. At this time, he only had five taels of gold left on his body, without money, he couldn't do anything.

  But... where did he go to get some money?

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  The little bun made a delicious scallion and mutton pancake that was unparalleled in flavor, leaving one wanting more. After exiting the courtyard, Liu Xuan briefly got his bearings before heading directly south towards the city.

  Fan City is a developed commercial city, with shops everywhere, and the sound of vendors calling out to customers can be heard all around. Almost all goods from the entire Jingzhou region are gathered and dispersed here.

  But this does not mean that every street and alley in Fangcheng is paved with money, and he can solve his financial difficulties by simply bending down to pick up a handful.

  Of course, he can invent some small plaything for future generations, promote it and make a fortune, but this is the end of the Han Dynasty, Liu Xuan already has enough awakening, some ideas are beautiful, but reality is cruel.

  However, this does not mean that he cannot get money, he naturally has his own way, and can get a lot of money.

  Fancheng also has a central axis street, called Nanyang Street, which runs north and south, with many famous large shops distributed on both sides of this main road.

  Liu Xuan inquired all the way and soon found his target, a magnificent merchant's mansion located in the most prosperous area of the southern city.

  He walked up the steps and looked up at the black background with golden edges of the signboard on the gate, 'Tao's Business Firm' four ancient seal characters were particularly clear and eye-catching.

  In Fan City, mentioning the Tao's business firm, no one would not show respect, its status in Fan City can even be compared to that of the county government.

  The Tao family business didn't have any storefronts, but the business they did in Fan City was the largest. Every time the golden carp flag of the Tao family business appeared at the Fan City docks, it would always cause a moderate stir.

  The Tao family's huge business also brought a lot of tax money to Jingzhou, and also made rich tributes to Liu Biao.

  To the extent that the head of the Tao family, Tao Sheng, did not need to report for inspection and could directly enter the gate of the provincial government office. This was a special privilege given by Liu Biao to show his respect and honor.

  Liu Jiong had just stepped onto the stairs when a servant came out to greet him, bowing and saying: "Young master, have you come to discuss business?"

  Liu Xuan nodded, "I'm here to discuss a big deal."

  "This way, young master!"

  He was very polite and although he didn't know Liu Xuan's background, he still respectfully invited Liu Xuan to a guest hall where maids came in with tea.

  Liu Xuan only sat for a moment before hearing a cough, and a small steward walked in. He looked at Liu Xuan with some confusion, seemingly finding him somewhat familiar. However, he didn't lose his composure and smiled as he bowed: "I'm Jiang Xia Li Yifeng, you can call me Steward Li. I heard that you've come to discuss business, please feel free to speak."

  Liu Xuan stood up and cupped his hands, "I am Liu Xuan of Xiangyang..."

  Just as Liu Jiong had said this, the servant suddenly reacted and exclaimed: "You are Master Jiong!"

  It turned out he knew himself, which was for the best, saving him from having to introduce himself. Liu Jing nodded, "Exactly!"

  "I said, young master, you seem a bit familiar. I also went to watch your sword fight last time, and your swordsmanship is truly admirable!"

  "Li Guan was overpraised."

  After sitting for a moment, Li Guanshi suddenly came back to his senses. Wasn't Gongzi the nephew of the provincial governor? Was he really here to discuss business?

  Li Guanshi didn't laugh and asked: "What business does Master Jing want to discuss?"

  Liu Ju took out a neatly folded paper strip and handed it to Li Guan Shi, "I want to do business in here."

  Li Guanshi took over the note and opened it, only to see two sentences inside: "Tao's family in Jiangdong welcomes noble guests, Wuchang city kills yellow sheep."

  Li Guanshi furrowed his brow, "Gongzi Xing, what does this mean?"

  "You can't understand this, it's for your family head, he will naturally understand."

  Li Guanshi was taken aback for a moment, then hastily stood up and said: "Please sit down, young master. I will go and report to the chief steward. As a low-ranking servant, I am not qualified to deliver messages on behalf of the master."

  "Go!"

  Liu Jun picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip. He was very confident, with the Tao family's eight-sided cleverness. This deal would definitely be successful.

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  Li Guanshi hastily walked into the backyard with a note, came to a room, knocked on the door and said, "Second Master, it's me. I have something important to report."

  "Come in!"

  Li Guanshi pushed the door and walked in. In the room, a person was sitting on a couch reading a book. At this time, most books were still bamboo slips, but wealthy families had already started using paper to copy books, mainly Buddhist scriptures, but also famous works of the Warring States period.

  This was a young man of about thirty years old, with fair skin and a pair of bright eyes that seemed exceptionally sharp. He was Tao Zheng, the second son of the master of the house, Tao Sheng, who had led his men into Wuchang City last time.

  Huang Zu's nephew Huang Yi was killed, and the various places in Jiangxia posted bills to catch the murderer. A small woman wearing a black skirt, carrying a bow and wearing two swords appeared among the boatmen of Wuchang City, and there was a rumor that she had been seen on the Tao family's boat.

  This made the Tao family feel uneasy and anxious, so Tao Sheng specially ordered his son Tao Zheng to go to Xiangyang to gather some information.

  Tao Zheng has been in Xiangyang for nearly half a month, and there has been no news about this matter, as if it had already come to nothing.

  Li Guanshi stepped forward and bowed, "Second Young Master, there is someone outside who has come to see you. It's Gongzi Jing."

  "Which Young Master?" Tao Zheng sat up straight with an unusual sensitivity, his eyes fixed intently on the steward.

  "He is the nephew of the provincial governor. Last time, Second Master said that we should pay attention to his movements."

  Tao Zheng has found out that the person who killed Huang Yi in Wuchang City was indeed Liu Xuan. He specifically instructed the chief steward that if there was any news about Liu Xuan, he should report it to him immediately.

  Tao Zheng felt a little uneasy in his heart and hurriedly asked: "What did he come for?"

  "He said he came to discuss business with us and then gave me this note."

  Li handed the note to Tao Zheng. Tao Zheng opened it, took a glance and was shocked, jumping up from his seat, his voice changed, "Is he gone?"

  "No! He's still waiting in the guest hall." Li was also startled, having never seen Second Master lose his composure like this before.

  Tao Zheng's forehead was sweating, he clearly understood the meaning of the note, Liu Xuan had already known the true identity of the two siblings, this was like a thunderbolt on a clear day.

  But Liu Biao knew about this matter, for the Tao family it was a disaster, even if the Tao family could escape to Jiangdong in time, their main industries would also be completely destroyed, the consequences were too severe.

  Tao Zheng didn't dare to delay for a moment, and immediately set off. He had just taken two steps when he turned his head and instructed Li Guan Shi, "Tell Da Guan Shi to close the main gate immediately, and also tell Luo Jiao Tou to lead the young masters to block all the exits. Without my order, no one is allowed to enter or leave."

  Li Guanshi saw the two young masters' faces change greatly, and he couldn't help but secretly regret in his heart. He had originally wanted to bypass the big manager and sneakily win over the second young master's favor, but unexpectedly things seemed to have gotten bigger, and now he had to go find the big manager again. How was he going to explain this?

  Helpless, Li had to swallow his pride and went along with it. In his heart, he lamented that he had offended the big manager and estimated that his New Year's bonus would be reduced.

  This manager Li forgot an iron rule in the workplace: it's better to offend the boss than to offend a superior.

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  In the room, Liu Xuan was still slowly sipping tea, with the knife placed on the table. This wasn't to boost his courage, but rather his attitude. He had long been mentally prepared for this. There were only two possible outcomes: either he would be silenced or he would become a Buddha.

  If the Tao family had any intention of silencing him, then Liu Xuan would have to destroy the entire Tao family first. Such things would never have a middle way.

  Of course, if Tao's family is willing to talk to him in detail, then there will be a vast space for cooperation between them.

  At this time, the courtyard transmitted a hurried footsteps, but to the door and then slowed down, became calm and steady, as if adjusting emotions, Liu Xuan coldly smiled, the comer should have understood his note.

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