Chapter 21: Encounter with a Salt Merchant on the Way to Buy a House

The man followed Ergouzi into the courtyard and asked in a booming voice, "So, this is the young master who wants to buy my property?"

"Sir, may I ask why you are selling this house?" Chu Chen countered.

"Eh? You don't recognize me?" The middle-aged man seemed quite surprised.

At this moment, Ergouzi stepped forward to explain, "Young Master, this is Boss Zhou, the largest salt merchant in Qingyun City. He is selling the courtyard because he is moving to the capital to expand his business."

Chu Chen understood immediately; this man was an absolute tycoon. In this era, salt was not a commodity one could trade freely.

"Please forgive my ignorance, the renowned Boss Zhou. Your name is like thunder to my ears. To meet you today is truly a great honor; my admiration for you is like a surging river, continuous and endless."

This flattery pleased Zhou Shicai immensely, and he couldn't help but feel a newfound appreciation for the young man before him.

"You are too kind, young man. How could I, a mere lowly merchant, achieve such things?" Zhou Shicai said, patting his large belly with feigned humility. It was clear that he was in an excellent mood.

Chu Chen pressed on, "Boss Zhou, could you perhaps lower the price of this courtyard a bit more?"

"Since we are fated to meet, let’s settle on one thousand one hundred taels," Zhou Shicai said generously. At his level of wealth, money was trivial; what mattered was his satisfaction.

"Very well. Since you think so highly of me, Boss Zhou, it's a deal!" Chu Chen replied decisively.

Inwardly, however, he was thinking of something else. His supermarket space, combined with the warehouses of all those convenience stores, contained a lifetime's supply of salt. Moreover, among the piles of books he possessed, there were surely technical manuals on salt refinement. He knew that the salt in this world was bitter due to primitive processing techniques, and even that bitter salt was strictly controlled by powerful noble families.

This man before him was definitely someone of consequence. If he could establish a connection with him, he would never have to worry about making money.

"Boss Zhou, please excuse me for a moment. I need to visit the lavatory," Chu Chen said.

Zhou Shicai watched the young man with suspicion, wondering if he lacked the funds and was trying to stall. Before long, Chu Chen returned, holding a small bag. He walked up to Zhou Shicai and whispered, "Boss Zhou, could we step aside for a moment?"

Luo Yi and the others watched with confusion, wondering what the young man was up to. The longer they spent with Chu Chen, the more they felt he was extraordinary and inscrutable.

Zhou Shicai also felt puzzled, but he stepped aside with Chu Chen. Chu Chen handed the bag to him. "Boss Zhou, I want to show you a treasure."

A treasure? Could this boy be so broke that he wanted to use some trinket to pay for the house? What could possibly be considered a treasure to a man of his standing? Zhou Shicai opened the bag, saw the snow-white powder inside, and was about to ask why this boy was showing him a bag of "snow" when realization struck him.

He touched a pinch with his finger and tasted it. It was salty, yet devoid of any bitterness. A look of wild ecstasy immediately crossed his face. As one of the largest salt merchants in the Great Xia Dynasty, he understood the significance of this perfectly. This was enough to propel his family to new heights.

"May I ask your name, young master? I would be honored to call you a friend," Zhou Shicai said, bowing to Chu Chen with genuine enthusiasm.

"I am Chu Chen. In this world, I am the only one capable of producing this. How about we form a partnership?"

A partnership? The boy wanted to keep the production method in his own hands? Zhou Shicai smiled and said, "Brother Chu, are you aware that possessing the secret to making this requires immense power to protect?"

*Oh? Is this old fox threatening me? Looks like I have to show him some real strength.*

"Boss Zhou, let me show you another treasure." Chu Chen reached for his waist and pulled out a handgun, hiding it within his wide sleeve. Zhou Shicai didn't see the weapon. Chu Chen pointed toward the courtyard wall and fired eight shots.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

The sound terrified Zhou Shicai, who collapsed onto his backside. Looking at the wall, he saw eight clean, light-transmitting holes punched through the brickwork. Zhou Shicai was shocked to his core. He was a man who had seen many storms, but to pierce a wall with a casual gesture—could this be an immortal descending to earth? That was the only logical explanation. *Damn, and I just threatened him!*

While Chu Chen was lamenting how fragile the bricks in this world were, Zhou Shicai knelt before him with a loud thud.

"I did not realize an immortal had descended. I have offended you greatly—I beg for your mercy!"

*An immortal? What is this nonsense? Does this world actually have gods?* Regardless, he kept a straight face and helped Zhou Shicai up. "Boss Zhou, you flatter me too much. Now, do you think I have the strength to protect this salt-making technique?"

"Enough, Boss Zhou. Let's discuss the house."

"The house? Immortal Chu, please just take it. How could I possibly accept your money?"

*Wow, that was easy.* But Chu Chen rejected the idea of a freebie, fearing the man would become too clingy. "Boss Zhou, you are too kind. Business is business; the money must be paid. Also, I must say, I quite liked your previous, untamed demeanor."

Zhou Shicai immediately understood: the immortal did not want his identity exposed. He had been reckless again. "Brother Chu, to be honest, this house means little to me. I'll give you a discount—two hundred taels. It’s yours."

*Holy crap, that is insane. It really pays to be powerful.* Chu Chen tried to offer more, but Zhou Shicai refused, so he eventually gave in.

With Ergouzi scurrying about, the property was officially transferred to Chu Chen by noon. After receiving a twenty-tael tip from Chu Chen, Ergouzi left happily.

At noon, in the "Heaven One" private room of the finest restaurant in Qingyun City, Zhiweixuan, a beaming Zhou Shicai poured wine for Chu Chen. Chu Chen had firmly insisted that Luo Yi and Xiao Fang sit at the table with them. In this ancient era, women usually did not dine with men, but Chu Chen was not so feudal; what was the point of drinking without the company of women?

"Brother Chu, when can you supply the... goods?" Zhou Shicai asked during the meal. He didn't say "refined salt," proving himself to be a crafty old fox in the business world.

Chu Chen smiled and leaned into his ear. "Three months from now, in Mashan Village, Qingniu Town. I will await your arrival, Boss Zhou."

Zhou Shicai flashed a radiant smile and kept refilling Chu Chen's cup. The meal was exceptionally harmonious, and even Luo Yi and Xiao Fang began to relax, sharing drinks and laughter with Chu Chen.