Chapter 28: I'm Following Your Lead!

While Lu Chuan was busy, footsteps sounded not far away, but they seemed somewhat unsteady. Lu Chuan looked up and saw that Sun Laizi had arrived at some unknown moment, his hand tightly bandaged, looking a little ridiculous.

At the sight of Sun Laizi, Lu Chuan’s brow furrowed deeply. He hadn’t expected this very Sun Laizi to dare show up.

“Brother Chuan!”

Sun Laizi called out somewhat sheepishly, then solemnly knelt down, his eyes heavy with seriousness.

“Brother Chuan, from now on, let me stick with you! Starting today, whatever you ask, I’ll do it! Whoever you want me to fight, I’ll fight!”

Yesterday, Sun Mian had harbored resentment toward Lu Chuan. Having been injured and thinking to settle scores with him, he was ready to confront Lu Chuan. But before that, the people from Zhao Family Village had come. Hearing about the situation between Lu Chuan and Zhao Family Village startled Sun Mian greatly. No matter what, he was just an ordinary man, not a match for Zhao Dabao and the others. Even if he had a little skill, to those hunters, he was nothing. But Lu Chuan had actually intimidated Zhao Dabao and his group. Did that mean Lu Chuan’s abilities surpassed theirs?

After realizing this, Sun Mian no longer felt any hatred toward Lu Chuan and began to consider how to benefit from him. Then it struck him: since he was a loafer who spent days idling, why not simply follow Lu Chuan and be his errand runner? Lu Chuan was a hunter, and seemed quite capable. If even a little advantage trickled down from him, it would be enough for Sun Laizi to live well. That was why he came today.

Lu Chuan gave Sun Laizi a strange look, then smiled wryly. “You want to follow me?”

“Yeah!” Sun Laizi nodded seriously. “Before, I was blind and dared to provoke you. Now I’ve recognized my mistake and want to make amends! Just give me a chance!”

“I promise I’ll be your most loyal follower!”

Lu Chuan patted the ground. “Come sit, I want to ask you something.”

“All right!” Sun Laizi nodded eagerly and carefully sat beside Lu Chuan.

“I need some coal. Can you get any?”

“How much?”

Sun Laizi’s eyes brightened instinctively.

“The more the better.”

Lu Chuan nodded. Actually, coal—also called stone coal—was available now, but it wasn’t easy to buy. From every mine, 20% of the output had to be handed over to the government, 40% was bought by the government at low prices, leaving only 40% that could be freely sold on the market. But this was useless—most of that went into the hands of nobles, and almost none reached the common folk. Many didn’t even know coal existed. The resource was nearly monopolized.

“I know there’s a black market in Hongtu County where some loose coal is sold, but it’s very expensive. Ordinary farmers can’t afford it.”

“Black market?”

Lu Chuan was momentarily stunned.

“Yes!” Sun Laizi nodded quickly, glancing around, then continued, “Not many know about it. The black market in Hongtu County has only been around a short time. Rumor has it the county magistrate supports it behind the scenes.”

Hearing this, Lu Chuan’s brow furrowed deeply.

“About how much?”

“Around 500 coins per jin. Ordinary families can’t afford it; better to gather firewood from the mountains to keep warm.”

Sun Laizi advised, “Brother Chuan, are you looking for charcoal? I might have a way.”

“Do you know where the black market is and how to get in?”

Lu Chuan decided to check it out. At that price, he definitely wouldn’t buy—it was ridiculous. He wasn’t a fool.

However, since this trade had some connection with Zhou Zheng, he was interested.

“I know!” Sun Laizi nodded. “Heh, I went once when the black market first opened. Man, they sell so many things there!”

Lowering his voice, he added, “I heard they even have weapons and armor. As long as you can pay, there are many items brand new, issued directly by the imperial court! They never even reached the barracks before being sold in the black market!”

Hearing this, Lu Chuan’s mouth twitched sharply. Damn these parasites—they were insane. He could understand other goods, but weapons? Really sold in the black market?

Still, he did need some blades. The Zhao Family Village had given some machetes, but those were crude iron tools, only good for farm work. In real combat, if others wielded fine swords and he had iron tools, his weapons would dull or break after a single clash.

“Is there grain sold in the black market?”

Lu Chuan suddenly asked out of curiosity.

“Yes!” Sun Laizi nodded seriously. “And the grain there is actually cheaper than in the market!”

“Hmm?”

Lu Chuan was taken aback.

Sun Laizi hurriedly explained, “Most of the grain comes from embezzlement. Grain is different from weapons or armor—it needs proper storage, granaries, and is hard to hide. So most ends up being sold off quickly for cash.”

Hearing this, Lu Chuan understood. In short, some things in the black market are more expensive, some cheaper.

Damn it, Sun Laizi, why didn’t you come to me sooner? Had you come two days earlier, I would’ve gone straight to the black market for grain.

“All right!”

Lu Chuan nodded, gritting his teeth. “Go back and prepare. In two days, follow me to the county seat. I want to buy some grain and visit the black market.”

He also had to go to Cui’s Grain Shop, since the deposit was already paid.