Chapter 73: Delivery
After entering the city, they immediately went to the inn to deliver the goods.
It was agreed upon twenty days prior, and Boss Li, being a man of his word, waited patiently for them at the inn.
Boss Li, along with his men, counted the goods and ensured there were no issues before paying the remaining balance.
"Boss Li is truly a big business dealer, so straightforward," Zhang Zhaodi beamed. "If you come by our place next time and place another order, we’ll give you a discount."
"Then let’s wish for a pleasant cooperation next time in advance," Boss Li said with a smile.
"Since Boss Li is so straightforward, we would also like to make friends. How about having lunch together?" Su Yaoguang invited him.
"No, I have to hurry. We should have left earlier, but we’ve stayed twenty extra days just to wait for Boss Su’s goods. Maybe next time, for sure," he declined.
Su Yaoguang and her daughter personally came to deliver the goods, while the others rested in the hall, waiting for them to complete the transaction before leaving.
After receiving the remaining payment, Su Yaoguang and Zhang Zhaodi went into the hall where the group gathered.
The others looked at them expectantly as they approached.
"It’s done," Zhang Zhaodi said with a bright smile, "Received the remaining payment. Boss Li is really straightforward."
Wang Huanzhi said to Su Yaoguang, "Yaoguang, I’ve lost my Buddha Beads, can you help me look for them?"
Zhang Yingdi said, "I’ll help you."
"Yaoguang is more familiar with the Boss here. If the Boss or the staff ask, she can greet them. You’re too shy to trouble others."
Zhang Yingdi had nothing to say.
But Su Yaoguang noticed that Wang Huanzhi had something to say, so she told Zhang Yingdi, "My uncle-in-law cares for you; you’ve been taking care of him all day. He doesn’t want you to be so tired. I’m free today, so I should show my filial piety to uncle-in-law. Come, uncle-in-law, let me help you."
"Yaoguang is right. Usually, you take care of your brother-in-law, so let Yaoguang help a bit today. You just rest with us here," Zhang Zhaodi comforted.
Su Yaoguang supported Wang Huanzhi as they left the hall and headed to the backyard.
"Yaoguang, you said that Boss Li runs a theater and has an outsider’s accent, is that right?"
"Yes, uncle-in-law, is there something wrong?" Su Yaoguang asked.
"Very strange. Just now, while resting in the hall, I saw Boss Li’s servants—all with local accents. If it’s an outsider’s theater, most of the people around him should be outsiders. Why are there so many locals?"
"You make a good point, but it doesn’t rule out the possibility that he’s just hired many of our local folks. I’ll keep an eye out, thanks for the reminder."
"Just keep your eyes open," Wang Huanzhi coughed, "Perhaps I’m just overthinking."
"Uncle-in-law, you didn’t drop the Buddha Beads, did you?"
"I’m just worried you might not have noticed, so I wanted to remind you. Don’t worry, the beads have always been with me," Wang Huanzhi said.
Su Yaoguang helped Wang Huanzhi return and asked Jiang Jing to drive the ox cart to pick up Zhou Wangshu from the academy, as she had other matters to attend to.
Once the others left, Su Yaoguang crossed the street from the inn and found a few young beggars, offering them ten copper coins to act as her eyes and ears.
"When you see the fat uncle come out, follow him and his men, see whether they leave town or go somewhere else," she instructed, worried they wouldn’t recognize him, she added some descriptions.
"Don’t worry, sister. You’ve paid us, we’ll definitely get the job done," said the clever oldest beggar, understanding Su Yaoguang’s intent.
"If you have any news, go to the clothing shop and tell Boss Lady Chun’e you have news for me. Leave your address, I will find you. Then, I will settle the remaining payment."
"There’s more payment?" the young beggar asked.
"Of course. These ten cents are just an advance. Once you gather the information, more payment awaits," Su Yaoguang said. "What’s your name?"
"I don’t have a name. My parents called me a nuisance, said I was unnecessary. Then, when famine struck, they wanted to trade me with another family’s child to eat, so I ran away."
Su Yaoguang gently patted the young beggar, saying kindly, "Since they didn’t give you a name, we’ll pick one ourselves. You should have a new name, and I’ll call you by that from now on."
"I can’t choose, I can’t read," the young beggar said, distressed, "If I were to choose, I’d only come up with rough names like Ironstone, Waterspring, or Coldwind."
"Then let’s go with Chaoyang! Our days ahead will be bright and sunny, no more unlucky names," Su Yaoguang suggested.
"Thank you, sister, then I’ll be called Feng Chaoyang," the young beggar grinned ear to ear, "Sister, just wait for my news, I’ll definitely clarify it for you."
After instructing Feng Chaoyang, Su Yaoguang headed to the academy to meet up with the others. By the time she reached, Jiang Jing and the others were waiting at the entrance, but still hadn’t seen Zhou Wangshu.
Su Yaoguang approached the entrance and spoke to the old doorkeeper, "Sir, isn’t it lunchtime now? I’d like to take my brother out for a meal, could you grant us a favor?"
The old doorkeeper said, "I’m just a doorkeeper, I can’t make decisions. The students broke rules recently, and the teacher has prohibited them from leaving."
"How about I just talk to the teacher, that should be okay?" Su Yaoguang slipped him a copper coin.
The doorkeeper’s expression softened, "Wait here a moment, I’ll go inform him."
After he went inside, Zhang Zhaodi scoffed, "We’ve tried reasoning with him, and he wouldn’t let us in. Money truly talks."
"He’s just following orders, don’t make it hard for him," Su Yaoguang said, "He can’t let people out, but he can let us in to speak with the teacher."
The doorkeeper soon returned and let Su Yaoguang inside. She met with the teacher and explained her purpose, and the teacher shared the recent events with her.
"We used to allow students to leave at noon. But a few nights ago, some students snuck out, breaking the academy’s rules. As per the new rules, everyone must clean the toilets for a month. There was an uproar, claiming the punishment was unreasonable, so we waived it. However, as the punishment is gone, we have to enforce stricter management, so no more leaving at noon. From now on, other than rest days, students can’t leave the academy and must eat all meals in the school cafeteria."
"Given that’s the case, outside items can still be sent in, right?" Su Yaoguang asked.
"That can be arranged," the teacher agreed, impressed by the gift packages Su Yaoguang brought, and didn’t trouble her further.
"We’ll send some items to Zhou Wangshu later, please allow it," Su Yaoguang requested.
"Certainly," the teacher nodded in agreement.