Xiuxian, I can travel to another world

Chapter 445 News
a few days later.

Restaurant.

"Young Master Zhu, please come inside."

The servant led Zhu Ju to a guest room, where a plump middle-aged man was already waiting.

The man was dressed in a long gown and wore a square hat. His small eyes revealed a shrewd and worldly-wise nature.

"Ha ha……"

Upon seeing Zhu Ju, the other party laughed heartily, stood up, and greeted him warmly:

"Truly, heroes emerge from among the young. Young Master Zhu has taken charge of such a large family business at such a young age. Given time, his achievements will be limitless."

"My name is Zhou Shou, and I handle some trivial matters outside the Zhou family."

"Manager Zhou." Zhu Ju bowed.
"I've heard of your name for a long time!"

"You're too kind." Zhou Shou waved his hand.
"Please sit, Young Master Zhu."

Another servant standing nearby:

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and pour some tea!"

"Thank you for your trouble." Zhu Ju nodded and sat down opposite him.
"I, Zhu, would not come to this temple without a reason. Today, I have come to discuss the sale of those two shops."

"Hmm." Zhou Shou's smile faded, and he spoke in a solemn voice:
“These past few years have been turbulent times, with bandits outside and civil unrest inside, so the Zhou family has not had an easy time either.”

"Acquisition is possible..."

"We still need to discuss the price."

Zhu Ju frowned.

The world has never truly been at peace, but the Zhou family, as a top family in Taiyuan Prefecture, will not be affected.

Do not!
should say.

The more chaotic the world becomes, the more concentrated wealth becomes. The Zhou family probably hopes the world becomes even more chaotic.

Like now.

He needed to sell his assets to save his life, but the Zhou family was able to take advantage of the situation and buy them at a low price.

The phrase "behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste; on the road, frozen corpses lie" is more than just an adjective here.

As someone who was 'moderately wealthy', Zhu Ju had personally witnessed the extravagant lifestyle within the Zhou family's inner courtyard.

"Ugh!"

With a soft sigh, knowing the saying "when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head," Zhu Ju slowly spoke:
"In your opinion, Steward Zhou, how much would you offer?"

“This…” Zhou Shou hesitated for a moment, his small eyes darting around:

"How about eight thousand taels of silver?"

Eight thousand taels?
Zhu Ju's expression darkened.

This was 30% lower than he had expected, and the actual price was drastically reduced.

"It's so cheap!"

Zhu Ju spoke in a muffled voice:
"At this time last year, someone offered 15,000 taels, but the Zhu family did not sell."

"Hehe..." Zhou Shou chuckled lightly:
“Times have changed. Lately, many people have come to the Zhou family to sell their property. If it weren’t for my past relationship with the Zhu family, I might not even be able to afford eight thousand taels.”

"What is Mr. Zhu's asking price?"

"Fifteen thousand taels," Zhu Ju said.

“Those two shops are located on a bustling commercial street and have been run by the Zhu family for many years. They can be profitable as soon as they are taken over.”

"Moreover, Zhu not only sold the shops, but also the contracts of the servants and employees inside..."

"People are worthless; sometimes you even have to pay them." Zhou Shou waved his hand.
"Fifteen thousand taels of silver. Even if Mr. Zhou agrees to this price, the Zhou family would never agree to it."

“The people there are all experienced,” Zhu Ju said.
"Personnel, supplies, and distribution channels, all combined..."

"Ten thousand taels!" Zhou Shou interrupted him, saying:
"Out of respect for Master Zhou, I will offer ten thousand taels of silver; this is the Zhou family's sincerity."

"If Young Master Zhu finds this unsuitable, he may seek another buyer."

"Ok?"

As if he had heard something, Zhou Shou paused in his movements, hesitated, and slowly stood up.

"Young Master Zhu, please wait a moment. I have some matters to attend to and will be right back."

"it is good."

Zhu Ju nodded:

"Manager Zhou was busy beforehand."

…………

Zhou Shou went to the next room, knocked lightly on the door, and carefully pushed it open after receiving permission.

"Miss."

in the room.

Zhou Ruxuan was resting her chin on her hand, looking at the bronze mirror in front of her.

The mirror didn't reflect her image, but rather the surroundings of the next room.

"Ah."

Zhou Ruxuan gently raised her eyebrows, looking at Zhu Ju in the mirror, her eyes revealing a hint of doubt and confusion:
What happened to the Zhu family?

"Miss Hui," Zhou Shou said, bowing.
"After Master Zhu died, the Zhu family was run by this young master Zhu Ju. During this period, the Green Robe Gang was short of money, so they started to target their subordinates and demanded tens of thousands of taels of silver from the Zhu family. Zhu Ju had no choice but to sell his shops."

"Oh!" Zhou Ruxuan raised an eyebrow:

"Targeting only the Zhu family?"

"Not exactly." Zhou Shou shook his head.
“However, other families still maintain ties with the Green Robe Gang, so they pay less money and have more time.” “Hmm…”

"As far as I know, Guo Jie of the Green Robe Gang seems to have a good relationship with the people from the other two cloth shops. He probably has the idea of ​​deliberately suppressing the Zhu family. Otherwise, I wouldn't be offering such a low price."

"Hmm." Zhou Ruxuan nodded and asked:
"What is Zhu Ju's cultivation level?"

"This person disliked martial arts from a young age. His father died recently, and he himself nearly perished, only beginning to learn martial arts after surviving by sheer luck," Zhou Shou said.

"Because he has laid a good foundation, he has already entered the ranks. However, at this age, he has only just entered the ranks, so it is difficult for him to achieve much."

"Really?" Zhou Ruxuan asked, her eyes filled with doubt.

That day, Ma Yuanzhi used a mind-bewitching talisman to bewitch her mind, and she naturally felt close to the people in the room.

At that time.

When Ma Yuanzhi was killed, only a masked man in black was present, and the Bewitching Talisman naturally worked on that man.

now……

"Zhu Ju?"

Zhou Ruxuan pursed her lips, feeling that inexplicable sense of closeness, her beautiful eyes flickering:

"is it you?"

Theoretically, it shouldn't be.

Although Ma Yuanzhi was criticized for being unlearned and incompetent, this was largely a deliberate pretense.

The eighth-rank mage, who was not yet twenty years old, was not exceptionally talented, but he was still quite remarkable.

If he could kill Ma Yuanzhi, he certainly wouldn't be bad either.

Zhu Ju...

It's only just been introduced.

"Uncle Shou".

"The villain is here."

“Let’s do as he says,” Zhou Ruxuan said slowly.
"Fifteen thousand taels!"

"Hmm?" Zhou Shou looked up in surprise, then cupped his hands in greeting:

"Yes!"

Although the extra few thousand taels of silver was a considerable sum, it was entirely within the control of the Zhou family's most favored young lady.

*
*
*
"Miss!"

"Miss, you are back."

"..."

As Zhou Ruxuan walked through her own courtyard, the greetings that used to feel warm and welcoming now seemed to annoy her for some reason.

"Miss."

A maidservant hurried forward:
"The master is looking for you."

"Father is looking for me?" Zhou Ruxuan was taken aback:
"understood."

…………

study.

Zhou Ruxuan obediently curtsied to Zhou Huaishan, the head of the Zhou family.

"father."

"Ah."

Zhou Huaishan put down what he was holding, carefully looked at his daughter, and showed a doting expression on his face.

"I heard that these past few days, apart from going to the shops, you've been training at the martial arts hall. The way of martial arts emphasizes a balance of tension and relaxation. I know you want to become stronger, but doing so may very well backfire."

"Yes," Zhou Ruxuan replied.

"My daughter knows."

"Sigh!" Zhou Huaishan sighed.
"I investigated the incident that day carefully, but I didn't find any mole. Fortunately, you are safe and sound."

"I heard you gave Zhu Ju several thousand taels of silver too much?"

"Father." Zhou Ruxuan looked up:

“I think he’s quite pitiful. His mother died early, and his father is gone too. He’s just being bullied for no reason.”

"I didn't mean to blame you." Zhou Huaishan waved his hand.
"on the contrary!"

"You should get closer to him in the future, and don't be stingy with money. Treat him as a friend."

"Ah!" Zhou Ruxuan was taken aback:
"Why?"

She knew her father's character very well. Although it couldn't be said that he wouldn't act without a reason, he always prioritized profit in his actions.

The Zhu family...

There was nothing of value to the Zhou family.

"I just received the news."

Zhou Huaishan's expression was solemn:
"Not long ago, a fourth-rank True Immortal from the True Martial Sect came to the White Cloud Temple outside the city and accepted a disciple."

"That person..."

"She was Zhu Ju's personal maid."

Fourth grade!

Zhou Ruxuan's expression changed drastically.

(End of this chapter)