Inside the mixed-bag main hall of the inn, everyone harbored their own ulterior motives.
When their gazes swept toward Chen Ji, their expressions showed craftiness, scrutiny, and covetousness, making it difficult for an instant to tell if they were humans or ghosts.
Looking at the alcohol jar on the table, Chen Ji suddenly understood: placing Strong Distilled Liquor on the square table meant selling information, while placing grape wine meant buying information. Upon entering the door, one only needed to place the alcohol jar properly, and others would know at a glance what you came to do.
So it turned out that this Longmen Inn was the largest information distribution center in Guyuan city, and the alcohol fee of five hundred copper coins a jar was the inn's cut.
But Chen Ji had originally come to buy information, yet by a strange combination of circumstances, he had become the person selling information...
At this time, the burly man opposite him knocked on the table with his knuckles. "Young man, what information exactly do you want to sell? Speak up!"
Xiaoman stood behind Chen Ji and glared at the burly man opposite them. "What are you anxious for? Isn't my Young Master thinking?"
The burly man sneered, "This little girl has quite a big temper. I see that you all have unfamiliar faces. I'm afraid you still don't know the rules of the Longmen Inn, do you? Since you've placed a jar, if you can't bring out any useful information, I'm afraid you won't be able to stay in this inn anymore."
Chen Ji lowered his head, pondering what information to sell.
Just as the burly man across the table was about to use his knuckles to knock on the table again, lifting his hand but before his knuckles could land, Chen Ji spoke, "I know what happened inside the Guyuan Rest House."
The burly man's hand that was knocking on the table hovered in mid-air, and his eyes instantly lit up. "You actually know about this! How much silver do you want?"
Chen Ji raised his hand to his chest and extended two fingers.
The burly man lowered his head and deliberated for a few seconds. When he raised his head again, he slammed two Melon Seed Gold Nuggets onto the table.
Chen Ji looked at the two Melon Seed Gold Nuggets. He had originally intended to sell it for two hundred silver taels, but the other party only took out twenty silver taels... An earth-shattering event had occurred inside the Guyuan Rest House. How could it possibly only be worth twenty taels?
Seeing that Chen Ji remained silent for a long time, the burly man became suspicious. "Do you truly know what happened inside the Guyuan Rest House or not?"
Chen Ji pondered deeply for a long time, and ultimately decided to quickly sell the information so he could exchange the Strong Distilled Liquor for grape wine.
He simply said in a low voice, "Inside the Guyuan Rest House, someone poisoned the maids and young servants of the Junior Supervisor of the Household from the Supervisorate of Instruction, totaling thirty-four lives. The identity of the murderer is unknown. Both the Border Army and the Feather Forest Army have gone to investigate, but neither has uncovered the truth."
The burly man murmured, "No wonder the rumors say the Guyuan Rest House is full of dead people. Acceptable. This information is worth twenty taels."
After saying that, he pushed the two Melon Seed Gold Nuggets in front of him to Chen Ji, hurriedly got up, and left.
The burly man lifted the thick cotton door curtain of the inn and disappeared into the cold wind.
Just as Chen Ji was about to call the waiter to exchange for another jar of alcohol, the inn's door curtain was lifted again.
The burly man from just now returned. He walked in carrying a skinny, monkey-like young man in his hand and said to the shopkeeper, "Second Master, this fellow broke your rules. Recently, many unfamiliar faces have arrived in Guyuan, and one by one, they dare to come here begging for food without even understanding the rules."
The shopkeeper finally raised his head and looked at Chen Ji. "Guest, what do you say we should do?"
Chen Ji looked at the young man being held up, but didn't know what this person had to do with him... Perhaps there were some rules in this inn that he didn't know about?
He could only go along with it and say, "Handle it according to the inn's rules."
The shopkeeper said indifferently to the burly man at the door, "For privately inquiring about information, break one of his fingers. He is not allowed to enter the inn again before his finger has completely healed."
The burly man smiled savagely. "Alright!"
After saying that, he reached out and forcefully snapped the young man's index finger, picked him up, and went out the door again.
The shopkeeper said unhurriedly, "In recent days, His Highness the Crown Prince has come to our Guyuan, and many unfamiliar faces have also appeared in Guyuan. I must tell everyone, no matter whose people you are, if you want information, spend your own money to buy it. Do not break the rules."
The inn's main hall fell dead silent for a moment. Only after the shopkeeper lowered his head again and picked up his brush to keep accounts did it slowly become noisy again.
Chen Ji stuffed the two Melon Seed Gold Nuggets into his sleeve. Before he could call the waiter to exchange the alcohol, another person sat opposite him, took out two silver ingots, placed them on the table, and said in a low voice, "I'll buy that information from just now."
Chen Ji was slightly taken aback and repeated, "Inside the Guyuan Rest House, someone poisoned the Supervisorate of Instruction..."
After the burly man opposite him finished listening to the information, he didn't say a word, turned around, and left.
Chen Ji stared fixedly at the silver ingots on the table. He had originally thought that after information was sold to one person, the secret would no longer be a secret, so it could only be a one-time transaction.
But now... it was no wonder that burly man earlier only brought out two Melon Seed Gold Nuggets; what he bought was "non-exclusive."
Watching buyers come to his door one after another, the silver in front of Chen Ji piled higher and higher. In just the time it took for a joss stick to burn, he had earned two hundred and twenty silver taels.
Xiaoman stared blankly at the silver, her eyes unable to look away. "Yo... Young Master, why don't we just stay in Guyuan? This money comes a bit too easily."
Chen Ji didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "We don't have that much information to sell either."
Xiaoman hesitated. "How about we... how about you go find some heinous jianghu bandits, slaughter their entire families, rob them of their wealth first, and then come sell the news of their deaths? Eating two meals from one fish."
Chen Ji couldn't help but look back at Xiaoman behind him. Just what kind of person was that Auntie of his, to actually raise a living Yama by her side?
He replied casually, "I don't have that kind of ability."
Xiaoman pursed her lips and didn't say a word, quite tempted.
Never mind Xiaoman, even Chen Ji himself felt unsatisfied. The massive Ice Flow still lingered in his dantian, and he needed lots and lots of silver.
But what other information was there to sell? That the Jing Dynasty Heavenly Strategy Army was coming to besiege the city?
No, since the Border Army had decided to seal off the news, they naturally had their reasons. If he were to spread the news, he was afraid it would disrupt the Border Army's footing.
But since a person harboring deep secrets had come to this treasure land, it would truly be a pity not to sweep away some money...
Chen Ji waved his hand at a waiter. The waiter, who was wiping tables, draped his rag over his arm and moved closer with a beaming smile. "Congratulations and may you grow wealthy, guest. What are your orders?"
Chen Ji thought for a moment and asked, "What information is the most valuable nowadays?"
The waiter replied with a smile, "Guest, as long as it's information related to the Crown Prince and the Regional Military Commission, it is valuable."
Chen Ji pondered for a moment and had a plan in his heart. He pointed at the Strong Distilled Liquor on the table. "Trouble you to help me exchange this for grape wine."
The waiter was confused. "Guest, you just opened for business. Aren't you going to sell a little more information?"
Chen Ji shook his head. "I still have information I want to buy, so I plan to handle my proper business first."
The waiter responded, "Alright, please wait a moment, I'll go exchange your alcohol."
He was just about to leave holding the alcohol jar when Zhang Zheng nearby suddenly asked, "Hey, waiter, we practically bought this alcohol, can't you leave it for us to drink?"
The waiter was stunned for a moment. "Guest, placing a jar has the rules of placing a jar, and opening a jar has the rules of opening a jar. If you have heaven-shattering information, come back and open this jar of alcohol then. At that time, the fragrance of the alcohol will drift for ten miles, signaling that a huge deal is about to be made."
The waiter went to the back of the main hall and returned with a jar of exchanged grape wine, as well as the steamed buns and thin noodles ordered earlier.
In addition to this, there were actually two plates of melon seeds, two plates of peanuts, plus a plate of preserved fruits and a plate of raisins, filling the entire table.
Seeing this, Xiaoman said, "We didn't order these. We won't pay you for them later."
The waiter laughed heartily. "Guest, you must be joking. For any lord who opens for business at my inn, not only do we offer traditional snacks and preserved fruits, we even waive today's room fee for you."
Xiaoman's eyes lit up. "There's such a good thing? Your shopkeeper is too good at doing business!"
Zhang Xia pulled her to sit side-by-side at the table. "Eat."
Xiaoman said obediently, "Second Miss Zhang is beautiful and kind-hearted!"
...
...
As soon as the alcohol jar was placed on the table, someone immediately leaned close. "Lords, I have information to sell here."
Chen Ji said casually, "What aspect of information?"
"About the Jing Dynasty."
Chen Ji's heart stirred slightly. "How much silver?"
"Five taels."
Chen Ji was silent for two seconds. "Let's hear it."
The burly man sat opposite him. "This autumn, a locust plague occurred in the Jing Dynasty's Upper Capital Circuit, causing poor harvests for every household. If there is a way to transport grain over, a huge profit can definitely be made..."
Chen Ji instantly lost interest.
Guyuan had many traveling merchants, and sixty to seventy percent of the people here were merchants who relied on the border for their business. Therefore, most of the information was actually about 'buying business opportunities.'
Chen Ji took out a five-tael silver ingot and pushed it out. "I know."
While cracking melon seeds, Xiaoman said, her heart aching for the money, "Young Master, you gave him five silver taels for such a little piece of information? You don't even need it. Who has the ability to transport so many carts of grain to the Jing Dynasty? It's a crime punishable by beheading... Isn't this a scammer?"
Chen Ji said calmly, "Buying horse bones with a thousand pieces of gold; it's fine. Later, I'll naturally have a way to earn the silver back."
At this time, one person lifted his buttocks and stood up, and immediately another person took a seat. "Lords, this lowly one also has a piece of information worth one silver tael right here."
"Let's hear it."
"This lowly one came from Minzhou. A ship fully loaded with spices docked at the port there was seized by the imperial court. If someone could smooth things over..."
From morning to afternoon, Chen Ji spent the silver he had earned from selling information in the morning like flowing water without encountering a single piece of information suitable for him.
It made Xiaoman's face contort with heartache, wishing she could go snatch the silver back.
Xiaoman whispered complaints as she cracked melon seeds, "The Young Master is such an extreme squanderer, such a squanderer!"
By evening, an old man sneaked close. "Lord, I have information about the Jing Dynasty. Are you interested?"
Chen Ji grabbed a peanut, pinched it with two fingers, and crushed the crispy shell. "Be more specific."
The old man chose his words carefully, "It's related to the Jing Dynasty's former Military Strategy Commissioner, Lu Jin."
The hand Chen Ji was using to peel peanuts paused slightly, and then he asked as if nothing had happened, "What do you do that you actually know information about a big shot like Lu Jin?"
The old man smiled awkwardly, "This little old man was only able to tap into some information by feeling around the edges. As to whether it's ultimately true or false, it's up to you, guest, to judge."
Chen Ji remained noncommittal. "How much silver?"
The old man looked left and right. "Ten silver taels will do."
Chen Ji nodded slightly, and Zhang Xia, beside him, pushed a silver ingot in front of the old man. "Speak."
The old man recalled, "This little old man mixed into Third Master's tea merchant caravan to do the silk business. The business isn't big, only enough to be considered making a living..."
Chen Ji suddenly asked, "Where do you usually sell your silk in the Jing Dynasty?"
The old man answered, "This little old man doesn't dare travel deep into the Jing Dynasty heartland either. I can only transport the silk and satins to the Western Capital Circuit's Fengsheng Prefecture, sell it to the peddlers there, and then let them transport it to the Upper Capital Circuit and Central Capital Circuit for resale. Also, on this trip to Fengsheng Prefecture, a peddler who constantly cooperates with this little old man said he hopes this little old man could bring eighty bolts of top-quality Sichuan brocade over next time. A big shot specifically requested Sichuan brocade, saying it's to serve as a birthday gift for Lord Lu Jin."
Sitting beside the square table, Chen Ji's heart stirred. He put a peanut into his mouth. "Since ancient times in officialdom, there have always been many who drop stones on someone who has fallen into a well, and few who provide help in need. There's no reason to celebrate the birthday of someone who has stepped down from power. Moreover, Lu Jin is only forty-six years old this year; what kind of major birthday celebration is he receiving..."
The old man praised, "This lord is quick-witted. This lowly one thought the same: It must be that someone obtained advance news that Lu Jin is about to be reinstated, and that's why they want to take advantage of Lu Jin's birthday to curry favor. This is all I know; I hope this information is useful to you."
The old man took the silver ingot and left, but Chen Ji's mood sank slightly.
Deep in his heart, he always hoped that this uncle of his would never be reinstated so that he could live peacefully in the Ning Dynasty. However, on second thought, this might not necessarily be a bad piece of news either.
At this time, a middle-aged burly man lifted the cotton door curtain from outside and entered. His gaze swept over the various tables, and he immediately picked a table at random and sat down. "I have information to sell."
The buyer sitting opposite him covered his nose. "What is that smell on your body?"
The burly man answered, "This lowly one is a night soil collector in the east of the city. Naturally, there will be some odor on my body."
The buyer pinched his nose and waved his hand. "Why is a shit-carrier trying to join the fun? Go, go, go, go stand off to one side."
The burly man stood up awkwardly. His gaze once again surveyed his surroundings, but other buyers also successively avoided his gaze and turned their faces away.
Chen Ji spoke out, "You want to sell information?"
The burly man's eyes lit up, and he walked over to sit at Chen Ji's table. "This lord, this lowly one's information is not expensive, I just discovered something strange and always felt that it would be useful."
Smelling the foul stench, Zhang Zheng leaned his body back a bit.
Chen Ji asked, "How much money do you want to sell it for?"
The burly man hesitated for a moment. "Two hundred copper coins will do."
Chen Ji nodded. "Speak."
The burly man thought for a moment and said, "Early this morning, this lowly one prepared to carry night soil out to sell for money. Consequently, the man who usually drives the night soil cart said he couldn't leave the city and wouldn't be collecting today. This lowly one had no choice and prepared to pour the night soil I carried back into the latrines. But halfway there, someone stopped me and said he would collect the night soil to fertilize the vegetable garden in his own courtyard."
Xiaoman was puzzled. "What's strange about this?"
The burly man explained, "Of course it's strange. That household hired several night soil collectors who were idle today and bought a great deal of night soil, packing it into large vats one by one. The entire courtyard reeks to high heaven. What proper person would buy so much night soil? Those dozen or so large vats are enough to fertilize dozens of acres of fields."
Just as Xiaoman was about to say something more, she saw Chen Ji cry out 'Oh no' and stand up abruptly. "Big brother, where is that courtyard?"
The burly man answered, "East of the city, Taohuai District, Shache Street. It's the household with an elm tree in front of the door."
Chen Ji walked to the backyard with huge strides. "Second Miss Zhang, pay him. You all stay at the inn; I'm making a trip to the Regional Military Commission!"
As his words fell, he shouted loudly, "Zaozao! Quickly!"
He saw Zaozao use his mouth to bite open the reins wrapped around the hitching post and rush out of the stable. When he rushed to Chen Ji's side, his hooves didn't stop. Chen Ji grabbed the pommel of the saddle, flipped up onto it, crouched low, and galloped off.