Chapter 46. Pesticide of Freshness (2)

The Sichuan Tang Clan, known as the masters of poisons, has been famous for researching and developing various types of poisons since ancient times. They have studied a wide variety of poisons, from mineral poisons to biological poisons like snake venom and bee venom, as well as paralyzing poisons, sleeping poisons, highly toxic poisons, and even poisonous insects like centipedes.

One day, while diligently working on R&D, the Tang Clan accidentally developed a special poison. This poison was harmless to plants and humans but instantly killed any insect that came into contact with it.

Originally, such a poison for killing insects would have been considered a slightly unusual failure and left at that. However, the head of the Tang Clan at the time, Tang Jianyi, was no ordinary person.

Poison Saint Tang Jianyi

Known for his love of change, he had an idea as soon as he saw this poison and instructed his team to think of a way to make it useful.

Though it was an odd request, the Tang Clan's R&D team faithfully followed his instructions and discovered that this poison could effectively control pests in the fields.

Soon, Tang Jianyi named this substance "pesticide" because it was used in agriculture, and the Tang Clan began mass production. The pesticide was an instant hit and sold across the Central Plains as soon as it was released.

"Spray poison in the fields?"

"The Tang Clan must be crazy, eating nothing but poison all these years."

"They'll probably start feeding us feces next."

At first, many people were hesitant to buy and use poison in their fields, but it didn't take long for its effectiveness to be proven. Not only did the yield increase, but the labor required to control pests also decreased significantly. Farmers who saw the results quickly changed their tune and praised the Tang Clan.

"I trusted you! Damn!"

"You're a hero! Sichuan Tang Clan!"

Thus, the Tang Clan's pesticide became an essential item for any large landowner with a vast estate and a cash cow for the Tang Clan.

I listened to the entire history of the Tang Clan's pesticide from the youth leader and nodded with difficulty.

"......That's quite something."

The youth leader then earnestly warned me that this was a really difficult task to secure.

"So, the job is to regularly transport this pesticide to the Mu family's estate. The transaction amount is large, so you must be careful and avoid any mistakes."

Of course, I had no intention of messing this up. If I failed, the alumni association would never give me another chance. I pounded my chest and said,

"Trust me."

"Hmm. Of course. I trust you."

After that, the youth leader left, having prepared a story in advance in case I was asked how I secured this deal from Jiang Biao or Bai Linghua.

After the youth leader left, I slowly read the documents he had given me, pondering the challenges ahead. Even aside from the fact that the item to be transported was poison, there were several obstacles to overcome.

The biggest problem was that the Sichuan Tang Clan, as the name suggests, was located in Sichuan, while the Mu family's estate was in Hubei. This was not something that could be handled by the Mayang County branch.

"I guess I need to report this first."

I had heard that the Sichuan branch was a mess, so I wasn't sure how it would turn out.

***

I first went to see Jiang Biao. When I found him in his office, he was leisurely polishing a knife with a piece of cloth in his mouth.

Jiang Biao looked delighted to see me.

"Ah! You're back?"

"Yes, Chief Jiang."

"Good. You've worked hard. What about the Zengjia brothers?"

"I'll report their return, and I've told them to take today off and come back tomorrow."

"Good. Well done."

Jiang Biao seemed grateful that I had taken on the additional task that everyone disliked and offered me a cup of Dongting Biluochun tea he had received from another chief.

"Here, have some!"

The aroma of the tea lingered on my tongue. It was quite good. Jiang Biao smiled and asked me how it tasted.

"Isn't the tea really good?"

"It's very fragrant. It truly deserves to be called a fine tea."

To be honest, it didn't taste that great to me, and I just thought of coffee.

It would be perfect with a cigarette.

However, there was no reason to say something stupid like, "It's just okay." When I praised the tea, Jiang Biao patted my shoulder, looking as if he had just heard someone praise his child.

"You seem to know a bit about tea. This fine tea is very special. The brewing method is also unique. The temperature is very important..."

I listened to Jiang Biao's endless lecture on tea for about 10 minutes before I could finally get to the main point.

"Actually, I have a significant matter to report."

"Significant? Is it something bad?"

Jiang Biao looked at me with a wary expression, probably because of the various issues we've had recently. It was a world lacking in trust.

"Not really, but I think you'll be pleased. I've secured a new business deal."

"Business? What do you mean?"

Jiang Biao looked puzzled when I mentioned "business." I explained that I had secured a deal to transport pesticides for the Mu family through a contact, along with the approximate transaction amount.

Jiang Biao was shocked and opened his mouth wide.

"Ten thousand taels of silver per year? Is that true?"

"Yes. What do you think?"

"Well, it's certainly true, but... where did you hear about such a client?"

Jiang Biao, unable to believe it, put down his teacup and came closer to ask. I couldn't reveal the name of the alumni association, so I told him the story I had prepared with the youth leader.

"Actually..."

It turned out that a distant relative of my in-laws, who I thought was in my hometown, was in the Central Plains and knew the Mu family's chief manager. After some lobbying, the deal was secured. Jiang Biao said with a trembling voice,

"Ten thousand taels, ten thousand taels... I can't believe it, even though you're saying it. Do you have it in writing?"

"Yes, here, take a look."

When I handed him the document, he read it frantically and confirmed that it was true.

"Amazing! I don't know how to express it. You did a great job."

"Thank you."

Jiang Biao patted my shoulder and praised me.

"Let's go see Chief Bai Jiaozhu. We need to report this and ask how to proceed."

The size of the deal was one thing, but since it involved transporting goods from the Sichuan Tang Clan to the Mu family's estate, it was beyond the capacity of our branch. We were the Mayang County branch, after all.

We needed a decision from higher up.

***

When we found Bai Linghua, she was buried in a pile of documents, which seemed to be related to the Bai Yingjiao project she had planned. When we entered, she looked at us with tired eyes.

"What is it?"

Bai Linghua's eyes were blurry from fatigue, like the eyes of a fish in a market. This might not be the best time. Sensing the atmosphere, Jiang Biao spoke very carefully.

"I have an important report to make."

Jiang Biao explained the situation and handed over the document. Initially, Bai Linghua was puzzled, but when she heard the amount, she quickly read the document and her tired fish eyes suddenly lit up like a carp's.

"Amazing! Chief Cheng, you did a great job. To bring in such a deal..."

"Thank you."

Even the section chief, Shi Ma, didn't achieve this much when he was a new recruit. I felt a great sense of pride. Bai Linghua, who was praising me, suddenly seemed to be in a dilemma.

"Sichuan, Sichuan... This won't be easy."

"Why not?"

"The Sichuan branch is in a mess. The system is not in place, and the level of the guards is low. It won't be easy to handle a deal of this scale."

I had heard the same. The Sichuan branch was a disaster. I didn't know why, but it was notorious for its poor condition.

"In that case..."

I was about to suggest selling the business rights to another guard agency when Bai Linghua said,

"I'll have to go to the Sichuan branch myself and try to fix it. I'll also recruit some support staff here."

"Go yourself?"

"Yes. If I leave it to the local branch chief, it will be too late once things go wrong."

Bai Linghua looked determined. I felt a bit of regret.

So, Bai Linghua was going to the Sichuan branch. I wouldn't see her for a while, which was a bit disappointing.

I said with a slightly apologetic look,

"I hope I haven't given you an unnecessary task."

"No, Chief Cheng. You did a great job. I'm very glad I chose you."

"I'm flattered."

She praised me and then turned to Jiang Biao.

"I'll send someone to the Mu family's estate to confirm the details. Once confirmed, we'll set out for Sichuan. Jiang Biao, please take care of the Mayang branch while I'm gone."

"Leave it to me."

"I'll finalize the list of personnel to be dispatched by today and inform them as well."

"Understood!"

Jiang Biao saluted and answered confidently. Bai Linghua looked at me and said,

"Chief Cheng, make sure you're prepared."

"Yes?"

What did she mean by "prepared"?

I felt a sense of a long-term business trip coming and asked,

"What do you mean by 'prepared'?"

"You'll be going to Sichuan with me."

"Me to Sichuan?"

"Of course. Since you brought in this deal, it's only natural that you'll go with us."

I had just returned from a difficult business trip today, and now I had another one. I resolved to bring the Wujian Mountain Hiking Club along to share the joy.

Joy is multiplied when shared, after all.

***

A few days later, the authenticity of the transportation deal with the Mu family's estate was confirmed.

Bai Linghua immediately announced the list of personnel to be dispatched to the Sichuan branch. It was a lightning-fast decision.

Among the guards, Senior Zuo Junping, Guo Dushan, and I were selected. It seemed that experience was expected from Senior Zuo Junping and strength from Guo Dushan.

The Zengjia brothers were mostly veterans, but thanks to my earnest request to Jiang Biao the day before, the Wujian Mountain Hiking Club members were also included.

"Well, this mission is off the table."

I had planned to focus on my training after returning from my first business trip, but it was a bit disappointing. I immediately went to see Wei Ji.

It took some courage to tell her that I would miss another tutoring session. After a deep breath, I knocked on the slightly open door and entered. Wei Ji was packing her bags for some reason.

"Miss Wei? It's me."

"Oh, come in."

I had intended to simply tell her that I would be on a business trip for a while, but I was curious about what she was packing.

"What are you packing?"

"I'm packing for a trip to Sichuan."

"Really? You're going to Sichuan?"

Wei Ji looked a bit embarrassed and explained,

"Actually, Guiying said she was bored staying here. Since Bai Linghua is going to the Sichuan Tang Clan, I decided to go with her to meet Qingfeng."

"So that's why you're packing."

Qingfeng Tang Xueya, a fellow Nine Peaks Seven Summits member, was in the Sichuan Tang Clan. I had heard that the Seven Summits had a good relationship, so that was probably the reason.

Wei Ji looked at me and asked,

"Are you going to Sichuan too, Chief Cheng?"

"Yes, I'm going with this business trip."

"Hmm... That's good. It's a good thing."

Wei Ji's face seemed to show a hint of pleasure. I told her to ask me for anything she needed and then returned to my room.

Back in my room, as I packed my bags, a vague and half-remembered thought came to me.

I was sure I had received something related to Sichuan in the past...

"Ah!"

I remembered. I quickly unpacked my luggage and searched. After a while, I found a small pouch.

Inside was the Tang Clan Silver Token I had received from Senior Zuo Junping.

"I haven't used this yet."

I put the copper token in my pocket.

I didn't know when I would have another chance to go to Sichuan, so I decided to use this opportunity to use the token.

"I should ask Senior Zuo how to use it when I have some free time."

This trip to Sichuan seemed like it would be quite rewarding.