Chapter 94: The Deal Is Done, Profits Roll In!

Three minutes later, footsteps echoed and a wiry middle-aged man entered, accompanied by the skinny fellow from earlier.

“She’s the one,” the thin man said quietly, pointing at Ming Dai.

Master Qin examined Ming Dai, thinking she looked like any ordinary old woman. “Take Liu Po outside first,” he instructed.

The skinny man responded promptly, helping Liu Po up and leading her away. Soon, only two people remained in the shack.

Master Qin sat across from Ming Dai, his gaze drifting to the street outside where pedestrians passed by from time to time. His wariness deepened.

“Sister, could you tell me what kind of guest has come?” he asked.

Ming Dai said nothing, instead pulling a note from her basket and handing it over with trembling hands.

Master Qin looked at her age-spotted fingers and felt somewhat reassured. He took the note and opened it, his eyes lighting up at its contents.

“Did the guest mention when they’ll arrive?” he inquired.

In a hoarse voice, Ming Dai replied, “They’re already here, resting at the train station.”

Master Qin’s expression flickered; he valued this business opportunity even more now. If the guest could use the train to deliver grain, they must have connections. He had long wanted to use the railway to move goods south but had never managed to break into that route.

Perhaps this was his chance.

He promptly agreed to the terms written on the note. “Sister, the price is no problem. But could you introduce me to the guest?”

Ming Dai shook her head. “The guest said the situation is tense and won’t meet anyone. The transaction will be direct; future matters can be discussed later.”

Master Qin felt a pang of disappointment, but acquiring this batch of grain would ensure a prosperous year.

“All right, I’ll do as the guest says!”

At his words, Ming Dai handed him another note.

Master Qin took it, puzzled, and nearly exclaimed aloud when he opened it.

Suppressing his excitement, he asked, “Will all these goods arrive together?”

Ming Dai nodded. “Yes. The guest instructed that you’d get the second note only if you agreed to the first. If you tried to bargain, you wouldn’t receive the second.”

Master Qin broke into a cold sweat. Luckily, he had curbed his greed; otherwise, he would have missed an opportunity to rise.

If there really were as many ready-made clothes and shoes as written, he could dominate the entire county market—and even push into the city.

He’d eyed the city market for a long time but had always lacked a stepping stone.

Now, it had arrived right at his door!

“Sister, could you give me some time to gather the money?”

Ming Dai considered for a moment. “Five o’clock this afternoon, at the warehouse entrance of the county train station. I’ll wait for you there. If you’re late, the deal is off.”

Master Qin nodded. “All right, I’ll be there on time!”

Ming Dai said nothing more, rising shakily and leaving.

Master Qin no longer underestimated the old woman. At this moment, she seemed unfathomable, and he dared not offend her.

He hurried back to the black market, called a meeting, and soon sent people out to every corner of the county.

Meanwhile, Ming Dai slipped into a small alley and, seeing no one, entered her space.

Zhou Sinian saw her arrive and walked over from the vegetable patch, holding a hose. Industrious Xiao Zhou had not only fed the sheep and cleaned their pen but also watered the vegetables.

He stood a couple of steps away, studying her carefully.

He only approached when Ming Dai spoke with her own voice.

Ming Dai took off her cotton jacket, still wearing her elderly guise. “Let’s rest a bit. I have to go out again soon. Wait a while longer, and tonight I’ll cook you mutton soup!”

Mutton soup!

Zhou Sinian’s spirits rose immediately, his eyes brightening. “And I want roast lamb ribs!”

Ming Dai was speechless—he could even make requests now!

“Fine!”

Zhou Sinian was instantly delighted, put away the hose, and fetched lamb ribs and meat from the warehouse. Ming Dai followed him to the kitchen to prepare.

Once the mutton soup was simmering and the ribs were in the oven, Ming Dai checked to make sure no one was leaving the space, then set out shakily toward the train station.

She didn’t go to the warehouse first, but instead circled along a small path to the back of the county train station, crossed several tracks, and reached a pine forest.

The trees were dense and there were no villages nearby; aside from trains roaring into the station, few people ever came here.

She found a patch of wild grass, placed the agreed-upon goods there, carefully checked to ensure nothing was visible from outside, then left, returning to the warehouse entrance.

Upon arrival, she found a sheltered spot and squatted. Before long, Master Qin appeared.

Ming Dai stepped out from the corner, and Master Qin approached.

“Sister, I’ve brought the payment.”

Ming Dai nodded and led the way outside the station.

Master Qin was confused. “Sister, wasn’t the goods supposed to be in the warehouse?”

Ming Dai shook her head and simply said, “Follow me.”

Master Qin frowned but figured nothing could go wrong on his own turf, so he followed, with the skinny man trailing behind. Those waiting to move the goods melted back into the crowd.

When they reached the woods, Master Qin realized what was happening.

He looked around, regretting that, as a local, he hadn’t discovered such a perfect spot for transactions.

Ming Dai: No need to regret. In your previous life, you found it too—just a bit later.

Inside the woods, they soon arrived at the goods.

Ming Dai said, “Check everything.”

Master Qin made no fuss, and with the skinny man, carefully counted the grain, clothes, and shoes.

Once finished, both faces were alight with excitement.

This was it! They were going to make it big!

Master Qin took off his army coat, then his thick cotton jacket, turning it inside out and laying it on the ground. He tore open the lining and reached in, pulling out stacks of cash.

Who would have thought that this unremarkable cotton jacket was stuffed not just with cotton, but with bundles of banknotes?

“Sister, please count it—six thousand eight hundred ninety. I’ve rounded it up to six thousand nine hundred; the extra is for tea.”

Ming Dai knew he was hoping for future cooperation and said little. After a quick count, she placed the money in her basket, waved her hand, and left.

Master Qin watched her hunched figure crossing several train tracks. A distant whistle sounded as a train thundered by.

When the train pulled in, the old woman’s silhouette was gone.

A true talent!

Master Qin was once again grateful he’d harbored no ill intentions. The owner of these goods could very well have been watching from the other side of the woods. Any sign of trouble, and the deal would have been off.

He took a deep breath and slapped the dazed skinny man beside him. “Quick, go get everyone. Push the carts and bring them around the back of the woods—straight to Liu Po’s house!”

The skinny man immediately dashed off behind the woods, disappearing from sight.

Master Qin wandered around, marveling at how perfect this place was for business.

In the space, Ming Dai removed her makeup, changed back into her own clothes, and, seeing no one around, brought Zhou Sinian out. They quickly left the train station.

By now, dusk had fallen. The two carried their baskets of goods back to the guesthouse.

Master Liu was idly pacing by the door. On seeing them, he darted inside.

Then Liu Dazhu and the others came out to greet them.

Ming Dai felt a bit embarrassed. “Uncle, sorry—we lost track of time while wandering!”

Liu Dazhu first checked Zhou Sinian’s expression, confirming that his mood was good, and let out a sigh of relief.

“It’s all right, we weren’t waiting long. You haven’t eaten yet, have you? We’ve had some dry rations. You two eat something first—there’s hot water in the tea room, free of charge. Go fetch some.”

Ming Dai nodded and led Zhou Sinian back to their room.