Chapter 1562: Initial Signs Appearing

From then on, the Haolin Association operated much more smoothly.

However, in situations like the Liu family's, if Liu Chuansheng were truly confirmed dead, the conditions for payment would be met. The Haolin Association would first disburse a lump sum to his family, followed by quarterly payments every three months until the full compensation was paid. Should Liu Chuansheng return home during this period, all the money would have to be refunded in full—in Julu Port, very few people dared to default on Ah Hao's debts.

The Haolin Association had performed this process over a dozen times, and its subordinates were quite proficient. After giving his instructions, Ah Hao hurried towards the dock, wiping sweat from his forehead as he walked.

Could this unreported piece of information simply be dismissed? Could it be kept quiet? For a fleeting moment, that thought crossed Ah Hao's mind.

But reason told him no.

This "Envoy" appeared to hold a high official position, and with Liu's wife making a scene, his failure to report would transform into deliberate concealment, a much more severe offense. If discovered...

Ah Hao shivered.

The branch office of the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce by the docks had been built five months prior.

Julu Port was the busiest port in eastern Shanjin, handling seventy percent of Yangshan's daily cargo. With goods, supplies, and personnel constantly moving through, the Chamber of Commerce established its largest branch office in Shanjin Plain here.

Ah Hao was about to enter the branch office, but just as he neared the entrance, an idea struck him, and he turned his steps instead towards the small tavern by the dock.

He remained inside for nearly half an hour.

Then he came out and walked straight into the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce branch office.

“I'm looking for Mr. Du.”

Moments later, Ah Hao stood before Mr. Du, the local head of the branch office, his usual nonchalance replaced by humility.

Mr. Du disliked being addressed as 'Boss,' stating that the only boss of Yangshan was named He, and he preferred everyone to simply call him 'Mister.'

“What urgent matter brings you here so late?”

Ah Hao leaned slightly forward and lowered his voice: “More Beijia people have arrived. They hired a guide from the Haolin Association, and I rushed to report it to you.”

“Wait.” Mr. Du first set up a barrier. “Tell me, where in Beijia are they from? What's their purpose here?”

“They said they're from Lingxu City.”

“Not merchants?”

“They don't seem like traders.” Ah Hao, having years of experience, could distinguish merchants at a glance. “The guide said they intend to go to Shizhou Head and Liuping first.”

“Those two places?” Mr. Du pondered. “Merchants usually don't travel there. Did they not say what they were going for?”

“No,” Ah Hao replied. “Oh, and their leader is called 'Envoy Bai.'”

“Envoy Bai?” Mr. Du, who was about to drink water, paused with his cup raised upon hearing the title. “Have you met this person?”

“No, but the tavern and inn keepers at the dock have seen him.”

“Go quickly and confirm if he's very tall and very ugly.”

“The tavern has already confirmed it,” Ah Hao immediately replied affirmatively. “That 'Envoy Bai' has his face so distorted, his features all bunched together, making it hard to distinguish his eyebrows and eyes. It's because of his ugliness that the people at the tavern remember him.”

“That's right then.” Mr. Du patted his shoulder. “Excellent, you've rendered a great service! I will report this to Island Master He on your behalf. Go back for now, and don't make a fuss.”

Ah Hao was overjoyed: “Indeed, as if nothing had ever happened!”

Although Julu Port was nominally part of Peng Nation, the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce controlled its economic lifeblood, establishing itself as the true local power. Ah Hao, upon returning to Julu Port, had leveraged his connections with the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce to achieve his current success.

In return, his Haolin Association became the eyes and ears of the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce.

For organizations like this, the Haolin Association was usually the first to sense any new developments or stirrings, making it an excellent source of information.

Ah Hao was about to leave when Mr. Du suddenly called out to him again: “Wait, when did these Beijia people arrive?”

To his dismay, he hadn't managed to gloss over it. Ah Hao turned, mumbling hesitantly.

Mr. Du saw at once that something was amiss. “Is there something you're hesitant to say?”

“Well...” Ah Hao stammered, “Actually, it was... it was fifteen days ago. But the Haolin Association has been busy with a large palm oil order...”

Mr. Du interrupted him: “Are you saying these Beijia people hired a guide from the Haolin Association and set off fifteen days ago, but you're only reporting it now?”

“Mr. Du, I really didn't intend to...” Sweat beaded on Ah Hao's forehead.

At the Haolin Association, he often broke people's arms and legs, a painful experience, but this Mr. Du could just as easily break his.

Mr. Du interrupted him again: “Do you have any more information about Envoy Bai?”

Ah Hao knew this was another chance Mr. Du was giving him. He immediately launched into a detailed account:

“The other party mentioned the dockside tavern, so I went there to inquire. The tavern keepers remembered this group; they had been in Julu Port for half a month already, staying either at the inn or by the dock. They also frequently visited the Fuyu Ghost Market to check the notice boards, constantly asking for news about the rebel army. Oh, one day, when Ding Gou was bragging at the small dockside tavern, this ugly-looking person even gave him silver and asked about the Black Armored Army.”

“You said this Envoy Bai asked about the Black Armored Army?” Mr. Du noted the key detail.

The Black Armored Army was currently gaining prominence and was a frequent topic of conversation among outsiders, but their interest by Envoy Bai made it far from ordinary.

“Yes, yes. The questions he asked were also strange. He asked Ding Gou if he had followed the Black Armored Army to see for himself, and if he had seen the Black Dragon mark.” Ah Hao quickly added, “Also, they only hired the guide for ten days, but the guide hasn't returned yet.”

Overdue by half.

“This group is exceptionally skilled in combat, so traveling across Shanjin Plain shouldn't be an issue for them.” Mr. Du mused, “Your guide... might have seen too much and won't be returning.”

“Go back. Next time you have important information, don't delay.” Punishing Ah Hao was not the top priority right now; sending a message to He Xiao was.

“Never!” Ah Hao thumped his chest emphatically. “It definitely won't happen again next time!”

He left the Yangshan branch office as if flying. Once outside, he let out a long breath, relaxed, and only then realized his back was completely soaked.

Mr. Du murmured to himself:

“What is the Heavenly Palace's Envoy Duyun doing in Shanjin Plain?”

This matter had already been delayed for over ten days; he had to make every second count.

Mr. Du laid out paper, dipped his brush in ink, and wrote swiftly.

At the invitation of the Deshui Trading Company, He Lingchuan was dining at one of Tianshui City's top restaurants.

Deyou Trading Company was an established trading company in Yao Nation, capable even of influencing the prices of many commodities. Previously, when Yangshan tried to deal with it, it adopted the arrogance of the Yao people, always remaining aloof.

However, with He Xiao and Yangshan now having a considerable reputation in Tianshui City, Deyou Trading Company suddenly became very solicitous. He Lingchuan even managed to acquire some high-quality profound crystals through Deyou Trading Company.

Profound crystals had always been a hard currency, usable as money among cultivators and the upper nobility. However, besides the imminent outbreak of Emperor's Dew, many powerful nobles were also taking out profound crystals to gather funds to purchase more prime residential plots in the new city.

There was no other way; they had already spent a large sum recently to pledge loyalty to the King of Yao, so now they had to tap into their savings.

The established trading company's connections among the upper nobility were something Yangshan could not match, which is why He Lingchuan's cooperation with Deyou Trading Company became closer.

Among the dishes served, the braised button mushrooms and the Eight Delicacy Vegetarian dish were excellent accompaniments for rice. Although seemingly vegetarian, they were fresh, soft, smooth, and tender—even more delicious than meat, making guests feel remiss if they didn't finish a bowl of rice with them.

When the rice was served, He Lingchuan had only taken a bite before he stopped eating, putting down his chopsticks: “Hmm, this rice?”

The restaurant usually served long-grain Huatian rice to esteemed guests like them, a fine rice produced in the north, which released a pleasant milky aroma when cooked.

However, the aroma of this bowl of rice was very faint, paled in comparison to Huatian rice.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Feng, the head of Deyou Trading Company, immediately called the manager over without a word: “What's going on? Explain yourself!”

Island Master He was an esteemed guest he had gone to great lengths to invite; was the restaurant going to make him lose face like this?

The manager's old face crumpled. “You gentlemen may not know, but Huatian rice has been out of stock for five days now. It can't be bought anywhere in Tianshui City, so we had no choice but to use a different kind of rice.”

Mr. Feng frowned: “Isn't your Huatian rice specially supplied by the farm north of the city?”

For large restaurants like this, ingredients were always specially supplied, high-grade goods. Even the feed for a cow, before it became slow-roasted ribs and pan-fried tongue, was carefully chosen, considering the precise herb proportions in its fodder and the type of spring water it drank—all meticulously regulated.

Not serving Huatian rice to guests, and substituting it with inferior quality, was a downgrade in service! Were they abandoning the restaurant's reputation?

The manager apologized profusely: “The farm also has no stock; it was bought out days ago and hasn't been able to keep up with demand.”

“Autumn harvest hasn't even finished, and you're saying there's no rice?” Mr. Feng found it absurd.

“Yes, that's truly the case!” The manager nodded vigorously. “I won't hide it from you; even if you send someone to inquire at other restaurants, it's the same situation everywhere. Furthermore, the prices of rice, flour, and oil have all recently increased—twice within the last five days.”

Mr. Feng did not deal in grain or oil and hadn't noticed this, but he couldn't allow his esteemed guest to be treated poorly: “No, you must...”

Having been in business his entire life, he knew that while restaurant managers might claim to have nothing, they likely kept a secret stash of Huatian rice specifically for their most distinguished guests.

He Lingchuan, however, picked up his bowl and smiled: “No matter, this bowl of rice is quite fragrant too. Head Manager Feng, let's just eat this.”

Since the guest had no objections, Mr. Feng had no choice but to drop the matter, though he still looked displeased.

He Lingchuan, however, ate with great relish. He knew that in a few more days, even this kind of rice might not be available.

On the way back, they passed a grain store where several people were loudly arguing by the entrance.

He Lingchuan looked down and saw what appeared to be two shabbily dressed vagrants arguing vehemently with a grain store clerk, the crux of their dispute being, “Why has the price gone up again? It wasn't this price this morning!”

The clerk had a bewildered expression mixed with a hint of arrogance: “This price was set by the store, not by me.”

“Ten coins clearly should buy two catties of rice, so why are you only willing to sell half a catty? Are you looking down on us, deliberately making things difficult?”