Chapter 958: New Subordinate

Many farmers saw He Lingchuan, smiling and standing up to greet him. Although he was the island master, He Lingchuan had no pretensions in front of them and often inquired about their well-being.

Nearby, the guards, who were former pirates, saluted He Lingchuan respectfully.

After He Lingchuan had walked away, a few newly joined men quietly asked, "Is that the island master?"

"Yes, he's very young, not even twenty yet!"

"When my son was twenty, he couldn't even do a single thing; look at him, managing such a large enterprise with so many people!"

"His attitude towards us is also good, unlike those rich masters who don't treat us as human beings!"

The newcomer said, "He's just putting on a show. These rich people are all heartless."

A woman working nearby was displeased. She threw a freshly washed palm fruit at him and said, "Hey, are you new here? You don't know anything but you just babble nonsense? Watch out, or someone might tear your mouth off!"

Others also said, "Island Master He listens carefully to us. Before he came, if we had any opinions—do you see that red house nearby?"

The newcomer followed his finger and indeed saw a house by the bamboo grove. Its outer walls were painted red, making it very conspicuous.

"—Inside, there's someone responsible for the workshop's arrangements and scheduling. If we have any opinions or inconveniences, we just tell him, and he'll write them down and submit them upwards."

The newcomer was surprised, "Is it really effective?"

"Yes, it is," said the woman washing the fruit. "I told the red house that the venomous insects on the island bite fiercely; a single sting causes swelling, and you can't sleep at night. The insect repellent prescribed by ordinary doctors wasn't effective. Within a couple of days, the higher-ups indeed issued new insect repellent to us.

I heard it was specially formulated by the medicine monkey next to Island Master He. It works wonders the moment you apply it and doesn't wash off with sweat—aren't you wearing it right now? If you hadn't put it on, you'd be foaming at the mouth by now!"

Others also nodded in agreement, "Yes, it's effective! My suggestions were also adopted."

"Some people even steal this medicine to sell it at the port, they're so shameless!" Blade Port is surrounded by dense forests, where mosquitoes and other insects are numerous and fierce, so insect repellent has a market.

The workshop was bustling throughout the day. He Lingchuan had no time to pay attention to the discussions behind his back; ever since he bought the Yangshan Archipelago, he had been the center of conversation, whether at Blade Port or on the islands. He had cultivated a mind as still as water, unperturbed by honor or disgrace.

But he did hear the last remark and began to ponder the insect repellent business.

Besides refining hundreds of Calming Pills, Ling Guang had been idle recently and had visibly gained weight. Perhaps...?

Rather than others stealing his medicine to sell, it would be better for him to openly sell the genuine product himself. Anyway, the specialty store on the Yangshan Archipelago was about to open soon.

After a round of inspection, and having just handed the identified issues to Rainie for rectification, He Lingchuan saw two people hurrying towards him.

One of them was Ding Zuodong.

In less than two months, he had lost a lot of weight and had become two shades darker.

But the busier Ding Zuodong became, the more energetic he felt. Now he walked with his chest out, head held high, full of vigor, like a completely different person compared to his time in Yuandu.

No matter which island he was on, people would respectfully address him as "Chief Steward."

"Old Ding!" He Lingchuan strode forward to meet him, smiling genially. "What brings you here?"

"My Lord," Ding Zuodong said. While He Lingchuan could be informal, Ding Zuodong could not. He still bowed before introducing the person beside him. "This is the newly appointed manager, Guan Ke. He used to work as both an assistant and a business matchmaker for many merchants in Blade Port. He knows all the ins and outs and is a local expert."

When visitors from out of town arrived at Blade Port, unfamiliar with the area, an "assistant" (bangban), as the name suggested, helped them with many things, from clothing, food, and accommodation to purchases, understanding everything thoroughly.

Ding Zuodong had played a similar role when he was in Dunyu City in the Kingdom of Yuan.

A "matchmaker" (dazi) was the local term in Blade Port, referring to a professional who helped merchants connect.

Blade Port was a busy free port, attracting visitors and goods from all directions. Where goods and merchants arrived, countless foreign merchants naturally came seeking business opportunities, and the role of a "matchmaker" was to help them "pair up."

This Guan Ke had a square face, large ears, and a ruddy complexion. His voice was booming when he spoke, and he looked like a merchant.

He bowed deeply to He Lingchuan, his hand almost touching the muddy ground. "Seeing is believing," he said. "My Lord's heroic demeanor is truly refreshing; Guan Ke is completely awed."

He sought employment under Ding Zuodong, seventy percent for future prospects and thirty percent out of curiosity.

A place like Blade Port was always a mix of good and bad people. But He Lingchuan, upon arriving at this treasure land, could stir up such a storm, making his name known far and wide. That was not something an ordinary person could achieve.

Guan Ke wanted to take a closer look and see what kind of person this truly was.

"Alright, enough with the flattery," He Lingchuan said, waving his hand. "You were doing well in Blade Port, making money with no one to oversee you. Why did you choose to come work for me?"

Both assistants and matchmakers were freelancers, working for themselves without having to curry favor with a boss.

If this Guan fellow was truly capable, why would he now seek out a boss?

Guan Ke touched his nose, a bit embarrassed. "Well... I've already told Chief Steward Ding," he said. "Actually, I've run into a bit of trouble."

He Lingchuan was not surprised. "Oh? Tell me about it."

"Half a year ago, I brokered a deal," Guan Ke said with a wry smile. "Both parties were quite satisfied afterward, and I received a good commission. Unexpectedly, one party recently went bankrupt and disappeared with a large sum of money belonging to their business partner. The cheated party couldn't find them and remembered that I had brokered the deal, so they came to vent their anger on me, threatening to break my legs. That's truly misplaced anger! I'm a business introducer, not a guarantor. Besides, the deal I introduced was indeed successful; whatever they did in their subsequent collaborations is none of my business. Who can guarantee that business partners will remain loyal forever?"

Ding Zuodong laughed, "So he came to us for refuge. Our master's name is quite prominent in Blade Port; he has people and properties under him, and ordinary people wouldn't dare provoke him."

This Guan fellow was here to latch onto a powerful patron.

"I know Matchmaker Guan too," Rainie, standing behind He Lingchuan, said with a smile. "He helped my father connect twice, and the goods sold very smoothly. However, Matchmaker Guan, if you don't perform well here, it won't be as simple as just getting your legs broken!"

Guan Ke nodded, "Understood, understood. If I don't do my job well, my Lord won't even need to lift a finger!"

He Lingchuan glanced at him and smiled, "Was it you who suggested to Old Ding not to buy those dozens of ships from the Ya Mountain Merchant Guild?"

Guan Ke nodded, "It was I."

Ding Zuodong interjected at the appropriate moment, "Just in the past few days, all the ships from the Ya Mountain Merchant Guild have been sold out, bought by three different parties."

Needless to say, the price was quite favorable; otherwise, how could the deal have closed so quickly?

Guan Ke remained stubborn, "I heard about it too, but cheap deals often hide tricks."