Chapter 369: Chapter 242: A Most Vicious Scheme

Besides the Ji State Trading Company, the items Lin Huai’an was trading with King Landu also left Chen Yi stunned.

Ten thousand shi of Refined Iron—over seven hundred tons.

It might not seem like much, estimated to be only a tenth of the Great Wei Dynasty’s annual output of Refined Iron.

But a single blade or sword only weighed three to five pounds.

Over seven hundred tons of Refined Iron was enough to forge two hundred thousand swords and blades.

Although from what Chen Yi knew of the Poshisu Country, their forging techniques were far inferior to those of the Great Wei Dynasty.

But if this iron was used for other purposes, such as Armor or daily necessities, it could still significantly increase the Poshisu Country’s strength.

And what’s more, there were also two thousand sets of Heavy Armor and horse barding, plus two thousand Refined Iron Hundred-Refined Blades?

One could just imagine: once these items were in King Landu’s hands, he could instantly equip a force of two thousand heavy cavalrymen.

And that wasn’t even counting the two previous transactions for unknown items...

As Chen Yi considered this, he turned to Wang Ji and asked, "How much do you know about the Ji State Trading Company?"

He only knew that Ji State was to the northeast of Shu State, separated by You State and Jing State, but this was the first time he had ever heard of the Ji State Trading Company.

Wang Ji hesitated. "Forgive me, Sir. I have only heard of them in passing and don’t know the specifics of the Ji State Trading Company."

Chen Yi grunted in acknowledgment, not blaming him.

After a moment of thought, he instructed, "Find a way to make some inquiries. See if that Boss Jia knows anything."

He paused, then added a reminder, "If anyone asks, just say the Hundred Herbs Hall is looking to expand its partnerships beyond Shu State."

Wang Ji quickly nodded in agreement.

He didn’t know what his master planned to do, but the contents of that letter made his blood run cold.

After a moment’s hesitation,

Wang Ji said, "Sir, there is something I must say, though I don’t know if it’s my place."

Chen Yi, his eyes still on the letter in his hand, replied without looking up, "Speak."

"Sir, for the Ji State Trading Company to dare trade with the Poshisu Country—and in contraband like Refined Iron and weaponry, which are strictly controlled by the Imperial Court—one can only imagine how powerful their connections and backing must be."

"If they find out that we know about this, won’t we... won’t we..."

Wang Ji gritted his teeth. "Won’t we bring disaster upon ourselves?"

Chen Yi glanced at him. "Scared?"

"No, it’s not that..."

"It’s fine if you are. It’s only natural."

As he spoke, Chen Yi put the two letters away and brought his hand down on the thick stack of paper on the adjacent table.

The paper instantly disintegrated into fluttering scraps.

"But often, the very thing you fear most is what comes to pass."

"In a situation like this, what do you think we should do?"

Wang Ji, who had been bowing, froze. He raised his head slightly to look at Chen Yi, his expression conflicted.

The next moment, he gritted his teeth fiercely. "Then it doesn’t matter who they are—they have to die!"

Just as Chen Yi had said, fear was a natural instinct.

Especially now that the Hundred Herbs Hall’s business was thriving and he had established a livelihood for himself, he was terrified of losing everything he had worked so hard to gain.

But he also knew that everything he had now was thanks to Chen Yi.

They would prosper together, and they would fall together.

Therefore, whatever Chen Yi decided to do, whatever he ordered, Wang Ji just needed to obey and carry it out to the best of his ability.

"Rest assured, Sir. I will get to the bottom of this Ji State Trading Company."

Chen Yi chuckled at his words and shook his head. "For traitors of this magnitude, the most you’ll be able to find is superficial information."

"If we want to uncover their true background, our only lead is likely Lin’s Grain Store."

"Lin’s Grain Store... Lin Huai’an?"

"The very same."

"But you don’t need to worry about that. For now, just focus on expanding the Hundred Herbs Hall."

"Once word comes back from Yan Sea, you can begin."

Wang Ji felt a sense of relief and bowed. "I will remember your instructions, Sir."

「A moment later.」

Chen Yi finished applying his disguise, then put on a Raincoat and a bamboo hat.

He glanced at the sky outside the window, then turned to Zhang Dabao with a thoughtful expression and asked:

"Back when you were apprenticed to ’One Finger,’ you must have gotten to know some of the Jianghu People in Shu State, right?"

Zhang Dabao nodded, his eyes burning with intensity. "What are your orders, Sir?"

Chen Yi smiled and gave his instructions. "I also need you to keep an eye on people from the Poshisu Country within Shu State."

"Find out where they’re living and what they’re doing here in Shu State."

He was very pleased with Zhang Dabao’s fearless, youthful energy.

He had far more drive than Wang Ji, the Medicine Hall Master.

After Zhang Dabao accepted the task, Chen Yi added a word of caution, "There are experts among those from the Poshisu Country. Be extremely careful."

"Don’t worry, Sir. I may not have many other skills, but a small task like this won’t be a problem."

Chen Yi patted his shoulder, gave a few more instructions to Wang Ji, and then left the residence.

Wang Ji and Zhang Dabao respectfully saw him off.

"Dabao, from now on, you must serve the Sir with all your heart."

"Yes, Shopkeeper."

"Don’t call me Shopkeeper. We can just call each other brother."

"Shopk—...Brother Wang."

Wang Ji smiled, chatted with him for a bit, and then left as well.

After this, he finally understood his place at Chen Yi’s side.

As Chen Yi’s plans grew more ambitious, the situations they faced would only become more severe and dangerous.

Many of them would be beyond his ability to handle as the Shopkeeper of the Hundred Herbs Hall.

So, he just needed to focus on the task at hand, expand the Hundred Herbs Hall throughout Shu State, and perhaps even across the Nine State and Three Prefectures of the Great Wei. Then he could retire with his work accomplished.

Chen Yi, of course, paid no mind to the thoughts of Wang Ji and Zhang Dabao.

To him, the Hundred Herbs Hall was still just a minor piece in his grand design, one he could afford to lose.

It would only become truly useful to him if it managed to expand across the Nine State and Three Prefectures of the Great Wei.

For now, at best, the Hundred Herbs Hall could provide him with some funds to alleviate the Xiao Family’s difficulties.

After leaving Chuansi Street, Chen Yi used the cover of night to bypass the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion and make his way to South Street.

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