Chapter Seventeen: Yunnan Xing Sheng Chest Middle Storage

  Although the Yang family has a mansion in Kunming, Old Master Yang Shi Qian rarely stays there. As for Yang Meng, this son possessed by the Poison King, he would not easily put himself in harm's way either.

  The most important thing is that Yang Meng's previous prestige in Kunming City was too great, and if there were any enemies or something, it would be a trouble. Since the things that should have been done on this trip have all been done, Yang Meng also had no need to stay in Kunming City.

  Kunming is the location of the Governor's Office, heavily guarded, nothing special happens it's better not to come often, don't let the imperial court grasp your weakness, since you don't plan to come frequently, some things still need to be purchased.

  Nor did he know what would be needed in the future, Yang Meng spent several thousand taels of silver and swept through nearly half of Kunming's shops, from women's rouge and powder to some auxiliary materials for making seashells. Yang Meng let Ding Baojun knock on every household shop door, when the sun was setting, a group of people slowly left Kunming City, with a team of dozens of horse-drawn carriages following behind them.

  Back to Wu Zhuang, settle down his own team, Yang Meng rushed to the residence of his father Yang Shiqin, things are almost ready, if there is no problem with Cen Yueying's side, these two days should also start preparing for the poison workshop.

  In order to keep this matter a secret, more manpower is needed, and that's why Yang Meng wants to ask his father for people and money.

  "Old Three, you're back! You've made quite a stir this time, the news has even reached Governor He's ears. These ordinary people have no idea that my family's star has been enlightened by our master. I heard from Baoqin that you bought many strange things, everything else is fine, but there's one thing, don't touch opium."

  It is clear that Ding Baojun told Yang Meng about his interest in opium, otherwise Yang Shiqin would not have specifically mentioned this matter.

  "Father, rest assured! Even if you kill me, I won't touch that harmful thing. I had a reason for touching the opium poppy too. Master said before that killing the tobacco demons is not as good as helping them quit, and recklessly creating karma will provoke heavenly anger."

  How did I become a clean street tiger in Kunming, Yang Meng also asked Lao Ding on the road, fortunately, he didn't kill anyone good before, otherwise, he would have to pay his debts.

  "I have some methods for this, but the effect is very mild and can't compete with the powerful opium. If you want to study it, that's fine, but whatever you do, don't get addicted to smoking."

  On the one hand, Yang Sizhen was constrained by the teachings of the Li sect, on the other hand, he had seen countless opium addicts, and this stuff is easy to get hooked on, but hard to quit.

  This son of mine is so easily influenced by his master and got addicted to smoking, it's all the fault of this old father of his.

  "Don't worry about it! My son has come this time to take people away. Give me thirty or fifty good men with knives, and some money, I want to do a business deal."

  Developing a new formula, must come into contact with opium, make up some excuses to fool Laozi. Now Yang Meng lacks everything, what he lacks most is people and money, the only one who can satisfy these for free is Laozi Yang Shiqin.

  "Oh... Bao Jun has already told me about this, let him handle it for you! As for the money, my Yang family doesn't have anything else, only money is abundant, as long as it's not for evil purposes, take it as you please."

  Unexpectedly, Old Ding took a step ahead of himself and told the story. It seems that in the future, we should avoid offending Yang's family, the big manager.

  "Thanks Dad, I'm going back to rest."

  Having gained an advantage, Yang Meng wanted to slip away, but Yang Shi-qin shut the door and grabbed his son who was about to escape.

  "Eat your meal first, Dad still has something to say to you."

  Yang Shi-qin was so solemnly affirmative that there must be something to say, Yang Meng thought for a moment in his heart, the problem is likely to arise from his conversation with Cen Yu-ying.

  The father and son slowly finished a big meal, Yang Meng's appetite was still astonishing, making Old Man Yang Shi Qian nod repeatedly, being able to eat and drink is a blessing!

  "Xīng Dòu, the person under your command, Cén Yúyīng, is not a good sort. He comes from a fallen family of Guangxi Tusi, although they were once a prominent clan. His belly has many schemes, and his father will support whatever he does. If you can't control such a subordinate, it's better to get rid of him early on."

  The old man is indeed a hero, killing people is just a casual conversation after dinner.

  "The son knows, it's really inconvenient to use, I'll kill him."

  Since his own third child had a book in mind, Yang Shiqin was no longer worried. Using people is a big deal and he couldn't help but remind his son. This page has been turned over and there's nothing more to say. The father and son chatted for a while before Yang Meng returned to his own courtyard.

  As soon as I arrived at the hospital gate, Shen Yu-ying, the topic of conversation between my father and me after dinner, was already waiting outside with a somewhat thin old man.

  "Third Master, this is Mr. Jiang Shuxian, a renowned scholar from Yunnan Province, as mentioned by the student."

  "I'm not a renowned scholar from Yunnan, I'm just an old man who barely makes a living by leaning on my tens of hectares of thin fields. I don't know what Third Master has invited me for? My belly only knows the geography and scenic spots of Yunnan, nothing else."

  Before Yang Meng could speak, Jiang Shu spoke first, and with one sentence, he pointed out his own strengths. Whether or not to use him would depend on Yang San's decision.

  "Alright, let's be straightforward! What I want is what's in your belly. But let's get the ugly talk out of the way first - once you give me those things, no one else can use them. If you can do it, you can stay; if not, we'll part ways amicably."

  Since this old man was straightforward, Yang Meng also didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his own conditions.

  "This is alright, I have many children and grandchildren to support, but making a living is difficult. I came here in the middle of the night also for the sake of leaving some family property for my children and grandchildren. As long as Third Master's price is reasonable, what do you think, how should I do?"

  Jiang Shuqian came overnight, also for a reason. He himself had only read half of the book in his early years and had worked hard all his life to earn dozens of acres of thin fields, which was enough to support himself. However, Jiang Shuqian's children and grandchildren were numerous, and they all relied on these dozens of acres of thin fields, making their lives extremely difficult.

  It's okay if I can still read books, but my sons are pitiful, being tied to the tens of hectares of thin fields all their lives, they can't even eat enough, how can they have the leisure to think about reading books? If they don't read books, there is no way out. Jiang Shu doesn't want to see his own children and grandchildren being tied to the tens of hectares of thin fields like this.

  Cen Yu Ying went to his house, told the old man that Yang Meng wanted to hire him, and the old man's heart was also burning with anxiety. He followed Cen Yu Ying to the Yang family's Wu Zhuang that very night.

  "How much monthly salary do you want? Tell me and I'll listen."

  Jiang Shu didn't mention anything else, only saying that his children and grandchildren were all present, was to make it clear to Yang Meng that he had something to worry about and wouldn't ruin Yang Meng's good things.

  "Ten taels of silver is best, if not, five taels will do. I'm old and worn out anyway."

  A monthly salary of 10 taels is already not a small amount. A county magistrate's allowance for integrity does not count, and the annual salary is only 31 taels. Five taels per month, 60 taels per year, one stone of good rice weighs 120 catties, now worth more than two taels of silver, sorghum rice is even cheaper by nine tenths of a tael per stone. With their own monthly salary, the children will also have a day to make a name for themselves.

  "Alright! Tomorrow, follow me to choose a piece of land. If you make a good choice, I'll give you 100 silver coins as a settlement allowance first, and your monthly salary will be the 10 taels you mentioned. If you don't choose well, you know where to go."

  I also don't know the salary ratio of the Qing Dynasty, it seems that the 500 silver coins given to Cen Yu Ying were all embezzled by this little scoundrel. Tomorrow I'll have to ask Uncle Ding again, so as not to be a scapegoat.

  "Thank you, Third Master. I will definitely do my best. I don't dare say anything else, but when it comes to the geography of Yunnan, this old man is still willing to boast that he has a good grasp of it in his heart. If Third Master really gives me some silver, what's the harm in handing over these hundred or so catties to you?"

  At the mention of 100 yuan relocation fee, Jiang Shu's somewhat dull eyes seemed to emit a green glow, and this old man also boasted in a tone similar to Green Forest.

  "Yu Ying, you bring Mr. Jiang to live together! Let someone cook some food for you, tomorrow we will go into the mountain forest, have a good rest."

  Cen Yu Ying was a bit weak, Jiang Shu Xian was an old man with a frail body, he was afraid that they would not be able to handle it tomorrow and delay their own time, Yang Meng also specially reminded them.

  After the two left, Yang Meng couldn't sleep either, so he called Old Ding to ask about the consumption level of the Qing Dynasty, lest he become a scapegoat for nothing.

  "Uncle Ting, is the five taels of silver I paid to the leather craftsman as his monthly salary a bit too high? Also, how many things can be bought with the 500 yuan I gave to Cen Yu'ying?"

  Ding Baojun heard this and immediately smiled, knowing that his third uncle was frugal and good at managing the household. Asking about silver was a great thing!

  "Third Master, five taels of silver is a bit high for those craftsmen, but it's not unreasonable. However, the 500 eagle dollars given to Cen Yu'ying are excessive. The value of silver depends on grain prices; currently, one dan of good rice costs two or three taels of silver, which is considered a good harvest. One dan of good rice weighs 120 jin, enough for two or three people's rations for a month."

  The eagle dollar is the best silver coin, worth nine points of pure silver. Although it's not as valuable as the yuan, the eagle dollar has good quality! Our store only accepts eagle dollars or high-quality silver coins, no yuan."

  Lao Ding said that, Yang Meng also roughly had a number, this time it was cheaper for Cen Yu Ying, and then asked Lao Ding for thirty good hands, Yang Meng ended a day of busy work.

  The next day, Yang Meng brought his own team and the fifty good men given by Old Ding to gather at the Wu Zhuang. Today, his main task was to select a location for the drug manufacturing workshop.

  "Mr. Jiang, I want to find a secluded place near Wu Village, preferably one that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Do you know of such a place around here?"

  I've said what I wanted to say, now it's up to Jiang Shu'er.

  "Third Master, just call me Old Jiang. The Yang family's martial arts school is located at the foot of Kunming's Western Mountains, with its back against the mountains and facing Dianchi Lake to the south. It's already a convenient location for traveling in all directions. What you're looking for should be behind the school. And in the Western Mountains, after Taihua Temple, there's a valley that stretches for dozens of miles, connected to Dianchi Lake in the front and with mountain roads in the back. At the entrance of the valley, there are two small hills with several large cannons on top, which can seal off the entire valley. The end of the valley is also the same, with small hills overlooking Dianchi Lake, only..."

  Jiang Shu first described the terrain, and Yang Meng's heart moved. This place was exactly what he wanted. But this guy just made a sound, causing Yang Meng to furrow his brow.

  "What's that?"

  "That valley produces iron-making things, Kunming's blacksmiths, there are some coal kilns and mining caves, it seems that there are also a few small copper kilns and lead kilns, I'm afraid they don't want to leave there."

  Jiang Shu also went all out, asking Xun Yuqing last night and doing a lot of homework, only then did he have today's fluent talk. In order to keep this rice bowl, he also brought out his true skills, even proposing the idea of setting up cannons in the valley, which goes against the imperial law.

  "Uncle Ting, is there a way to resolve this for those people?"

  Now Ding Baojun has also become Yang Meng's long follower. This third master has just opened up, and the old master of the Yang family is not at ease. This is to want people, and to want money, squandering is nothing, but fearing that his own third child will make a big mistake.

  "Third Master, it's easy to get that land. Let's go take a look first and see if you like it. If it suits your taste, then it's yours."

  As a prominent family in the southwest, the Yangs would have their reputation ruined if they didn't handle these matters properly.