Chapter 006: Apologies and Gifts to the Escort Team
Hmm, Sun Deyang's expression changed several times. It is not impossible for you to come and escort the goods, but on the day of the training, your performance was quite poor. If I do not punish you, would it not undermine my authority
Chief Courier, this is a snuff bottle that I obtained from my hometown. I originally intended to present it to you earlier, and just recently, a monk from Yonghe Temple performed a ritual and had it consecrated through an acquaintance.
Having worked in the Ministry of Internal Affairs for over two months, I still wish to transfer to the escort team. If I join the escort agency but do not engage in escorting, what is the point? I have discussed with Liu Qingfeng, the Persian Mingjiao, and the Black Wind Stronghold that the one who tied the bell must untie it. Otherwise, we should offer some gifts to the chief escort, show some humility, and apologize, to see if it is possible to be transferred back.
Sun Deyang appeared indifferent, asking, what’s the matter, is your hearing a bit better? I deserve to die, I deserve to die, punish me as you see fit. You see, I just want to join the escort team. Please do not hold minor grievances against me. Look at this smoking pouch; after being consecrated, it becomes a magical artifact. Carrying it for a long time can ward off evil and nourish the kidneys. It is said that the Grand Lama mentioned that wearing it for an extended period, especially during intimate moments with your wife at night, is truly excellent.
The shopkeeper said, "Alright, I didn't realize you were quite skilled. Today, I concede defeat. Three hundred wen, you can take it."
The person from Black Wind Stronghold expressed endless gratitude as he left. Not even ten meters away, another person approached with the same words. Black Wind Stronghold looked at us, but we all pretended not to see and gritted our teeth to give.
Liu Qingfeng said, do not come with that, if you have difficulties, seek help from the authorities, otherwise I will help you call the officials. The Black Wind Stronghold said that the child is quite pitiful, so how about giving you five wen? If they want to give, I certainly will not.
After walking five or six hundred steps, I heard a familiar voice. A few younger brothers, I am from Cangzhou, come... Oh, I apologize, it has become heavy.
Instructor Yang lectured me for half a day. I said, given my restlessness and unstable temperament, I hope you will guide me more in the future. How about this: today I will join the escort team, and in the evening, I will arrange for everyone to have dinner at Hongguang Tower
The Persian Ming Sect suggested that it would be better for you to gift a set of tea utensils. Liu Qingfeng replied dismissively, saying, "Do you see the way the head escort looks? Does he seem like someone who drinks tea? I heard that Jinghua Bookstore has just released an illustrated edition of an adult book, and with the purchase, they are giving away some special oil. I suppose he and his third concubine could make good use of it.
Several people arrived at the jade shop, and I took a liking to a snuff bottle. Upon seeing the price tag of 800 wen, I was taken aback; I certainly could not afford it. I asked the shopkeeper if he could lower the price a bit, stating that I had a good eye for quality. The shopkeeper replied that this snuff bottle was unique in the entire capital, having been used by the late Master Sun from the previous dynasty. He insisted that 800 wen was already a bargain for me.
Liu Qingfeng said, "Come on, buddy, stop with the double act. This tobacco pouch, if you want to sell it, take it for three hundred wen. If not, we will just turn around and leave.
I said I would only bring 300 wen, could you possibly lower the price a bit? The shopkeeper replied that I was just toying with him. A nearby tourist saw the tobacco pouch and remarked, this is a good item, how about it shopkeeper, will you sell it to me for 600 wen?
Heishanzhai said whether to wait for Liu Qingfeng, but he, no need, he has no fortune to enjoy it
I said to stop making noise, the matter of giving gifts is important, what do you think would be a good gift? An old man approached from the opposite side, looking quite humorous, he glanced around furtively and asked, "Do you want a CD, buddy?"
What are you saying? The old man chuckled, "CD, CD, the authentic porcelain plate exported from Tongguang Year." You should clarify, otherwise I would think you have traveled through time. Liu Qingfeng said, "Get away, get away"
After much persistence, I joined the escort team. My companions can be considered skilled individuals, as we are grouped with Liu Qingfeng, the Persian Ming Sect, and the Black Wind Stronghold, following Instructor Yang to escort the goods
After some discussion among a few people, it was concluded that offering an apology would be more appropriate. I am not familiar with the matter of gift-giving; back in my days at the Taishan Sect, I missed out on the Taishan Outstanding Young Martial Artist Award because I did not know how to give gifts. Liu Qingfeng said to come to me for gift-giving matters, and he would take me to choose gifts.
Liu Qingfeng and another escort were to undertake a local escort mission, not at the escort agency. The Persian Ming Sect and the Black Wind Stronghold were practicing at the martial arts arena, and upon hearing that I was assigned to their group, I was extremely delighted
Having changed into a new set of clothes, I arrived to report to Instructor Yang. The main business of the Central Plains Escort Agency revolves around cargo escorts and letter escorts, with some involvement in ticket escorts and personal escorts, though these are relatively minor. The most profitable are the grain escorts, but there are only a few orders each year, and most of them are conducted in collaboration with other major escort agencies.
WeChat, you also use this, Chief Courier, I see, I see, when out and about, the drifting bottle, or shake it, so you really need this smoking flask, it is simply the spirit of the dragon and tiger
The fixed price is 800 wen, no bargaining allowed, dear.
Four individuals rushed towards the front gate, but were stopped by a middle-aged woman holding a child. A few young men said, "We are from Cangzhou, visiting relatives in the capital, but we were robbed. We have no money to return home. Please give us a few coins to buy a bun for the child."
Liu Qingfeng said that you have a good relationship with the third master, so let him say a word; this little favor should still be granted by the chief escort. The Mingjiao said that this is acceptable, but it inevitably feels like the strong bullying the weak. Moreover, even if the third master's favor is given, when the escort team arrives, the chief escort may not necessarily give you face.
I held the tobacco pouch, and the more I looked at it, the more I liked it. Oh dear, something happened inside this pouch. When I took it out to have a look, it was a price tag from Old Zhang in the southern part of the city, priced at 10 wen each
Liu Qingfeng said that in the capital, this can also be considered a profession. To survive here, it all comes down to who has the hardest heart. The Black Wind Stronghold said, look at that child, how pitiful. Pitiful? You earn only a few hundred wen a month, while they can earn over a thousand wen a month. You are much more pitiful than her