455, Borrowing Momentum (4 more)
Days passed in a whirlwind, and suitors came knocking at her door. The girl he admired also appeared before him from time to time, pletely different from the disdainful and disgusted attitude she had towards him in the past.
What he once thought was good, he now realized was shallow upon a second look.
“Your having such thoughts shows that I didn’t choose the wrong person!”
Xie Zhinuan took another look around. Since the area was deep in the mountains, the trees were very large and perfect for making furniture. There were also many surplus trees. Xie Zhinuan thought about storing the quality wood for her own future use or to sell, as it would bring a significant ine either way.
Upon returning to the county town, Aunt Chen immediately said to her, “A timber merchant has e; he wants to buy wood!”
“…”
Xie Zhinuan was stunned; just as she thought of this possibility, someone had already e to her door.
“Where is he?”
“In the hall, with Elder Dugu keeping him pany!”
Dugu Zhen, who traveled the Martial World, had been to many places and was greatly experienced. He engaged the timber merchant in an extensive conversation, making sure to learn about his background thoroughly.
On seeing Xie Zhinuan, he quickly said, “Alright, my apprentice is here, you two talk!” and he scooted off swiftly.
Xie Zhinuan, watching his retreating back, knew he was still angry that she had not accepted him as her master after so long.
She couldn’t help but shake her head in resignation.
She had been guarded against him at first, fearing he had ulterior motives, but after spending time with him, she realized he was just an old child. Elder Dugu, though advanced in age, had a temper like a child’s, stubborn and intolerant of contradiction.
The timber merchant was very polite to Xie Zhinuan.
And somewhat surprised.
He had heard of Miss Xie’s beauty, but he had not expected her to be so stunning and young. “Miss Xie!”
“Please sit down!”
The timber merchant introduced himself before stating his purpose.
“Actually, I know that Xie Zhinuan has purchased quite a few mountains, all of those mountain tops are in deep forests, long untouched by man, the timber must be very thick. I’m thinking, Miss Xie, even if you need wood for building houses or for your own use, you won’t need that much. Why not sell some to me? As long as the price is right, I’m willing to buy it all!”
Xie Zhinuan pondered for a moment before saying, “How much do you need, and how will you pay the silver?”
“How do you plan to settle the payment, Miss Xie?”
“I won’t offer credit. You will need to bring the silver for the amount of timber you want. But, it’s a precondition that silver must be paid in full, no delaying until the next time for payment. I’m not willing to do that kind of business. You can also notify me in advance how much timber you’ll need, and I will prepare it. However, as you know, I can’t sell all of my timber. Even if I sell, there is only a certain amount available, and the thick, high-quality timber depends on the type of wood. I can’t treat good timber as ordinary and sell it to you at a regular price, can I?”
In doing business, Xie Zhinuan had her principles.
She didn’t grant credit, and maintained that you get what you pay for.
“Before you pay and take the wood, you can check to make sure there are no issues with it. Once it leaves the valley, it’s out of my hands, and this won’t just be verbal agreement-I will have a deed written up and stamped by the Governor’s Office!”
She was not one to play unfair, nor was she afraid the timber merchant would defraud her, a seemingly defenseless woman.
“Very well, everything as Miss Xie says!”
The timber merchant’s business was substantial. He sought out Xie Zhinuan for two reasons: first, because she indeed had premium wood, and second, to forge a connection with King Han.
“There’s one more thing I must mention!” Xie Zhinuan suddenly spoke up, her eyes clear and piercing as she looked at the timber merchant, “Everyone knows I have some connection with King Han. Many people think that doing business with me can help them gain advantage, but they are all mistaken. If anyone uses my influence, or King Han’s, to bully others and harm the mon folk, King Han will be the first to not let them off!”
The timber merchant’s heart sank.
Xie Zhinuan spoke again…
Chapter 457
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