Yang Ge thought, ’This guy is still so obsessed with his rank,’ "Getting promoted again, huh?"
Wang Cheng waved his hand nonchalantly, "Hey, thanks to your blessing, just a minor promotion, a minor one..."
Seeing that smug look on the old chap, Yang Ge knew it wasn’t just a minor promotion, "Not bad, you sought virtue and attained it. You, Wang, have finally reached fruition!"
He came out from behind the counter, pointing to an empty seat in the corner, "Don’t just stand there, sit down, have some hot food and warm up yourself."
Wang Cheng uttered an "Ah" and gestured for Yang Ge to sit first. He took a few steps then remembered something, speaking softly, "Er Niu, I’ve brought your final payment with me this time, a total of three million and eighty thousand silver, all converted into gold, stored at the wharf outside town, guarded by Fang and his fellows from the upper right division."
Yang Ge expressed surprise, "You dealt with it that quickly? You old rascal are quite efficient!"
Wang Cheng replied, "Not yet, I’ve only dealt with a good part of it. Since you live far away, I prioritized your money. Chief Yang and Xiang also agreed to deliver your share first..."
After everything they had been through, their idle chatter now lacked the initial tension and formality; they had acquired a relaxed candor of old friends.
Yang Ge thought for a moment and said, "On your way back, have Fang Ke deliver the change to my place. The rest, do me a favor and take it to the capital for the emperor. Have him convert it into silver notes. My place can’t accommodate that much money."
Wang Cheng:...
Yang Ge, "What’s up?"
Wang Cheng helplessly spread his hands, "How am I supposed to respond to that?"
Yang Ge laughed, "Just help me get the money to the capital. I will write a personal letter to be sent to the emperor; he’ll know what to do."
Wang Cheng secretly swallowed, the excitement he had upon entering had diminished significantly, "You’re on... casual terms with the emperor now?"
Yang Ge, "It’s alright..."
Speechless, Wang Cheng gave Yang Ge a thumbs-up.
After sitting down, Zhang Erniu from the kitchen soon brought over the copper pot and mutton.
Yang Ge picked up the dipping sauce bowl and mixed a bowl for Wang Cheng, "Have you been to Dongying lately? What’s the situation over there now?"
Accepting the dipping sauce bowl with both hands, Wang Cheng replied, "Since we came back, I’ve been too busy to touch ground, haven’t had the chance to go to Dongying again. Though, my ships have been running between Wei and Dongying continuously, and Brother Zhou Fu often sends letters back. It’s chaos over there, wars everywhere, coupled with a famine, many have starved to death... Except for the areas we control, most natives have nearly all died, and the survivors are up in the mountains playing hide and seek with Brother Zhou Fu and his men!"
"Oh, and this trip, Brother Zhou Fu and I also brought some small gifts for you, just some inexpensive local products. I’ll have them delivered to your house later, hoping you won’t mind."
He knew Yang Ge’s attitude towards the wokou and only mentioned what Yang Ge would want to hear.
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Sure enough, after hearing this, Yang Ge let out a sigh of relief, put half a plate of mutton into the pot, "You’re too modest! But let’s make it clear, if it’s worthless, I’ll keep it, but if it’s any gold, silver, jewels, antiques, or the like, whatever way you brought it in, take it back the same way... Try this, it must be eaten while it’s hot!"
Wang Cheng quickly picked up the bowl, blowing on the steaming mutton before eating, and after a few chews, he chuckled saying, "Er Niu, you indeed live a fulfilling life!"
Yang Ge also laughed, answering back, "I like the sound of that... don’t be shy, dig in!"
"Miaomiao, bring two jugs of Through-the-Bottle-Fragrance over!"