Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 355: Chapter 355: Harvest

Shen Hao’s smile grew even brighter. He enjoyed dealing with people who asked for benefits right from the start.

"Vice General Wu, just say it straight. Xuanqing Guard never lets people work for nothing. Whatever you want, just bring it up."

Wu Kai was smiling too, but there was something insincere in his expression.

"My demands aren’t much, just two things. First, elixirs—I want ten Great Nourishing Pills. Second, I want a real Senior Fifth Grade position with authority. If you can promise me these two things, I’ll do you a favor. How about it?"

This was pure daylight robbery.

Ten Great Nourishing Pills was already outrageous, and now a Senior Fifth Grade position with real power? Judging by Wu Kai’s tone, he probably wanted a post in the military. Senior Fifth Grade was equal to a Households Officer, or an Assistant General’s slot.

"Vice General Wu’s demands aren’t that high, but I’m afraid Xuanqing Guard truly can’t afford it." Shen Hao refused directly without a second thought. No one could take him for a fool.

Wu Kai turned his head with obvious shock on his face. He’d expected Shen Hao to bargain, but didn’t expect a straight-up rejection.

"Lord Shen, what do you mean by this?"

"I mean, Xuanqing Guard can’t pay your price, Vice General Wu. Whether it’s ten Great Nourishing Pills or a military Senior Fifth Grade post, both are well beyond my bottom line. There’s nothing I can do. So let’s call it off. Sorry to have wasted your leisure time, Vice General Wu." As Shen Hao spoke, he made to reel in his fishing rod.

Wu Kai grabbed Shen Hao, forcing a smile: "Lord Shen, why so impatient? Lord Jiang already told me this is an important affair for Xuanqing Guard. If you just leave, how are you going to explain to Lord Jiang? Besides, since I’m already here, I can’t just walk away knowing some secret mission of your Xuanqing Guard for nothing, right?"

From Wu Kai’s point of view, this case was set by Jiang Cheng, and he’d already gotten a whiff of this obviously confidential task. He also figured he was the perfect fit, so with all these factors, he was certain he could hold Shen Hao to ransom and squeeze some money out of it.

But Shen Hao clearly had a different idea: "Vice General Wu, no need to worry about me. The main organizer of the case is the Fengri City Black Banner Battalion, and the chief in charge is also me. Lord Jiang only reached out to you at my request, not his own order, so there’s no explanation owed to Lord Jiang. As long as the case is solved in the end, that’s my explanation done."

"Besides, haha, you count as an acquaintance, Vice General Wu. Our relationship goes back to Lord Jiang, so personally, I trust you won’t use Xuanqing Guard’s mission as gossip fodder. There’s no problem of secrecy or leaks."

Shen Hao really wasn’t putting on airs or trying to bargain—he genuinely intended to leave.

Wu Kai, as a Deputy General of the Border Army, and being inclined towards Xuanqing Guard, was indeed a suitable chess piece, with plenty of room to maneuver for the investigation.

But this whole conversation left a bad taste in Shen Hao’s mouth, especially since Wu Kai kept posturing, acting all "you’re here to beg me," which really rubbed him the wrong way. Since when did Xuanqing Guard have to beg and grovel to get someone to investigate a case?

Anyone earnestly negotiating terms wouldn’t open their mouth so wide—it just reeks of insincerity. Do you think this is a street market? Quoting an exorbitant price and waiting to haggle down?

And is there only one butcher in the market—does it mean eating hairy pork if he’s gone?

While Wu Kai was currently the best candidate in the Border Army, he wasn’t the only one. Back when Jiang Cheng was in command, he had more than just Wu Kai left in the Border Army. Even if the Border Army was no longer the top choice, he could always go to the Jingxi Army. Zhang Qian and Gan Lin both had connections in the Jingxi Army’s Supply Battalion. With some effort, they could be brought in.

After speaking, Shen Hao got ready to pull up his line again, but Wu Kai once more grabbed his hand.

"Vice General Wu, what are you doing now?"

"Lord Shen. Let’s talk it out. If you think my asking price was too high, why don’t you tell me what Xuanqing Guard’s bottom line is? Otherwise, making a decision so quickly seems a bit rash, don’t you think?"

"Rash? Haha, Vice General Wu, fair point—let me add a few words."

Shen Hao realized Wu Kai was the one getting anxious now. Makes sense, too. If he had it good in the military, Zhang Qian and Gan Lin wouldn’t have lured him over for a few silver coins. The man obviously wanted to cash in on Xuanqing Guard’s resources—how could he let go so easily?

After thinking for a bit, Shen Hao named his price: "Our Fengri City Black Banner Battalion doesn’t have Great Nourishing Pills, but we can help you apply to the Governor’s Office. Still, you won’t get many at a time—one or two at most. As for a position, that’s out of the question; the military isn’t a place we, Xuanqing Guard, can meddle in, but we can offer silver coins instead. Or, if you prefer, lower-grade Spirit Stones can be discussed."

Just a rough outline. If Wu Kai refused or still wanted to haggle, Shen Hao really had no more interest in him.

Wu Kai probably thought this was too harsh—a straight-up counteroffer, and he could see it was Shen Hao’s final offer.

"Lord Shen, you’re the real hard bargainer here. Fine, I’ll accept. You can give me the elixirs later, but I need the lower-grade Spirit Stones as soon as possible. Name a number!" As he spoke, Wu Kai’s smile vanished, and his tone stiffened. He thought he could squeeze a big profit, but ended up getting squeezed instead—no way he could keep smiling with that kind of whiplash.

Shen Hao stopped leaving, too. Holding the fishing rod, he stayed silent for a bit before replying: "Ten lower-grade Spirit Stones. If your intelligence brings more results later, you can get more."

"Too few."

Honestly, it wasn’t little, just a lot less than Wu Kai had hoped for.

Shen Hao said nothing; that was his price. Wu Kai could take it or leave it.

The air hung awkwardly for about half an incense stick’s time, before Wu Kai let out a long sigh and had to agree, "Fine, have it your way."

"Vice General Wu, rest assured, you’ll get the Spirit Stones within three days. As for the elixirs, I’m sure they’ll be ready in a month. Same as with the Spirit Stones—if your intel proves valuable later, there’ll be more for you."

"Sigh, fine. Now can you tell me what you need me to do?"

Shen Hao was just about to answer when, suddenly, his fishing rod dipped—there was a bite!

He flicked his wrist up, the fishing line went taut in an instant, and they saw some commotion eight or nine zhang out on the water. A white shape thrashed to the surface, splashing noisily.

"It’s a big fish! Must be five or six jin!" Shen Hao wasn’t much of a fisher, but once the fish was hooked, reeling it in slowly with a cultivator’s perception meant it wasn’t getting away.

It took almost a stick of incense’s time to haul it into the boat. Sure enough, it was decent—about seven jin in hand.

"Do we have any cookware on board? Lunch is on me, Vice General Wu—let’s have fish!"