Chapter 327 - 267, Black eats black
In the backyard of Yuancao Hall, the Shopkeeper summoned four workers to carry the boxes of ginseng on their backs and gestured to more than ten workers to take broadswords from the storeroom and hang them at their waists.
He whispered his instructions: "You must protect this batch of ginseng well; bring back both the food and the ginseng for me. When you arrive at the location, probe into that lad’s background to see whether he’s an over-river dragon or a greenhorn. If he’s just a greenhorn, make your move directly."
A worker asked, "And if he’s an over-river dragon? Shall we just hand over the ginseng to him?"
The Shopkeeper sneered, "Even an over-river dragon needs to show his strength first. Now go!"
Chen Ji stood in the main hall, watching the workers armed with knives and said nonchalantly, "Shopkeeper, your Yuancao Hall is quite thoughtful. We’ve already settled the money and goods, yet you still guard this ginseng as if it were your own, as though afraid of it being stolen. How righteous."
The Shopkeeper made his case, "You are a major patron of our Yuancao Hall. Us helping you escort the ginseng is also to build good karma, to avoid it being stolen on the way."
Chen Ji feigned confusion, "Who would come to rob it, and how would they know there’s ginseng in these boxes? It couldn’t be an inside job, could it?"
The Shopkeeper felt a sudden alarm, "What do you mean by that? You’re not suspecting me, are you, Guest?"
Chen Ji smiled, "The Shopkeeper worries too much. I was referring to that Hu Laosan just now."
The Shopkeeper continued, "What you don’t know is that Hu Laosan is one of the biggest local tyrants in Guyuan, cunning and ruthless. Many people have fallen for his tricks."
"Oh?" Chen Ji asked with curiosity, "What has he done?"