Zheng Qing chuckled. His initial goal was to get acquainted with these people, leaving the rest for later.
After paying his respects to Master Fei Ji, Zheng Qing returned to his stall and casually handed a few coins to the person helping him watch it.
The man expressed his gratitude repeatedly as he left, muttering to himself:
“What a strange fellow. He doesn’t have anything, yet he calls this a stall? But as long as I get a reward, I’m good with it!”
【Wang Da, the old beggar, has gained +100 points of admiration.】
Zheng Qing didn’t mind. He sat down, exchanged for and took out three small pouches, placing them on the stall, and said calmly:
“Authentic Chang’an red tea, three silver ingots per ounce.”
As soon as he said that, many people looked over with greed and curiosity in their eyes.
Recently, Chang’an red tea had become famous throughout Chang’an. Rumor had it that it was an extremely good tea sent from the Western Regions. Even more importantly, it was being consumed by the current Princess!
However, many people were discouraged by the high price. It wasn’t something ordinary people could afford.
Soon, a man dressed entirely in black, with a black hooded cloak, approached cautiously, his eyes filled with desire:
“Is this Chang’an red tea? Can you make it cheaper?”
This was none other than Wen Chao, a subordinate of Pei Jian, the Minister of Personnel.
Zheng Qing said indifferently:
“Hot commodity, everyone is scrambling to buy it. If you don’t want it, get lost.”
Wen Chao was enraged: “You…”
He wanted to lash out, but then he remembered that he was in the Ghost Market, and he was here to avoid attracting attention. Besides, not everyone who could sell red tea here was an ordinary person, so he couldn’t easily offend them.
But three silver ingots were truly beyond the reach of a lowly Registrar Assistant like him!
After some thought, Wen Chao reluctantly turned to leave and try his luck elsewhere.
“Wait.”
Zheng Qing spoke up and handed him a pouch, adding:
“This is for you, give your master a message. I will visit the Pei residence tomorrow at noon.”
Wen Chao instinctively took the red tea, but his astonishment hadn’t subsided when he heard Zheng Qing’s words, which made him tremble in fear.
He instinctively took a few steps back, staring at Zheng Qing’s rather handsome face.
“How did you know my identity?”
As soon as he uttered these words, he realized he had misspoken. He quickly covered his mouth and cautiously looked around.
“It’s not important. You just need to tell Minister Pei that I have a way to solve his current predicament.”
Wen Chao hurried away.
【Wen Chao has gained +200 points of admiration.】
【Wen Chao has gained +200 points of admiration.】
Zheng Qing was surprised. Wow, he’s a polite one!
After a brief moment of thought, he exchanged for five more pouches of Chang’an red tea and then exchanged for the Concealment skill again!
After all this, he had 400 points of admiration left!
To Zheng Qing’s surprise, the remaining four pouches of Chang’an red tea sold out in less than half an incense stick’s time!
“They say that people in the Great Tang Dynasty love to drink tea. And Chang’an red tea is not only something that high officials and nobles enjoy, but with the Princess involved, it’s truly insane. If that’s the case, I won’t be polite.”
He exchanged for another four pouches of Chang’an red tea, and they sold out.
…
The next day at noon, he strolled towards the Pei residence.
Wen Chao was already waiting there. Upon seeing him, he quickly approached.
“Sir, we’ve been waiting for you! My master, the Minister, is waiting for you. Please follow me.”
They arrived at the main hall. Pei Jian was sitting with a furrowed brow, and there was still some Chang’an red tea left in the teapot.
“Zheng Qing, of the Zheng clan of Xingyang, greets Minister Pei.”
Pei Jian stood up, putting down the book he was holding, and said calmly:
“Zheng clan of Xingyang? Pei doesn’t recall seeing such a young hero as you.”
His words contained a hint of mockery. In today’s clans, there was still a degree of prejudice against merchants.
It seemed Wen Chao had mentioned the origin of the red tea and the encounter between the two when he reported to Pei Jian last night.
Pei Jian held a high position in the court, and he was close to the emperor, so his arrogance was natural.
Zheng Qing smiled:
“Can we speak privately?”
Pei Jian glanced at Wen Chao, who understood and waved his hand, leading all the servants away.
“What advice do you have for Pei?” Pei Jian’s tone remained indifferent.
Zheng Qing wasn’t surprised. Instead, he spoke to himself:
“I’m here to see Minister Pei today for two matters. One concerns the current emperor, the other concerns Minister Pei. Which would you like to hear first?”
Pei Jian was confused, but he thought to himself, what a bold statement.
Although the Zheng clan of Xingyang was very important, and there were even people in the court who were officials, no one dared to say that they could definitely help the current emperor. Where did this man get the confidence?
But seeing the man’s confident demeanor, Pei Jian said immediately:
“Naturally, matters concerning the emperor are most important. Speak.”
Zheng Qing leaned forward and whispered:
“There are two factions in the court today. One faction supports the Crown Prince, while the other supports the Princess. The two sides are fighting each other in both overt and covert ways, effectively leaving the current emperor powerless.
Recently, Chang’an red tea has become quite popular. I know why this is, and I know the emperor has a way to solve it.”
However, Pei Jian’s face changed upon hearing this.
“What are you talking about? How dare you speak of such royal matters?!”
…
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