Chapter 172: Chapter 172. Mutual Appreciation
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
It was a small bodyguard agency called Zhenyuan bodyguard agency located in the back street. The couplets on both sides of the door were painted very new, and it was obvious that it had opened not long ago.
There were two rows of shelves in the courtyard. On the shelves were 18 sets of weapons. There was also a significant training ground. Many bodyguards practiced martial arts during the training. The formation seemed to be quite similar.
Ji Shuisheng and Qiu Yongkang had just walked into the courtyard of the bodyguard agency when someone saw them. He hurriedly came over to welcome them, cupped his fists, and asked with a smile,
“Are the two young Masters here to hire bodyguards?”
“I want to take a look first.”
Ji Shuisheng said indifferently, his face expressionless.
“Alright, please come in.”
The man who welcomed them was not angry when he saw Ji Shuisheng’s arrogance. It was understandable that they did not believe in a newly opened small bodyguard agency. Moreover, even if it was a big bodyguard agency, they still had to compare the goods from three different agencies.
Ji Shuisheng took a look at him. He looked to be in his forties and was tall and robust. He had taken off half of his clothes and tied them behind his back, revealing the bulging muscles on his arms. One look and one could tell that he was a martial arts expert.
The man had thick eyebrows and big eyes. He smiled very forthrightly and welcomed Ji Shuisheng, sizing up with a smile as he made an inviting gesture.
Ji Shuisheng and Qiu Yongkang followed him into the hall of the bodyguard agency. As soon as they entered, they saw a black plaque with the words ” Zhenyuan bodyguard agency” written in flamboyant calligraphy.
Couplets were written on both sides of the plaque. The upper part read, “Great wisdom and courage, awe-inspiring all around. Honesty and sincerity weighed a thousand pounds.”
These words and couplets were written imposingly, showing the master’s honor.
Ji Shuisheng admired the General Manager of this bodyguard agency very much. He must be a great hero.
“Please take a seat.”
The man who led them in made a gesture of invitation, inviting Ji Shuisheng and Qiu Yongkang to take a seat.
“Thank you,”
Ji Shuisheng cupped his fists and thanked him. Qiu Yongkang also admired the couplets and was filled with deep respect for the owner of the bodyguard agency.
After the two of them sat down, they saw the man sitting in the main seat and ordering someone to make tea for them.
From the looks of it, this man was the head of the bodyguard agency.
“What kind of goods do you two young Masters want to escort?”
After Yang Zhi instructed the bodyguards to serve tea, he asked Ji Shuisheng and Qiu Yongkang with a smile.
“Some important goods. I want to see your bodyguard agency’s qualifications and procedures first. If the procedures are incomplete, we dare not use a bodyguard agency. The road is very chaotic now.”
Qiu Yongkang’s tone was gentle, and he had a smile on his face. Although he was suspicious of the other party’s talent, it didn’t make anyone uncomfortable.
Yang Zhi saw that the other party doubted his talent and quickly said,
“Young master, don’t worry. The qualifications and procedures of our bodyguard agency are all issued by the government. It’s all legal.”
Qiu Yongkang laughed and continued,
“Can I take a look? We’re worried.”
This was also understandable. Some people feared the escort agency would first verify the expensive goods they were escorting.
“No problem, I’ll get someone to bring it over immediately.”
Yang Zhi saw that Qiu Yongkang insisted on seeing the qualifications and procedures before he was willing to discuss the escort, so he ordered someone to get it.
“May I know your name, Sir?”
Seeing that Yang Zhi had sent someone to collect the paperwork, Qiu Yongkang cupped his hands and asked Yang Zhi with a smile.
Yang Zhi hurriedly returned the greeting.
“My humble name is Yang Zhi, the head of the Zhenyuan bodyguard agency.”
“Oh, it’s leader Yang. I’ve been rude.”
Qiu Yongkang smiled and cupped his hands. Ji Shuisheng had been sizing up Yang Zhi and had a good impression of him. When he heard that Yang Zhi was the head of this bodyguard agency, his image of him grew even better.
He felt that his purpose of coming here this time was a little despicable!
The bodyguard took out the documents, including the customs clearance documents. Yang Zhi asked him to bring them to Qiu Yongkang and said with a smile,
“Young master, please take a look.”
“Alright,” he said.
Qiu Yongkang agreed with a smile. He took the document and read it carefully, especially the customs document.
Yang Zhi looked at Qiu Yongkang strangely, “Young master, have you been deceived?”
“Yes, I was cheated before. An incomplete bodyguard agency showed us fake procedures, and in the end, the goods were all gone. Don’t mind the head; I must look at it carefully.”
Qiu Yongkang’s expression didn’t change in the face of Yang Zhi’s doubts. He explained with a smile and continued to read the documents.
Yang Zhi didn’t rush him after hearing his explanation. He was being careful because he had been deceived. Anyway, his procedures were not fake, so he wasn’t afraid to look.
Qiu Yongkang passed it to Ji Shuisheng after he read it, “Big brother, take a look.”
Ji Shuisheng took it and looked at it. He scanned it, and after looking at it, he nodded and returned the procedures to the bodyguard and said,
“It’s true,”
“Since you have already checked, can we talk about the escort?”
Because Ji Shuisheng and Qiu Yongkang had confirmed no mistake, Yang Zhi cut straight to the point.
“Sure, we live in Jingshi Dao. We’re here to purchase a batch of food. I wonder if you’ll be willing to take the job.
Qiu Yongkang said with a smile.
“Food? Then may I ask if Sir has any documents to prove it? It’s not that grain merchants are not allowed to buy large quantities.”
Yang Zhi was very cautious when he heard it was food, so he asked Qiu Yongkang for proof.
“Ah, I forgot to bring this.”
Qiu Yongkang shook his head awkwardly. Yang Zhi’s expression turned serious. “That won’t do. We can’t accept this escort mission without a document.”
“Then I’m sorry, we’ll return after we get the document to talk to the leader about the escort.”
Qiu Yongkang stood up apologetically and cupped his hands to Yang Zhi, ready to leave.
“Alright,” he said.
Yang Zhi stood up to send the guest off.
Ji Shuisheng frowned. Yang Zhit was a simple man, and it wasn’t good for him and Qiu Yongkang to lie like this. It was better to give him a small bodyguard to leave, or else he would feel bad.
“Boss, do cotton-padded clothes need documents?”
Ji Shuisheng suddenly asked Yang Zhi. The cotton-padded clothes needed by more than a hundred people were not a tiny amount. These were life-saving items when they arrived at Jingshi Dao. However, they took up too much space, and it was inconvenient for them to carry them.
Yang Zhi immediately said, “Sure, I don’t need a document.”
If it were cotton, it would not work. The Imperial court was very strict with its control, but cotton clothes could because the Imperial court did not care about ready-made garments.
This was also a loophole. If cotton didn’t work, he could make cotton clothes and still get cotton.
“Okay, Sir, do you have any way to get cheap cotton-padded clothes? I need more than a hundred pieces.”
Ji Shuisheng asked Yang Zhi with cupped fists when he saw that he was relieved.
The amount he needed was too large, and he couldn’t buy it if he didn’t find a way.
“I do have a way. My good friend’s family runs the largest cloth shop in Luo City, called Qingzhou cloth shop. They have made many cotton-padded clothes that are ready for sale. It’s almost winter, a good season for selling cotton-padded clothes. I’ll write you a note and get you a discount.”
Yang Zhi was very enthusiastic about helping. This was not only assisting Ji Shuisheng but also helping his good friend to get a big business.
“Thank you, chief.”
Ji Shuisheng quickly thanked Yang Zhi.
“Forget it; I’ll go with you guys and help you get the lowest price.”
Seeing that Ji Shuisheng was so polite, Yang Zhi decided to take them there and help them get the lowest price.
“I’m grateful for that.”
Ji Shuisheng cupped his fists in thanks.
While Ji Shuisheng and Qiu Yongkang found the bodyguard agency, Su Qing also met the owner of the jewelry store..