Simply Trading 45 Preparation 2

Of course, he wasn't about to let anyone know that he checking up on his puppet while he locked himself in the bathroom, so that he would not be disturbed. Although he would have to put in a little more effort to do the same now, since his house was back in Changqing City, almost fifty li away.

It was only after he had finished, and gotten out of the bathroom that he realized that there was an invitation from the Second Ducal Prince. And to a private meal in his personal tent at that!

Naturally, Qin Feng wasted no time getting ready, and rushed over the moment that he was done. He had been trying to think of a way to get away from the dining tent, where dinner was served, given the stench of the rough soldiers all around him. He had gone through that the night before and he would certainly not miss it! The meal was barely tolerable but the scent of their unwashed bodies was more than enough to turn his stomach.

Although he had to admit that he should have expected something like this, given that it was an army camp. And it was in the middle of one of the coldest Winters that they had ever experienced.

But since he had been invited to a more private setting, he was certainly not going to insist on putting himself through that torture!

Not to mention, he would like to ask the Second Ducal Prince for a little more information about the different camps.

As well as the possibility that Barbarian scouts that were watching the same!

*

"My apologies if the food isn't to your taste. It's a little difficult to get anything better here. My uncle has a rule for his officers to eat what his soldiers do, so ..."

Li Sanlang shrugged apologetically as he said that, although he was rather certain that he needn't have bothered. Qin Feng was evidently enjoying the simple meal that had been laid out in front of him. He seemed to be particularly fond of the pickled vegetables, which was something that Li Changhai could not quite understand.

He had never cared for them himself.

Li Sanlang had arranged for a simple tent, suitable for a quiet meeting, further away from the centre of the camp. That was where the rest of the officers were gathered, so he thought that it would look less obvious, to host the younger man there. After all, he didn't want to give away the fact that he was trying to figure out Qin Feng's purpose for joining the army.

Something that he would start working on at once!

"Not a problem at all, my friend! I have had a lot worse, I a.s.sure you. Do you know that we had to eat a weak porridge mixed with boiled barley grains back at the Heaven Sword School? That was in the middle of winter, of course. And we were merely Outer School disciples. But it was still a bit of trial at first.

"I suppose I got used to it though, as time went by."

Qin Feng wore a smile as he said that. Which didn't mean anything, Li Changhai reminded himself. If the man seated across from him was truly a spy, he wouldn't give anything away. And he would certainly give the impression that he was enjoying the meal as well!

Still, the Second Ducal Prince was more than a little grateful that his pitiful attempt to 'take care of his friend' was appreciated.

"Well, after that rather exceptional run of yours, you are already at the top of the list for compet.i.tion, so you shouldn't have any trouble making a courier. Although ... Did you really want to join the army just for one of those spatial rings?"

The younger man laughed, and shook his head at the Second Ducal Prince. "Why? Don't you believe me?" he asked with a broad grin on his face.

Then he sighed and shook his head at the older man. "I think I should not blame you for that. You are a Ducal Prince, so you are probably surrounded by such riches since you were young. But one of those rings is worth a great deal to someone like me.

"Especially since I have medicinal herbs leftover from my days at the Heaven Sword School. Given the season, if I do not find a way to preserve them now, I would stand to make a significant loss!"

"Oh?"

Li Changhai had been told off by his older brother about his lack of understanding with regards to such matters. But this was the first time that he had heard the same from someone who was not from his immediate family. Which was enough to anger him slightly.

Still, he was curious to find out more. Not to mention, this was someone that he had been told to investigate. So getting angry at Qin Feng would only make it more problematic.

The younger man, on the other hand, did not seem to realize that he had tweaked the Second Ducal Prince's nose rudely, and simply continued in his same nonchalant manner:

"A merchant depends on his goods to make a living. And given the weather conditions now, the air will soon get damp and warmer. That will promote the spoilage of medicines and herbs that have not been properly dried. Which, unfortunately, describes the condition of the items in my possession now.

"Which means that I will stand to lose about everything that I have worked for for these last three years. I think you can see why I do not want that to happen."

Li Sanlang frowned. It made sense. For a trader to lose all of his stock ... That would be a terrible thing, and it certainly explained why Qin Feng was working so hard to make sure that he got a hold of a ring.

At least, it made a good story, which suited his status as a spy for the Heaven Sword School. And gave him a plausible excuse to get closer to the army.

"Why not sell them to ... Fu Lai Medicinal Hall, if that is the case? Wouldn't that make thing easier for you?"

Qin Feng grinned again, as he pointed his chopsticks at the camp outside. Or perhaps, he was indicating Changqing City, in the distance?

"You are right about that. But do you think that Fu Lai Medicinal Hall would buy them off me? At the prices that I am hoping for? My herbs will only last so long, so long as they are untreated and moderately fresh. Which means I shall have to sell them off quickly. I think you can tell that I would only get a low offer, if I tried to get rid of them now.

"If I can get my hands on a spatial ring, however, I would be able to preserve them until well after the new year. Then I would be able to sell them for a substantial profit, rather than a loss!"

Qin Feng popped another piece of preserved vegetable into his mouth as soon as he said that, and spread his arms to either side of himself.

"So you see? That is why I need a spatial ring for myself."

* * *