Chapter 199 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (VIII)
Jiang Pengji wanted all the horses that were sold to avoid the Meng’s connecting her to Meng Liang. Xu Ke had begun to calculate the income when Meng Hun learned about it and put forward a contradictory proposal.
“Langjun, I’m not sure if that’s a good idea… We would suffer a great loss.” He licked his dry lips and watched the stout horses with enthusiasm. An ideal horse was, to him, a lifelong partner. “Why don’t we just hide them in the mountain for some time?”
Jiang Pengji focused on the second line. “How great will the loss be?”
Meng Hun said, “A horse of this standard is worth around 75 taels in the legal market, while the price may be half at illegal traders.”
“That’s a lot!”
“That’s the best price we could hope for. Some cut prices even further. Selling war horses is different than selling ordinary horses. A small injury in their bones could render the whole horse worthless. Traders purchase them for a cheap price and then sell them for a much higher price.” Meng Hun sighed as he touched a ruby horse. Its muscles were tough, which was a dazzling indication of its potential and strength.
Xu Ke pondered. The sum in return was far from satisfactory, yet keeping them was risky. People may find them even if they hid them in the woods.
Jiang Pengji looked down and thought for a while. “Well, let’s listen to you, Coach Meng. Both ways are fine with me, but at least we can save some money if we leave them to our soldiers.”
Xu Ke asked, “What if somebody discovers them?”
Jiang Pengji had already found a solution to the problem when she agreed with Meng Hun. “That’s easy. I’m planning to move our people with them later. But before we do, let’s hide the animals––although the Meng’s can, in fact, do nothing even if they know about them.”
She wore an innocent smile. “After all, I’m just a weak langjun. Isn’t Meng Hun a more likely suspect for attacking and killing 27 soldiers?”
Xu Ke could barely keep the smile on his face. Meng Hun had already joined them. Shouldn’t she treat him better? More astonishing was Meng Hun’s agreement.
“That’s true––everyone would think so. Even if Langjun has practiced some kungfu, there’s no way you could beat all the elites from the house. As for the horses, you could say they were bought from illegal traders. What could the Meng’s do to you?” The honest man laughed.
Were Jiang Pengji from a plain background, the Meng’s would not let her get away so easily––but she was from the Liu’s. The house would not provoke the Liu’s for merely twenty horses. As long as she could explain, they would cease troubling her soon.
“So we’re all settled. The horses will be kept at the mountainside. Still, we need a skilled groom to look after our ill-tempered friends to avoid any unnecessary injury.”
As Jiang Pengji said it, Meng Hun’s smile deepened. He was thinking of his share among the horses. The ruby one was quite well. It was a handsome fellow with a temper that suited his taste.
Xu Ke felt his head aching. Why was the Langjun acting so much like a bandit? He was certain that the Liu’s could provide her with everything she wanted, and that she only took things from the evil Meng’s, but still…
Meng Hun was obviously influenced, too! Wasn’t he too susceptible?
While Xu Ke was taking a deep breath to calm himself down, Meng Hun called a servant to take the horses away.
“I guess the food for war horses is different?”
Meng Hun said, “For sure. It’s more expensive, as it’s of a higher quality.”
Xu Ke sighed. It seemed like they had taken a bunch of delicate guests home.
“Let’s hope the Meng’s see the bamboo rolls soon, or Langjun won’t be able to afford the expenditure.” As the bookkeeper, Xu Ke was clear that they could not leave the Liu’s financial support at the moment. He was waiting for the Meng’s grain to feed the fifty men and 27 horses.
Meng Hun: “…”
Apparently, they all took the behavior of their company.
“Feng Huaiyu, where have you been?”
Feng Jin was heading out for Jiang Pengji when he heard a familiar voice at the door. He lifted the curtain in his carriage and saw an old friend. “Wenbin!” Feng Jin got out of the carriage. His face was filled with the joy of meeting a close acquaintance. “Why are you here?”
The two exchanged a polite gesture, and Feng Jin invited the young man in sapphire to enter.
“I was planning to attend the examination with you, but then your little brother told me that you’ve come to Hejian with Fourth Prince so I’ve decided to come for you first. Hejian is not far from our destination, you know. And I’ve finally met you here!” The youngster beamed energetically, which set him apart from his usually reserved peers.
Feng Jin returned a bitter laugh. “You’ve come in time. Please do me a favor.”
“What happened?” Han Yu raised his brow and teased. “Are there ladies latching onto you again?” The two had known each other since they were little, and thus a casual manner was allowed in their interaction.
Feng Jin hit his shoulder. “Nonsense! Is that what Master Yuanjing has taught you?” Then, he whispered, “The problem is, Fourth Prince likes frequenting brothels and he always takes me with him. I want to make it stop.”
“Wow. Maybe he likes your pretty face, as well.” Han Yu winkled at him.
Feng Hun coughed and explained in a low voice, “No! And I’m really tired of the noisy environment.”
He knew refusing would not work because Wuma Jun’s invitation was too frequent. Foolish as he was, he would sense Feng Jin’s reluctance if he no longer went out with him.