Chapter 00240: Passing the Interview
# Passing the Interview
Chapter 240
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 240: Passing the Interview
Of course, this wasn’t a free gift.
The shop cost a total of five hundred and fifty taels—an incredibly cheap price.
Without the turmoil of war, a prime location like this on the main street of a prefectural city, and with such a large space, would never go for less than twelve hundred taels.
It just showed how determined the previous owner was to cut their losses and leave.
After Manager Zhao left, He Lingchuan couldn’t help but let out a long whistle.
Even in reality, he was now a man with property under his name!
"Congratulations, congratulations."
Lingguang stretched out its paw toward He Lingchuan—this was called "asking for a celebratory treat."
He Lingchuan had no choice but to grab a handful of wintermelon milk candies for it.
These were a specialty from a neighboring county and weren’t cheap.
What happened to this once-detached and ascetic medicine monkey? Since when had it become so worldly under his influence?
While the monkey happily munched on sweets, a servant came in to report again:
Shan Youjun had arrived.
True to his word, he hadn’t delayed the first task He Lingchuan assigned him.
Before dinner, he brought over his recommended candidate—Ding Zuodong.
Ding Zuodong was dark-skinned, thin, tall, and slightly hunched—almost the complete opposite of the typical image of a steward.
The moment he saw He Lingchuan, he bowed deeply.
"Ding is untalented, but I’d be honored to serve as an assistant under Young Master. Just give the word, and I’ll run any errand for you."
Since He Lingchuan wasn’t married and hadn’t established his own household, Ding Zuodong couldn’t officially be his steward.
Instead, he called himself a "hanger-on"—someone who accompanied wealthy young masters, ran errands, and handled miscellaneous tasks for them.
"Alright, I’ll test you."
He Lingchuan gestured for him to sit.
"A new branch of the Songyang House opened on the main street today. You know about it, right?"
Ding Zuodong nodded.
"It opened this morning. Chief Steward He and several officials from the prefectural office attended, along with representatives from the Li, Zhan, and Shu families."
"Do you know their background? Tell me about it."
Ding Zuodong thought for a moment and then recounted everything he knew.
As He Lingchuan listened, he realized this man not only knew Songyang House’s main business but even had gossip about the Songyang Marquis.
In other words, even a washed-up steward from the distant northern border of Xiazhou knew about this, while He Lingchuan, right here in Shihuan City, had been completely in the dark!
He sighed inwardly at how out of touch he was.
Noticing his sigh, Ding Zuodong grew concerned.
"Young Master, why the sigh? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, the mistake is mine."
"…?"
"Shan Youjun assured me you know Dunyu City like the back of your hand."
"He exaggerated. I just know a bit of idle gossip from the streets."
"Were you the one managing Third Master Shu’s former businesses?" That was no small feat.
As far as He Lingchuan knew, even back in Hei Shui City, He Chunchao had entrusted only half his assets to Steward Mo, who mainly handled household affairs.
Yet Ding Zuodong had managed both internal and external affairs for Third Master Shu—quite the workhorse.
"Indeed."
This time, Ding Zuodong didn’t humble himself.
The Shu family had cut off all his prospects in Dunyu.
If he didn’t want to slink back to the countryside and live out his days in obscurity, he had to secure a position under Young Master He—his only lifeline for a comeback.
"What do you know about the shop next to Songyang House? The one to the east?"
"To the east? That’s an herbal shop, called Huixiang Hall, right?"
He Lingchuan thought for a moment—that sounded correct.
"The owner of Huixiang Hall is surnamed Cui, originally from Daji Village. His family has practiced medicine for generations, and he’s the second generation to settle in Dunyu. But his medical skills are average, and for such a prime location, business has been just so-so. Recently, with the shortage of medicinal herbs from the south and the northern war going poorly—rumors say Xunzhou’s troops have pushed forward, even massacring two villages in Xinxiang—he’s probably thinking of moving south."
With all the unsettling rumors flying around, it was no wonder people were losing their nerve.
He Lingchuan smiled.
"That shop’s location is good, right?"
"It’s a prime spot. Are you thinking of buying it?" Ding Zuodong frowned.
"What a shame—if you’d asked two days earlier, I could’ve haggled the price down for you."
"Too late now?"
"I ran into one of Huixiang Hall’s clerks at noon. He said the shop was just sold, right before Songyang House opened next door."
Ding Zuodong sighed.
"Once it’s sold, there’s no going back."
He Lingchuan’s interest was piqued.
"Before Songyang House opened?" That would’ve been before he went there.
The Songyang Marquis had clearly said she only bought one shop.
It seemed she had actually bought both and quietly transferred one to He Lingchuan.
Then again, who wouldn’t want extra shops in such a prime location?
Setting aside his doubts, He Lingchuan asked, "If I’d sent you to negotiate, how low could you have gotten the price?"
This time, Ding Zuodong took a long moment to calculate before answering, "I could’ve tried to push it down to five hundred taels."
He Lingchuan burst out laughing, pulling out Huixiang Hall’s deed from his robes and spreading it before him.
"Not far off. I got it for five hundred and fifty."
Ding Zuodong’s eyes lit up.
"Ah! So it was Young Master who bought it. Excellent foresight!"
"We’ll keep it as Huixiang Hall—no change in purpose, since I need medicinal supplies for my cultivation."
He Lingchuan looked at him.
"How about I put you in charge of running it? The situation in Xiazhou should stabilize within ten days to a month and a half at most. As for transportation routes to the interior, don’t worry too much."
As a member of the He family, what transport team would dare refuse his goods?
"Young Master can rest easy—I’ll handle everything properly."
Ding Zuodong stood and bowed deeply.
"Third Master Shu used to own an herbal business too, which I managed."
"You’ve got the connections—perfect!" He Lingchuan pulled him back into his seat.
"You and Shan Youjun are quite the pair—one loves standing, the other loves kneeling."
Both men chuckled.
He Lingchuan added, "From now on, just call me ‘Boss.’ Also, as you know, I’ve just arrived in Dunyu and need to acquire some assets here. If you spot anything suitable, negotiate the purchase for me."
Ding Zuodong leaned forward eagerly.
"What about mountain-and-water businesses?"
He Lingchuan smiled faintly.
"Of course."
"Mountain-and-water businesses" referred to mines and lumber on land, and fisheries and salt fields in lakes and rivers.
Though these daily necessities circulated in the market, ordinary merchants couldn’t just operate mines, lumberyards, fisheries, or salt fields.
Those were state-controlled enterprises, managed by designated officials.
Even if sellers wanted to offload them during these turbulent times, only those with the right qualifications could take over.
In Dunyu, needless to say, the only ones who qualified were the Four Great Families.
Now, however, there was suddenly another qualified name—the He family.
Overjoyed, Ding Zuodong shot to his feet.
"I’ll go back right away and draw up a detailed list!"
He Lingchuan waved a hand.
"No rush. First, let me be upfront—I only have a hundred thousand taels on hand."
Ding Zuodong paused briefly.
"With careful planning, that should be enough. Good properties are cheap right now. Boss, don’t worry—I’ll save where I can and spend where I must."
He Lingchuan grinned and tossed him a ten-tael silver ingot.
"First, get yourself a proper outfit. Working under me, you can’t look shabby. Use the rest to buy some treats for your kids—tell them it’s from me."
Holding the silver, Ding Zuodong’s stern expression softened.
Back when he managed Third Master Shu’s businesses, a mere hundred or thousand taels wouldn’t have even registered.
Ah, how times had changed.
A single coin could stump even a hero.
His grandson had been begging for ice cream last time, but he hadn’t been able to afford it.
Ding Zuodong bowed deeply to He Lingchuan.
"Ding will spare no effort in your service."
He Lingchuan pointed at Shan Youjun, who had been listening the whole time.
"Take him to Huixiang Hall for treatment. Return him to me as a lively, top-notch enforcer as soon as possible."
By now, it was late.
After thanking him, the two men took their leave.
Once they were gone, Sun Hongye remarked, "Boss, you revealed your finances after just one meeting?" Most people preferred to keep their wealth hidden.
"Don’t employ those you distrust. A man with his back against the wall can be relied upon."
He Lingchuan smiled.
"If he ever becomes the mighty Steward Ding again someday, then I’ll have to be wary."
He was counting on Ding Zuodong clinging to this last chance to turn his life around, ensuring he’d work diligently for him—at least for a good while.
"Shan Youjun and Jiao Tai were captain and lieutenant in the northern rangers. They’ve done it all—ambushes, scouting, intercepting—and killed plenty too. Shan Youjun is steady and shrewd; Jiao Tai is straightforward and values loyalty."
Sun Hongye added, "When I found Shan Youjun, he’d already scouted the prison twice. He told me that if we rescue Jiao Tai, both their lives would belong to you."
"Any family?"
"Neither does."
"Good. Once Jiao Tai’s out, have them swear a blood oath to follow me."
He Lingchuan clapped Sun Hongye’s shoulder.
"You’ve done excellently with this. Keep it up."
Buy one, get one free—he’d gained an extra Ding Zuodong out of nowhere.
Ding Zuodong had passed the interview.
Now, he just had to prove his worth.
…
Time flew by in Dunyu City, five days passing in a blur of mixed emotions.
For three of those days, He Chunchao and his sons had eaten, slept, and worked at the prefectural office, only stepping out for inspections.
When He Chunchao finally returned home on the fifth evening, he was met with the palpable resentment radiating from his wife.
"My dear, I had no choice!" After finally soothing her, the couple bathed, changed, and enjoyed a lavish dinner with their younger son.
He Lingchuan was absent.
He Chunchao hadn’t seen his eldest in days either.
Previously, He Lingchuan would drop by the office, but now, with his father too busy to see him, the son had stopped coming altogether.
"Where’s Chuan’er?"
"Where’s Brother?"
Father and son spoke simultaneously.
"He left early this morning without saying where. You only sent word at noon that you’d be back tonight—I couldn’t find him."
Madame Ying sighed.
"One busier than the other, leaving this old woman to guard the house alone."
The men hurried to apologize.
He Yue chuckled, "Mother, haven’t you had your own fun?"
The mansion renovations under Madame Ying’s supervision were still ongoing, with hammering and clattering from dawn till dusk.
He and his father had stayed away for three days not just because of work but also to escape the noise.
Madame Ying hmphed but didn’t deny it.
She had been enjoying herself.
After dinner, He Chunchao retired to his study.
Steward Mo brought him tea for rinsing his mouth and quietly shut the door behind him.
"How’s everything at home these past few days?"
"All smooth, no hiccups."
Steward Mo added, "Except Madame wasn’t satisfied with the west wing’s corridor and made the workers tear it down to redo it."
"What about household expenses?"
Steward Mo listed a few key figures, all within He Chunchao’s expectations.
"We’ve just arrived in Dunyu and haven’t fully settled in yet. We still need to spend carefully, not extravagantly."
(End of Chapter)