"Rubbish! Although I see he plans to use me, his admiration is indeed genuine. You all should learn from this. Even if our paths differ, you should not belittle others freely and let prejudice sway your true heart." Qu Shanling, feeling quite comfortable from Mu Hanyan’s flattery, naturally felt displeased upon hearing such words and reprimanded softly.
"Oh, Disciple is instructed. However, previously he said that these medicinal herbs would enhance Nanmu Chamber of Commerce’s reputation more effectively than if Master had intervened, which still shows too little regard for Master," said the disciple, sensing that Qu Shanling seemed to appreciate Mu Hanyan and fearing for his own position, thus quickly stirring the pot.
"Yes, right, we must not forget that," Qu Shanling finally snapped back to reality. Although he felt pleased by Mu Hanyan’s flattery, he couldn’t let go of the grudge that threatened his big plan.
"Considering the sincere respect you’ve shown me, old man, I’ll let you off this time and offer a free appraisal. But previously, you mentioned using these medicinal herbs to popularize the Nanmu Auction, which you haven’t achieved yet, have you?" said Qu Shanling.
"Don’t worry, you’ll see soon," Mu Hanyan confidently replied.
"Housekeeper Sun, please assign someone to distribute the news that Nanmu Auction has a large quantity of rare medicinal herbs for sale, and list all these herbs to distribute together. Give a copy to each of the market traders too, and ask them to help promote it," Mu Hanyan instructed Housekeeper Sun.
"Yes," Housekeeper Sun, seeing that Mu Nan heeded every word of Mu Hanyan and was even willing to fall out with his own master over his disagreements, naturally did not object.
"Hmph, I thought it was some brilliant maneuver, but it’s nothing special. If these types of medicinal herbs can cause a sensation, I’ll write the ’Qu’ character backwards," Qu Shanling said disdainfully.
These Spirit Grasses were indeed numerous and the grades acceptable. He had just helped to identify a few exceptional ones which Che Xiang had misnamed or misgraded, which could also fetch some money if sold. But none were rare enough to make a name for themselves.
Not just him, even Mu Nan and others doubted the success of the plan, all casting puzzled looks at Mu Hanyan.
Yet, Mu Hanyan gave no explanation, merely smiling at Qu Shanling.
"Senior Qu, how about we make a bet?" Mu Hanyan suggested.
"A bet on what?" Qu Shanling asked.
"If I can use these medicinal herbs to boost the reputation of Nanmu Auction, you don’t have to write your name backwards. Just stay at Nanmu Auction for ten years and help for free. If I lose, I’ll give you fifty percent of the auction’s shares, and you can do as you wish with me," Mu Hanyan proposed.
"Good, good, with such audacity from Young Master Nan, it would seem petty for me not to take this bet. I’ll bet with you!" Qu Shanling declared grandly. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Nonsense, could he not be grand? In his view, relying on these medicinal herbs, even if Nanmu Auction hyped it to the skies, it would not cause much of a sensation. They were not really betting—this was simply self-torture.
He even started to fantasize slightly: Could this insufferable young man, having developed admiration after seeing my talents and unable to swallow his pride because of his youth, be intentionally using the bet as an excuse to hand over fifty percent of the shares to me?
It must be said, Qu the Godman was thinking too much, far too much.
Before long, the steward had the list of medicinal herbs prepared and distributed. Each trader and customer at the auction house received a copy. They had a good relationship with Nanmu Auction and genuinely identified with it, indeed eager to help out.