Agency Of Market Commandants

As the two continued to eat, Wan Yan came back and informed them that the rooms were ready.

"Big brother, could I trouble you to take them to the inn?"

"Eh? Where are you going, little brother?"

"I have to go to the Agency of Market Commandant's office.. I'll head to the inn once I'm done.. Ping, stay with them and help them get settled."

Lu Ping was taken aback. "But M-..Young Master. Who will go with you?"

"I'll be fine. It's nearby.."

"Young Sir, are you planning on starting a business?"

"Yes.. good that you asked. I was planning to recruit you. Would you like to work for me?"

"Eh? Haha.. I'm just a simple food vendor.."

"Uh-huh.. And you're an impressive cook.."

"You'll open a restaurant?"

"Yup!"

The owner didn't think the young man would be able to get approval. But he was impressed at his guts to try. "Haha.. Then I will, if you could open one."

"I'll hold you to your word then. By the way, what was your name?"

"My last name is Kang and my first name is Yin, Young Sir…"

"Alright.. Ah.. I'm called Shi Jin...See you later then.."

"I'll go with you." Sun Xun spoke to Song Jia, shocking her and the others.

"Ah? You don't have to, big brother.."

"I insist. Come on…" He was already walking ahead, giving her no chance to decline anymore.

"Ping.. Here is their stuff.. I'll be back soon." She handed her the space ring with the clothes inside then ran off to catch up with Sun Xun.

The man's long strides almost made it hard for her to keep up. She had to run and navigate around the crowd.

"Big brother.. Hold on for a moment.." She panted.

He stopped on his tracks and turned to see her bent down, hands on her knees and panting heavily. He took out a silk handkerchief and handed it to her, who accepted it readily, wiping her forehead and brows, as well as the nape of her neck. "Thanks.."

'I'll just wash this later.'

Breathing in deeply and exhaling, she stood back up. "..Ready.."

Sun Xun resumed walking with Song Jia beside him, this time he didn't walk as fast.

Their pace was neither fast nor slow, leisurely walking until they reached the daunting structure in front of them.

It looked like a palace, but of course, the palace was at least ten times wider in terms of area.

At the front it says, Agency of Market Commandant. On either side of the huge doors were two guards.

Sun Xun took out a token and showed it to the guards and they were immediately shown inside by one of them.

Song Jia was curious what kind of token was it that could allow them to enter without being checked further.

"Greetings..L-.. Master Sun. I am called Zhu Mu. What brings you over today?" The older man bowed down to him.

Song Jia squinted her eyes at Sun Xun. 'Does he have a special identity?'

"My friend would like to speak with you."

"Greetings, Young Master--"

"Shi Jin.."

"Young Master Shi Jin, what can I do for you today?"

"Walk me through the requirements on establishing a business."

"Does the Young Master plan to open up a business?"

"Yes.."

"Alright then…" Zhu Mu proceeded to tell her about it.

"Then I would like to open one as soon as possible."

Instead of getting a steward to accommodate them, the elder assisted them the whole way.

"What kind of business will you be having?"

"Restaurant.."

"Do you already have a building for your business?"

"Not yet. Do you have suggestions?"

"Why, yes, Young Master." Zhu Mu took out a stack of papers from one of his drawers. "Here's a list of properties that are being sold at the moment. If you would like to assess it first, I'll have one of our elders to go with you."

Song Jia received the papers and looked through them one by one.

There were a few good ones.

'What kind of business are you thinking of Jia?' Crystal viewed the papers from the Spirit Artifact.

'Hmm.. I'm thinking of selling some food, and perfumes.'

'Oh. But those are two different things!'

'You're right. I don't think it's wise to have it located next to each other. The customers will be tempted by the smell of the food so they will visit the restaurant. The scent of perfumes would interrupt the traffic. The perfume store should be at least a block away.'

'Are you going to start the two businesses already?'

'Probably not. I only have those two people. If I could get the owner of the food stall earlier to work for me, then it's best to start with the restaurant first. Anyway, we're still making the rest of the perfumes.'

'Okay.. but what about the things you'll need to operate the restaurant?'

'Hmm.. I have a plan.'

"I think this one is good.." She picked out a building with three floors.

The money inside the pouch that Sun Xun lent to her was more than enough to pay for the building. They quickly signed the papers. But before she handed it to the elder, she turned to Sun Xun.

"Big brother, would you like to be business partners with me?"

Sun Xun was startled at her proposal. He blinked a few times, thinking he had misheard her.

"What do you think, big brother?"

"That's fine with me.." He responded after a moment.

Grinning wide, she handed him the papers for him to sign as well.

The elder who watched the exchange was shell-shocked.

'THE Master Sun just agreed to start a restaurant business?'

They were clueless about how Song Jia's mind worked.

'Since I'm only starting in this industry here. It would be beneficial to have such a backer. Just based on the token earlier, he probably has an impressive background. Just by letting me borrow this much money alone, is proof already.'

After they had finished their transaction, they walked to the direction of the inn, stopping by the food stall from before.

"Ah.. How was it, Young Sir?" Kang Yin offered a patronizing smile, thinking they were not successful.

"Meet us up at the inn nearby here later on."

"Eh?" His smile fell, his eyes widened in shock and mouth hung open.

"I got the approval. Also bought the building already.."

"..." He felt foolish for even underestimating him.

"So, will I see you later?"

"..." He did make a deal with the young man. "Yes."

"Alright.. See you later.." She waved her hand at him and walked away with Sun Xun, heading to the inn.

Bam!

A child bumped into Sun Xun, soaking the bottom of his robe wet.

Song Jia helped the child up and was relieved he was fine. His mother quickly ran up to get him, apologizing to them profusely, but also running away.

She could only look helplessly at their backs. When she turned to face Sun Xun, she noticed the wet patch on his leg area of the robe. She took out the handkerchief he lent her and handed it back to him. "Here.."