Chapter 16: Chain Operations

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As the saying goes, a horse won’t grow fat without night feed, and a man won’t become wealthy without sudden fortune.

In the recent surprise raid to eliminate the demonic cult’s stronghold, Feng Tang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was naturally the biggest winner.

The vast stockpile of valuables, provisions, and medicinal materials hoarded by the Sun Moon Sect at this location was worth tens of thousands of silver taels. With the help of that purple-robed envoy, Feng Tang swallowed it all up.

He handed over the houses and farmlands here entirely to the imperial court, thereby becoming a model of integrity and dedication.

In the report submitted by Zhao Quan, an official of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to the court, special mention was made: “Feng Tang led the elite forces of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, coordinated with Deng Gang and Wu Tiande from the Divine Machine Battalion, united in strategy and defense. When encountering the cult’s high-ranking commander, Xue, Feng Tang bravely attacked him. Xue was severely wounded and fled, unlikely to survive long. In this battle, several mid- and low-level cult members were captured, hundreds were killed; furthermore, hundreds of oppressed commoners were rescued and temporarily settled around the Zitan Fort in the eastern suburbs.”

On this basis, Feng Tang’s behind-the-scenes efforts soon bore fruit, and he was promoted as he wished to Commanding Assistant of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, holding the fourth rank of officialdom.

Alongside this, the marriage prospects of Feng Tang, heir to the Military General’s Mansion, began to rise steadily. It was said that Feng Ziying had become so arrogant that he declared he would only consider daughters from noble families, rejecting all others outright.

However, behind the scenes, he forcibly claimed Yun’er, a courtesan of the Jinxiang Courtesan House, who had been captured by Wu Tiande and others.

“Hahaha, the backing of the Jinxiang Courtesan House’s owner is quite powerful. You’re just a minor military officer—you probably can’t protect those two anyway. Better to give one to me; I can help ease your worries,” Feng Ziying said as he paid a visit, leering.

Wu Tiande naturally looked down on competing with him for such fallen women.

To be honest, ever since Yun’er and Xia’er, those two temptresses, were locked in the warehouse of the shop, unrest had spread.

Not only were Jiao Fu and Jiao Gui, two simpletons, distracted—willing to starve themselves just to save their rations for the two girls—but even the head chef, Duo Guan, became restless, frequently sneaking to the warehouse to fetch rice and vegetables to chat with them.

Wasn’t this just a transparent ploy? Everyone could see through it.

Jiao Ya hid under the counter, sobbing and swearing never to get along with Duo Guan again.

That guy not only drank excessively but was also a notorious womanizer!

If this could be tolerated, what couldn’t?

Her gaze toward Wu Tiande also grew contemptuous. Was the owner keeping those two temptresses in the shop because he wanted to take advantage of them?

Was he not afraid of sullying himself or contracting venereal disease?

Jiao Ya even advised Qingwen to keep a close eye on the owner, warning that it would be very bad if she got tainted.

As a result, Qingwen treated Wu Tiande as an enemy. Whenever he returned from outside, she clung to the little dog Wangcai, surrounding him so closely he felt quite inconvenienced.

“What kind of nonsense is this?” Wu Tiande said angrily.

He had intended to deal with the two temptresses quickly to avoid corrupting the good girls such as Qingwen and Qu Feiyan.

Since Feng Ziying came to claim one, Wu Tiande was more than happy to grant his wish, but he took the opportunity to extort a ransom of one hundred silver taels from Feng Ziying.

“Brother Feng, it is said that gold and silver are easy to come by, but a cherished beauty is hard to find. If you take Yun’er away without paying a penny, wouldn’t that be disrespectful? You should give some silver to show her value. That way, I can explain to those around me who risked their lives to capture her,” Wu Tiande smiled.

Feng Ziying was displeased inwardly. What life-threatening risk was there? Wu Tiande had just followed behind Captain Deng Gang, picking up leftovers, never truly fighting a proper battle—how dare he talk about risking his life?

Still, Wu Tiande’s words were not without reason. If he paid nothing, he would have no leverage over Yun’er and wouldn’t be able to flaunt his status as a wealthy young master.

Just as he hesitated, Wu Tiande reminded him, “Last time, I gave your servants a big reward for helping clean the courtyard.”

The implication was clear: since I helped you so much now, how can you not reciprocate? If you don’t understand this simple courtesy, how dare you come asking for women?

Cornered by these words, Feng Ziying had no choice but to produce the silver to silence Wu Tiande’s foul mouth.

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Fortunately, Yun’er was unharmed under Wu Tiande’s care. Seeing her smile as radiant as blooming flowers, Feng Ziying’s heart burned with desire, itching to leap forward and plant a big kiss on her lips—he no longer bothered arguing with Wu Tiande.

Watching Yun’er happily throw herself into Feng Ziying’s arms, Duo Guan, Jiao Fu, and Jiao Gui were inevitably disappointed, their faces awkward.

After all, they had cared for Yun’er these past days, yet their efforts were no match for a rich playboy’s beckoning.

After Feng Ziying left, Wu Tiande dealt with the group in typical fashion: carrot and stick.

He gave each two silver taels, then chastised them, “Don’t entertain any hopes. If you’re not strong enough, don’t dream of aiming high. She’d rather cry in a young master’s arms than laugh in a humble household.”

His words made everyone ponder deeply.

Jia Zhi, still puzzled, asked, “What is Lord Feng trying to do? He says he won’t marry anyone but a noble lady, yet secretly keeps a mistress. Isn’t that contradictory?”

Recently, Wu Tiande had entrusted much of his administrative and commercial paperwork to Jia Zhi, who fancied himself a strategist helping Wu Tiande plan.

Wu Tiande smiled, “You don’t get it. He deliberately sets the bar high so the marriage can be delayed. Without a lady of the house, he can do as he pleases.”

Jia Zhi exclaimed, “Doesn’t his father, Feng Tang, intervene?”

“Why would he?” Wu Tiande scoffed. “Who among the wealthy scions doesn’t have a few pretty concubines? Feng Ziying is just a bit more blatant, secretly keeping a courtesan.”

“That’s too much. I wouldn’t do that,” Jia Zhi said seriously.

But others only laughed at his claim. Though Jia Zhi was born into the Jia clan of Jinling, as a collateral branch, his family had long since declined. Without Wu Tiande’s patronage, he might barely have enough to eat. Pretending to be important was pointless.

Deng Gang was also a major beneficiary of the operation, netting over a thousand silver taels unexpectedly. His trial rank was removed, and he was officially promoted to the rank of Captain, sixth rank in the military hierarchy—a considerable advancement.

In the Great Zhou military, junior officers like small and chief flag bearers were not limited in number; one could set up as many as desired. This was one reason Wu Tiande successfully purchased his commission.

But officers above captain rank held real posts, with fixed slots. Though purchasable, it required significant cost, seniority, and merit.

Wu Tiande had plotted this promotion for a long time, spending much silver before finally achieving his goal.

Compared to this, the few hundred silver taels Wu Tiande made from this operation seemed trivial.

Fortunately, he helped official Jiang Yuhan once, escorting him safely back to the city, earning an indirect favor from Prince Zhongshun, which might prove useful later.

After selling Yun’er at a high price, Wu Tiande sent a message through an intermediary to the madam of the Jinxiang Courtesan House, offering to return Xia’er for fifty silver taels.

However, the madam sent back a reply denying any knowledge of such a person, asking Wu Tiande not to slander.

“There is a Yun’er, but we’ve never heard of Xia’er. Mr. Wu, are you mistaken?” The madam indignantly declared, “The Jinxiang Courtesan House only deals in respectable business; all our girls come from honorable families. It’s impossible they have ties with cult leaders. If Mr. Wu continues to defame us, the Jinxiang Courtesan House won’t tolerate it.”

This left Wu Tiande somewhat frustrated. Xia’er was indeed less attractive, and the Courtesan House did not want any further association with her, fearing the cult case might harm their business.

Customers might also worry the Embroidered Uniform Guard would trace back to them and cause trouble.

As for Xia’er, she felt deeply aggrieved. Banished from the Jinxiang Courtesan House, the hundreds of silver taels she had saved over the years, hidden under the large wooden chest beneath her bed, had no idea who ultimately benefited from them.

Thinking of this, her heart ached bitterly, and she burst into loud sobs.

Wu Tiande hesitated, “How about we consider ourselves unlucky, having fed you for several days for nothing. Now we’ll let you return home. What do you say?”

“No, no, no, I won’t go home!” Xia’er screamed in fright. “I was sold by my cruel family to that shameful place. If I return penniless, won’t I just be sold off again? I’ve barely escaped that hell and never want to live that dirty life again.”

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She pleaded with Wu Tiande for a chance to live.

“I come from poverty; I can do laundry, cook, and clean. I only ask you to take me in,” she begged.

“Since you were captured and held for several days, you should be responsible for me,” Xia’er added, her professional instincts kicking in as she gave Wu Tiande a sidelong glance, cooing flirtatiously. This made Wu Tiande shiver all over.

Jiao Fu and Jiao Gui chimed in, smoothing things over, saying Xia’er was a better woman than Yun’er in terms of conscience.

“We’ve brought meals to both girls several times. Yun’er always ate everything but never let us hold her hand once or give us any favors. But Xia’er, she, she, hehe…” The two rough men suddenly blushed and fidgeted, unable to say exactly what was good about Xia’er.

Given this, Wu Tiande had no choice but to make other arrangements for her.

Over the past half-year, the Zhen You Wei fast-food restaurant thrived steadily, with profits stable. With both money and manpower, it was time to expand and open branches.

Otherwise, the shop on Ningrong Street could not even accommodate his five personal guards, let alone shelter Qu Yang, Mistress Xue, and others.

Wu Tiande purchased two small shops on Drum Tower West Street and Xinglong Street for under seven hundred silver taels.

Due to a dispute between Jiao Ya and Duo Guan, she volunteered to transfer to the Drum Tower West Street branch.

This branch was managed by Madam Bu, who newly hired a cook’s wife named Hu Shi. With Jia Zhi and Jia Yun’s help, it was manageable.

Qu Yang and Qu Feiyan, grandfather and granddaughter, hid in the backyard of this shop.

Madam Bao Erjia went to manage the Xinglong Street branch, with her husband Bao Er, Xia’er, Jiao Fu, and Jiao Gui assisting her.

Madam Lou oversaw Zhen You Wei’s flagship store on Ningrong Street and managed the main shop. Aside from Chef Duo Guan, a young helper named Deng’er was hired, and Jia Jun also helped out.

Though the flagship had fewer staff, during busy times Qingwen could fill in, and personnel could be dispatched from other branches as needed.

Wu Tiande divided the delivery routes of the three branches’ food carts: the Ningrong Street flagship served the city center, while the Drum Tower West Street and Xinglong Street branches covered the north and south districts respectively, avoiding competition and preserving harmony.

After expanding, the Zhen You Wei fast-food chain’s reputation in Beiping City grew daily. Several food carts roamed the streets and alleys, drawing attention.

On top of that, the food vendors—Jiao Ya, Deng’er, and Xia’er—were all quite attractive women.

During festivals and busy days, Madam Bao Erjia personally appeared in tight-fitting clothes, showcasing her graceful figure—a beautiful sight.

The four women, each with their own charm, quickly earned the title “Four Beauties of Fast Food,” attracting many city idlers eager to join the fun.

Certainly, some would act on their desires and try to grope them.

But Jia Zhi, Jia Yun, Jiao Fu, and Jiao Gui had all learned a few moves of the Wang family’s blade technique from Wu Tiande, and could easily handle most dirty-minded troublemakers.

If that failed, Wu Tiande himself would step in.

After all, Wu Tiande was the chief flag officer of the Divine Machine Battalion and quite skilled. A small business yielding thirty to fifty silver taels a month was manageable.

Those highly skilled or noble-born would hardly eat street fast food or lack women, so they wouldn’t cause trouble.

Furthermore, using honeycomb coal for cooking gave a cost advantage over competitors, allowing Wu Tiande to run the fast-food chain steadily and smoothly.