Chapter 57: Weapon Trading and Sixth Master's Dinner Party

What Xiao Qiang said actually made a lot of sense.

Moreover, if he wanted to do business with the imperial court now, having an official status would make things much smoother.

Thinking of this, Lin Shan nodded and said, "Brother Xiao, since that is the case, I will take this post as an infantry commander!"

Xiao Qiang was overjoyed. "Splendid! How about I accompany you to Sanwen County tomorrow?"

Lin Shan nodded, then brought up the matter on his mind.

"Brother Xiao, there is something I would like to discuss with you for your advice."

Xiao Qiang immediately put on an attentive look. After spending these days together, he had formed a basic understanding of Lin Shan: Lin Shan was not a man who liked owing favors because he valued loyalty deeply, and once he owed a favor, he would always find a way to repay it.

Therefore, Xiao Qiang attached great importance to whatever Lin Shan was about to propose.

Lin Shan said, "During our joint operation with the government troops the other day, I noticed that their armor and weapons were truly quite shabby. Brother Xiao, I can provide fine weapons. Do you think we can break into the official trade route with the government?"

Xiao Qiang was dumbfounded, staring blankly at Lin Shan.

Lin Shan was not surprised.

He knew that in ancient times, the business of forging weapons was almost entirely monopolized by the imperial court. Private blacksmith shops were only allowed to forge weapons when summoned by the court.

In ancient times, privately storing armor was a grave crime.

Judging by Xiao Qiang's expression, he obviously found it hard to believe that Lin Shan had access to a channel providing weapons.

After a long while, Xiao Qiang looked at Lin Shan with a complex gaze, then stood up and said, "Brother Lin, let's talk in my study."

This matter could be considered quite sensitive and confidential.

Lin Shan nodded, and the two walked all the way to Xiao Qiang's study.

Xiao Qiang closed the door tightly, not even sparing the windows, before sitting down opposite Lin Shan. With a solemn expression, he said, "Brother, this is no joking matter. Where on earth are you getting weapons?"

As soon as he asked, Xiao Qiang immediately realized that he had been a bit abrupt. Lin Shan was extremely mysterious, coming and going without a trace. Asking in this manner felt no different from interrogating him.

Hence, he quickly added, "It's not that I don't trust you, but this kind of trade requires large quantities. If the amount is trivial, it holds little meaning."

Lin Shan replied, "The quantity is naturally large, and furthermore, the quality of my weapons far exceeds that of the court's garbage."

Xiao Qiang frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "Very well, brother, I believe you are not speaking without foundation. Since that is the case, why don't we bring some of your items tomorrow when we go to see the magistrate? Let Linghu Chang take a look before we make a decision."

Lin Shan shook his hand. "Tomorrow might be too rushed. Give me seven days to bring back a sample, and then we can go see Linghu Chang together."

Xiao Qiang nodded in agreement.

Afterward, Lin Shan bid farewell to Xiao Qiang and returned to the main world.

Upon returning to the primary world, Lin Shan immediately made a phone call to old Zhang.

"Hey, old Zhang, there's something I want to ask you. Do you know any blacksmiths who can forge swords and armor?"

Zhang Zhi on the other end was stunned for a moment, thought about it, and replied, "I really don't know anyone like that. But do you remember Sixth Master, whom I mentioned to you last time? Sixth Master seems quite fond of these things, and he might have someone under his command who can do it. Tomorrow when we go over to Sixth Master's place for dinner, you can ask him about this."

Lin Shan slapped his forehead. Moving back and forth between two worlds involved far too many affairs, and he had almost forgotten about the dinner with Sixth Master.

"Alright, alright, see you tomorrow."

Hanging up with Zhang Zhi, Lin Shan flipped through their chat history and found a location Zhang Zhi had sent him.

The place chosen by Sixth Master was a manor in the suburbs, presumably similar to a rural agritainment resort, and it was right by the riverside.

Lin Shan had no choice but to return to the otherworldly realm and tell Xiao Qiang that he needed to wait a bit longer.

The next day, at four o'clock in the afternoon, Lin Shan drove his battered Honda toward the gathering spot.

It took a full hour and a half of driving. Sixth Master's private manor was situated along the riverside highway. Along the way, the scenery was picturesque, and the area was sparsely populated—definitely a prime location.

Arriving at the destination, before him stood a massive iron gate. Seeing a car approach, a person emerged from a side door, looked at Lin Shan, and asked, "What is your name?"

The clubs frequented by Sixth Master's circle placed great emphasis on security.

Lin Shan answered truthfully, "Lin Shan."

The man flipped through a small booklet in his hand, his expression changing instantly into a flattering smile. "Ah, it's President Lin. I'll open the gate right away."

With that, he opened the heavy iron gate, casting a puzzled glance at Lin Shan's Honda and muttering inwardly, "I've been guarding the gate here for so many years, and this is the first time I've ever seen someone drive a car like this to come here for dinner..."

Lin Shan paid no mind to the man's gaze and parked his car in the parking lot.

The private club was exceptionally large. After getting out of the car, Lin Shan noticed several large ponds where a few anglers were fishing, alongside a restaurant. He stood there taking in the surroundings.

A female voice sounded from behind him, "Hello, sir."

Lin Shan turned around to see a young woman wearing a cheongsam looking at him.

This young woman possessed a stellar figure and appearance. If she were to stream live online, she could probably earn quite a bit, yet she was working as a waitress here.

"Hello... uh, I have an appointment to have dinner with Sixth Master, but I don't know which private room it is."

The young woman smiled sweetly and said, "Please follow me, sir."

Lin Shan nodded and followed behind her.

The dining areas built by Sixth Master were all floating wooden structures resting upon the ponds, possessing a unique charm of their own.

Eventually, the waitress led Lin Shan into a classically styled private room.

At that moment, Zhang Zhi was already seated there. Upon seeing Lin Shan, he greeted, "Oh, you're here. Sit down for a moment."

Lin Shan sat next to Zhang Zhi and remarked with a sigh, "Sixth Master's establishment is truly impressive. A single waitress outside easily surpasses ninety-nine percent of female livestreamers."

With an expression that seemed to say "you really haven't seen the world," Zhang Zhi retorted, "Naturally. I heard it cost Sixth Master a small fortune of a hundred million to build this place. The waitress who just brought you here has a monthly salary of thirty thousand. Anyone who can enter this place is no ordinary person."

He then chuckled and said, "If it weren't for riding on your coattails, I wouldn't have been able to get in either."

The two chatted idly about all sorts of things until a thin man dressed in a Tang suit suddenly walked in.

He was lean and slight, but his gaze was extremely sharp. Dressed in a white Tang suit without any superfluous ornaments, he was followed by a burly bodyguard clad in black.

Zhang Zhi quickly lowered his voice and said, "This is Sixth Master."

He then stood up and said, "Sixth Master, thank you so much for your hospitality today."

Sixth Master chuckled and said, "A minor matter... Is this the friend who provided that tiger to me earlier?"

Sixth Master looked toward Lin Shan.

Lin Shan stood up and said, "It's me, Sixth Master."

In comparison, Lin Shan's attitude was not as subservient as Zhang Zhi's, appearing neither humble nor arrogant.

Ever since he began practicing martial arts, his mindset had evolved to the point where he no longer felt inferior to others, because no matter who he faced, he possessed the ability to upend the table.