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Chapter 269: Escort Agency Expansion
🕑 Added 2024-09-30 08:17:24 +0000 UTCAfter everyone had eaten their fill, Qin Jianghe remembered Aunt Yang’s request for him to help find her family members. With that in mind, he brought out a few more plates of food that Jiang Youfu had specifically prepared—dishes with milder effects—and took them to the front yard of the escort agency, inviting the guards to share the meal.
The guards, who had been on duty, had already been salivating from the delicious aromas wafting in from the back courtyard. When they saw Qin Jianghe bringing out several plates of food, they couldn't contain their excitement. They knew their leader wouldn’t forget them!
"Happy New Year, brothers! These are some dishes I brought from home. Let’s enjoy them as a late New Year's treat!" Qin said, as one of the guards quickly set up a table to lay out the dishes.
"The food from the boss’s house smells the best! We could already smell it from the front yard, haha! We're in for a treat today!"
"Boss, come on and join us for a few bites!"
Qin Jianghe smiled and sat down with them. He then pulled out a small purse and instructed one of the attendants to fetch a jug of wine. "We still have work to do today, so just two sips each—just a little to celebrate."
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they lounged around the table, chatting and resting comfortably. Qin Jianghe found an opportune moment to bring up Aunt Yang's situation.
"By the way, my aunt has been worried about her family ever since she lost contact with them during a disaster. She hasn't heard from them in years, doesn’t know if they’re alive or dead, and it’s been weighing on her heart. I was hoping I could ask you all to keep an ear out when you're out on jobs and help her find some information."
Master Gao, the most senior and righteous of the guards, immediately raised his hand and said, "Don’t worry, Boss! From now on, whenever I’m out on a job, I’ll keep an eye and ear out for any news about your aunt’s family. I’ll make sure to find some solid information for her!"
Because Qin Jianghe always treated his subordinates well and with respect, the guards had great admiration for him. They had also witnessed his skills firsthand during their escort missions, so no one ever looked down on him because of his youth.
Now that he had personally requested their help—along with a good meal and some wine—the guards were quick to respond, following Master Gao's lead and eagerly promising to assist in the search.
Qin Jianghe then provided detailed information about Yang Jinshu's parents, including their names, circumstances, and the last known location where they had gone missing. With this, the search for Yang Jinshu's family had officially begun.
It had been a long journey for Yang Jinshu. Widowed at a young age, she had struggled for years under the oppression of the Liu family, raising two children alone. She had no energy or resources to search for her parents back then. Now, thanks to her cultivation, her life had undergone a complete transformation, and she could finally pursue this long-held wish.
With Aunt Yang’s request now set in motion, Qin Jianghe laughed and joked with the guards as they cleared the table. Afterward, he returned to the back courtyard to review the agency’s affairs during the New Year holiday.
Inside the agency’s study, Qin Jianghe sat at the desk, absentmindedly tapping his fingers on the surface while looking over the ledger.
During his time away for the New Year, the escort agency had run smoothly without any issues. His two cousins had become quite proficient in managing the agency’s operations, and their business relationships had stabilized.
It was perhaps time to consider expanding.
Qin Jianghe pondered this. After all, when that rogue Qi Refining bandit had wreaked havoc in Songyang County, many other escort agencies had suffered heavy losses. Some had gone out of business, while others refused to take jobs along that route.
Lingxiao Escort Agency, however, had risen to prominence, taking on all the jobs along that dangerous route and never losing a single shipment. They quickly gained a stellar reputation, becoming the most sought-after agency in Songyang County.
Although the government later announced that the bandits along the official road had been eliminated, allowing other agencies to gradually resume business, they had already missed their chance. Many major merchants now only trusted Lingxiao Escort Agency, with some even signing long-term contracts with them.
As a result, the escort agency had been raking in profits during this period.
However, Qin Jianghe didn’t want to monopolize the business and leave other agencies with no livelihood. Instead, he approached them with offers of cooperation.
In simple terms, these agencies could become affiliates of Lingxiao Escort Agency, paying an annual fee based on the number of jobs they handled, in exchange for protection and backing from Lingxiao.
While this arrangement might not sound entirely flattering, the fee Qin Jianghe charged was relatively low. After careful consideration, many agencies found it reasonable. Although the government claimed to have eradicated the bandits, within the escort industry, it was widely believed that Lingxiao Escort Agency had actually been responsible for taking them down. Even neighboring counties had heard rumors about it.
With that in mind, the escort agencies in Songyang County concluded that by affiliating with Lingxiao, they could ensure the longevity of their businesses. They would only have to give up a small portion of their earnings, and in return, they could count on Lingxiao Escort Agency to clear the path for them in case of future trouble.
One by one, they signed contracts with Lingxiao Escort Agency.
With business thriving and multiple agencies now under his control, Qin Jianghe had the capital to consider expansion.
However, expanding into other regions might not be as smooth as it had been in Songyang County. There might not be any convenient stepping stones in other places.
But Qin Jianghe wasn’t the type to back down from challenges. He called Gu Yuxiao and his two cousins to discuss plans for expanding the agency’s operations beyond Songyang County.
While the younger group discussed business, Qin’s mother and Tie Tou’s mother remained uninterested in such matters. Instead, they focused on fulfilling their primary goal for coming to Songyang County: gaining new experiences.
Aside from their daily cultivation, which was as regular as it had been in the sect, the two women spent their time wandering the streets, exploring every nook and cranny. Qin Jianghe didn’t mind their adventures, allowing them the freedom to explore as they pleased. His only rule was simple: if they encountered trouble, they should run immediately.
Thus, the two of them became avid explorers, diving into every alley and crowding into every bustling scene they came across. Their curiosity even led them to overhear a wide variety of conversations while eavesdropping in secluded corners.
For the two women, this period had been an eye-opening experience.
They had no fear of getting lost, either. After all, Lin Xiao had provided the agency with numerous location transmission talismans, with the main talisman stored at the agency. Even if they did lose their way, they could simply teleport back to safety.
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