Chapter Nine: All I Want Is My Share of the Profits

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Li Zisheng ascended to the second floor, but it was not as he had imagined, with fierce debates raging. Instead, six men sat quietly, four of them masked, and only two revealing their true faces. The chief manager whom Li Zisheng hoped to meet was nowhere among them.

No one paid the slightest attention to Li Zisheng’s arrival; they continued sipping their wine, as if the endless flow of drink was the nectar of the heavens, and nothing in the world could distract them.

Li Zisheng stood at the top of the stairs, waiting, while also observing the structure of the second floor. It lacked the ornate carvings and painted beams he had expected, presenting instead a simple architecture. Yet, from this vantage, the view stretched unobstructed, allowing him to see the distant Yellow River. Though far away, its ceaseless, surging waters were clearly visible, and he could faintly hear the roar of the river.

Li Zisheng marveled at the ingenious design of the second floor of Sanwei Residence, which managed to bypass all other buildings in Lecheng, offering a direct view of the Yellow River. Meanwhile, Balian was left downstairs, serving plenty of wine and small dishes.

The plump manager, who had left and returned, led Li Zisheng into the inner chamber of the second floor. During this brief journey, Li Zisheng took in the full layout—three sides open, a truly clever construction.

“Please, young master, take a seat.” As he entered, a clear, crisp voice rang out.

“As I suspected, you are indeed a woman.” Li Zisheng made no attempt to conceal his deduction, voicing his guess directly.

Since arriving at Sanwei Residence, though he had not seen the chief manager, whenever the plump manager returned, a subtle fragrance lingered—clearly the scent of a woman. The boss mentioned by the plump manager must be female.

“Oh? How did the young master deduce this?” came the crisp voice from behind the curtain.

“It’s nothing. I was born with a keen nose, and I can distinguish most scents.” Li Zisheng replied, giving his nose a slight rub.

“Haha, it seems I was careless.” Though she said this, the woman behind the curtain took note of Li Zisheng.

“May I ask your name and origin, young master? With such talent, you can hardly be an unknown.” Her voice remained clear, but now carried a hint of regret.

“Names and fame are but fleeting clouds. True strength will shine in its own time.” Li Zisheng spoke with unblushing confidence, his pride undiminished. He sighed inwardly; boasting truly was a delightful indulgence.

“Your poetry and prose are exceptional. I wish to promote these two works and thus, I boldly ask you to entrust them to me. I would be deeply grateful.” The woman behind the curtain ignored his explanation and went straight to her purpose.

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“Oh? What price?” Seeing that she had stated her intentions directly, Li Zisheng did not mince words.

“Five thousand taels of silver.” The woman behind the curtain stated, then calmly awaited Li Zisheng’s response.

Not only Li Zisheng, but even the plump manager was startled by the offer. He had not expected his boss to be so generous, offering five thousand taels of pure silver for two poems.

“You have admirable courage, miss, but it’s still not enough.” Having worked in modern companies, Li Zisheng knew this was only an opening gambit. Such a shrewd owner would not reveal her bottom line on the first offer; Li Zisheng would not believe it.

“Oh? What terms do you propose?” The woman’s voice remained crisp and even.

“I want a share of the profits, perhaps one-tenth of your annual income, and as for cash, one hundred taels will suffice.” Li Zisheng gestured with his hand.

The plump manager was now unsettled. Was Li Zisheng not asking extravagantly? One-tenth of annual earnings—this would make him the second owner of Sanwei Residence. The value was far beyond five thousand taels. Few understood the true power of Sanwei Residence; even in Lingzhou, its influence was staggering. Yet Li Zisheng dared to propose such terms.

“Young master, that is excessive. Two poems are far from sufficient.” The woman’s voice remained calm, but now carried a sharper edge.

“You’ll find that the price you pay today will earn you far more than a tenth share.” Li Zisheng spoke with absolute confidence.

“Oh? What gives you such confidence?” The woman behind the curtain was finally intrigued, her tone no longer indifferent.

“It’s because of this.” Li Zisheng produced a slip of paper from his sleeve, written downstairs just moments before.

The plump manager quickly handed it over and withdrew, awaiting the reply.

Li Zisheng was unhurried.

Inside the curtain, a full tea’s time passed in deliberation. At last, a weary sigh was heard, but it was matched by excitement.

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“Very well, I accept your terms. One-tenth of Sanwei Residence’s income is yours, but I hope you can fulfill the promises written on your slip within three years. Otherwise, the price remains due.”

With graceful steps, the woman emerged from behind the curtain. The plump manager was astonished—not so much by her acceptance, but by the fact that she had left the curtain. Though still veiled, she revealed her presence—a rare sight in Lingzhou or Guannei Dao, where many scholars and high officials had tried and failed to meet her.

Li Zisheng beheld her—her demeanor was ethereal, almost like a celestial being. Her face was hidden, but this only added to her mystery and beauty. She appeared quite young.

“Since you now share in our profits, you are part of Sanwei Residence. Formal documentation is required.” The plump manager, perceptive as ever, had already prepared pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.

The woman swiftly completed two documents, stamping them with the seal of Sanwei Residence, signing her name as Linger, and handed Li Zisheng a jade token.

Li Zisheng signed his own name on the documents.

“Zisheng, ‘born a sage’—your elders have truly chosen an auspicious name.” The woman murmured the name, then placed the documents and slip in a leather envelope, and, after instructing the plump manager, sent him away quietly.

“Young brother Zisheng, you seem quite young—just call me Sister Linger.”

“Very well,” Li Zisheng replied coolly.

“Brother Zisheng, when will you fulfill what is written on your slip?” Linger could not help but ask.