Chapter 41 That woman is certainly no good.

When Zhen Jiang spoke of having a deep and thorough communication with Lu Chuan, Lu Chuan’s thoughts inevitably strayed.

There was no helping it; as a modern transmigrator, his associative imagination was truly formidable.

Noticing Lu Chuan’s peculiar expression, Zhen Jiang asked, "What is it? Does Lord Lu not have the time?"

"No, of course not!"

Lu Chuan quickly reined in his thoughts. "Miss Zhen generously threw down one hundred and fifty million in the pre-sale auction to fully support the construction of my Lu County. How could I possibly not have the time? Coincidentally, I also wish to discuss a deeper... cooperation with Miss Zhen. Why don't we head over to my residence to talk?"

Zhen Jiang nodded. Had she not gone to such great lengths precisely to see Lu Chuan?

For now, the results of her efforts appeared quite satisfactory.

The pre-sale auction had already concluded, and the remaining matters could be safely left to Lu Shui to handle, leaving Lu Chuan with nothing to worry about.

Both Lu Chuan and Zhen Jiang had arrived by carriage. Unfortunately, Zhen Jiang’s public identity was that of the eldest miss of the Zhen family—unlike certain people who assumed the disguised identity of a man—so it was inappropriate for Lu Chuan to invite her to share his carriage. They had to travel separately.

After escorting Zhen Jiang and Zhen Mi into his residence, Lu Chuan had his servants prepare tea and refreshments before getting straight to the point.

"Miss Zhen generously dropped one hundred and fifty million coins at the pre-sale auction today. Was there something specific you were hoping to request?"

Zhen Jiang smiled and said, "Lord Lu flatters me. This humble one merely regretted that our Zhen family missed the opportunity to participate in the construction of Lu County’s northern outer city. Then, seeing how much importance Lord Lu places on us merchants, I was deeply moved and naturally wanted to contribute a portion of my strength to the building of Lu County. How could I dare to make any demands?"

Lu Chuan smiled as well, realizing that this woman, Zhen Jiang, was exceptionally eloquent.

Clearly, she had plenty of thoughts and demands in mind, yet she simply refused to voice them.

If Zhen Jiang were to state her requests now, as long as they weren't too outrageous, Lu Chuan would certainly fulfill them. However, if she did that, the favor she bought today with her expenditure of one hundred and fifty million coins would essentially be exhausted.

For Zhen Jiang, the optimal strategy was to prevent Lu Chuan from ever repaying this favor.

As long as the debt remained, Lu Chuan would have to keep it in mind at all times. No matter what business the Zhen family conducted in Lu County, Lu Chuan would inevitably grant them certain conveniences.

That would remain the case unless Lu Chuan hardened his heart to offer the Zhen family sufficient compensation, settling the debt entirely in one go.

Yet, was a favor worth one hundred and fifty million coins so easily cleared?

The construction of the northern outer city was currently underway, and no matter how much money Lu Chuan had in his possession, it would be spent in the shortest possible time. Thus, he hardly had any surplus funds to spare.

If he insisted on repaying Zhen Jiang’s favor at this juncture, it would very likely disrupt the construction of the northern outer city.

However, owing others favors did not align with Lu Chuan’s style. After turning the matter over in his mind, he ultimately had someone fetch a topographical map of the Lu County urban district.

"Miss Zhen, please take a look. The property rights to all these marked commercial shops currently rest in the hands of the Lu County yamen. Today, I take the liberty of offering you the choice of any five of these shops. Not only will I grant you permanent ownership, but each shop will also come with an annual tax exemption quota of one million. Beyond that, Miss Zhen may also freely select one residential estate. What do you think?"

Instead of glancing at the terrain map presented by Lu Chuan, Zhen Jiang simply gazed at him with a lingering, profound look.

"Is Lord Lu in such a hurry to draw a strict line between us?"

Faced with this reaction from Zhen Jiang, Lu Chuan instantly developed a headache, and a thought flashed through his mind: This woman is no good!

Who in their right mind would reject an offer of five commercially zoned shops with permanent ownership, each accompanied by an annual tax exemption of one million coins?

Anyone who had the courage to say no surely had much grander demands in mind.

Zhen Mi also stared at her eldest sister in astonishment, unable to comprehend why Zhen Jiang would refuse when Lu Chuan had put forth such favorable conditions.

Wasn't the very purpose of their trip to Lu County to win Lu Chuan's favor while simultaneously securing their commercial layout?

As long as Zhen Jiang nodded, those objectives would be met. Why on earth was she turning it down?

Composing his expression, Lu Chuan asked, "Could it be that Miss Zhen feels five shops and one residence are still not enough?"

"No! This humble one has no such thought."

Zhen Jiang hurriedly clarified, "Five shops with permanent ownership and an annual tax-free quota of one million coins each, located right at the absolute center of Lu County's inner city, are of immeasurable value. If Lord Lu were willing to put these five shops up for public auction, I daresay they wouldn't fetch less than one hundred million coins—let alone the fact that Lord Lu is also willing to gift this humble one a permanently owned residence in the heart of Lu County as well. How could I possibly find that insufficient?

It is simply because, as I said before, everything this humble one has done is not in pursuit of any return, but solely to enable Lu County to achieve greater development.

To us merchants, Lu County is an extraordinary existence. Therefore, our Zhen family hopes that Lu County can continue to flourish, and we hope that Lord Lu will achieve greater accomplishments and a grander vision in the future. Ideally, this development model of Lu County could even be replicated in other counties. Should that come to pass, even if our Zhen family receives no reward whatsoever, we will still feel deeply gratified."

Lu Chuan stared at Zhen Jiang, observing her composed expression, utterly unable to discern whether her words were true or false.

Regardless, since Zhen Jiang had put it that way, Lu Chuan certainly could not forcibly thrust shops and houses upon her.

It must be said that the Zhen family was truly wealthy and influential, dropping one hundred and fifty million coins without batting an eye.

"Since Miss Zhen is so broad-minded, I will press the matter no further. However, since Miss Zhen has come representing the Zhen family, you must surely wish to conduct some business in my Lu County. If Miss Zhen has any plans, please feel free to come to me at any time."

Zhen Jiang smiled again. "Lord Lu is a man of vast affairs; how could this humble one dare to easily disturb you? Our Zhen family does indeed wish to do business in Lu County, but we will proceed through proper channels and will certainly not make things difficult for Lord Lu.

Seeing that the construction of the northern outer city is proceeding with great momentum, I imagine you must still require a large quantity of building materials. Perhaps Lord Lu could list out the materials needed so that this humble one may arrange for procurement and logistics, ensuring we do not delay the construction of the northern outer city in the slightest."

Lu Chuan nodded. "Very well! With the assistance of Miss Zhen and the Zhen family, I am confident that the progress of the northern outer city's construction can be pushed even further! Today, I will have Lu Shui send you the material list required for the northern outer city."

"Splendid! In that case, this humble one shall not linger and disturb you further."

Zhen Jiang rose, pulled Zhen Mi along, and bowed to Lu Chuan.

"This humble one takes her leave!"

Lu Chuan stood up to see them off as well. Just as Zhen Jiang was about to step outside, Lu Chuan suddenly spoke up.

"Miss Zhen, did your Zhen family caravan bring any salt with you on this trip to Lu County?"

Zhen Jiang turned around, showing a look of bewilderment in front of Lu Chuan for the very first time.

"Salt? Naturally, we brought some. If Lord Lu has need of it, this humble one will simply have it sent over."

"Good! Then please have ten *shi* of salt delivered. Tomorrow at this exact hour, please pay me another visit, and I promise to give Miss Zhen a pleasant surprise!"