Free Web NovelChapter 431: Chapter 240: The Procurement Post; Huangfu Family Intelligence
At the entrance of the small market house.
After hearing Cheng Zongyang’s question, Luo Dingran didn’t answer right away. Instead, he began to ponder.
’What position would benefit both the Cheng Family and the development of the Wilderness World?’
Cheng Zongyang’s suggested choice was a procurement position in the Acquisitions Department.
The Acquisitions Department was divided into three sections: Pawnbroking, Purchasing, and Procurement.
The first was self-explanatory—the pawnbroking business. For instance, when Cheng Zongyang later wanted to sell jewelry to the Commerce Association, the Pawnbroking section of the Acquisitions Department would handle it.
Purchasing involved buying goods from the mountains, products from other merchants, and assets from various families.
As for Procurement, that involved going out to find large quantities of goods that would be profitable for the Commerce Association.
These three sections had their own distinct roles, but they were all equally important.
Cheng Zongyang chose Procurement for two reasons. First, it allowed him to travel. Second, it would make it convenient for the Cheng Family, the Celestial Break Gang, and even the Wilderness World to sell their goods, or to purchase items to sell in the Wilderness World for Points.
As long as the procedures were followed and it brought profit to the Commerce Association, how and where he procured the goods might not matter.
After thinking for a moment, Luo Dingran said, "The Procurement position is indeed a good choice. Compared to the other sections, this role is the best fit. I have no better suggestions."
Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. "Then the Procurement position it is. I’m just worried that it will get busy later, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to place my own people inside."
Luo Dingran smiled. "By then, you’ll be a Steward, so you’ll have some authority to make appointments. As long as you don’t break the Commerce Association’s rules, it’ll be fine. Besides, given your relationship with that other steward, he won’t mind such a small matter."
Cheng Zongyang stopped worrying about it and said to Luo Dingran,
"Sort that jewelry. I’ll find some time later to take it out and sell it for silver. Also, since I’ll be in Procurement, we can start planning for certain things in the future. After all, some items can be sold for Points."
Luo Dingran smiled. "Understood."
This was also why he hadn’t had any better suggestions.
The Procurement section offered far too many opportunities to pull strings. As long as one had the proper, legal, and legitimate paperwork, they could easily use their public position for private gain.
In the blink of an eye, night had fallen.
During that time, Li Lu reported that Chen Kaishan and Zheng Tianhai had been settled into two separate small courtyards.
So, that evening, Cheng Zongyang went to Chen Kaishan’s residence to confirm that he wanted the Procurement position in the Acquisitions Department.
Upon hearing this, Chen Kaishan agreed without much thought, as the choice had been left up to Cheng Zongyang from the start.
However, Chen Kaishan also explained some new requirements to Cheng Zongyang. There would be a monthly performance quota to ensure the Commerce Association had a sufficient supply of goods.
Only if they truly couldn’t procure the goods would they request a transfer from headquarters.
Cheng Zongyang stated that this would not be a problem.
’With some advance planning, I can grow agricultural products and other such goods in the Wilderness World, and they can be procured directly from me in the future.’
Chen Kaishan also mentioned that he had reported the matter and expected a response in about two to three days.
Cheng Zongyang wasn’t worried. The population issue was a trivial matter for the Da Yi Commerce Association. There were countless felons and death row inmates in various places; people like that could easily be sent to him as a favor, which would also serve to clean out such scum.
Therefore, Cheng Zongyang was fairly certain there would be no problem with the population request. As for the other matters, it would all depend on their attitude.
After leaving, Cheng Zongyang didn’t do much else for the next few days. He spent most of his time studying the Array Book and the text on the stone carving.
「July 8th.」
Afternoon. Yunli Lane, Cheng Residence.
"Please announce my arrival. Just say a steward from the Da Yi Commerce Association is here to visit."
At the gate, Chen Kaishan stood alone, speaking politely to a young man.
Hearing the name "Da Yi Commerce Association," Zhang Zeyu bowed with his hands clasped. "You must be Steward Chen. My young master is in cultivation. However, he left instructions beforehand that if someone from the Commerce Association arrives, they are to be invited into the reception hall for tea. Steward Chen, please, come in!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Kaishan smiled and followed Zhang Zeyu inside.
As Zhang Zeyu led Chen Kaishan toward the reception hall, he instructed a maid along the way to prepare two cups of tea.
A moment later, Cheng Zongyang, who was in the Wilderness World’s Book Workshop studying array artifacts, heard Zhang Zeyu’s voice. He handed the items to Ding Xing to organize, and his figure vanished from the Book Workshop.
As the study door opened, Zhang Zeyu bowed with clasped hands. "Young Master, Steward Chen has arrived. He is in the reception hall drinking tea."
"Good." Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly.
In the rear courtyard’s reception hall, Cheng Zongyang’s voice arrived before he did. "Uncle Chen, forgive me for not coming out to greet you. I’ve been neglectful."
In the reception hall, Chen Kaishan, who was holding his teacup, saw Cheng Zongyang stride in quickly, his hands clasped in a salute and his face wreathed in smiles.
Chen Kaishan stood up and smiled. "You’re too kind. My sudden visit must have disturbed your cultivation."
Cheng Zongyang sat down and said with a chuckle, "Cultivation can wait. Uncle Chen, you’ve come this time because you have news?"
He didn’t beat around the bush. Both of them were busy, and they weren’t strangers, so there was no need for excessive pleasantries.
After sitting down, Chen Kaishan nodded. "That’s right. I received a message this afternoon, and after some discussion, I came to talk with you."
"Please, go on," Cheng Zongyang gestured.
Chen Kaishan organized his thoughts for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Headquarters has responded to the three issues you raised. First, the population issue. That’s not a problem. We can provide as many people as you want, and they can be sent from the Prefecture City or other places. This is considered support and an investment from the Commerce Association. However, in response, the Commerce Association has also made a change to your second request.
