Chapter 240: A Potential Agreement

Ye Xiaoxian said with a smile, “After returning some to Li Chengru, we still have money to share. Whoever gets the money can buy whatever he or she wants. If they have bought fabrics, they can also make clothes. Even if they haven’t, they will buy some after seeing our new clothes. Don’t worry.” After saying this, she went off to apply some face cream. The cream was also bought in Beihui city. After a long journey across the desert, her skin had become dry and dark, so hydration became very essential. Although the cream couldn’t compete with modern skincare products, it was better than nothing.

…

The next day, Tarico came over. He came for two purposes; to feed the camels and to discuss with the two families when to set off next time. Since he visited frequently, he became much more familiar with them. Sometimes he learned their language and could now understand simple conversations.

The camel feeding was led by Tarico and assisted by the logistics team. After deciding on the next departure time, they began purchasing materials. This time, what the camel team wanted was known to many tribes. Wherever they went, they found the locals waiting for them with materials to sell. Bit by bit, the products they collected for a day could fill a camel’s back.

While purchasing, Ye Xiaoxian asked Tarico, “Have you noticed the rules of the desert? Do you know what we should be careful about?”

Tarico had certainly noticed some secrets about the desert. He was an independent thinker with a strong learning ability. Since he went across the desert with Ji the first time, he had been observing the phenomena there.

He nodded. “Yes, I know some.”

Ye Xiaoxian said, “Ji is Desert Eagle and is more familiar with the desert than us. But he isn’t willing to communicate with us or share his experience.”

He laughed. “Everyone has his advantage which he takes as his survival means and won’t tell others easily. Not everybody is like me, telling you my fishing secrets.”

She smiled with gratitude and said, “But I think we should gain experience by ourselves and not rely on Ji all the time. If he refuses to guide us one day or make a requirement that we can’t satisfy, we will be put in a tricky situation.”

Tarico looked at her with admiration. He, in fact, had the same idea. He was aware of Ji’s slyness and selfishness and wouldn’t have hired him if there had been someone else with his experience.

He asked, “After this journey, have you learned anything useful?”

So Ye Xiaoxian told him what she had noticed about the stars and the ripples of sand. These were consistent with his discoveries over all these years. He had also picked up some other experience, including how to handle bandits and how to respond to a sandstorm.

The whole way, they talked very congenially. There were several times that he put his hand in his pocket for the agate necklace. But since Squire Liu and his servant were with them, he hadn’t had a chance to give her the present.

…

Being an old hand, Ji was also purchasing a new batch of products. Since he had only two camels, he didn’t need to go elsewhere to collect materials. When he passed Dati’s house one day, she was hanging up the laundry. Seeing him, she beckoned him over. “Hey, Ji!”

Ji asked, “Madam, do you want to sell anything? Mutton jerky or beef jerky?”

“Come here. I have something to discuss with you.” Dati said.

After tying his camels to a stake, he went over to her. Dati ordinarily ignored him, but this time, she invited him into the yurt and even entertained him with milk tea.

As a shrewd man, Ji saw through her intentions at once. “Madam, do you want me to do anything?”

Dati then began asking, “You joined the camel team, right? How did you cross the desert? Did you really earn a lot of money? How did you make it?”

Ji replied, “They have a friend who owns a trading agent in Beihui city, so they only needed to transport the goods there. The business is certainly profitable. They’ve earned dozens of taels from this journey. After all, they have so many camels.”

She asked, “What about you?”

“I’ve merely earned some by guiding.”

Dati tried to stir things up. “They have over 20 camels, but you have only two. The products they carry are certainly more than yours. Aren’t you afraid that they will get rid of you once they become familiar with the desert? What if they put you out of business?”

Ji heard the ill will in her voice. As long as he split from Ye Xiaoxian and her companions, they would be forced to stop this business.

He smiled. “I’m called Desert Eagle because of my rich experience. Even if I guide them dozens of times, they won’t be able to learn the directions. So, really, they can’t do the business without me.”

“You’re so confident,” Dati responded. “How much can you earn by guiding them and selling your goods?”

He gestured a number with his fingers and said, “Eight taels.”

“It sounds enough for you, but it won’t be more. Even if they’re willing to pay you more, it’ll only be a small sum. You have only two camels to carry a few goods each time, right?”

Ji then asked, “Do you have any instructions?”

Dati smiled and said euphemistically, “You will know what to do. We can prepare products together and you can sell them across the desert. If I have camels, I will give you 10 taels for guiding and also 30% of the profits made.”

“…”

Ji understood her meaning very well.

Her intention was even more clear when she said, “If I have camels.”

How could she have camels? Now that she didn’t buy camels, she must want to take those belonging to Ye Xiaoxian and her companions. To meet this end, she had to make them disappear, and the desert was the best place to commit murder.

Those who followed the camel team were all strong men, including the Seventh King’s two powerful guards. If they died, there were only elders, children and women in the two families. By then, they could only sell the camels. As long as Dati bought them, she could then have her own camel team. If she kept her promise, Ji would earn much more money.

Ji didn’t agree right away, and Dati also didn’t urge him. Neither of them continued the conversation. When they decided to cooperate, they would reach the agreement naturally.