Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

Zhang Jingwei booked a teahouse at the foot of the mountain. He also had someone prepare a table of snacks. The thoughtful Wang Ergou also prepared a bouquet of wild flowers for him in a vase. Zhang Jingwei nodded with satisfaction.

Wang Ergou said solemnly, "Young Master, in my humble opinion, if I'm not mistaken, this woman must be the 'Red Thousand Blades' from the East China Sea! Rumor has it that she's a formidable figure. Although a woman, she's a master of hidden weapons. It's said that she once single-handedly wiped out the entire East China Sea Shipyard Gang!"

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly, indicating that he was aware of this matter. He calmly analyzed the situation and said, "Yes, I understand. If she really had murderous intentions towards me, that hidden weapon she just threw would have taken my life long ago."

Wang Ergou nodded quickly and reminded: "We'd better be more careful!"

At this moment, a man dressed in black hurried to the door and respectfully reported to the inside of the house: "Master, I have carefully checked and found that the secret passage does have an exit, and it leads to an empty tomb on the mountainside."

Almost at the same time, Qian Ming also walked over quickly and announced loudly: "Master, they are here!"

The red-dressed heroine came down the mountain with Ma Tianmao and Xiaoying. The three of them walked into the teahouse without hesitation and sat down in front of Zhang Jingwei.

Zhang Jingwei smiled and said politely, "Lady, you must be starving after all this travel. Why don't you try some dessert first? I'll have my servants prepare a sumptuous meal later."

However, the red-robed heroine raised her eyebrows and politely declined, "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Zhang. Please don't bother me. Young Master Zhang is truly a thoughtful person. I'm sure your wife will be very happy."

Seeing this, Zhang Jingwei stopped insisting and went straight to the point, asking, "So, may I ask, lady, are you here for that saltpeter thing?"

The red-clothed heroine giggled sweetly, her laughter clear and pleasant: "Haha, I really like talking to a smart person like you." Her beautiful eyes moved, looking at Zhang Jingwei in front of her, a hint of admiration flashed in her eyes.

Zhang Jingwei frowned slightly and said in a deep voice: "Now that Yaozhuang has been sealed off, there is very little saltpeter left. If you still want to get more, why not go to the Water Defense Camp and try?" His eyes were fixed on the female hero in red, as if he wanted to see some clues from her expression.

The red-robed heroine raised her lips slightly, revealing a mysterious smile as she said, "To be honest, the teacher is interested in discussing a deal with you!"

Zhang Jingwei was startled and blurted out: "It must be saltpeter! That thing is still with my father-in-law." His face became solemn, and it was obvious that he took this matter very seriously.

The red-robed woman nodded slightly and said nonchalantly, "Young Master Zhang is so highly regarded by Mount Tai, I don't think this matter should be too difficult."

However, Zhang Jingwei repeatedly shook his head and said solemnly, "Lady, you don't know, this is saltpeter, not ordinary salt. The risks are incalculable. If you are not careful, it will lead to disaster."

The red-clothed heroine raised her eyebrows and shouted in a delicate voice, "The market price of this saltpeter is five taels of silver, and five strings of silver per catty. But for your sake, we can increase it by another ten percent!" She put her hands on her hips, her red dress fluttering in the wind, and she looked heroic.

Zhang Jingwei, who was sitting opposite, remained calm. He slowly picked up the teacup and took a sip. Then he put the cup down and said slowly: "Add another 20%, not a penny less, no negotiation!" After saying that, he looked at the female hero in red with a smile.

The red-clothed heroine was stunned when she heard this, then her face changed slightly and she sneered, "Hmph! Young Master Ma is still in my hands. Isn't it a bit too bold for you to negotiate terms with me like this?" As she spoke, she gently placed her hand on the shoulder of Ma Tianmao, who was tied up tightly beside her.

Zhang Jingwei actually sighed after hearing this, stood up, bowed to Ma Tianmao, and said, "Ah, I'm sorry for you, brother. Your father will be my father in the future, and I will take good care of him for you until the end of his life. Let's say goodbye today!" After that, he turned around and made a gesture to leave.

Ma Tianmao's face was full of anger at this time. With a cloth strip stuffed in his mouth, he could only make a "wuwuwu" sound. His eyes were as big as copper bells, staring at Zhang Jingwei's departing back.

Seeing that Zhang Jingwei was really about to leave, the red-robed heroine became anxious and shouted, "Okay! Okay! Then it's as you say. Twenty percent is twenty percent. Six strings of cash per catty should be fine, right?"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Jingwei paused, turned around, and slowly corrected her, "No, young lady, it should be six guan and six diao! The 20% increase I just mentioned is on top of the original five guan plus 10%."

The red-robed heroine could no longer endure it. Her pretty face frosted as she angrily said, "You are being too unreasonable. Don't you really care about Ma Tianmao's life or death?"

Zhang Jingwei chuckled, shrugged nonchalantly, and said, "It's a death sentence anyway. Instead of being stuck in this stalemate, why don't you just kill him directly? Then, you can rush into the military camp's quartermaster department and steal the goods. That way, you won't have to spend a penny, what a bargain!"

Before he finished speaking, Xiaoying, who had been standing silently by the side, suddenly raised her knife and stabbed it straight into Ma Tianmao's butt.

"Woo!" Ma Tianmao suddenly howled like a pig being slaughtered. The sound resounded through the sky and scared away a group of birds perched in the trees.

Zhang Jingwei's face was filled with anger, his eyes widened, veins popping out on his forehead, and he roared, "What are you going to do?"

Xiaoying replied calmly, "Five strings of cash, plus 10%!"

Zhang Jingwei was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pointed at Xiaoying's nose and cursed, "Don't you think you can force me to submit like this!"

However, Xiaoying ignored his anger and stabbed Ma Tianmao with her knife again.

Zhang Jingwei was horrified and shouted, "Okay, six strings of cash is six strings of cash! Please don't hurt him anymore!"

Xiaoying was unmoved and said coldly, "Are you deaf? I said five kan plus ten percent! Not a penny more!"

Zhang Jingwei was furious and roared, "What's the difference between your actions and those bandits? You are simply lawless!"

Sakura turned a deaf ear to his scolding and raised the blade in her hand again without hesitation, preparing to stab him for the third time.

Seeing the critical situation, Zhang Jingwei could no longer care about anything else and begged for mercy repeatedly, "Okay, okay! I promise you five strings of cash plus ten percent! Let him go immediately!"

At this moment, the red-clothed heroine who had been standing aside and watching coldly suddenly burst into laughter. She said in a delicate voice: "Hahaha, don't worry. I will deliver the delivery point, deposit and Mr. Ma together tomorrow. Please rest assured, Young Master Zhang!" After that, she winked at Xiaoying, and the two of them took the hostages away, leaving Zhang Jingwei standing there in a daze, his heart full of resentment and helplessness.