Chapter 57: Stocking Up

After a moment, she nodded, her tone softening slightly. "Young Master Chu is right this time. Indeed, it is time to order another batch of provisions."

"I told you so," Chu Nam said with a grin.

"This is a major matter and cannot be delayed! Just speak your mind; exactly how much is needed?"

"Is it the same quantity as last time, or are there new requirements?"

Shangguan Ya'er did not answer immediately. Instead, she glanced at the neatly stacked bamboo slips and imperial memorials beside her, her expression as calm as ever. "The same quantity as last time, plus ten percent."

"As for the specific requirements, I will have someone organize a list later and send it directly to your shop."

Hearing this, Chu Nam nodded. "Done! Then it's settled. As soon as the list arrives, I'll make the arrangements immediately. There will be no delay."

"Mhm." Shangguan Ya'er nodded, put away the bamboo slips, and said in a flat tone, "The matter is decided. Does Young Master Chu have anything else? If not, please take your leave."

"Hey, hey, hey, don't rush me away," Chu Nam said, spreading his hands with an innocent expression.

"I am contributing to affairs of state here; why are you acting like I'm in the way?"

Shangguan Ya'er cast a brief glance at him, seemingly too lazy to waste words. "If Young Master Chu is truly contributing to affairs of state, then I must trouble you to go and prepare the provisions early. As for other matters, you need not concern yourself."

Knowing that further questioning would yield no new progress, Chu Nam said no more.

He cupped his fists toward Shangguan Ya'er, putting on a serious expression. "Then, as Lady Shangguan says, the moment the list arrives, I'll make the arrangements. I won't delay your proper business any longer; I'll be heading back."

Seeing his rare display of seriousness, Shangguan Ya'er nodded slightly. "Very well. The list will be sent to your shop as soon as possible. Thank you, Young Master Chu."

Chu Nam gave a light chuckle and turned to leave, muttering to himself as he walked.

She truly is a cold-faced beauty; there isn't a shred of warmth in anything she says.

Fine, I'll just avoid provoking her and focus on getting the provisions sorted out.

Winter is coming; this is no trivial matter.

After leaving the imperial palace, Chu Nam did not linger on the streets of the imperial capital, instead returning directly to his small shop.

He pushed open the door and habitually seated himself in the rocking chair.

Then he stood up and muttered to himself, "I've taken on this job again. It's still much more convenient relying on modern resources."

"I need to prepare the provisions quickly, or it will become a hassle later."

He picked up a pre-prepared cloth bag and turned into the small room in the back courtyard.

The unassuming restroom door stood slightly ajar. Chu Nam reached out and pulled the metal handle on the door, the cool touch bringing a sense of familiarity.

Moments later, a faint glow enveloped him, and when the light vanished, he was back in his modern home.

The moment he returned to the modern world, Chu Nam shed his ancient robe and changed into a set of modern casual clothes.

He checked himself in the mirror, straightened his collar, stretched his limbs, and then took out his phone to search for nearby grain and oil supply information.

"I need to prepare more rice, flour, and some other provisions this time."

"After all, with a ten-percent increase, I have to ensure the people in the Northern Frontier are well-fed and eat properly."

Browsing his phone, Chu Nam calculated, "Items like cooking oil and salt must also be prepared in advance."

After identifying a few suitable suppliers, Chu Nam grabbed his cloth bag and went straight out, heading for a large nearby grain and oil wholesale market.

The market was bustling with people, and Chu Nam skillfully weaved through the crowd.

He picked a shop that looked the largest with the most abundant inventory and walked inside.

The store owner was a man in his forties with a welcoming smile plastered across his face.

Seeing Chu Nam enter, he immediately greeted him, "Sir, what do you need? We have everything you could want when it comes to grain and oil, all at fair prices!"

Chu Nam glanced at the massive warehouse piled high with sacks of rice and flour, then nodded. "Boss, I need to wholesale a batch of provisions—rice, flour, beans, all of it. I want the highest quality and large quantities."

Hearing this, the owner perked up instantly and hurriedly pulled out a registration form. "Alright! You're a big buyer, sir! How much do you need? Our stock is fully adequate, just name the amount."

After doing a quick mental calculation, Chu Nam said, "Five tons of rice, three tons of flour, and two tons of beans and other miscellaneous grains."

"Plus a few hundred catties of salt and cooking oil."

"Oh, and add some dried vegetables, like dried cabbage and dried radishes—make it two hundred catties."

The owner was overjoyed; this was a major order!

He nodded repeatedly and said cheerfully, "No problem! You're certainly decisive, sir. With such a large volume, I'll arrange for it to be packaged and loaded onto trucks right away."

Chu Nam nodded and asked, "By the way, how soon can a shipment like this be delivered?"

The owner patted his chest. "Rest assured, sir. With an order of this size, we can arrange delivery within two days without fail."

"Good." Chu Nam satisfiedly took out his phone to make the transfer and left his contact information.

"Call me when the goods arrive. Don't worry, someone will be here to receive the shipment."

Having settled the details, Chu Nam left the grain market and proceeded to purchase several other supplies along the way.

For instance, cotton quilts for warmth and charcoal for fires. With the bitter winter cold approaching, these items were indispensable for the front lines of the Northern Frontier.

He carried several large bags of goods all the way back home, finally letting out a sigh of relief. "All things considered, the preparations are solid this time. As soon as the goods arrive, I'll send them straight over."

Back home, Chu Nam first organized the smaller items he had bought, then sat on the sofa with a cup of coffee, gazing blankly out the window in a relaxed manner.

"Who knows where the Empress has run off to now, but it looks like she went off to handle something important. I should keep a low profile here and just finish the tasks she assigned."

Chu Nam sighed, took a sip of coffee, and thought, "I hope she returns soon. Otherwise, I can't shake the feeling that the atmosphere throughout the entire imperial capital is somewhat off."

Standing up from the sofa and stretching, Chu Nam was just about to check over the purchased supplies again when his phone suddenly rang.

He picked it up and saw it was a call from the grain market boss he had spoken to that morning.

"Hello, is this Mr. Chu?" the boss's voice came through the receiver, carrying a hint of excitement. "The goods you ordered have already been loaded onto the trucks here, but there's something else I'd like to discuss with you."

Chu Nam raised an eyebrow, his tone casual. "What is it?"

The boss laughed and said, "Well, Mr. Chu, you ordered quite a large quantity this time, which shows you have extensive connections and considerable demand."

"I happen to have a friend who is quite a prominent figure in elite circles, and he likes to collect antiques and rare curiosities in his spare time."

"Lately, he's been asking around everywhere for reliable channels to acquire genuine imperial antiques."

"I figured that with your wide network, you might be able to help, so I recommended you."