"That makes sense."
The fox murmured softly.
She silently cursed herself for acting too hastily. If she had known earlier, she should have investigated thoroughly before making that call.
Now things had become troublesome.
The other party had become cautious. Trying to use Hu Tao to scam resources was now extremely unrealistic.
Hu Tao, seeing the fox fall into deep thought, could not help saying, "Do you want me to give you a suggestion?"
"What suggestion?"
The fox glanced at her lightly, unsure what trick this little girl who made a living through deception was planning.
But since she had already been captured, how could she be allowed to leave without paying a price?
Hu Tao remembered Su Han's instructions. She cleared her throat lightly and said, "Here's the thing. You didn't capture me because I was scamming people, right?"
The fox said nothing, but there was a trace of appreciation in her eyes.
If it had really been because of fraud, there would have been no need for the fox to personally take action. Those bastards from the Kujou Clan would have dealt with her already.
Seeing the silent fox, Hu Tao smiled slightly. She knew she had guessed correctly.
"Since it's not because of fraud, and not because I illegally entered the country, and judging from the conditions you mentioned earlier, I'll make a guess. You didn't capture me because of what I did. You want help, don't you?"
The fox's eyes trembled slightly.
She had never expected that her thoughts would be guessed by a young girl.
Hu Tao ignored her reaction and continued speaking.
"I guess you noticed me the first time already. After all, Inazuma is your territory. And impersonating a shrine maiden definitely couldn't escape the notice of someone like you, Lady Celestial Fox. The reason you only acted now is because you finished investigating my background, right?"
"You are quite clever."
Yae Miko took a sip of tea and essentially admitted it.
Even though she had guessed the fox's intention, Hu Tao showed no joy. Instead, she sat up more seriously.
"Has the situation already become this serious?"
"Yes."
The celestial fox sighed softly, her eyes filled with sorrow.
"I think during this period, when you and that girl Kuki Shinobu visited various places, you should have seen it yourselves. The Kujou Clan is greedy beyond measure. They even refuse to provide compensation for soldiers who died in battle. If my Yae Publishing House had not been supporting things with great difficulty, those common people would have starved long ago."
Because of the national isolation policy.
Prices in Inazuma had risen rapidly.
The nobles could still feast every day, but the ordinary people living in rural areas could barely afford a bowl of rice anymore.
Whenever she thought about this, Yae Miko would drown her worries in alcohol.
In the current Inazuma, it could be said that she alone was struggling to keep things afloat.
Looking at the fox who seemed on the verge of tears, Hu Tao felt extremely confused.
"But didn't Beidou bring a large amount of supplies? Isn't that enough?"
"For the rural villagers, it is barely enough. But what about the citizens in the city? They still need something to eat."
"Wait. You're not planning to trick us into supplying Inazuma with huge amounts of provisions just to maintain the current situation, are you?"
"Oh my, I didn't expect you to guess that again. Little Sister Hu Tao, with how clever you are, I'm starting to like you more and more."
Yae Miko looked surprised. She had not expected her little scheme to be seen through again.
This generation's Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was not simple.
Hu Tao remained expressionless in the face of the fox's praise.
If Su Han had not warned her in advance, she really would have been played like a fool by this fox.
She was far too sly.
No wonder Su Han had repeatedly reminded her before she left to be extremely careful of this fox.
"Cut it out. I don't dare accept being your little sister. And even if we're willing to help, that Shogun might not appreciate it. She might even send people to arrest us."
"Little Sister Hu Tao, you don't need to worry about that. As long as it doesn't involve Visions, that foolish tengu will turn a blind eye. Just consider it helping your sister here, alright? If Inazuma returns to normal in the future, I promise you two shops, and I will publicly announce throughout Inazuma that you are my successor. That way, your family business will be completely legitimate."
Hu Tao could ignore all the earlier conditions.
But the identity of a successor made her extremely tempted.
This was essentially an official status.
She would be able to run the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business openly and legitimately.
What should she do? Should she agree?
The conditions were extremely tempting.
Hu Tao was very conflicted.
As a shrine maiden recognized by the Grand Narukami Shrine on Mount Yougou, once she had that identity, she would never need to worry about business in Inazuma again.
Yae Miko was not in a hurry.
She had already offered the conditions, and they targeted the other party's greatest weakness.
She did not believe Hu Tao would refuse.
Sure enough, after only five minutes.
Yae Miko heard Hu Tao speak.
"I agree to your conditions, but I need to discuss it with Su Han first. After all, he has more ideas."
"Then may I listen in as well?"
"No problem."
Since the other party had offered such generous conditions, they would be partners from now on.
Naturally, Hu Tao had no reason to avoid it.
Soon the phone snail connected.
Su Han's voice came from inside.
"Who is it?"
"It's me. Yae Miko just offered some conditions. I thought about it and they're pretty generous, so I wanted to discuss it with you."
Hu Tao explained the agreement between the two of them.
She also wanted to hear his opinion.
Su Han thought quietly for a moment before agreeing.
Since the other party wanted normal trade, it could naturally be satisfied.
At the same time, he also wanted to ask whether Inazuma had any swordmasters who had died in battle.
Based on the fragments from his dream.
His past life should have been an extremely powerful swordsman.
Others might not know anything, but that sly fox might be able to provide some clues.
"There's no problem with those conditions. If you need anything in the future, you can order it through the phone snail. Hu Tao, you should still have other phone snails with you, right?"
"I do."
"Give one to Miss Yae Miko."
"No problem."
The deal was completed.
Yae Miko finally breathed a sigh of relief. With the support of a major merchant like Su Han, Inazuma's situation could at least stabilize for now.
Next, they only needed to wait for the right opportunity.
Hopefully, before Inazuma collapsed, Ei would wake up.
With official matters finished.
Yae Miko turned to Inagi Hotomi and said, "Take Hu Tao through the formal procedures. And teach her our shrine techniques as well."
"Yes, my lady."
"Hehe, then thank you very much, Lady Miko."
As soon as Hu Tao heard that she could officially receive the title today, she immediately smiled happily.
Just moments ago she had said she was not interested in becoming a little sister. Now that the deal was completed, she had started calling her elder sister.
So you're the same type of person as Lady Guuji after all.
Inagi Hotomi could not help complaining silently in her heart.
Yae Miko, however, did not mind at all. Instead she smiled and said, "Go on then, Little Sister Hu Tao. I still have some things I want to discuss with Su Han."
"Alright, I won't disturb you two."
Hu Tao left in a cheerful mood.
When the room was left with only the fox.
She picked up the phone snail and said with a smile, "Mr. Su Han, I wonder if you have time to talk about a private matter?"
Su Han laughed when he heard this and replied, "What a coincidence. I also happen to have a private matter I want to ask you about. Why don't you go first?"
He also had a private matter?
Yae Miko looked puzzled. Something about this felt strange.
Could it be that he had already known in advance that she would need his help?
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