Chapter 1 The Opening
The first box was opened.
Inside the box were dozens of wet crabs, of different species, ranging from thumb-sized juveniles to durian-sized behemoths, all separated by dividers. The shells had peculiar patterns, resembling human faces, complete with eyebrows, eyes, and mouths, each displaying a different expression.
The crabs were still very fresh, waving their claws angrily. To preserve them, several aquaculture experts had accompanied Jiang Ye. They had been continuously spraying water on the crabs and feeding them aboard the spaceship, treating them like princesses.
Dai Zhixing raised an eyebrow. "Are these... Heike crabs?"
"They are not the historical Heike crabs, but specially cultivated ones. The breeding method is the same as that used for the historical Heike crabs, where crabs with human-like faces on their shells are bred, selected generation after generation until they closely resemble them," Jiang Ye explained.
"I happened to read about this in an ancient book a few days ago. What a coincidence. I wanted to see the real thing," Dai Zhixing said with a smile.
"The historical Heike crabs should be of these few species, all of which existed in the seas back then. The others are different species, but all of them are delicious," Jiang Ye stated.
"Excellent. Have the kitchen prepare the crabs for lunch, let's have a taste," Dai Zhixing nodded.
The guards immediately carried away the first gift box.
Following that, the guards behind them brought over the second gift box and opened it.
Six strawberries, each as large as a watermelon.
"I've heard of this, the 'strawberry melon'. I saw it when I was reviewing the data for your Jiang Ye Star. I was very curious at the time, but couldn't find it on the online store, and then I forgot about it," Dai Zhixing's eyes lit up. "Cut some and try them."
The guards immediately put on edible gloves, took out a jade platter, and placed the strawberry melons on it.
Then, with a shining small knife, they swiftly sliced the strawberry melons and quickly cut out some small pieces, placing them on three small plates, with a pair of ivory chopsticks resting on the rim of the plates.
"The yield of this fruit is insufficient, so it is currently only supplied to the Jiang Ye Star market. Occasionally, some foreign dignitaries passing by are sold a limited quantity," Jiang Ye explained. "Please try them. If you are satisfied, I will have more sent over."
Dai Zhixing ate two pieces and nodded. "Delicious. They're more fragrant than ordinary strawberries. Send a few tons more! I'm having a family banquet next week, and my family is large, so a few won't be enough to go around."
The guards continued to bring other gift boxes to present as tributes. The three of them gathered together, opening and examining the boxes one by one.
Dai Zhixing seemed to be particularly fond of eating. He tasted something from almost every box. For the good ones, he asked Jiang Ye to send more tons, and for the not-so-good ones, he just nodded and smiled.
After all the gifts had been viewed, Dai Zhixing said to the guards, "Bring me the ginseng digging equipment."
The guards immediately ran out and returned a moment later with a cloth bag.
Dai Zhixing began to distribute the tools: rain boots, gloves, a shovel, a water gun, and a long red rope.
Once they were all geared up, Dai Zhixing led the way to the imperial garden. In a corner, a large patch of lush green leaves was covered with red fruits, clustered like grapes, each fruit the size of a ping pong ball. Jiang Ye was startled; it was the first time he had seen such a large ginseng plant.
Dai Zhixing personally tied a red rope around a ginseng plant and handed the end of the rope to Jiang Ye.
"I'll say it, you just pull hard and pull the ginseng out. Don't let go," Dai Zhixing instructed.
"Okay." Jiang Ye gripped the other end of the rope, standing two meters away.
He thought to himself that Director Dai was quite superstitious. Folk legends said that one had to tie a red rope when finding ginseng, otherwise, it might run away if one wasn't careful. In reality, these were just stories, and there was no such fuss involved.
A few minutes later, Jiang Ye realized he had been naive.
Dai Zhixing gently dug the soil, while Huan Yunhe sprayed water on the mud nearby. Soon, the ginseng became loose.
"Pull!" Dai Zhixing said.
Jiang Ye pulled back gently, expecting it to come out easily, but it didn't budge.
Not only that, but there was a recoiling force, as if the ginseng was trying to burrow deeper. This sensation startled Jiang Ye.
"Pull harder!" Dai Zhixing smiled.
Jiang Ye pulled with all his might. A golden object emerged from the soil, incredibly large, as thick as a winter melon.
Some tendrils extended from the object, gripping the soil and wriggling downwards, trying to return to the earth.
"What is this?" Jiang Ye's expression was one of terror as he leaned back, pulling desperately. The rope was taut like a steel bar.
"Ginseng, a modified variety," Dai Zhixing chuckled.
Huan Yunhe also came over to help pull the rope. The two of them, like a tug-of-war, slowly pulled the object out.
The ginseng was soon half out, astonishingly large, weighing at least thirty to forty pounds. Its tendrils were still moving, clinging to the soil like an octopus, desperately trying to hold on.
With a thud, Jiang Ye and Huan Yunhe tumbled to the ground. The ginseng was pulled out like a radish, still wriggling on the ground, its tendrils flailing wildly, completely like an animal.
Dai Zhixing calmly walked over, picked up the ginseng, and went back inside, handing it to a guard. "Stew it with chicken to entertain our guests."
Jiang Ye and Huan Yunhe brushed the dirt off themselves and walked back, looking slightly disheveled.
"This ginseng actually moves. Does it have any special nutritional benefits?" Jiang Ye asked.
"Its nutritional benefits are similar to a common white radish, but it's delicious when stewed with free-range chicken, and it doesn't have the earthy smell of radish," Dai Zhixing said. "Initially, I planted some modified large ginseng that didn't move, but their texture when eaten was very poor. Later, I modified them further, and the ginseng began to have a meaty texture and was very chewy. The side effect was that they started to move, and it took a long time to pull them out each time."
"It's like it's become sentient," Huan Yunhe laughed.
"Alright, until lunchtime, let's talk business," Dai Zhixing sat down at the tea table.
Jiang Ye quickly took a seat. He had been very nervous when he first arrived, feeling an urge to dig his toes into his shoes. After half the day of casual chat, opening gifts, and digging for ginseng, he felt much more relaxed. It was time to discuss serious matters.
"The job I want to assign you is actually very simple, so simple it's like a stroke of luck," Dai Zhixing said, looking at Jiang Ye. "But before that, I'd like to hear your requirements."
"I've heard about your accomplishments. You are a history-making figure, and it is my honor to work for you, something I can brag about to my children and grandchildren when I'm old," Jiang Ye said. "My only concern is that my work ability is indeed insufficient. Some things that you find simple, I might not be able to accomplish."
"You're too modest. I've seen your resume. You might not be a genius, but you are definitely a talented individual," Dai Zhixing said. "Let's get straight to the point. I own many planets, some of which are under my direct control, and some are under my covert control. The market is heating up, but a cooling down is also foreseeable, just like the ebb and flow of the tide. During these transitions, I need to sell these planets and exchange them for higher-quality resources."
Jiang Ye nodded, his expression one of attentive listening.
"Huan Yunhe used to help me with these matters, but he has become too well-known. The old foxes in the market all know his connection with me. Some things have become inconvenient," Dai Zhixing said. "Therefore, I need someone more discreet, someone unknown and reliable, to operate on my behalf."