Ma Buyi chuckled. "Lord Steward, you're too kind. I'm not asking you to violate the Commerce Association's rules. They say the Lord Steward enjoys helping others, so I've brazenly come to ask if you might take these two 'pastries' and handle a small matter for this old man. It won't break any of the Commerce Association's rules, nor will it put you in a difficult position.
I'm not asking for much—just to be added to the procurement consideration list, whether or not the higher-ups approve it. If they do, this old man will deliver three more portions of the same 'pastries' for you to sample. I must trouble you, Lord Steward."
Cheng Zongyang stared at the old man, rather surprised.
'Three portions? That's forty-five thousand taels. Add the one I have now, and that's sixty thousand.'
'But... "take these two 'pastries' and handle a small matter for this old man"? Why does that sound so familiar?'
After staring at Ma Buyi for a long moment, he suddenly broke into a smile.
