Chapter 464: Straightforward

Chen Yan heard this and instantly understood what Cui Xuan was scheming.

He said the plan was to sell cotton coats through the aristocratic family's channels outside the Tang Dynasty to reap higher profits.

But even if the aristocratic family has channels, getting them out is still not easy, so they must bring extra goods.

So bringing some silk would be reasonable, right?

Having the silk, bringing some white wax and white sugar is also reasonable, right?

Outside the Tang Dynasty, these are hard currency, extremely valuable.

Chen Yan looked at Cui Xuan with a half‑smile and said, "Young Master Cui, you're not wrong, I don't deny the value cotton coats have outside the Tang Dynasty, but you seem to have overlooked a problem."

"The whole Tang Dynasty currently has very few cotton coats. With our present planting volume, even if we abandon the low‑end market and focus on making good cotton coats, we probably can't satisfy the wealthy families and Meritorious Nobles."

"We can't even meet the Tang Dynasty's own demand; why take such a huge risk shipping the coats out?"

After his words fell, Cui Xuan tried to persuade him, but Chen Yan replied directly, "Young Master Cui, no need to say more; for at least three to five years I won't consider shipping the coats out."

Cui Xuan's words got stuck in his throat, and he finally compromised.

"Fine, then as the Duke of Wei says, three to five years isn't that long anyway."

While saying that, Cui Xuan's mind raced, beginning to think how to bind more profit with Chen Yan by other means.

A small cotton cooperation is ultimately unstable.

Chen Yan smiled, nodded, and ate a few pieces of meat.

In fact, any talk now with the aristocratic family about a cotton‑growing partnership is merely a pretense.

Because he doesn't plan to plant that next year; next year he has something better to grow.

Then he'll simply sell the seeds to the common folk to plant, and buy back from them himself.

Why bother with such hassle?

After all, the Tang Dynasty is now famously sparsely populated with abundant land.

Don't think a princess's dowry, which can be tens of thousands of mu, is a minor part of the dowry.

It sounds like a lot, but under the Tang Dynasty's current system, a typical commoner can own a hundred mu of land.

His little land is only comparable to the land of a thousand commoners.

So why waste so much effort planting it himself and also look for partners?

He's full and has nothing to do.

The reason Chen Yan agreed to cooperate is only to temporarily fool the aristocratic family; cotton isn't important at all, its only role here is to get him in touch with them.

As for whether the aristocratic family will have objections when he suddenly says he won't plant next year…

Hmm… plans can't keep up with change; they'll understand, I'm sure.

Moreover, Chen Yan is confident that even if he says he won't plant next year, the aristocratic family won't say much.

"......"

Afterwards, the two chatted idly while each was thinking about things internally.

Then Chen Yan, having prepared his excuse, said, "Young Master Cui, I've heard you say several times that you have stable channels leading outside the Tang Dynasty. Since the cotton cooperation is temporarily settled, you can send your subordinates to negotiate details gradually; how about… we discuss other collaborations?"

"Other collaborations?" Cui Xuan heard and stared blankly for a while, his mind full of question marks.

"Shouldn't I be the one to say that?"

"Why did you bring it up first?"

"Could it be that…"

Cui Xuan remembered Chen Yan's earlier comment that he was distressed that silk could only be sold in the Tang Dynasty, and his expression jolted!

He was doubtful yet couldn't be sure, and cautiously asked, "Duke of Wei, may I ask which aspect the 'other cooperation' you just mentioned refers to?"

"All aspects!" Chen Yan set down his chopsticks and said sincerely, "You know my background; I'll tell you honestly, I won't stay in Weinan County for long."

"I estimate as early as early next year, or perhaps by year‑end, I'll likely return to Chang'an for a post, possibly not a low rank."

"By then, more people will be watching me."

"You've probably heard that before I made a big business, many said I was competing with the people for profit. Actually I didn't want that, but Weinan County needs development and money, so I had to resort to this."

Cui Xuan smiled, showing a look of understanding.

In fact, he didn't really believe most of Chen Yan's words.

They even say you compete with the people for profit.

As if you still cared about reputation.

When you once pointed at the ministers in the Court and cursed them, how could you not care about reputation?

When you assaulted a princess, frequented brothels, and nearly monopolized trade, how could you not care about reputation?

Of course, when Chen Yan said he would soon return to Chang'an and his rank might not be low, Cui Xuan believed him.

And thought it reasonable.

Someone like him could never stay in Weinan County forever.

"So, when I return to Chang'an for a post, handling the business will be hard for me; it'll probably be left to my subordinates!"

"However, you also know that my foundation is thin; my subordinates can only manage barely, maintaining the status quo isn't a problem, but achieving further good development is difficult."

"In the Tang Dynasty, good trades ultimately have to go outward to make big money."

"You say you have good channels; why don't we first try some cooperation in that area? I'll supply the goods, you'll handle selling them outside the Tang Dynasty, and we split the profit fifty‑fifty, how about it?"

"Hmm?"

Cui Xuan suddenly widened his eyes, unable to believe what he heard.

"Wait, isn't that my line?"

"That's what I wanted to say, my goal!"

Cui Xuan's mind completely crashed.

He kept feeling that today was overly smooth, so smooth that he truly couldn't believe it.

"……Duke of Wei, then how exactly shall we cooperate?"

Cui Xuan had already begun to suspect that Chen Yan was playing a role, but planned to first listen to what the other side said.

On the other side, Chen Yan took in all of Cui Xuan's expression and laughed, "It's simple; we have little contact, know little about each other, after all what you say now is only one side of the story."

"I haven't seen your channels either, have I?"

"I think we start by cooperating with white sugar, try it first; if the result is good, then we can continue the discussion."

"Moreover, I have a condition as well: I only handle supply, nothing else. If you want the goods, you must first provide a deposit equal to the value of the goods, so that I won't be left without anyone if you take the goods."

"Secondly, you must supply me with various raw materials, such as silk for making brocade, and so on. Also, I'm a book collector; I hope to buy from you those books that are unavailable, preferably originals; if none exist, handwritten copies will do......"

Next, Chen Yan put forward a series of demands, each more unacceptable than the last.

Yet, the more Cui Xuan listened, the more at ease he felt.

Especially upon hearing that Chen Yan wanted books, Cui Xuan immediately recalled what Wang Gui had said that day.

"Just each according to one's ability!"

"......"