Chapter 192

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

The Xiang Xiong this person spoke of was naturally Xiang Yuan, who had whipped the horses, driven the carts, carried the medicinal goods, and fled on foot back then.

He feared he would be forced to introduce Song Miao to that Vice Prefect Cen and ultimately be compelled to hand over many medicinal goods, so he made an excuse about family matters and hurriedly escaped.

But the roads in Hua Prefecture were blocked, merchant caravans could not pass, and heaven would not open a special path for him alone, so he could only first find lodging in a county town below to wait.

Fortunately, Xiang Yuan had been a merchant for many years and had wide connections, so he soon found an acquaintance at a medicine shop in Wang County.

By now the floodwaters had receded not long ago, and it was early summer, with hot weather and waterlogging, so diseases naturally abounded; and because the roads were impassable, prices for many goods skyrocketed, especially medicinal materials, which were in short supply.

That acquaintance was just worrying when he saw Xiang Yuan bringing a large quantity of useful licorice, angelica dahurica, and such—preventing plague and treating epidemic, stopping diarrhea and dysentery, dispelling wind and dispersing evil, everything one could want—and they hit it off immediately, agreed on a price, and wanted to buy them all in one go.

Xiang Yuan, however, refused to sell them all, letting go of only two carts.

The medicine merchant still wanted to buy the other half of the medicinal materials, and knowing Xiang Yuan could not leave for the time being, he immediately offered to vacate a courtyard for him to stay in temporarily.

Xiang Yuan immediately declined.

He had more than one acquaintance in that place, and soon found someone in the cloth trade, borrowing a house from him, yet he also negotiated with the previous medicine merchant: although he would not sell more goods to him, it was not out of arrogance, but rather he had another business in mind, asking the man to help retail his medicinal materials, find suitable buyers, and spread the word that if they could sell at a high price, he would give an extra commission.

Sometimes, the smaller the place, the more expensive things were, and medicinal materials were of course no exception.

The medicine merchant was no fool; having been in the area for years and knowing the ropes, he first drew the county's medicine merchants to come and ask prices, and after two days, merchants from surrounding county towns were all coming to ask prices.

Xiang Yuan had already inquired: apart from himself, the goods that should have been sold were long sold out, and no one else had medicinal materials coming in.

He knew he had a rare commodity and did not set a price, only telling everyone to bid among themselves, releasing a little each day; the price rose higher and higher, and relying on this batch of goods, he made a fortune.

When all the goods were sold, he indeed gave the medicine merchant the agreed commission in full.

Having made this deal, the medicine merchant only put out a bit of face and received a decent sum in return—far easier than honestly doing business—and he was quite satisfied, eager to get closer to Xiang Yuan and see if they could do more quick-money ventures.

So when he heard about recruiting porters for the Hua Prefecture riverway, he immediately went to Xiang Yuan's door.

Things of the five grains' cycle are the filthiest, yet the profit is also extremely great.

Which land does not need fertilizer?

They say different trades are like different mountains; he knew he did not have this skill, but Xiang Yuan did—at that time, he could buy a share, put in some money and effort, and just peacefully collect his share of the profits.

Xiang Yuan had come to Wang County and at first inquired about the situation in Hua Prefecture City, but later, busy with business, and since the medicinal materials were sold and the carts were empty, he was full of thoughts about selecting goods to buy low and sell high to make another big profit, and for a while paid no attention to other matters.

Now, hearing these words suddenly, he reckoned the time and thought the Vice Prefect had finally given in, and asked: "How many people are there in total on the riverway? Do you have connections?"

The man said: "I heard that just the number of mouths to feed is three or four thousand, and they have built sheds that can house a thousand or so people, with excrement day and night."

He added: "I still have some say in the county, but going to the prefecture city, I am completely in the dark—however, isn't there Brother Xiang! With Brother Xiang's abilities, finding a few acquaintances in the prefecture to join forces would be effortless! Then I can help run errands and put in some effort, just taking a dry share."

Seeing the man across from him smiling, Xiang Yuan felt deep disgust in his heart.

This time selling medicinal materials, he was willing to share some profit, naturally not out of charity.

After all, being new to the place and engaging in high-priced trading was like snatching food from a tiger's mouth; if someone took notice, even if he could extricate himself, it would be very troublesome, so it was better to find a local to help block things, run errands, and use connections, saving a lot of effort.

That money was for opening the way.

But if he went to Hua Prefecture City, there would naturally be others opening the way in the city; a medicine merchant from a lower county town actually had the nerve to talk about a dry share!

But his face still smiled as he said: "I am also new here and only know a few people; I may not be able to get a word in at the Zhou Ya."

He added: "I don't know who is in charge of the construction sites in Hua Prefecture City these days? If it is Qian Zhongming, the Kongmu, I happen to have a brother of many years who might be able to pull some strings."

The medicine merchant said: "I have sent someone to inquire; news should be back soon—those porters?"

This time Xiang Yuan was much more straightforward, saying: "The person you met last time was Rui Fusheng, right?"

"Exactly, didn't Brother Xiang and I eat a meal with him? From what he said between the lines, it seemed his hometown had many fields flooded, many lower tenants had run away, and his shops were also flooded; with many people in his family, he was thinking of doing some business?"

Xiang Yuan laughed heartily and said: "You listen to him boast; this kid doesn't speak a word of truth—every time we meet, he says life is hard, but do you see anything lacking in what he wears or uses?"

He added: "I thought I was already picky and discerning, but meeting Brother Rui, I must admit defeat; in food, clothing, housing, and travel, he excels in everything, very refined; before, someone even guessed he was a child of a noble family, how could he do this filthy business!"

The medicine merchant was immediately somewhat disappointed, but still unwilling to give up, asking: "The goods are filthy after all, but he doesn't have to do the work himself; such a good business, could he really not lack money?"

Xiang Yuan was about to shake his head when he heard the man across from him say again: "I see that Brother Rui is very eager to do business; last time we dined together, afterward I ran into him again and we talked quite a bit."

"Brother Rui asked me about the shops and houses on Daru Street, and about land prices this year; the day before yesterday, he even sent someone to deliver an invitation card, inviting me to tea, and asked whether the population in the county had increased or decreased in the past couple of years, and whether business was good."

"I recommended a reliable middleman to him; this morning that middleman came to thank me, saying the client surnamed Rui was very straightforward and had already bought the shop on Daru Street—Brother Xiang, Daru Street is all about selling chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, and other meat poultry; there are slaughter stalls and meat fangzi, very filthy; judging by his conduct, he doesn't seem like someone who can't stand filthy things."

Hearing this, Xiang Yuan couldn't help but recall.

Being a merchant, being a merchant—if one cannot 'hang' (xing), one cannot do business.

The 'xing' here refers not only to traveling, but also to ability and discernment in being able or unable.

Xiang Yuan could earn such a large family business, naturally having some ability; before, he hadn't paid much attention, but now, with a slight hint, he thought of the many differences between this meeting with Rui Fusheng and their previous encounter.

He hesitated a little, but in the end still brought the medicine merchant along to pay a visit together.

Upon meeting, after the two sides exchanged greetings, Xiang Yuan observed many details.

Although Brother Rui was still particular and looked dashing and unrestrained, compared to before, he was ultimately lacking one or two points of refinement.

For example, his clothes: at first glance, Shu brocade and fine embroidery, but the colors and embroidery patterns were not as unique and exquisite as before; they were things one could buy at ordinary shops for a high price.

Looking at his fan again: previously he never left his side without a sandalwood antique fan, the fan surface painted by a celebrity, with ivory and pearl pendants below; now he had changed to another one.

Xiang Yuan could not tell whose hand painted the orchid on it, but he could tell that the jade pendant below was far inferior to the ivory and pearl pendant in the middle carved with a 'Fu' character.

And when mentioning finding porters on the Hua Prefecture riverway, the other party seemed very interested, asked many questions, and finally said: "I have a steward under me who used to run porters; this trade sounds difficult, but is not hard to do; it just needs some connections—who can get in touch with the person in charge on the riverway? Once the path is cleared, everything is easy to say."

They hit it off immediately.

The three discussed it on the spot, all saying that after they got news back, they would each go find connections.

Before Xiang Yuan had been home long, the person who went to inquire returned.

The medicine merchant came to the door and explained: "I heard that the person in charge of recruiting porters this time is surnamed Lu, called Lu Wenming."

Xiang Yuan said: "Never heard that name. Must be someone working under him—who's in charge on the River Works?"

"Surname Han, named Han Li, very young, says he's from the Capital's Water Supervisor."

Xiang Yuan was extremely surprised, asking many more questions in quick succession.

Huazhou had recruited men and grain from Weizhou, and arranged for many people to carry grain in a showy procession in and out of the city—such a commotion was naturally easy to learn about.

The medicine merchant then recounted one by one the many strange things that had happened in Huazhou City these past days.

Xiang Yuan had such a keen nose for opportunity; upon hearing that many great households in the city were competing for business on the River Works, besides the Tingjiao Hang there was also grain, materials, and so on, he immediately realized that this time Cen and Qian were locked in struggle, and Qian Kongmu seemed to have fallen to the disadvantage, and judging by the look of things, he might not be able to turn it around.

And the one newly risen under Cen Tongpan was clearly surnamed Han.

And he himself had some connection with that Han surname.

He immediately thought of the reason he had been anxious to leave Huazhou City.

That Song Xiaoniangzi had wanted him to sell the medicine at a discount to the yamen, exchange it for a Reward Order, and get a Buying Bid quota.

Hearing it then he felt he'd lost out badly and naturally ran off quickly, but now discovering a turn of fortune, though he didn't regret it—after all, a bird in the hand—he was also quite tempted.

If Cen Tongpan could control his subordinates, and that Han surname truly took charge, such a huge project on the River Works, with three or four thousand laborers, whether grain and fodder, supplies, or the so-called Tingjiao Hang business, even if he only took a share, it was absolutely not comparable to selling a batch of medicine.

That Song Xiaoniangzi, worthy of catching his eye, was indeed quite smart and had some insight; she was right, this was a long-term business, very worth doing.

In business, you can't afford to care about face.

As long as there's a chance to make money, if there's any possibility at all, you must strive for it.

Xiang Yuan did not act on his own authority, nor did he fully believe what the medicine merchant said; fortunately Huazhou Prefecture City was not far, he sent someone to make a trip, inquire carefully, and sure enough the report came back largely the same.

That Han surname's student truly bet right, hugged the right thigh, and was now very much in favor.

Fortunately he himself was not without some chips in hand.

He turned and went to the Back Courtyard, seeking his adopted son Liang Yan.

It so happened that at the change of spring and summer, the weather was poor, and Liang Yan's nose ailment had flared up again; at this moment he stood outside the room, holding a gourd to his nose and sniffing without stopping.

Inside the room, Xiang Lin was kicking tables and smashing chairs, shouting loudly: "Stinks to high heaven! Where did this dirty bastard come from, loving disgusting things, don't let me see you, or I'll throw you out!"

A servant beside him hurried to advise him.

One said: "Young Master, why bother with him? He's not even coming inside, let him stay outside!"

Another said: "Young Master, you are so noble, what's the point of arguing with a bastard? I heard the road outside will be open soon; once we return to the Fu, naturally someone will deal with him!"

Someone else said: "Don't mind him, we won't mind him either, let him bump into walls everywhere, that's more interesting!"

Four or five people surrounded him coaxing, finally calming Xiang Lin down.

This young master was still not satisfied, saying: "Yesterday Escort Head Xing praised him for arriving early; clearly I wasn't late either, yet he didn't praise me. Since one must rise early, he must not love sleeping, so don't sleep at night either! In a moment, whoever goes to wet his bedding!"

Just as he was speaking, someone hurried in, saying: "Master is here!"

All the attendants in the room scattered in all directions, each pretending to be busy; Xiang Lin was both surprised and delighted, thinking his real father had come to see him, and hurriedly got down from the bed, dragging his shoes, hopping to the desk, putting on a serious look of reading.

In the courtyard, Liang Yan could actually hear what everyone in the room was saying.

But he turned a deaf ear.

In the past, hearing such words would have made him especially sad and upset, but now he could already not care so much.

He was following the Escort Head of the escort team in practicing martial arts; though only the crudest horse stance, long fist, and drawing the bow, as long as he learned skills on his body, as days passed and he grew day by day, a greater world of his own was clearly waiting.

There was also kung fu to learn, merit to establish, money to save; once he saved money, he could open a food shop for Song Xiaoniangzi; when he grew up and achieved fame and success, he could eat there every day, and when something happy or sad happened, he could talk to her; she would surely listen seriously, praise him, and comfort him.

And Xiao Lian.

By then his strength would be great, his hands big; even rubbing mung beans he could do very quickly, and Xiao Lian would surely be very surprised and very impressed.

The vinegar and garlic smells drifting from the gourd in his hand were very stimulating, pungent to the nose, making him sneeze several times in a row; he didn't know if it was his imagination, but after sneezing, thinking of the certain future picture, Liang Yan's nose no longer itched, and he no longer felt unwell.

At this very moment, Xiang Yuan strode into the courtyard, went straight to the room, opened the door and called with a smile: "Xiao Yan!"

He looked around, not seeing Liang Yan in the room, and asked: "Where has Young Master Yan gone?"

The servant standing beside hurriedly said: "Just went out; seems to be in the courtyard."

Xiang Yuan's mind was entirely on business at this moment, with not a bit of leisure, naturally unable to spare attention to what his son was doing; he nodded, not a single extra word, turned and went out the door.

Xiang Lin had been smiling, holding a book in his hand, about to call Father, but that smile froze on his face.

Xiang Yuan went out the door and indeed saw Liang Yan in the corner; from afar he said: "This child, it's almost dark, what are you doing here feeding mosquitoes?"

He smiled again: "I have good news; you'll surely be happy when you hear it—a letter came from home, nothing urgent, we're not in a hurry to return; just right, I have a friend who needs help with a business, right here in Huazhou City; you like that Song Jiejie very much, don't you? This time you can see her again!"

When Xiang Yuan specially went to find Liang Yan, Zhang Siniang was also carrying a basket and coming to find Song Miao.

"I boiled the eggs myself, and have a pot of freshly brewed tea; I know Young Lady is busy today and may not have time to prepare these—standing an egg on Lichun, I want to bring Young Lady a bit of good luck!"