Chapter 185

"Cough, cough, cough," the young man cleared his throat and tried to make his expression look as innocent and honest as possible. "The workshop in Anshui Prefecture that the boss mentioned also belongs to us."

The big boss sitting on the high chair widened his eyes.

"If the boss insists that the smoked meat from Anshui Prefecture smells good, he can also transport it," Zheng Ruqian held up two fingers, "We also accept freight, charging only 20% of the transportation fee. What do you think?"

To be honest, it was a bit regretful that the siblings had been too busy with the workshop and hadn't had time to arrange for someone to transport goods.

Zheng Ruqian, as the head of the family, could only sacrifice himself and personally take on the task.

He was full of passion, oblivious to the fact that the expression on the boss across from him changed from shock to disbelief, then to confusion, and finally to unwillingness.

"Two taels of silver..." the boss muttered resentfully, "Even in Fengjing, there is nothing so expensive."

In fact, there were.

For example, lychees. Every May and June they were transported from the south, and each one was worth a fortune.

As the ancients said, "A horse galloping through the dust, the lady smiles, none knows it's thanks to lychees," adding an even more precious veil to lychees, so that every scorching summer, a craze for "eating lychees" surged in Fengjing.

Not only did the daughters of wealthy families eat them, but they also treated others to them, in order to demonstrate their financial power, and also to assert their status and prevent others from looking down on them.

The reason smoked meat was deemed unworthy of a high price was because pork was inexpensive and not rare enough.

But Zheng Ruqian didn't regret raising the price at all.

The rent and labor in Anshui Prefecture was less than half of that in Fengjing. How could smoked meat that could sell for 500 wen in Anshui Prefecture fail to fetch a good price in Fengjing?

However, two taels of silver was a bit excessive. Seeing the pained struggle on the boss's face, Zheng Ruqian turned and winked at his sister.

Jiang Sheng immediately understood.

The little girl looked up ingenuously and asked, "Second brother, do we have to sell it for two taels of silver? Can we ask for less money, seeing how pained Uncle looks?"

The boss was taken aback for a moment, then quickly hid his expression, suspecting he had revealed too much emotion.

"Cheap? How cheap?" Zheng Ruqian widened his eyes, "We have costs to make smoked meat too. We have so many mouths to feed, if we go too cheap we won't even cover costs."

"But..." Jiang Sheng pulled at his arm, "Just give Uncle a small discount, a tiny one, a little bit."

Zheng Ruqian looked very conflicted, as if he wanted to lower the price but was reluctant.

The boss across from him strangely felt his heart rise to his throat for no reason. After a long pause, Zheng Ruqian finally steeled himself and said, "I can give at most a 500 wen discount. Take it or leave it."

Two taels a jin of smoked meat, less 500 wen, was one and a half taels, a discount of a full one third. Anyone would be happy with that.

The boss almost immediately stood up and held out his hand, "Don't be impatient, my young friends. Let's negotiate a little more."

Half an hour later.

Zheng Ruqian held a contract that still smelled of fresh ink. He looked it up and down and turned it left and right.

Although he didn't have his elder brother's outstanding literary talent, being with a genius writer every day, he couldn't remain completely illiterate even if he wanted to.

At least he could understand all the characters on the contract. After making sure there were no traps, Zheng Ruqian and the boss both signed their names and stamped their seals, selling the smoked meat to You Ran House for one and a half taels per jin, supplying at least 200 jin every month.

Once it was registered at the yamen, the contract would take formal effect, becoming a commitment and restraint for both parties.

"You two must supply You Ran House on time." The boss smiled, still not treating the siblings as equals, but at least no longer looking down on them condescendingly. "If you have any new goods, feel free to send them over too."

Zheng Ruqian immediately thought of Auntie Zhang's white boiled noodles.

But Jiang Sheng just tugged at his sleeve, stopping him from speaking.

On the way back.

Zheng Ruqian couldn't help asking, "Why don't we sell the white boiled noodles to You Ran House? They're sure to be welcomed by the people of Fengjing."

Fengjing was not short of wealthy people. As long as something was novel enough, even a bowl of plain white noodles could make people flock to it.

Moreover, Auntie Zhang's white boiled noodles were extremely delicious.

But Jiang Sheng had other thoughts.

This was the little girl's second idea, apart from the workshop.

"Second brother, the white boiled noodles are made by Auntie," Jiang Sheng said carefully. "I remember her saying before that she wanted to open her own shop."

Not selling the white boiled noodles on their own was out of respect for Auntie Zhang.

Supporting Auntie Zhang in opening her own shop was Jiang Sheng's gift to this kind woman.

Everyone should bravely pursue the life of their dreams, including the brothers, little Jiang Sheng, and of course Auntie Zhang too.

The carriage continued trotting along, surrounded by peddlers' shouts.

Zheng Ruqian felt his nose tingle slightly. He reached out and ruffled the little girl's hair. "How did I gain such a kind younger sister in this life?"

Jiang Sheng bared her teeth in a grin. "I'm also very lucky to have such good older brothers."

Being able to meet each other was fate arranged by heaven.

And meeting all of you is my greatest fortune.

When they returned to the courtyard, the sky was already dark.

The brothers were sitting in groups of two or three. Although they were busy with their own tasks, they kept glancing toward the entrance. Finally seeing Jiang Sheng bounce in happily, they felt a slight sense of relief.

And seeing the serious Zheng Ruqian, they completely settled their hearts.

Fengjing was very different from Anshui Prefecture. This city was too big, too prosperous, with too many wealthy families and too many existences they couldn't afford to offend.

Although Chang Yan was disdainful of them, he had to admit that the six siblings right now could be easily crushed by any prominent figure on a whim.

Even though Xu Mo was a juren.

In Anshui Prefecture, an identity that even the Prefect had looked at with admiration, in Fengjing it didn't even register.

Fengjing had at least thirty juren, not to mention even more tribute students, jinshi degree holders, and various high officials and nobles.

Speaking of which, Chang Yan suddenly recalled the former Prefect's agreement with Xu Mo.

He glanced over inconspicuously. "Elder brother, have you paid respects to Lord Dou?"

The former Prefect was surnamed Dou.

Xu Mo put down the classical text he was reading and pondered for a moment before answering, "Not yet for the time being."

The implication was that he would visit later, just not right now.

What could be inconvenient at this time?

Chang Yan suddenly thought of Zhu Zhi, Xu Mo's bizarre change in mood, and his recent abnormal behavior. His pupils expanded slightly.

Elder brother might be doing something risky, and didn't want to implicate Lord Dou, which was why he was avoiding seeing him.

On the other side.

Jiang Sheng carried four large pork elbows she had bought from the market, presenting them proudly to Wen Zhiyun. She scurried around Chang Yan and finally held them up to Xu Mo. "Elder brother, we have pork elbows to eat!"

Not only the 2,000 taels of silver from selling the smoked meat, but also the 500 tael deposit from You Ran House. Added together it was a full 2,500 taels.

Now they didn't have to pinch pennies, and no longer needed to pick out slivers of meat from vegetable dishes.

Jiang Sheng steeled her heart and directly bought four large pork elbows, wanting her brothers to eat their fill.

"It looks like dinner will be plentiful." Xu Mo smiled very cooperatively.

Jiang Sheng was overjoyed. She lifted the pork elbows and spun over to Auntie Zhang, presenting them devoutly. "Auntie, red-cooked."

Zhang Xianglian laughed heartily.

These children really loved meat.

"Alright, alright, I'll red-cook them for you." She took the elbows and drew out a large cleaver, going to the kitchen to scrape off the bristles and cut off the fat.

Jiang Sheng bounced after her, remembering to pull along Zheng Ruqian and Wen Zhiyun.

A home with a little sister was always so joyful. Chang Yan's mouth curved up at the corners. He quickly glanced at Xu Mo again. "Elder brother is afraid of implicating Lord Dou, but not afraid of implicating us siblings?"