Li Yang took things slowly, attending carefully to every matter.
Li Feng had finalized the shop, and with the end of the year approaching, many villagers were stuck in their fixed routines, wanting to stay home for the New Year. Li Yang urged Li Feng to speed things along—rent was already paid; the earlier the shop opened, the earlier they could earn.
Winter vegetables were the most expensive. In the mountain village, everyone was digging up winter bamboo shoots. If they didn’t open the shop now, when would they?
After the New Year, villagers’ money would already be spent elsewhere! Li Yang couldn’t bear to see people so unambitious.
The shop wouldn’t focus solely on selling vegetables; mountain mushrooms would be the main stock, used to run the shop sustainably. Opening a shop could serve to sell vegetables and build a reputation. Li Yang knew this from experience—and selling vegetables truly held great potential.
The workshop would also need some setup: a small drying area and a storage room.
By the end of the year, there would be no need for workers. He would hire people to fix it up now so it could be used directly next year.
No matter what, this year he had to ensure the people running the shop were sent to the prefectural city.
He had invested in this business and went to the Wu family tailor to have signs custom-made.
He brought the sign from his own shop as a model. Everything the mountains offered would be available in the shop.
Two signs were made: one for the company’s banner—currently a temporary, rough version that lacked dignity—and one for the shop itself, using the name Lu Liu had chosen: “Eat Your Fill.”
When placing the deposit, Lu Yang suggested, “Make the shop sign double-sided.”
This way, his younger brother could use the same name when opening a shop in the city.
Coincidentally, Old Master Wu was at the shop checking accounts that day.
The shopkeeper recognized Lu Yang from the sign and invited him to the tea room.
Lu Yang saw that Old Master Wu looked well and asked, “Uncle, are you feeling better?”
Old Master Wu chuckled, “I’ve been resting for almost a year, taking good herbs, living well. I should be fine now.”
He had someone serve the best tea and told Lu Yang, “Pingzhi says you like Maojian tea. When the new tea comes next year, I’ll have two packages sent for you to try.”
Lu Yang did not stand on ceremony and asked about Xiao Ma.
This timing was perfect; it saved him from bothering Wu Pingzhi repeatedly.
Old Master Wu said, “There’s news—it will only be delivered next month. No price reported yet, but I suspect he’ll raise it.”
Lu Yang had never seen someone jack up a price and was curious. “How high could it go?”
Old Master Wu, estimating from past experience, said it might rise five to ten taels of silver.
If other buyers showed interest and competed, the price could be unpredictable.
“They might even bring shills, so it’s hard to tell. You can’t know if it’s a real buyer or just someone raising the price.”
Lu Yang shook his head. “Spending so much thought on this, is their business really that big?”
Old Master Wu smiled, “No cunning, no trade.”
Lu Yang laughed. “Alright, let’s wait until we meet. I’ll see how clever he really is.”
At year’s end, Old Master Wu would also go to the prefectural city to check accounts.
This year, he wouldn’t bring Wu Pingzhi. After checking accounts, he would return, handle other business, and prepare for the New Year.
Lu Yang asked about the date. Seeing it undecided, he suggested Old Master Wu go with the people from Li Village.
The roads at year’s end were dangerous. Many people, driven to desperate measures by hunger, turned to banditry. More travelers meant greater safety.
Old Master Wu agreed, “I’ll also stop by the docks to see how your company is doing.”
Lu Yang smiled even more. “You go and offer advice. They’re all hunters from the mountains, used to selling game and managing a few regular clients. They’ve never run a business before. With so many people in town, ten heads can think up ten thousand tricks. I’ve been tied up; otherwise, I’d always go along to oversee.”
Old Master Wu asked if he planned to go to the city next year.
“Xie Yan traveling between the two places isn’t an issue.”
Li Yang wanted to wait until the end of the year to discuss it with Xie Yan. Going was necessary; the timing had yet to be decided. They would invite Wu Pingzhi to join the discussion. This year, Wu Pingzhi had helped them greatly; they could not dismiss him for a better opportunity.
Seeing Wu Pingzhi’s dedication to study, next year he might accompany them to the prefectural city.
The city had many academies. After this term, he could enroll in a new one next year without disrupting his studies. According to Xie Yan, each teacher had slightly different methods and would tailor instruction once they understood a student—better than starting fresh with a new teacher.
Old Master Wu opened up: “If he goes, we understand. Pingzhi’s talent is average. If Xie Yan can spot good essays and teach real skills, it benefits Pingzhi too. He’ll go to the prefectural city around April. The assignments Xie Yan left him, he hasn’t finished; the notes he hasn’t absorbed yet.
“Everything at home is arranged. Mr. Mei is attentive, guiding him meticulously. He’ll remain at the private school until Xie Yan returns home. After that, you can have Xie Yan help him again. Once April comes, Pingzhi will go to the prefectural city early to prepare for exams. Xie Yan can then review his knowledge, so he can work hard before the tests.”
These heartfelt words made Lu Yang feel ashamed. He had underestimated people.
He stood, performed a formal bow to Old Master Wu, leaving room for further discussion once Xie Yan returned home.
“I’ll prioritize his studies. Once we have confirmation, I’ll visit with him,” Lu Yang said.
After chatting a bit more about daily life and company matters, Old Master Wu warned, “You distribute profits too evenly. With no big share, and payouts scattered across many, beware of disunity.”
Lu Yang replied, “This is a joint business with my brother. Our families take the main share. Others just joined, follow orders, get a little profit, and provide for our men.”
Seeing he had matters under control, Old Master Wu said no more and told Lu Yang to pick out two ready-made outfits to wear. Lu Yang hesitated but eventually took a few headbands.
The headbands, made from scrap but bright, good-quality material, were meant for his brother to give to people once they moved to the mountain village.
In the following days, Lu Yang ran between the shop, workshop, and home. By the tenth day of November, Li Feng and the others arrived in the city. They left the shop-watchers behind, and Lu Yang had them meet Old Master Wu and bring in Ginkgo to help.
The shop-watchers were Miao Xiaohe and San Miao, young and clever, without children, with families to support them, able to travel.
Seeing it was them, Lu Yang was puzzled. Normally, Wang Meng and his spouse would watch the shop.
San Miao explained, “Boss Lu, Wang Meng’s spouse is pregnant, recently had complications, and has been resting at home. She couldn’t manage a trip to the city this year, so Da Feng sent us instead. The workshop is less busy; next year, Wang Meng’s family will join when stock arrives.”
Lu Yang smiled warmly. “Whoever comes is fine. You and Wang Meng, I know you both. You know the shop’s layout. After receiving vegetables, help sell them. While running the shop, teach your spouse a bit. I’ve hired an accountant to show Brother Lin bookkeeping. Operating a shop requires skills.”
San Miao agreed, bringing Xiaohe to thank him.
Lu Yang spoke kindly, “No need for thanks. Our mighty dog came from your family. Today’s slow—come home for a meal, see the dog. I’ve fed it well, though it hasn’t grown tall, just chubby.”
This excuse was irresistible. They had a meal at his home.
San Miao saw that the dog, indeed chubby like a piglet, and joked that Lu Yang had overfed it.
The little dog, not knowing fullness, ate every meal. The yard was small, so it could only gain weight.
Lu Yang didn’t expect this and said, “I’ll take it to the mountain village this time, plenty of space to meet other dogs.”
