On the way home, Li Feng took a moment to recall and review Hong Chu’s words, piecing together most of what must have happened regarding the Hong family’s internal strife.
When Hong Chu rose to power, someone stirred trouble at the docks, hoping to bring him down. He handled it and then turned the tables, making another competitor even more “unlucky”—losing goods, losing a ship, and failing to catch the river bandits.
Li Feng shook his head, rode home, and reached the alley before curfew.
Lu Liu was waiting outside, sitting inside the tent.
Lu Yang was there too; the two brothers sat outside, chatting idly, bragging about how they’d spend money once they were rich.
They both regretted not being able to set up a stall at the market.
Li Feng dismounted and said, “Big business is here!”
Lu Yang’s family stayed put; he went inside with the couple.
Li Feng had barely eaten all day. That evening at home, as Lu Liu fussed over him and set out dishes, Li Feng recounted Hong Chu’s orders.
Tonight’s celebratory feast had mushroom dishes on every table. Even if the prize-winning merchants already got theirs, other merchants might enjoy them—and perhaps visit the docks to buy more.
Lu Yang stomped in frustration. “Ah! We should open a shop in the city. The docks are too far; these merchants won’t always want to come. Most of their silver is spent, and it’s hot out.”
Lu Liu poured him a bowl of sweetened mung bean soup.
Lu Yang stirred it, but delayed drinking.
Li Feng ate heartily, and midway, Shun Ge’er came over to listen, noting that the two little ones were playing in their mother’s room.
Once Li Feng finished, the four continued their discussion.
Lu Yang, unprepared for another shipment, couldn’t source from other customers. Fortunately, the brothers had delivered once already.
Those who arrived today would rest for two days before leaving. Tomorrow, they’d get an early start back to the mountain village so the villagers could send more goods.
After receiving guidance from the God of Wealth, Lu Yang formulated a plan for pre-ordering goods. Riding the market’s momentum, he could go to places crowded with merchants—inns along Minfu Road, or the city’s major escort agencies and carriage stations—to negotiate deals.
All were businessmen; this was normal. Merchants traveling elsewhere to seek buyers did the same, so there was no shame.
Lu Yang planned to bring Li Feng along. Merchants had seen him with Hong Chu over several days; his presence lent credibility, allowing negotiations to proceed smoothly.
Using the market’s momentum, they would price slightly below market rate.
The Hong family’s mountain mushrooms as prizes confirmed quality. By offering a small discount and giving rebate points based on the market’s proportions, they could entice merchants to order within a set time frame. Late buyers would pay full price, no rebate.
Without existing stock, they could take deposits.
Following Wu Ping’s advice, big deals could include delivery.
Some merchants came to the market only once a year. If they were forced to take mushrooms directly from the docks, the deal could be lost. Delivery allowed deposits first, with the balance on arrival—no second trip needed.
Li Feng noted, “After the autumn harvest, there will be idle villagers. We can hire a few experienced escorts to guide our people and deliver goods ourselves. That’ll save some money.”
Lu Yang had already considered this after meeting Wu Ping. “We should be generous. In the city, to grow our business, our relations with escort agencies and carriage stations mustn’t suffer. Our goods come from the docks; contact with them is minimal. This is a rare chance—we should invest a little. These merchants are like river bandits; who knows what might happen en route. Befriending them won’t hurt. Spending a bit for the brothers to travel that far is worth it.”
When business picked up, the brothers would still feel the delivery was slow and need more hands picking mushrooms on the mountain. Their team wasn’t fully upgraded with horses yet; some deliveries still used mule or donkey carts, slower and inconsistent. External transport couldn’t be relied on.
Li Feng furrowed his brow, considered, and nodded in agreement.
“All right, I’ll negotiate with the escort agencies and carriage stations.”
Lu Liu listened quietly, taking careful notes.
When they paused, he whispered, “Can I help?”
Lu Yang wanted to take him to the docks. “It’ll be busy. Whether a deal closes is uncertain, but many merchants will come to see the goods. You and Shun Ge’er stay at the dock stall. Selling there is like manning a small stand, facing one customer at a time. Go see, learn, and watch.”
Lu Liu’s face lit up, blushing with excitement at the chance to see the dock stall firsthand.
Once business plans were settled, Li Feng mentioned other observations—particularly the pawnshop and the money exchange, emphasizing the latter.
Lu Yang found him straightforward. He’d never bought jewelry before, not realizing it could serve as cash. He realized some even pawned clothes or shoes.
Previously, Lu Yang rarely visited a money exchange. On his last trip with Wu Ping, they spoke only of the company, not the exchange. He would keep an eye out and ask next opportunity.
Li Feng also recounted the Hong family’s internal strife. Lu Yang listened attentively—it was a textbook example that Xie Yan and his classmates once analyzed. Li Feng brought back information confirming the “crying thief catches the thief” theory.
Mentioning Hong Chu, Li Feng turned to Lu Liu: “Xiao Liu, next time you go out, buy a few silver rings. I think Hong Chu uses them for poison testing—it’s very convenient.”
Lu Liu was shocked. “People actually poison each other?”
Lu Yang was curious about the rest of the story.
Li Feng recounted the scene at the Hong family gate.
Lu Yang sighed. “What a ruthless person—he’d even harm himself. I don’t dare spend his money.”
Li Feng, forgetting what money was for, asked casually.
Lu Yang said, “To hire courtesans.”
Shun Ge’er finally understood and chuckled quietly, earning a glare from Li Feng.
Lu Liu laughed softly, ignoring Li Feng’s gaze, and asked, “Brother, should we still hire courtesans?”
Lu Yang nodded. “Yes, I want to get to know him. I can tell he’s the same sort. We’ll have plenty to talk about.”
To make friends, one must plan carefully.
Lu Yang continued, “We’re all young men, so we’ll hire only men, not girls. He’ll like that. We’ll call a group over, judge them a bit, let them twist, sing, maybe even strip a little.”
Li Feng: “??!!”
Shun Ge’er clutched his small bowl; the mung bean soup had no taste now.
He exclaimed, “Wow!”
Lu Liu was embarrassed but curious. He looked at Li Feng and asked, “Da Feng, can I go see and learn a bit?”
Li Feng: “!!!”
“Xie Yan! Where’s Xie Yan?”
Lu Yang laughed. “He’s resting today. When the God of Wealth came to play, he was supposed to help with the stall. I didn’t go, so he chatted with Xie Yan about learning. Once he started, he couldn’t stop. Didn’t follow me—just stayed home reading and writing.”
Li Feng asked, “Is he reading the classics? Didn’t you learn a bit too?”
Lu Yang scratched his ear. “Would you talk like that in front of Hong Chu? I think he really admires you. Li Feng, Boss Li, I advise you to be sensible. Whether you make big money depends on how you treat people. Honestly, you should scout ahead, visit the houses, see which have many men, which are handsome, which can perform music. Then I’ll bring Hong Chu; wealth will roll in! Your mother, brother, husband, kids—all will benefit. You can repair your father’s grave, donate to the clan, help your village chief become a great leader—you’ll bring glory to your family!”
Even Lu Liu was dumbfounded listening to this.
Heavens, his brother’s talent for spinning ideas into opportunities was truly first-rate. He had to learn well from him!
