LGSLAW : Chapter 70 – Sales Channels

When Xu Huan saw Yang Dalang, he had already quickly found a small shop to settle in, and the goods were neatly arranged. He hadn’t rushed to the Xu family, asking for help with large and small boxes. Even Xu Huan couldn’t help but admire such determination and efficiency. 

 

To Yang Dalang, renting a short-term shop, whether it cost twenty or twenty-five taels a month, was still a cost, but seizing the opportunity was more important.

 

Xu Huan agreed with this. Looking at the fruits Yang Dalang had brought, which were still fresh, plump, and fragrant after being unpacked, he knew that helping him would also benefit his own network, regardless of the personal favor.

 

“Unfortunately, I have to go to the capital in a few days. I can only assist you for this period. Afterward, you can use my family’s visiting card to visit clients, and you should not be turned away immediately,” Xu Huan said apologetically.

 

Yang Dalang cupped his hands and replied, “Xu brother, your help is already immensely appreciated.”

 

Xu Huan waved his hand and smiled, “No need to mention it. Your products are great. Back in Miao Village, we ate your vegetables every day. Now, helping you is probably to my advantage as well.”

 

While the two were chatting, they didn’t notice a servant eavesdropping with pricked ears. After they left, the servant immediately slipped away to a nearby courtyard.

 

“Young Master, the visitor seems to be from Miao Village!”

 

“Miao Village? Isn’t that the countryside where sister-in-law went to recuperate? What did the visitor say? Is it related to tribute items?”

 

“I didn’t hear anything about tribute. They mentioned inviting the eldest master to help introduce merchants. The visitor is a fruit seller.”

 

“Humph, another one trying to leverage connections. How did Big Brother respond?”

 

“The eldest master was quite polite and seemed willing to help.”

 

“Hmph, my eldest brother is a smiling tiger, courteous to everyone. But this time, I don’t believe he won’t make mistakes. Keep an eye on him and find out what tribute items he’s dealing with this time!”

 

“Yes, Young Master!”

 

After sending off the servant, a finely dressed woman in a light purple silk dress, adorned with luxurious pearl ornaments, emerged from behind the screen. She appeared hesitant.

 

“Zhuo’er, are you sure about this? If we lose the tribute rights for the third consecutive year, even if we bring down your elder brother, our family will be ridiculed. Isn’t this move too risky?”

 

The woman, Zhuo’er’s mother and Xu Huan’s third aunt, was worried.

 

“Mother, this is our best chance! Think about it. We finally waited for the uncle to leave, leaving the authority vacant. Father and Second Uncle have been fighting for years, ending up both defeated. Grandmother didn’t choose Father or Second Uncle, but instead skipped a generation to give the authority to Xu Huan, the eldest grandson of the main family! Unless Xu Huan makes a huge mistake, this power will never come back to us.”

 

“But even if Xu Huan holds the authority for a few years, as long as his wife doesn’t bear a son, Grandmother will replace him. I’ve already sent Wan’er to make sure nothing goes wrong. Besides, you can’t afford to make a mistake now.”

 

“Mother, it could take years. Don’t forget about Xu Ming. Although he’s still young, he will become a threat in a few years. If we wait too long and the main family stabilizes, we won’t have another chance. Opportunities must be seized!”

 

Zhuo’er’s tone turned vicious.

 

“Even your father doesn’t agree with this plan and scolded me for it. Shouldn’t we think it over?”

 

“Mother, don’t tell Father about this! He’s too cautious. When this succeeds, he’ll praise me. I’ve already made arrangements with the Luo family. If we lose the tribute rights and they gain it, they’ll cooperate with us!”

 

Seeing her son’s confidence, the doting mother reluctantly agreed.

 

***

 

While the Xu family was embroiled in schemes, Miao Village had its own drama. The luxurious carriage visiting Xu’s house indeed belonged to Xu Wan, Xu Huan’s cousin. Xu Wan, following her mother’s instructions, traveled a long way to this rural area to stir up trouble for her sister-in-law.

 

Everyone in the Xu family knew that Xiang Zhen was in poor health due to unresolved issues, making it hard for her to conceive again. The only child she managed to have was a girl, which led to more criticism and worsened her condition. This was why Xu Huan sent her away from the main family, hoping for some peace.

 

But just because she left, didn’t mean trouble wouldn’t follow. Xu Wan found it amusing to bring a country girl aiming to be a concubine into her sister-in-law’s house.

 

This led to a confrontation with Xu Ming.

 

“Third Sister, you want this Miao girl to stay with you because you get along so well?”

 

Xu Ming was skeptical.

 

Xu Wan smiled sweetly, “Exactly. Isn’t it perfect? Sister-in-law is all alone here, neglected by Big Brother. It must be so lonely. With me and another girl, even in this rural place, she won’t feel so isolated.”

 

Miao Duan’er, blushing with excitement, finally set foot in the big house again. Xiang Zhen, feeling a bit uncomfortable, clung to her daughter and looked helplessly at her brother-in-law Xu Ming.

 

Xu Ming couldn’t resolve the situation. “Alright, Third Sister, if you like Miss Miao so much, let her stay and keep you company.”

 

Xiang Zhen felt a bit disappointed, while Xu Wan and Miao Duan’er were elated. Xu Wan instructed, “Well then, arrange a place for us. This house is really small and not well-decorated. I wonder if we can adapt.”

 

“If you can’t adapt, Third Sister, you can stay at a teahouse in town. It’s not far,” Xu Ming retorted.

 

Xu Wan stiffened, laughed awkwardly, and shut her mouth.

 

The next day, after finishing her morning routine and complaining about the accommodations, Xu Wan realized her brother and sister-in-law had already left the house.

 

Meanwhile, Miao He was equally surprised.

 

“What? She’s applying for a job?”

 

“Yes, my sister-in-law has nothing to do at home, so I thought she could help you out,” Xu Ming said.

 

Xiang Zhen, feeling nervous, held her daughter. Truthfully, she was a bit anxious.

 

Looking at Xiang Zhen, a real noblewoman, Miao He thought about the favor he owed. He asked, “No problem. What does she plan to do?”

 

Xu Ming chuckled, “I’ve got it figured out. She can help you with the kids. I see you running up and down the mountain with the kids all the time. My sister-in-law can definitely handle it.”

 

This arrangement avoided gossip. Second Aunt Yang was always around, providing supervision, and Miao He, being a ge’er, had no issues working with the women.

 

It was a perfect solution. Miao He agreed, realizing he could finally get some respite, as taking care of the kids while working was exhausting. Xiang Zhen was happy to have more kids around her daughter and gladly accepted.

 

Thus, everyone was pleased. From that day on, Xiang Zhen became one of the workers in the fruit workshop.

 

But why was Miao He so busy? It all started when Yang Dalang went to Suzhou.

 

For several days, there was no news. This was expected, as the boat trip took three days each way.

 

Miao He didn’t waste time. He knew that even if this attempt in Suzhou failed, it would provide valuable experience in long-distance shipping. They planned to go through all the steps: booking a boat, loading, transporting, labor, and communication, to be fully prepared for future ventures.

 

Therefore, Miao He stayed busy, monitoring the workers picking and packing fruit, ensuring quality control for the potential orders.

 

They also set up an ice cellar, creating a cold storage area to support this attempt. Surprisingly, the fruits, grown with the help of fertile soil, seemed to last longer after being picked, giving them more time to handle large quantities.

 

On the seventh day after Yang Dalang’s departure, a messenger finally arrived with a letter.

 

Miao He eagerly read the letter, feeling relieved to know Yang Dalang was safe. Although the order was for only sixty small boxes, he was slightly disappointed but not surprised. Yang Dalang had mentioned he wouldn’t sell at a loss, and building a reputation for the fruit would take time.

 

Regardless, Miao He quickly packed the order and sent it back with the messenger.

 

Meanwhile, the fruit jam workshop was also busy. Imperfect or slightly damaged fruits were turned into jam. The new row of long houses constantly emitted the sweet aroma of cooking fruit jam.

 

The sudden increase in workers brought the total to over ten women. The bustling activity drew attention, and the whole village soon knew about Miao He’s abundant fruit crop, ready to sell.

 

Some people were jealous.

 

“Having so much fruit is great, but can they sell it?”

 

“Exactly. Who in the village would buy fruit when they can pick it for free?”

 

“I heard they’re packing them in boxes to sell elsewhere. But who would pay for it when there are fruits everywhere?”

 

“They’ll probably end up giving it away to avoid waste. We might not even need to pick our own. We’ll just wait to eat!”

 

“True. I was annoyed they took over the mountain, but now it’s a good thing.”

 

While some villagers hoped the fruit wouldn’t sell, Miao He’s fruits have already reached the capital.

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