Chapter 108 Extra: Journey to the Capital (2)

 

“Isn’t it too expensive? Will anyone come to buy if we sell at such prices?” Dongshan’s question prompted the three uneasy brothers and Jing Feng to look straight at Jing Yi, hoping for clarification and reassurance.

 

“Well, that’s… not feasible,” Jing Yi responded, looking at them despite the disappointment in his brothers’ eyes.

 

“But, big brother, our pearl quality is excellent,” Dongjiang expressed his confusion.

 

Jing Yi continued to explain to them, “Dongjiang, Dongshan, wild game is generally more expensive than poultry. Xiao Shu, when we used to go to the pharmacy, wild herbs were also more expensive than those grown at home. It’s the same principle.”

 

“Moreover, natural pearls are extremely rare, difficult to harvest. If we don’t clarify this, it would disrupt market rules, and such methods are frowned upon.”

 

“Furthermore, although the roundness of natural pearls may not match cultivated ones, their texture is finer, luster softer, and they have higher transparency. Knowledgeable buyers can quickly distinguish them. If we don’t explain this from the beginning, once exposed, our business may suffer.”

 

The four brothers lowered their heads, feeling self-reproachful for allowing the price to cloud their judgment.

 

“Alright, here’s your assignment. Classify these pearls again based on roundness and luster. If you’re unsure, seek the advice of knowledgeable individuals. When you reach the capital, try your luck at the jewellery shops. In unfamiliar territories, only contracts provide security.”

 

Therefore, buying people is the fastest way to hire people.

 

Next, they brainstormed various sales formats and promotional methods. As the day gradually darkened, everyone happily returned to their cabins, eagerly awaiting their arrival in the capital to make a splash.

 

“Squeak,” the door creaked open, and Chuxia sat on the bed playing with a small tiger plush toy with Guoguo. Upon hearing the sound, he looked up.

 

Chuxia: “Ah Yi, is it windy outside? How was the discussion?”

 

Jing Yi: “The wind is not strong, no need to worry.” He walked over, hugged Chuxia, recalling a time when a strong wind on the river had frightened him.

 

Jing Yi: “All my brothers are doing well—smart, energetic, courageous. They just lack experience. I estimate that in another three to five years, they’ll be able to handle things on their own.”

 

Resting on Jing Yi’s shoulder, Chuxia glanced at Guoguo on the bed, then at the writing materials on the table, casually said, “But you could handle things on your own when you were sixteen.”

 

Jing Yi, joyfully “smooched” Chuxia’s forehead twice after hearing this, boasting, “Of course! I’m your husband, naturally gifted! I had to give it my all to marry you!” Besides, I’m an old cucumber painted green.

 

Before Chuxia could blush, Guoguo, who was in his arms, saw it. He raised his head, saw his Father kissing his Mother and was dissatisfied, “I want to kiss too! I want to kiss too!”

 

Jing Yi “smooched” Guoguo’s little cheek twice, but Guoguo was still dissatisfied. He crawled into Father’s arms to kiss him.

 

At this moment, An An, who had just completed his homework, saw the commotion and rushed over, laughing, running and bouncing. Jing Yi quickly caught him, took off his shoes, carried him onto the bed, and the whole family played and laughed, the laughter echoing down the corridor.

 

“An An and Guoguo are so happy.” Xiao Shu stood in the corridor, the wind blowing his hair. He looked up at Dongjiang beside him and said.

 

“Yeah, big brother and the others are different; they’re really good with children.” Dongjiang responded, seeing Xiao Shu’s disheveled hair, he raised his hand and tucked it behind his ear.

 

Ancient traditions emphasized not holding grandchildren, and there was a saying about strict fathers and kind mothers. However, Jing Yi’s family took an unconventional approach—they were both kind and strict fathers.

 

They played with the children when it was time to play, and when it was time to discipline, they were willing to do so. Thus, the two children were brought up to be lively, cute, polite, and sensible.

 

“I should learn too.” Dongjiang said seriously, teasing the young ger in front of him.

 

“Humph, thinking quite far ahead.” Xiao Shu lightly snorted, then wanted to go for a walk on the deck.

 

Dongjiang: “Then go back to your room and put on an extra layer. It’s windy on the deck.”

 

Xiao Shu: “No need, I’m not cold, I’m wearing enough.”

 

Dongjiang: “Even if you’re not cold, I’ll hold it for you. Put it on when you feel cold, be good.”

 

All the bantering about the children before didn’t make Xiao Shu lose face, but this one gentle word “be good” made him lose his composure.

 

Lowering his head to conceal his flushed cheeks and the uncontrollable smile, hesitating a couple of times, unable to resist the warm gaze on his head, he obediently went back to get his clothes.

 

In the evening on the ship, everyone developed their own entertainment activities. The Jing Yi family of four played around, Dongjiang and Xiao Shu sweetly and romantically engaged in a relationship, while Dongshan and An An, the two silly boys, invited a group of people to play cards in their cabin.

 

This card game was developed by Jing Yi a few years ago, originally named “Landlord.” It’s now called “Bandit Buster” and, upon its release, caused quite a stir in the entire Fuyang Town, quickly becoming popular throughout the entire Da Yuan Dynasty.

 

So, after a hasty journey of four days, on the fifth day around noon, the ship finally docked at the canal pier on the outskirts of the capital.

 

Here, they would board a horse carriage for another two hours to reach the inner city of the capital.

 

“Wow! Father, Mother! Is this the capital?” Ever since they approached the city gate, Xiao An An’s big bright eyes have been busy, and his clever little mouth has been asking questions left and right.

 

“Yes, this is the city gate. After completing the procedures in a while, we’ll be able to go in,” Jing Yi replied, also leaning over to look out the carriage window.

 

To be honest, there was nothing particularly remarkable about it; after all, he had been to modern cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

 

“It’s so big! Much taller and larger than the city gate of Qingzhou Prefecture! And there are more soldiers here than in Qingzhou Prefecture,” An An, though only five years old, had already been to Qingzhou Prefecture. He was smart and remembered things quite clearly.

 

“Of course, because the capital is where the emperor lives, the law and order must be stricter. Moreover, the capital is the core of our Da Yuan Dynasty, the center of the entire Da Yuan’s government, academies, and business community,” Jing Yi explained earnestly to An An.

 

“Wow, so amazing!” An An’s eyes sparkled, this is where the emperor lives!

 

“Wow, wow, wow!” Little Guo Guo might not have fully understood, but he was all in for adding to the excitement.

 

Beside them, Chuxia and Xiao Shu were also discussing the local customs and scenery outside the window. Even the few young men in the front of the carriage were talking animatedly about the wonders they saw.

 

Despite the long journey, with both boat and carriage rides, everyone’s enthusiasm for arriving in the capital was not dampened.

 

After smoothly entering the city, Jing Yi instructed the caravan to head directly to the Jixiange Pavilion. Since Brother Huang had been transferred from Qingzhou Prefecture to the capital, Jing Yi hadn’t seen him for several years. This time, it was a good opportunity to catch up.

 

There was also Dean Wen, who was Jing Yi’s benefactor.

 

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Jixiange Pavilion. The waiter immediately recognized that this was a big customer with a total of eight carriages. He hurried over to welcome them.

 

“Esteemed guests, you must be tired from the long journey. Would you like to have a meal or stay overnight?”

 

“Prepare two elegant rooms on the second floor first, and arrange a few tables for meals. As for accommodation, do you have a courtyard?”

 

Speaking was Steward Tong. Nowadays, when it came to arranging such matters, it was either Steward Tong or Gao Kun.

 

“We have them all! Please come in.” Clearly, this was a big deal. Thinking about the commission for this month, the waiter’s smile widened even more.

 

After settling in, it was already afternoon, and it was too late to visit someone’s home. Therefore, Jing Yi only dispatched Gao Kun and Renyi, two reliable and steady men, to deliver greeting cards to Dean Wen and Brother Huang.

 

The plan was to visit Dean Wen’s family first tomorrow. They had moved to the capital in the second year of Yongkang, and Dean Wen had become the Left Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Households, holding the official rank of the third grade.

 

Their contact with Jing Yi had not only remained but had also become closer over time.

 

Whenever Jing Yi came up with new ideas, be it for business cooperation or ideas beneficial to the country and the people, he would directly communicate with the court.

 

Due to their previous collaboration, Jing Yi often sent suggestions to Dean Wen. The current emperor valued talents, so he directly granted permission for Jing Yi to submit his ideas and plans to Dean Wen, waiving the need for multiple layers of review.

 

In urgent or significant matters, Jing Yi even communicated directly with the emperor through Dean Wen.

 

It could be described as an extraordinary favor from the emperor.

 

Jing Yi, being a low-key person, chose not to take advantage of these privileges. Otherwise, with such connections, he could easily wield significant influence in Anchang County.