After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Chapter 157 Team Leader

Although Zheng Hao was still a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, once the Jian'an Emperor issued an imperial edict, he was already half a deputy director of the Ministry of Revenue. The next day, he went to the Ministry of Revenue to take up his post.

Upon entering the Ministry of Revenue, Zheng Hao felt gazes coming from all directions, some curious, some resentful, some envious, and some inquiring.

He seemed oblivious to everything, looking calmly at the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue who had come to greet him.

Zheng Hao cupped his hands slightly and bowed, saying, "Lord Chen."

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who was around forty years old, was thin and fair-skinned. He looked at the young man in front of him, who had been appointed by Emperor Jian'an to supervise the Ministry of Revenue and temporarily serve as the Assistant Minister of Revenue, without any particular feeling. He nodded slightly and said, "I will first show Lord Zheng the affairs of the various departments of the Ministry of Revenue, and then we will investigate the tax silver in various places."

Although the Minister of Revenue was nominally in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, he was obsessed with calligraphy and painting and had no interest in managing the Ministry. Therefore, the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue were handled by the Left Vice Minister and the Right Vice Minister.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue must have been very busy and had no free time, yet he personally came to receive a Hanlin Academy compiler who was temporarily serving as an Assistant Minister. Even if Zheng Hao was concurrently serving as a Supervising Censor, it would not be a valid reason.

Zheng Hao paused slightly. Although he didn't understand why the other party was being so friendly to him, he thanked him solemnly: "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Chen."

.

After Sister Zhao told Brother Yu that they were going to open Haoyunlou in the capital, Gu Lin didn't need to worry about any of the related matters; they would handle the preparations themselves.

Gu Lin never intended to interfere. When the two encountered problems they couldn't solve and came to him for advice, he would offer suggestions. Otherwise, Gu Lin let them develop freely and hone their abilities.

Fortunately, Zhao's wife and Yu's son had been tempered in the county and prefectural cities over the past few years, and their abilities and qualities had reached a certain level. In addition, they were not unsophisticated people. Although they were initially shocked by the prosperous and splendid scene of the capital, they quickly adapted to the capital after a few days.

The two worked together, one choosing the location and the other negotiating with suppliers of various fruits, vegetables, and meats, and successfully opened a restaurant called Haoyunlou in Beijing.

With the help of the manager of Zhenyulou, Xiao Cui quickly got the hang of the business. When Gu Lin went to Zhenyulou, he took her to receive guests on the second floor several times. Seeing that Xiao Cui was calm and composed, and greeted the noble ladies and husbands of the capital with a smile, Gu Lin was relieved.

He transferred Xiao Cui to Zhenyulou not to have her take over the position of manager of Zhenyulou. The manager of Zhenyulou was actually just a store manager, serving ordinary people and wealthy families on the first floor.

The guests on the second floor are the key; they are all noble ladies and husbands from the capital. Before Xiao Cui came to the capital, Gu Lin was the one who received them. Now that Xiao Cui has entered Zhenyu Tower, Gu Lin wants her to help him expand and solidify his network of connections.

Sister-in-law Zhao, Brother Yu, and Xiao Cui have all made arrangements. Lin Xiaoyao, who was sent by Gu Lin to organize the caravan, also brought back some good news.

Lin Xiaoyao arrived at Gu Lin's courtyard. After the maid went in to announce her arrival and gave her permission, Lin Xiaoyao entered the house.

At this moment, Gu Lin was examining the improved tools used by the craftsmen to make moisturizing oil.

Since Xu Jiayi and Wen Wen spread the word about the efficacy of the moisturizing oil, not only have the noble ladies and husbands of various families in the capital been buying up the moisturizing oil from Zhenyulou, but even the young ladies and gentlemen in their boudoirs, upon hearing that long-term application of moisturizing oil can make the skin firm and delicate and reduce the formation of wrinkles, have been sending people to buy the moisturizing oil like crazy.

As a result, Zhenyulou's moisturizing oil would sell out within an hour of being put on the shelves.

The improved tools for making moisturizing oil, which were designed by craftsmen, produced three times more moisturizing oil than before.

With that, Gu Lin lowered his eyes slightly and tapped his index finger lightly on the table.

With the production of the moisturizing oil tripling, not only could it meet the needs of Zhenyulou, but there would also be a surplus to sell to the caravans of Cui Sanye and others, who would then trade it to other places and spread the reputation of the moisturizing oil.

"My boss."

Lin Xiaoyao walked around the screen and saw the young man standing behind the desk calling out to him.

Snapping out of his reverie, Gu Lin looked up and saw Lin Xiaoyao walking towards him with a slightly excited expression.

Lin Xiaoyao spoke up, "Master, I've heard about a caravan leader who just left the last caravan. He has many years of trading experience and is currently living in the southern part of the city. I wonder if he will leave the capital in the future."

Knowing the gravity of the matter, Gu Lin walked around the desk and said seriously, "Let's go, let's go visit the master now."

The two walked out of the courtyard gate, boarded a carriage, and headed to the southern city that Lin Xiaoyao had mentioned.

On the carriage, Lin Xiaoyao told Gu Lin the information she had gathered about the team leader.

"This gentleman's surname is Han, and everyone who knows him calls him Mr. Han. Mr. Han started traveling with caravans when he was fifteen years old. At first, he was not the leader of the caravan, but a guard. Later, when the caravan was robbed by bandits, Mr. Han saved the leader of the caravan. To repay his kindness, the leader took Mr. Han as his apprentice and taught him all the knowledge he had acquired in his life."

At the age of twenty, Mr. Han officially completed his apprenticeship and took over his master's position as the leader of a caravan. He served in this role for twenty years. Later, the caravan owner changed, and feeling that Mr. Han was too old and not as strong and healthy as younger people, who would be better able to escape from bandits and robbers, the owner gave Mr. Han a generous sum of money for his retirement. Mr. Han then left the caravan.

Gu Lin pondered for a moment and said, "He graduated from his apprenticeship at the age of twenty and worked in the original caravan for twenty years. If you think about it carefully, this Mr. Han is not yet fifty years old. How can he be considered old?"

Within a caravan, the leader bears a very important responsibility. He needs to plan the trade route, bypass the mountains inhabited by ferocious beasts, manage supplies, ensure the supply of food and water for the caravan, coordinate personnel effectively, arrange everyone's work, and resolve disputes within the caravan, among other things.

As for protecting the caravan's safety, that's the duty of the guards. Lin Xiaoyao's claim that Mr. Han's former employer dismissed him on the grounds that he was too old to fight against bandits is unfounded. Caravan leaders are often more sought after as they get older because it means they have been to many places and are familiar with the geography and culture of many places, which can help the caravan avoid many potential dangers.

The forty-year-old team leader is in his prime, an age where he can still venture out and explore.

Regarding the reason why Mr. Han was dismissed from the original caravan, Lin Xiaoyao told Gu Lin the inside scoop she had heard: "I heard that the caravan owner wanted to make room for his brother-in-law, so he dismissed Mr. Han."

It turned out to be a nepotism relationship; now Gu Lin wasn't surprised at all.

The two arrived at Mr. Han's residence. Lin Xiaoyao stepped forward and knocked on the door. After two loud knocks, the wooden door was opened.

Immediately afterward, a middle-aged man dressed in cotton clothes and with a good appearance appeared before the two. Gu Lin smiled kindly and asked, "May I ask if you are Mr. Han...?"

Seeing that the other party had a full head of black hair without a single silver strand, Gu Lin really couldn't bring himself to call out the name "Old Mr. Han".

Seeing two young men standing at the door, Mr. Han frowned and said, "It's me. What's the matter?"

Seemingly oblivious to the other party's frown and unwelcoming expression, Gu Lin smiled and said, "I am Gu Lin, the owner of Zhenyu Tower. Recently, I have been planning to form a caravan. I have heard that Mr. Han has not only traveled all over the Great Qian Dynasty, but has also ventured deep into the Northern Barbarians. He must have rich experience in trade. I would like to shamelessly invite Mr. Han to serve as the leader of the caravan."

Ignoring Gu Lin's invitation, Mr. Han asked, "Zhenyulou? Is that the Zhenyulou that sells body oil?"

Gu Lin replied, "Exactly."

Mr. Han paused for a moment, then said to them, "You two come in first."

He stepped aside to make way for Gu Lin and Lin Xiaoyao. The three of them went inside but didn't go into the house. Instead, Mr. Han led them to sit down at the stone table in the courtyard.

Then, he took out two earthenware bowls and poured water for the two of them, saying, "My humble abode is simple, and I only have plain water."

Gu Lin took the ceramic bowl. Although there were some chips and cracks on the edge, the bowl was clean and greasy to the touch. It was clearly meant to be used to entertain guests. The yard was planted with trees and vegetables, but it was clean and tidy, without a single fallen leaf. It was clear that the owner of the house was a clean and efficient person.

Gu Lin raised his hand to drink water, moistening his slightly dry lips. Lin Xiaoyao, who had even eaten dirt, also drank water without a care in the world.

Upon seeing this, a hint of surprise flashed across Mr. Han's eyes.

After the two men put down their earthenware bowls and stopped drinking water, Mr. Han asked, "Your Zhenyu Tower is in the business of cosmetics and skincare for young women and men. Many of your customers are wives of officials and husbands of noblemen. You can make a fortune just by staying in the capital. Why do you need to form a caravan to go to other places? If you feel that having only one shop in the capital is too rare, you can open shops in various prefectures."

Mr. Han said, "Trading is not child's play. Many people are very wealthy before they set off, but after they go on their business, they encounter bandits, robberies, or other natural disasters or man-made calamities, and end up losing everything and their lives."

Gu thought that his words would make the two men in front of him look fearful, but the man who had been talking looked at him sincerely and said, "Therefore, I have come here specifically to invite Mr. Han to be the leader of the caravan."

Gu Lin did not ignore the question raised earlier and explained, "Actually, I not only own Zhenyulou in the capital, but also restaurants and eateries in other prefectures. As Mr. Han said, I could gradually expand my business to various prefectures. However, my long-held wish has never been to open shops all over the world. Rather, I hope that one day, after accumulating some wealth, I can form a caravan to learn about the local specialties and rare treasures of different regions. I want to build a strong and efficient caravan to transport southern seafood to the north and northern delicacies to the south, so that the people of the north can not only hear about the beauty of river and seafood, but also taste them for themselves."

As soon as Gu Lin finished speaking, Mr. Han glanced at him and said, "Such arrogance!"

Seeing that there was no mockery on the other party's face, Gu Lin breathed a slight sigh of relief and continued, "The caravan has not yet been built, so what I say may be considered wishful thinking, but my thoughts and actions will not change."

After a pause, Gu Lin said to Mr. Han sitting opposite him, "Please consider this carefully, sir. If you agree to become the leader of the caravan, I will never presume to interfere in any crisis or emergency that may arise during the journey. Your position as leader will be truly deserved."

Gu Lin made a promise.

He wasn't deceiving the other person to get them to agree to his request; he genuinely meant it.

Professionals should do professional things. Although he had read many geographical maps and atlases of the Great Qian Dynasty, he was not one to engage in theoretical discussions. Gu Lin could not risk other people's lives to try something that involved hundreds of lives in a caravan.

He planned to invite Mr. Han to be the leader of the caravan, then learn from him and, once they were familiar with each other, see if Mr. Han would be willing to teach him business skills.

He stared at Mr. Han, waiting for his reply. Although he appeared calm, his palms, which held the ceramic bowl, were slightly sweaty.

After a long pause, Mr. Han asked, "Have you hired an interpreter for your caravan?"

Upon hearing the other person's words, Gu Lin knew what was going on. He replied, "We haven't invited them yet. Do you have someone in mind, sir?"

Seeing that the other party was so quick-witted that he didn't need to speak to him, Mr. Han's expression softened: "I have a good friend here who used to be an interpreter in other caravans. He is fluent in many languages. Not long ago, the owner of one of their caravans gambled away all his wealth, and the caravan eventually disbanded. If you haven't had time to hire an interpreter yet, you can meet my friend."

This means that he didn't necessarily want Gu Lin to ask his friend to act as an interpreter, but rather wanted them to meet and assess the situation before making a decision.

Gu Lin said, "We naturally trust the people Mr. Han invited. We wonder when Mr. Han will be able to come to the caravan to guide its formation?"

Mr. Han shook his head and said, "One thing at a time. If there's a test to be done, don't let me off the hook. I'll take care of things at home first, and then I'll come to help you set up the caravan the day after tomorrow."

“Okay!” Gu Lin turned to Lin Xiaoyao and introduced him to Mr. Han: “Mr. Han, this is Lin Xiaoyao, the person in charge of organizing the caravan. You can talk to him if you need anything.”

Mr. Han nodded and said, "Don't call me 'sir' anymore, that's a term for scholars. My name is Jin, you can call me Uncle Han or Uncle Jin from now on."

Gu Lin smiled and said, "Uncle Jin."

After resolving this matter, Gu Lin and Lin Xiaoyao happily took a car home.

On the carriage, Gu Lin thought that the most important person in the caravan, the caravan leader, had been taken care of. If Uncle Jin's recommended friend was alright, the interpreter should be that person. The accountant was also easy to find; if all else failed, he and Lin Xiaoyao could both fill in. That left only the caravan's guards.

The importance of guards for a caravan is no less than that of the caravan leader. If they are hired by people who only have rudimentary skills, the entire caravan may lose both its money and its lives if they encounter real bandits.

Therefore, Gu Lin decided that he must find a reputable and established security escort agency.

He told Lin Xiaoyao to remember this and find a suitable镖局 (escort agency)镖师 (bodyguard/escort), but the other party pondered for a moment after hearing this.

Looking up at Gu Lin, Lin Xiaoyao said, "Master, you can go and ask Lord Zheng about this matter. Niu Qiang and others who work for Lord Zheng run a security escort agency, and they are all quite skilled in martial arts."

Upon hearing the other party's words, Gu Lin immediately recalled the scene back in Yueming Prefecture when the refugees outside the city rioted and broke into the city, and Zheng Hao led a group of hired bodyguards to resist the refugees.

However, he didn't know that the escort agency was established by Niu Qiang. Gu Lin was puzzled, as Xiao Hao seemed not to have told him about this.