NFBE Chapter 154 Is spending money so enjoyable?
Chapter 154 Is spending money so enjoyable?
After inspecting the goods, Yu Wanran pulled Yan Chengan aside to report.
"Two hundred catties of frankincense; two hundred catties of agarwood; fifty catties of borneol; and the most of sappanwood and pepper, six hundred catties of each. Young Master Yan, shall we buy them all?"
Yan Cheng'an snapped out of his daze and asked her, "Miss Yu, what was the purchase price you agreed upon with them?"
"Frankincense is 300 coins per catty; camphor is 6 taels of silver per catty; sappanwood is 800 coins per catty; pepper is 50 coins per catty."
Yu Wanran replied, "But the agarwood they're selling is the highest quality partridge-spotted variety, and they absolutely refuse to lower the price, insisting on five taels of silver per pound!"
"All of them!"
Yan Cheng'an admired her negotiation skills; she managed to drive the prices of various spices to almost the absolute lowest possible level. Wouldn't that be a huge profit once she got her hands on them?
"Miss Yu, tell them that if this batch of spices sells well, we can establish a long-term cooperation in the future!"
Yu Wanran nodded and went to chatter away with the people of Pahang.
A moment later, the Pahang chieftain approached with a broad smile and exchanged a hand-touching gesture with Yan Cheng'an. He touched Yan Cheng'an's right hand with his own, then placed it on his chest, signifying that cooperation had been reached.
As for the contract, it was easy to write and the transaction was easy to complete; it was simply a matter of cash on delivery. However, the people of Pahang only accepted gold and silver and did not accept banknotes. Yan Cheng'an had to go back first and exchange the banknotes at a money exchange.
The total purchase price was 1,870 taels of silver. The contract stipulated that the Pahang merchants would come to Da Zhao again in six months, bringing more spices. Of course, Yu Wanran added a clause to the contract without hesitation.
People from Pahang are prohibited from selling spices to other merchants in Da Zhao!
Although there are very few people like her who can communicate freely with the people of Pahang, it cannot be ruled out that money can be a powerful motivator.
After leaving the embassy, Yan Cheng'an first invited Yu Wanran to a casual meal and solemnly wrote a contract for profit sharing before returning to raise funds.
Because this purchase was relatively small, he insisted that Yu Wanran not pay with banknotes. He only said that Yu Wanran's share of the principal would be deducted when the profits were distributed after the goods were sold.
Yu Wanran couldn't argue with him and could only obey his wishes.
Little did he know that Yan Cheng'an was secretly delighted, and he rode back with incredible speed.
He was initially worried that Yu Wanran would be reserved and unwilling to get close to him. Now that they've become business partners, let's see where the other can hide!
While exchanging silver at the money exchange, the corners of his mouth were constantly turned up, a smile he couldn't suppress. This caused the Yan family guards who were escorting the silver to look at their master with puzzled expressions.
Why is my second son so happy spending money?
Taking advantage of her free time, Yu Wanran strolled through the streets and bought some gifts for her family and friends. Even a simple handkerchief or a beaded flower from the capital would be highly sought after in a small county town.
At the appointed time, the two met and went to the meeting place on time to sign the contract. The transaction was completed smoothly with the Pahang merchant, who exchanged money for goods.
Because Yu Wanran was in a hurry to return to Huangshan County, Yan Cheng'an couldn't persuade her to stay. He had no choice but to have his attendants escort the three carts of spices back to the mansion first, while he followed Yu Wanran to the inn for another meal together.
When it was time to bid farewell to the Yu siblings, they agreed to come to Beijing in two months, or at the latest three months.
That evening, the brother and sister packed their belongings at the inn. Yu Wanran had come to the capital on horseback, but with Yu Wenbin along, they had several more bags of luggage, so they interrupted the Zhenyuan Escort Agency's caravan to return.
Wu Jian warmly welcomed the two to the team. With Yu Wanran there, the escort team had gained a very reliable fighting force, and even without charging a delivery fee, their escort agency would still make a profit.
Just as we were getting settled and ready to rest, a waiter from the inn came to tell us that someone was looking for us outside.
When Yu Wanran went outside, she saw that it was Ding Mama, a trusted confidante of the Duchess. Upon seeing her, Ding Mama smiled and handed her an exquisite rosewood box.
"Miss Yu, this is Madam's way of thanking you for escorting me on this journey. She said it should also be used as travel expenses for your return trip. In any case, please do not refuse, so as not to disappoint her kind intentions!"
Before Yu Wanran could react, she was shut down by Ding Mama's words. Looking down at the wooden box, which was neither new nor old, she figured it didn't contain anything too valuable, so she smiled and put it away, expressing her gratitude to Ding Mama.
Please ask her to go back and tell Zheng Peipei that she will never forget the kindness and care shown to her by the Duke and Duchess.
They will not forget, but as for actual acts of gratitude, that will certainly not happen.
The truth has been laid out, and from now on, I will completely distance myself from the Duke's mansion.
After Granny Ding left, Yu Wanran opened the box and looked inside. There were five one-hundred-tael silver notes and a pair of jade bracelets. She immediately regretted accepting the gift.
I never expected the Duchess to be so generous. Is she thanking me for saving her life, or is she trying to win me over further?
In any case, she could no longer feign compliance with the Duke's mansion.
Now that she has partnered with Yan Cheng'an, the Yan family has become her unofficial protector. If the Duke's Mansion tries to harm her again, she will no longer be just a commoner!
Early the next morning, Yan Cheng'an and Xiao Ze rode swiftly to the inn to see the brother and sister off. They watched the caravan depart from the city until they were far away, before reluctantly turning back.
Yu Wenbin leaned against the carriage window, looking back at the city and its people growing smaller and smaller. He felt both eager to return home and full of anticipation for his next trip to the capital.
"Third Sister, Young Master Yan is such a good person! With him around, we won't have to be afraid of trouble from the Duke's Mansion anymore, right?"
"Ah."
Not wanting to mention the troublesome Duke's Mansion, Yu Wan gave a vague reply and changed the subject.
"Brother, I think the Dendrobium officinale growing on the cliffs near Qingping Village should have already flowered and borne fruit. Let's go back and dig them all up and transplant them to the manor in Huangshan County!"
"it is good!"
Yu Wenbin is eager to get started and full of hope for the future.
Yu Wanran took out her personal ledger and made a simple record of the expenses and gains of the trip.
After digging up the Dendrobium officinale and teaching her family how to cultivate and plant it, she should hurry to Decheng to see how the Lin family is doing with the Chengya Inkstone Shop.
Although she felt busy and had no time to catch her breath when she got home, this sense of purpose made her feel incredibly fulfilled.
By the way, Xiao Xiang's education should not be neglected or relaxed.
She was also hoping to find a bright and promising young man like Song Lianghan for her niece in the future!
Putting down her pen, Yu Wanran gazed out the window with a serene smile.
Without the burden of the Duke's mansion, their return journey was smooth, and they arrived in Huangshan County half a month later.
Zhong Yeliu led everyone out of the house to welcome Yu Wanran, and without caring about being watched by everyone, she hugged Yu Wanran and burst into tears.
God knows how much mental stress she's been under lately!
She was worried about her master getting into trouble, and saddened that the family she had worked so hard to build would fall apart again. During the day, she also had to spend a lot of time and energy managing the servants and running the newly opened shop.
She was still a young woman in her prime, far from the composure and strength her master expected.
Now that her master has finally returned safely, her anxious heart has instantly settled down, and she feels that her life has regained its anchor.
Yu Wanran took her hand, smiled and hugged her to cover up her embarrassment, and asked Qiu Cui and others to help unload the luggage.
This time, she brought everyone, including the servants, a small gift from the capital, which pleased everyone. Because it was late, Yu Wenbin had to stay overnight at Yu Wanran's house and could only leave the city to return to the manor at dawn.