Chapter 164

Although Wang Min’er’s marriage was unconventional, it was still considered a wedding. Madam Zhang cried half the night, torn between sorrow and worry, fearing that Wang Min’er might face mistreatment in the Tang family.

Wang Er tried to comfort her, saying, “Didn’t we discuss this earlier? On the surface, the Tang family won’t act recklessly—after all, she’s carrying their child. Don’t worry!”

“But my heart is still uneasy. Look at those two matrons who came today to fetch the bride—are they the kind to be trusted? They casually took her jeweled hairpin as if it were nothing! When she arrives at the Tang family, Min’er…” Madam Zhang recalled the events of the day and felt as though something was weighing heavily on her chest, leaving her unsettled.

“Alright, alright. There are opportunistic people everywhere. Min’er is a smart girl—she’ll have her good days in the future. Just go to sleep. It’s been a long and exhausting day,” Wang Er said as he lay down.

Madam Zhang ignored him, sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought, before finally blowing out the lamp and lying down.

Meanwhile, in the main house, Grandma and Grandpa Wang were also unable to sleep. Grandma Wang tossed and turned, sighing repeatedly.

“Stop dwelling on it. Everyone has their own fate. This is the path she chose—there’s no one else to blame,” Grandpa Wang said, lying with his back to her.

“I just don’t feel at ease,” Grandma Wang sighed again and added, “You sleep. I’m going to the Buddhist hall to light an incense stick.”

With that, she slipped on her shoes and left. Grandpa Wang turned over and saw her frail, hunched figure as she walked away, letting out a light sigh before drifting off to sleep.

On September 9th, during the Double Ninth Festival, every household in Changle Town adorned their homes with dogwood. The brewery was bustling with sales, as chrysanthemum wine was the most popular item.

The Double Ninth Festival is known for its tradition of climbing to high places and gazing into the distance. Some also observe ancestral rites. Early that morning, Wang Yuan’er took her sisters to visit their parents’ graves for a memorial, then hurried to the workshop. After all, it was the opening day—a significant event.

“Elder sister, I’m not going to watch the excitement. I’ve made plans with Lianhua and the others to climb to the Confucius Temple,” Wang Qing’er said while combing her hair.

The Confucius Temple, located in the northwest of Changle Town, is a scenic spot that attracts visitors every year, especially scholars and literati.

“You can go, but don’t go around causing trouble,” Wang Yuan’er said as she noticed Wang Qing’er picking up a silk flower. “And don’t wear the silk flower either—you’re still in mourning. What kind of impression would it make, wearing bright colors?”

Wang Qing’er gave a reluctant “Oh” and reluctantly set down the begonia-patterned silk flower.

“Elder sister is just looking out for you,” Wang Chun’er said gently, noticing that Wang Qing’er seemed a bit unhappy. “Take a look at Min’er’s example.”

“Alright, I didn’t say anything,” Wang Qing’er pouted, then asked Wang Chun’er to help braid her hair. As soon as she was ready, she dashed out in a hurry.

Wang Yuan’er shook her head. Seeing that the time was approaching, she quickly tidied herself up, informed Wang Chun’er and the others, and rushed to the large workshop.

The workshop had already been prepared. The fermented tofu would be ready to come out of storage in two days. The newly renovated main hall was adorned with a long string of firecrackers bearing the phrase “prosperity and wealth.” The workers, dressed in new clothing, exuded a vibrant energy.

When Wang Yuan’er arrived, San Niang led her inside, where Song San was already waiting.

“Young Master Song!” Wang Yuan’er immediately curtsied in greeting.

“No need for formalities. Please, have a seat,” Song San said with his usual calm and gentle demeanor, gesturing to a chair nearby with a smile.

“I heard from Manager Guan that you’ve been very busy. I thought you wouldn’t be able to make it,” Wang Yuan’er said, sitting delicately on the edge of the chair.

“I only just managed to arrive late last night. Once the workshop opens, I must head to the capital tomorrow. From then on, the management here will be up to you and Manager Guan,” Song San explained with a smile. “I’ve already made arrangements for the distribution network in Jiangnan. As soon as the first batch of fermented tofu is ready, it’ll be sent to Jiangnan. And then…”

He spoke about the distribution of the fermented tofu and future plans while Wang Yuan’er listened attentively. When he finished, she said, “There’s a saying that hearing a wise man’s words is better than studying for ten years, and it couldn’t be more true. Listening to you, Young Master Song, feels like gaining a fortune!”

Song San modestly gave a slight bow. The two then discussed business matters for a while longer before Manager Guan came to inform them that the auspicious time for the opening had arrived.

Wang Yuan’er followed Song San outside and saw a few well-dressed individuals. Song San explained that they were business partners.

Hearing this, Wang Yuan’er quietly stole another glance, thinking that anyone working with someone like Song San must be an extraordinary merchant.

Suddenly, the crackling sound of firecrackers erupted, startling Wang Yuan’er so much that she almost jumped. The drifting smoke and the distinct sulfur smell unique to firecrackers made her wrinkle her brow.

After the long string of firecrackers finished exploding, Wang Yuan’er’s ears were still buzzing. She could see Song San moving his lips, saying something, but she couldn’t make out a single word. It wasn’t until a while later that she finally caught him mentioning a banquet at Huifeng Garden, inviting everyone to join him for a meal.

The group set off in a grand procession and arrived at a private room in Huifeng Garden. Song San then introduced Wang Yuan’er to several merchants.

Among them were the head of the renowned Zhizhao Studio in Jiangnan, the chief manager of Jiangnan Culinary Workshop, the owner of Jinyi Studio, and the proprietor of Pufeng Tea House.

Wang Yuan’er was astonished. Although she had never heard of these establishments before, just from observing the demeanor and manners of these individuals, she could tell that they were on an entirely different level—far beyond her as a simple village girl.

Faced with their scrutiny, Wang Yuan’er maintained a calm and composed posture, answering questions politely but refraining from excessive talk. Her restrained and graceful demeanor left a favorable impression on the merchants, who noted her sense of propriety.

As drinks and toasts were exchanged, the aroma of chrysanthemum wine lingered in the elegant room. Wang Yuan’er sat quietly on one side, picking at dishes and occasionally taking a sip of the wine, all the while listening in on Song San and the merchants’ conversation.

“With the world at peace now, the emperor’s top priority is developing the economy. Our Northern Dynasty’s economy has stagnated, so His Majesty’s gaze has turned toward foreign trade. He intends to establish an official Maritime Trade Office to manage trade relations with foreign regions. Today, I’ve gathered everyone here to explore potential business opportunities,” Song San said with a smile, raising his cup. “To be honest, I plan to introduce both our Jinji condiments and this fermented tofu to overseas markets.”

The Maritime Trade Office!

Wang Yuan’er froze for a moment, her ears perking up at the mention.

“Foreign imports have always been strictly regulated and hard to obtain here. On the other hand, tea, silk, and other goods from our Northern Dynasty are in high demand abroad. Through bartering and trading, there are bound to be opportunities worth exploring. What do you all think?” Song San said, looking at the group.

“Young Master Song, are you certain about this news? The Maritime Trade Office is unheard of. If it truly gets established, it would open a clear and prosperous path for trade between foreign regions and our country,” said Liu Huai, the head of Jinyi Studio.

In the Northern Dynasty, foreign goods were not entirely absent, but due to the lack of established trade routes with foreign countries, such goods entered the domestic market through smuggling channels, making them less than legitimate. Similarly, goods exported from the Northern Dynasty faced the same challenges.

Without a dedicated government office to oversee trade, there was always the fear that dealings with foreign nations might be labeled as treasonous. As a result, few dared to engage in smuggling, as being caught could lead to catastrophic consequences. Of course, there were always those bold enough to seek fortune in danger. Thus, foreign goods existed but were extremely rare and not widely available, leading to exorbitant prices.

It’s easy to imagine how lucrative trade could become if official routes with foreign regions were established.

“If I hadn’t received reliable information, how would I dare to bring this up? I wouldn’t want to lose my head over it!” Song San joked, making a mock gesture of slicing his neck, which drew laughter from the group.

“So, Young Master Song intends to deal in foreign goods?” asked Liu Qingyan, the proprietor of Pufeng Tea House, holding his cup delicately. “These foreign regions are overseas, and transportation is a major challenge. As far as I know, the Wu family of Guangping in Jizhou made their fortune this way. The Wu family thrives on canal transport. To be blunt, their origins lie in being water bandits. Using two boats of their own design, they carved out their legacy. In all of Jizhou, there isn’t a canal they can’t traverse or a route they can’t handle. Most smuggling relies on the Wu family’s canal boats for transport.”

“Does Young Master Song intend to follow the Wu family’s model? The Wu family’s canal service charges are exorbitant, and with so many deductions, the profits might end up being minimal,” Liu Huai added, frowning.

Just as Song San was about to respond, Wang Yuan’er interjected, “Why rely on the Wu family’s canal routes? We can build our own canal boats to transport goods!”

Everyone froze and then turned their attention to her.

Sitting at the table with them, Wang Yuan’er’s eyes sparkled as she explained, “The river office in Changle Town has already been established, and work on widening and repairing the waterways is underway. For the water route connecting the capital, Changle Town is a central hub. In the future, Changle Town’s wharf will surely become a major canal transport hub. As for this Maritime Trade Office you mentioned, it’ll likely be set up here.”

Wang Yuan’er grabbed a cup of tea and took a sip before continuing, “Once Changle Town becomes a major canal transport hub, what kind of boat won’t be able to pass through? If we want to deal with foreign goods, why rely on the Wu family’s canal boats? We can build our own canal boats, transport our own goods, and receive shipments ourselves. Wouldn’t that be better? It not only saves the intermediary step, making things more convenient and cost-effective, but also, if others want to rent canal boats for shipping, we can lease them out. That would be a win-win-win situation!”

Wang Yuan’er had been thinking for days about what kind of business to venture into next. Now, hearing Song San’s idea, inspiration struck her like a flash of lightning—starting a canal boat business to transport goods! While she didn’t have the wealth or resources that these prominent merchants did, just being part of such a venture could ensure her a comfortable livelihood.

Building canal boats of their own!

The merchants exchanged glances, their expressions subtly shifting as they looked at Wang Yuan’er with newfound interest.

“This young lady has quite a bold idea. Young Master Song, your business partner is no ordinary person!” Liu Qingyan raised an eyebrow, glancing at Song San with a smile.

Song San was somewhat surprised. Initially, he had thought that Wang Yuan’er’s creation of the fermented tofu was merely a stroke of luck. He hadn’t expected that she could glean insights from their conversation and even articulate his thoughts aloud.

Not ordinary? She truly wasn’t ordinary!

However, his ambitions went far beyond just a few canal boats—after all, anyone could build one or two. His real goal was to establish a full-fledged waterway trade fleet. Just as Wang Yuan’er suggested, not only would they transport and receive their own goods, but they could also lease their services to others, much like the Wu family had done.