Chapter 46

Huo Shu’s brow twitched slightly. He indeed had intentions of bringing in other goods, as Taoyu mentioned that just silk and cloth alone were too singular.

Moreover, the journey to the northern region was long and arduous. If the amount of goods taken was too small, the profits might not be worthwhile.

Tea, in addition to being light and easy to carry, had a wide market.

The northwest region was vast, but there were few places that produced tea. However, the preference for tea was shared by both the north and the south.

In fact, border herders had once waged wars to seize tea-producing areas, even leading to conflicts.

Last year, when the northern region’s war ceased, the court not only ceded land but also paid compensation in silver and tea.

Thus, it was clear that both tea and cloth were considered common currencies.

In essence, trading was primarily about dealing in those few major commodities.

Previously, without sources for goods, no arrangements were made. But now that Fang He had come to discuss business, it was an opportunity not to be missed.

He was not the type to hold a grudge over previous issues with Qiao Tuer.

With business knocking at his door, there was no reason to refuse. “Alright, let’s see the goods first.”

Fang He’s heart leaped with joy at these words. The Fang family had been in the tea business for generations, and their tea supply was ample.

However, in such a prosperous place as Jiangnan, the market was vast but so were the number of tea merchants, making it difficult to stand out.

Competition among tea merchants was a common occurrence, all striving for customers and business.

Late last year, Fang He got engaged, and his family opened a new branch for him to manage, leaving its profit and loss to him.

It was both a wedding gift and a means to support his future family.

His elder brothers had received similar treatment: a shop upon marriage, relying on its revenue for post-marriage expenses, with no further support from the family barring major issues.

For the sake of their wives and children, his brothers put great effort into managing their shops.

Having finally married Qiao Qiao’er, Fang He was determined to ensure she did not suffer.

As a married man, he had to take care of his wife and children and build up his household.

Thus, upon learning that Huo Shu planned to do business in the north, he seized the opportunity to visit him while paying New Year visits to the Qiao family in the village.

Securing a trade deal for the northern market could be more profitable than serving individual customers at his shop for months.

If a stable, long-term cooperation could be established, it would be even better.

Anyone in the trade business knew that caravans heading to the northern region were rare, making any successful deal highly valuable.

After their discussion, they agreed to visit the city shop the next morning to inspect the tea.

After Fang He left, Ji Yangzong came to inquire, worried it might be the old man Qiao causing trouble again. Learning it was a business matter, he felt relieved.

This business seemed straightforward, putting his mind at ease. There was no need for him to worry too much, as the young people had their own connections and resources.

The next morning, Taoyu and Huo Shu went to the city.

Jingyuan Tea Shop was a Fang family establishment, with several branches in Tongzhou.

Upon arrival, they found the shop near the provincial government office, right by the riverbank where Taoyu had fallen into the water previously.

Looking out, Taoyu still felt a bit anxious, but it truly was a twist of fate.

The shop had two floors. The ground floor had a high shelf displaying tea cakes and a spacious area for customers to enjoy tea.

The back door opened onto the river, with both upper and lower floors offering tea and scenic views. The upper floor was mostly for tea sales, with less tea drinking.

“Make a pot of bitter tea.”

Next to the shop’s main entrance was a window, with a sign outside indicating tea by the cup for sale.

Chapter 46

This meant selling tea by the pot. Travelers could bring their own kettles, which would be filled here.

Different types of tea soup had different prices, but they were generally affordable. For instance, a pot of refreshing bitter tea could be filled for three to five wen.

The most expensive pot was only ten wen, enough to last most of the day.

Most customers were laborers and workers who would grab a pot to hang at their waist for energy and refreshment throughout the day.

Early in the morning, the teashop was not busy. It primarily catered to this kind of business. It was only after the morning market that people began to come for tea, with the busiest time being the afternoon.

“Same Prefecture is known for tea production, with the most famous being Huangshan Maofeng, Keemun black tea, and Liu’an tea. Besides these, other teas are also quite good, just not as well-known.”

Fang He brought out tea leaves and brewed tea for Huo Shu and Taoyu to sample some famous teas from Tongzhou.

Huo Shu couldn’t distinguish much about the quality of the tea. Compared to the northern region, the tea from Tongzhou street teahouses generally tasted better.

So, he directly asked about the price of the tea.

Fang He explained.

Besides the top famous teas, most tea gardens were concentrated around Zhongshan. Numerous tea gardens there formed a collective, and the tea from that area was collectively called “Tongzhou Market Tea.”

Additionally, there were local tea merchants with small tea hills, called private teas.

Prices were highest for the three famous teas, followed by Tongzhou Market Tea. Private tea prices varied; the more expensive ones came from large local tea merchants whose own tea prices surpassed market tea, but these were rare.

Most private teas from less famous merchants were priced below market tea, but not by much.

These private teas were grown, harvested, and processed in a single workshop, making the cost lower than market tea. Even though they sold for less, the profits could be comparable.

Tea merchants with generations in the business often aspired to produce their own private teas to establish a unique reputation.

Many tea connoisseurs loved exploring and tasting different private teas, seeking unique flavors.

Returning to the prices:

In foreign markets, Tongzhou Market Tea was already well-known. Traders with limited capital usually bought market tea.

So Fang He directly discussed the price of market tea: “Market tea is divided into three grades. Top-grade is 880 wen per jin, mid-grade is 800 wen per jin, and low-grade is 600 wen per jin.”

Many tea merchants preferred to buy directly from tea gardens, thinking the shop prices were too high, but in fact, garden prices were not much lower.

Without familiar connections, garden workers also overcharged customers. To get good prices, one had to know the ins and outs.

“This shop is a new branch, and we haven’t yet partnered with any traders. Brother Huo will be my first trading partner, so the prices are negotiable.”

“If you’re interested in market tea, you can have the top-grade for 400 wen, mid-grade for 350 wen, and low-grade for 250 wen. How about it?”

Taoyu knew something about tea prices. The market price for tea could be asked at any shop, without dispute.

Every spring, the tea gardens would hire tea pickers. Village women and men would hurry to finish their spring farming to earn some extra money.

Tea pickers were paid by weight, with fresh tea tips fetching twenty to thirty wen per jin, while tea leaves were a few wen.

Fast pickers could earn over a hundred wen a day.

Taoyu had seen the hustle and bustle at the tea gardens. Their family often consumed tea quickly, with Taoyu’s father frequently buying more.

The tea gardens and the city were equidistant from their home. His father would go to the gardens when he had time.

Garden prices were slightly lower than shop prices, but not by much. After negotiating, shops could offer similar prices. It was a matter of personal preference.

Fang He’s offered price was close to what tea merchants paid at the gardens, indicating he wasn’t overcharging.

Since he was straightforward, there was nothing more to say.

The deal was set at those prices.

“What about the prices for Maofeng, black tea, and Liu’an?”

“They’re around a thousand wen.”

Maofeng was 500 wen per jin, while black tea and Liu’an were about 400 wen.

Fang He said, “For a bargain, you could also take some high mo.”

He brought out some samples. High mo were tea fragments sifted out from good tea leaves. Though not intact, they still brewed flavorful tea.

It was affordable, catering to tea lovers who couldn’t afford the whole leaves.

“500 wen per jin, and I’ll discount the Maofeng varieties by two wen.”

Taoyu said, “We should take some good tea as well.”

Huo Shu agreed, “Alright.”

After some consideration, Huo Shu and Taoyu decided to buy 250 jin of tea. The excellent prices allowed for more, but their funds were limited.

They had about 700 taels in total, 300 spent on cloth. They needed to save some money for travel expenses, including hiring guards and buying pack animals.

After leaving the shop, Taoyu felt relieved.

“In fact, Tongzhou porcelain is also commonly traded. I wonder how it sells in the northern region.”

Huo Shu replied, “It sells well, but it’s hard to transport. It easily breaks on the way to the north.”

Their newly formed trade caravan had limited manpower and funds, making porcelain impractical.

Taoyu agreed.

Regardless, they now had enough goods. The next step was to plan their route north.

This time, Huo Shu decided to plan the route with Ge Liang instead of doing it alone.

Tongzhou was at the southernmost part of the Yuan Dynasty territory, while the northern region was at the northernmost. The route spanned several prefectures and was highly complex, requiring careful planning.

Instead of returning to the village, he took a map of the Yuan Dynasty to Hongli Village.

Ge Liang was training in an abandoned forest farm between the two villages. Their eleven trainees had started their drills.

Ji Wenliang had been coming home exhausted recently, collapsing into bed each night, finding it even more tiring than farming.

Ji Laoqi asked him if he still wanted to go out, but the young man stubbornly refused to complain.

When Huo Shu arrived, Ge Liang hadn’t returned yet. Since he was already there, he decided to go up the mountain to check and return together.

“It’s colder up the mountain and tiring to climb. Why don’t you wait for me in the village?”

Taoyu nodded and didn’t insist on going up the mountain. “There are many ponds in Hongli Village. I’ll buy some shrimp for dinner.”

After Huo Shu left, Taoyu found a nearby shrimp pond. Just as she was about to call out to the owner, she heard a commotion in a yard beyond a bamboo grove.

“No conscience! I’ve worked myself to the bone for this family, taking care of everyone without complaint. During the New Year, you were never home. After longing day and night for your return, you come back with a mistress! I can’t live like this!”

Taoyu crept closer and saw a woman sitting in the yard, crying and cursing.

Next to her stood a well-dressed man, and a delicate-looking young man beside him, hesitating to help the woman or not.

“Get up! Stop making a scene like a shrew.”

The man tried to pull the woman up, but she shook him off. “You despise me for not being as beautiful as that vixen! But who did I age and toil for?”

As the woman continued her tirade, more villagers gathered to watch. The man’s face grew increasingly embarrassed.

“I broke my leg outside. Without his careful care, I wouldn’t be back in one piece. Now that his adoptive mother has passed, he’s alone. I brought him back to live with us.”

Someone in the crowd advised, “It’s normal for men to have multiple wives. Wang Niangzi, don’t be so jealous.”

The woman spat, “Him? With a few acres and two ponds, he wants to act like a noble with three wives? If he stays, I won’t have peace!”

As the commotion continued, the man’s parents arrived, followed by the woman’s family. Each had their arguments.

Unyielding, the woman kept protesting. Someone went to fetch the village chief. Soon, Chief Zhou and his son Zhou Zheng arrived.