Chapter 42 1/2

Huo Shu made up his mind and shared his plan with Taoyu. If the idea seemed feasible, they could prepare for it; if Taoyu disagreed, they could dismiss it from the start.

“Are you suggesting we do business as travelling merchants?” Taoyu was a bit surprised after hearing Huo Shu’s proposal.

After all, in her understanding, Huo Shu was a man of few words and not very worldly or shrewd. It was hard to imagine that he would bring up the idea of doing business.

“Yes.”

Tongzhou was prosperous, with itinerant merchants and sedentary traders gathering there. There were large caravans operated by major merchants as well as peddlers carrying goods to rural counties. In the nearby villages, one could easily find several people who had engaged in this trade; it was not an obscure or rare occupation.

However, with many people engaged in it, competition was fierce. Many were drawn to the trade by its reputation, but most failed to grasp its intricacies, and quite a few ended up losing money.

Setting aside the matter of making or losing money, since Huo Shu had brought it up, Taoyu seriously discussed it with him based on her own knowledge:

“Based on what you said about the differences between the north and the south, there is indeed profit to be made. But if the destination is the northern regions, which are vast, you certainly can’t travel alone like a peddler. Even if you don’t form a large caravan, you’ll need at least a dozen people to safeguard the goods and look out for each other.”

“Manpower is one issue. Secondly, you want to trade in textiles. Even if cloth in Tongzhou is cheaper and more varied, good materials and designs are still costly. Since it’s a long journey, you can’t carry too little stock. More stock means higher costs, so you’ll need ample working capital.”

Taoyu continued, “These two are the main concerns. If you don’t have them, there’s no need to worry about anything else.”

Huo Shu looked at Taoyu and then turned to open the chest placed in the corner.

When he came to the Ji family, he only brought a bundle with him. Seeing the dusty bundle on the cabinet, Taoyu pitied it and gave him one of her own chests to store his belongings. She also promised not to look into his chest without permission, allowing him to rest assured.

Huo Shu opened the chest, retrieved a dagger from under two worn-out garments, and then pulled out a package wrapped in burlap from the very bottom. He brought it to the table and pushed it towards Taoyu. “Could this be enough to cover some days?”

Seeing the heavy package, Taoyu narrowed her eyes at Huo Shu and quickly untied the bag. Her expression was even more shocked than when she first opened Huo Shu’s purse.

In her hand were long, rectangular gold bars, making her stare in disbelief.

The Ji family was well-off, and her ancestor’s medical clinic did good business, but this was the first time Taoyu had seen so much money!

To avoid embarrassment, she remembered that her family mainly used silver. When they took Huo Shu’s purse in town last time, it was her first time handling gold.

She realised that Huo Shu’s generosity in giving up his purse so readily was because he had a significant stash left.

“Each of these bars must be worth twenty taels, and gold is ten times the value of silver!”

Taoyu clicked her tongue, then suddenly seemed to remember something. She turned and rushed to the old, unlocked chest, trying to find out if Huo Shu had any other hidden items.

“There’s nothing else. Everything I own is right here.”

Huo Shu watched Taoyu, who was squatting by the chest with two gold bars, and found it amusing.

“This is about five hundred taels of silver, enough to start turning over some capital.”

Thinking back to those who had lost their livelihoods and how she had once thought she’d use her private savings to support Huo Shu, Taoyu felt it was laughable. Restraining her curiosity about how Huo Shu acquired so much money, she asked, “What about manpower?”

“I have plans for that. It depends on your decision.”

“Depends on my decision?”

Huo Shu said, “If you agree to this business venture, I’ll make further arrangements. If you’re against it, then we’ll drop it.”

Hearing this, Taoyu remained silent for a moment and did not answer immediately.

She understood what it meant if this business took off. It would involve frequent and distant travel, making long separations a common occurrence. Just thinking about it made Taoyu’s heart clench.

However, any business with success and achievements involves travel. Even her ancestor’s medical clinic required him to go out several times a year.

If one achieves nothing and stays on the land every day, that would mean constant companionship.

But a man’s ambition knows no bounds, and Huo Shu was a capable person. It would be a waste of his talent to have him slaughtering pigs and farming for life.

He originally planned to wander freely after fulfilling the wishes of his old friend, but he chose to stay here and willingly accept these constraints, fundamentally because of Taoyu.

If Taoyu kept restricting him from doing this or that, it would be too stifling.

Taoyu also had a clear understanding of important matters.

“This is a good thing. Why would I think it’s unsuitable? If this can be pursued, it will also save my father from worrying.”

Taoyu encouraged, “You know the situation in the northern regions well. You might indeed make a name for yourself. Even if it doesn’t work out, it will be a valuable lesson. We are still young. We must try different ventures. We can’t rely solely on our ancestors’ modest legacy forever.”

Currently, the taxes on farmland are visibly increasing. Everyone with foresight knew that continuing to farm would lead nowhere. Those with means were already considering alternative paths.

Huo Shu felt more certain after hearing Taoyu’s response.

“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I won’t let you go hungry.”

The two made a rough plan but didn’t rush to inform Ji Yangzong.

The next morning, Huo Shu went to Hongli Village early.

Although the two villages were adjacent, Huo Shu had only been there a few times before, mostly to slaughter pigs. Otherwise, he rarely visited.

Following the directions given by the village head, he walked on until he saw a particularly busy household at the end of the village road. The roof and yard were full of people, seemingly engaged in house repairs.

Huo Shu noticed a pear tree in the yard that was over ten years old, now leafless with only bare branches remaining.

He walked over casually, and before he entered the yard, someone greeted him, “Brother Huo!”

“I’m not mistaken, am I? What brings you here today?”

Ge Liang, with a broad smile, came out to greet him from a distance.

“Fixing the house?” Huo Shu nodded towards the house.

“Almost done. With the heavy rains in winter, this bit of work has dragged on for nearly two months.”

Ge Liang sighed.

Huo Shu looked at the new tiled roof, which seemed to have replaced the old thatched roof.

“Why not repair it in the autumn?”

“Sigh, when I first came back, I suggested we use some spare money to fix the house. The elders refused, saying I was wasting money, probably because they were worried I hadn’t yet married and didn’t want me to spend recklessly.”

Ge Liang lowered his voice. “Recently, they’ve been arranging marriage prospects for me. The matchmakers went to a few decent families, but none worked out. The elders thought it was because our house was too shabby, and that’s why the girls’ families weren’t interested. So, they rushed to repair the house.”

“It’s good that it’s done now.”

“Look at me, talking so much. Brother Huo, come inside and sit. The roof is done. We’re just cleaning up the house to get ready for the New Year.”

Ge Liang led Huo Shu to a clean side room.

Many villagers were helping out at the Ge household, busy cooking in the kitchen, likely preparing a thank-you meal.

Huo Shu knew it wasn’t the best time for his visit, but since he was already there, there was no point in leaving immediately.

“Have some hot tea. This weather is freezing.”

Ge Liang brought a bowl of coarse tea to Huo Shu. “Is there something you need from me, Brother Huo?”

Huo Shu straightforwardly said, “I’m no longer working as a butcher. Recently, I’ve been looking for a new venture and need some manpower. I came to see if you’d be interested.”

Ge Liang’s eyes lit up at this. “Brother Huo, tell me more.”

Huo Shu then explained his plan in detail.

After hearing it, Ge Liang slapped his thigh. “Brother Huo, count me in for this business.”

“Don’t make a hasty decision. Think it over carefully.”

Ge Liang quickly waved his hand. “I’m not being impulsive. Since returning to the village, I haven’t found suitable work. With your direction, I feel more secure.”

“We all need to find something to do. If there’s an opportunity, why not take it?”

Moreover, selling southern goods in the north was profitable. He had spent several years in the north, and although most of that time was in the military, he had a general understanding of the situation there.

He had considered such a business before, but it was just a fleeting thought as he lacked confidence in himself. Now that Huo Shu brought it up, he immediately felt more grounded.

“But just the two of us won’t be enough. We need more reliable people.”

Ge Liang agreed, “I understand. Since we have this idea, I’ll keep an eye out and ask around for a few trustworthy brothers who might be interested in joining us.”

Huo Shu said, “First, see if we can gather enough people. If it’s feasible, then we’ll look for connections to get the goods.”

“Alright.”

With only a few days left before New Year’s Eve, most of the villagers who had gone out had already returned. To gather enough manpower, they needed to finalise things quickly.

After the New Year, it wouldn’t be long before spring. By then, every household would be busy with spring ploughing and planting. Even if someone wanted to join them, they might be too tied up with their fields to leave.

They needed to let people know in advance so they could plan and prepare, determining how much labour and how many fields to manage in the coming year.

Huo Shu realised he couldn’t rely solely on Ge Liang. He also needed to find some manpower within his village.

To make this effort more efficient, they needed Ji Yangzong’s help.

So, the two informed Ji Yangzong of their plan ahead of time.

Ji Yangzong remained silent for a long time after hearing the news.

His hesitation was understandable. Although Tongzhou had many merchants, the social hierarchy still placed merchants at the bottom. Even though the Ji family wasn’t a prestigious or scholarly family that looked down on merchants, they were still cautious about their children pursuing such a path.

Moreover, with the newlywed couple appearing so affectionate, why were they looking to take on a job that involved travelling far and wide?

Living comfortably at home, who would want to leave unless they had no choice or couldn’t make a living in their current place?

“Did you and Little Tao have a fight?”

Huo Shu’s brow furrowed slightly. “No.”

Ji Yangzong scrutinised Huo Shu’s expression. “Really, no fight at all?”

Huo Shu responded, “He has a gentle temperament, and I don’t talk much. We don’t argue.”