“Miss Green Willow, what a coincidence.”
Jin Feng smiled and asked, “What brings you here?”
It had been dark for a while now, the busiest time for the Entertainment Bureau.
As the top courtesan of the bureau, she should have been busy entertaining guests there, yet she appeared at the prefect’s mansion gate, which surprised Jin Feng somewhat.
“The prefect’s wife said little Miss Xiao Bei was frightened this time and wanted to make her a quilt to calm her nerves. This humble girl knows some needlework, so the lady sent someone at noon to notify me to come help. We have only just finished.”
Green Willow explained with a touch of envy.
Only then did Jin Feng understand.
Needlework referred collectively to skills related to sewing and stitching. From ordinary folk to empresses and concubines, almost all women had to learn it.
The focus of learning simply differed.
Some excelled at weaving, some at sewing, some at embroidery, some at knotting.
Green Willow was particularly skilled at embroidery, which was why the prefect’s wife sought her out.
“You have been busy all afternoon because of Xiao Bei’s matter, so I will not disturb you further.”
Jin Feng had only drunk two bowls of wheat porridge by the roadside at noon, and now his stomach was growling.
Reading people was a basic skill for courtesans. Although Green Willow wanted to chat more with Jin Feng and deepen their connection, she saw he had no interest in talking and did not press, smiling as they parted.
Only when passing him did her small hand “accidentally” brush the back of his.
Jin Feng naturally understood her intention, but with so many matters lately, he truly had no mood to pursue Green Willow.
This girl’s level was clearly not low.
On the way back, Jin Feng continued pondering the prefect’s words.
He was still too weak now, always constrained in his actions. Given the current situation, it was indeed unsuitable to stand out too much. Rather than expend energy fighting Zhou Changlin to the death, it was better to focus on business, earn enough silver first, and strengthen himself.
With grain in hand, the heart remains steady.
Back home, Jin Feng was still thinking about this, eating dinner somewhat absent-mindedly.
Tang Xiao Bei was equally distracted.
She still remembered Jin Feng’s words from yesterday morning, but he had gone chasing Zhou Wenyuan last night and did not return. She wondered if tonight he would…
Lost in thought, she heard Jin Feng say, “Dongdong, Xiao Bei, I want to establish a chamber of commerce. What do you think?”
“A… chamber of commerce?”
Tang Xiao Bei was momentarily stunned.
“There is too much soap accumulated at Iron Can Mountain. I want to turn it into silver quickly.”
Jin Feng said, “Xiao Bei, have you not trained a group of house slaves? Once the chamber is set up, we will pilot it in several counties within Guangyuan territory to see if they can handle shopkeeper positions. From them, select the cleverest one to prepare for the capital. Once soap opens the market there, she can take the post.”
“But I have only taught that group of house slaves for a short time.”
Tang Xiao Bei said, “Sending them out now, is it not too soon?”
“Practice is the best way to test ability and one of the best learning methods.”
Jin Feng said, “We will know if they succeed by sending them to try. Those who do will receive focused training, those who do not can be reassigned, saving your effort.”
“That could work.”
Tang Xiao Bei nodded in agreement, “However, sir, goods are not sold singly. If we form a chamber, selling only soap, will it not seem too little?”
“Of course not just soap. With more help at Full Warehouse now, I can have him forge some ironware to sell together.”
“Is it the black knife?” Tang Xiao Bei’s eyes lit up.
Though she knew little about ironware, she was familiar with the black knife, having once asked A Lan for one to study.
The black knife was sharper and harder than any on the market. If sold externally, it would certainly fetch a good price.
Women could buy soap, men could buy black knives. Tang Xiao Bei could already envision the chamber’s prospects.
“We will forge a batch of black knives, but not many. Mainly everyday tools like kitchen knives and scissors.”
Jin Feng said.
“Fewer is better. Rarity increases value. Soap commands a high price precisely because it is scarce.”
Tang Xiao Bei said, “Adding some common tools would be perfect.”
“There is also the fine wine Brother Feng makes. If you are willing to sell it, it would certainly fetch a good price.”
Tang Dongdong, who had been silent, smiled and said, “Brother Feng, you do not know, but those old soldiers now flatter Xiao Jin daily, begging her to bring out the leftover liquor from distilling alcohol in the laboratory.”
“What fine wine?”
Tang Xiao Bei was intrigued.
“Brother Feng made a fine wine some time ago. Everyone who tasted it praised it endlessly.”
Tang Dongdong said, “Moreover, this wine is extremely potent. Iron Hammer can usually drink five or six jin, but with sir’s wine, one and a half jin at most leaves him unconscious.”
“With such fine wine, why not sell it?” Tang Xiao Bei asked.
“Brother Feng said brewing wastes grain. Da Kang sees countless starve each year. Using grain for wine harms heaven’s harmony.”
Tang Dongdong said.
“Since sir says so, then forget it.”
Though regretful, Tang Xiao Bei supported Jin Feng’s decision.
“Brother Feng, actually I think even if we do not brew, others will. The grain used for brewing will not decrease at all. You need not think this way.”
Tang Dongdong raised the matter to persuade Jin Feng again, “Moreover, we set the wine price high, like soap, earning from the wealthy.”
“Others are others, I am me.”
Jin Feng, usually open to Tang Dongdong’s views, shook his head firmly this time, “Wine will be brewed later, but not now.”
The host’s memories of famine years impacted this modern man too deeply.
Studying history in his past life, he often saw records of disasters, such as in some place, some year, drought or locusts causing millions of refugees, people eating each other.
To the Jin Feng of then, it was just knowledge to memorise.
But with the host’s memories, he understood the tragedy of cannibalism.
At seven or eight, during a drought famine, he saw a playmate carried away by his father, returning with an unknown child.
That night, meat aroma wafted from the playmate’s home, making the host crave it terribly, demanding the old blacksmith get him meat.
The blacksmith, who never hit him, beat him severely that day.
He did not understand then. Now recalling it, goosebumps rose involuntarily.
Thinking of it, Jin Feng felt heaven gave him a chance to relive life perhaps to prevent such human tragedies.
