Over the next few days, Tang Xiaobei kept rushing about trying to buy grain.
The news of the disaster in Chuanshu had already been confirmed by the Jiangnan grain merchants. Even without interference from the Zhou family, they were unwilling to sell grain to the Jinchuan Chamber of Commerce.
Everyone knew that in a year of famine, grain prices would soar.
If they shipped the grain to Chuanshu themselves and waited until deep winter, they could make a fortune. Why would they sell to Jinchuan instead?
In these few days, Tang Xiaobei visited several grain merchants in succession to negotiate.
They either refused outright or doubled their prices.
Once transport costs were added, the grain would be far too expensive by the time it reached Chuanshu.
Tang Xiaobei naturally could not agree, so both sides remained deadlocked.
“These grain merchants are utterly despicable. Even ordinary people still remember the kindness we showed Chuanshu in the past, yet they openly plan to profit from our disaster!”
On the way back from the talks, Yuan Caiwei fumed with anger.
“Caiwei, merchants have always pursued profit above all else,” Tang Xiaobei said. “If our Jinchuan Chamber of Commerce were not here to make money, why would we leave our homes and come to Jiangnan to be looked down upon?”
“The money our chamber earns is clean and honest!” Yuan Caiwei said indignantly. “But Chuanshu is suffering. You and the master are buying grain to save lives, yet they obstruct us at every turn and earn filthy, heartless money!”
“My husband once told me that his teacher said: when profit reaches fifty percent, merchants will take any risk for it.
When profit doubles, they will trample every law in the land.
When profit triples, they will commit any crime, even at the risk of losing their heads.”
Tang Xiaobei continued, “Never expect merchants to have a conscience or care whether the common people live or die. That is precisely why my husband formed the chamber.”
In truth, Jin Feng had created the chamber to accumulate wealth and to seize it.
He simply chose to take it from the rich rather than from the poor and suffering.
“Madam, what do we do now?” Yuan Caiwei asked.
“If they want to transport grain to Chuanshu themselves, let them. We cannot stop them.”
Tang Xiaobei thought for a moment. “Tomorrow we will display the water-jade pearls.”
“Will putting them out now be too hasty?” Yuan Caiwei suggested. “Should we wait a few more days?”
“The weather is growing colder by the day. We cannot delay any longer,” Tang Xiaobei replied. “We start tomorrow.”
Lately, all the publicity had focused on restoring Jin Feng’s reputation, so the water-jade pearls had not been promoted enough.
Releasing them now was not ideal timing.
But Tang Xiaobei refused to wait. If the pearls still could not pry grain from the merchants’ hands, she would have to look for solutions in other commanderies.
“Then I’ll inform the storytellers straight away and have them promote the water-jade pearls tonight. Is that all right?” Yuan Caiwei asked.
“Yes,” Tang Xiaobei smiled and nodded. “By the way, from now on you will also oversee the Zhong Ming group.”
The Zhong Ming group’s leader in Jiangnan was Old Cai, formerly a simple farmer from the village. His loyalty was unquestionable, and he had done decent work on familiar ground near Jinchuan.
But after recent observation, Tang Xiaobei found his abilities limited when opening new territory.
In Jiangnan, many tasks required her personal reminders before he knew what to do.
Yuan Caiwei was literate, thought proactively, and was basically trustworthy. Handing the Zhong Ming group to her would make better use of it.
Yet Yuan Caiwei hesitated. “Madam, is it really suitable for me to manage the Zhong Ming group?”
The chamber of commerce, the escort agency, and the Zhong Ming group were the standard three units sent out from Xihe Bay.
Each had its own duties and supervised the others. The three leaders had no hierarchical relationship, and there had never been a precedent of one person heading two groups at once.
“In extraordinary times we take extraordinary measures. There is nothing unsuitable,” Tang Xiaobei said. “I have other arrangements for Brother Cai. You take charge of the Zhong Ming group for now. I will explain it to my husband when I return.”
“Very well,” Yuan Caiwei nodded. “I will lead the group for the time being. When the master sends someone, I will hand it over.”
“Jiangnan is prosperous and fertile. It will be one of our chamber’s main areas for future growth. Intelligence work is vital. Do not be careless,” Tang Xiaobei reminded her. “And keep a close eye on the Zhou family too.”
“Yes, Madam!” Yuan Caiwei replied.
The two chatted casually as they returned home.
That very night, the storytellers stopped talking about Jin Feng and began promoting the water-jade pearls instead.
What pleased Tang Xiaobei even more was that Yuan Caiwei did not simply advertise them. She had the storytellers stress how wildly popular the water-jade pearls were in the capital.
Only great households could afford water-jade pearls, and those households usually had countless ties to the capital, regularly sending people to gather news from there.
In fact, not long after Tang Xiaobei arrived in Jiangnan, many powerful Jiangnan clans had already heard about the pearls.
They had simply regarded them as rare curiosities exclusive to the capital and paid them little attention.
Then suddenly they heard that water-jade had appeared in Baling Commandery too.
Many clans immediately grew interested.
Jiangnan might be prosperous, but the capital was the centre of Great Kang.
Almost every powerful clan had an ancestor who once served as a high official, which was the source of their current status.
Virtually all of them dreamed of producing another official to return to court.
Every year they sent people to the capital laden with gifts, looking for opportunities.
Since water-jade pearls were so sought-after in the capital, were they not the perfect gift?
Therefore, the very next day, before the Jinchuan Chamber even displayed the pearls, agents from many clans came asking about them.
“Miss Caiwei, I hear your chamber has water-jade pearls?”
“Yes, the Jinchuan Chamber of Commerce has them, and we are the only ones in the whole realm who do!”
Yuan Caiwei was fully prepared. She signalled the escorts to open the shop next door.
On the counter stood a wooden pedestal. In its centre rested a single, round, peanut-sized glass bead.
Just then the sun rose, shining directly on the bead and making it sparkle brilliantly, clear and flawless.
Many of the clan stewards cried out in amazement.
“Miss Caiwei, how much for this water-jade pearl? The Zhang family will take it!”
“Old Zhang, give up. Haven’t you heard? The Jinchuan Chamber has an auction house in the capital. All their best items are auctioned!”
“That’s right. Old Zhang, if you want it, hurry home and prepare your silver!”
“Miss Caiwei, is the Jinchuan Chamber planning to open an auction house here in Baling Commandery too?”
“Miss Caiwei, when will the auction start?”
The stewards all spoke at once.
“Everyone, please calm down!”
Yuan Caiwei picked up a tin megaphone. “Our master has said this water-jade pearl is not for sale for silver. It will be exchanged for grain. Anyone who wants it may come to the chamber and make an offer. Bids close at sundown today. Whichever house offers the most grain wins the pearl!”
