I took my seat at the head table. Everyone was looking at me. “Welcome brother,” Yuan Yun said as I sat down next to him. The position of honor rotated out every family dinner, but Yuan Yun held the third highest seat to my right. On my father’s left was his wife and then the third son, Yuan Liang. I would be to my father’s right and then my first brother.
“Thank you, brother. I am honored that father has allowed me to sit here,” I replied.
“We all sat there once when we stepped out into the wider world. But at your age, you truly are a genius blessed by the heavens,” he said.
“Thank you for your kind words. I will not deny some luck, but hard work and focus on the task at hand have helped me a great deal. Your work in procurement has shown me that stability is the best path,” I replied.
“Both good qualities to have and your kind words warm my heart.” A bell chimed and everyone quickly shut up and stood up around the large dining hall.
“Patriarch of the Yuan Family, Yuan Chen, and his wife, Yuan Guangli,” a servant called out. I turned with my first brother and the rest of the head table to the back of the dining hall and we all bowed deeply as my father and his wife entered.
They approached the table and took their seats. Everyone straightened up and then sat back down. “It is good to see the family so well and prosperous. Let us eat and drink. Those who wish to speak to the entire family may do so now.”
That was my queue. I stood up and bowed towards my father before straightening up. “Thank you, honored father. I, Yuan Zhou, your seventh son, humbly request to allow you to be given a gift from the fruits of my labor,” I said. Half this was show, but it was important that we observed the formalities.
“You may, my son. What have you accomplished?” my father asked.
“I present two gifts to you.” Servants were moving and brought forth an elaborately carved rocking chair made of the finest materials. “First a rocking chair from my wood crafters shop. Handcrafted by grandmaster Ling himself.”
My father nodded. “Impressive. A new patent and you have a grandmaster working for you. I am pleased with this gift,” he replied.
“Thank you, father. As for my second gift. I hold the debt I owe you true for the investment you have given me, but I believe one should pay their own way and return the money that was borrowed. Twelve tael of silver,” I replied as a servant brought forth a cloth covered tray with twelve silver coins laid out on it.
“A bold gift, to give so much back and to say you no longer need a stipend. One might say too bold,” my father said while turning to look at me.
“Being bold is the domain of youth. I always viewed that money as a loan, with the interest being the debt I owe. But as my tutors have taught me and I have learned about you father, that words are easy, but repayment is hard,” I replied, and he nodded at that.
“Well said. True words to live by. I accept this gift in the spirit it is given and recognize you as my seventh son, Yuan Zhou,” he said and there was a round of light applause from the dining hall. I bowed to my father and took my seat.
No one else stood up and food was served. “That was well done, and a bit daring,” Yuan Yun said. I nodded at this.
“I know, but the debt I owe to father is already great. To add to it beyond the loan of twelve silver tael would be too heavy,” I replied.
“What is the debt?” my brother asked curiously.
“A favor to the family when I become a cultivator,” I replied, and he began choking on his food, which drew several stares. My father glanced over and then returned to his meal. He finally recovered and drank some wine before speaking again.
“That… That is quite a bold thing to say. You believe you will reach those lofty ranks so easily?” my brother asked.
“Yes, but cultivation is expensive. Which is why I need money,” I replied. No need to reveal anything about my advantage in seeing motes. He nodded at this.
“I considered such a path, but it is ruinous. Even to those noble scions and richer houses, such an endeavor is not lightly done. The risk is far too great over too long a time,” he replied. If a cultivator died, got stuck, or any range of things, then it would be a disaster if a family invested much of their wealth. Some still did it, and many went bankrupt, and a new family would rise to replace them. The nobles and administrators of Half Moon City, the nobles, could afford to have lasting ties to the sect by sending a single child every generation. Even then, the cost was brutal from what I understood.
“I am already making quite a bit of progress,” I replied.
“You have made that much money?” my brother asked.
“Something like that. The heavens favor me after all,” I said with a smile and ate some finely cooked beef.
“Truly. Well, if you are planning to join the sect, you aren’t competing for the heirship, are you?” my brother asked. It was direct and rude, but he probably wanted to confirm things.
“As long as people don’t interfere with my businesses and myself, then I won’t act. I don’t believe anyone in the family is involved with wood carving,” I said.
“No. Some people dabble, but there isn’t any real money to be made. I will promise you I will not interfere with your path if you hold true to your words,” my first brother said.
“Then all is well and you have my promise,” I replied, and he smiled at me.
“A rocking chair is quite clever. Is it true you came up with the idea?” he asked, now much friendlier since we weren’t direct rivals. If he became heir, then the favor I owed to the family would pass to him. No need to piss me off and lose it.
“Yes, and the folding table. The trick was to see a need and fulfill it,” I replied.
“A need for rocking chairs? I would have never thought such a thing existed.”
“It helps the joints and blood circulation,” I replied.
“That makes sense. I have heard that, but wasn’t sure if it was just a rumor.”
“It isn’t a cure, but it helps. So, you handle procurement for father’s business?” I asked.
“Yes, we are the main supplier of mortal goods to the sect. It is primarily food, but other things get purchased as well at the request of the cultivators. They ask and we obey,” he said, and I nodded at this.
“Would a rocking chair interest them?” I asked.
“Hmm, perhaps, but many prefer to remain still while cultivating, or so I have heard, to avoid distractions. But some might enjoy the novelty. I would be interested in ten on consignment,” my brother said.
“Where you would only pay me if the sect took them?” I asked.
“Yes, and they would need to be at the level of the chair you gifted father or higher. If the interest is substantial enough, then there might be some orders with specialty wood imbued with Qi. If that happens, then it would be quite serious,” he replied.
“What would you sell them for?” I asked.
“Depends. We have to give a discount to the sect, so how much would you sell that rocking chair for?” my brother asked.
“It cost about two hundred bronze coins and would normally sell for a tael, with that level of detail, extra bracing, and time spent making it,” I replied, and he nodded.
“Reasonable. If they sold you would get four hundred bronze coins, we would get the other four hundred. The sect would get a discount.” I wanted to scream at this highway robbery. “I know it seems like a lot, but that is what is required to be a sect trading partner and earn a profit. The real money would come from custom orders the senior cultivators might request.”
“What are we talking about here?” I asked.
“Well, with rank one spirit wood, to make a chair like that would cost around 100 tael. The craftsmanship would require specialty tools and workshops. You would probably have to license it the design out, but a chair like that would sell for 500 tael, and you would get ten percent or 50 tael.”
“I am guessing you would get 250, I asked?”
“Yes, but we ensure everything is delivered safely, employ cultivators from the sect, and work with the spirit tree growers and harvesters. That would be money in your pocket,” he replied. I nodded at that. It was quite reasonable when he put it like that.
“No negotiation room?” I asked, and my brother smiled.
“Unfortunately, no. You are getting the family and close friend rate.”
“Too good, if you ask me,” my father commented from my other side. He had been listening in. I looked in his direction. “Getting any sort of good to present to the sect is a big deal. People pay quite a bit for this opportunity,” he said.
“My mind was in disarray, father. Thank you for clearing things up for me. Yes, I will prepare ten chairs on consignment as quickly as possible,” I replied to Yuan Yun.
“Excellent. Let one of my servants know when they are ready to be picked up,” he replied.
“Very well. I will make the arrangements. It will take a couple of months to get ten chairs together,” I said.
“It is fine. Quality is far more important than rushing things.”
“I understand. I will emphasize this to grandmaster Ling. Should he use any imagery from the sect?” I asked.
“Hmm, if he is willing, but they won’t be allowed to be sold outside the sect, if that is the case. It might increase the chances of them selling slightly, but if they don’t sell, they will have to be destroyed.” I winced at that.
“Increasing the chances of them selling is worth the risk. Would I be able to go with you to the sect?” I asked.
“I don’t go to the sect. There is a meeting point, where we bring our standard goods and supplies, they give us money, and we present anything they might find interesting for them to purchase. We only deal with some outer disciples during these meetings. They handle everything else internally,” my brother explained.
“So, they could charge more, if the chairs are really nice,” I said, and he nodded.
“Exactly. That is also why they get a discount, since they are up charging the people in the sect. The exceptions are those high-value custom orders. A senior cultivator can spend a lot of money if they want to, since they save it all up,” he replied.
“I see. Thank you for explaining this to me,” I said.
“It is the family business. Who knows? When you join the sect, perhaps I will meet you at the supply point,” he said with a grin.
“That would be quite amusing. Work my way through the supply chain to the very top of it,” I said.
“That would be amazing, little brother. Hopefully, the heavens do favor you,” Yuan Yun replied, and we drank together. I had heavily watered-down wine, thankfully at my request. The dinner ended and my father left first and we all rose at that. Afterwards, people began leaving or changing seats.
My first brother got up and my third brother plopped down where he had been. “Yuan Zhou, you certainly made an impression,” he said.
“Thank you, Yuan Liang.”
“I couldn’t help but overhear you arranging some rocking chairs on consignment with my brother,” he said.
“Indeed, he made the offer, and it seemed like a good way to earn some tael,” I replied, and he nodded.
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“True. But I handle the negotiations with father for the supplies. I am sure I could interest a senior or two,” he said. I was missing something here.
“I am sorry for my ignorance, but I am guessing there is a commission for one of you?” I asked, and my third brother smiled and nodded.
“Exactly. Ten rocking chairs will sell easily for their novelty alone. The hard part is getting those custom orders.”
“Wouldn’t you be doing this yourself already?” I asked.
“Yes, but you would give those chairs through Yuan Yun, which means he would get the commission when they are sold.”
“You want to cut him out,” I replied, and my third brother grinned and nodded.
“Exactly. I heard you were planning to become a cultivator. You will need all the funds you can get to make that happen, brother,” he said.
“I will split the difference. Every second rocking chair that is commissioned will be entirely yours,” I replied. His eyes went wide at that, and his grin faltered. “He asked first, so he gets credit for the first custom chair, but I also do not want to pick sides. So, you will get every second chair as a commission. Also, as motivation that you remain even or ahead of him,” I added.
“Clever. That is agreeable. Father will certainly chuckle when he hears about this. But it will annoy Yuan Yun. Not that I have a problem with that, but he might not look favorably upon you,” Yuan Liang explained.
“Thank you for the warning, but splitting the difference is the best option. Unless the fourth brother becomes heir?” I asked.
He spit disrespectfully at the idea. “That cow herder might have good cow sense, but you can only earn so much shoveling the shit from cows,” he replied.
“Well, thank you, brother, for not creating drama. I hope to make us all a lot of money.”
I thanked my third brother, and he left.
That was when my fourth brother showed up in the vacated seat. He was only eighteen, but built like a bodybuilder and quite large, all muscle. “So, you are the newest genius in this family,” he said.
“Yes Yuan Niu,” I replied.
“So those other two assholes come sucking up to you then?” he asked.
“Business deals for my rocking chairs,” I replied, and Yuan Niu nodded his beefy neck at that. “I heard you deal with the cows and have done very well. What did you do exactly?” I asked.
“Organized it all. Cows were running everywhere and also milking them and exercising them. Cultivators like the meat chewier, not tender. There is a range, but their bodies are enhanced, so they like the feeling of having to chew steak if they eat it,” he replied. I nodded at this, thinking about what could be done.
“I am guessing you are selling the hides and everything else when they are butchered?” I asked.
“That was already being done, but just sorted out the mess.”
“What about the less valuable portions, like sinew, and other parts of the cow that the cultivators don’t want?” I asked.
“Sell them to restaurants in the city. People want their meat. Are you thinking of something?” he asked.
“Just trying to understand if there is anything left open to take advantage of. Business is very static in the city,” I said.
“I know. Trust me, I think every day how to do better with cows, but cows can only do so much.”
“What about selective breeding?” I asked.
“Yes, that is being done,” Yuan Niu replied.
“Do you just sell the meat or package it with anything else?” I asked.
“Salt it and pack it, nothing else,” he answered, and I nodded.
“I have an idea and will look into it. We should speak again in a couple of months if it works out,” I replied.
“Not going to share with me?” He asked.
“I will, once I test things out and look into it. If there is money to be made, then we talk about revenue splits,” I replied.
“Alright, I will be interested in hearing what a genius comes up with for cows,” he said, and left. No one else came up to speak with me, so I got up and left the dining hall.
“Oh, my son,” my mother rushed out and glopped onto me. “To already be recognized, I am so proud of you.” She hugged me. “We need to beat that fifth concubine slut no matter what. So, keep up the good work and keep impressing your father.”
She let me go as I blinked at the last statement. “If you need anything from me, let me know.” I nodded at this as she scurried off to more drama. That woman was maximum drama. I shook my head and made my way back to my part of the compound.
The next day, I spoke with Ling and he agreed to make the chairs on consignment after I explained things to him. If a custom chair was ordered from the sect, then grandmaster Kang would make it himself and Ling would assist him. Working with spirit wood required specialty tools, which were expensive and knowledge, which Ling would get by bringing in the order to grandmaster Kang.
The old fox could work on the cheap as well after shoving his doll making grandson on me. That was still giving me a headache, trying to find an apprentice willing to work there, and basically support the man child.
Well, it was time to scoop up more businesses. I made my way to the Coinage Guild. The same clerk was there and grinned as he saw me. “Young Master Yuan, welcome back,” there was clearly much more respect in his voice. I had turned a failing business around and I am sure details of the family dinner had leaked out. I was now an official young master, instead of being unofficial before. It was only a distinction in people’s minds, but perception was everything in this society.
“Thank you, I wouldn’t have been able to succeed as well as I did if you hadn’t pointed me towards the business,” I replied as I took a seat after a servant put another cushion down to elevate me a bit.
“It was no problem. The Coinage Guild is always happy to assist its valuable customers. So what brings you here today?” the man asked.
“I was wondering if you had any other businesses in such straits?” I asked. The clerk grew thoughtful.
“There might be a few that would be nice to clear off the books. Was there anything in particular you had in mind?”
“Anything involving spice production or growing plants?” I asked, and he nodded.
“There is a business that is struggling. The loans they have taken on are sizable. Even with your recent success, it would be no minor thing,” the clerk said.
“How much?” I asked, wanting to get to the heart of the matter.
“About ten thousand tael. I would have to check to confirm the exact amount,” he replied. The amount made me want to puke blood. That was insanity. Who could be so foolish?
“How did that even happen?” I asked.
“Starting up a farm is expensive. The outer wall had to be carefully expanded, but they were struggling to pay off more than the interest.”
“Which is?” I asked.
“Two hundred tael a year approximately,” that was only two percent, which wasn’t that bad. “But my managers have grown concerned they won’t be able to pay everything back long term.”
“What was the initial investment amount?” I asked, and the clerk grinned at me.
“Eight thousand tael,” he replied.
“How much does the Coinage Guild own?” I asked.
“Twenty-five percent,” he replied.
“Alright, I need to see this business for myself before I make a decision of this magnitude,” I said, and the clerk nodded.
“Of course. Do you wish to depart immediately? It would be an overnight trip to the outer wall, and we have a carriage available,” he offered.
“First thing tomorrow. I will arrange an escort myself,” I replied, and the clerk nodded.
“Of course, Young Master Yuan. I will see you here at nine then?”
“Yes, I will be here at nine. How long is the ride out?” I asked.
“About six hours, so an overnight stay regardless,” the clerk said, and I nodded at this. I left the Coinage Guild and turned towards Ting.
“I need a carriage and a guard,” I replied.
“A show guard or a fighting guard, young master?” she asked me.
“What is the exact difference?” I asked.
“A show guard would be older and might be a bit out of shape. They are there primarily for deterrence. But they won’t be able to stop a serious fight or beast attack. A fighting guard would cost double at a hundred bronze coins for two days. But they will fight if there is trouble.”
“Are things unsafe outside the city?”
“There is always a risk, young master, since the city guards don’t patrol out there. There might be an occasional patrol, but nothing serious.”
“Where would I hire a fighting guard?” I asked.
“I know a young man from the compound who could use some extra work. Might be a good test run to consider bringing him on full time,” Ting said. I gave her a look, and she just kept smiling. Everyone smiled too damn much.
“Fine. I will interview him, and what about the carriage?” I asked.
“We can borrow one from the compound without issue, young master,” she said, and I nodded at this.
We returned to the compound. I went to my room to figure out my finances and the strain this investment would put on things. There was a knock on my door. “Come in,” I called out. Ting entered with a man in leather armor.
“Young Master Yuan, this is Hong, the guard I spoke to you about,” she said.
“Thank you Ting, please see to the carriage for tomorrow, but there should be nothing else,” I said. She nodded and left. I stood up from my desk and gestured to a nearby table. “Please, sit so we can talk,” I said to the man.
He gave me a nod and took a seat. I poured him some water and some more myself out of a pitcher. Serving him was a sign of respect. “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Ting informed me you are a guard here?” I asked.
“Yes, I served for about two years. But I heard there was an opportunity to work for you, so I volunteered.” Ting had said he was looking for a position.
“Why are you looking around?” I asked him.
“Family issues. My father serves your first brother, but my older brother serves your third brother. Conversations have gotten heated, and they are pressuring me to pick a side.” I nodded at this.
“I can understand the pressure, so you want a neutral choice?” I asked.
“Yes, and your father employs only cultivators for his personal protection, and I am currently an estate guard, but personal service would be a promotion.”
“What are you paid now?” I asked.
“Twenty bronze a day, but if I came to work under you, I would expect twenty-five a day, paid monthly.” That was three quarters of a tael per month as I worked out the math. Expensive to have a full-time guard.
“So, you can fight?” I asked, and he nodded.
“Spear, sword, bow, and horseback. If there is danger, I would protect your life with my own. I would handle the upkeep of my equipment and gear out of my salary,” he explained. I nodded at this.
“We can consider the next two days a trial run. If there are no issues, I will hire you full time,” I replied, and Hong nodded at this.
“Very well.” He would accompany us on foot inside the city and on horseback if we left. While they assigned him a horse, it was technically owned by my father. He couldn’t leave with the horse, but his armor and weapons were his.
The next day, I got into the carriage with Ting, while Hong accompanied us on horseback to the Coinage Guild. There, we picked up the clerk and set off after he gave directions to the driver. The clerk had prepared several documents, including the contract of the loan being moved to my name. I noted the final amount I would owe was left blank. Smart man.
I looked through them and eventually put them away as we left the city. The ride was quite smooth on the paved road, but boring. I was a Young Master, and making pointless conversations was something I shouldn’t do.
In the afternoon, we pulled off onto a dirt road and traveled for another hour before finally arriving at the farm in question. I got out of the carriage after Hong gave the all clear.
The land was quite barren, and there was a sad-looking house and barn. I followed the clerk up to the house, where he knocked on the door.
“One moment,” a female voice said. A woman opened the door, and I saw her face fall at the sight of the clerk. He was the bad cop to my good cop. That was why I brought him along.
“My husband is tending the fields at the moment. How can I help you?” she asked.
“We are here to look over the property and speak with your husband,” the clerk said.
“We will pay you back. Don’t worry about that!” she said.
“I am not here to make a judgement. Young Master Yuan is looking into this property,” the clerk said, and stepped aside for me. The woman looked down at me in shock.
“Shall we fetch your husband or wait?” I asked.
“He should be here shortly. Your carriage can’t be missed,” she replied, and I nodded. “I suppose you can wait inside.”
“Thank you, miss.” I said and gave her a slight head bow and she made way to let us into her home. I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Hong. He went in first and then nodded towards me. The woman rolled her eyes. But I hired him for a reason and would trust him in these matters.
We entered the home and sat at the table in the kitchen. “I have nothing fancy, but I can make up some tea,” she said.
“Tea would be lovely,” I replied. Soon I had a lukewarm cup of slightly flavored water in front of me. A long cry from the tea of the Illuminated Moon restaurant. I sipped it slowly while we waited. After about half an hour, I heard the door open, and the husband showed up.
“What is going on here? Oh, you,” he replied with a snarl at the clerk, who just smiled at the man.
“Hello Jian, this is Young Master Yuan Zhou, son of Yuan Chen. He is considering acquiring the balance of your loan to us,” the clerk said, and the man looked at me in surprise.
“Indeed, I am. I am just trying to understand why such a large farm is having monetary problems. You should easily produce enough goods to pay back the loan,” I said.
“A scam. It was all a scam. The Coinage Guild offered new land by the outer wall that was pushed back. But this land is scarred from the battles between beasts and cultivators. Best estimate is twenty years to bring it up to full yield. I ain’t giving it up. I got it and am holding onto it no matter what,” Jian said and thrust a finger at the clerk, who shrugged.
“We made you aware it is near the outer wall and could look over the property beforehand. We did not force you into anything. You got the land for cheap and expected a mountain of gold, but never asked why it was cheap,” the clerk countered.
“Regardless, what are you growing now?” I asked.
“Tatos.” The man saw my confused look and went to a bin in the kitchen and pulled out a potato.
“Ah, yes, I am familiar with tatos. They aren’t growing?” I asked.
“Slowly, they are growing slowly. Only thing that will grow on this land,” Jian nearly spat out while glaring at the clerk, who just kept smiling.
“Let’s look around so I can better understand the situation,” I replied. Jian let out a grunt, and we all followed him out onto his farmland. He pointed out the soil and its flaky nature and explained how he grew a crop of sprouts and let it rot to help recover the land, but it only improved things enough to grow tatos as he called them. He would need to let more cycles happen to fix the land more quickly.
I sent the clerk away and asked to speak with Jian alone. Hong trailed behind us as we stood outside, looking over his farm.
“I am interested in purchasing their share. But I would want half the profits, no minimum or maximum. Get the farm working first since you clearly know what you are doing,” I explained. Jian frowned as he considered my offer.
“What do you mean by profits?”
“We set aside a portion as business expenses, including a base salary for you, but anything after that, for every bronze coin you get, I would get a coin. We can agree to the expenses in writing. Enough to support you, your family, and this farm. But it would be audited and anything after that would come out of your share,” I explained. He nodded slowly at that. He wasn’t a stupid man.
“I get it. And if things go belly up?” He asked.
“Then the land would be used as collateral to cover the debt and I would cover the rest. But you would be homeless and penniless after that,” I explained.
“Just don’t want no slavery hung over my head,” he replied. That was what the Coinage Guild could do to people who defaulted. They became debt slaves, which was not good. Your grandchildren would be in the grave before you might work yourself free. His wife would be sold to a brothel, and he would be sold as a laborer to a mine. Any kids would also be picked up and sold as well, taking on a fraction of their parents’ debt.
“Alright, say I agree. You would leave me to run things?” He asked.
“With oversight and audits to make sure I am not being cheated. But you run your farm. I would also be interested in pepper plants.”
“Peppers? Why peppers? They don’t sell well,” he said.
“I might have an idea and would like to know how workable it would be on your land,” I explained.
“Next year at the earliest. Will do another two rounds of sprouts to fix the land. Should have done that in the first place, but they just don’t understand farming. After that, I could set aside a field to plant peppers. They will grow decent, but nothing amazing,” Jian explained.
“That is fine. I expect peppers will become a gigantic business soon. If I bought plants, could you keep them alive and get the seeds to plant more?” I asked.
“I could do that. Peppers, you say. Huh, never thought people would want peppers,” he said.
“It is an idea. I still have to confirm things. But this farm looks like an excellent investment,” I replied.
“It is. That is why I got it. Growing things with your own two hands, which is how a man should live,” he replied. I nodded at that. There were also a lot more motes outside of the city. I was going to get over 200 today, which made me smile. Traveling out here was worthwhile.