Chapter 28: Boss Liao from the Capital

Tong Chuxue heard from Manager Cheng of the Renshan Hall that Liao Hong, a medicinal herb merchant from the capital, had spent his life in the trade. He was known for his sharp eye and exceedingly high standards, detesting nothing more than those who tried to pass off inferior goods as quality items.

It was said that once, when someone mixed half a bag of counterfeit Tianqi into a sack of genuine herbs, Manager Liao discovered it, burned the entire batch on the spot, and hired men to break the offender's legs. Despite his strictness, however, Manager Liao was remarkably generous with his payments, offering higher prices than the market rate for goods of equal quality.

Tong Chuxue brought this news to Tong Shan. Stroking his beard, Tong Shan felt this was a rare opportunity and spread the word: anyone in the village who had gathered herbs should bring them along, and the village would organize a collective trip to town. Since not everyone in Qingshan Village knew how to identify herbs, the number of people with actual stock to sell was limited.

Lei Haizheng hesitated upon hearing the news. Dendrobium officinale was an extremely precious commodity, and if he were to produce it in front of the villagers—especially in front of Tong Chuxue—the risk of being accused of theft was too great. Reliable sources said Manager Liao would arrive in town in three days and stay for only one, leaving little time to maneuver around the villagers. Still, it didn't matter; he could simply set out after the villagers left.

While Lei Haizheng was calculating his move, Tong Chuxue was busy sorting her own herbs. Since hearing the news, she and the three Luo siblings had gone to the mountain to gather more. Although they were not high-value herbs, for Tong Chuxue, who was in urgent need of money, every extra copper counted.

Early that morning, the village head waited at the entrance for those heading to town. Villagers arrived one by one, carrying baskets similar to Tong Chuxue's. After counting heads, the village head saw the ox cart was nearly full and decided not to wait any longer. He jumped onto the cart and led the village party toward town.

During the hour-and-a-half journey, the villagers grew bored and started gossiping.

"Hey, wasn't so-and-so supposed to come today? Why don't I see them?"

"Don't you know? They have a donkey cart, so they must have gone on their own."

"There's a village cart, why waste effort driving their own? Fools."

"He's not a fool; their donkey cart was hired out by someone."

"No way, who hired it?"

"That boy from the Lei family. He paid thirty coppers to hire the cart."

"Oh my, the Lei boy must have struck it rich! Thirty coppers for a cart—does he think he's the County Magistrate?"

The women's chatter reached Tong Chuxue's ears. She found it amusing; she hadn't expected Lei Haizheng to be clever enough to avoid the public eye. He wasn't entirely hopeless, though this small bit of cunning would likely be his undoing.

When the group from Qingshan Village arrived at the town, Manager Liao’s stall had already been set up. From a distance, one could see a wooden sign as tall as a man, with "Medicinal Herb Purchasing" written in gold leaf, and a steward-like figure standing beside it. A long queue had formed, with people from neighboring villages waiting, each with a large basket on their back.

Tong Chuxue handed her herbs to Luo Huifeng and Luo Huiqing, then went with Luo Huian to find Manager Cheng of Renshan Hall. Selling their common herbs was merely a secondary objective; Tong Chuxue wanted to strike a deal with Manager Liao. Since the primary backer behind Renshan Hall was none other than Liao himself, and Manager Cheng knew Tong Chuxue had quality goods, he was happy to make the introduction.

Manager Cheng led them through several courtyards until they reached the small house where Manager Liao was resting. After Cheng explained their purpose to the servant at the door, the man went inside to report. Only after receiving a positive response were they allowed to enter.

The moment Tong Chuxue saw Manager Liao, she sensed he was a cunning man. He looked like an ordinary merchant, slightly stout and middle-aged, with a protruding belly. However, his small eyes seemed to hide countless emotions, showing nothing on the surface. With such a person, one could never tell what was true and what was false.

Upon seeing them enter, Manager Liao stood up immediately and said in a booming voice, "I have often heard Manager Cheng speak of you two, but I did not expect you to be so young. May I ask how to address you?"

"Manager Liao is too kind. Just call me Tong Chuxue."

Manager Liao’s gaze had initially drifted toward Luo Huian, assuming he would be the one to speak. He seemed surprised that Tong Chuxue had answered first. However, he did not let it affect him, quickly focusing his attention on her. "So, it is Miss Tong. I hear from Old Cheng that you have a way to obtain Dendrobium officinale. I must be frank with you, Miss: while the herb is precious, a single stalk may not fetch a very high price."

Tong Chuxue understood immediately. Despite his polite tone, he was already trying to drive the price down. It was the typical behavior of a seasoned businessman. Had a naive village woman been standing here, she might have sold it for a pittance, but Tong Chuxue was no fool.

"If Manager Liao has no intention of discussing this business with us, then let it be," Luo Huian interrupted, his expression hardening.

Tong Chuxue was surprised by his sudden interjection, but she could not show it in front of Liao. She gave Luo Huian a gentle kick under the table. Feeling her unease, Luo Huian offered a faint smile and tapped her right hand with his left under the table, a secret gesture of reassurance.

Liao Hong paused for a moment before adjusting his tone. "Do not worry. My reputation in the capital is well-regarded. We can talk about business slowly." He picked up the teapot and poured them tea himself. Successful merchants were like this; they knew when to yield and when to push.

Liao Hong’s attitude had shifted quickly, but Luo Huian was not buying it. "To be honest, the back mountains of Qingshan Village produce Dendrobium officinale. With your wealth and manpower, Manager Liao, you could easily search for them yourself. I suppose we were being a bit presumptuous."

"Why say such things, young man? For me to have men comb through every mountain would be a waste of time and energy. I apologize for my earlier words. How about we share a simple meal at noon? I will have Old Cheng prepare it," Liao said with great courtesy.

"Manager Liao, we are sincere about discussing this business with you. And I can guarantee you that this is not a one-time deal, but a long-term partnership," Tong Chuxue stated.

How could it be long-term? Tong Chuxue saw a flicker of doubt in Liao Hong’s eyes.