Chapter 266: Exposed
Editor: Atlas Studios
After counting the number and confirming the total price, the few merchants gathered together to discuss the quantity they each wanted. Then, they took out the money on the spot. The rabbit skin was sold for a total of 38 taels and 348 copper coins. Including the price of the fox skin and wolf skin, it was a total of 66 taels and 523 copper coins. Mu Yangling directly rounded down the total and charged them 66 taels and 500 copper coins.
After exchanging the silver and goods, the merchants directly divided the leather goods among themselves. Someone asked Mu Yangling, “Young lady, I think your leather goods are not bad. Do you know of anyone else who has similar leather goods? It’s fine even if the tanning quality is slightly worse.”
They were leather goods merchants, and their main purpose for coming to the north was to stock up on leather goods for resale.
Mu Yangling replied with a smile, “There are a lot of leather goods in the north, but they’re all scattered. If you don’t find it troublesome, you can go to Xingzhou Prefecture to take a look if you don’t manage to buy enough leather goods at the temple fair in Hanzhong Prefecture.”
“Xingzhou Prefecture?” The merchants looked at each other and asked, “Young lady, are you from Xingzhou Prefecture?”
Mu Yangling nodded, and the merchants’ eyes lit up. They asked, “Do you know that there’s a family in Xingzhou Prefecture that makes diced rabbit meat especially well?”
“Seeing as your family has so many rabbit skins, do you sell rabbit meat to them?”
“Are you talking about the diced rabbit meat from Whole Flavor?” Mu Yangling did not expect the businessmen from the south to ask her about this. Fan Zijin’s diced rabbit meat business had only been in existence for half a year, and it could already lure people here?
“Exactly. Have you heard of it, young lady?” The few merchants asked excitedly.
Smiling, Mu Yangling said, “Yes, the workshop is in our area. Do you want to import diced rabbit meat? Aren’t you leather goods merchants?”
“Since we’re businessmen, we naturally import whatever makes money. Young lady, you don’t know, but this diced rabbit meat is very famous in our Lin’an Prefecture and the nearby provincial capitals. Many people love it. Unfortunately, other than knowing that it comes from Xingzhou Prefecture, we don’t know where to import the goods from. We can only earn very little from Shopkeeper Chen…”
Mu Yangling frowned. Although she did not know much about the workshop, she had heard Fan Zijin instruct Butler Chen to publicize the diced rabbit meat and try to get the people from the south to come up and stock up on their own. This way, they could simplify the process by a lot…
Mu Yangling’s expression only changed for a moment before she quickly restrained her emotions and asked, “Whole Flavor’s diced rabbit meat has only been out for more than half a year, right? It’s actually so easy to sell?”
“Young lady, you have no idea. The south isn’t like the north where there’s a lot of meat in the forest. For snacks, the only meat snacks that we have are the ones by Xingzhou Prefecture’s Whole Flavor. The others are all desserts and dried fruits.”
“Moreover, this diced rabbit meat has all kinds of flavors. The flavors vary from sweet to spicy, and the fragrance of meat is awesome. Although it’s a little expensive, well-off families can usually buy some.”
“Isn’t it almost the new year? Who doesn’t buy new year goods during the new year? We don’t just want to import leather goods. If we can import Whole Flavor’s diced rabbit meat, we’ll probably have to take in fewer leather goods.”
The other merchants nodded and said, “There isn’t enough diced rabbit meat where we came from. The supply is too little.” As they spoke, the leading merchant took out two taels of silver and stuffed it into Mu Yangling’s hand. He lowered his voice and asked, “From the sounds of it, you know someone from Whole Flavor?”
Mu Yangling couldn’t help but laugh. The excited Xiuhong wanted to proudly tell them that her cousin had a share of Whole Flavor. However, Mu Yangling glanced at her and she suppressed her excitement.
Mu Yangling took the silver and smiled. “I know someone from Whole Flavor indeed. Moreover, I know that they have accumulated two batches of diced rabbit meat and are planning to transport them to the south after some time. If you want to get in touch with them, you’ve got to act fast. However, the owner of Whole Flavor has a huge appetite. If you guys are only planning to import small quantities, I’m afraid he won’t be willing to share the profits.”
What she meant was that if they wanted to reach a deal, they would probably have to import a large quantity. The other party might even ask them to buy everything. After all, it’s the same amount of effort for them.
The few merchants looked at each other and felt a lot of pressure. The price of diced rabbit meat was not low, but since they could leave their hometown and come out to do business, it went to show their ambition. Hence, they said, “Young lady, can you help us connect?”
Mu Yangling nodded. “Coincidentally, the owner of Whole Flavor is also here. I’ll go and ask him first. But how should I inform you?”
Their eyes lit up as they said excitedly, “We live in the Peace Inn not far away. My surname is Zhao. How should I address you, young lady?”
“My surname is Mu, Boss Zhao. Once I get the news, I’ll get someone to invite you.”
“Then we’ll thank Miss Mu here first.”
At this moment, Fan Zijin was also discussing business with Wulie, but they were talking about the silk business. As Qi Haoran sat at the side and drank tea, his gaze swept across the people Wulie had brought and he asked, “Where did Young Master Wu enter Hanzhong Prefecture from? I remember that the border has been sealed.”
Wulie’s body stiffened, and his servant also placed his hand on the hilt of his saber. Qi Haoran’s guards also looked at them warily, and the atmosphere froze.
Looking around, Fan Zijin suddenly smiled. “Young Master Wu, please forgive me. My cousin is in the military and has a straightforward temper.”
“Oh?” Wulie held the teacup in his hand and looked at Fan Zijin teasingly. “Young Master Fan, do you mean that you’re very tactful?”
“I’m a businessman. I only talk about business. As long as there’s enough profit, I don’t mind if the other party is from the Jin Kingdom, West Xia, or the Great Zhou.”
Wulie laughed out loud when he heard this. His gaze met Qi Haoran’s eyes like lightning, but his words were directed at Fan Zijin. “I’m afraid that’s not what Little General Qi thinks.”
Qi Haoran snorted and turned his head away. Fan Zijin patted his hand and said to Wulie, “Young Master Wu, don’t worry. This cousin of mine listens to me. Besides, he has a share in my business. As long as you abide by the laws of my Great Zhou, he will still open the doors of convenience for you.”
Seeing that Qi Haoran was reluctantly spinning the teacup in his hand but did not object, Wulie glanced at Pidusi before they moved their hands away from the hilts of their knives.
“Young Master Fan and Little General Qi, don’t worry. I’m also a businessman. Ever since the borders of the two countries were sealed, the price of satin tea leaves in the Jin Kingdom has remained high. I heard that many merchants from the south will participate in the temple fair in Hanzhong Prefecture this time, so I took the risk to come over and give it a try. I didn’t expect to be able to befriend Young Master Fan and Little General Qi. As the saying goes, commoners don’t fight with officials, let alone an ordinary businessman like me. Therefore, don’t worry. In the Great Zhou, I will definitely abide by your law.”
This was a joke to Qi Haoran. The smuggler was actually saying that he would definitely abide by the law.
However, when he thought about how he often sneaked into the Jin Kingdom and West Xia to gather information and how there was a smuggling merchant sitting beside him, he stopped talking.