Mo Sang – CH 228

Chapter 228. A Reputation Does Not Work

Li Sangrou returned to her new residence in Yuzhang City, sipping tea and slowly munching on melon seeds until the dead of night. Even the third watchman’s clapper had sounded, but no one came. Only Meng Yanqing’s report arrived:

The heads of various rice and grain merchants in Hongzhou, who had enjoyed the scenery at Tengwang Pavilion, were invited to Wangjiang Tower by Zhang, the head of the rice merchant guilds in Yuzhang City, for a banquet and revelry that had not ended yet.

Li Sangrou slammed her teacup on the table and let out a long sigh.

Sure enough, her reputation was useless once she crossed the river; nobody paid her any attention!

“Go and see…” Li Sangrou turned back and said half a sentence, then waved her hand and stood up. “Never mind, never mind, let’s talk about it tomorrow morning. Everyone should rest early and get up early tomorrow. Sigh. She’s such a worry.”

The next morning, Hei Ma went straight to the garrison commander’s office, found Bai-Cheng, and asked to borrow a carpenter from the army.

His Boss’s large flagpole, the Shunfeng one, was not something just anyone could make. Several of the carpenters in the army had come from the Ministry of Works and knew how to make it, having done so before.

Bai-Cheng listened with delight. “The Boss’s shop is opening? So fast! Our master was just talking about it yesterday, saying that the Shunfeng line had not been laid yet, which was really inconvenient.”

“No, our Boss has not even checked the shop yet. She said she needs to find a manager first, then find a shop.” Hei Ma waved his hand.

“Then where will the flagpole be erected?” Bai-Cheng asked in surprise.

“We have a house; our Boss has a house!

Our Boss said, just at the gate. If there’s not enough space at the gate, it can be inside the gate.” Hei Ma waved his hand dismissively.

“Uh!” Bai-Cheng’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Hey, hurry up! I have things to do, a ton of things. Our Boss said early this morning that she needs to get busy, and she even sighed twice. Hurry up!

I have a ton of things to do!” Hei Ma urged.

“Alright, alright, I understand. I will tell our master right away. There’s no need to send the carpenter over there; the camp has everything we need. We can finish it here, and then carry it over and erect it,” Bai-Cheng readily agreed.

“Alright, I am off. Just carry it over as soon as it is done. The Boss said that from today onwards, someone will always be at home.” Hei Ma waved to Bai-Cheng, then turned and left.

Bai-Cheng waved back to Hei Ma, paused for a moment, then hurried to find his master.

The Boss said he was getting busy and sighed twice. These words made Bai-Cheng feel uneasy.

……………………

Meng Yanqing and Dong Chao, along with a few others, left a little earlier than Hei Ma.

Within an hour, they returned one after another, gathering information for Meng Yanqing and reporting to Li Sangrou.

“We’ve gone around to all the inns in the city and asked around.

Several merchants from Jiangbei have already arrived.

We’ve only inquired with the rice and grain shops so far. There are many others, but we only know they are merchants from Jiangbei. We do not know what kind of business they do at the inns.”

Meng Yanqing sat next to Li Sangrou, handing her a stack of papers one by one.

“Two grain merchants came from Yangzhou, traveling together. We happened to run into these two and asked them; they said they met along the way.

Four merchants came from Jianle City, staying at an inn, but we have not seen them.

One came from Suzhou, one from Shanyang, and the most from Huai’an—six in total. These six from Huai’an said they arrived together, usually eating and doing things together, and that they went out together this morning. We have not seen them either.”

Meng Yanqing spoke of each merchant, handing Li Sangrou slips of paper with names and businesses written on them.

Li Sangrou listened intently, looking at each slip of paper, her gaze landing on the name of Ying Shouyu of the Huai’an rice merchant, placing that slip at the top.

“That’s about enough. Just set up the display. Go again and invite Ying Shouyu over,” Li Sangrou instructed after Meng Yanqing finished speaking.

“Alright,” Meng Yanqing quickly agreed and went out to fetch him.

“Datou, go and call your Nanny Zhang over,” Li Sangrou instructed, turning to Datou.

Datou was pushing a mop, swishing it along the floor.

“Yes!” Datou replied, putting down the mop and jogging off.

His Nanny Zhang lived nearby and arrived shortly.

Li Sangrou gestured for Nanny Zhang to sit down and asked directly, “Does your madam have any money in Yuzhang City?”

“Yes,” Nanny Zhang answered crisply and confidently.

“How much?”

“How much does the Boss need?” Nanny Zhang countered.

“How much?” Li Sangrou asked again.

“Not much coins here, about two hundred thousand,” Nanny Zhang replied immediately, bowing slightly.

“Where is it?”

“In the house in the east of the city.”

“And elsewhere? How much is there in the whole of Hongzhou?”

“About two hundred thousand in the estate outside Jiangzhou City, that’s all.”

“Did you check the silver in Jiangzhou City before you left?”

“I did not check before I left, but my man is watching over that place, so do not worry, Boss,” Nanny Zhang bowed and replied.

“Hmm, call Dong Chao over. Have him pick a few more men.” Li Sangrou first instructed the head steward, then said to Nanny Zhang, “We need to go to the east of the city to check if the silver is still there, just in case.”

“I need to use these two sums of silver. Also, move here. Stay by my side; you do not need to hide anymore.”

“Yes,” Nanny Zhang agreed readily.

Her mistress’s instructions were for her to follow the Boss and do exactly as she instructed.

Dong Chao brought several men with him, and together with Nanny Zhang, they headed east of the city to inspect the silver.

……………………

Around noon, Ying Shouyu, the head of the Huai’an Rice Merchants, arrived nervously with Meng Yanqing.

Upon reaching the second gate, Ying Shouyu immediately saw Li Sangrou. His initial bewilderment and trepidation subsided, replaced by a renewed sense of anxiety.

This Boss was the type who would not come unless there was a reason. And what she had to say was something important and certainly not good news!

What did she want with him?

“Back then, of the nineteen rice merchants along the Grand Canal, fourteen went to Yangzhou at the invitation of Qian Dongsheng, the head of the Yangzhou Rice Merchants. Two of the remaining five could not go because their heads were too ill to go, and none of the other elders would lead the way.

The Huai’an Rice Merchants were one of the three that did not go, even though there was nothing wrong with them.

Afterwards, when the new rules were implemented, the Huai’an Rice Merchants performed the best.

I am so glad to hear you are in Yuzhang City. Please sit down.” Li Sangrou looked at Ying Shouyu and smiled.

Hearing Li Sangrou’s words, Ying Shouyu felt much relieved. He respectfully greeted her and sat down in the chair Li Sangrou had indicated for him, feeling rather awkward.

“I heard that several rice merchants from Huai’an came together with you as their leader?” Li Sangrou poured tea and pushed it towards Ying Shouyu.

“Yes, as the Boss knows, last year the Grand Canal was devastated, with no harvest all year. Even now, half the land is still barren. Wheat and other grains are doing alright, but rice is nowhere to be found, and the price has been rising steadily.

I heard that the General took Hongzhou without firing a single shot, and Hongzhou is having another bumper harvest this year. Several rice merchants from Huai’an contacted me, asking me to lead the way and see if we could buy some rice to take back.”

Ying Shouyu sat down on one side of the chair, his hands resting on his knees, bowing slightly, explaining in great detail with utmost respect.

“Hmm, you’ve been in Yuzhang City for four days now, have you not? You’ve been looking around since the first day. How’s it going?” Li Sangrou asked, looking at Ying Shouyu.

“The rice merchants in Hongzhou are still operating on the same old rules. We all have to buy from them. It seems the heads of all the rice merchants in Hongzhou came to Yuzhang City the day before yesterday and yesterday.

I did not expect the Hongzhou rice merchants to be so united. They seem to have discussed it beforehand; they are all offering the same price. Their asking price is really too high, and they want us to agree that all the wheat and grains we bring south across the river to Hongzhou can only be sold to their merchants.”

Ying Shouyu said, glancing at Li Sangrou.

Should the Boss not change the rules for the Hongzhou rice merchants…?

“They are indeed all in Yuzhang City. I am the one who called them over,” Li Sangrou sighed.

“Hongzhou was not just utterly destroyed and conquered. To quickly appease and win over the hearts of the people of Hongzhou, the Commander-in-Chief promised the merchants there that Jiangnan and Jiangbei would be treated equally and no one would be allowed to seize or plunder them.

Since the Commander-in-Chief made such a promise, I cannot just directly subdue and destroy the rice and grain shops in Hongzhou.”

Ying Shouyu was taken aback by Li Sangrou’s words, unsure how to respond.

Indeed, she had directly subdued and robbed the rice and grain shops in Jiangbei.

“But since I am in Hongzhou, I cannot just watch you be oppressed.

If we do not get our goods from the rice shops in Hongzhou but instead buy rice directly from the farmers, will we still be able to get rice? Will you buy it?” Li Sangrou asked, looking at Ying Shouyu.

Ying Shouyu’s eyes widened. “Buy it directly? Yes, we can! That’s great, but would that not mean we’d be running our own rice shops?”

“Is it true that only one rice shop is allowed per region or city? Is there a law about this? Is it the law of Southern Liang or the law of Great Qi?” Li Sangrou asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No, there is not; it is just…” Ying Shouyu blinked repeatedly.

There was no law, and there were not really any rules, but opening a new rice shop was not just ordinary business competition; this kind of business competition was fought for…

She was not afraid of fighting; she’d love for them to come knocking on her door!

“This matter is under your supervision.” Li Sangrou picked up a stack of names of merchants and grain dealers that Meng Yanqing had brought back from the table and handed it to Ying Shouyu. “These are rice merchants and grain dealers from all over Jiangbei. Gather them together, explain my intentions, and discuss what to do.

If any rice or grain merchants come again, I will have them come to you, or you can go directly to them. Jiangbei needs to act as one in this matter.

The reason I am putting you in charge is because the Commander-in-Chief promised the Hongzhou merchants not to let me bully them. I am too direct and not good at business talk. You will handle this; you will have to negotiate with them.

Also, I have four hundred thousand taels of silver here for you. Two hundred thousand are in Yuzhang City, and the remaining two hundred thousand are in Jiangzhou City. This money will accrue interest at one percent per month.

Whichever merchant needs it, just come to you and find Nanny Zhang to withdraw the silver.”

Ying Shouyu blinked repeatedly, instinctively taking the stack of merchant names. “Boss, this… me?”

This was only the second time he’d met the Boss, and the Boss had already entrusted him with such a big matter, including four hundred thousand taels of silver!

“You do not even know how to negotiate?” “Li Sangrou raised an eyebrow.

“No, my father and grandfather both run rice shops. What I mean is, this is only the second time I’ve seen you, Boss.” Ying Shouyu was somewhat amused and exasperated by Li Sangrou’s question.

“I will be staying in Yuzhang City for a while. If you want to see me, you can come anytime.” Li Sangrou looked Ying Shouyu up and down and smiled.

“Boss, this trust…” Ying Shouyu quickly swallowed his words.

She did not trust him; she did not care about trust at all. Her knife was sharp, and she had many thugs.

“Let’s stick to business. Do not let the merchants of Jiangnan think we only rely on brute force. Let’s stick to business; we will beat them to a pulp!” Li Sangrou picked up her teacup and raised it to Ying Shouyu.

Ying Shouyu, spurred on by Li Sangrou’s words, felt all the pent-up frustration of the past few days bursting forth with a surge of pride. “Do not worry, Boss.”

Meng Yanqing saw Ying Shouyu out of the courtyard, then returned, squatted down next to Li Sangrou, and said in a low voice:

“Hongzhou is like Jingzhou; the Transport Commissioner is temporarily under one person, Luo Tingxian.

Luo Tingxian came from the position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Back in Jianle City, he was right next to our Shunfeng Shop. He served two terms as Transport Commissioner and was known for his shrewdness and competence.

Luo Ting-Xian is the cousin of the former Commander Luo of Huainan East Road; they are quite close, within the third degree of kinship.

I heard Commander Luo is going to Yuzhang City in the next couple of days. Should I go and greet him?”

Li Sangrou raised an eyebrow at Meng Yanqing. “Why would you greet him?”

Meng Yanqing paused, then uttered an “uh,” covering his face with his hand.

Indeed, even if Commander Luo wanted to see their Boss, their Boss might not be willing to. Why would he greet him? What was he thinking?

……………………

In the afternoon, Hei Ma led seven or eight craftsmen of varying ages, all quite old. Li Sangrou stood up.

The group of craftsmen glanced from Li Sangrou to Mazha working nearby, then back at Hei Ma.

“What are you looking at! That’s our Boss!” Hei Ma glared.

“I plan to repair the Tengwang Pavilion,” Li Sangrou said directly, looking at the group of bewildered craftsmen.

The craftsmen became even more bewildered. They looked at each other, stunned for a moment. An elderly craftsman with gray hair at the front looked Li Sangrou up and down, then chuckled dryly, “The Tengwang Pavilion belongs to the government; it is not something anyone can just repair.”

“Repairing the Tengwang Pavilion is a big deal; it will cost a lot of money, not just a few dozen or a few hundred taels,” a gray-haired craftsman behind the old one said, looking at Li Sangrou with good intentions.

Li Sangrou stepped back into a chair, scratching her head as she looked at the group of craftsmen before her.

“I need to repair the Tengwang Pavilion. If you are willing to take the job, go and take a look, think about how to repair it, and calculate the approximate cost and timeframe. I will give you three days. Look around, think it through, calculate it, and then come back and tell me. I will choose one.”

After speaking, Li Sangrou looked at the craftsmen before her. Some glanced at her sideways, some looked at her with amused expressions, and some gave dry laughs, seemingly too lazy to pay attention to this ignorant old woman.

Li Sangrou looked at them for a moment, sighed, rubbed her forehead, and continued:

“Take a good look, think it through, and calculate it carefully. Come back to me within three days. As long as you can give me a few points, regardless of whether I choose yours or not, I will give you one tael of silver as a service fee.”

“Did you all listen to our Boss?” Hei Ma roared, startling the group of craftsmen into nodding hastily.

Watching the craftsmen huddle out, Li Sangrou sighed again.

Seeing Hei Ma enter, Li Sangrou sighed and instructed him, “Go to the garrison commander’s office and find Bai-Cheng. Tell him I want to repair the Tengwang Pavilion, and ask him if he has any of this or that.”

“What do you mean by ‘this or that’? Silver?” Hei Ma asked.

“Not silver. Never mind, do not say anything more. Just tell him: I want to repair the Tengwang Pavilion. That’s enough.” Li Sangrou sighed again.

“Alright! I am going.” Hei Ma frowned deeply and hurried out.

The Boss had been sighing all day. Although he did not know why, his brows had to be furrowed!