Huo Shu made up his mind. When he returned, he told Tao Yu about his plan. If it was feasible, then they could start preparing. If Tao Yu disagreed, the idea could be nipped in the bud from the start.
“You mean you want to do business as a traveling merchant?”
Tao Yu was a little surprised to hear Huo Shu’s words.
After all, in his understanding, Huo Shu was taciturn and not worldly or smooth. It was hard to imagine him bringing up plans for doing business.
“Yes.”
Tongzhou was prosperous, with merchants and traders gathering from all directions. There were large merchants who managed caravans, and peddlers who carried goods down to the counties.
Within ten li and eight villages, one could find several people who had engaged in the trade of selling goods for a living in a single village. It was not a rare or niche profession.
However, there were many people doing it, and the competition was fierce. Many people flocked to do it, but few figured out the right way, and quite a few lost money.
Setting aside the matter of making or losing money, since Huo Shu had brought it up, Tao Yu still seriously discussed it with Huo Shu based on his own knowledge:
“According to the North-South differences you mentioned, there are indeed profits to be made. But if the destination is the Northern Territory, which spans vast distances, you definitely cannot travel alone like a peddler. Not to mention forming a large caravan, but you would need at least ten people to escort the goods and support each other.”
“Manpower is one thing. Secondly, you want to trade in fabrics. Even though the price of fabrics in Tongzhou is lower than elsewhere, and they have more styles and patterns, good quality fabric and good styles, even with lower costs, are still expensive. Since you are going far away, you cannot have too little goods. More goods mean higher capital. You need circulating funds on hand.”
Tao Yu said, “These two items are the main concerns. If you don’t have them, there’s no need to worry about anything else.”
Huo Shu looked at Tao Yu, then turned to open the chest placed in the corner.
When he first came to the Ji family, he only brought a bundle. Tao Yu felt pity for the dusty bundle piled on the cabinet, so he cleared out one of his own boxes for Huo Shu to store his things.
He also promised not to look into his box without permission, and that he could rest assured to put his things in it from now on.
Huo Shu opened the chest and, from under two worn-out clothes, found a dagger. At the very bottom, he took out a package wrapped in burlap.
He brought it to the table and pushed it towards Tao Yu, “Can these be enough to get by for a while?”
Seeing the heavy package, Tao Yu narrowed his eyes and glanced at Huo Shu, then quickly untied the bag.
This time, Tao Yu’s expression was even more shocked than when he last opened Huo Shu’s purse.
He held a gold bar, like a whetstone, in each hand, and was completely stunned.
The Ji family was not poor, and Grandpa’s medical clinic business was also good, but this was the first time he had seen so much money!
It might sound laughable, but their family used silver. The last time they went to the city and collected Huo Shu’s purse, it was the first time he had used gold.
He said that Huo Shu had been so generous before, and had given away his purse so readily, it turned out he had the main part.
“This one alone must be worth at least twenty taels, and it’s a gold bar! One tael of gold is equivalent to ten taels of silver!”
Tao Yu clicked his tongue, and then as if remembering something, he turned and rushed to the old chest that wasn’t even latched, trying to rummage through it to see if Huo Shu had any more hidden goods.
“No more, all my belongings are here.”
Huo Shu watched Tao Yu squatting by the chest, holding two gold bars, and found it somewhat amusing.
“This is over five hundred taels of silver, which is about enough for initial turnover.”
Thinking that he had said he would support himself with his private money when some people lost their livelihoods, Tao Yu suppressed the urge to question Huo Shu about how he had so much money and said, “What about manpower?”
“I have a plan for manpower, depending on your opinion.”
“Huh? Depending on my opinion?”
Huo Shu said, “If you agree to me doing this business, I will make further plans. If you don’t think it’s suitable, then we’ll drop it.”
Tao Yu was silent for a moment after hearing this. He didn’t answer immediately.
If this business really took off, he understood what it would mean.
From then on, traveling far and wide would be common, and being separated for long periods would also be routine. Just thinking about it made Tao Yu’s heart ache.
But any business or achievement required travel. Even Grandpa’s medical clinic had to go out several times a year.
If he achieved nothing and stayed on the land all day, then they would be together every moment.
But a man’s ambition lies in all directions, and Huo Shu was a capable person. It would be too much of a waste to have him slaughter pigs and grow vegetables his whole life.
He was originally free to roam as he pleased after disarming and fulfilling his old friend’s wish. He stayed here willingly to be bound, all because of him.
If he didn’t allow him to do this and that, it would be too stifling.
Tao Yu had a sense of proportion when it came to important matters.
“This is a good thing. How could I think it’s not suitable? If the matter can be planned, it will also save Father from worrying.”
Tao Yu encouraged him, “You are familiar with the situation in the Northern Territory. Perhaps you can really make a name for yourself. Even if you don’t, you will have learned a lesson. We are still young, and we have to try different ways of living. We can’t rely entirely on the meager foundation of our ancestors to live.”
The burden of land taxes was visibly increasing. It was obvious to everyone that farming alone had no future. Anyone with the means was thinking of finding another way out.
Huo Shu felt a bit more confident after seeing Tao Yu’s answer.
“Don’t worry, no matter what, I won’t let you starve.”
The two of them reached a preliminary agreement and did not rush to inform Ji Yangzong.
The next day, Huo Shu went to Hongli Village early in the morning.
Although the two villages were adjacent, Huo Shu had only been there a few times before to slaughter pigs, and not much since then.
He walked along the village chief’s path and saw a lively household at the end of the main road. People were on the roof and in the yard, apparently repairing the house.
Huo Shu saw a pear blossom tree in the yard that was over ten years old. Now its leaves had withered, leaving only bare branches.
He strolled over, and before he even entered the yard, someone called out to him, “Brother Huo!”
“Am I seeing things wrong? What brings you to my humble abode today!”
Ge Liang, with a slurred speech, called out from a distance as he welcomed him.
“Repairing the house?”
Huo Shu tilted his chin slightly.
“It’s almost done. It rained a lot in the winter, and it took almost two months to get this much done.”
Ge Liang sighed as he spoke.
Huo Shu looked at the new tiled roof, which seemed to have replaced the old thatched roof with newly bought tiles.
“Why didn’t you repair it in autumn?”
“Alas, when I came back earlier, I said I had some spare money and suggested repairing the house. My parents refused, saying I had too much money and was restless, likely worried that I hadn’t married yet and didn’t want me to spend carelessly.”
Ge Liang said in a low voice, “Recently, they’ve been arranging blind dates for me. The matchmaker went to several good families, but none of them worked out. My parents then felt that the house was too dilapidated, and that’s why the girls didn’t want to be with me. They urgently asked me to repair the house.”
“It’s good that it’s finished.”
“Look at me, I’m just talking. Brother Huo, please come inside and sit. The roof is done. We’ll clean the house today and then have a peaceful New Year.”
Ge Liang led Huo Shu to a clean side room.
Many villagers had come to help the Ge family. Food was being prepared in the house, as a good meal was to be made to thank them.
Huo Shu knew it wasn’t the right time to visit, but since he was here, there was no need to go back.
“Have some hot soup or tea. The weather is quite cold.”
Ge Liang got a bowl of rough tea for Huo Shu, “Brother Huo, are you looking for me for something?”
Huo Shu stated directly, “I’m no longer a butcher. I’ve been looking for a new livelihood these past two days and need some manpower. I came to see if you’re interested.”
Ge Liang’s eyes lit up when he heard this, “Brother Huo, tell me.”
Huo Shu then explained his plan.
After listening, Ge Liang slapped his thigh and said, “Brother Huo, I’m definitely going with you on this business!”
“Don’t just get excited, consider it carefully.”
Ge Liang quickly waved his hands, “I’m definitely not acting on impulse. I haven’t found anything suitable to do since I returned to the village. Since Brother Huo has a direction, I feel settled following you.”
“Either way, I need to find something to do. Why not take the opportunity?”
Besides, selling goods from the south to the north was inherently profitable. He had also stayed in the north for several years. Although he spent most of his time in the military camp, he had a general idea of the situation there.
In fact, he had thought of it too, but it only flashed through his mind. He didn’t have that much confidence in himself.
But now that Huo Shu mentioned it, he immediately had a backbone.
“However, just two people won’t be enough. We need a few more reliable people.”
Ge Liang responded, “I know. Since you have this intention, I’ll pay attention and ask a few familiar and reliable brothers if anyone is willing to work with us.”
Huo Shu said, “First, let’s see if we can gather manpower. If it works out, then we’ll find connections to get the goods.”
“Okay.”
It was less than two days before New Year’s Eve. Most of the people who had gone out to work had returned. If we wanted to recruit manpower, we needed to finalize the people as soon as possible.
After the New Year, spring would arrive soon. By then, every household would be busy with spring plowing and sowing. Even if someone wanted to join them, they would likely be reluctant to leave their fields.
It was necessary to let people consider and prepare in advance so that they could plan how much manpower to allocate and how much land to cultivate in the coming year.
Huo Shu thought that he couldn’t rely solely on Ge Liang, and could also find some people in the village.
To make things twice as effective, they still needed Ji Yangzong’s help.
So, the two of them informed Ji Yangzong of their plan in advance.
Ji Yangzong was silent for a long time after hearing the news.
Ji Yangzong’s silence was understandable. Although there were many merchants in Tongzhou, there was still the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, with merchants having the lowest status.
Although the Ji family was not a prominent noble family or a scholarly family, they did not look down on merchants. However, if their child wanted to take this path, they would inevitably hesitate.
That was one thing. They were in the honeymoon phase, and the two of them seemed quite attached. Why were they looking for this kind of traveling job?
When they were living well at home, who would want to leave their homeland? Either they were forced to make a living, or they could not survive in their current location.
“Did you quarrel with Xiao Taozi?”
Huo Shu’s brows twitched. What was he talking about? “No.”
Ji Yangzong couldn’t figure out Huo Shu’s expression, “Is that true or not?”
Huo Shu said, “He is gentle and I am quiet, so we can’t quarrel.”
Ji Yangzong couldn’t get to the point, “Then why do you want to do this? Although the family is not extremely wealthy, we have enough to eat and wear. Why go through so much trouble?”
Huo Shu said to his father-in-law, “It’s not just about making money.”
“The court is corrupt now, and bandits have already infiltrated prosperous areas. It’s hard to guarantee that this world won’t be chaotic in the future.”
Ji Yangzong’s brows furrowed upon hearing this. A chaotic world was enough to make anyone’s nerves tense.
He certainly knew that this was not alarmist. The past few years had been increasingly unstable, but it hadn’t been too obvious, so people hadn’t paid much attention.
He was afraid of being like a frog boiled in warm water, and suddenly overturned. At that time, ordinary people like them would only suffer.
“You mean?”
“Having more options gives us the ability to respond.”
Ji Yangzong let out a sigh and pondered for a moment.
Traveling merchants indeed had more access to information and wider connections. In times of chaos, they would have more avenues.
Ji Yangzong wanted Huo Shu and Xiao Taozi to live a simple life together, and there was no need for them to venture out too much. However, the current world situation was not clear. As the man of the family, he also had to make some considerations for his wife and children in advance.
Huo Shu’s actions were indeed for the sake of the family.
“Alright, since you and Xiao Taozi have discussed it, I can’t interfere too much.”
Ji Yangzong said, “As for finding manpower, wait for my news.”
With his father-in-law taking charge, Huo Shu felt eighty percent relieved.
Ji Yangzong would definitely know better than him about who was honest and reliable, and who intended to leave.
With the matter entrusted, from the 25th onwards, every household was decorating with lanterns and busy preparing for the New Year.
Huo Shu put the matter aside for now and went to the city with Tao Yu to buy New Year’s goods and prepare for the New Year’s Eve dinner.
The lookout walls of Tongzhou City Gate were already hung with red lanterns, which looked festive from afar.
Entering the city was even more extraordinary. The shops along the streets were all adorned with couplets of “Attracting Wealth and Treasures” and “Gathering Wealth from All Directions.” Round lanterns were hung above the trees lining the road.
The market was crowded with people. Most of them wore red cotton vests, and their hats were embroidered with large ingots. The women’s faces were also painted with floral patterns, so that everyone in sight was dressed in their best.
There were more vendors on the street than usual. Many old gentlemen had come out to set up stalls to write couplets. The prices were optional, mostly “monthly red” for twelve coins, or double that for a pair, entirely for good luck.
There were long queues in front of stalls with some reputation.
Children chased and played in the alleys, and the sound of firecrackers was endless.
Huo Shu’s horse could barely squeeze into the market. It was his first time experiencing such a lively New Year’s scene in the south.
Although New Year’s in the Northern Territory was also lively, it was relative to ordinary festivals.
There were few peaceful days at the border, and many people migrated. Everything was simplified for ease of movement.
Therefore, during New Year’s, they would only have a good meal, and if conditions permitted, they would set off firecrackers.
Tao Yu wore the rabbit-eared hat that Huo Shu had bought for him. His clothes were already bright, and with a red cloak tied around him, it made Huo Shu’s attire look even more casual.
When the two stood together, they were quite eye-catching.
“Should we also get a couplet to take back?”
Tao Yu’s hand was pulled long by Huo Shu. He squeezed into the crowd to look at the old gentleman writing.
“The couplets for home from previous years were still written by You Lingxiao.”
Huo Shu heard this and said, “This year, we’ll buy a few ourselves.”
Tao Yu pursed his lips and smiled, “What’s wrong, are you unhappy?”
“I’m not that petty.”
Tao Yu said, “I heard Mother say that You Lingxiao has been closely associated with merchants since his hand injury, and is probably choosing to protect merchants and profit from them. Granny Sun is busy organizing people, saying she will repair her house after the New Year.”
“You Lingxiao has also recovered from his previous slump. He is now trying to practice writing with his left hand.”
Huo Shu said, “He is probably still thinking about becoming an official, waiting for an opening in the court and for them to relax the restrictions on physical disabilities.”
Tao Yu sighed, “Who knows what will happen in the future.”
The world is unpredictable. You Lingxiao, who originally looked down on merchants so much, now had to lower his status to cooperate with merchants to make a living.
It made him sigh.
Huo Shu saw Tao Yu’s thoughts drifting, his brow slightly furrowed. He pulled the person closer to himself.
“Focus on walking, don’t get lost in thought.”
Tao Yu saw the person with a serious face and squeezed his hand.
“Mom and Dad have almost bought the New Year’s goods. What else do we need to buy?”
Huo Shu looked up and saw a pharmacy ahead. He gestured towards Tao Yu.
“If we need to buy any medicine, we can just get it from Grandpa’s medical clinic.”
Huo Shu lowered his eyes and looked at the person, “Are you sure you want me to go there to ask?”
Tao Yu suddenly remembered something and his face turned red. He almost forgot the important matter of coming to the city today.
He was a little hesitant, “Let’s… let’s get it from another pharmacy instead.”
A few days ago, his seventh uncle’s younger cousin had returned to visit his parents. His seventh uncle’s younger cousin had treated him well since childhood, and they were the best among their siblings.
His younger cousin couldn’t come back when he and Huo Shu got married. This year, he returned to visit his parents for the New Year and brought them many wedding gifts. He and Huo Shu went to have a meal with them.
His younger cousin was a year older than him and had been married half a year earlier than him.
His husband was from a county town outside Tongzhou City. He was said to be the official of the county’s workshops.
Tao Yu had only seen him once when he came to propose and deliver betrothal gifts. He was quite tall, but very dark.
The workshop managed the county’s water conservancy, and the work was as numerous as cow hair. To reach that position in his twenties, he must be someone who was willing to put in effort. It was not surprising that he looked older due to exposure to the sun and wind.
His younger cousin, Ji Xingzhe, disliked the fact that he was dark and was not very willing. However, since his seventh uncle made the decision, he had no choice but to marry.
After the engagement was set, he cried for several days at home. Tao Yu was called over to comfort him.
Although Ji Xingzhe was unwilling, he didn’t mistreat himself. While crying at night, he flipped through a small booklet and taught Tao Yu to be knowledgeable about marital affairs, otherwise, if his husband didn’t like him after marriage, life would be even more difficult.
Now that he had returned, Tao Yu saw that his younger cousin was happy, apparently his brother-in-law treated him well.
Although they were both married and had been separated for more than half a year, they talked more now than before.
Tao Yu was embarrassed to ask about other people’s married lives, so he found someone to talk to.
He had just learned a method from Ji Xingzhe, which was to use some ointment and practice constantly.
Tao Yu thought that he could make the ointment himself, but unfortunately, Ji Xingzhe didn’t have those things with him, so he couldn’t use them as a reference.
So, he told Huo Shu about it and asked him to find some.
It had been quite some time since they got married. Except for the wedding night, they had tried once more later out of unwillingness, and it had even bled.
Pain was one thing, but more importantly, he was a little scared.
Tao Yu calculated that if Huo Shu’s business was successful, they would definitely depart early next year. If they hadn’t consummated their marriage by then, wouldn’t their marriage be in vain?
He narrowed his eyes. He was determined to win him over before he left!
Otherwise, what if Huo Shu met some seductive vixen on the road? The first step was to win him over, and then get him pregnant. Then he wouldn’t be able to run away!
When the two arrived at the pharmacy entrance, Tao Yu saw the comings and goings and his face turned red at the thought of getting something from someone.
He pushed Huo Shu’s back, “You go and ask the pharmacy attendant, I’ll wait for you here.”
Huo Shu raised his eyebrows, “You are a physician. You should know more about this than I do. How can you not go?”
Tao Yu whispered, “Which young boy asks people for this?”
“It’s for you, so why wouldn’t I have it?”
“Then you also get to benefit from it. You have to go.”
“Are you embarrassed?”
Tao Yu fiddled with his fingers, “It’s normal for me, a young boy, to be shy.”
“Then weren’t you also embarrassed when you peeked at me earlier and touched me while applying the medicine at night?”
Tao Yu’s eyes widened when he heard this, and he pinched Huo Shu’s hand, “It’s as if you haven’t touched me either!”
“I never said I was embarrassed.”
“Huo Shu!”
Tao Yu called out with gritted teeth. Before Huo Shu could speak, a weak voice came from behind, “What medicine do you two want to buy? Or shall we go into the shop to discuss it?”
Tao Yu suddenly realized that the pharmacy attendant had come out at some point. His face instantly boiled.
He didn’t know if the person had heard their conversation, but seeing the attendant’s unusual expression, he had probably heard something.
Thinking of this, Tao Yu wished he could find a hole to crawl into. He simply threw himself into Huo Shu’s arms and hid his face.
“Is this husband unwell?”
Huo Shu hugged Tao Yu and entered the medical clinic. The attending physician looked at the two of them and asked, tilting his head.
“He just has a headache, nothing else.”
The doctor said, “Then let’s take his pulse first and prescribe some medicine for a headache.”
Tao Yu raised his head from Huo Shu’s arms when he heard this and quickly waved his hands apologetically to the doctor, “We are not opening medicine for common colds. It’s my husband, he… he wants to get some medicine.”
After speaking, Tao Yu quickly slipped away.
The doctor looked at Huo Shu, who was as lively as a bull and could kick a bull to death, and tentatively asked, “Are you uncomfortable?”
Huo Shu said with a straight face, “I just got married, and my husband and I are not compatible in bed. I’m getting some ointment.”
His voice was neither loud nor soft, and he said it ordinarily and earnestly, but it caused everyone in the medical clinic to turn their heads.
Looking at Huo Shu’s strong and tall physique, and then at the beautiful husband waiting at the side, the men silently turned their heads back down.
Tao Yu quickly covered his face with his sleeve upon seeing this. He should have known that this person was so bold and uninhibited. It would have been better if he had asked himself.
The doctor was also stunned for a moment. Looking at Huo Shu’s physique, it was understandable that he might have some special talents. He cleared his throat and said, “Follow me.”
Tao Yu wondered if he should follow. Seeing people constantly turning their heads to steal glances, he got up and hesitated for a moment. He decided to run outside and wait.
Huo Shu stayed in the inner room of the medical clinic for a while before coming out with a small box.
