CHAPTER 255: CHAPTER 252: SHOWING OFF

Du Zhuo followed Song Xian for a stroll around the streets of the Capital City, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Either he was so exasperated by Du Yi that his brain was muddled, or he had left his years of wisdom back in Sui State and didn’t bring it along. How could he have agreed to go out with Song Xian?

He originally thought Song Xian would visit some government offices or call on a few acquaintances.

After agreeing to Song Xian, he hurried back to his lodgings as if his eyebrows were on fire, asked the servant to bring several sets of clothes, and carefully selected a dignified and mature sapphire blue set.

As he walked the streets of the Capital behind Song Xian, he was still pondering what persona he should adopt when meeting those people shortly. Should he appear as Song Xian’s ally? An intimate friend of Song Xian? Or perhaps as a colleague neither too close nor too distant? After all, these were relationships of the Song Family, while the Du Family hadn’t interacted with the Song Family before. Now, he had to think more comprehensively, considering that soon he and Song Xian might have to join forces against a common enemy...

As Du Zhuo’s thoughts reached this point, Song Xian entered a needlework shop, and Du Zhuo, momentarily oblivious, followed closely behind.

It wasn’t until Song Xian asked the shopkeeper for thread tassels that Du Zhuo snapped back to reality, realizing that Song Xian was merely shopping, and all his previous thoughts were just whims of his imagination.

Song Xian held the thread tassels: "It’s available in the Capital too, but mostly first-rate goods. How does it feel to you?"

When Song Xian wasn’t smiling, his features were cool and distant, as if discussing government affairs in an office. His words bore an air of certainty, as he handed over the thread tassels matter-of-factly.

Du Zhuo didn’t want to be led forward by Song Xian, as that would make him feel like a blind mule.

But at this moment, he either had to turn and leave or...

Du Zhuo held the thread tassels in his hands.

"Rub the thread a bit; just holding it won’t reveal the advantages," Song Xian advised Du Zhuo, "I’ve never seen wool thread tassels like this before."

Du Zhuo felt his fingers rubbing the thread fervently.

The shopkeeper chuckled: "Indeed, never before; this is this year’s merchandise. Such soft inner-fiber spun thread, coveted by affluent families in the Capital."

Song Xian replied: "I wonder who thought of selling thread tassels like this?"

Du Zhuo widened his eyes at Song Xian, feeling like he was meeting Commander Song for the first time.

Commander Song seemed incredibly thick-skinned; didn’t he know who came up with it? Wasn’t he just prompting the shopkeeper to praise the Chen Family Village?

Just because the Chen Family Village was under his jurisdiction in Zhenzhou, he was this pleased?

"It’s Chen Family Village," the shopkeeper beamed, "you may not have heard of this village, right?"

Song Xian shook his head: "Haven’t heard of it."

The shopkeeper ventured: "Then let me tell you about this village?"

Song Xian donned a look of eagerness to learn.

Du Zhuo watched from the sidelines, feeling an itch in his palms. He hid his jade pendant at his waist, contemplating if all his carefully considered attire had been merely to accompany Song Xian’s self-praise?

The shopkeeper said: "This Chen Family Village is a village in the North, in Zhenzhou. Though not many know about these thread tassels, you’re aware of the finished medicine, right? In the spring, there was an epidemic in the North. Coincidentally, my brother was leading a trading team there at the time. Our whole family was worried, and my old mother was nearly blind from crying.

Luckily, the epidemic was swiftly curbed, as Zhenzhou’s Official Medicine Bureau also created a finished medicine—a pill equivalent to a bowl of decoction. Brewing decoction is quite laborious, but taking a pill is much quicker, thus, the epidemic was suppressed.

Do you know who made this finished medicine?"

Song Xian pondered for a moment and said: "Wasn’t it the Official Medicine Bureau?"

Du Zhuo’s hand clawed at the stool beneath him.

The shopkeeper laughed: "No, it was Chen Family Village who offered the formula, aiding the Official Medicine Bureau in its creation."

Song Xian said: "The same Chen Family Village that makes thread tassels?"

The shopkeeper nodded: "Exactly, that Chen Family Village. When my brother returned, it was like he escaped death; he kept praising Chen Family Village. And so, when the people from Chen Family Village came to sell thread tassels, I sought out their trading team before they even approached me, wanting to check the thread tassels."

Song Xian asked: "Are you doing this to repay Chen Family Village?"

The shopkeeper smiled: "That’s not it. We who trade regularly know that as long as the vendor is thoughtful, whatever they do won’t go poorly. Had any village sold herbs to make medicine before Chen Family Village? Everything done ahead relies on more than luck.

Upon seeing the thread tassels, I realized it was correct. These thread tassels sell better than woolen goods. Especially first-rate threads; there’s an abundance of dignitaries in the Capital who pay meticulous attention. Nobody would go to a clothing shop to buy ready-made woolen goods to wear, as that wouldn’t be appropriate for the occasion.

To buy thread tassels for their own creation is different. They can make whatever they desire, and at present, I have only this one tassel left of the first-rate threads in my shop. This tassel is reserved for showing everyone, and then later, ordering more from Chen Family Village."

After saying this, the shopkeeper suddenly glanced at Du Zhuo: "Don’t pull the string tying the tassel; the string color is dyed with herbs by Chen Family Village, used to identify the true goods from the fake."

Du Zhuo halted his hand.

The shopkeeper laughed: "You two gentlemen seem well off or noble; are you planning to conduct significant business with Chen Family Village? So asking us shopkeepers what the situation is?"

Having made silver coins from the thread tassels, and genuinely seeing promise in Chen Family Village due to the medicine matter, the shopkeeper continued to relay many praises.

Song Xian listened with keen interest, indulging in a back-and-forth with the shopkeeper, while Du Zhuo, despite his age, felt embarrassed for Song Xian.

Finally leaving the shop, Song Xian carried on ahead: "I’ll join you, sir, in looking ahead; this shopkeeper doesn’t know much, perhaps others know better."

Doesn’t know much? Could you keep some dignity? Do you intend to praise them sky-high, claiming the ones from Chen Family Village who make thread tassels are the Seven Fairies?

Du Zhuo felt like his enthusiastic intentions were wasted, but upon reflection, Song Xian’s actions provided him with insights into Zhenzhou and other regions.

At least Song Xian’s governance of Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou differed from before.

In the future, when raising troops would require military funds, it is essential not to burden the populace with excessive taxes. Even in war, people’s livelihoods must be maintained.

Du Zhuo looked at Song Xian: "I’m sold."

Song Xian raised his eyebrows.

Du Zhuo contemplated and said: "Sell the wool to Chen Family Village in Zhenzhou for thread tassels; if Chen Family Village excels, why not assist the Northwest?"

Song Xian’s eyes shone: "Can the lord truly do so? If not, we could look further ahead."

To hear yet another round of praise? Has Song Xian not boasted enough?

Du Zhuo felt that if he hesitated, Song Xian might actually do so, thus he said decisively: "That’s settled then!"

Song Xian said: "However, I cannot decide on specific details."

Du Zhuo stared at Song Xian.

Song Xian stated: "The government office will not compete for profits with the populace; these are all matters for Zhenzhou merchants. The cost of wool and the location for thread tassels production must be discussed by the people of Chen Family Village and the steward of the Northwest Trading Team.

Du Jiedu can rest assured; the merchants in Zhenzhou are always honest, never arbitrarily pricing. Only when both sides benefit, is it a good business deal."

Du Zhuo couldn’t help but smile at these words, intending to praise Song Xian from the bottom of his heart.

Song Xian said: "Let’s go sit at the teahouse ahead; there’s someone telling stories inside, mentioning the spring epidemic..."