After getting off the boat, the two brothers temporarily bid farewell to Deng Guang.

Watching Deng Guang’s departing figure, the Eighth Prince couldn’t help but turn to look at Wei Yu.

“You’re planning to sell the glass right here in Pingnan?”

Wei Yu looked innocent. “Aren’t there ten pieces? Rare things are valuable. Just selling one should be enough to get some money.”

The Eighth Prince asked, “…And you’re sure someone will buy it?”

“What! No one will buy it?”

Wei Yu looked shocked. “That’s something only the royal family and nobility of Xiqi could use! Eighth Brother, do you think rich people wear gold and silver, silk and brocade, for fun? It’s all about status, position, and family pride!”

It’s not like only suckers fall for that stuff, you know?

The Eighth Prince took a breath. “Then how much do you plan to sell it for?”

Wei Yu blinked. “Why would I set a price? Of course I’m auctioning it—goes to the highest bidder.”

Just listen to what Deng Guang said earlier—Jiaozhou sounds terrifying, Ji Prefecture even worse, bandits everywhere. There are bound to be countless situations on the road where money is needed!

The old man was super stingy and only gave two thousand taels. If they don’t make more money along the way, they’ll probably be so broke they’ll have to send the guards out robbing people.

For now, they didn’t talk more about the glass. The two brothers didn’t return to the Deng household but instead went back to the inn Ding Facai had arranged.

After resting for a day at the inn, a carriage sent by the Deng family was waiting outside early the next morning.

Leaving Xiao Anzi to watch over the inn, Wei Yu and the Eighth Prince brought Fang Sheng and the others and got into the carriage.

About half an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of a manor gate.

“The Xie family?”

Seeing the sign over the gate, the Eighth Prince understood. “Deng Guang said yesterday the merchant guild is jointly run by three families. Looks like today’s gathering is being hosted by the Xie family.”

Wei Yu said, “Who cares who’s hosting, let’s just go in.”

Since the merchant guild was being held today, the Xie family’s gates were wide open. Although Wei Yu’s group didn’t have invitations, since the carriage had been sent by Deng Guang, the gatekeepers let them in after hearing the coachman’s explanation.

The merchant guild was held in the front courtyard of the Xie residence. No one knew how many people had shown up, but it was lively.

When Wei Yu and the Eighth Prince arrived, they saw many people standing in the courtyard, drinking, chatting, and laughing.

Wei Yu’s attention was drawn to a table covered with a red cloth in the center.

On the table were neatly arranged boxes of various sizes. Behind each box stood a young servant, presumably to assist in viewing the items.

As the brothers were taking in their surroundings, Deng Guang appeared out of nowhere.

“Oh, Brother Wang, you’ve finally arrived!”

Deng Guang greeted them with a bow and an apologetic smile. “I really deserve to be punished—forgot to send invitations to you two yesterday. I hope you’ll forgive me!”

Wei Yu and the Eighth Prince returned his greeting.

“Not at all. Didn’t you send someone to pick us up?”

Then Wei Yu pointed to the red-draped table. “But Brother Deng, what’s the deal with all those boxes on that table?”

“Oh, those are items that each merchant brought to display to others.”

Deng Guang smiled. “Our merchant guild is held about every six months. If anyone has something new or a profitable business plan, they put it in a box and show it off at the guild. If someone’s interested, they can talk and potentially collaborate… That’s how our merchant guild supports one another.”

Tsk tsk tsk.

An economic alliance, huh.

This merchant guild setup was pretty good. Whoever came up with it had some real business talent.

Wei Yu’s eyes lit up as he stroked his chin.

A business talent had practically jumped out and stood right in front of him. Should he grab it? Or should he definitely grab it? Hell yeah, he had to grab it!

A real, live, mature, money-making talent!

Just bring him in and put him to work making money—wasn’t that way more effective than those two back in the capital who were still just learning?

Wei Yu rubbed his hands together and smiled. “Brother Deng, may I ask whose idea it was to start this merchant guild? Truly impressive. I admire it greatly and would love to meet them.”

Ah, his talent-collecting obsession was acting up again.

This guy’s attitude seemed a little off, and the Eighth Prince gave him a suspicious look.

Deng Guang also smiled, clearly proud. “Oh, Brother Wang, you flatter us. What talent? It’s just basic business stuff—not really worthy of admiration. That said… it’s maybe slightly impressive.”

The Eighth Prince: …

Wei Yu: “So who came up with it, exactly?”

“Oh, my little uncle did.”

Little uncle!

Wei Yu’s eyes lit up even more.

As long as it wasn’t the father or grandfather who came up with it. Otherwise, if the talent dropped dead in a few days, wouldn’t that be a massive loss?

“Fantastic.”

Wei Yu clapped his hands and then grabbed Deng Guang’s chubby hand, saying seriously, “Brother Deng, may I ask where your little uncle is? Did he come today?”

“Huh?”

Deng Guang was stunned by the sudden hand grab.

To be honest, although they had seemed to get along well these past couple of days, Deng Guang knew deep down that it was just surface-level.

These two brothers from the Wang family were polite and courteous on the outside, but in reality, each was more aloof and untouchable than the other.

The younger brother was actually alright—though he had an air of nobility, he was easygoing and unpretentious. But his older brother? Not so much.

Even his smile was always the same, like a mask. Not to mention how he would instinctively frown or recoil—obviously someone used to the finest things, totally intolerant of anything subpar.

Now being suddenly grabbed by the younger brother, Deng Guang felt flattered and caught off guard.

He froze for a second, then quickly shook his head. “No, no. My little uncle is a traveling merchant and often away. My father manages things at home, so my little uncle didn’t come today.”

Ah, so he didn’t come.

Wei Yu looked disappointed.

The light in his eyes dimmed instantly, making Deng Guang feel a bit sorry, so he added:

“My little uncle went to do business in Qian’an Prefecture. If fate allows, maybe you’ll run into him there.”

Qian’an Prefecture, huh.

Wei Yu smacked his lips, thinking about the road to Ji Prefecture—maybe there really was a chance they’d cross paths?

But it was probably a slim chance.

“No worries. If we don’t meet this time, I’ll visit on the return trip.”

He would leave this talent card here for now. Since the card pool was right here, it’s not like it could grow legs and run away…

Back to the matter at hand.

“By the way, Brother Deng, I’ve also brought something to display—mentioned it to you yesterday. Is it alright if I put it on that table?”

Wei Yu turned and called Fang Sheng over.

Seeing the box in Fang Sheng’s arms, Deng Guang’s smile widened considerably.

“Of course, of course—let me take you over to place it!”