CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 80: SURPRISE

Wang Jian unloaded the wool and had a chat with Chen Yongsheng before leaving Chen Family Village.

Before washing the wool, Xie Liangchen needed to carefully inspect it.

Seeing Xie Liangchen pinch the wool without saying a word, Chen Yongsheng anxiously asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Xie Liangchen replied, "It looks no different from the previous ones." As she spoke, she took some from each bag and stored them in a cloth bag. Every time Wang Jian came to sell wool, she would keep some aside.

Chen Zigeng said, "I’ll go fetch Grandpa Sun."

Grandpa Sun lived just three miles from Chen Family Village in Sun Family Village. The villagers of Sun Family Village, including Sun Jiang and Sun Fang, were also veterans. During the paper workshop business, villagers from Sun Family Village were led by Chen Yongsheng to gather herbs. Later, Sun Jiang also took villagers to the villages of Qi State to collect medicinal materials.

The villagers of Sun Family Village earned a lot of silver coins from this. This time, for woolen products, Sun Family Village was heavily involved, and the interactions between the two villages increased significantly.

Grandpa Sun’s ancestors once did fur trading, knowing more about fur than the average person. Whenever buying fur, Xie Liangchen would seek Grandpa Sun’s advice.

Regarding Wang Jian’s business, Xie Liangchen was particularly cautious, so she would always have Grandpa Sun come to take a look.

Even though Xie Liangchen didn’t notice any issues, she didn’t stop Chen Zigeng from fetching Grandpa Sun. For one, having an extra set of eyes was better, and two, she could verify her own judgment.

While Chen Zigeng went on his errand, Chen Yongsheng informed Xie Liangchen about what Wang Jian had said.

Chen Yongsheng asked, "Are you worried that Wang Jian might do something shady?"

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Xie Liangchen’s attitude toward Wang Jian made Chen Yongsheng even more anxious, "If you think Wang Jian is unreliable, we can source fur from others more often."

The matters Xie Liangchen discussed with Song Xian couldn’t be disclosed to Chen Yongsheng, but she needed to remind him of certain things.

Xie Liangchen asked, "Uncle, are you aware of the market?"

Chen Yongsheng nodded: "When the Northern Border was stable, a market was set up in Zhenzhou."

Xie Liangchen continued, "During the market trade, what goods did we trade with the Liao people?"

Having been in the army, Chen Yongsheng immediately understood Xie Liangchen’s implication once she mentioned it.

Xie Liangchen continued, "The Liao people mainly sold goods such as horses and furs. Now without a market, privately trading with the Liao people is a capital offense. So when it comes to fur trading, it’s always wise to know the source."

Chen Yongsheng looked at Xie Liangchen, "How did you come to know all this?"

Xie Liangchen said, "I gathered information while purchasing fur. Without understanding the ins and outs, I wouldn’t dare engage in such trade."

After experiencing the medicinal herbs business, Chen Yongsheng thought he knew a lot, but it seemed he still had a long way to go. Conducting business was no less challenging than being in the army, and he realized he must always remain vigilant.

Chen Yongsheng pondered for a moment. "Then we must not sell the herbs from the Familiar Medicine Institute to Wang Jian. The Liao lack Southern medicinal herbs, especially those that are well-processed.

Thinking about the market and exchanging fur for herbs makes me uneasy; the next time Wang Jian mentions it, I will flat out refuse him."

Xie Liangchen said, "You don’t necessarily have to refuse."

Chen Yongsheng waited for Xie Liangchen to elaborate.

Xie Liangchen explained, "If we discover something suspicious, we can report it to the government office sooner. As the business grows, it’s inevitable to encounter such things, and we shouldn’t always avoid them.

If Wang Jian truly intends harm to Chen Family Village, by acting this way, we let Wang Jian and others know that Chen Family Village isn’t a pushover."

Whether it’s the medicinal herb business or the Familiar Medicine Institute, it’s no longer about selling miscellaneous goods at the market. Only by enduring challenges can Chen Family Village truly move forward.

It took Chen Yongsheng a while to sort everything out. As Miss Chen said, this is indeed a test for Chen Family Village. With such a threat, they could be more thorough in their planning.

"Girl, just how much do you have going on in that head of yours," Chen Yongsheng said, "No wonder your uncle always says that people are different. Seeing you, I finally understand how true that statement is."

Chen Zigeng brought Grandpa Sun over to check the wool. Grandpa Sun confirmed that the wool was no different from what had been delivered before. Only then did Chen Yongsheng breathe a sigh of relief. He made sure to ask a few more questions about the fur, and it wasn’t until it was getting dark that Chen Yongsheng personally escorted Grandpa Sun back to Sun Family Village.

Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng returned home.

As soon as Chen Zigeng entered the yard, he picked up the bow and arrows.

Xie Liangchen felt a slight stir in her heart. "Did General Song teach you archery? Is there anything different from what Uncle taught?"

Chen Zigeng nodded, "General Song said that my archery skills are not yet refined. It’s one thing to practice at home, but in the mountains, one should only use fifty percent of their focus."

Xie Liangchen felt a bit surprised by this. "Why?"

Chen Zigeng pulled the bow open and carefully looked at the arrow in his hand, "General Song said I just started using the bow and can’t keep track of my surroundings yet. If all my attention is on the arrow, I won’t detect danger if it’s nearby. Although our mountains aren’t vast, there are still wolves and bears.

That’s why the ’Shuoyuan’ says, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."

Chen Zigeng shot an arrow, then quickly went to retrieve it and continued practicing. "I also asked General Song, are archers the same during battles?

General Song said, the archers who make it to the battlefield have already trained to a high level and have peers to protect them. But the situation on the battlefield changes rapidly, and in moments where lives are at stake, one can’t worry about everything. However, life is only lived once, unless there’s no other choice—to act recklessly is inadvisable."

I also asked General Song how many times he risked his life on the battlefield.

General Song said he couldn’t remember."

After saying this, Chen Zigeng turned to look at Xie Liangchen, "Sister, do you think General Song is right?"

Suddenly met with her brother’s clear gaze, Xie Liangchen’s eyes subtly dodged. Clearly, she wasn’t wrong to be cautious of Song Xian, yet after her brother said all that, she felt a strange emotion in her heart, as if she had a petty heart...

But she still felt she wasn’t wrong and was thankful that Song Xian could teach her brother in such a manner.

"Agree," Xie Liangchen said, "You are still young. When you have the chance to hunt with the villagers in the mountains, ensure your safety."

Chen Zigeng said, "I also mentioned wanting to join the army, but Song Xian said I was still young and should listen to Grandma and Sister now.

Sister, do you know how old General Song was when he joined the army?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head, "I don’t know."

Chen Zigeng smiled, "Even if I want to join the army, it won’t be too early. I want to stay by Grandma and Sister’s side."

Xie Liangchen picked up her bow, walked over to Chen Zigeng, "Beat me first, and then think about those things."

...

Dingzhou Prefecture.

Inside the residence of Song Qizheng.

Upon hearing the news from the steward, Madam Rong said, "Third Young Master has finally returned."

Madam Rong’s eyes instantly turned red. She never expected Min would be detained for so long. She hurriedly stepped out to greet him, not waiting for Song Min to come see her.

Song Min was being supported as he walked into the inner courtyard. Seeing her son’s figure, much thinner than before, Madam Rong cried out sorrowfully, "My son, what happened to you? It pains your mother so much."

Song Min lifted his head. His complexion was sallow, and his eyes were sunken, making him look as though he had suffered an illness.

Madam Rong felt as though a piece of flesh had been cruelly gouged from her heart, "Who did this to you? Who tormented you to this state?"