Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Early in the morning, before dawn, Uncle Chen drove a mule cart laden with fresh vegetables into the city.

During the inspection at the city gate, the clerk exclaimed in surprise, "What time of year is it? Where did you get so many fresh vegetables?"

Uncle Chen presented the Vice Prefect's token and explained, "These vegetables were brought by Magistrate Wang's nephew from his estate. They have a warm spring there, allowing vegetables to grow even in winter."

Upon hearing this, the clerk quickly withdrew his hand, which had been reaching for the vegetables, and promptly waved them through.

This explanation had been pre-arranged by Wang Ying. Regardless of whether Deputy Prefect Wang truly had a nephew, the gate guards wouldn't dare to verify it. Later, if anyone inquired about the origin of their vegetables, this connection would naturally surface, making anyone think twice about causing trouble, given Wang Ying’s perceived backing.

Of course, these were Wang Ying’s contingency plans. Perhaps his small business wouldn't attract much attention, and it would be best if he could operate quietly.

The cart stopped in front of the vegetable shop, where Wang Ying and the others were already waiting. "Was entering the city smooth?"

Uncle Chen nodded and handed the token to Wang Ying. "As soon as I mentioned Magistrate Wang’s nephew, the guard let us through without even carefully inspecting the vegetables."

Wang Ying felt relieved. "Quickly unload the vegetables and get things set up. We’ll open for business soon."

"Yes," Ma Qianzi and Tian Daniu stepped forward to help unload the cart.

Around 5-7 a.m., Li Shi and Qing Yun arrived with Yuanbao. Mutou, Chun Sheng, and the two Huang family boys also came along. The opening day was bustling with people.

Everyone pitched in, and soon the vegetables were neatly arranged—all standard varieties like cucumbers, green beans, cilantro, lettuce, spinach, leeks, and celery.

Though common, these vegetables were exceptionally fresh, with vibrant green leaves still glistening with morning dew. At a glance, they looked rare and appealing.

Moreover, it was already the Cold Dew period, and most rural households had exhausted their supply of fresh vegetables. Wealthy families with heated greenhouses might still have some fresh produce, but otherwise, people had to rely on radishes and and cabbage.

The prices had been set in advance and were clearly written on wooden boards with a brush.

The most expensive were cucumbers, priced at sixty coins per *catty*. Ordinary folks likely couldn’t afford them. The basket of cucumbers picked that morning weighed thirty *catty*. If sold out, it would bring in one string of eight hundred coins.

The cheapest were leeks, priced at ten coins per *catty*. Leeks grew quickly—only the temperature and humidity were regulated, and a new batch would sprout in just three days. If not harvested promptly, they would become tough and woody.

As for tomatoes, not many were ripe yet. Wang Ying had stored them in the experimental plots. Since people in the prefectural city hadn’t eaten them before, he feared they might not sell well. He planned to introduce them later when he had more regular customers.

Before the firecrackers were lit, people had already begun coming by to ask what the shop was selling.

Upon learning it was fresh vegetables, many came in to look around. Though curious, most didn’t press him about where the vegetables came from—after all, it was the shop’s business, and they might not get an answer even if they asked.

About fifteen minutes before 7 a.m., the Wang family’s steward finally arrived.

Wang Qi came by carriage. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Wang Ying and his family went forward to greet him. "Thank you for making the trip."

"No need to be so polite. The master had business today and couldn’t make it, so he specifically asked me to come take a look and deliver a plaque."

A servant behind him brought out an ebony plaque engraved with "Flourishing Business." Wang Ying was genuinely touched. He quickly had his helpers take it and hang it on the wall after driving in nails.

Wang Qi took a stroll around the shop. He had expected dried vegetables but was surprised to find fresh ones. "Now this is unusual," he remarked. "The mistress was just complaining the other day about the lack of fresh vegetables. It’s fortunate you’ve opened this shop. I’ll have the servants come here to buy from now on."

Hearing this, Wang Ying quickly picked up a basket and began filling it with vegetables. "Please take whatever you like. These are complimentary."

"Thank you for your kindness, but the household consumes a lot of vegetables daily. If we take them for free every day, how will you run your business?" Wang Qi replied.

Wang Ying scratched his head and smiled. "Then this one's on us. Try them, and if you like them, come back next time!"

Steward Wang didn’t refuse further and had his servant take the basket. "I must return to attend to household matters. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

Wang Ying had initially wanted to invite him for a meal, but seeing how busy he was, he simply saw him off to his carriage.

Just then, it was time. Tian Daniu called out, "Boss, shall we light the firecrackers?"

"Light them!"

The crackling of firecrackers filled the air. Children covered their ears and cheered excitedly. The lively atmosphere drew the attention of passersby, and many flooded into the shop to ask what the shop was selling.

Wang Ying announced generously, "We sell vegetables! Fresh summer vegetables, all fresh-picked and dewy!"

Upon hearing this, people streamed into the shop. Some left upon seeing the prices, while those who could afford it bought a few items to try.

In just a short while, they had earned over five hundred coppers. Qing Yun, who was in charge of the accounts, deftly counted the money and strung it together with hemp cord. She couldn’t contain her excitement—business had been good right from the opening!

The shop was too crowded, so Li Shi took Yuanbao and the other children home first. Huang Baiguan stayed behind to help.

He was already twelve years old, and in the village, children his age could do half a grown-up's work.

Back home, he had learned some martial arts from Huang San for a few years. Though not yet strong, he was quite capable.

Wang Ying didn’t stop him from helping. He was no charity—he couldn’t provide for them indefinitely without any relation. It was better for them to get some real-world experience and learn skills to survive in the future.

Meanwhile, Wang Qi returned to the Wang residence with a basket of fresh vegetables and happened to meet the master returning from the *yamen*.

"Where did these vegetables come from?" the Deputy Prefect asked.

"Your Honor, I just returned from the vegetable shop opened by that young master, Wang Ying. He insisted on giving us a basket to try," Wang Qi replied.

Deputy Prefect Wang noticed the cucumbers looked particularly fresh. He picked one up, wiped it, and took a bite. "Hmm, crisp and sweet. Quite fresh. Where did he get them?"

"I didn’t ask in detail. Perhaps he brought them from elsewhere. If you like them, I can go buy more."

Deputy Prefect Wang waved his hand. "If you go, he won’t accept payment. Have the kitchen's buyers purchase them instead. It’s not easy for them to make their way with a small business from afar. We shouldn’t put them out of business." With that, he laughed heartily and headed toward his study.

By noon, the shop had earned over three strings of cash. Wang Ying bought several bowls of wontons from a nearby wonton stall for everyone. After eating, they were all fired up.

After the meal, the owner of Yang's Trading Company across the street came over to greet them.

Yang's Trading Company was one of the largest businesses in the prefectural city, operating grain shops, oil mills, and wine shops.

The owner, Yang Deguang, was a man in his forties. He wasn’t very tall but was dressed in a brocade robe, with a string of jade pendants and sachets hanging from his waist, that jingled with his every move—a very impressive sight.

So much so that Wang Ying barely registered his words, his attention captured by the accessories.

After exchanging pleasantries, Yang Deguang suddenly said, "During the opening this morning, I noticed someone from Magistrate Wang’s residence came and even presented you with a plaque?"

Wang Ying pointed to the plaque hanging inside. "Yes, my uncle sent it over. He was too busy with official duties to come himself."

Upon hearing Wang Ying refer to Deputy Prefect Wang as "uncle," Yang Deguang immediately understood. His expression grew warmer. "I notice you have an out-of-town accent. If there’s anything you don’t understand here in Jizhou Prefecture, feel free to ask me!"

Wang Ying thanked him with polite reserve. After Yang Deguang left, Tian Daniu said warily, "Boss, we don’t even know him. Why is he so friendly? He must have an angle!"

Ma Qianzi tapped him on the head. "Are you stupid? He’s not here because of our vegetables."

"Then what is he here for?"

"Naturally, he came to befriend you because of your identity as Deputy Prefect Wang's nephew."

Wang Ying gave him an approving look. As a young man from out of town, he wasn’t worth befriending—it was only Deputy Prefect Wang’s status that prompted the conversation.

In the afternoon, even more customers arrived upon hearing the news. It had to be said that the purchasing power in the prefecture was truly astonishing. In town, cucumbers selling for twenty *wen* per *jin* were hard to move, but here in the prefecture, even at three times the price, people bought them without batting an eye.

As the vegetables dwindled, the smiles on everyone’s faces grew wider. They kept selling until evening, and the shop was nearly cleared out, with some customers arriving too late and missing out.

"Boss, will you have fresh vegetables tomorrow?"

"Yes, yes, but you’ll have to come early. If you’re late, they might be sold out."

"Then please set aside two *jin* of celery for me in advance. I’m thinking of making some dumplings."

"Alright, sure!"

Wang Ying hadn’t expected the fresh vegetable business to be such a hit. In the end, only a few rotten vegetable leaves were left, which they gathered to feed the livestock.

After locking the door, everyone carried the money box home. That day, they sold a total of thirteen *guan*, and after deducting rent, they netted about ten *guan*.

If business could stay like this every day, they’d make three hundred *guan* a month, over three thousand *guan* a year—an incredibly profitable venture!

Of course, this was just hypothetical. In reality, fresh vegetables could only be sold for about four months, partly due to the season. By March next year, when vegetables became more widely available, sales would slow down.

Secondly, the experimental field was limited in size. Even if Wang Ying wanted to sell more, there wouldn’t be enough produce!

Currently, the experimental field covered five *mu* of land. Aside from the part used for fruit trees, the rest was planted with vegetables.

The experimental field was fertile, drought-resistant, and flood-resistant, with no pests or diseases, yielding two to three times more than ordinary land. But crops needed time to grow—they couldn’t be harvested one after another without interruption.

So, making two hundred *guan* a month was already the limit. Still, this was enough to support the whole family.

Perhaps they really were benefiting from Magistrate Wang’s influence. Since the vegetable shop opened, everything had gone smoothly—not even a single credit purchase was requested.

When the time felt right, Wang Ying finally brought out the tomatoes to sell.

Tomatoes were introduced from abroad after maritime expeditions in the Ming Dynasty in later times. The Wu Dynasty had no such crop, so naturally, the common people had never tasted them.

Wang Ying planned to recommend them to regular customers first.

The husband of Yang Deguang from across the street was one of the regulars. At first, Manager Yang sent him to buy vegetables to build a relationship with Wang Ying and curry favor with Magistrate Wang. Over time, he genuinely felt that Wang's Vegetable Shop had good produce. Even in this season, when the grass hadn’t even turned green, they could still eat fresh vegetables.

The elders and children in the family had developed refined tastes—they felt meals were bland if they went a day without vegetables.

The Yang family’s large business meant they didn’t lack the money for vegetables. Today, Mr. Yang came again with two female servants to buy groceries.

As soon as he entered, he noticed the tomatoes displayed on the counter and couldn’t help asking, "What is this?"

Wang Ying stepped forward and said, "This is called a tomato. It’s a kind of wild fruit from the mountains where I’m from. Because the yield is low, we haven’t sold them until now, but they’re very delicious. You can slice them and sprinkle sugar on top, or stir-fry them with eggs."

Mr. Yang picked one up and sniffed it. "How much are they? Pack a few for me to try."

Wang Ying placed two in his basket and said, "Take these to try first. If you like them, come back for more next time."

Mr. Yang didn’t refuse. It was only a matter of a few dozen *wen*—he could always buy more next time. "Alright, I’ll take them back to try. If they’re good, I’ll buy more next time."

The two female servants selected over seven hundred *wen* worth of vegetables, paid and left. After seeing Mr. Yang off, a few more regular customers arrived, and Wang Ying gave each of them two tomatoes.

Unexpectedly, tomatoes became an instant hit in the prefecture!