Chapter 173 Merchants

Chapter 173: The Merchant

Chang Jinhua ate the chicken wings while they were still hot, and had to admit that after getting used to stewed or stir-fried chicken, fried chicken was unbelievably delicious. Even she, who wasn't greedy, ate an extra piece.

"You're really clever with your ideas. Are you planning to sell this fried chicken at the shop?"

"Yes, what do you think, Mom?" Meng Wan asked, his mouth greasy from eating.

Chang Jinhua strongly supported his idea. "Why wouldn't it work? The chicken is crispy and fragrant, perfect with wine."

Meng Wan washed his greasy hands and face, drying them as he asked Chang Jinhua, "The sugar workshop hasn't started getting busy yet this year. How about you give me a hand for a few days? Let's open the shop?"

Chang Jinhua's first thought was naturally her precious grandson. "What about A Yan?"

"Let Huang Ye watch him," Meng Wan said offhandedly.

Chang Jinhua shot him a glare. "You don't care about him at all, and you're his father!"

Meng Wan said helplessly, "Mother, A Yan is my son. How could I not care about him?" His life still had his beloved and family. He couldn't always be with A Yan, but his love for him wouldn't diminish.

Besides, he could still come home every day to spend time with him. When A Yan gets older and more clingy, either he could take A Yan out, or Song Tingzhou could bring him along on his inspections.

Chang Jinhua hesitated for a long time. "That could work. When it's busy, I'll help out, and when it's slow, I'll come home to take care of A Yan."

She said that, but when the shop opened, she was more eager than anyone.

Meng Wan just named the shop the Chang Family Grill.

That's right—besides fried chicken, Meng Wan also set up a barbecue stall. Behind the grill shop was a small courtyard. Meng Wan custom-made two barbecue grills and placed them there, specifically hiring two people to grill the meat and two helpers to serve the dishes.

Since he had his own chicken farm, it was convenient to source ingredients. The chicken thighs and wings were used, the chicken breast for fried chicken strips, and the organs for grilling. Every day, they also bought a batch of pork and skewered them into large pieces. Lingnan had an abundance of green vegetables, but unfortunately, there was no chili pepper, which Meng Wan loved.

In front of the shop, he set up a simple awning, with tables and chairs placed outside—shade during the day and rain protection on rainy days.

The inn wasn't built yet, but the grill shop was already ready. For the first three days of opening, Meng Wan ran a "buy one, get one free" promotion, but it had little effect. Most customers were yamen runners who came to show support.

Chief Clerk Qiao had moved his family into the county town. He brought his wife and son to order fried meat and skewers. Meng Wan personally served them.

The couple felt flattered and quickly rose to greet him. "Meng Fulang is too kind. How could we trouble you to serve us personally?"

Meng Wan was still dressed in his usual outfit—a long-sleeved sheer robe on top and pants that looked like a skirt on the bottom, which let him move freely.

"What's the big deal? I opened this shop to make money from you folks. Right now, I'm a shopkeeper, not the magistrate's husband. Feel free to enjoy yourselves. If you need anything, just give the waiter a shout."

Chief Clerk Qiao's wife was more outspoken than her husband. "In that case, we won't stand on ceremony. May your business thrive, Meng Fulang!"

Meng Wan smiled and instructed a waiter to bring a pot of tea.

After he left, Chief Clerk Qiao quietly chided his wife. "How can you speak to Meng Fulang like that?"

"What's the problem? I find Meng Fulang very easygoing. He's not as exaggerated as you said." His wife was unperturbed.

She had endured hardships alongside Chief Clerk Qiao and was quick to speak her mind. Chief Clerk Qiao couldn't argue with her, so he simply dug into his food.

Huh? This so-called "Crispy Chicken" turned out to be surprisingly tasty.

Chief Clerk Qiao's five-year-old son, with tears in his eyes and on the verge of crying, said, "Dad, you ate all my chicken legs!"

His wife glared, and Chief Clerk Qiao awkwardly wiped his mouth with his handkerchief. "I'll buy you two more."

The shop had each hired a manager. Business was slow, so Meng Wan and Chang Jinhua didn't need to be there every day to manage things. But the grandmother who had claimed she missed A Yan was now busy all day long. Even when she took A Yan out to play, it was near the fried chicken shop.

Meng Wan had finally found something for her to do. Otherwise, spending all day with a baby who couldn't talk, while he and Song Tingzhou had other matters, even the most cheerful person would become depressed staying cooped up in the mansion. Chang Jinhua wasn't too old yet; she should get out and see a different world.

The hottest month of July in Heshan passed. Although August didn't feel noticeably cooler, Meng Wan felt like the lid of a steamer had been lifted. Occasionally, cool breezes blew.

The screen in the central hall of the courtyard was removed, and the front and back doors were opened wide. Inside, a very wide bamboo bed was set up, every part finely sanded smooth and polished with oil, with not a single splinter or crack.

A Yan crawled around on the bamboo bed while Meng Wan lounged beside him. Whenever he crawled too far, Meng Wan pulled him back to continue crawling. A Yan never tired of this, but Meng Wan grew drowsy.

Qiuse, the gatekeeper, came to report, "Fulang, Third Master Zhu has returned and is outside requesting an audience."

Meng Wan's groggy mind instantly cleared. He sat bolt upright and said urgently, "Why request an audience? Quickly, invite him in!"

Qiuse quickly explained, "Third Master brought some other people with him to pay respects, so I came to inform you first."

Meng Wan immediately understood—these others were probably merchants accompanying Third Master Zhu. "First, go to the front courtyard and receive them in the main hall to serve tea. I'll change my clothes and be there shortly."

"Yes."

Qiuse withdrew to receive the guests. Meng Wan got up and instructed Huang Ye, who was attending him, "Stay here and take good care of A Yan. If he gets sleepy, carry him to the guest room for a nap."

His current clothes were fine for hanging around the house but obviously unsuitable for receiving distant visitors. Changing into a proper outfit, Meng Wan returned to the main hall to receive the guests.

"Third Uncle, why did you come in this hot weather?"

Third Master Zhu had presumably washed up and changed before meeting Meng Wan; even his beard was neatly trimmed. Hearing Meng Wan's words, he stood up and said with a hint of helplessness, "I wanted to come early to pick up the sugar, but who knew the Lingnan summer would be so brutal?"

The journey itself was arduous, and arriving during the hottest month meant Third Master Zhu had gotten much thinner.

When Third Master Zhu stood up, the two middle-aged men seated below him also stood. Regardless of their true thoughts, they politely addressed Meng Wan, "Meng Fulang."

"Now you know for next time, Third Uncle. The sugarcane hasn't been harvested yet. If you come in November, you'll be able to take the first batch of brown sugar. And you two have worked hard—please, have a seat." Meng Wan took the seat of honor and gestured for everyone to sit.

The two middle-aged men exchanged a glance. Sometimes, a single sentence revealed the other's depth. They hadn't even introduced themselves, yet Meng Fulang seemed to already know their identities and intentions.

Third Master Zhu laughed heartily. "I came early to attend A Yan's first birthday celebration. After leaving Heshan and returning to the capital, I can also see my granddaughter."

Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou had long received a letter from Zhu Zening. Lan Niang had given birth to a daughter in spring, named Zhu Qiong, after "jade branches and jade trees," symbolizing grace and outstanding character.

Third Master Zhu had told his son that he only knew a few characters and that Zhu Zening should choose the name himself. So Zhu Zening racked his brains and named his daughter Qiong.

"By the time you return to the capital, you might even catch Qiongniang's first birthday. I've prepared a first birthday gift for her grabbing ceremony, which you can bring along, Third Uncle."

Meng Wan chatted with Third Uncle Zhu for a while before getting down to business, not wanting to leave the other guests waiting too long.

"I haven't introduced you properly yet. These two are: one is a grain merchant, Brother Wang from Yangzhou, and the other is a sugar merchant, Brother Zhao, from Jianping, near Changping." Third Master Zhu introduced them.

As Meng Wan was an official's relative, his status was worlds apart from theirs, so the two were very polite in speech. "Greetings, Meng Fulang. May you be well."

Meng Wan smiled sincerely. "Since you are friends of Third Uncle's, you are honored guests in my home. No need for such formality." He subtly boosted Third Master Zhu's status.

"We dare not, dare not."

The two responded humbly, but their words were watertight, verbally sparred with Meng Wan. Everyone present knew Meng Wan sold sugar, and they had come for sugar, yet no one was willing to be the first to bring it up. It nearly wore Meng Wan out.

But then again, Heshan County didn't have a reputation yet, and Lingnan's reputation for being poor and remote was well known. It was understandable that they were cautious.

That was Meng Wan's self-consolation.

"Brother Wang, Brother Zhao, no need to hold back any longer. If you weren't close to me, I wouldn't have revealed this to you." Third Master Zhu declared with righteous earnestness, though in truth, he had been advertising the sugar everywhere he went after leaving the impoverished borderlands of Lingnan, eventually selecting the two—Wang and Zhao—who had substantial financial resources and decent reputations among merchants.

Throughout the journey, Third Master Zhu didn't disclose the sugar workshop's owner until they settled in the county seat of Heshan. When these two met Meng Wan, a young man (xiaoge), they feared he might be unreliable and even put on airs.

The grain merchant surnamed Wang said, "It's not that we don't trust Brother Zhu and Meng Fulang, but in business, we need to see the goods before discussing anything else, right?"

The other sugar merchant surnamed Zhao nodded in agreement.

Meng Wan wore a steady smile, speaking politely, "You both make a fair point. Tomorrow, you can visit the sugar workshop outside the city to inspect the goods. The steward will receive you there."

These two trying to manipulate him? Did they think he was some impulsive novice?

Song Tingzhou had risen from a lowly student candidate to become the county magistrate—was it so his husband would have to put up with the condescension of these merchants? The sugar wasn't going to spoil sitting there; these two could buy it or not as they pleased.

Meng Wan courteously saw them out. That evening, he sent Qiuse to the small courtyard Third Master Zhu had bought last year to invite him for dinner at their home. The two merchants hadn't expected an official to host them for dinner. Even a county magistrate in a remote area had his pride and looked down on merchant families—whether in Yangzhou or Jianping, it was always they who had to ingratiate themselves with the officials.

But now, seeing Third Master Zhu called away, they felt somewhat uneasy.

"Brother Wang, what do you think of this Meng Fulang?" asked the Zhao sugar merchant.

Wang, the grain merchant, wasn't yet close enough to him to speak openly. Since both had been brought together by Third Master Zhu, he sidestepped Zhao's question. "Meng Fulang is extraordinary in demeanor and speaks with substance, showing no contempt for us merchants. Truly admirable."

Zhao got a polite brush-off, and each harbored their own thoughts. Neither wanted to leave empty-handed, yet both feared that in Heshan's barren hinterlands, Meng Wan, as an official's spouse, might have hidden agendas with his sugar workshop.

They had intended to speak further with Third Master Zhu, but he didn't return all night. When they asked the Zhu family's escort, the escort said their master was staying overnight at Lord Song's residence.

Song Tingzhou was naturally delighted to see Third Master Zhu when he returned from the yamen. He hadn't seen Zhu Zening or Wu Zhaoyuan in a long time, and correspondence was inconvenient, so he earnestly asked after them.

Meng Wan took them to the barbecue place. Business was slow after dark, with only a few men without families came with wine to eat meat skewers, and children clamoring for fried chicken while family members bought it to take home.

Outside the shop, a large table was set up. Meng Wan had already told the staff to chill two jars of wine in the well water out back.

Deep-fried chicken and grilled vegetables came first. Third Master Zhu examined the golden-fried chicken pieces on the white porcelain plate. "Is this grilled meat? It looks different from what I've seen before."

Meng Wan explained, "Uncle, this is crispy chicken. Try it first; the grilled meat will be ready shortly."

Third Uncle Zhu picked up a piece with his chopsticks and took a bite. It was indeed crispy and tender.

Meng Wan poured him a cup of wine that had been chilled in the well. "Uncle, try this too. It's a local specialty, white gold melon wine. Everyone—men, women, young, old—loves it. It won't get you drunk easily, and it's soothing for the throat."

Just then, the meat skewers were grilled and brought out by the attendant—alternating fat and lean, sizzling with oil, the aroma of char-grilled meat mixed with cumin wafting over. Third Master Zhu took a sip of wine and a bite of meat, exclaiming in delight with every bite.

Chang Jinhua, getting on in years, wasn't allowed to eat greasy food at night by Meng Wan. He and Song Tingzhou accompanied as hosts, the three chatting and eating with great enjoyment, though they regretted that Wu Zhaoyuan and Zhu Zening weren't there.

"Last time, you said if it was convenient along the way, I should help you find some fruit and vegetable seeds. I've collected over a dozen kinds and stored them well. I'll bring them to you tomorrow."

Meng Wan's eyes lit up. "That would be wonderful! Thank you, Uncle!" His tone rose a pitch higher than usual, showing his genuine delight.

Song Tingzhou watched the curl of Meng Wan's lips and slowly took his lowered hand into his own palm, rubbing it gently, earning an even brighter smile in return.

---

The next day, Meng Wan woke up late. In the morning, Song Tingzhou sent Tao Jiu to accompany Third Master Zhu and the two merchants to the sugar workshop outside the city for an inspection.

"Is Meng Fulang unavailable?" Zhao, the sugar merchant, asked tentatively.

Tao Jiu didn't answer him. Third Uncle Zhu yawned and said, "Meng Fulang is the county magistrate's husband. Receiving us yesterday was already a favor to me. How could you expect him to wait on you?"

Zhao echoed, "Yes, yes." But he exchanged a meaningful glance with Wang, the grain merchant. It seemed they were being put in their place. This Meng Fulang was no pushover.

The sugar workshop's gate was locked. It wasn't yet the sugarcane harvest season, so few workers were inside, mostly cleaning and maintaining the tools.

Inside, the various workshops were neatly arranged in a logical sequence. Meng Wan had built it to process sugarcane from at least two towns. Just looking at the rows of warehouses and factories, one could imagine the bustling scene of sugar production in autumn and winter.

Seeing the scale and expansive grounds of the sugar workshop outside the county seat for the second time, Third Master Zhu couldn't help but marvel. If his son had even half of Wan Geer's abilities, he could build a family fortune without ever becoming a top scholar!

Wang and Zhao were equally stunned. Wang, as a Yangzhou grain merchant, had been quietly proud of himself in front of the others and held the most influence among the three. But in reality, Yangzhou was full of all kinds of merchants—salt, cloth, tea, sugar—and grain merchants were as numerous as hairs on an ox. His business had been declining over the past two years, facing the risk of being taken over. That was why he took a risk and followed Third Master Zhu to Heshan, looking for a new opportunity.

Wang didn't understand sugar works, so he was merely shocked by the scale of the Heshan Sugar Mill. Zhao, however, had been purchasing sugar from Yangzhou's workshops for years. He had seen the operations of the top-tier sugar mills there and was even more astonished to realize that the modest Heshan facility rivaled the scale of Yangzhou's sugar workshops, which were the epicenter of the sugar trade.