Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 369 Cooperation
Listening to his clerk's words, the merchant couldn't help but sincerely admire, "This boss knows how to do business."

The shop assistant laughed and said, "Our boss said it's all because coal is so useful, otherwise we wouldn't be able to afford to open a perfume shop like this."

"However, the coal industry is just starting out, and there are definitely many good deals to come. What we have is nothing special."

That's true. Everyone senses the opportunity, but they just don't know where to start.

"Does your employer have any other ideas?"

The waiter said, "I don't know much..."

That means you know some things.

The merchant understood and quickly slipped a piece of silver to the shop assistant: "Just say whatever comes to mind."

The waiter thanked the two merchants before speaking again: "If you two have the time, why not stay here a little longer? The teahouse next door is quite lively, with many merchants gathered there chatting."

"We might hear some news from there."

As for what the news was, it was naturally related to buying and selling. A group of people might not think of something one person would, but they could easily come up with some ideas.

The two merchants exchanged a glance and both felt they should stay.

The person who came up with the idea of ​​a perfume shop and a greenhouse must be extraordinary; he might be intentionally bringing merchants together. Even if not, it wouldn't take much effort to listen in.

With this idea in mind, the two went out to inquire about information.

Sure enough, they found quite a few people like them walking around.

“Outside the city, heading west from here, a lot of land has been bought up.”

“Look,” someone picked up a twig and drew a map on the ground, “it will stretch from west to south, and in the future it will be another prosperous place, just like the Rainbow Bridge Wharf.”

The man became more and more excited as he spoke: "The Rainbow Bridge is full of merchant ships from the south. The land there has long been occupied. I should have realized that the government's coal mine could not possibly be located there."

Another person said, "I just heard the news too. The government has already surveyed the land west of the outer city, and the government coal yard will be opened there."

"Land near the official coal yard cannot be bought or sold. To the north is the military camp. If you want to get closer to the official coal yard, you can only go south. Isn't this the place? Merchant ships that buy coal can only dock here temporarily in the future."

"We can't seize the remaining land west of here either; countless merchants are eyeing it."

The merchants shook their heads.

"Isn't this just watching without being able to eat it?"

Someone said, "That's not necessarily true. The land has been bought, but the shops haven't opened yet, have they? If we could do business with the land buyer, wouldn't we be able to get a share of the profits?"

Everyone agreed that it made sense.

"Let's go to the teahouse."

As they spoke, the group headed into the teahouse, and several merchants who arrived later also joined them.

The teahouse staff immediately brought out several pots of tea, and everyone, forgetting about eating and drinking, began to discuss it intensely.

"Is that even a question? Any business that uses fire can be done."

"only……"

A man sat in the corner, dressed in a faded white robe that looked rather shabby. He shook his head and said, "It's not easy to figure out the right temperature for coal."

"By the time it's finished, it will probably be too late."

Shops and opportunities wait for no one. After saying this, the man fell silent, lowering his head to drink his tea. Seeing that he had nothing more to say, the others naturally stopped paying attention and began discussing other things.

As the merchants' voices grew louder, the young man sighed, picked up the teapot again, but this time only poured out half a mouthful of tea.

The pot was empty; it was time for him to leave.

The young man had just stood up and hadn't even taken a step when he saw someone walking towards the table.

The man was about thirty years old, dressed simply, but he looked worldly-wise. His eyes were very clear, as if one could tell what he was thinking at a glance.

"Brother, who are you...?" the young man asked politely.

“My surname is Zheng. Because I have three sworn brothers, I am known as Zheng San,” said Master Zheng San. “I am staying here while selling Buddhist charcoal in the capital. That’s when I noticed you, brother. Is there something troubling you? Why don’t you tell me?”

The young man's eyes lit up immediately when he heard the words "Buddha Charcoal".

"My brother Zhao Cheng owns a family-run vinegar-making workshop in the city. A few days ago, I bought some Buddhist charcoal to take home and found that it is better than regular charcoal."

"I heard that coal can be used directly, so I came to inquire about it."

Master Zheng said, "Coal can be used to make Buddhist charcoal, or it can be broken into small pieces and burned directly. The difference lies in what you want to use it for."

Zhao Cheng looked delighted: "Brewing vinegar requires steaming glutinous rice, but I don't know how to control the heat of the charcoal."

At this point, Zhao Cheng's smile faded, and his expression became awkward: "To be honest, Brother Zheng, charcoal has become increasingly expensive in recent years, and my family's workshop is about to go out of business."

"I want to try switching to coal, but unlike them... they don't have extra money to spare."

When changing coal, you need to test the fire temperature, and you need to brew vinegar at least a few more times to get a precise control.

"Is it because we're short of money?" Master Zheng said. "If our master can help, would you like to give it a try?"

Zhao Cheng stared in astonishment.

Master Zheng looked around and lowered his voice: "The boss is looking for people to do business with, so naturally they all have to be related to coal, after all..."

He said with a smile, "No one knows more about coal than us."

Xie Yuyan asked Master Zheng to stay in Bianjing to help because he valued Master Zheng's thoughtfulness and ability to select suitable people from among the many merchants to bring into the local association.

We can't openly mention the village association yet, but we can still do business with others.

The eldest daughter-in-law bought so much land, it was impossible for her to keep it all for herself. Firstly, they didn't have enough money and energy to fill the land all at once. Secondly, there were always endless business opportunities, so hiding it away would be useless.

The three brothers worked with Madam Xie in the Buddhist charcoal business. Not only did they not hinder Madam Xie's path to wealth, but they also made the Buddhist charcoal business even more prosperous. This is a precedent.

Anyway, Master Zheng now greatly respects Madam Xie, and he does whatever she asks him to do.

These people will be the same.

They came not to claim their money, but to become part of the village.

Zhao Cheng had thought he had no way out, but to his surprise, Master Zheng was willing to help. Even if he still had doubts, he couldn't give up easily and had to give it a try: "I... am naturally willing."

Master Zheng said, "Then let's go inside and talk."

Zhao Cheng stood up and left with Master Zheng. Before leaving, he looked at the merchants in the teahouse who were still talking about coal. He took a deep breath. Maybe... he really had seized the initiative.
……

Outside the teahouse, on the river not far away, Xia Ziqiao passed by in a boat. Looking at the bustling scene on the bank, Xia Ziqiao said, "So many merchants have suddenly come. It's clear that they all have a very keen sense of smell."

"What's that over there? When did so many houses appear?"