Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 156 Expert advice
When the big customer arrived, Tan Huaike hurriedly went to greet him: "Boss Yu, what kind of incense have you taken a fancy to this time?"

Boss Yu was in his forties, with a large belly and a round, full face. He was always smiling and seemed like an honest yet shrewd businessman. He would often visit Wangchen Incense Shop when he had nothing to do, not only because his wife was quite fond of incense, but also because he himself was very interested in this business.

Tan Huaike once wondered if Boss Yu wanted to figure out the situation at her shop so he could open his own store and steal her business. Of course, she wasn't afraid of such competition. While being the only dominant player would earn more, it would also make her a thorn in the side of others. Moreover, her shop's incense production couldn't keep up with demand, and if she wanted to expand, she would need to broaden her business channels.

However, since Boss Yu only came to buy incense and never mentioned any other requests, Tan Huaike naturally didn't want to pry.

"My wife is urging me to see if your shop has any new scented pills. I'd appreciate it if Mr. Tan could recommend some." Mr. Yu greeted her, then looked behind her. "Oh, isn't this Lord Shentu? What a coincidence."

"I was wondering why I smelled that familiar scent of incense on Su Feng earlier. It turns out you're a regular customer of my sister-in-law's," Shen Tu Zhuo said politely. "I'm just here to help my sister-in-law out. I don't really know the ins and outs. You two chat, don't worry about me."

Boss Yu then began selecting incense.

Tan Huaike invited him into the fragrance room, let him try each fragrance one by one, and explained the usage and effects of each fragrance. Upon smelling one of the new fragrance pills, Boss Yu couldn't help but sneeze several times.

Tan Huaike quickly extinguished the incense pill, opened the window to let the lingering smell dissipate, and said, "Boss Yu's constitution is probably incompatible with styrax. It's best not to use anything containing this fragrance, lest it harm his health."

"Oh? Is it that serious? I thought it was just that I wasn't used to this smell." Boss Yu rubbed his nose.

“This is common. Everyone’s constitution is different. Just like some people cannot take certain foods or herbs, if you accidentally take them, you may get sick and develop a rash. In severe cases, your life may be in danger. You must not underestimate it,” Tan Huai Ke said. “I will not recommend any incense containing styrax to you and Madam Yu in the future.”

"Mr. Tan is so thoughtful." Mr. Yu was very satisfied. "Give me one of each of the new products you just mentioned, and also your most famous 'Joyful Tent Incense,' haha, last time I only got one box, which wasn't enough, give me some more."

Shen Tu Zhuo: "..." Is it really that useful?
Tan Huaike went to get him the incense box and said apologetically, "Boss Yu, everything else is fine, but the Huan Yi tent incense is really out of stock. We can't supply rare spices, and I'm worried about it myself. The shop has a new rule that even big customers can only buy one box at a time. Even so, I'm afraid my shop won't be able to survive for more than a few days."

Mr. Yu clicked his tongue and said, "Oh dear, this won't do. How can you let people want to buy it but not be able to?"

"Sigh, I don't want to disappoint our regular customers, but we're really short of those few precious spices. Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice." Tan Huai Ke sighed and tried to recommend the incense that he had more stock in stock. "How about this, I'll give you some other incense balls. Although they're not as precious as the incense in the tent, they still smell very good."

"Alright, I'll take them back for my wife to try and see if she likes them." Boss Yu generously bought a large pile of incense boxes and then said to Tan Huaike, "If I may ask, these common incense materials are of good quality, but they are not very popular. Why did you prepare so many, Boss Tan?"

When he brought it up, Tan Huaike thought to herself that this was probably the reason why Boss Yu had visited and inquired so many times. They had become familiar with each other after the first time, and this time he had finally come to talk to her about business.

Tan Huaike frankly admitted: "To be honest, my original intention was to create a fragrance craze in Andu. From the powerful to the common people, everyone would be interested in the fragrances from the Western Regions. In addition, I incorporated the fragrance-making formulas and techniques of the Great Xuan Dynasty. How could I not do well in business? But I never expected that these fragrance pills, which I thought were cheap and of good quality, would be so unpopular. Everyone only likes rare goods."

Boss Yu chuckled and said, "That's just how people in Andu are. Boss Tan, don't get hung up on this. Why do you insist on selling these common spices to ordinary people?" Tan Huai Ke paused for a moment and said, "But if we only do business with the powerful and wealthy, we can't expand. After all, only a few people can afford rare spices. Once we leave Andu, my spice business won't be able to survive."

"It's clear that Mr. Tan is quite ambitious and very knowledgeable in the industry," Mr. Yu said amiably. "I have a plan that might be able to help you. Would you be willing to listen to it, Mr. Tan?"

"I couldn't have asked for more, thank you so much for your guidance, Boss."

At this moment, Boss Yu revealed his shrewd side: "However, this plan is not given to you for nothing. I am quite interested in business in the Western Region, including your Yanzhisi and this Wangchenxiang Shop. I am currently preparing for a major event that will benefit everyone. If there is anything I need Boss Tan's assistance with later, I hope you will not refuse."

Tan Huaike hesitated, after all, she didn't know what Boss Yu was going to do. What if it was some kind of immoral business? Wouldn't that be like jumping into a fire pit for herself?

"This……"

“Sister-in-law, Yu Sufeng is a respectable merchant who never touches ill-gotten gains. I don’t think he would deceive you.” Shen Tu Zhuo suddenly interjected, and then winked at Tan Huai Ke.

Tan Huaike understood immediately: "Alright, thank you for your kindness, boss. I will do my best to help as long as it is within my power."

Shen Tu Zhuo was clearly acquainted with this Boss Yu. She didn't trust outsiders, but she trusted him. Hearing him say this, she guessed that he knew what the important matter Boss Yu was talking about was, and that he wanted her to seize the opportunity quickly.

Boss Yu was very pleased: "I have already told you my plan. I hope it will be useful to Boss Tan."

After saying that, he took more than a dozen incense boxes and went home to present them to his wife.
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Back in the incense room, Tan Huaike asked, "Why did you call him Yu Sufeng? As far as I know, Boss Yu doesn't have that name."

Shen Tu Zhuo explained: "The Biographies of Merchants states that there are those who have no official rank or salary, yet are as wealthy as feudal lords, and are called 'unemployed.' This means that people who have no official rank or fief, yet are as rich as feudal lords, are called unemployed. Boss Yu is exactly such a person."

Tan Huaike exclaimed with envy, "He's richer than a prince...he's so wealthy!"

Shen Tu Zhuo laughed and said, "Isn't that right? Although he is just a merchant, he is respected by many powerful people, which shows his strength. Moreover, he is indeed planning something big recently, so I don't think he would cheat you."

Tan Huaike pondered to himself, "Did he just tell me? What did he tell me?"

Shen Tu Zhuo, also unaware of the riddles Boss Yu was playing, helped her recall: "Just now, Boss Yu wanted to buy more Huan Yi... cough, tent incense from you. You said that the stock was too low, and some of the precious spices were scarce, so you could only sell him one box. Then, to express your apology, you gave him a few extra boxes of common spices... and then you asked why you were doing business with ordinary people..."

Tan Huaike suddenly opened his eyes wide: "I understand! So that's what it means!"
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Next chapter: I thought it was some kind of magical fragrant pill, but it's just this?