Chapter 67 Talking Business

After sorting out his thoughts, He Xing calmed down and realized that he had been driven to distraction by Zhang Jing, so he quickly stopped his mother.

"Son, didn't you tell me to hurry up and propose marriage?"

He Xingniang specially washed up and changed into a new set of clothes. She knew Liu Qiaozui, the matchmaker in town, who had such a silver tongue that she could talk the dead back to life. Taking Liu Qiaozui with her to propose marriage would increase her family's chances of success.

"No, there's no rush."

He Xing waved his hand, realizing that his years of planning had almost been ruined; acting too hastily was a major taboo.

His mother's impulsive arrival was bound to provoke Jiang Huai's resentment. Jiang Huai was a cunning old fox, and it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't guess what he was thinking.

The odds are clearly in his favor, what's the rush!

"But Jiang Huai has taken a liking to that Zhang Jing, what if..."

He Xingniang was not as clever as her son, and she listened to his every whim.

“Mother, don’t forget, Zhang Jing’s mother just died, and he is still in mourning.”

Marriage is forbidden during the three-year mourning period; otherwise, people will gossip about it. Zhang Jing is a rigid man and won't break the rules.

Unless Zhang Jing is willing to get married during the month-long mourning period after his mother's death, but Jiang Baozhu is only fourteen, the Jiang family would probably be reluctant to let her go.

"Let's go to the Jiang family first to test the waters. We must not reveal our intention to arrange a marriage. Just say thank you for the Jiang family's care over the years, and mention my father in passing."

He Xing squinted; he wasn't in a hurry at all.

"What if the Jiang family really intends to marry Baozhu to Zhang Jing?"

Marriage is a major life event, decided by parents and matchmakers, and the He family had no say in Jiang Baozhu's marriage.

He Xingniang always thought that He Xing's marriage to Jiang Baozhu was a done deal, and she kept waiting for Jiang Huai to bring it up so that the He family could get more benefits.

Unexpectedly, after several years of peace, a sudden change occurred.

"Mother, this is easy!"

If the Jiang family dares to play games with him, then He Xing will make sure they have nowhere to turn, and in the end, they will beg him to marry Jiang Baozhu while weeping bitterly.

A ruthless glint flashed in He Xing's eyes. If he ruined Jiang Baozhu's reputation or had someone rape her, and he appeared in time to save her as a hero, then he would be a great benefactor to the Jiang family!

"My son, scholars are often shrewd; you've certainly learned your lessons!"

He Xingniang's eyes lit up, and she praised He Xing repeatedly, saying that she couldn't have come up with such a simple plan.

The mother and son exchanged a smile, both determined to acquire the Jiang family's wealth.

While the He family mother and son were scheming, the atmosphere in the Jiang family was much more harmonious.

Lin Yuesha packed some spiced melon seeds and delivered them to the main courtyard. Jiang Huai happened to be home and praised the taste of the melon seeds.

"I don't eat sunflower seeds, I always feel they have no flavor. But if I eat these spiced sunflower seeds, I can have a couple of ounces of wine with them."

Jiang Huai was even more interested when he heard about the salty and fragrant roasted peanuts. These peanuts with the skin on are moisture-proof, and they can be peeled before eating and stored for a longer time, which is much better than homemade salted peanuts.

"Moon Silk, I never knew you had such skills."

Jiang Huai ate a few, then lowered his head to think.

Jiang Baozhu gave Lin Yuesha a wink, signaling her to mention Zhang Fang, as she wanted to find out more about her father's attitude.

These past two days, the family sent servants to help the Zhang family, but my parents haven't revealed a clear attitude.

"Master Jiang..."

Lin Yuesha nodded and was about to speak when she suddenly heard Jiang Huai say, "Yuesha, would you like to exchange these spiced melon seeds for silver?"

As the year draws to a close, the Jiang family frequently trades goods with the barbarians before the New Year, which is also the busiest time of the year for their business.

In previous years, the goods sold were nothing more than grains, tea, and porcelain. Occasionally, some pears were brought from the south, which were thrown outdoors and turned into frozen pears, giving them a unique flavor that was loved by the barbarian people.

A while ago, the barbarians sent a message saying they wanted some fresh food.

Jiang Huai stared at the spiced melon seeds, deep in thought. If you add roasted peanuts, wouldn't that be a great dish to go with drinks?

The barbarians live in even harsher climates than the northern lands, and they rely on strong liquor to get through the winter. If there are good dishes to accompany the liquor, they will surely be satisfied.

“Master Jiang, I do have this idea.”

Lin Yuesha made no attempt to hide her desire to make money. She had calculated that mass production of spiced melon seeds would be difficult, especially since they would need to be dried later on.

Her initial plan was to do some small-scale trading, exchanging money in towns and counties.

The process of making spiced melon seeds is too simple. I believe that someone will figure it out soon, but they won't add too many seasonings, so the taste will be a little different.

Ordinary people just want to eat something fresh and don't care much about the ingredients, but the addition of licorice and other medicinal herbs only increases the cost.

"This is a family recipe passed down through generations. Does Master Jiang intend to sell it to the son?"

Lin Yuesha spoke formally about business, prioritizing making money. As for Zhang Fang, that kid couldn't escape anyway, so he was secondary.

Jiang Baozhu was no longer in a hurry and patiently observed. She knew that her father liked Lin Yuesha very much and would never let her suffer a loss.

"If I buy the prescription, I'll be taking advantage of you."

Jiang Huai stroked his beard and said frankly.

The recipe for spiced melon seeds costs at most ten taels of silver, but the Jiang family is in the fur business, so even if they bought the recipe, it wouldn't be of much use.

Lin Yuesha understood all this, but in her heart she thought, even ten taels of silver would be good! Every little bit helps, it's money she earned through her own abilities.

“Here’s what I’m thinking: Yue Sha, you’ll be in charge of making a large batch of spiced melon seeds and roasted peanuts, which the Jiang family will then take to the barbarians for distribution. We’ll split the profits 50/50.”

Jiang Huai's offer of a 50/50 split was already quite generous.

"No, no, Master Jiang, let's split it 30/70, you get 70% and I get 30%."

Lin Yuesha stood up abruptly, her face flushed. She wanted to do business, not take advantage of others.

The sunflower seeds and peanuts—the raw materials—were all provided by the Jiang family; she was only responsible for the production. Furthermore, shipping goods to the barbarians required manpower and resources; how could she possibly take half? Wouldn't that be putting the Jiang family at a disadvantage?

Jiang Huai had intended for Lin Yuesha to earn money, and seeing how sensible she was, his opinion of her improved even more.

As expected, hearsay is not reliable. In Chenjia Village, the clan chief said that Lin Yuesha was a lazy and gluttonous girl, well-known in the nearby villages. Now it seems that someone must have been jealous of the girl's good looks and wanted to ruin her reputation.

"Don't worry, just take it."

Seeing that Lin Yuesha was about to decline again, Jiang Baozhu hurriedly expressed her support.

Having been reborn, Jiang Baozhu had the most contact not with her parents, but with Lin Yuesha, whom she already regarded as her own little sister.

Jiang Baozhu could tell that Lin Yuesha had a strong sense of self-respect, and Lin Yuesha refused to buy her clothes and jewelry.

"Didn't you say you wanted to buy your mother a nice coat? You'll have the money when my dad comes back from shipping the goods."

After Jiang Baozhu finished speaking, she found the inner room completely silent.

Jiang Huai opened his mouth wide, and Xu Shi had tears in her eyes. Then the couple hugged each other tightly. Their daughter had said so much!

Jiang Baozhu: "..." Oh no, I've been exposed!

“Baozhu is right. You deserve it, so don’t be shy.”

Jiang Huai calmed down for a while, but his tone was still somewhat agitated. Seeing this, Lin Yuesha stopped refusing.