Chapter 256 Discussion
Lin Changning hummed in agreement, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed tightly. He was so focused on getting the person out that he hadn't realized that in ancient times, farmers, artisans, merchants, and traders were the lowest social classes and had almost no contact with high-ranking officials and nobles.
It was indeed her oversight in this matter.
Lin Changning glanced at Gao Huan: "Sir, do you have any way to get in touch with those high-ranking officials and nobles?"
Gao Huan nodded: "There is a way. The nobles in the capital are not short of rare things, but there is one thing. Rare fruits from remote areas cannot be bought because they are offered as tribute to the court. Firstly, transportation is troublesome and fruits and vegetables are difficult to keep fresh. Secondly, the difficulty in keeping fresh results in fewer traveling merchants transporting fruits and vegetables. So, if fresh fruits and vegetables are brought into the mansion, the steward will surely agree. This is an opportunity."
Lin Changning was a little annoyed: "It will take half a month to travel this route. Even if it is chilled, it will not be easy to deliver it."
Nowadays, some fruits transported by air are difficult to keep fresh, let alone now. Fortunately, it only takes 3 to 4 days to arrive, as long as it's not a remote area. But in the past two weeks, fresh fruits and vegetables would have gone bad.
Gao Huan suddenly burst into laughter, a hearty laugh that left Lin Changning somewhat bewildered. Gao Huan glanced at Lin Changning and said with a smile, "Those fruits and vegetables were all prepared in the capital and are currently being kept in ice cellars. Master, there's no need to worry. They weren't transported from afar. A few days ago, I had people transport large quantities of those fruits and vegetables to the capital. The slightly less fresh ones have already been made into dishes, while the fresh ones are still being kept. For the past two weeks, there have been convoys transporting fresh mangosteens to the capital, and the spoiled and not fresh ones have been removed."
Lin Changning sighed silently, "That must cost a lot of money."
Gao Huan's smile faded slightly: "Everything is for the sake of the eldest princess, so we started making preparations for the manor a while ago. As long as the princess and the young lady can come back, it will be worth any price the manor has to pay."
Lin Changning pursed her lips and hummed in agreement.
Mr. Gao sighed, lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked outside. It was a pity that the eldest princess had endured so much humiliation in the capital for the sake of the royal family.
If it weren't for the news that the princess's attendants risked their lives to deliver a few days ago, they wouldn't have known that the young lady almost died of illness in the Marquis's mansion.
Now, the prince is so angry about this that he can't stand it anymore. No matter how his advisors try to persuade him, he insists on taking his daughter and granddaughter away from that hellhole in the capital.
So the caravan began planning half a month ago. As long as they could get the people away from the Marquis's mansion, they were confident they could protect the eldest princess and the young lady back to Taiyuan.
Gao Huan turned to look at the young military officer beside him, patted Lin Changning's thigh and reminded him: "Young master, the capital is not like the border and the army. If you want to get close to the capital, you must pay attention to your behavior. Once you give yourself away, let alone rescue the princess, it will be difficult for you and me to get away."
Lin Changning straightened his expression and nodded: "I understand, Uncle Gao."
That evening, the group found a post station to stay at. Lin Changning had a room to himself, which was a superior room. Mr. Gao Huan also had a superior room, while the rest of the group squeezed into a large dormitory.
This is the usual practice for caravans. Lin Changning also left a few people on guard duty on the caravan's wagons, because the goods on the wagons were what they would earn money from this trip. So, whether they stayed at a post station or spent the night in the wild, they would leave people on guard.
The next morning, Lin Changning got up early and changed into a scholar's cap, a blue narrow robe, a jade belt around his waist, and long boots. He also had a jade pendant with the family crest carved on it. The overall look was neat but not fancy, practical but not extravagant.
Gao Huan knocked on the door, and Lin Changning opened it. Gao Huan placed the food on the table and looked Lin Changning up and down. His blue narrow robe, Confucian headscarf, and the emblem of the Lin family of itinerant merchants made him look elegant and handsome, which suited the image of a Confucian merchant.
However, Lin Changning's expression remained tense, appearing more resolute, and his phoenix eyes swept over with an imposing presence.
Gao Huan nodded and turned to close the door, reminding him, "Young Master is handsome, but could you tone down your imposing aura? Merchants are usually shrewd and should always have a smile on their face. Your back is a bit too straight. In the capital, there will be many important people around. Smile more and bend your back a little more; it will suit your status better."
Upon hearing this, Lin Changning smiled warmly, his phoenix eyes crinkling, his straight back slightly hunched, presenting a charming and smooth demeanor.
"Uncle Gao, what do you think of this?"
Gao Huan joked, "If the young master were to take another fan, he could easily pass for a romantic scholar in a brothel, hahaha."
After making the joke, Gao Huan said, "That's fine. Young master, you are very handsome. If you want to deal with noble ladies from wealthy families, you are more suitable. With such a handsome face, I believe it would be hard for any noble lady to refuse you."
Lin Changning couldn't help but laugh when she heard Gao Huan teasing her: "If that's the case, then it will save you a lot of trouble."
After having a simple meal with Gao Huan, Lin Changning and the others set off again. Gao Huan said that the next town had high-quality brocade, which had been ordered a few months ago.
This time, we're going to collect brocade. After all, they're itinerant merchants entering the capital, and if they don't have some valuable items to back them up, it'll be easy for people to spot their problems.
After receiving the brocade, the carriage was almost half full. When Lin Changning got into the carriage, she was stared at by many young girls on the street, which made her blush.
Once in the car, Gao Huan couldn't help but start nagging again: "Young master, you've been traveling around for two years now, how come you still blush when girls look at you? You've been to brothels and taverns countless times, you need to change this habit, you look like a greenhorn."
Lin Changning: ...
Thank you, I really will.
After nodding in agreement, the group set off again, as they planned to purchase another batch of high-quality pearls at the next city.
However, whether or not they can acquire these pearls depends on how many competitors there are.
Those were a batch of sea pearls with extremely pure color and excellent luster. There was only one bushel of them. I heard that the rest were all offered as tribute to the palace. Apart from the empresses in the palace, they were hardly circulated among the common people.
The remaining batch of sea pearls was recently retrieved and is currently being auctioned. Gao Huan has already secured a bidding slot, and having these sea pearls would make their actions much easier.
However, the price of this batch of pearls is likely to be high. When they came out this time, the prince gave them a budget of five thousand taels of silver. After deducting the two thousand taels of silver to be kept, if the bidders are not too outrageous, it should not be a problem to get this batch.
"Young Master, our bottom line for the auction at Zhenlou Brokerage tomorrow is three thousand taels. If nothing unexpected happens, we should be able to secure it, but any more than that..."
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