Dongzhu, also known as pearls produced in Northeast China.
I heard that a new batch of goods has arrived at the Treasure Street in Yuhang County. The beads are large and round, with a crystal-clear and lustrous color. They are rare and top-quality beads.
Zheng Ruqian immediately dropped his business and rushed over.
"Boss, slow down, slow down!" Wang Xiaosong chased after him, sticking his butt out. "Don't forget who you are now."
identity?
What is his/her identity?
Zheng Ruqian glanced down at the magnificent silk robe he was wearing and remembered that he had already used his fifth brother's connections to go from a minor imperial merchant who supplied lychees to a designated major imperial merchant.
He now represents not only himself, but also the face of the royal family.
Zheng Ruqian coughed twice, immediately stopped, and leisurely walked forward, fanning himself, completely ignoring the strange looks from the people on both sides.
Treasure Street, as the name suggests, is full of treasures.
There are bronze swords from the previous dynasty on the street, and spittoons from the dynasty before that at the end of the street, but what really attracts people are the rare and precious pearls from the East.
Going back a few dynasties, Dongzhu pearls were not so rare. After hundreds of years of intensive salvage, their quantity has become scarce, and high-quality, lustrous pearls have not been found for several years.
Unfortunately, he made a promise to his younger sister when he was young and ignorant. Now, in order to fulfill his promise, the second brother is going to great lengths to travel thousands of miles.
“Oh dear, Dongzhu pearls, you’re so rare now. Will you become a royal exclusive in the future?” Zheng Ruqian put away his folding fan. “Then I should buy more to leave to my descendants. They’ll be family heirlooms.”
He rushed towards the stall as if he had discovered a treasure.
Wang Xiaosong curled his lip. "Boss, you also said that if Dongzhu becomes a royal exclusive, ordinary people will be beheaded."
"Hey, you ignorant little Song, this is what you don't understand." Zheng Ruqian rolled up his sleeves. "If others can't use it, can't I? We have powerful backers, we're really strong!"
His square face was full of pride, and his big eyes and thick eyebrows were filled with excitement. He finally managed to squeeze to the front of the stall, but before he could even boast, he heard the stall owner say indifferently, "Sold out."
Sold out...?
Zheng Ruqian couldn't believe it and shouted, "I came all the way from Anshui County, how come they're all sold out? Are there any left? Even one will do!"
The shopkeeper didn't even look up. "Top-grade beads are rare. There are only five in total, and the last two were just sold."
This world is strange.
When you are poor, you feel that everyone is poor, not having enough to eat, wearing coarse linen clothes, and struggling to survive in the mud.
When you become rich, you realize that there are many wealthy people, and those who spend lavishly are everywhere. Those things that you thought were rare and precious are always bought up in the blink of an eye.
Disappointed but unwilling to give up, Zheng Ruqian pressed on, "Boss, where are the people who bought the Dongzhu? Have they gone far?"
If you're willing to pay a higher price, you might be able to buy it back.
Even if the chances are slim, we must not give up easily.
The boss looked up in surprise and pointed to the middle-aged man who hadn't gone far, "Look."
It was him who bought Dongzhu.
Zheng Ruqian's eyes shone brightly as he seamlessly switched back to shrewd businessman mode. In the blink of an eye, countless strategies flashed through his mind, including pleading, earnestness, and even a sob story.
But when he stepped forward, cupped his hands and called out "Brother," all the remaining words were stuck in his throat as the middle-aged man turned away.
Wang Xiaosong, always eager to follow along, immediately widened his eyes, looking left and right in disbelief, before finally exclaiming in awe, "It's so similar!"
They have the same thick eyebrows and big eyes, the same square face and wide mouth, and their frames are taller than average. When they are young, they are quite robust, but they will look fat if they eat a little more.
Eighteen-year-old Zheng Ruqian was full of vigor, while the middle-aged man opposite him had a round and prosperous appearance, his protruding belly seemingly pointing to the future from the two ends of time.
Nobody would believe that the two have no relationship.
Aside from appearances, there's a strange attraction flowing through our veins, like two hands that have never touched before trying to grasp each other.
"Who...who are you? Where did you come from?" The middle-aged man was the first to come to his senses, utterly shocked.
Zheng Ruqian followed closely behind and turned to leave.
"Boss, boss!" Wang Xiaosong followed along eagerly. "Why did you leave?"
Zheng Ruqian frowned deeply, recalling how his siblings had discussed their parents in the small courtyard in Fengjing. He said self-deprecatingly, "I have no father, and I have never met him. Even if I had, we wouldn't have recognized each other."
“That’s not necessarily true,” Changyan replied. “Second Brother’s appearance is quite unique in Da Yu. If he took after Father, I’m afraid he would be easily recognized.”
The words came true.
On the streets of Yuhang County, he actually met that person.
After he became self-reliant and no longer needed his parents' care.
"Why aren't you leaving? Hurry up and leave." Zheng Ruqian said coldly, "Be careful if you're slow."
"But, we don't want the Dongzhu anymore?" Wang Xiaosong scratched his head.
The hurried young man suddenly stopped, and the wind rushed from behind him, causing his wide sleeves and robes to flutter forward.
Oh right, Dongzhu.
That was a promise he made to his sister, a treasure he had dreamed of since he was young. Why wouldn't he accept it?
He just wanted the pearl, nothing more.
Zheng Ruqian silently recited the mantra in his heart, slowly turned around, and met the eyes of the panting middle-aged man.
"Are you selling pearls?" he asked blankly. "I'll pay double the price."
“I can sell it,” the middle-aged man replied, “but I have some questions.”
So Zheng Ruqian went from Baowu Street to the hall of the Ren family, a prominent family in Yuhang County.
In each county town, there are powerful families that have become local tyrants. The Ren family is undoubtedly the head of the aristocratic families in Yuhang County, equivalent to the Wang family's status in Anshui County.
The middle-aged man in front of me, Master Ren, was once the prefect of Yuhang County. His eldest son had already gone to the capital to take the imperial examination. His family was a more established scholarly family than the Wang family.
At this moment, he looked Zheng Ruqian up and down, his eyes showing emotion, scrutiny, and probing. "What is your name? Where are you from? Do you still have family?"
"All alone." Zheng Ruqian lowered his eyelashes. "How much for the pearl?"
"Where do you come from? Why haven't I seen you in Yuhang County?" Master Ren continued to inquire.
"Anshui County," Zheng Ruqian began impatiently, "Are you selling the Dongzhu pearls?"
Master Ren was lost in deep thought and recollection. He must have remembered that nineteen years ago, when he passed through Anshui County, he had a one-night stand in a brothel. He could no longer remember the woman's face, but he was shocked to find that blood was still flowing in her veins.
"Good child, could you tell me your date of birth?" He decided to make one last attempt. "And would you be willing to have your blood tested..."
“No,” Zheng Ruqian interrupted almost rudely. “I don’t want to either.”
"I'm here to buy Dongzhu. You can sell it or not," the boy said in a muffled voice. "I'm here to do business, nothing more."
Master Ren stood there, stunned.
The butler behind him could no longer bear it and raised his voice, "At most, you are just a concubine's son. It is your blessing to be able to recognize the Ren family. With the support of the Ren family, the master's connections, and the future achievements of the eldest son in the court, there are countless people who would fight tooth and nail for you. You should cherish this blessing!"
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