Chapter 89 Then you should warm me up too.
The news that General Li's wife had moved into the city spread quickly. When Lou Xueying, accompanied by Lou Boyu, Wu Zhao and others, was walking around the city to find out what was going on, she often sensed that some people were hiding behind the windows and secretly watching her.
Lou Xueying deliberately dressed herself up in a gentle and simple manner, speaking softly and smilingly when talking to the patrolling soldiers. As she expected, the people gradually lowered their guard after seeing her. In addition, she personally met with the shopkeepers of several shops to discuss matters and asked them to reopen their rice, flour, and oil shops. As a result, the people slowly started to come out and move around.
Inside the prefectural government office, in the main hall, Lou Xueying was meeting with Guo, the head of the local merchant guild.
"Manager Guo is really hard to invite. My people have invited him two or three times, but he's never available." Lou Xueying took a sip of tea and said with a faint smile, "In this day and age, to have a business as busy as Manager Guo's, I really congratulate Manager Guo."
Manager Guo chuckled twice.
He wasn't busy with business; war had broken out, and he was busy fleeing south. Unfortunately, he had too many shops under his control, so he couldn't go far in a short time. Eventually, he was caught and brought back by Li Pan's men.
"I'm just a small business owner trying to make a living. I hope you won't laugh at me, Madam."
Lou Xueying: "I have a big business opportunity here. I wonder if Manager Guo would be interested?"
"This..." Manager Guo said, "I wonder what kind of big deal it is that requires Madam's personal attention?"
Lou Xueying raised an eyebrow and pushed a brocade box in front of him.
When Manager Guo opened it, he found a pair of small, exquisite red jade cups inside, with a bright color and rich texture.
He took a deep breath: "What fine jade!"
“Of course it’s fine jade.” Lou Xueying chuckled. “It was originally intended as tribute to the palace, so how could it be bad?”
Manager Guo's eyebrows twitched.
Lou Xueying raised her hand and snapped the brocade box shut again.
“I have many more goods like these, or even better ones,” Lou Xueying said slowly. “Although they were originally intended as tribute, since they haven’t been stamped with the palace seal yet, they are just ordinary goods. The general is very busy and doesn’t have much time to deal with these. I know that Manager Guo has connections and channels, and his business has even reached Jiangnan. The wealthy households in Jiangnan love these kinds of goods. I wonder what Manager Guo thinks of this business?”
"This... Madam, it's not that I don't know the value of things, but business isn't so good these days..." Manager Guo said with difficulty. "Such treasures would be very expensive to transport to Jiangnan! And times have changed. The court's control over roads will only continue to tighten. I... I have the will but not the means!"
"Let's not beat around the bush. I understand Manager Guo's difficulties. In the current situation, it is indeed difficult to transport goods and not easy to sell them." Lou Xueying smiled. "So I am willing to give up some profits so that Manager Guo can earn some hard-earned money."
Manager Guo kept his eyes on her.
Lou Xueying said, "All the goods I have can be sold to Manager Guo at 70% of the market price. I say market price, but actually I'm taking a loss. You know, there are many unique items here that are priceless. From raw materials to craftsmanship, as long as you dare to exaggerate, someone will really buy them. Fortune favors the bold. It all depends on how much Manager Guo dares to set when he makes his move."
Manager Guo frowned: "Seventy percent... Madam, it's not that I don't want to do business with you, but I really don't have that much cash on hand."
The truth is, he just doesn't want to do this business. The jade business is certainly tempting, and if it were a year ago, he would have agreed immediately, but now, he's afraid he might earn the money but not live to spend it.
Lou Xueying wasn't annoyed and continued with a smile, "It's alright if you don't have cash. Grain, refined iron, medicinal herbs... these things can also be used as payment. I'm very easy to talk to, Manager Guo can rest assured."
Manager Guo: "..."
If we can barter, the profits will be much greater. What used to be 70% of the money can now be obtained for only 50% or 60%, which means we'll make double the profit!
His resolve began to waver, but reason told him that if General Li's rebellion failed and the court held him accountable afterwards, then he...
“I understand Manager Guo’s concerns,” Lou Xueying said softly. “But I sincerely advise Manager Guo that if you want this business to grow and last, you must be well-versed in politics. In less than two months, the general has captured four cities in succession, with unstoppable momentum. No military general in the entire court can compare with the general. My Lou family has been entrenched in the capital for a hundred years, with extensive connections that cannot be severed simply by leaving the capital. Returning to the capital is only a matter of time.”
At this point, she gave a meaningful smile and said, "Manager Guo, you've seen it too. My brothers have all left the capital safely long ago, but why is my father still in the capital? Does Manager Guo really think that my brothers can escape, but my father, the dignified Junior Secretary of the Secretariat, can't escape?"
Manager Guo was stunned for a moment: "Could it be...could it be that Lord Lou is in the capital...?"
"I think it's unnecessary for Manager Guo to know the specifics," Lou Xueying said, taking a sip of tea. "On another note, Manager Guo might consider this: the current imperial court doesn't value merchants. Even if it does, it only values wealthy merchants from the Jiangnan region. Merchants like Manager Guo, who mostly do business in remote areas, endure hardship and toil, and then pay taxes, meaning many days of work are wasted. But the General is different. The Northwest is his hometown. If he succeeds in the future, how could he possibly watch his hometown suffer? He will surely enact new policies to support his hometown, benefiting the surrounding areas as well. A few days ago, a new batch of winter military supplies arrived. Do you know where it came from, Manager Guo? It was donated by local powerful families from the cities we've conquered. By donating this batch, they exchanged it for a future 10% tax reduction from the General. Tell me, isn't this a worthwhile deal?"
Manager Guo stared in disbelief.
Who's so bold as to change their mind so quickly? Aren't they going to wait and see?
"Alright, that's all I have to say. Manager Guo doesn't need to give an answer today; you can go back and think about it slowly." Lou Xueying called out, "Wu Zhao, see the guest out!"
Wu Zhao pushed open the door and entered, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lou Xueying: "Madam, Manager Du of Yongxiangji has arrived."
Lou Xueying nodded and said, "Let's see Manager Guo out first, then invite Manager Du in."
Manager Guo: "..."
He had no choice but to bow as well, saying, "Then I shall take my leave."
Sure enough, he saw Manager Du waiting outside the prefectural government office.
Manager Du also saw him, frowned, and snorted softly, clearly still holding a grudge against him for taking away a large order at the beginning of the year.
Manager Guo was cautious and didn't go too far. He turned around and saw Manager Du bowing and scraping to Wu Zhao, then following him into the prefectural government office with a big smile on his face.
Manager Guo gritted his teeth, then turned and left.
-
Another night passed, and Li Pan returned home late.
“I’ll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning,” Li Pan said, putting his arm around Lou Xueying. “Your second brother is in charge of recording military reports, so he’ll be coming with us. But your eldest brother will stay in the city. If you need anything, just talk to him.”
"I know," Lou Xueying said. "Will the upcoming battles be a bit difficult?"
“Taking the city isn’t that difficult, but now that the imperial reinforcements have arrived, minimizing casualties is a challenge,” Li Pan said. “I would like them to surrender directly, but unfortunately they are unwilling.”
Lou Xueying asked, "Have you recruited quite a few people recently?"
Li Pan: "We incorporated some of the surrendered troops and recruited some new soldiers, which indeed greatly strengthened our forces, but also increased our expenses significantly."
Lou Xueying smiled and said, "It's alright, go ahead and fight. A new batch of supplies will arrive tomorrow."
Li Pan's eyes lit up: "You earned that?"
"Hmm." Lou Xueying wanted to be more reserved, but she couldn't help but show some pride on her face. "The merchant surnamed Du that I told you about is bold. He is willing to do business with me and exchange grain for the jade artifacts and trinkets I have. They will be delivered tomorrow."
"You swapped them all with him?"
"Of course not," Lou Xueying said. "It's our first collaboration, how can we change everything? I still need to check on his supplies."
"Susu is really amazing." Li Pan kissed her. "I remember there was another guy surnamed Guo, wasn't there? He didn't agree to be with you in the end?"
“He’s late,” Lou Xueying said with a smile. “He wanted to trade me for grain, but I told him that Manager Du had already placed an order with me and that his supply was stable. I have enough grain right now and don’t need any more for the time being. What I need more right now is refined iron.”
Li Pan raised an eyebrow: "Refined iron? You certainly know how to pick. Refined iron is much harder to obtain than grain."
Lou Xueying: "I've already inquired about it. There's a small privately-run iron mine about 200 miles away. The imperial court allows private mining, as long as taxes are paid. If he can get me some refined iron, I promise him that when you take the throne, I'll also reduce his taxes."
Li Pan: "He agreed to this thing that's not even close to happening yet?"
"If he doesn't agree, so be it. Now it's his turn to grab me, not the other way around," Lou Xueying said. "I already have Manager Du doing business with me. At worst, I'll just give all the remaining goods to Manager Du and let him make a fortune. Manager Guo doesn't dare to take the risk, so he shouldn't be envious of others. Besides, this isn't exactly a land of abundant resources. Once we go further south, everything—grain, cloth, copper, iron—will be much cheaper than here. We can just find local merchants then. If he misses out on me now, he'll miss out completely."
"You've thought of everything," Li Pan praised, "saving me a lot of trouble."
"It's also for myself." Lou Xueying kissed him back. "We're one, we have to solve problems together."
Li Pan suddenly sighed.
Lou Xueying: "Everything was going well, why are you sighing?"
“I just remembered that I once said that maybe I could spend the New Year comfortably in the Northwest. Looking back now, it was just wishful thinking,” Li Pan sighed. “On New Year’s Day, I was still on the road. You and I weren’t even together.”
"It's alright." Lou Xueying smiled. "Who's in the mood for celebrating the New Year at a time like this? We'll definitely be together next New Year."
Li Pan took out the amulet pouch from his pocket, waved it in front of her as if to show off, and said, "Look, this is the one you gave me. I've been carrying it with me all this time. It's intact and hasn't gotten dirty at all."
Lou Xueying then took out the cloth tiger from beside her pillow and said with a smile, "I brought the one you gave me."
Li Pan: "Oh, you even sleep together?"
Lou Xueying: "Since you're not here, I'll pretend it's you."
Li Pan stroked his chin: "Oh? Don't you always like to use me to keep warm? This inanimate object isn't even as big as your palm, how can you use it to keep warm?"
“No,” Lou Xueying said, “but if I hold it, I can warm it up.”
"Then warm me up too, rustle." He tossed the cloth tiger aside, and this tall and strong man insisted on snuggling into her arms. "Let's return the favor, you warm me up too."
Lou Xueying felt ticklish from his rubbing, and frowned while pushing him away and laughing: "Li Pan... Li Shitou! Stop fooling around, we have to break camp tomorrow!"
Li Pan pretended to be deaf and dumb, and pressed her down to kiss her.
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