bullyxtreme Chapter 169 When did we become so familiar?
Chapter 169 When did we become so familiar?
Yan Cheng'an rolled his eyes: "Why are you in such a hurry to look at the goods? I need to talk to Miss Yu about the spice business, that's the important thing!"
Even the most expensive inkstone can't make as much money as incense. Besides, he had something more urgent to do: find Yu Wanran.
Yu Wanran introduced Zhong Yeliu to everyone with a smile: "This is my most trusted housekeeper, Miss Zhong Yeliu. Young Master Yan can talk to her about the Chengni inkstone; she represents me on his behalf."
Yan Xing'an looked at Zhong Yeliu, somewhat amazed by her beautiful appearance. Seeing that Zhong Yeliu greeted him with grace and composure, he couldn't help but say, "I didn't expect Miss Yu to have such a capable person by her side."
Wangyou and Yanqing carried the box of Chengni inkstones and followed Zhong Yeliu. Yan Xing'an led them to another room to inspect the goods and make negotiations.
Yan Cheng'an instructed Xiao Ze to stand guard outside the door and not allow anyone to enter before sitting down to discuss things in detail with Yu Wanran.
Yu Wanran found his seriousness somewhat puzzling: "Young Master Yan, are you encountering difficulties in your spice business?"
It's perfectly normal for such high-end luxury goods, which are only accessible to the powerful and wealthy, to encounter difficulties in their operation! If Yan Cheng'an can't solve it, she doesn't have any good solutions at this stage either.
Yan Cheng'an knew she was eager to know about the spice business, so he didn't want to get straight to the point. He called Xiao Ze outside the door to bring in the account books for Yu Wanran to see.
"Miss Yu, don't worry, the spices sold very well after we got them. I just let them know a little bit, and the spices I kept in the shop were all snapped up in just a few days!"
"Next, once the Pahang merchants bring in a large quantity of goods, I plan to expand to the entire Da Zhao region through branches in various towns! Here is the record for this batch of spices, along with your share of the profits. Miss Yu, would you like to take a look?"
Yu Wanran glanced at the silver notes she had just received. They were in a flat wooden box, a thick stack of them, and she didn't know how many there were.
Opening the ledger, every sale was recorded, and the buyer's identity was clearly identified. After deducting housing tax and various costs from the total sales, the profit was 10,030 taels.
That means she invested 935 taels and made a net profit of 5,015 taels. The spice business was indeed extremely profitable.
After returning the ledger to Yan Cheng'an and accepting the banknotes, Yu Wanran smiled and said, "Young Master Yan, you've worked hard. Let's cooperate again next time the Pengheng merchants come to the capital."
Yan Cheng'an's eyes turned completely resentful.
"Miss Yu, we're already business partners, why are you being so polite?"
Yu Wanran looked puzzled.
Yan Cheng'an's eyes darted around, and he spoke haltingly.
"From now on, shall we call each other by our given names? You can call me Cheng'an; and I'll call you Ranran, just like your father and your eldest brother?"
Yu Wanran...
When did they become that close?
However, seeing Yan Cheng'an's shy expression, with even his ears turning red, she was surprised to find him not unpleasant.
The young nobleman before me, who should have experienced countless trials and tribulations, possesses an innocence that is not befitting his status and social class.
She vaguely guessed what the other person was thinking. Compared to directly rejecting Si Yuankai, she hesitated for a moment when facing Yan Chengan.
In that instant, Yan Chengan cleverly brought up the important matter.
"Ranran, your master is very knowledgeable. Have you ever heard him mention divination?"
"Occupy people?"
Yu Wanran recalled for a moment and nodded: "Does it refer to Champa? There are some small island nations in the southeast of the sea, one of which is called Champa. The people of that country are called Champa people."
"This place really exists!"
Yan Cheng'an straightened his back, leaned forward, and his excitement was clearly visible.
"Ranran, have you heard of that place where there is an exceptionally precious medicinal herb called Fire Coral? Medical books record that when it is combined with a thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum, it can be used to make the Ice Jade Detoxification Pill, which can cure any poisonous sores and malignant diseases?"
Yu Wanran shook her head: "Never heard of it."
She used to be a merchant, dealing in common, well-known commodities. These legendary, rare items were difficult to even inquire about, let alone buy or sell. Why would she bother with such a thankless task? Naturally, she didn't understand.
Yan Cheng'an, who had just straightened his back, hunched back down, looking dejected with a furrowed brow.
"if……"
After a moment, he still wouldn't give up and asked again, "If someone were willing to go to any lengths to get their hands on this legendary fire coral, would you be willing to help, Ranran?"
Yu Wanran immediately became alert.
Is Yan Cheng'an trying to get close to her because he's waiting for her here? Does he want to use her to get fire coral in Champa?
Why was he in such a hurry to get this medicinal herb? Was a family member sick? Or...?
Suddenly, he realized the power behind Yan Cheng'an.
In the previous life, the crown prince died young, reportedly from a chronic illness, which led to the throne falling into the hands of the second prince. If the crown prince had lived, no matter how many schemes the second prince employed, he could never have seized the throne!
After all, the Crown Prince was the eldest son and the legitimate son of the Empress. He was known for his kindness and wisdom, and was deeply loved by the Emperor and Empress and respected by the ministers.
However, venturing out to sea is extremely risky, and without thorough preparation, she has no intention of engaging in overseas trade. Let alone searching for that elusive fire coral!
Don't let her go and not come back alive. She's finally been reborn, and things are going smoothly for her right now. It's not worth risking her life for complete strangers!
The other party is the Crown Prince. Once he is openly drawn into the vortex of palace intrigue and political struggle, his family will also find it difficult to be safe.
Yan Cheng'an's eyes were covered by a thick layer of gray.
He could see that Yu Wanran's expression was one of rejection. However, thinking of the one suffering from an incurable disease, growing weaker and weaker, lying in the hospital bed desperately awaiting death, his heart ached.
He could disregard the fact that his family was about to lose its biggest backing. But he was heartbroken to see his childhood friend endure such daily torment.
The imperial physician searched through medical books and found this ancient remedy. He hadn't dared to try it before, unsure of its veracity. Now that he knew for certain that the fire coral wasn't just a legend and that Champa truly existed overseas, he was immediately intrigued.
After Yu Wanran gave an affirmative answer, Yan Chengan could no longer sit still. He stood up and said, "Ranran, thank you for telling me all this. This matter is very important to me. I'll take my leave now, and I'll treat you to dinner another day!"
The other party didn't force her to help, and Yu Wanran breathed a sigh of relief. She stood up to see him off and reminded him, "Young Master Yan, going to sea is extremely risky. If you want to go overseas to find this legendary medicinal herb, think twice before you act!"
Whatever mishap Yan Cheng'an caused, she lost a business partner; it's a real shame.
Yan Cheng'an smiled.
Some things, you can't simply refrain from doing just because you know they're dangerous. Knowing there are tigers in the mountains, yet still venturing into the tiger's den! Of course, that's his responsibility; he can't let Yu Wanran be implicated because of it.
Since Yu Wanran had expressed her unwillingness to participate, he wouldn't force her. He'd rather go back and discuss it further.
After Yan Cheng'an left, Yu Wanran went to the side hall. Yan Xing'an had already inspected the goods and was chatting happily with Zhong Yeliu, discussing the price.
Upon seeing her arrive, Zhong Yeliu stood up to report.
"Master, Young Master Yan has decided to sign a long-term supply agreement with our Chengya Inkstone Shop. However, the condition is that, apart from our one retail store in Huangshan County, he cannot sell to other merchants in bulk. What do you think, Master?"