Chapter 215 – Irritated

Xie Yi only nibbled on a few slices of roasted camel hump before stopping, then had some barley porridge. Xu Chun knew he was very restrained with his diet; even if something tasted good, he wouldn’t overindulge, let alone these exotic dishes.

The Eight Delicacies mostly consisted of strange things—camel humps, monkey lips, monkey brains, etc. During his former days of frivolity and debauchery, he had coincidentally tried them. But for Xie Yi, who was strictly disciplined from a young age, he barely touched fatty or sweet things. He must never have tasted them before, which was why Xu Chun had deliberately gone through great lengths to find something interesting for him to try.

Indeed, Xie Yi didn’t disappoint. He was very accommodating, simply saying it was delicious. But Xu Chun could tell from his expression that he wasn’t overly fond of it. So, he grilled a few slices of potato for him, sprinkling some spices on top. Xie Yi indeed liked this. He also ate more of the honey-glazed shrimp and honey-baked pork ribs as usual.

The two chatted and laughed through dinner. After changing into casual clothes, they mounted their horses and galloped out of the rear palace gate. They rode along the banks of Chunming Lake, passing through Bamboo Branch Workshop. Xu Chun specifically went inside and took out a bag of copper coins, shaking them in front of Xie Yi. “Without this, we’ll be stuck in the night market.”

Xie Yi chuckled, not mentioning that his guards naturally carried money. Instead, he praised him. “As expected, Yuanlin thinks of everything.”

They rode their horses first to the western night market, which was the favorite spot for commoners. The teahouses, taverns, inns, and restaurants were still brightly lit and open for business. There was a small alley where food stalls lined the streets, wafting the enticing aroma of food. Xie Yi handed his horse to the guards to lead away, and the two walked inside.

Although they had just eaten, after running around on their horses, Xu Chun bought whatever new food he saw. Soon, Xie Yi tried some strange sour fruits, honeyed pumpkin seeds, and lavender ice water, among other oddities. They watched some street performers and magic shows, then visited antique shops and art galleries.

Xu Chun bought a pair of carnelian fan tassels. They weren’t expensive, and the rare white ice carnelian was clear like ice. The natural golden-red patterns on it resembled phoenixes.

The antique shop owner was skilled at sales. Seeing them eye the pair of fan tassels, he said, “Both of you look refined and noble. This pair of phoenix fans suits you perfectly. It’s called ‘Ninefold Flute Music, Phoenix Comes to Pay Homage’. Whenever it appears, the world is at peace.”

As soon as he said these auspicious words, Xie Yi’s brows relaxed, clearly in a good mood. He held the fan tassel without speaking, examining the phoenix pattern through the light.

Xu Chun smiled but didn’t haggle, paying the price in silver. “Indeed, under a benevolent ruler, the world is peaceful. Boss, you sure know how to talk. Do you have anything else good?”

He took one of the fan tassels and handed it to Xie Yi. “Brother Jiu, when you’re free, can you write something on my fan?” Xie Yi replied, “Didn’t I just write something for you the other day? Why don’t you draw instead? I see your skills improving, especially in portraits.”

His tone was calm, but Xu Chun blushed fiercely, not replying. His eyes flickered with a hint of irritation.

The owner saw Xu Chun’s generosity, his luxurious attire, and the intimacy between the two. Looking at their faces, they didn’t resemble each other much, and their accents were different. They couldn’t be brothers. He chuckled. “I do have another set of items here. I wouldn’t normally take them out for just anyone. Those who like them can’t afford them, and those who can afford them might not appreciate them.”

Xu Chun declared boldly, “Just bring them out for us to see. Your young master has plenty of money!”

The owner chuckled and opened a cabinet, taking out a pair of fans adorned with translucent tourmaline peach pendants. “This pair of fans is called ‘Peach Blossoms Flourish’. They are exquisitely crafted, and I bought them at a high price. I’ve been looking for the right buyer.”

Xu Chun casually picked one up and unfolded it. Taken aback, he immediately closed the fan, his ears turning red. He threw the fan back into the box. “This isn’t good. Show us something else!”

Seeing Xu Chun’s embarrassment, the owner was surprised. Thinking he had misunderstood, he put them away and laughed. “It seems the gentlemen aren’t interested. I also have some exotic goods from the West. Would you like to come in and see them?”

Xu Chun feared that Xie Yi would also want to see the fans and quickly said, “Western goods are fine, but we’re discerning customers. We won’t buy if the goods are bad.”

The owner smiled, leading them inside. “Please, upstairs. Of course, they’re good goods. Have you heard of Lord Linhai? These are all goods brought back by his ocean-going ships! Ordinary people can’t get their hands on these goods.”

Xu Chun mocked, “You’re just making things up. Who doesn’t know that Lord Linhai’s foreign goods are sold exclusively at the maritime market? How could they possibly be available here? Whenever something is from the West, you claim it’s from Lord Linhai’s ocean-going ships.”

The owner replied, “That depends on individual abilities. The fleet has dozens of ships, and there’s so much cargo. There’s always a way for some to leak out.”

Xu Chun thought the owner was bragging and remained silent with a smile. Knowing he didn’t believe him, the owner continued promoting his wares. “In any case, they’re all good foreign goods. Young Master, just take a look.”

Upon reaching the upper floor, they found it was indeed filled with exotic goods—tobacco pipes, snuff bottles, Western tobacco, Western mirrors, Western lace, Western paper, Western paintings, Western clocks, ivory products, telescopes, and more.

Xu Chun casually picked up a magnifying glass and laughed. “It’s really foreign goods. Look at these glasses, so thin.”

The owner proudly stated, “Didn’t I say so? These glasses sell well! Embroideresses and scholars, who strain their eyes, love buying these to see clearly at night while reading or embroidering. The factory in Jinhai Fort is also imitating them, but they have not been able to produce them yet. These are genuine foreign goods, not imitations.”

Xu Chun was speechless.

Seeing Xu Chun’s slightly changed expression, somewhat displeased, Xie Yi assumed he felt embarrassed about the Jinhai Fort machinery factory being criticized in front of him. He consoled him, “We’ll be able to replicate them soon enough. Then, they’ll be cheaper.”

The owner commented, “That’s true. That’s why these things sell for a premium while they’re rare. Once we start producing them too, they’ll become cheaper. Take advantage of the rarity now and buy them as gifts. They’re very presentable! I’m not exaggerating; the goods here might even surpass the tributes to the palace!”

Xu Chun’s face turned even uglier. He put down the glasses, turned to glance at the sky outside, then turned back and smiled as if nothing had happened. “Boss, these are all small trinkets. I’m returning home soon and wanted to buy a substantial gift for my grandfather. These novelties don’t count as valuable.”

The owner noticed a hint of Minzhou accent in his speech and asked with a smile, “My eyes must be failing me. So, this young master is from Minzhou? There are many foreign goods there, no wonder you don’t fancy these. May I ask what business this young master is doing in the capital?”

Xu Chun replied, “Business isn’t easy these days. I just deal in pearls. Now, Western glass beads sell more, and fewer people buy pearls. Business isn’t good.”

Hearing his insider knowledge, the owner laughed. “That’s true. Many glass beads aren’t actually made in the West. They’re produced in the kilns of Jinhai Fort. The glass beads and glass lanterns they produce sell well and are innovative. I do have a Western glass screen here. It’s inlaid with colorful glass and depicts Western figures. It’s also intricately painted, but…”

He hesitated for a moment. “There are nude women on the Western painting, and some winged cherubs who are also nude. It might not be suitable as a gift for your grandfather.”

He mentioned it beforehand, considering the young man’s earlier shyness.

Xu Chun said, “Let me take a look.”

The owner led them into the inner room, where many more expensive goods were displayed, such as a standing Western clock with a depiction of a nude Western blonde beauty, and many babies with pure white wings flying in the air, scattering flowers.

Xu Chun stared for a moment. Seeing that he showed no embarrassment and the elder brother beside him was unperturbed, the owner felt slightly relieved, introducing the goods in the room.

After looking around, Xu Chun splurged and bought the extremely expensive standing clock. “This is good; it can be placed in the hall.” The clock cost ten thousand taels of silver, but Xu Chun pulled out a banknote from his pocket and handed it to the owner without changing his expression, seemingly carefree.

The owner received the banknote with both hands. Seeing that it was a banknote from Rongqing Hall in the capital, with a specially-made purple watermark, he was reassured. Indeed, this was a young master who could spend extravagantly. Determined to sell more goods, he hurriedly smiled. “It’s really good. A bird chimes every hour. However, if it’s for an elder, some people might find the connotations undesirable.” It was a kind reminder. After all, giving a clock was homophonous with sending off a loved one. If the young master hadn’t considered this and gave it to his grandfather, trouble would ensue. The clock was expensive, and if a refund was requested later, it would be troublesome.

Xu Chun laughed. “I understand. This clock will go in the dining room. I did have an idea for a gift, but I couldn’t find it in the capital. I figured you wouldn’t have it either. Forget it, I’ll think of another way.”

The owner was surprised. “The goods here might not cover everything, but we have a wide range. What does the young master wish to buy?”

Xu Chun smiled amiably. “I heard that Lord Linhai’s fleet returned with a type of machine gun. It can load and fire automatically, shooting a hundred bullets at once. I’ve been seeking to purchase it for a long time, but I couldn’t find a way. My merchant convoy often encounters bandits. I wanted to buy one to take back. My great-grandfather would be delighted, and it would be a source of pride for our family.”

The owner looked troubled. “That’s indeed a bit difficult.”

Understanding, Xu Chun said, “This item can’t be sold publicly. I offered five hundred thousand taels but couldn’t buy it. Forget it, I’ll think of another way…”

The owner pondered for a moment and said, “Young Master is indeed well-informed. However… if you increase the price a little and give me some time, I can try for you. You need to pay a deposit of ten thousand taels first. I won’t take a penny of the deposit; it’s just to pave the way for you, showing sincerity. As you know, this matter…” He lowered his voice. “Could cost us our heads…”

Surprised, Xu Chun looked at him. “Do you really have a way?”

The owner said, “I don’t have complete confidence, but I can probably manage a fifty-fifty chance. If you can wait, I can try to feel out the situation for you, but I can’t guarantee you’ll get it. Also…” He hesitated. “The deposit might not be refunded if it fails. After all, the other party is powerful… I can’t guarantee the deposit will be returned.”

Xu Chun agreed readily. “I understand that. You can’t catch a rabbit without a trap. No problem, I’ll give you ten thousand taels first. Go ahead and feel out the situation for me.”

Saying that, he casually took out another banknote worth ten thousand taels from his pocket and handed it to the owner. “Even if the deal doesn’t go through, we can remain friends. Boss, you’re so well-connected. Even if the deal falls through, let’s be friends.”

The owner chuckled. “Not at all. May I ask for this young master’s esteemed surname?”

Xu Chun replied casually, “My surname is Fan.”

Relieved, the owner knew that the Fan family in Minzhou specialized in selling sea pearls and supplied the palace. Indeed, they were a famous clan among the Min merchants, and he had a banknote as proof. He said, “Then, where is Young Master staying? When I get news, I’ll send someone to contact you.”

Xu Chun said, “I have a shop in Lamp Lane. Just send a message there when you hear something. I’ll send someone to inspect the goods.”

The owner said, “Perfect. Then, should I have this clock packed and delivered to you tomorrow?” He wanted to test if the other party was genuine.

Xu Chun said, “Yes.”

Once it was settled, the owner escorted Xu Chun and Xie Yi downstairs, bowing repeatedly until they left. Indeed, he saw guards and servants following them, confirming they were the sons of a wealthy family.

Xu Chun strode through the bustling crowd, his cheeks burning red, his eyes shining brightly. Seeing him angry, Xie Yi knew something must have happened. Looking around, he didn’t mind being in the middle of the street and reached out to grab Xu Chun’s wrist.

When Xu Chun’s wrist was caught, he turned to see Xie Yi looking at him with concern. He suddenly came back to his senses, afraid he had scared Brother Jiu. He smiled at him, his expression not as ugly as before. Xie Yi said, “Isn’t your bookshop nearby? Let’s go there and sit for a while.”

Xu Chun, full of anger with nowhere to vent, naturally said, “Okay.”

Chunxi had already gone ahead to inform them. Soon, the two arrived at the bookshop. The tea rooms on the second and third floors were still bustling with scholars drinking tea, copying books, reading, and socializing. Business was excellent. In recent years, Leisure Cloud Workshop had continuously released the latest editions of rare books, making it a renowned bookshop in the capital.

They directly went to Xu Chun’s private tea room on the third floor. Sitting down to wait for tea, Xu Chun angrily told Xie Yi, “Those goods! They were actually the latest foreign goods brought back by Miss Helan this time! Someone actually dared to embezzle and sell the goods secretly! They even dared to resell guns!”

Xu Chun’s chest heaved as Xie Yi poured him a cup of tea. Xie Yi said, “A large tree always has dead branches. Don’t ruin your health over it. It’s a good thing we discovered it early. Have some tea.”

Taking the tea, Xu Chun was still furious. “Before, Zhuang Zhan told me that his uncle mentioned there was smuggling in the military fleet. At the time, I thought he was slandering others. Now, I suspect it might be true! They even dare to smuggle the latest foreign goods and sell them in the capital! Their audacity has grown so much! I must investigate thoroughly!”

He gritted his teeth. “How dare they stir up trouble under Grandpa’s nose. I’ll make them spit out everything they’ve swallowed!”