Chapter 8: A Surprise Under The Moonlight (1)

"B-Buy everything, young master?" Yang Xiao was a little surprised by Yang Chunqiu's abrupt decision.

"Maybe I didn't explain it clearly, but the Pearl Rice in the Farming Association's hand wasn't a small number. From a rough estimate, they had at least twenty thousand Jin (pound equivalent) of goods in their warehouse." Yang Xiao then quickly interrupted, preventing Yang Chunqiu from continuing.

"If we're buying them with the market price of a Silver Ingot per Jin, the total would at least come up to two hundred Gold Ingots. Such a purchase would empty a fifth of our pavilion's purchasing budget."

"Furthermore, this is only an estimate. The final total might increase to two hundred fifty Gold Ingots if they secure a little more before we finalize this business transaction." Yang Xiao explained the possible price of this purchase, hoping it would get Yang Chunqiu to withdraw the decision.

As the Pavilion Master of this Yuanling Branch, Yang Xiao had to ensure Yang Chunqiu's whimsical buying spree was curbed early on. If not, it would only worsen to the point of emptying their yearly budget.

"Two to two hundred and fifty Gold Ingots for that amount of Tributary-Quality Pearl Rice? That's a steal, don't you think?" Yang Chunqiu smiled and responded back to Yang Xiao.

"Even if the cost is doubled, I think this purchase is still worth it." he added. The answer almost forced Yang Xiao's blood pressure to hit its peak and his Internal Qi to run amok.

But the Pavilion Master immediately regained his composure after putting himself into Yang Chunqiu's shoes. As somebody pampered from a young in the capital, it was normal for Yang Chunqiu to have a terrible awareness of the value of money.

To the wealthy, two hundred Gold Ingots were akin to nothing in their eyes. But for those below them, it equals twenty thousand Silver Ingots, or two million Copper Coins after conversion.

One must know that the average monthly expenses for a family of four were only between 120 and 200 Copper Coins. Meanwhile, regular workers' monthly salary averages around two to three Silver Ingots.

In addition, Yang Xiao's strong objection to Yang Chunqiu's decision was logical and fueled by personal reasons. Purchasing the Pearl Rice might be possible, but all the Treasures Pavilion could do was simply sell them for a much higher price.

After all, the pavilion doesn't have the manpower, skills, or the ability to grow these grains and turn them into something else. And even if they could, that would require another set of investments, making everything dependent on one another.

Of course, that was because no one here knew what Yang Chunqiu could do with the "Pearl Rice."

Twenty thousand Jin of Pearl Rice might be a problem for others, but not Yang Chunqiu. For as long as Yang Chunqiu could remember, he had been in the wine-brewing and beverage-developing profession.

He might not be an amazing businessman in the world he came from, but Yang Chunqiu is confident that he is second to none when it comes to wine brewing. Additionally, due to the necessity of his interest, Yang Chunqiu is also quite an experienced plant cultivator, especially in grain-related plants.

"Then... This subordinate will try his best to meet the young master's expectations. It will be handled with care," feeling that it would be pointless to persuade Yang Chunqiu anymore, Yang Xiao could only go along with the flow.

It was also the first time Yang Xiao regretted bringing this matter to Yang Chunqiu's attention. The possible losses could be greatly reduced if he brought something else, not this one, into the conversation.

"I'll be expecting good news from you. Send somebody to inform me as soon we secure the Pearl Rice. And... Pavilion Master..." Yang Chunqiu acknowledged Yang Xiao's reply and prepared to leave the guest room. But his sentence stopped midway.

"You shouldn't have any design on the Pearl Rice I order you to procure. I will naturally have my use on them." Yang Chunqiu added and left the room without telling Yang Xuan to follow him.

"Ah, young master! Wait for me," Yang Xuan was startled after seeing Yang Chunqiu leave the guest room without calling him to come along. He immediately chased after the young master, but that was after he exchanged a gaze with Yang Xiao.

"Young master, please wait for me!" Yang Xuan yelled softly as he chased after Yang Chunqiu. Because there were several other matters to be handled before leaving, he only managed to get to Yang Chunqiu after the latter was about to make it outside the Spring Autumn Treasures Pavilion.

"Is there somewhere you like to go, young master?" Yang Xuan asked.

"Brewery." Yang Chunqiu answered.

"Brewery? As in... Wine Breweries?" Yang Xuan quickly made a guess.

"Of course, it's a Wine Brewery! Why would I be interested in somewhere else?" Yang Chunqiu was urged to knock the guard leader's head for being slow in comprehension. Nevertheless, he was taken to three local breweries later that afternoon but returned empty-handed.

"Ah... What a disappointment... To think I actually had high hopes for their brewing method." Yang Chunqiu sighed after he returned to the Lesser Yang Courtyard.

He was mentally prepared to be disappointed but had no idea it would be so terrible.

"Young master," the nanny came into the courtyard with four female servants following closely. In their hands were wooden trays with beautifully decorated dishes.

"Ah, nanny. Is it time for dinner already?" Yang Chunqiu responded to her in a friendly manner.

"Yes, my dear young master. Please allow us servants to set up the table for your dinner. Shall I prepare a jar of Yunjiang Wine?" the nanny asked.

(Author's Note: YunJiang also translates to Cloud's River.)

"En. Go ahead," Yang Chunqiu nodded in approval.

Unfortunately, he quickly regretted his choice. While the dishes presented by the kitchen were all suitable for his picky palette, the Yunjiang Wine was terrible. It was akin to drinking a sourish fermented drink with medicinal herb and fruit aftertaste.

His disappointment made him take a leisurely walk around the Lesser Yang Courtyard. It was also precisely at this time, right under the blessing of the full moon, that an octagonal moon-like symbol appeared in the heart of his right palm.

(What is with this birthmark-like symbol in my hand? Is it the system of a transmigrator or...)

(Argh! My head!!!)