Chapter 4: The Merchants Toy with Jiang Wencheng

"Proprietor, we are old acquaintances, and we understand the rules. I simply want the various brocades that Manager Li displayed today—I will take as many as you have. As for the rest, you may arrange them as you see fit. I trust in your workshop’s craftsmanship, and I will have no complaints regarding whatever you allocate."

Boss Zhang, a man of considerable wealth, was the first to state his position.

Boss Wang was not to be outdone. "I am of the same mind as Boss Zhang. If you cannot deliver the goods immediately, I am willing to wait—until the end of the year or even next year."

A merchant with less capital, feeling anxious, fished out a stack of banknotes. "Proprietor, I have brought twenty thousand taels in banknotes from Hengtong Bank. I intend to spend it all here today. I implore you to allocate more brocades for me."

"Proprietor, we traveled all the way from the Northwest for your Qianyi Cloth Shop. We only ask that you consider our sincerity in coming such a great distance."

"Proprietor, we..."

These people did not even ask for the price; they only craved the goods. The scent of banknotes seemed to permeate the entire second floor of the Chaojin Workshop.

Jiang Wencheng felt his heart racing. These few men alone represented a deal worth over a hundred thousand taels. Thinking of the crowd waiting downstairs, his excitement surged, as if all this silver were already destined for his own pockets. The workshop was truly a cash cow, and he was determined to get his hands on it.

Just as he was caught up in this excitement, his arm was nudged. "Why aren't you saying anything? Surely you aren't broke?"

"If you have no money, why are you joining the crowd?"

The voice was loud enough that everyone’s gaze fell upon Jiang Wencheng. The second manager, Li Xia, even began to suspect he was a spy from another silk workshop. "You look unfamiliar, sir. Is this your first time?"

"How much stock are you looking to order?"

Jiang Wencheng’s heart tightened. "I..."

He had only a few hundred taels on him. Compared to these merchants who spoke in tens of thousands, he was far too embarrassed to produce it.

"How much in banknotes did you bring? Show us," a merchant sneered. "The rule of the Chaojin Workshop is that all orders must be paid in full—no credit or deferred payments. If you don't have the money, go back downstairs and stop hindering our important business."

Jiang Wencheng, a scion of an Earl’s estate, had never been mocked by base merchants before. Before he could formulate an excuse or reveal his identity, Yan Chaonian spoke from behind the silk curtain. "Master Jiang, if you are not yet prepared, perhaps you should come back another day. There are other merchants waiting downstairs; please do not waste everyone's time."

She did not want Jiang Wencheng to learn any further details. Before she could even think of a way to drive him away, that Boss Xiong had done her a favor. She would reward him with two bolts of fine brocade later.

Once she had spoken, the other merchants chimed in. The supply of high-grade brocade was limited; with one less competitor, their own share would increase. They had suddenly found common cause.

Jiang Wencheng took a deep breath. He had intended to probe for internal information, but he never expected that even sitting here required ten thousand taels. Fearing that being looked down upon by the Proprietor would ruin his future attempts at collaboration, he had no choice but to swallow his pride. But before he could speak, Jiang Chongyuan, who was standing beside him, flared up.

"You bold merchants! How dare you speak to my father like this? Do you know who my father is?"

"Open your dog eyes and look closely! My father is—"

"Shut up!" Jiang Wencheng’s face was livid. Was this fool trying to let everyone know that an Earl’s son had no money in his pockets? "My son is unrefined; please forgive his rudeness."

"Whether it is rude or not matters little, but your son’s tone is alarmingly arrogant. One would assume Master Jiang is no ordinary man, and that a mere eight or ten thousand taels of pocket change would be nothing to you."

They were all wealthy merchants who had seen their share of officials; they would not be intimidated by a mere brat.

Jiang Chongyuan had been spoiled since birth and was accustomed to getting his way; no one in the Earl’s estate dared to defy him. Driven by anger, he shouted, "Shut your mouths! My grandfather is the Earl of Zhongshun, and my father is the future Earl of Zhongshun! Who do you think you are, daring to speak to my father like this? Do you believe I can have you all thrown in jail?"

The threat held some weight, and a few in the room felt a flicker of doubt. Behind the silk curtain, Yan Chaonian let out a soft laugh. "Our Chaojin Workshop is a treasure trove. Every month, we have distinguished guests. Last month, a prince from the border visited, and earlier, a marquis came as well. Both are currently sitting in the magistrate's jail."

"While it is true that when traveling, one's status depends entirely on what one claims, it is best not to entangle oneself with high-ranking officials."

"So, is this... the Earl?"

She had sent people to inquire about Jiang Wencheng yesterday evening. He had come to the Southwest with only his son and a few guards, staying at an inn. It was clearly a private trip; she wagered he would not dare cause a scene that might draw the attention of the local authorities.

The merchants’ gazes toward Jiang Wencheng turned to contempt, fearing he was just another desperate man trying to swindle others.

Boss Xiong rose with a smile and bowed to Jiang Wencheng. "Lord Earl, we have truly offended you. Please, a person of your stature should not hold a grudge against us lowly merchants."

"We are merely gathered here today to earn a living. If you also wish to purchase the fine brocades of the Chaojin Workshop, why don't you go first?"

"Yes, indeed. Lord Earl, your status is noble; you go first."

"You hail from the capital and must possess unparalleled wealth. We cannot compare. Please, Lord Earl, after you."

It was a tacit understanding among the merchants. Jiang Wencheng was being roasted over a fire, trapped in a position of unprecedented humiliation.

Jiang Chongyuan, a spoiled child who had become increasingly ignorant under his stepmother’s coddling, failed to realize these people were mocking his father. He raised his chin proudly. "At least you know your place. Well, go on, bring out the best brocade!"

Yan Chaonian frowned slightly. Jiang Chongyuan was even more ignorant than he had been three years ago. Without her occasional insistence that he study, he had likely spent these three years living in utter indulgence.

"It seems the Earl is not yet prepared. Perhaps you should return another day."

She was happy to see Jiang Wencheng’s humiliation and felt quite satisfied, but Jiang Chongyuan was, after all, her own son; she could not bring herself to be completely indifferent to him.

Jiang Wencheng suppressed his rage and took the opportunity to descend the metaphorical stairs. He bowed toward the silk curtain. "I am here for the first time and was unaware of the rules. I shall return to prepare and will visit the Proprietor again."

"Apologies for the intrusion today. Farewell."

As he turned, he shot a fierce glare at Jiang Chongyuan. As the father and son left, their empty seats were quickly filled. To the merchants, the incident was merely a minor interlude; what mattered was how much stock they could secure.

"Father, are we just leaving?" Jiang Chongyuan chased after him, his face full of resentment. "What about the brocades?"

"You useless wretch! Can't you see they were ridiculing me? Where did all those years of schooling go?" Jiang Wencheng was incandescent with rage, his gaze filled with intense loathing. Had it not been for his son’s meddling, he could have used the excuse of ignorance to make a graceful exit and have a pretext for their next meeting. Instead, this fool had failed to read the situation, ruined his plans, and left him looking like a swindler in front of a group of base merchants.

"Get back to the inn. You are forbidden from leaving without my permission."

"Father—"

"Go!"

Jiang Chongyuan shivered in fear, and the guards waiting outside stepped forward to take him away. Left behind, Jiang Wencheng looked up toward the second floor of the Chaojin Workshop, his eyes narrowing. A capable and outstanding woman—she had certainly piqued his interest.