21

After everyone took their seats, Nie Huanzhang looked at Zhou Chuyu's unrestrained excitement. He himself was in a cheerful mood. As everyone ate and chatted, Feng Yuan kept observing the interaction between Nie Huanzhang and Zhou Chuyu. Zhou Chuyu kept serving dishes to Nie Huanzhang, who, in turn, placed deboned fish in Zhou Chuyu's bowl. Evidently, Zhou Chuyu enjoyed eating fish but disliked dealing with the bones. Such interactions seemed commonplace for Nie Huanzhang and Zhou Chuyu. Zhou Chuqin also noticed their dynamic but didn't show any surprise. At this moment, Nie Huanzhang spoke:

"I have just explained the situation in Huichun. Now let's discuss the government in our dynasty measures on the border. It can be divided into two parts. One part is in Nanyue Kingdom. As everyone knows, Nanyue is our vassal state, surrounded by our country, Yanjin clan, Xiyue clan and the other countries. Therefore, the government has established a large auction market for goods in Nanyue Kingdom."

Zhou Chuqin asked:

"What is the auction market?"

Nie Huanzhang replied:

"I don't...."

But Feng Yuan interjected, saying:

"I know. It is the minimum price set by the seller for the goods, publicly disclosed. Buyers then continuously bid higher and the highest bidder wins. Huanzhang, please continue."

Nie Huanzhang said:

"The other part involves restricting the quantity of goods exported from our country to Huichun. Regarding the auction market I just mentioned, I didn't consider that. What I had in mind was the export of goods to Huichun. With the help of my friend in Liangzhou, I secured 10% of the export quota."

When Nie Huanzhang mentioned "my friend in Liangzhou", Zhou Chuyu couldn't help but glance at Nie Huanzhang, who gave him an affirming eyes before continuing:

"Instead of seeking others, I came directly to both of you. Feng Yuan mentioned that the embroidered products of the Zhou family are highly popular and embroidered items happen to be favored by the people in Huichun. Therefore, I propose that the Zhou family expand your embroidery workshop. The idea is to continue selling the products from the existing workshop through your original channels without changes. The expanded workshop's products will all go through Liangzhou's border and be sold to Huichun. I've already established the connections for sales there so there shouldn't be any issues." At this point, he took out the money and continued, "This is a sum of two thousand taels as the initial capital for my investment in the new embroidery workshop. If it's not enough, feel free to ask for more."

After saying this, he handed the money to Zhou Chuqin. Feng Yuan, Zhou Chuqin and Zhou Chuyu listened in astonishment to Nie Huanzhang's words, staring at the money in his hand in disbelief.

Feng Yuan was the first to come to his senses and said:

"Wait a minute, Huanzhang, hold on, don't be impulsive!"

Nie Huanzhang responded:

"Why wait? Let's get it done. I just want to ask you, Mr. Zhou, is two thousand taels enough to start a new embroidery workshop?"

Zhou Chuqin hesitated in his response but finally said:

"It's enough, indeed. It's enough to start a new workshop but this matter is too sudden. I'm not sure..."

Nie Huanzhang explained:

"Mr. Zhou, let me make it clear. I'll fund the establishment of this workshop but you'll be in charge of its management. You'll have a 30% share and the remaining 70% will be split between me and Wangshi, each taking 35%. If there are losses, I'll cover them."

Zhou Chuyu looked at Nie Huanzhang in surprise and said:

"Wh…why share it with me? "

When Nie Huanzhang tried to comfort Zhou Chuyu, Feng Yuan asked:

"Wait ,wait! How about me?" .

Nie Huanzhang countered:

"What? Do you also want a share too?"

Feng Yuan pretended to be angry and said:

"Of course! Nie Huanzhang, is it the way for you how to treat your friend? If you have money, let's all make a profit together. Don't leave your friends out." 

Nie Huanzhang asked:

"Okay, how much money do you want to invest?"

Feng Yuan proposed:

"I'll also start with two thousand taels and open embroidery workshop. Mr. Zhou will manage it entirely, taking 30%. You'll have a 15% share for your connections and the rest will be mine. Is that okay?"

Nie Huanzhang said:

"No, I don't want it. If you feel awkward, just give 10% to Wangshi and the rest is yours."

"Alright, you're generous. But I don't want to take too much advantage. I'll give your 5% because you'll have to handle the sales in Huichun. I don't want to travel that far."

Feng Yuan agreed then he and Nie Huanzhang looked at the stunned Zhou brothers.

That night, Nie Huanzhang and Feng Yuan were both arranged to stay in Zhou Chuyu's yard. Zhou Chuqin hurriedly went to his father's room and told Zhou Huai'an about the day's discussions. This surprised Zhou Huai'an, who thought to himself: Nie Huanzhang and Feng Yuan are involved in such a large-scale business. So he and Zhou Chuqin decided to carefully consider how to seize this opportunity.

In addition to the gifts for everyone in the Zhou family, Nie Huanzhang had another box full of small items he bought for Zhou Chuyu. Feng Yuan had already retired to his room but Nie Huanzhang noticed Zhou Chuyu glancing at Feng Yuan's room from the window. As soon as it became dark in Feng Yuan's room, Zhou Chuyu walked towards Nie Huanzhang's room hurriedly and Nie Huanzhang opened the door immediately. Zhou Chuyu took a step and threw himself into Nie Huanzhang's arms, saying with a nasal tone:

"Ge, I missed you so much. Why did you take so long to come and see me?"

Holding Zhou Chuyu tightly, Nie Huanzhang said:

"Sorry, this time I stayed in Furu for more than ten days and then spent the New Year with my master. You don't know I missed you a lot too. I looked at my purse with Ping'an inside every day."

"Can you stay a bit longer this time?"

"How long do you want me to stay here?"

"My eldest sister, Zheng, is getting married soon. Chuqin and Chuqi are going to the capital to attend the wedding. Chuqi will stay there to study in the Imperial Medical Academy. I'll be taking the provincial examination next month. After that, I plan to go to the capital. Could you accompany me to Jingdu?"

Nie Huanzhang said:

"Of course, I'll follow your lead. Don't want to come down."

"I like you to hold me."

"Alright, come down first. Let's see what I brought for you."

Nie Huanzhang opened a package, revealing a white fox fur cloak and a small box containing rare items rarely seen in Yuhong Dynasty. While the trinkets were interesting, the fox fur cloak was particularly extravagant, something only the privileged in Huichun could afford.

Zhou Chuyu asked:

"All of them are for me?"

When Nie Huanzhang nodded, Zhou Chuyu continued:

"You're too good to me. I've never bought anything for you. And why are you giving me a share of the embroidery workshop?"

"I just want to make you happy."

"You're really good. Ge, I am 15 years old now and mom said I can consider marriage. I think she will find a right girl for me to get married."

Nie Huanzhang was momentarily surprised and replied:

"You're still so young and Chuqi doesn't have married yet."

"He's already engaged. Mom told my little mom that I shouldn't look for a noble girl. Instead, I should find someone who knows how to cherish me and treat me well."

Nie Huanzhang chuckled and said:

"Well, I think your mom is right. To be honest, you're too pampered. If you marry a noble girl, you should spoil her a bit. It would be a bit unfair."

"Do you want me to get married?"

Nie Huanzhang was momentarily stunned, unsure of how to respond. Despite his inner conflict, he reluctantly said:

"It is common for everyone's desire to get married and has children."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chuyu's heart sank. His expression changed and said cautiously:

"Then why don't you have married and have the children yet?"

Nie Huanzhang explained:

"Well, I've been accustomed to being free, enjoying wandering around. So I don't have thought about getting married and having children."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chuyu slowly distanced himself from Nie Huanzhang. He caressed the fox fur cloak and opened the small box, taking out each item carefully. With a nasal tone, he said:

"Thank you, Huanzhang. I really like everything you gave me but from now on, don't be so good to me. And I don't want those shares either, they rightfully belong to you."

After saying that, holding the package, Zhou Chuyu, in a gloomy mood, began to leave Nie Huanzhang's room. Nie Huanzhang noticed Zhou Chuyu's displeasure and quickly intercepted him, asking:

"What's wrong?Why are you upset suddenly?"

Zhou Chuyu turned to look at Nie Huanzhang, forcing a smile and saying:

"No, I'm happy. You always bring me gifts whenever you visit and treat me so well. How could I be unhappy?"

After speaking, he walked out of Nie Huanzhang's room. When Zhou Chuyu spoke, Nie Huanzhang noticed tears in his eyes. He didn't know how to describe his current feelings. Honestly, seeing Zhou Chuyu look sad seemed to be telling him that Zhou Chuyu had feelings for him, which made him happy and excited. However, when he heard that the Zhou family had started considering marriage for Zhou Chuyu at the age of just 15, he hesitated. He didn't want to be the one to disrupt the harmony and warmth of this family. His behavior words, if Zhou Chuyu did have feelings for him, would deeply hurt him. Nie Huanzhang fiercely slapped himself in the face, muttering:

"Asshole!"