Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Taking the anti-bandit proclamation, Chen Mo read it carefully and felt a great shock in his heart.

Previously, he was puzzled that Qingzhou was so important, yet the Court was slow to send troops to assist, until Qingzhou fell; it turned out that the imperial power was actually overridden, with Prime Minister Xu Guozhong wielding sole authority.

"Who is this Prince Huai?" Chen Mo had limited understanding of Prince Huai.

Lu Yuan replied, "Prince Huai is the sixth uncle of the current Emperor, with his fiefdom in Huai State. He commands a large army and is the most powerful of the Dukes. The Princess Consort Huai is the eldest daughter of the Jiangnan Xiao Family and a cousin of the current Empress."

"The Xiao Family, one of the Seven Great Noble Families?" Compared to Prince Huai, Chen Mo was more familiar with the Xiao Family, as they dominate Jiangnan, with significant influence there, and scholars across the land aspire to become their guests.

Once recommended by the Xiao Family, even if one doesn't hold a title, they could secure a minor official post at the Court.

"How many people have responded to this anti-bandit proclamation?" Chen Mo asked.

"The specifics are unknown to this subordinate, but before I returned to Qingzhou, I learned that the Prefect of Yuzhou had already taken military action in response," Lu Yuan replied.

"Yuzhou?" Chen Mo was taken aback; the Celestial Master Army needs to advance south, requiring passage through Yuzhou and Fengzhou. To attack Fengzhou, river crossing is necessary, while Yuzhou is mountainous with many lakes, easy to defend but hard to attack.

Quanyang County falls within the borders of Yuzhou.

Now that the Celestial Master Army is already threatening Qingzhou, it is surprising that the Prefect of Yuzhou still dares to rise up in response to the anti-bandit call.

"County Magistrate, this is a good thing." Zhao Daoxian suddenly interjected.

"What good is there?" Chen Mo poured a cup of tea for Lu Yuan and said.

"County Magistrate, see what this proclamation says, it states the Emperor's command for gathering righteous armies. And once the proclamation arrives, we should act upon it swiftly. We can be righteous soldiers too. If we respond to Prince Huai's call and succeed in supporting the King, we can rid ourselves of the rebel identity and even be rewarded according to our merits," Zhao Daoxian said excitedly.

The Great Song Dynasty has ruled the realm for nearly four hundred years, and the rule of the Chu Clan is deeply ingrained in people's hearts. Although the world is chaotic now, there is yet no sign of collapse.

Therefore, while Zhao Daoxian is currently a rebel, having an opportunity to cleanse the rebel identity still tempts him.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan and Sun Meng's eyes lit up, not expecting such an operation.

"Chief Clerk Zhao, do you know how far we are from Huai State? By the time we march over, it will be too late, and if the Celestial Master Army knows our families are in Pingting County, it will spell trouble for us."

Chen Mo glared at Zhao Daoxian; his suggestion was not realistic.

Moreover, with his current power, he was like a small fry, hardly taken seriously by others.

Besides, Zhao Daoxian only saw the positive sides of things.

If we consider the negatives, once we're there, who will provide the supplies?

If we take our families along, we would have to abandon our foundation there?

In an unfamiliar land, we'd be like lambs to the slaughter.

Once Chen Mo pointed out these drawbacks, Zhao Daoxian quickly abandoned the idea.

Of course, Zhao Daoxian's notion of switching allegiance isn't unfeasible; it's just not viable presently.

The current scenario reminded Chen Mo of the late Eastern Han when eighteen warlords rose against Dong.

Though successful in contesting Dong, it led to a state of fragmented power among forces.

If the Great Song's situation develops similarly, it wouldn't be too late to switch allegiance once power fragmentation occurs.

Putting aside the anti-bandit proclamation, Chen Mo inquired about the sales channel progress.

"County Magistrate, the fine salt, and the few bottles of perfume I brought this time were swiftly sold out upon reaching Jiangnan, with buyers flocking to us eagerly, unlike needing buyers. However..."

"However what?"

"However, Jiangnan adopts a partnership model, with a 30-70 split. They help us sell our goods and divide the proceeds, rather than purchasing at eight hundred cents per jin like Zhu Yongzhi," Lu Yuan said.

"A 30-70 split, they take thirty, we take seventy, that's decent," Zhao Daoxian said.

Lu Yuan grimaced, "Chief Clerk Zhao thought wrongly; seventy percent is theirs."

"What?" This statement shocked everyone.

Sun Meng said, "Seventy percent? How is this different from blatant robbery?"

If sold at a thousand coins per jin.

They'd only get three hundred cents, barely earning over two hundred cents after deducting costs, a reduction by two-thirds compared to before.

Lu Yuan pulled out an accounting book and handed it to Chen Mo: "Documented here are a few Jiangnan firms interested in collaboration, among them Shenghuang Commerce Association offers the highest terms, willing to do a 40-60 split, and has some ties with the Xiao Family.

If we agree, we could transport goods via waterways with Shenghuang's credentials, encountering no roadblocks, even the water bandits would show some leniency."

After this explanation, Lu Yuan added, "County Magistrate, you may not know how many water bandits there are along the way; we spent over ten thousand coins simply on passage fees during this try selling in Jiangnan."

"A 40-60 split..." Chen Mo rubbed his brow, business was indeed tough; selling goods took a sixty percent cut, he said, "If we secretly sell the goods in Jiangnan, just pay some passage fees?"

Lu Yuan sighed, "The risk is too high; without approval from any of the firms, we can still sell the goods in Jiangnan, but collecting payment is impossible, plus it may lead to imprisonment."

In other words, opening a sales channel in Jiangnan can only be achieved through partnering with one of these firms.

"Any other region?" Chen Mo asked.

"Jiangnan is the most prosperous with many wealthy families; fine salt sells best there. Other places don't compare to Jiangnan and require establishing local connections, costing about the same," Lu Yuan replied.

"Is this Shenghuang Commerce Association reliable?" Zhao Daoxian asked.

"The Shenghuang Commerce Association is the largest in Jiangnan. To grow so vast, apart from having a strong backing, their credit must also be good. Relatively speaking, they are more reliable," Lu Yuan remarked.

Chen Mo sat up straight, gently tapping his fingers on the table, took a deep breath, and said, "This is the only way. Send one thousand jin of refined salt first and make contact with the Shenghuang Commerce Association to see how it goes."

Close collaboration? Chen Mo had gained some experience now. If the interactions were pleasant, future profit-sharing could still be negotiated.

"And the perfumes?" Chen Mo inquired further.

"All recorded in the ledger. A small bottle of rose-scented perfume can sell for ten taels of silver, much more expensive than refined salt, and it's particularly popular. Many maids of rich family's daughters in Jiangnan have privately ordered several bottles from the subordinates," Lu Yuan responded with a smile.

Chen Mo's gaze flashed.

Indeed, throughout the ages, business with women was always the easiest to conduct.

Take the city's rouge for instance; even the most ordinary rouge fetched three to four hundred cents.

However, unlike refined salt, perfume was not a daily necessity; the quantity sold could not be too large, and had to utilize hunger marketing.

...

Two days later.

By the riverside of Fu Ze Village, it was a bustling scene.

The laboring villagers were constructing water channels and diverting them into the farmlands.

Chen Mo commanded dozens of reserve personnel to build a perfume factory.

If they didn't expand, solely relying on Chen Mo, only three bottles of perfume could be produced daily at most.

Chen Mo planned to produce three types of perfumes.

Namely, rose, damask rose, and magnolia.

Since making perfume required high-proof alcohol, which was costly if purchased, Chen Mo simply decided to set up a small-scale distillery. The extra alcohol could then be taken to the city's family-owned sundry store for sale, hoping to at least recoup the costs rather than aiming to make significant profits.

Just as everyone was busily engaged.

"County Magistrate."

Suddenly, a familiar voice was heard from afar.

Zhang River rode in, dismounted swiftly in front of Chen Mo.

Seeing Zhang River's anxious demeanor, Chen Mo asked sternly, "What's the matter?"

"Yang Minggui dispatched his Commander of the Personal Guard, and Commander Sun said the other party is a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist, urging Brother Mo to return quickly." As Zhang River spoke, he retrieved a letter from his arms and said, "This is from Yang Minggui through his Commander of the Personal Guard for you."

Taking the envelope, Chen Mo habitually inspected the wax seal first. Seeing it intact, he then opened the letter.

After reading quickly, Chen Mo's gaze sharpened. Outwardly it claimed to concern He Jinwu's matter, but in reality, it targeted the refined salt.

"How many people did they bring?" Chen Mo asked.

"More than fifty, all cavalry," Zhang River replied.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo folded the letter and placed it into his pocket, immediately instructing, "Go to Wanhe Building and reserve a private room, invite them there, and bring the Courtesan from Purple Gold Tower. Have Chief Clerk Zhao serve them well with food and drink, and I'll be there soon."

A Commander of the Personal Guard is as though Yang Minggui himself came; Chen Mo could no longer treat them like Bai Shu.

"Yes."

Zhang River clasped his fists in acknowledgment and departed.

With measured steps back to Fu Ze Village, Chen Mo headed straight into the warehouse.

There, a clerk was on duty, who, upon seeing Chen Mo approaching, respectfully addressed him as "County Magistrate."

Chen Mo waved his hand, withdrawing one thousand coins and a chest of jewelry from the warehouse, instructing the clerk to record it.

Chen Mo then took a sheet of paper, wrote something, folded it, and put it in his pocket. He then proceeded to Wanhe Building with the coins and jewelry.

Inside the private room of Wanhe Building, Chief Clerk Zhao was hosting.

The Commander of the Personal Guard sent by Yang Minggui, named Cui Shuang, was a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist yet relatively short, only six feet tall, appearing over fifty, with features that suggested he was quite handsome in his youth.

At this moment, he held a woman taller than himself, one hand boldly exploring under her skirt, the other holding a cup, drinking to his content, accepting all the wine Chief Clerk Zhao offered without exception.

As Commander of the Personal Guard, although he received good treatment, the responsibility for Yang Minggui's security work meant little chance for leisure, making opportunities to indulge rare.

Now, with free food and drinks, and beautiful women to entertain, only a fool would refuse.

Despite his age, his physical capacities were no less than a young man's.

With cups exchanged continuously, soon, footsteps sounded outside the private room.

Subsequently, the door opened, and Chen Mo entered in strides, soldiers following behind him.

These soldiers carried two wooden boxes.

At the sight of the two boxes, Cui Shuang's eyes gleamed, judging by the soldiers' strained expressions, he could tell how heavy the boxes were.