Chapter 210: Chapter 207: Subtle

It actually coincided with her thoughts.

She also wanted to make money from Dodo.

So she gave a number, and then… then the three people in the room were dumbfounded. Jiang Mingyue speculated that they must have made a lot from her wine last time.

As long as they earned, it’s all good.

When everybody profits, that’s truly the best outcome.

As for chickens, rabbits, and fish, they were all sold alive. Ready-to-eat dishes like braised flavors could bring in several times the profit, but Jiang Mingyue was too lazy to lift a finger. Air-dried goods were a bit easier, but the price wasn’t much different from selling them live. It was exhausting for nothing, and you’d still have to spend money on salt. Sure, a fish salted with spices could sell for more, but Jiang Mingyue wasn’t interested.

Just like Pan Zhoucong’s natural business instincts, she also focused on the wine.

She could use two pounds of corn to brew one pound of high-quality aromatic wine. Cornmeal typically sold for three to five cents per pound. Of course, selling it in small quantities would fetch a higher price, but would she really do that? So, selling a bulk package to Pan Zhoucong was more cost-effective. Honestly though, it wouldn’t earn much, but turning it into wine was a different story.

Her corn wine sold for two yuan a pound, which was dozens of times the price of cornmeal.

Her grape wine was ten yuan a pound; scarcity increases value, but there was no stock available.

Her plum wine also went for ten yuan a pound. It too was in short supply, so she was reluctant to sell it, saving it as gifts.

All of these drinks were pleasurable to consume and wouldn’t deplete one’s health even if consumed regularly. Instead, they boosted energy and improved health. Who could resist buying them?

Anyone who had tasted her brewed wine would surely become a repeat customer, as long as their finances allowed. It was practically a lifelong stream of income!

They discussed the estimated quantities of various goods, and the prices were agreed upon. In fact, they were all old prices, and grain prices even returned to their original rates—for instance, when there was a grain shortage, sweet potatoes could sell for nine cents per pound; now they were down to three, no ration coupons needed. Of course, he didn’t talk about coupons. If needed, they could be converted to cash.

“Alright then, within three days, I’ll have everything ready at night and notify you all at that time.”

Kidding, she now lived in a row of houses with them, although her No. 55 had a back door facing the main street, with alleyways leading off in front. It was very convenient to quietly move things, but caution was still necessary.

While she planned to bring everything to No. 55 as soon as darkness fell and complete the transaction that night, she definitely couldn’t announce it brazenly.

“Okay, I’ll be waiting. Oh, right, Mr. Jiang, I’ve collected some antiques and stored them in the storeroom in your courtyard. There are eight boxes, and during the day, someone will usually patrol around your house to ensure safety, and at night, there will be a guard dog watching over the property in the courtyard.”

Jiang Mingyue: “…” Thank you! Immediately, Jiang Mingyue released her spiritual power to investigate and indeed saw a young man wandering outside her front door.

He didn’t look too capable, given that he was working in speculation, her spiritual power should be able to attack, especially being someone violating the current laws; if necessary, she could just knock him out.

As for the guard dog… it couldn’t speak!

“Uncle Mute, bring over the antique ledger for Mr. Jiang.”

Jiang Mingyue didn’t expect Pan Zhoucong to be so meticulous that he actually made a special ledger, and the ledger was very detailed and categorized, clear at a glance. She thought it was impressive that the nation’s bookkeeping practices were already so advanced and mature at that time.

Jiang Mingyue flipped through it and found that according to the dates, all the antiques he had given her were recorded here, much like the warehouse manager entering stock, marked with names, and even simple sketches. How much effort did that take!

As for the prices, since some were bulk-sold to him, he simply noted the bulk price, followed by the total price for each batch.

But regardless of the purchase price, Pan Zhoucong didn’t earn a penny; he gave it to her at the buying price without ever factoring in the costs for transport and other expenses.

Jiang Mingyue was somewhat moved; he was also a promising young person contributing to the national cultural preservation effort. If accolades were to be given in the future, he should share in them.

As for now…

“Heavens! Pan, this isn’t right, I’m taking too much advantage from you. You see, you’re both giving and giving me things at cost price; you’re going to lose heavily. How about this, just calculate and charge whatever you should for transport and personnel costs.”

Then Pan’s eyes crinkled in a smile, clearly in a better mood, and with a wave of his hand, he said, “What are you talking about? Mr. Jiang is collecting treasures for the nation, investing so much money without complaint. I’ve merely contributed some manpower and transport; it’s negligible in comparison. Besides, Mr. Jiang has done me a favor, even if it’s to repay a kindness, what little I’ve done for Mr. Jiang isn’t worth mentioning.”

“Pan, you’re so noble. Since you put it that way, it would be impolite for me to refuse further.”

Pan Zhoucong: “…” Feels like I got played.

Of course, she took the ledger with her, and Pan Zhoucong promised to keep a register in the future to save her the hassle.

Jiang Mingyue thought to herself, Pan certainly lives up to his name; otherwise, she would have difficulty managing these things, and now she wouldn’t be groping in the dark.

After discussing business, everyone started chatting.

It was hard to imagine that one day, she would be gossiping with a few big men and a Tibetan Mastiff.

Speaking about his ex-fiancée, Du Shouqiang was both scared and resentful: “Mr. Jiang, you have no idea, that Li Xiaofen is truly shameless. Previously, after the commotion she caused, she later even reported us, forcing Pan to move with his brothers.

But she still found this place and caused a ruckus every day, and actually… actually shamelessly claimed she wanted to take care of me, saying this time she was really pregnant, pregnant with Li Fugui’s child, but Li Fugui wanted to marry Xue Huan and completely abandoned her.

Sigh! Isn’t it annoying!”

Jiang Mingyue: “…” How should she respond to that?

“Ahem… It’s getting late, I should get going.”

Jiang Mingyue didn’t forget to take out the pre-prepared gift from the large backpack.

For Uncle Mute, a basket of fresh, juicy fruit that made the other two envious.

When it came to Pan Zhoucong, his eyelids twitched, perhaps fearing a repeat of a previous incident.

Jiang Mingyue grabbed two strawberries, about to hand them over, but suddenly had a pang of conscience and withdrew them, considering how Old Pan had just contributed to her mission of protecting national treasures. He was a great benefactor!

Finally, Jiang Mingyue reached underneath the black cloth and this time pulled out a jar of apple sauce for Old Pan.

Pan Zhoucong was almost moved to tears holding the apple sauce. Compared to last time’s five bird eggs, this time he was being treated too well, but he knew the benefits came from those boxes. Encouraged, he planned to keep up the good work.

And Du Shouqiang was eagerly waiting, hoping Mr. Jiang would gift him some delicious pine needle roasted chicken. Honestly, this month he had tried to have someone make it, but no one could replicate Mr. Jiang’s taste. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the flavors differed worlds apart.

After all, once you’ve worn the emperor’s robes, would you still want to be a mere soldier?

Anyway, he had taken only one bite and never had a second. Now, he couldn’t wait for Mr. Jiang’s roasted chicken to have a hearty feast with wine.

In the next second, looking at the two strawberries in his hand, comparing them to Uncle Mute’s basket of fruit and Pan’s jar of sauce, he couldn’t help but wonder why heaven was treating him so unfairly?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep