Old Master Zhang had no idea that all of this was a setup orchestrated by Fang Er.
What was brought to his door was not for sale.
It was easier to control those who came to buy.
Young Master Fang, forgive my frankness, but my body hasn't been up to par for the past few years. I've had to seek solace in brothels to regain some confidence. Even though I knew the courtesans were just going through the motions, it was still better than being looked down upon at home. Please, take pity on an old man and share some of your medicine, would you?
Upon hearing Fang Er's words, Old Master Zhang became anxious.
My dear brother, this thing, it's not good to consume too much. It's like adding fuel to the fire. I fear you won't be able to handle it!
Fang Er looked at Old Master Zhang with a sympathetic gaze.
Old Master Zhang couldn't stand such a look. He felt even more strongly that he needed the divine medicine.
Brother Fang, my physique is quite robust. My condition only worsened a few years ago when I was injured by bandits during a trading trip. Therefore, I can handle it. You name your price, and I, Old Zhang, will not raise a single objection. I only implore you, Brother Fang, to spare some for me!
Fang Er pretended to believe him and said with a show of difficulty: Very well, I still have a little of this. I can spare ten pills for you. However, this medicine is precious. I paid one hundred taels of silver per pill to acquire it. What do you say, Old Brother Zhang?
I'll offer two hundred taels per pill! Additionally, I'll gift you ten fine horses. Could you possibly spare a little more?
Upon hearing the price, Old Master Zhang didn't even hesitate. He immediately doubled the offer. He was more concerned about the quantity of the medicine than the price.
In recent years, he had been trading extensively on the grasslands, primarily dealing in cattle and horses.
He would trade fifty catties of coarse salt in Chang'an for a cow on the grasslands, and one hundred catties of coarse salt for a horse!
Upon returning to Chang'an, a cow would sell for five taels of silver, and a horse for anywhere from ten to twenty taels!
This was a profit of more than double!
If he could buy back his masculine dignity with money, he wouldn't care about the cost. It would merely mean making a few more trading trips in a year.
Fang Er's heart bloomed with joy at his words. At the same time, a thought struck him. He had heard from Hu Zi that morning that Old Master Zhang dealt in horses from the grasslands. If that were the case, hmm, an idea formed.
Old Brother Zhang, since you say so, then I'll spare fifteen pills for you. However, I require breeding horses. Can you acquire them?
With those animal-use commodities, Fang Er was confident he could turn ten horses into a herd!
Brother Fang, rest assured. When we return, you can pick freely from my stud farm! How about that?
Old Master Zhang patted his chest and declared.
Horses were truly insignificant to him.
When his business was booming, he would bring back hundreds of horses from the grasslands in a single trip.
Excellent. Then I shall trouble you, Old Brother. Fang Er will go and fetch the medicine for you now.
Fang Er rose, bowed to Old Master Zhang, and returned to his room.
Old Master Zhang was so excited he could have jumped for joy. Fifteen pills! Heh heh, I'll make that woman unable to get out of bed for a month!
Old Zhang, go back and have the steward bring three thousand taels of silver. And make sure it's in cash!
With a trembling hand and a pounding heart, he pointed at Old Zhang Tou and said shakily.
Old Zhang Tou hurried back towards the Zhang mansion.
A short while later, Fang Er returned with a small porcelain bottle.
He placed the bottle before Old Master Zhang.
This is what that rascal Hu Zi stole last night. Old Master Zhang can verify it first.
Old Master Zhang felt a little embarrassed. He only knew that the medicine was effective. Old Zhang Tou had secretly ground it and mixed it into wine. He had no idea what the medicine itself looked like.
He waved his hand magnanimously: Verify what? We're neighbors, Brother Fang. I trust you!
A maidservant brought tea to Old Master Zhang at that moment, along with some dried fruits and pastries.
Fang Er's heart stirred. He asked the maidservant to fetch a jar of wine from the house.
He placed the wine jar on the table, pushing it towards Old Master Zhang. Fang Er said, Old Brother Zhang, you often travel to the grasslands. Do you know if those barbarians of the grasslands enjoy drinking?
Hahaha, Brother Fang, you've asked the right person. I've dealt with many people from the grasslands. Those barbarians, you could say they can't go a meal without our Central Plains wine. Unfortunately, due to years of continuous warfare, there's barely enough grain to eat, let alone so much wine to sell to the grasslands. Don't tell me you have a way to procure wine?
From the end of the Sui Dynasty to the early Zhenguan period, there were constant major and minor conflicts. Warfare consumed the most grain. Not only did humans need food, but even cattle and horses had to be fed with concentrated feed, otherwise, they couldn't exert much strength.
Currently, the entire Tang Dynasty eats only two meals a day. Where would there be surplus grain to make wine?
Not much for now, but we can focus on the premium market. I have strong spirits here. I wonder if they would suit the taste of those barbarians. Old Master Zhang, why don't you try some first?
Fang Er pointed to the wine jar on the table.
Oh? Strong spirits? How strong?
Old Master Zhang curiously opened the mud seal on the jar. Whoosh! A rich aroma of wine wafted towards him.
Good wine! Such fragrant wine!
Old Master Zhang praised heartily.
Then, he poured out the tea from his cup, filled it with wine, and after taking a sip, he instantly became excited.
My brother, this is indeed strong spirit. It burns like a blazing fire in the belly. The grasslands are a harsh and cold place. This wine will surely sell very well. I wonder how much you can supply?
Old Master Zhang looked at Fang Er excitedly.
This was truly an unexpected delight.
He had a premonition that once this wine reached the grasslands, it would cause a sensation!
To be frank, Old Brother Zhang, the current production of this wine is not much, only about ten to eight jars a day. It's not even enough for Chang'an city. But soon, I plan to send people to the south to collect grain. In at most six months, production will surely increase. I will have to trouble you then, Old Brother.
Fang Er was a bit conflicted. Currently, buying wine alone required several carts every day. If he brewed it himself, grain would be a problem. He intended to send people to the south to find some grain.
What a shame, what a shame. Such good wine still has to wait half a year. But let's make an agreement first. When your wine production increases, Old Brother will handle all the business on the grasslands, how about it?
Old Master Zhang said with some regret.
Rest assured, Old Brother! The grasslands will be entrusted to you. We will discuss the details then.
Fang Er raised his teacup and made a gesture to invite Old Master Zhang. Then, he drank it down in one go.
Old Master Zhang also picked up his cup and drank it down.
Then he coughed loudly.
He had completely forgotten that Fang Er was drinking water, and his cup contained wine.
Master, the silver has been brought.
At this moment, Old Zhang Tou returned with two servants, carrying a wooden chest.
As the chest landed, the servants opened the lid.
Inside, neatly stacked, were silver ingots.
Old Master Zhang beckoned to Old Zhang Tou.
Old Zhang Tou hurried over.
Old Master Zhang turned around, with his back to Fang Er, took out the porcelain bottle from his embrace, opened it, and let Old Zhang Tou glance at it, then asked in a low voice: Is this the item?
Old Zhang Tou looked and then nodded vigorously: Master, they are indeed small blue pills like these.
Old Master Zhang's hanging heart finally settled.
Brother Fang, here is three thousand taels in cash. Please accept it.
Fang Er did not stand on ceremony. He said to a nearby maidservant: Carry it to my room.