Ji Yangzong, who usually loved going out for walks, had gone out far less since the horses arrived. He even got up several times at night to check their numbers, afraid they might be stolen.
Besides, the stored fodder was also running low.
So Huo Shu told Chen Pu that he could see them today if he was free. Chen Pu immediately returned with two capable assistants to inspect the horses.
Huo Shu then sent a messenger to the medical hall to inform Ji Taoyu, he wouldn’t be coming for lunch at noon. Once the horse business was settled in the afternoon, he would come back to the city to pick him up.
Chen Pu had expected the horses brought back from the northern frontier to be of good quality, but when he arrived at the Ji family and saw the sleek, bright-eyed steeds, they still exceeded his expectations.
None of these horses were inferior to Huo Shu’s black stallion. Every one he looked at seemed excellent.
As a merchant, Chen Pu naturally loved horses—not just for transporting goods, but also for their endurance and speed.
In autumn, with its crisp and refreshing air, horse polo and archery events were held one after another. Having a strong, well-built mount was a matter of pride.
In Tongzhou, extravagance was a competition, and merchants were especially prone to rivalry.
For these wealthy merchants with ample food and clothing, displaying nobility seemed to have become a necessary pursuit.
Chen Pu’s joy was evident as he surveyed the horses.
"May I take one for a ride?"
Ji Yangzong, with his hands behind his back, accompanied Chen Pu to inspect the horses. Though Chen Pu didn’t recognize Ji Yangzong, anyone who enjoyed tea and collected tea sets would know Chen Pu.
Ji Yangzong was no exception. When he learned Chen Pu had come to see the horses, he was delighted.
He said to Huo Shu first, "As long as he doesn’t trample the village crops, he can ride as many rounds as he likes."
Huo Shu agreed.
Chen Pu, his passion for horses ignited, eagerly led a prized brown steed onto the village path for a ride.
The midday sun blazed, but it did nothing to dampen the merchant’s enthusiasm. After a gallop, he returned exhilarated.
Wiping sweat from his face, now slightly reddened from the sun, Chen Pu took a drink of water.
Though they had traveled together, apart from necessary exchanges, the two had barely spoken.
Huo Shu was simply not one for casual conversation. Though Chen Pu was a smooth and experienced merchant, he rarely encountered someone like Huo Shu, who made it difficult to strike up a conversation.
Yet such people had their advantages—they were straightforward, with little pretense. Once you got used to their stern expressions and silence, they were far easier to deal with than those with smiling faces but hidden agendas.
After dismounting and taking a drink, Chen Pu found himself speaking more with Ji Yangzong than he had with Huo Shu the entire way.
"Village Head Ji, your son-in-law’s horses are truly exceptional. They make the two I treasure at home seem inferior in comparison."
Chen Pu said to Ji Yangzong, "I came in a hurry today and didn’t bring any gifts. Another day, I’ll have my men deliver two sets of porcelain teacups for you to enjoy your tea. This season’s heat is unbearable."
Though Ji Yangzong’s expression remained neutral, he was inwardly pleased.
With a chuckle, he replied, "Manager Chen, you’re too kind. But these horses really are of fine quality, feel free to try any that catch your eye."
"My son-in-law isn’t much of a talker, but you can speak directly with him—he’s easy to deal with. These horses were brought back from the northern frontier, and you’re the first customer, so you can pick the best ones."
Hearing that he was the first to select the horses, Chen Pu was even more delighted.
"The horses are excellent, but may I ask your price, Brother Huo?"
Of the remaining twenty-five horses for sale, twenty were of medium grade, and only five were top-grade.
Chen Pu was clearly a connoisseur—after inspecting them, his gaze kept returning to the five top-grade horses. Perhaps sensing that Huo Shu was not one for indirectness, he made no effort to hide his admiration.
Huo Shu stated his price.
The medium-grade horses had sold for around one hundred eighty taels each on the road, he asked for two hundred per horse.
As for the top-grade ones, they would cost an additional hundred taels.
Chen Pu was a porcelain merchant, a man who dealt in lucrative trade. While these sums might seem enormous to ordinary people, to him, they were trivial.
But no matter how much silver one had, even if they could splurge recklessly in pleasure houses, merchants were cautious—even harsh—in business dealings.
And after seeing the horses, Chen Pu’s ambitions extended beyond just two or three.
The two negotiated in the study:
"Brother Huo, you’re an honest man, and your prices are fair. But I intend to buy several, could we discuss a more favorable deal?"
Huo Shu replied, "The horse prices can be negotiated. However, I’ve opened a trade route from south to north, and I’d like porcelain to be among the goods in the future."
Chen Pu laughed, his mirth open and hearty.
Huo Shu’s directness made things effortless for him: "Porcelain prices can also be negotiated. But regarding the horses brought back from the north, will I have the honor of seeing them first in the future?"
"Of course."
Externally, Huo Shu seized the opportunity to request a shop in the city.
It wasn’t that he envied the merchants their respectable storefronts, it was simply a practical need.
In the future, when trading goods, transporting them from cloth shops, tea houses, porcelain workshops, and the like back to the village would be inconvenient—too conspicuous and prone to gossip.
Having a foothold in the city would save him the trouble.
Chen Pu didn’t find Huo Shu’s request excessive. For merchants, such things were easy to arrange.
Though he wasn’t in the business of buying land or constructing buildings, he did own many shops.
He readily agreed to Huo Shu’s request and discussed the location and type of shopfront he wanted. If nothing suitable was available, he knew other merchants and could make introductions.
Unexpectedly, Huo Shu only wanted a large shopfront and had no requirements regarding the location, which made things much easier.
Thank you for the update!!
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