Chapter 1745: Quilt Workshop
Chapter 1745: Chapter 1745: Quilt Workshop
After Dou Ke dealt with Mrs. Dou Meng, he took over the Dou Family and transformed from Young Master to Dong Master.
"Didn’t the young master say Company Commander Qin was the most upright? Why swear such a vicious oath?" The housekeeper muttered to himself, thinking that the young master’s words were indeed not very reliable.
"Silence, Company Commander Qin is a valued friend of the young master, do not spread baseless rumors." Chief Ruan was also shocked by this disgraceful oath, but since the young master valued Company Commander Qin, he sent a message, instructing him to heed Company Commander Qin, and any disobedience would cost him his life!
If it weren’t for knowing the young master loves beauties, with a crush who is a young lady, he would worry if the young master had other intentions.
Nonetheless, Chief Ruan, being cautious and wise, seeing the young master’s sudden respect for a small soldier, inquired with a letter to prevent the young master from being deceived.
Though Chief Ruan is loyal, Dou Ke knows he must conceal Qin San Lang’s identity, saying only that the chaos in Great Chu has begun, and those who command the soldiers will be crucial in the future, and Qin San Lang is a person of deep loyalty, serving him well will be beneficial later.
Upon hearing the word "utilize," Chief Ruan felt reassured.
That’s more like it, what kind of person is their young master? A cunning merchant. If there weren’t some value, why would he help a little soldier?
"Who are you? Why are you entering the city? From where did you enter? Do you have official clearance papers?" Squad Leader Shi saw Chief Ruan and his group standing still and gestured for Xiao Lin to come forward for questioning.
Chief Ruan presented the clearance papers and the credentials for entering the city to Squad Leader Shi: "We came from Daliang Prefecture."
After examining the documents, Squad Leader Shi hurriedly cupped his hands: "Ah, from the Imperial Merchant Dou Family, my apologies. The Rong bandit spies are formidable; strict inspections are necessary for entering and exiting the city nowadays."
The Imperial Merchant Dou Family doesn’t have much reputation in the Northwest, yet it’s not wise to offend them.
"We understand, it is appropriate to inspect thoroughly." Chief Ruan smiled, took a bag offered by a nearby attendant, and presented it to Squad Leader Shi: "Meat jerky brought from Daliang Prefecture, there’s not much left, Squad Leader, have a taste."
Squad Leader Shi’s eyes lit up, he accepted with a smile: "To be honest, because of the troublesome little ancestors, many poultry and livestock have been ruined; we didn’t even have meat for Mid-Autumn Festival."
We only ate some eggs, and made moon cakes with flour and sugar, and celebrated that way.
"You must have business here, I won’t hold you up. Please proceed." Squad Leader Shi knew Chief Ruan offered the jerky to forge good relations, ensuring smooth passage in the city, and he hurriedly let them through.
"Thank you." Chief Ruan cupped his hands and led everyone straight to Lei Family’s Courtyard.
"Halt, this is Lei Family’s Courtyard, random entry is prohibited." Niu Wujin brought a group of youngsters to block the street alley entrance, stopping Chief Ruan: "Have you used Insect Attractant? Have credentials for city entry?"
A barrage of questions followed.
Chief Ruan looked at these vigilant kids of varying heights, smiled: "We have all of it."
He knew these youngsters were likely the soldiers’ children, so he handed the credentials to them, and said: "We are from the Imperial Merchant Dou Family, my surname is Ruan, I come to visit Chief Qin and Mrs. Qin by invitation, these are the posts."
"I can’t read." Niu Wujin, illiterate, pointed at Brother Yi: "Brother Yi, take a look, remember to wear gloves, in case there’s poison on the post, it could kill you."
Brother Yi nodded, ah-ed, donning gloves, he took the posts, flipping through them with furrowed brows.
Chief Ruan knew he was young and might not recognize all the characters, so reminded him, "The difficult character at the end of the posts is Dou."
Brother Yi blushed, feeling both embarrassed and stubbornly replied, "You wait here, I will find someone who knows this character!"
Saying that, he ran off with the posts.
More than a quarter of an hour later, Feng Jin personally came to receive Chief Ruan: "Are you Chief Ruan of the Dou Family?"
"Indeed, upon receiving the message, not daring to delay, I immediately brought the convoy." Chief Ruan said, handing over his identity token.
After inspecting it, Feng Jin nodded: "Please follow me, the master and mistress are waiting for you."
Niu Wujin heard this, quickly said: "He’s one of ours, quick, move the wooden fence, let them through!"
A group of youngsters hurriedly moved the wooden fence aside.
The Protectors of the Lei Family’s Trading Team, however, were smiling as they ate a lunch of mixed grain porridge while watching them.
Knowing there are many children here, Chief Ruan instructed his attendant: "Give them some candy."
"Yes." An attendant quickly took out a bag and distributed a piece of caramel to each of them.
Niu Wujin didn’t eat it, holding the caramel, he said: "Uncle Ruan, you’re not very practical, we are most lacking grain and meat now. Next time don’t buy candy, it’s expensive and doesn’t fill stomachs, bring some grain and meat, it’s more nourishing."
The Lei Family’s Trading Team Protectors, eating nearby, all laughed at this.
Chief Ruan chuckled too, nodded in agreement: "I wasn’t thoughtful enough, next time I will not bring such things, but will bring grain and meat."
"Thank you!" Niu Wujin said politely, delighted.
Chief Ruan nodded and followed Feng Jin into Lei Family’s Courtyard, where he met Qin San Lang and Gu Jinli.
Seeing Gu Jinli, Chief Ruan frowned slightly, but having traveled widely and experienced much, and hearing from the young master that while the Gu Family may be ruthless, they are exceedingly beautiful, with a face matching that of Company Commander Qin, he guessed the pus on her face was fake.
As for Qin San Lang, he felt invigorated, no wonder the young master befriended him, a character whose demeanor rivals that of the noble families, anyone would wish to associate with him.
"The old servant greets Company Commander Qin and Mrs. Qin." Chief Ruan respectfully saluted.
Qin San Lang nodded, his voice carrying authority: "Chief Ruan, no need for formalities."
Gu Jinli also said: "In such haste to come, Chief Ruan’s efforts are appreciated."
Gu Jinli looked at Chief Ruan like seeing the God of Wealth, her smile was sweet.
"Thank you, Company Commander Qin." Chief Ruan stood upright, looked at Gu Jinli, smiled: "Mrs. Qin is too kind, the old servant should thank you instead. The Snowdown Quilt I tried is indeed light and comfortable, as well as incredibly warm, much better than cotton quilts. Such refined items, if sold in the Capital, will surely be popular."
Due to conflicts in the Northwest, the poisonous insect disease outbreak, and stores requiring a ten percent tax, Dou Family’s business has been somewhat affected, but if they have this Snowdown Quilt, the Dou Family can certainly earn a hefty profit.
Gu Jinli smiled: "As long as Chief Ruan is satisfied."
Goose down wasn’t a nice name, she gave it a new one, calling it Snowdown Quilt, sounding more celestial, fitting the taste of noble families and high-ranking officials.
Chief Ruan, an efficient person, quite optimistic about the Snowdown Quilt, eagerly said: "Company Commander Qin, Mrs. Qin, where is the Snowdown Quilt made? Could you take the old servant to see it?"
Eager to inspect the goods, if they match expectations, he’d arrange for the convoy to transport them to the Capital for sale.
It’s already mid-August, and with the transport taking about three months, they must hurry, lest they miss the winter season.