126 – Selling Formula for Growing Anti-seasonal Vegetables

Double Xiang House’s lounge had always served as a meeting room. On the center of the table was a basket of sugar-fried chestnuts. Qin Mian sat at the table while peeling the chestnuts to eat. There were a charcoal brazier and a small stove beside him. A kettle of water was heating on the stove. White smoke constantly emitted from the spout of the kettle, floating upward.

White Spot lay on the settee with its head on Qin Mian’s legs.

When Lei Tie opened the door and saw Qin Mian’s appearance of eating chestnuts on his legs, his eyes turned warm, “Please come in.”

However, he did not enter the door immediately. Only after Qin Mian had sat up properly did he walked into the room.

Qin Mian wiped his mouth clean and regained the elegant bearing of a gongzi. He gave Nie Heng and Mu Chen a wee smile and said as he cupped a fist, “So it’s Nie-gongzi and Mu-gongzi. Please sit down.”

“Sorry to bother.” Nie Heng and Muchen sat down opposite Qin Mian.

Mu Chen attentively watched White Spot in amazement. He had heard that the two owners of Double Xiang House raised a wolf. It was the first time he saw it. This wolf had a strong and muscly body with an arrogant attitude; it was truly extraordinary.

White Spot jumped out of the settee and stretched out. It went to lean over the table and stared at the chestnuts on the table.

Qin Mian picked up the kettle and steeped two cups of tea.

Lei Tie pulled back White Spot’s head and sat down beside Qin Mian. He moved the small basket of sugar-fried chestnuts to his front and peeled the chestnuts quietly. The shelled chestnuts were placed on the plate in front of Qin Mian.

After the exchange of greetings, Qin Mian asked, “What brings you two here?” Because he was no stranger to Nie Heng, his tone was more casual.

Nie Heng smilingly said, “We are sending you money.”

“Oh?” Qin Mian was noncommittal. “That’s good indeed. As long as Boss Nie doesn’t want to make money from me, I’m relieved.”

Nie Heng surmised that he knew about the canned fruits. He coughed dryly, “Boss Qin overstated. Qin Mian, knowing that you dislike beating around the bush, I’ll tell you the truth. Mu Chen and I want to buy a lot of your summer vegetables. The price is negotiable.” According to his estimation, Double Xiang House had made at least 5000 silver taels since it had these vegetables. How could he not be envious? Not only that, but Double Xiang House also took away many customers in Zhaoyang County with these vegetables, which had a significant impact on the business of Nie’s wine house.

Qin Mian motioned to them to drink tea. “You ought to know that our vegetable production is not big, only enough to supply Double Xiang House.”

“I do know that.” Nie Heng reminded him, “However, you should also aware that no one has ever been able to grow summer vegetables in winter before. You can imagine how eye-catching your vegetables are. According to my intelligence, the news has reached the prefectural city. I believe it will not be long before people will come to inquire for information. If you cooperate with me and Mu Chen, it will not only bring you rich profits but also break down most of the pressure for you. What can you have against it?”

“Most of the pressure?” Qin Mian keenly grasped the keywords.

Qin Mian’s appearance of showing an interest made Nie Heng more confident in persuading him. He nodded his head and said, “Yes. My Nie Family’s root is actually in Qingtian Prefecture. We have engaged in business within five generations, our influence is deep-rooted. And Mu Chen’s family is even better. He’s not from Zhaoyang County but Capital City. I can’t tell you his identity for the time being, but I can say that if someone covets your formula for growing anti-seasonal vegetables, Mu Chen can stop it.”

Light flashed past in Lei Tie’s black eyes. This was why he was wary of Mu Chen. From the first time he saw Mu Chen, he vaguely felt that Mu Chen’s identity was not so simple. Mu Chen was born with a noble aura. No matter how he suppressed it, some still leaked out.

Qin Mian was silent. He had hesitated for a long time before growing the anti-seasonal vegetables. As Nie Heng said, the anti-seasonal vegetables were indeed eye-catching. Some shrewd people might think about whether summer fruits or grain crops could also be grown in winter through the same method. If someone thought he could grow grain crops in winter, it would be very troublesome. The reason why he made up his mind later was that he did not have much involvement in growing anti-seasonal vegetables. It could be said that Uncle Fu and the others figured out how the anti-seasonal vegetables could be grown successfully. Even if people were to investigate, they could not suspect him and Lei Tie.

Nie Heng’s words made Qin Mian suddenly think of another idea.

He looked at Lei Tie inquisitively.

Lei Tie tightly held his wife’s hand on the table, looked directly at Mu Chen, and said in a slow voice, “I have a good friend who is very familiar with Capital City, but I haven’t heard him mentioned a prominent family with the surname Mu in Capital City.” If Nie Heng’s words were true, “Mu Chen” was just a pseudonym. Still, this probing was necessary.

Mu Chen took out a token¹ from the inside of his clothes and showed only half of it to Lei Tie. Noticing a sharp glint passing through the man’s eyes, he was surprised and bewildered. As if nothing had happened, he put away the token. “Boss Lei should believe it now?”

Qin Mian didn’t see what it was; he looked at Lei Tie.

Lei Tie gripped his wife’s hand and nodded slightly.

Qin Mian thought of the word “safety” that he had been following and smiled with relief. His line of sight went to Nie Heng and Mu Chen. “Since it is so, are you two interested in the formula for growing anti-seasonal vegetables?”

Nie Heng was so happy that he almost knocked over the teacup. He solemnly asked, “Qin Mian, are you serious?” He had thought about buying the formula directly but didn’t mention it as he believed Qin Mian would not sell it. To his surprise, aimlessly planting willow became a shade.²

“The formula for anti-seasonal vegetables can turn into a hot potato; your decision is wise,” said Mu Chen as he looked at Qin Mian directly. At this time, he had completely put aside the contempt for Qin Mian.

Qin Mian said everything that should be said clearly, “But there is one condition. After selling the formula to you, my family can continue to grow anti-seasonal vegetables.”

Nie Heng picked up the teapot to replenish the tea for four people, “How many mu³ of vegetables does your family plan to grow?”

Qin Mian said, “No more than 10 mu.”

Nie Heng and Mu Chen exchanged a look. “Sure. You have to make sure that you don’t disclose the formula, or else you have to compensate us according to the number of leaks.”

As spectators, neither Lei Tie nor Mu Chen allowed the other to take advantage of the negotiation.

“Of course.” Qin Mian asked, “Now, can you tell me what price are you willing to offer?”

Before Nie Heng was ready to open his mouth, Qin Mian raised his hand to stop him, “The formula may also be suitable for growing fruits, flowers, and even grain crops. So, Boss Nie, you should think clearly before you open your mouth.”

Nie Heng was rendered speechless and sighed in frustration. The profiteer would not leave him any chance to exploit the loophole.

“Qin Mian, you and I are somewhat considered friends.”

Qin Mian drank the tea calmly, “There are no fathers and sons on the battlefield, no brothers in the affair of love; how can there be friends in the business world?”

Mu Chen laughed as he applauded. “Good one, ‘no fathers and sons on the battlefield, no brothers in the affair of love, no friends in the business world’. Boss Qin is right.”

“Which side are you on?” Nie Heng speechlessly glared at him. Then, he pulled Mu Chen to the corner, discussed in low voices for a while, and came back.

“50,000 silver taels, how about that?” asked Nie Heng. A business was all about bargaining. He said 50,000 as a way of probing.

Qin Mian shook his head. “Our family has two aspects that are not as good as yours. One: we have not as many people as you. Two: our influence is not as big as you. Otherwise, we will keep the formula and try to grow flowers, fruits, and grain crops later. Just imagine, how much wealth will it bring? Boss Nie and Mu-gongzi, it seems that you two don’t have much sincerity.”

“You can make an offer,” said Nie Heng with a smile.

Qin Mian bluntly said, “Fixed price: 80,000 taels.”

“60,000.”

“80,000.”

“65,000 taels.”

“75,000 taels.”

“70,000.”

Qin Mian unhurriedly said, “80,000.”

Nie Heng helplessly shook his head, “Fine, 75,000 taels. But we don’t have so much money on us. We’ll come back tomorrow morning.”

There were writing materials on the side of the desk. Qin Mian fetched them. “Let’s draw up the document first. Tomorrow morning, I’ll send someone to pick you up from Double Xiang House to my house. After signing the document, I’ll let people show you around the greenhouse and tell you in detail how to grow anti-seasonal vegetables. If you don’t understand anything, you can ask on the spot.”

Nie Heng and Mu Chen both appreciate his magnanimity.

Nie Heng said, “You are very considerate. Then, it’s a deal.”

The two agreed on the terms and wrote them down one by one with careful consideration. After making sure that there were no loopholes, they made three copies.

When the business talk was over, Qin Mian mentioned the ‘Big Adventure of Sweeping Away the Old and Starting Afresh’ activity. “Both of you are Diamond Members. May I know when will you have leisure time?”

Only then Nie Heng recalled this matter, “Oh! After I get the formula, I have to find people to work on it. I’m afraid I have no leisure time.”

Mu Chen regrettably said, “In a few days, I’ll have to return to Capital City.”

Qin Mian inwardly said we’ll be more relaxed if you two don’t go. “That’s regrettable.”

Mu Chen bluntly put forward his opinion, “Boss Qin, I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to set the time for the ‘great adventure’ in winter. It’s so cold in this season, I’m afraid few people are willing to go out.”

Qin Mian wore an expression of humbly receiving advice, “Mu-gongzi’s words are reasonable. We will consider Mu-gongzi’s opinion and strive for improvement.”

Nie Heng said, “Since neither of us has time to participate, can we get compensation from Double Xiang House as a Diamond Member?”

Qin Mian shook his head in disapproval, “That’s not right. It’s your reason that you can’t take part in the great adventure, not our fault. Therefore, please forgive us for not being able to do anything about it.”

Nie Heng and Mu Chen could do nothing about it. In any way, they couldn’t take back 20,000 silver taels. Double Xiang House had said earlier that the deposit couldn’t be withdrawn.

“Well then,” Qin Mian thought for a moment and said, “you can pick some sweet oranges in the orchard tomorrow.”

Nie Heng and Mu Chen looked at each other with a smile, “Sounds good to me. It’s getting late; we’ll go back to Zhaoyang County. See you tomorrow.”

“Please.”

Sat in the carriage leaving Double Xiang House, Mu Chen said to Nie Heng, “I’m afraid that Boss Lei is not just a farmer.”

“Why do you say that?” asked Nie Heng.

Mu Chen said in a low voice, “First of all, it’s because of his imposing manner. Besides, when I took out the token, I only showed him the decorative pattern on the lower part of the token. He seemed to recognize what it was. One might well ask; how could a farmer have seen such a token?”

Nie Heng nodded, “You also know that I have always been cautious. Back then, when Eating Savory Restaurant suddenly rose, I sent someone to investigate Lei Tie. I only knew that he ran away from home at the age of 12 and came back less than two years ago. Almost nothing has been found about the ten years since he left. However, their Lei Family has been in Green Mountain Village for generations, so there is no need to worry too much about it.”

“As long as you are well aware of it.”

Since the autumn harvest, Qin Mian and Lei Tie had been busy at home. They seldom came to the town and thus accumulated a lot of account books. They had people send over the account books of both shops and checked the account books together. At noon, they had a hot pot in Double Xiang House. In the afternoon, the two continued to check the account books. When the sky darkened and the lanterns were lit, they finished the last account book.

The final total amount uplifted their mood. It was worth it to be busy for a year.

As soon as Qin Mian stretched out, Lei Tie’s hands fell on his shoulders and gave him a massage.

“A-Tie, from the establishment of Double Xiang House to now, it made a total income of 13,000 taels, and Eating Savory Restaurant made 1,300 taels this year. We can be regarded as having a small asset, right?” Qin Mian’s face lit up with happiness, and a row of neat white teeth was displayed.

“En.” Lei Tie nodded. “Wife, I’ll take you to the prefectural city on the Lantern Festival.”

“Great!” Qin Mian’s heart felt warm. Is this a make-up honeymoon? He rubbed his flushed face and looked at the sky. “It’s getting late. Are we going home this evening?”

“Go home.” Lei Tie’s fervent eyes stared fixedly at him, “The honored guest suite is not home no matter how good it is.”

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