usatvline Chapter 151 The Envoy Delegation
Chapter 151 The Envoy Delegation
Yan Xing'an's thoughts returned to the inkstone, and he immediately became serious. He returned the inkstone to Yu Wanran, saying, "This is the first time I've seen this kind of clay inkstone. The quality is excellent, no less than other famous inkstones! It's just..."
He hesitated for a moment, but decided to tell the truth out of respect for Yan Cheng'an.
"It's just that the appearance is really low-end. Selling it to wealthy and powerful families might not be feasible..."
His Rongbaozhai is a place frequented by the powerful and wealthy. If he were to display such an ugly inkstone, wouldn't he be lowering his own status?
He considered introducing Yu Wanran to his other friends. Those friends ran businesses selling slightly lower-end goods, and they could introduce this inkstone to impoverished students; it might be well-received.
However, since Yan Cheng'an brought the person, wouldn't it be inappropriate for him to push him away?
Seeing his hesitation, Yu Wanran smiled and said, "This is just an initial sample from our Chengya Inkstone Workshop. We are currently developing Chengni inkstones with more exquisite colors and patterns!"
Yan Xing'an's eyes lit up, and he immediately became very interested.
"So this high-quality inkstone is called a Chengni inkstone! Can your guizhuang really produce inkstones with color?"
If this kind of black, truly unadorned inkstone were made more attractive and colored, I believe it would create a stir in the market and be sought after by the wealthy and literati!
"We have just established the inkstone workshop and are only in the preliminary preparation stage..."
Yu Wanran dared not make any definitive statements.
She knew that Chengni inkstone would definitely become one of the four famous inkstones, but whether it was brought to prominence by her, who knows?
Yan Xing'an and Yan Cheng'an were both business-minded people, and upon hearing her words, they keenly sensed the business opportunity.
Yan Cheng'an hurriedly said, "Miss Yu, if those colored inkstones are made, you can transport them directly to the capital, and I will buy a batch!"
Even if it results in a loss, it's worth it to help Miss Yu and repay her for saving my life twice!
"Cheng'an, you brat! Doesn't your family run a medicinal herb business?"
Yan Xing'an laughed and scolded, "In the Great Zhao Dynasty, your Yan family makes the lion's share of the business from medicinal herbs! And you still want to compete with the common people for profits and try to snatch Miss Yu's Chengni inkstone from me?"
Yan Cheng'an lightly waved his folding fan, revealing a smug and irritating smile.
"Didn't you say you didn't want it? I can open a special trade route for Miss Yu's Chengni inkstone!"
Good things are always in demand, and nobody's afraid of making more money!
Yan Xing'an punched him hard, then said seriously to Yu Wanran, "Miss Yu, if your inkstone workshop can produce colored inkstones, as long as they retain the quality of this inkstone, I will buy them at a high price!"
"Trust me! Rongbaozhai's expertise in packaging and promoting stationery is unparalleled in the industry, and we will not let your inkstone shop down!"
Yan Cheng'an smiled and waved his folding fan, his words half-truths and half-lies.
"Miss Yu, if he's blind and doesn't appreciate your Chengni inkstone, be sure to come find me."
Yu Wanran looked at him gratefully and smiled at Yan Xing'an, saying, "Then next time I come to the capital, I will definitely show you the new inkstones I produce."
People don't value things that are offered to them; they only realize their value when someone else takes them. Yan Xing'an, wanting to get to know potential future business partners, made this suggestion.
"How about I treat you both to a meal at Taiye Tower?"
Just as Yu Wanran was about to mention that her elder brother was still waiting at the inn, they suddenly heard a cheerful and unique exotic melody playing downstairs, a symphony of gongs, drums, and string instruments. The three of them stopped talking and looked out the window from their vantage point.
A procession slowly passed through the street. The honor guard led the way, while officers and soldiers dispersed the onlookers and escorted them.
The people were dressed in brightly colored, smooth sarongs. The men wore headscarves and delicate short knives at their waists. The women wore veils and headscarves, which occasionally fluttered in the wind, revealing their exotic features with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and sensual lips.
A fleeting glimpse, yet utterly stunning.
Yan Cheng'an glanced at it only once before calmly looking away.
Yan Xing'an, however, was quite interested and watched the procession turn the corner and disappear from sight before turning back to sit down.
"The envoy from Pahang has arrived, also to celebrate the Emperor's birthday!"
The annual birthday celebrations, which attracted envoys from various countries to the capital, became a major event in the city.
Yu Wanran's heart skipped a beat: "I've heard that Pahang and Java produce spices?"
"Miss Yu is interested in spices?"
Neither of the two people present had family businesses involved in spices. Upon hearing Yu Wanran's words, Yan Chengan immediately chimed in.
“Every year, merchants from both countries would come to the capital with their envoys to trade. However, few people could understand their language, so few people inquired about their goods.”
The imperial court did have dedicated translators, but who would lower themselves to negotiate business for merchants? So, despite knowing the value of exotic spices, they were simply accepted as tribute, and few people thought of trading them.
Yan Cheng'an offered, "Miss Yu, if you're interested in the spice business, I can introduce you to merchants from Pahang."
He was a tutor to the Crown Prince, his grandfather was the Emperor's teacher, and his elder brother was a high-ranking official of the first rank. Even if he had not officially entered the court as an official, contacting envoys would be a piece of cake for him.
Yu Wanran was deeply moved.
"Young Master Yan, can you really introduce me to merchants from Pahang?"
Previously, access to spices required venturing overseas. Now, by getting to know Pahang merchants beforehand, wouldn't that pave a much brighter future for our businesses?
"Is it not difficult to meet with Pahang businessmen?"
Yan Xing'an coughed lightly beside him: "But they speak in a gibberish, can you even understand them? Even the imperial translators can't quite understand their local dialect. If we really become business partners, who knows how many losses we'll suffer, both openly and secretly!"
The beauties presented by Pahang were acceptable, but the envoys and merchants... gave the impression of being both arrogant and cunning.
Yu Wanran considered her personal assets and decided to first make contact with some Pahang merchants. Although her current net worth was not enough to purchase in large quantities, she should be able to afford the purchase price for a small amount of spices.
"Then please introduce me to Pahang merchants, Young Master Yan. As for communication, don't worry, I speak Pahang!"
Yan Cheng'an was taken aback, his eyes widening in disbelief: "Miss Yu, you actually know the local dialect of Pengheng! How did you learn it?"
She's just a sixteen-year-old girl. Even if she comes from a Duke's mansion, how could she possibly be so talented?
If it were anyone else, they would almost suspect that the Duke's mansion had some ulterior motive for cultivating such a talent!
Yu Wanran sighed softly. Having no other option, she could only shift the blame onto her long-lost master: "My master was a reclusive master, who traveled extensively and was fluent in many languages..."
Yan Cheng'an and Yan Xing'an were filled with awe.
Even with a teacher, Yu Wanran's current talent is a testament to her exceptional ability and hard work!
Yu Wanran glanced at the two people sitting next to her. They looked like spoiled young masters, but in reality, they controlled an important family business at a young age and had considerable influence.
She suddenly had an idea and wanted to bring the two of them onto her merchant ship!
She smiled slyly.
"Young Master Yan, Young Master Yan, I have connections with people from Pahang! Are you interested in partnering in the spice business?"