Chapter 7: Chapter 7 : Father, why were you so polite
"Then we'll use last year's price."
"No problem."
"Begin weighing them. If there are no issues, the silver will be settled on the spot."
The servants of the Xu household began weighing the pears continuously. Before long, they were finished.
Beside Third Master Xu stood a young man dressed in brocade robes. As he looked at those Green Jade Pears, his eyes burned with desire. Then he glanced at Wentian, his face carrying a hint of disdain.
"Master, the weight is correct."
Third Master Xu nodded slightly and immediately paid Wentian three thousand two hundred taels of silver.
"Wentian, your skill is truly not bad. Are you interested in selling the secret method for growing Green Jade Pears to my Xu family? My Xu family is willing to purchase it at a high price."
"Third Master, I do have some experience, but there truly is no secret method."
"If Third Master needs it, I will tell you everything I know. But I was only a little lucky. I have no confidence that I could make Green Jade Pear trees survive again next time."
"If you spend six or seven years, or even longer, only to gain nothing in the end, then I would not only be letting Third Master Xu down, I would also be letting down my late father."
Third Master Xu lowered his head and pondered for a moment. Then he smiled.
"I was merely asking."
"Good. Since the matter is finished, I still have other business, so I'll be leaving first."
"Third Master, take care."
Wentian escorted the Xu household's group to the gate.
Only after they had gone far away did he let out a breath and return inside.
After leaving the Jianyi household, the brocade-robed young man finally could not hold himself back.
"Father, why were you so polite to an ordinary peasant?"
"In the past, he was nothing more than a long-term laborer who relied on our family for food."
"The Green Jade Pear is a good thing. Why not simply seize the secret method directly? Would he dare refuse to hand it over?"
"Do you truly think our Xu family is the sky of Dongxi Village?"
Third Master Xu glared at the brocade-robed young man. After hearing those words, his eyes were filled with disappointment.
"Leaving aside whether the secret method is real or not, Green Jade Pears are indeed very difficult to cultivate. I have only heard that a few aristocratic families in the commandery city have mastered the method. Do you think he could have figured it out on his own in just a few years?"
"There is one thing Wentian said correctly. If we spend seven or eight years and invest a great amount of manpower, resources, and silver, only to gain nothing in the end, then it would be far from worth it."
"Right now, there is a ready supply for us to purchase. We can turn around and sell it in the county city and directly earn eight hundred to one thousand taels of profit. Is there anything easier than making money like this?"
"Father is right."
Seeing that his eldest son still seemed somewhat unconvinced, Third Master Xu said, "Do not look down on Wentian. He has even shown his face before your great-grandfather."
"The Xu family has reached where it is today by relying on reputation and credibility."
"Do not ruin the Xu family's reputation merely for the sake of a few Green Jade Pears. Otherwise, I will not be polite with you."
Ever since Old Master Xu passed away, the Xu family had not produced a truly outstanding family head. At most, they had barely managed to preserve what they inherited.
Now that some extravagant, pleasure-seeking descendants had begun appearing in the clan, the family had also started to decline.
At the Jianyi household.
"Husband, how did the Green Jade Pears sell?"
"Three thousand two hundred taels."
Wentian took out the silver notes.
Bai Jing patted her chest and said, "Then I can feel relieved. I was truly afraid that the Xu family would simply take them by force."
"It shouldn't come to that. But in the future, it may be hard to say."
"Husband means…?"
"I noticed that Third Master Xu's eldest son, Xu Tao, seemed to have some ideas."
"Then what should we do?"
Bai Jing's heart became tense again, and worry appeared on her face.
"No need to worry. Third Master Xu is a wise man."
Wentian held her hand and said, "He won't ruin the reputation and credibility that the Xu family has built over many years for the sake of such a small profit."
"Husband is still the impressive one."
Seeing that her man had such insight, Bai Jing could not help but praise him.
"With Husband here, in the future, the Jianyi family may also become a rural gentry clan like the Xu family."
The two boys had both gone outside to play.
They were still young, and Wentian did not want to restrain their nature too much, so he allowed them to do as they pleased.
With no one else around and seeing Bai Jing's full figure, Wentian's hands began to grow restless.
"Husband, in broad daylight like this, it isn't appropriate."
"What's inappropriate about it? Shitou and A'Yuan aren't here."
"Tantou is here."
Wentian turned his head and looked.
Only then did he see that the youngest child in Bai Jing's arms had somehow woken up without him noticing. His dark eyes were open, staring straight at Wentian.
Large eyes stared into small eyes.
Wentian did not know whether to laugh or cry. He reached out and touched the baby's little cheek.
"He really is."
"Forget it. I'll make a trip to Ergou's house. That Qi and Blood Pill was quite valuable. This money has to be repaid."
As soon as Wentian left, Tantou slowly closed his eyes again, as if there was no longer any excitement to watch.