The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

Gang Leader Ma and Captain Zheng hurried into the courtyard, their faces filled with unconcealed excitement. Tang Youyou rose to greet them and ushered them into the main hall to sit down. Tang Wan obediently served tea to the guests, while Tang Jin and Tang Xiaoya looked on curiously from the side.

"Madam Tang, we are here this time because we have a big business to discuss with you." Gang leader Ma went straight to the point, with a hint of mystery in his tone.

"Oh? I wonder what kind of business it is that has caused you two to mobilize so many troops?" Tang Youyou put down the teacup and asked with interest.

Captain Zheng took over and explained, "Well, we heard you've developed a new method for preserving fruits and vegetables for extended periods of time, and it's working remarkably well. We're thinking if we could ship these fresh fruits and vegetables overseas and sell them to places that are chronically short on them, we'd be incredibly profitable!"

After hearing this, Tang Youyou's heart moved. She had thought about expanding her business overseas before, but due to the inconvenience of transportation and information, she had never put it into action. Now, the initiative of Ma Gang Leader and Captain Zheng to come to her was undoubtedly a great opportunity for her.

"You two do have good ideas, but the risks of sailing on the sea are huge. I wonder if you..." Tang Youyou did not rush to express his opinion, but asked cautiously.

"Don't worry, Madam Tang. We have been sailing on the sea for many years and are familiar with the routes and risks. We can ensure that the cargo arrives safely at its destination." Captain Zheng assured him, patting his chest.

The caravan leader also added: "Our caravan has extensive experience in land transportation and can deliver the goods safely to the port."

Seeing the two of them full of confidence, Tang Youyou had already made up her mind. She took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Okay, I agree to cooperate with you!"

Hearing Tang Youyou's agreement, Gang Leader Ma and Captain Zheng were overjoyed. They immediately discussed the specific details of the cooperation with Tang Youyou, from the type and quantity of goods to the transportation route and the profit sharing ratio, finalizing every detail one by one.

Tang Wan and Tang Jin also joined the discussion. They were responsible for compiling the cargo list and calculating the cost and profit respectively, while Tang Xiaoya helped to keep count. The family worked together to prepare for the upcoming maritime trade.

As the night deepened, Gang Leader Ma and Captain Zheng stood up to say goodbye. Before leaving, Gang Leader Ma said to Tang Youyou meaningfully, "Madam Tang, for this cooperation, you must be prepared to ride the wind and waves!"

Tang Youyou looked at the two of them leaving, a confident smile on her lips: "Don't worry, I'm ready."

Tang Youyou's decision stirred up a wave of turmoil in her peaceful pastoral life. After Ma Gangzhu and Captain Zheng left, Tang Youyou began to prepare goods and manpower. She carefully sorted and classified the fruits and vegetables she grew, using the latest methods to preserve them. At the same time, she began to inquire around, recruiting experienced crew members and sailors.

However, things weren't going as smoothly as expected. News arrived from the caravans that, due to the recent heavy traffic, many horses were exhausted and unable to carry the heavy loads. Captain Zheng also faced a challenge. Several experienced sailors who had originally agreed to sail were unable to make the trip due to family matters, making it difficult to find suitable replacements.

"Mom, what should we do? If the goods cannot be shipped out, won't our plan be ruined?" Tang Wan couldn't help but feel worried after hearing the news.

"Don't worry, there will always be a way out." Tang Youyou comforted her daughter. At the same time, she was also thinking about a solution.

She remembered a good friend she had met before whose family ran a large horse farm and she thought she might be able to rent a group of strong horses from him. So she immediately wrote a letter and asked someone to send it to him urgently.

As for the crew issue, Tang Youyou decided to go to the dock in person to see if she could find suitable candidates. She brought Tang Jin to a teahouse near the dock, which was often a place where crew members gathered to rest.

Tang Youyou sipped her tea while observing the people around her calmly. Suddenly, her eyes fell on a table of people in the corner. Those people were tall and strong, with dark skin. They looked like men who had been wandering on the sea for many years, but they all had a somewhat lonely look on their faces.

Tang Youyou's heart moved, and she stood up and walked over. She asked a few questions politely and learned that these people were experienced sailors, but because business at the dock was quiet recently, they had not found a suitable ship to go out to sea.

"If you don't mind, you can come and work on my ship. I guarantee that the treatment will satisfy everyone." Tang Youyou directly extended an olive branch.

The crew members were a little hesitant at first, but when they heard that Tang Youyou was going to engage in maritime trade and that her destination was far overseas, they immediately became interested.

"Mrs. Tang, are you serious? Are you really willing to take a bunch of us rough guys to venture overseas?" asked a burly crew member with a hint of disbelief in his tone.

"Of course it's true, I never lie." Tang Youyou said in a firm tone.

In this way, Tang Youyou relied on her connections and sincerity to solve the problem of materials and manpower. However, the night before her departure, she received an anonymous letter.

The letter contained only a few sentences: "Maritime trade is extremely risky. Think twice before proceeding. If you insist on going, you will regret it."

After reading the letter, Tang Youyou couldn't help but feel a little doubtful. Who wrote this letter to her? Could it be that this maritime trade really hides some unknown danger?

She threw the letter into the candlelight and watched it turn into ashes, her eyes gradually becoming firm.

"No matter what, I'm going to give it a try!"

The next morning, the dock was bustling with people. Tang Youyou watched the fleet loaded with goods and hope slowly sail away from the port. Her heart was full of anticipation, but also a hint of inexplicable uneasiness.

At this moment, a familiar figure hurried over... At the dock, people were bustling around, and among the farewell crowd, a familiar figure rushed over. It was Tang Jin. "Mom! Wait for me! I left this behind!" He ran to Tang Youyou breathlessly, holding a package in his hand.

Tang Youyou took the package and opened it. It was a thick cloak. "Why are you here, kid? What if you fall?" Tang Youyou's tone was full of blame, but she couldn't hide the concern in her eyes.

"I'm afraid my mother will catch a cold at sea at night..." Tang Jin lowered his head and said embarrassedly.

Tang Youyou felt warm in her heart, rubbed his head, and said softly: "Mother knows, you can go back soon, don't worry about mother."

After watching Tang Jin run away, Tang Youyou turned around and boarded the boat. Looking at the gradually receding coastline, her heart was filled with anticipation for an unknown journey.

However, the calm sea wasn't always docile. After a few days of sailing, a sudden surge of wind and huge waves swept over the sea. The ship rocked violently, as if it would be swallowed by the merciless waves at any moment. The cabin was in shambles, with much of the cargo overturned and scattered everywhere.

"Madam! It's bad! The cabin is flooded!" A crew member came running to report in a panic.

"Don't panic! Get everyone in their positions and stabilize the ship!" Tang Youyou remained calm in the face of danger and gave steady orders. She led the crew to repair the ship, sealing the damaged hull with planks and tarpaulins, and moving the flooded cargo onto the deck to dry.

After a thrilling fight, the storm finally subsided. Tang Youyou looked at the devastated deck with mixed feelings.

After many twists and turns, the fleet finally arrived at the first trading port. However, reality gave Tang Youyou a blow. The local market did not have much demand for Tang's handicrafts, and the sales of the goods Tang Youyou brought were not ideal.

"How could this happen? These are the most exquisite handicrafts of our Tang Dynasty. How could no one like them?" Tang Wan looked at the deserted stall, somewhat incredulous.

"It seems that we don't know enough about the market conditions here." Tang Youyou sighed, frowning.

As night fell, Tang Youyou came to the bow alone, looking at the flickering lights in the distance, and fell into deep thought...

The sea breeze blew gently, carrying a hint of salty and damp air. Tang Youyou tightened her cloak. The harbor in the distance was brightly lit, reflecting the twinkling stars in the night sky, but it couldn't brighten her mood at the moment.

"Mom, why are you here alone? It's windy at night, be careful not to catch a cold." Tang Wan walked to Tang Youyou with a bowl of ginger soup and said softly.

"I'm fine," Tang Youyou took the ginger soup and looked into the distance, "I was just wondering if we came to the wrong place..."

"Mom, don't worry. We'll think of a way and there will definitely be a turning point." Tang Wan comforted.

Tang Youyou shook her head. It wasn't that she gave up easily, but this failure made her realize that cross-sea trade wasn't as simple as she had imagined. Every place had its own unique culture and needs. It would be naive to assume that Tang Dynasty products would be welcomed by everyone.

"Wan'er, do you think we should adjust our merchandise strategy?" Tang Youyou put down the ginger soup and said with a firm look, "Since the people here don't have much demand for handicrafts, we should introduce some products that are more in line with their daily needs."

"Mother is right!" Tang Xiaoya, who had been following Tang Wan, suddenly interrupted, "I saw a lot of people buying a kind of fruit called coconuts at the dock today. They're so sweet. We can also bring some back to sell!"

Tang Youyou smiled and patted Tang Xiaoya's head, "Xiaoya is right. We must learn to observe and understand the preferences of the locals in order to find suitable business opportunities."

"But we are unfamiliar with this place. How can we understand their needs?" Tang Wan asked.

"This..." Tang Youyou was speechless for a moment. Yes, he was in an unfamiliar place and couldn't speak the language. What should he do?

"Madam!" At this time, a loud voice came, interrupting Tang Youyou's thoughts.

"Translator Chen? Why are you here so late?"

"Madam, I just came back from Mr. Hai's banquet. I heard that you were worried about the products, so I came here specially to ask if you need my help?" Translator Chen smiled slightly and said sincerely.

Boss Hai? The image of a shrewd businessman emerged in Tang Youyou's mind... This might be an opportunity...