After the New Year, they began preparing various goods and supplies.

Lin Yuge even led a group on a special trip to Dan'er Port.

They found the local bigwig, Master Qian, and got a lot of local specialties: dried red fish, various spices, sweet potato wine, and local sugar.

Lu Ziheng was also preparing goods at the Dawankou side.

Lin Yuge's eyes lit up when he saw the several large boxes of ramie yarn that he had brought back from the silk workshop.

"Brother Lu, this batch of fabric must have cost a fortune, right?"

Lu Ziheng smiled and gently patted one of the boxes of liangya silk.

He said, "It did cost a lot of money, but the quality of this silk is truly exceptional."

Look at the texture and color; it would definitely attract a lot of attention in the capital.

I negotiated with the silk shop owner for a long time before finally getting it at a reasonable price.

Lin Yuge gently stroked the lancholy gauze.

"Brother Lu has a discerning eye. This ramie fabric is light, breathable, and has a great texture. If it were made into clothing, it would definitely showcase an elegant taste."

However, extreme care must be taken during transportation to prevent it from getting damp or scratched.

Lu Ziheng nodded, his face full of agreement:

"I will instruct the men to wrap it in layers of moisture-proof oil paper and place it in a dry and well-ventilated place."

As they were talking, Lu Ziheng had several more boxes of items brought in.

The large boxes were full of local medicinal herbs.

There is honeysuckle, which clears heat and reduces inflammation, and tangerine peel, which moistens the lungs and relieves cough.

In addition, there are other medicinal herbs such as chicken blood vine and morinda root.

There was also a box of Dendrobium officinale, known as the "immortal herb".

Lin Yuge examined it carefully.

"These medicinal herbs are all of high quality, and there is a great demand for them in the north."

Especially these products with distinctive southern characteristics are sure to sell well.

Lu Ziheng nodded in agreement.

He then pointed to several smaller boxes nearby:

"There are also some pearl ornaments that I found by chance here."

Although few in number, each one is round and glossy, likely to attract many women from wealthy families.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuge smiled.

"We're really on the same page."

Lin Qingzhou chimed in from the side: "Ziheng, you have no idea how my little sister earned her first pot of gold, do you?"

"My family now has several large boxes full of pearls, all of which my younger sister found while fishing recently."

Lin Yuge smiled and waved her hand, "Brother Lu's pearl jewelry, though limited in quantity, is exquisitely crafted."

I did accumulate some pearls when I went to sea to search for them, but most of them are still raw pearls.

I was just thinking of finding some skilled craftsmen to create some unique designs, which would then be sold alongside Brother Lu's existing products. Perhaps that would create a sensation in the capital."

Then, Lu Ziheng took out another list.

The list above shows the other goods he was preparing at the Greater Bay Area.

Porcelain from a famous kiln near the bay entrance.

The porcelain body is delicate and white, and the glaze is warm and lustrous like jade. There are exquisite teacups and elegant vases.

The tea is a local specialty.

A type of green tea called Cuiyu Tea has leaves that are long and thin like feathers.

After brewing, the tea soup is tender green and bright, with a high and lasting aroma, a fresh, mellow and sweet taste, and a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth.

There is another type of oolong tea called Oolong Scented Tea.

The tea leaves are rolled into balls, with a dark and glossy color, and exude a unique aroma of fruit and charcoal, with a lingering aftertaste.

In the dry climate of the north, brewing a cup of tea can both refresh the mind and relieve dryness.

Everything is proceeding at a rapid pace.

As all kinds of goods gradually became available, Lu Ziheng and Lin Yuge began to plan their route north.

They consulted nautical charts and inquired with passing merchants.

The decision took into account factors such as road safety, local market demand, and seasonal climate.

The final decision was to first travel north along the coastline and then turn onto inland waterways.

Although this route is relatively winding, it avoids some sections where bandits are rampant.

Furthermore, coastal areas can supplement their trade with seafood products, thus increasing the variety of trade.

That day, Shang Suniang and her husband finally came to visit.

The Lin family happened to be present, and Xie Jingwan warmly welcomed them inside.

"Why didn't you bring Lin'er?"

Shang Su Niang explained with a smile:

"The master has hired a tutor for Lin'er, and he's studying at home!"

After everyone was seated, Lin Yuge inquired about their route northward.

Su Shenghe sighed softly.

"Yuge, I won't hide the relationship between our two families."

As you know, our merchant ships are quite old, and their hulls aren't very sturdy to begin with.

Running in rivers is fine, but putting them in the ocean to fight against raging winds and giant waves is just too much of a stretch.

Lin Yuge nodded in understanding.

"Uncle, you've really thought this through. Sailing at sea is extremely risky; safety comes first."

Su Shenghe continued:

"Yes, although inland waterway navigation may be slower, it is more stable and offers many trading opportunities along the way."

Lin Qingzhou asked curiously, "Uncle, where exactly are you planning to go on this trip along the inland river?"

Aren't you going to the capital?

Su Shenghe shook his head and said with a smile, "The capital is too far away for us. The journey is long and arduous, and there are too many variables along the way."

After much deliberation, we decided that we should only go as far as Guangling County.

Guangling was a vital transportation hub connecting the north and south, a place teeming with a dazzling array of goods, bustling with merchants, and teeming with various forms of trade.

Shang Su Niang, who was standing to the side, chimed in:

"Yes! We have a certain network of contacts there, and we are also familiar with the local market conditions."

This allows us to conduct trade relatively smoothly, converting our goods into substantial profits.

"This is the most suitable choice for us."

Su Shenghe looked at the Lin family members with some confusion.

"From what you're saying, you're planning to return to Beijing?"

Lin Fanghai shook his head.

"Jingwan and I are not going back because the two kids want to go north and try their luck."

They're getting too big for their own good now, so we shouldn't interfere too much.

After saying that, Lin Fanghai gave the mother and her two children a resentful look.

I still find it hard to accept the news I heard when I came back.

I just can't understand it. My perfectly good daughter would go out to sea to fish.

This time we're actually going to such a far place.

His wife loves their daughter the most, so why didn't she stop her this time?

Seeing his expression, Xie Jingwan chuckled and comforted him:

"Husband, you know that our daughter is always opinionated. Knowing that you can't persuade her, why add to her troubles?"

She wants to explore the world, and we should be proud of her courage.

Moreover, although the capital is far away, it is full of opportunities.

As parents, all we need to do is silently support her from behind and give her enough trust.

Lin Fanghai sighed helplessly.

"How could I not know? It's just that I'm always feeling uneasy and can't put my mind at ease."

What if she suffers mistreatment or encounters danger outside?

Xie Jingwan took his hand.

"My daughter is exceptionally intelligent, and with Qingzhou and Ziheng by her side, they will surely be able to support each other and turn danger into safety."

"Yes, Father, don't worry! Your little sister has already made it across the pirate island, what's a little trip to the north?"

"You've seen how clever she is," Lin Qingzhou remarked casually from the side.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuge glanced at her older brother, who couldn't control his mouth again, and felt sorry for him for three seconds.

Xie Jingwan had already raised her hand and called out.

"Shut up, you brat! What are you saying?!"

"You brought up that pirate island because it's so dangerous, are you afraid your father won't worry?"

Xie Jingwan feigned anger and scolded him.

Lin Qingzhou then realized what was happening and quickly covered her mouth.

He gave everyone an awkward smile.

Shang Su Niang and her husband were curious, but seeing that the family was unwilling to talk about it, they didn't press the matter.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like