Chapter 2: A Business

I left the compound with the female servant Ting right behind me. Half Moon City was quite large and divided up into sections. The compound owned by my father, Yuan Chen, was in the rich estate section of the city. It was the third biggest estate. The central part of the city was the commercial section. Then there was the nearby crafts section and entertainment section. There were slums somewhere, but my tutors didnt talk about them. I got into a rickshaw, and Ting sat next to me. Main commercial district, I ordered, and the puller took off. He was a tall man and exceptionally strong. I guess when you are pulling rickshaws all day, you get a superb physique. I snagged another two motes and discovered that if I didnt focus on them, they would drift right through me. That was why people werent just randomly collecting them while going about their lives. After about five minutes of pulling, we arrived and, while busy, things werent packed. There were no festivals or other events. So, it was just travelers and people going about their daily business. Ting paid the rickshaw driver a bronze coin. I was glad that counted as a household expense. I really didnt want to be nickeled and dimed out of my stipend. While the purpose of it was to move about, I wasnt going to half ass my business either. Multi-tasking was the key to success in any life. I would cultivate while getting rich and then leverage my wealth when entering the sect or for other projects. Regardless, more money gave me more options. I had been observed in my last two trips into the city, by my mother and then by a tutor. They controlled where I went. This time, I controlled my itinerary. The first stop was the largest and grandest looking store. Wearing a high-quality robe and having a servant meant I got through into the store with only a glance from the guards. They were clearly standing around to keep the lower class out from looking. Greetings, young master. How can this humble servant assist you today? I had to give the guy credit. That was the perfect hand bow and greeting one could give to a child like myself. I was up front, so there was no confusion where we stood. I am Yuan Zhou, son of Yuan Chen. I am looking at the various businesses and your cultivation supplies caught my eye, I replied. Of course, young master Yuan, we only offer the finest and certified items from the Alchemy Guild in our store. In fact, we are even a licensed seller, so we can direct requests their way. Forgive my ignorance. I have heard of the Alchemy Guild and would like to know more about them and their products, I replied. Of course, of course, young master Yuan. Right this way, let me show you some of our displays. The great sects themselves licensed the Alchemy Guild to produce and sell cultivation resources outside the sects. They pay a tax to the sect in control of the city or province, and their product is insured and verified to the highest level of quality. That meant they paid protection fees, and they were insanely expensive with the quality being used as justification. Also, they had a monopoly which would further inflate the prices to the maximum possible. We sell the standard Qi illuminating candles. A single candle in a room will illuminate all Qi motes and is good for ten days of use. Cheaply priced at only ten tael. It is exactly what an aspiring cultivator needs to quickly progress. Is that ten continuous days? I asked. Ah, only the standard ten hours of cultivating, so a hundred hours total. You can see little marks in the candle itself showing how much time has passed, with one every five hours. I noticed nothing odd about the candle except its dark blue color and enormous size. Perhaps. But illuminating Qi is not my concern at the moment, I replied. I completely understand, young master Yuan. The next item here is a Qi pill containing 100 motes of Qi. Only fifty taels. I wanted to cough up blood at this. A common expression in this culture to indicate shock. That meant motes were priced at half a tael apiece. Getting 120,000 motes would cost 60,000 taels. How many pills can one take? I asked. There is no limit but the size of your coin pouch, the salesman said. Brutal, absolutely brutal. But we dont recommend taking more than one a day. So, it is important to buy them early, so you dont lose any Qi while consuming them. I will consider it a possibility if I struggle, I replied. The salesperson kept smiling as we moved onto the next item. Now this is a rare item, and we only carry a limited stock. An incense lighter to attract Qi for one day, 100 taels, best combined with an illuminating candle. Consider this item, a qi sensing rod, only 1,000 taels. Our top item. A qi sensing pill, 5,000 taels. Guaranteed to increase your ability to sense qi. I thanked the store clerk, whose smile never wavered the entire time, and left. He clearly knew I didnt have the money as a child, but I could bother my father, who was rich. I had no doubt the salesperson knew every rich persons name in the city. There was even a good chance my father was involved with that store somehow. I just knew he was a merchant, not exactly what he was a merchant of. The other stores were fancy, but just standard stores. There was nothing that stood out, or an easy way to start up a business. I didnt want to invent something, since it wasnt simple. Manufacturing was a nightmare and would require an enormous investment. The physical production of anything was a massive hassle. But there was no internet, or a service I could think of that people would pay for. Ting purchased some lotion and beauty products for my mother while I considered the situation more in depth. Alchemy seemed like a profitable area, but that would have a lot of rules and overhead. Still, I was curious, and we took a rickshaw to the Alchemy Guild, which was at the edge of the craft district, a good twenty minutes of pulling. I entered the building and could smell the powerful odor of plants and herbs. There was an older female receptionist. I walked over and inclined my head slightly to show respect. Greetings. I am Yuan Zhou, son of Yuan Chen. I was wondering if there is someone I could ask a couple of questions about the Alchemy Guild. I saw her eyes go to Ting, who was standing behind me, and then she looked back at me. Of course, young master Yuan. What questions can I answer for you? What are the requirements and salary for being an alchemist? I asked. She smiled kindly at me. You must pass an entry exam. The guild journeymen will tutor novices for a price. It is around one tael per lesson. Highway robbery! Once you are confident enough and pass the entry exam, which costs ten taels per attempt, you can then assist in making pills as a journeyman yourself. You would receive one tael per month as a salary for a set number of pills. You can teach or make more on the side. After ten years, they would promote you to master alchemist and allow you to take the lead on pill production if your work is up to standard. There you would earn ten taels a month. A grandmaster is someone who has created a new pill recipe and the guild would guarantee them half the profits from all sales. I am guessing one cannot quickly become a master alchemist? I asked. No, young master Yuan. Once you are a master, no one would supervise your work. If you made a mistake, then it would bring great shame to everyone in the guild. That is why only those who have proven themselves are promoted. Ah, thank you. This information was quite useful, I replied and bowed my head. I then left the Alchemy Guild depressed. No easy or quick way to make money there. If I didnt need to move about to collect motes of Qi, I might have considered it a possibility. I stood outside the Alchemy Guild thinking about where to go and what to do next. I had been discreetly picking up motes during the day and had already collected twelve. It was about mid-day so I was making decent progress. Young master, shall we return to the compound? Ting asked me. No, there is still light out. But there is a small noodle shop. Lets rest there for now, I replied, and Ting nodded. She followed me as I entered the noodle shop, which was more a street stall with seats. We were much better dressed than the other customers, but I wasnt worried. During my time going about the city, I had seen several guards patrolling. I suspected that the compound, commercial, crafting, and entertainment districts were all carefully monitored. This city was in the backyard of the Cloudy Moon Sect, so it made sense there was an iron grip on the city. Criminals didnt last long. Justice was harsh and swift. Do you want ramen? I asked Ting, who gave an affirmative. Two miso ramen please, I asked the stall worker, who nodded as Ting handed him some bronze coins. So, what is a rich brat like you doing wandering about? one man sitting at the counter asked me. A bit short, arent you? I am looking for business opportunities, but nothing catches my eye, I replied. Business, good luck. If you arent at the top, no way you are getting there, the man replied. Well, so much for some luck and having a random person giving me a brilliant idea to make lots of silver. The market in the city was very stable. That was the problem with a world like this. Cultivators lived for a very long time. Yi Rong had lived for a thousand years and nothing much had changed in that time. I knew other higher stage cultivators lived longer. It would be like someone living in ancient Rome all the way to the modern age. They would have those Roman values. Since all the top people were old and powerful, they would lock those values into place. Pay for a full day and we will go to a money changer. I will pay back the ten bronze. Also, dont let my mother know about the money changer. I know you report to her. I would consider a bronze coin a day for your silence on more sensitive matters. Ting considered that for a moment and then nodded. Of course, young master. I will not let her know about the money changer. And other things that might come up. She is easily excited. I understand, young master. We left the compound again, and Ting hired a rickshaw for a full day. Our first stop was a money changer. This was in the center of the city. A silver tael was for high-value purchases, and I couldnt easily spend it. Entering the building, I saw a posted sign listing the exchange rates. The place was called the Coinage Guild. For silver to bronze, it was 1:950 and the other way around it was 1050:1. Of course, there would be a transaction fee. There were also a lot of guards standing around. I also saw they offered loan services, so I had an idea. Young master, how can I help you today? the clerk sitting at a desk asked me. A servant quickly put a cushion on the seat before I sat. I gave them a nod of thanks. It helped a bit, but I was still quite small. I am planning to exchange some money, but was hoping to speak to you about businesses I could buy or invest in. The clerk nodded. We offer transactional services and affordable loans. But these are all handled individually and with utmost confidence. I nodded at this explanation. I completely understand. But perhaps there is a business that has defaulted on a loan that I could purchase from your organization. I understand there might be a higher risk, but it would be a chance to recover from some losses and not concern yourself with the business anymore, I offered. The clerk looked thoughtful for a moment. There is one business that comes to mind. The owner has connections, which has made it troublesome to request repayment of the loan he took to get it started and revenue has been non-existent. I might be interested once I learn of the business, the debt, and some details, I replied. I would need to speak to the shift manager. May I have your name, young master? He was basically asking for my connections to confirm I had resources and connections. Yuan Zhou, son of Yuan Chen, I replied. The clerk smiled even more at that. Then there should be no problem. Excuse me one moment and enjoy some refreshments while you wait. He waved a servant over, who served fruit juice, cheese, and bread. I only picked a single piece of fruit to be polite. Stuffing my face would not set a good impression. Soon the clerk returned all smiles. I have permission to discuss the details with you, young master Yuan. It is quite impressive you are already seeking business opportunities at your age. My father calls me a genius, and I am humbled. Now this business? I asked. Of course. An apprentice woodcarver by the name of Ling struck out on his own to make specialty chairs. Unfortunately, they have not sold, and the designs are questionable. He took out a loan to start up his own shop. I will need to see the shop and speak with this Ling. What were the loan terms? I asked. We took twenty percent of his business for five taels worth of silver, with the understanding he would pay a tael a year. It has been three years and no repayment. We were going to repossess everything and sell it for a tael, but that would be quite a loss. The deal is for twenty percent. Is that revenue or profit? I asked. Revenue, the clerk answered. I am interested, but I would need to meet with this Ling and see his workshop for myself before deciding. I completely understand, young master Yuan. Do you wish for me to accompany you to make an introduction? Yes, please, and before we go, I will need to exchange a tael for some bronze. I got my 950 bronze, and we left. Our rickshaw followed the clerk. I paid Ting 20 bronze coins for the rickshaw cost for today and her silence. She pocketed the money with a smile and thanks. We reached the wood workshop. It wasnt in the best part of the crafting district, but not the worst. We entered the front of the workshop and I saw two chairs. A young boy was slowly cleaning the place and looked surprised that people had entered. Father, people, he called out. That was rude, but he was only a year or two older than me at best. A hurried and worn looking man smelling of sawdust came out of the back. I saw his face pale as his eyes landed on the clerk. Honorable clerk, welcome. I have had a few more leads- While I am here to discuss business, it is of a slightly different nature. Young master Yuan Zhou here has inquired about purchasing your debt woodcarver Ling. He turned to me and bowed deeply. Welcome, young master Yuan. Thank you for your welcome. I wish to speak to mister Ling privately. I will return to the Coinage Guild and let you know what I have decided after speaking to him, I told the clerk. The clerk just kept smiling at me and nodded. Of course, young master Yuan. I will take my leave. I waited until the clerk left and I looked at the two chairs before sitting in one. It was comfortable, but you could only make a chair so comfortable. I noticed a lever on the side but couldnt reach it. I got off and gestured for Ting to take a seat and have her pull the lever. Woodcarver Ling was quiet while he watched us look at his chair. She pulled the lever, and a footrest extended and the back reclined. A reclining chair. Interesting. So, you invented this? I asked. Yes, young master Yuan. How much does it sell for and how much does it cost to make? I asked. Two hundred bronze coins is the price, and it costs fifty bronze coins in materials and about five days of labor. The margins were poor, and it was an expensive item, but not upper class. It was kind of middle class, but too expensive. It needed to be half of that price realistically to attract people. He would need to sell at least one every five days to maintain a bare living. What are you doing currently, since I dont see a lot of these chairs built? I asked. Simple items, priced at guild rates, but people would prefer more senior masters and the specialty products they have. Key items like stools, ladders, chairs, benches, tables, all had set prices by the Woodcarvers Guild. It was to prevent a race to the bottom. A wood carver could price things higher or specialty products with no limits, but there was only so much market share. I am trying to make the metal parts out of wood, but it takes time, and they are more prone to wearing out. I nodded absently as I thought about the situation. What about rocking chairs? I asked. Rocking chairs? Ling replied with a question. A curved bottom instead of legs? He thought about that for a moment and then shook his head. I have seen nothing like that. I smiled. Finally, I had a way into a business and niche I could take. I am interested in doing business with you. But I am taking a colossal risk. Half. Half! He said in shock. Yes. I want half your business. There will be no requirement on minimum returns, but if I purchase your debt, we will have a new contract made, half, I replied. He was between a rock and a hard place. Thankfully, I had watched a lot of Shark Tank. Always attack when they are weak and take all the equity you could get.