Chapter 31: Rolling in Money

"Let me think," Zhao Cheng put on a thoughtful look. His mind raced, recalling the unfinished "History of Song" he had been reading. "Oh, there are two things. One is that I will be posthumously enfeoffed as a king next year in the first month, and the other is that the empress will pass away in the eighth month!" He said as if he had just remembered.

"Ah?! The king is still alive, how can it be a posthumous enfeoffment?" Huang Jingchen had heard too many strange things today, and his head was spinning.

"The Immortal Master saved me and brought me back to life. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a posthumous enfeoffment?" Zhao Cheng said irritably.

"Oh, oh, this old servant spoke out of turn. Let's see if these things happen next year. Then we'll know if the dream was real or not, right?" Huang Jingchen said, somewhat frightened.

This old man was quite resourceful. Zhao Cheng wasn't sure if his time travel would change the current history, but he wasn't worried. After all, he was just a child, and he was talking about a dream. Even if it changed, what could he do? He wanted to change history, didn't he?

"Alright, for now, this is the only way. In the future, I'll need Uncle Huang to take more care of the affairs in the mansion!" Zhao Cheng said with a bitter smile.

"Your Highness, don't beat around the bush with this old servant!" Huang Jingchen smiled even more bitterly, stood up, and bowed. "I've been in the palace since I was young, and I've risen to the position of Deputy Head of the Inner Service. But I was defeated by Yang Jian. If it weren't for the noble lady's rescue, I wouldn't be alive today. I've already made up my mind to repay this great kindness. Now that the noble lady has entrusted me with the care of Your Highness, I will dedicate my life to you!" He knelt and bowed deeply.

"Uncle Huang!" Zhao Cheng hurried to help him up, but the old man was determined to kowtow. After pulling him a couple of times without success, Zhao Cheng also knelt. "Uncle Huang, since you left the palace, you've always treated me with great kindness. I've seen it all and kept it in my heart. I've always regarded you as an elder. Please don't do this!" He said anxiously, as kneeling was something he, a modern person, found extremely repulsive.

"Your Highness," Huang Jingchen still kowtowed, showing his unwavering loyalty. From now on, he could no longer treat the prince as a child.

Now that everything was out in the open, the master and servant had a long talk, opening their hearts to each other in a friendly atmosphere. They discussed the future development of the mansion and the current problems, reaching a consensus. Huang Jingchen gained the prince's absolute trust and continued to manage the affairs. As long as he worked hard, he could look forward to a happy life in his later years. Zhao Cheng, on the other hand, gained a capable assistant. Huang Jingchen's experience and insight were something a modern person like him couldn't match, nor could they be replaced by Jianshi and the others. In the end, it was a win-win situation, and both were pleased.

Zhao Cheng finally put his worries to rest. With Huang Jingchen shielding him from the wind and rain, he didn't have to be the one to stick his neck out and face the arrows from all sides. He could plan his big moves and continue to act foolish and play the role of a spoiled rich kid, enjoying his 'happy childhood.'

As the twelfth month approached, the weather became even colder. The vegetables in the greenhouse had matured, and the first batch, about 600 pounds, had been harvested. Except for a portion kept for the mansion, the rest were sent to the capital for sale, and not a single leaf was sold locally or even in the city.

"Sir, it's incredible!" The chief steward, Zheng Fu, shouted as soon as he entered Huang Jingchen's room.

"What's the rush? What's so big, did the Yellow River break its banks?" Huang Jingchen frowned.

"Hehe, it's good news, sir. Can you guess how much the vegetables from the greenhouse sold for?" Zheng Fu said with a beaming face.

"Hmph, from your expression, I can tell it's a lot. Maybe 500 guan?" Huang Jingchen said.

"Hehe, sir, you're too conservative. We sold the cucumbers alone for 500 guan. The 600 pounds of vegetables sold for over 2,000 guan. At first, we sold cucumbers for 5 guan per pound, but as more people came, we sold them for 500 coins each, and they were still snatched up!" Zheng Fu was so happy he couldn't close his mouth.

"Ah?!" If 600 pounds of vegetables could sell for 5 guan in the summer, it would be good. Now they had sold for over a hundred times that.

"Your Highness is truly a master of strategy. He said the vegetables would sell for at least 2,000 guan in the capital. I didn't believe it at first, thinking it wouldn't even cover the transportation costs. But it turned out to be true. Those who couldn't buy them have already put down deposits, eager to get them!" Zheng Fu shook his head. "Sir, I think we can harvest a few more batches from the greenhouse. If we sell them at this price, the greenhouse's income will be more than the annual rent from our hundred acres of land!"

"Ah, Your Highness is no ordinary person!" Huang Jingchen sighed, no longer doubting the prince's encounter with the Immortal.

Being able to grow fresh vegetables in winter would be considered a good omen if the court knew about it. But now wasn't the time for widespread publicity. He had to remind Zheng Fu, "Just remember to follow the prince's instructions. We'll have good days ahead if we do. But under no circumstances should this be made public. If someone asks, just say it was a lucky find by the servants in the mansion. Don't let anyone know it was the prince's doing!"

"Rest assured, sir. I know what to do. I followed the prince's instructions and rented a shop on Horse Street in the capital to sell the vegetables. The hired workers are all from out of town, so even if they try to find out, they won't know where the goods come from!" Zheng Fu said with a smile.

"Um, better to be cautious!" Huang Jingchen nodded. "The next batch is ready. Send people to the greenhouse to load the truck and set off immediately. Don't delay!"

"Yes, I'll go myself. The prince's greenhouse is like a money tree. I need to keep a close eye on it to prevent any damage!" Zheng Fu said as he left to organize the loading.

Zheng Fu, in high spirits, led two laborers to the garden. From a distance, they could smell the aroma of roasting meat. As they approached, they saw the prince roasting a whole lamb in the pavilion with the servants. A servant was constantly turning the iron skewer holding the lamb, while the prince was continuously sprinkling seasonings. The others were gathered around, swallowing their saliva.

"Second Master, we're back. The vegetables are all sold. Time to load the second truck!" Zheng Fu bowed and said.

"How much did you sell them for?" Zhao Cheng asked without looking up.

"Second Master, we made a fortune. One truck of vegetables sold for over 2,300 guan. Our vegetables are in high demand!" Zheng Fu said with a beaming face, but the prince's next words surprised him.

"Damn, we sold them too cheap. If I had known, I would have set a higher price. For the next batch, raise the price by ten percent!" Zhao Cheng said.

"Second Master, but I've already taken deposits. It's not good to raise the price, is it?" Zheng Fu said hurriedly. After making so much money, the prince still thought it was a loss. How much did he want to earn?

"Ah, you're an old businessman, but you're still confused. Rarity is valuable. Now it's a seller's market. Our goods are unique. You should say the supply is tight and can't guarantee the next batch. Make them feel that they can't get it no matter how much they pay, then you can raise the price. By taking deposits, you not only can't raise the price, but you also give them the impression that there's plenty of stock. You've messed this up!" Zhao Cheng handed the spice container to Zhao Xin, wiping the spices from his hands.

"Second Master, what should we do now?"

"What can we do? Just deal with it. We can't break our word. Give the vegetables to those who paid the deposit, and don't sell a single leaf to anyone else. Tell them the supply is cut off, and they'll have to wait a few days if they want more!" Zhao Cheng thought for a moment and said.

"How long should they wait?" Zheng Fu, being a straightforward person, asked again.

"Tell them it's uncertain, and then raise the price when the next batch arrives!"

"Second Master, the price is already high. Will anyone still buy it if we raise it again?"

"Stupid, can people who can afford vegetables for 4-5 guan per pound be ordinary? They want to save face. The more expensive you make it, the more prestigious it is to buy it. No matter how high the price, they will still buy it. Don't worry about this!" Zhao Cheng scolded him, having seen many such people in his previous life who would rather suffer than lose face.

"Yes, yes, I understand. I've learned a new trick!" Zheng Fu, after being scolded by the young prince, didn't feel embarrassed but rather felt he had learned something new, which made him happy.

"Old Zheng, arrange the money from selling the vegetables. Make new clothes for everyone in the mansion for the New Year, and use good material!" Zhao Cheng thought for a moment and added, "Also, give everyone an extra month's pay and some benefits. Let everyone have a good New Year. Each of us who grew the vegetables will get an additional 20 guan as a special reward!"

"I'll thank you on behalf of everyone, Second Master!" Zheng Fu bowed. "Second Master, what are these benefits? I need to know so I can arrange for the purchases!"

"Ah, benefits are not things, but they are things," Zhao Cheng was confused by Zheng Fu's question. This era didn't have the word 'benefits' yet. "Just buy some meat, rice, and flour, and distribute them equally to everyone in the mansion. No one should be left out, understand?"

"I understand, I understand. I'll make sure to do it well, so everyone knows the grace of the Second Master!" Zheng Fu said sincerely. In all his years of service, he had never seen a master who not only made new clothes for the servants during the New Year but also gave them extra pay and benefits.

Don't underestimate the value of a guan in the Song Dynasty. During the Daguang period, one guan could buy a live pig, a stone of white rice, or an acre of low-quality land in a remote area. Twenty guan was a significant amount of money, though it couldn't compare to Cai Jing's few crab yellow buns.

"Second Master, are you really giving us money?" The surrounding servants, hearing about the bonuses, gathered around. Zhao Ren, not believing it, asked. They were all indentured servants, only provided with food and clothing, with no pay.

"Of course, the vegetables were grown by you, and you worked the hardest. You deserve a share of the money. Are you afraid the money will bite you?" Zhao Cheng laughed. "Old Zheng, give them the money first. Otherwise, they'll worry that I'm tricking them and won't be able to sleep at night!"