RPAGF Chapter 298 12 Turmeric 2 Articles 8
Chapter 298 12 Turmeric 2 Articles 8
"Yes, and not entirely!"
Lin Xiaotang patiently explained, "These turmeric seeds were cultivated by us. Before we met you by chance, we accidentally dug up turmeric on the mountain. We thought that turmeric looked very similar to the ginger we usually eat, so we thought we would try planting it. What if it could flower and bear fruit like ginger in the field?"
Unexpectedly, this turned out to be a lucky accident. After planting two more seasons, we had more seeds, so we encouraged the villagers to plant them together. If we sell all this turmeric today, we can collect even more. As long as Uncle Xue can sell it, I guarantee there will be plenty!
Seeing that Xiaotang seemed quite familiar with the Xue family owner, Shuisheng no longer worried about saying the wrong thing.
He said, "Mr. Xue is capable of turning Baicaotang into the largest pharmacy in Pingding County. He is also able to introduce restaurants in Wucheng to Brother Qingchuan. He must be a very capable person with extensive connections and resources. These turmeric are excellent medicinal herbs for treating injuries. They are not just common vegetables and radishes. They will definitely sell well."
Xue Zhiyuan paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed.
"You two, don't worry. There won't be any problem with the sales of turmeric. As long as the source is right and the quantity is guaranteed, I will find a way to sell all of this turmeric."
He knew that Shui Sheng praised his abilities, connections, and extensive network because he was afraid that Shui Sheng would try to lower the price by claiming that turmeric was hard to sell.
However, since they already knew each other, he naturally wouldn't try to lower the price. Besides, he was always fair in his business dealings; otherwise, he wouldn't have opened such a large pharmacy.
The Lin family didn't know that he also ran several pharmacies in other counties. Otherwise, how could he make a living with dozens of people in his family and such high daily expenses?
However, the Lin family, though seemingly insignificant, is quite surprising; they actually thought of cultivating medicinal herbs.
He had considered growing medicinal herbs before, but not turmeric. He didn't succeed and gave up, focusing instead on opening a shop to sell medicinal herbs.
What he couldn't do, the Lin family actually did. They're truly remarkable!
Xue Zhiyuan looked at Lin Xiaotang with a beaming smile, as if she were his own daughter. He said with a smile, "Xiaotang, you two are really capable. You actually managed to grow turmeric. Turmeric is a rare medicinal herb. You might not even be able to find it even if you go to the mountains to dig for it. Over the years, very few people have been lucky enough to find it. You actually managed to find it and grow it. If you sell it to the imperial court and use it on wounded soldiers during times of war, you will become great heroes of the imperial court."
His brother-in-law's family lives far away in the capital and has already become imperial merchants. If he sells these turmeric to his brother-in-law, his sister and brother-in-law will surely be very happy. Not only will he make a profit, but his brother-in-law will also gain some merit in front of the emperor. Everyone will be happy.
Lin Xiaotang said modestly, "Not at all, we just stumbled upon this by chance, we can't compare to a professional like Uncle Xue."
Xue Zhiyuan's smile deepened. He said, "How about this? I'll give you two and a half copper coins for every ounce of turmeric. No payment is required. No matter how much you need, just bring it over and I'll pay you in cash."
Cash payment is good, but two and a half coins for one or two items seems a bit low.
Shui Sheng frowned slightly, somewhat displeased, because Manager Xu had just offered them a price of two and a half copper coins.
He whispered, "Is it only two wen and eight fen? Can't it be any higher?"
Xue Zhiyuan wasn't angry. He considered it for a moment before answering, "If it were ordinary medicinal herbs, we could buy them at market price. Considering we're all acquaintances, I could add some more for you. But these are herbs for healing wounds and stopping bleeding, and the quantity is so large. If I buy them all and sell them slowly in the pharmacy, I don't know when I'll ever finish. The only way is to sell them to the imperial court and transport them to the border."
I know you won't spread rumors, so I'll make it clear to you today. Selling to the imperial court has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that we can sell it all at once, but the disadvantage is that the price certainly won't be very high.
How could the imperial court possibly buy things at high prices?
And the officials in charge of procurement, if they aren't honest, will definitely take a cut; even they can't guarantee the price right now.
He needed to send a letter by carrier pigeon as soon as possible to ask his brother-in-law what price the court would offer for these ginger and turmeric to put his mind at ease. He was unwilling to do a losing deal if the court's offer was lower than his purchase price.
Lin Xiaotang understood Xue Zhiyuan's words. If these turmeric were sold on the market, they would definitely not sell quickly. After all, there are not many wounded people in the countryside who need to reduce swelling and stop bleeding. It is definitely the soldiers on the border who need it more. It is fine when there is no war, but when there is a war, countless people are killed and wounded, and a large amount of hemostatic medicine will definitely be needed.
However, the court officials were not fools. They would not buy medicinal herbs at high prices. After all, buying them at low prices would save the court money and earn them praise from the emperor. They would not risk their own interests for the sake of medicinal herb merchants.
Therefore, 2.8 wen is already the highest price. According to market prices, Xue Zhiyuan's profit from selling it to the imperial court is less than what they earned.
Lin Xiaotang made a decision immediately. She first whispered to Uncle Shuisheng, who was sitting next to her, to discuss it.
“Uncle Shuisheng, Uncle Xue wouldn’t lie to us. Two and a half coins it is. Right now, the medicinal herbs are limited in variety and the quantity isn’t large, so we’ll earn less. But in the future, if we can encourage the villagers to plant more and add more varieties, we’ll earn more.”
Although Shui Sheng was illiterate, he was not stupid. He understood what Xue Zhiyuan had just said. They couldn't keep all the profits. Even if they made money, they had to leave some room for others. Otherwise, if the imperial court was unwilling to pay a price to buy, Mr. Xue would lose money.
He nodded, indicating he had no objection.
"Alright, let's go with the price of two and a half coins. Let's weigh it quickly and go back to your father to continue purchasing. Let's finish this in the next few days so as not to delay our continued supply to the restaurant."
This season, the quantity of medicinal herbs was not large, so we earned less. Next season will definitely be much better; this can't be rushed.
After discussing it, Lin Xiaotang and Xue Zhiyuan agreed on the price.
"Uncle Xue, we agree to the price of two and a half coins. Let's settle on this."
Xue Zhiyuan nodded, greatly appreciating Lin Xiaotang's personality. Although she was young, she was steady, knowledgeable, and not reckless.
His two sons are nowhere near as good at business as Lin Xiaotang.
Sigh, if only his son could have one like Lin Xiaotang, that would be so wonderful.
If neither of his two sons is suited for business in the future, it would be ideal for his sons to marry Xiaotang and become his daughters-in-law to help him manage his business.
In this world, women are not well-regarded in business. But after seeing how hard-working and ambitious Xiaotang is, and how she has gradually built up her business, he has changed his opinion that women are not suited for business.
Women with ability can surpass men!
He said, "Okay, it's settled then. I'll have Manager Xu arrange for the workers to weigh them for you. Just bring over whatever you have."
Manager Xu led the workers to unload all the turmeric from the carriage. It weighed two thousand catties and was immediately settled for fifty-six taels of silver.
Shui Sheng was very surprised. Good heavens, he made a net profit of sixteen taels just by changing hands like that?