Chapter Fourteen: The First Investment

“Brother Feng, if this exclusive business of yours is limited only to Chang’an, then five thousand taels as start-up capital is just barely enough. But if we’re to include the neighboring cities as well, then our funds are still stretched too thin.”

“That’s right. Though coptis root is a common medicinal ingredient, the sheer quantity we’re purchasing is immense. And from the start of procurement to transporting it to Longxi, a single round trip will take at least a month. In other words, the turnover cycle for our capital can’t be avoided.”

Fatty Sun was becoming more adept at his role, their coordination so seamless that Feng Jingzhe felt as if his entire perception had been turned upside down.

“Whoever said this fellow was a fool! Damn it, why do I feel the same anxiety as when I was negotiating with Middle Eastern militias?”

“Brother Feng’s words are true! So, to prevent the price of coptis from being maliciously driven up during this cycle, we must raise more capital…”

“Then let’s borrow more. Higher interest is fine, as long as we get through the first month’s cash flow crunch!”

Their exchange was utterly unrestrained, as open and candid as a double act on stage. Of course, no matter how vivid their performance, the onlookers could only think them mad or foolish.

As for the General of the Western Garrison buying up massive amounts of coptis? Ha! Not a single punctuation mark of it was believed.

Yet there are always exceptions. Liu Lei saw a business opportunity in the midst of this farce.

He didn’t believe in any unlimited acquisition of coptis root, but what did that matter? Food of Heaven’s young proprietor was short on funds and willing to pay high interest.

Earlier, he’d heard that madman surnamed Feng ask for a loan of five thousand taels at an interest of one hundred taels—most astonishingly, settled every ten days.

That meant, for five thousand taels lent, after one month he would get back five thousand three hundred taels—a profit of nearly a fifth, half again as much as the moneylending monks at White Horse Temple.

If this business belonged to that rogue Feng Jingzhe alone, any money lent would never be seen again. But now, with a grand establishment like Food of Heaven as collateral, Liu Lei had no fear his money would vanish.

At this thought, his decisiveness as a businessman immediately showed. He set his wine cup heavily on the table and, under the startled gazes of Young Master Fan and the others, strode toward Feng Jingzhe.

“Gentlemen, my surname is Liu, given name Lei, a native of Runan. I happened to overhear your conversation just now and it seems you’re in need of some funds for turnover. As it happens, I’m new in town, looking for some business, and have some idle capital on hand. If you gentlemen are in need, simply say the word.”

Now, what does it mean to be favored by fortune? This is it! Just a mention of needing funds for a venture, and someone rushes forward with an offer.

“Please, please sit! May I ask, Brother Liu, how much are you willing to lend?” At this moment, Sun Fugui was even more impatient than Feng Jingzhe.

“That depends on how much capital Young Master Sun requires for this venture…”

“The more the better—whatever you have, we’ll borrow. The interest is negotiable…”

Feng Jingzhe immediately made the decision, but the man didn’t spare him a glance, his entire focus fixed on Sun Fugui.

Behind them, Sun Youcai clutched his chest with one hand, wiping sweat from his brow with the other, while two servants supported him at his sides.

“It’s nothing, nothing… paying to learn a lesson… paying to learn a lesson… My son is wise… my son truly is wise…” Sun Youcai muttered to himself repeatedly, reinforcing his own resolve. To him, this might be two years’ profit—better to lose it now than later! A lesson learned is wisdom gained; with himself bearing the losses, his son at least has room to make mistakes. Otherwise, once he’s gone, all their wealth would be squandered sooner or later.

“In that case, how much is Young Master Liu able to lend?” Fatty Sun wiped his sweaty palm, his smile simple and sincere.

“Haha… if I heard right, just now Third Young Master Feng said five thousand taels at one hundred taels interest, settled every ten days, yes?” Liu Lei was frank; he reached into his robe and produced a gold note.

“This is a fifty-tael gold note, valued at exactly five thousand taels of silver. If we’re going by the interest rate just discussed, we can draw up the contract right now…”

At this, a commotion broke out in the hall. Especially at Young Master Fan’s table—every mouth hung open, staring at Liu Lei as if he were a lunatic.

“Madness, utter madness… the world’s gone mad… Someone actually treats money like dirt…”

“That’s fifty taels of gold! Enough to buy a decent house in Chang’an!”

“I remember now—the Liu family of Runan! The family that’s been merchants for generations, specializing in silk! No wonder he can part with five thousand taels so casually…”

“A family of merchants for generations, their insight must be remarkable! Could it be that the Feng family wastrel’s business is real? Otherwise, the Liu fellow wouldn’t be so foolish as to lend the money…”

The crowd buzzed with speculation, but at that moment, Feng Jingzhe only shook his head at the gold note on the table.

“What’s this, Third Young Master Feng? Have you lost your nerve? Was all that talk earlier only meant for Young Master Sun?”

Liu Lei’s expression was mocking, and not only his—nearly everyone in the hall was waiting to see a joke.

“You’re right, my previous words were meant only for my brother here! If Brother Liu truly wishes to lend, then the interest must be settled monthly!”

At these words, the crowd understood. But before anyone could jeer, Feng Jingzhe continued:

“However, we won’t let you suffer—if the interest is settled every ten days at a hundred taels, then if it’s settled monthly, I’ll give you four hundred taels straight away…”

“Haha… Third Young Master Feng, you drive a hard bargain! If that’s the number, then let’s sign the contract at once!” Liu Lei held up five fingers—he’d calculated their need for a month’s turnover precisely.

Feng Jingzhe’s face darkened and he fell silent, his brows nearly knotting together as he counted on his fingers, lost in mental calculation. This process lasted a good quarter of an hour before he finally clenched his teeth and nodded heavily.

“Fine, five hundred it is! Fugui, draft the contract…”

From start to finish, Sun Fugui never uttered a word about the interest. Soon, under the watchful eyes of all, the loan contract was completed—Fatty Sun was the first to sign, his decisiveness giving Feng Jingzhe a whole new respect.

It was only when Feng Jingzhe tucked the fifty-tael gold note into his robe that Li Changsheng, cheeks puffed in astonishment, finally reacted. He couldn’t understand how, just moments ago, they’d been too stingy to buy even two sticky rice balls, and now, in the blink of an eye, the young master was flush with wealth.

By now the table was in chaos, and with Feng Jingzhe’s fortunes suddenly reversed, he swept his arm grandly and ordered Fatty Sun to book a luxurious private room. After all, the details yet to be finalized were not for outsiders’ ears…