Chapter 23: Arrival in the Capital

On the second day after the people had tasted mutton, they frantically dug two sections of ditches outside the city, and many gathered there. They had hoped to eat mutton again that night, but the stingy Prince Yan ordered sorghum rice instead, claiming that eating meat too often was hard to digest, so today would be vegetarian.

In the following days, Zhao Bin only occasionally checked on the construction progress at the foundry in the northeast corner and rarely went out otherwise. The bottles and jars made by the potter had all arrived. The three of them experimented several times in the prince’s residence but never managed to produce perfume. Resigned, they gave up.

A guard rushed in and reported, “Your Highness, Lord He Miao requests an audience.”

“Hm, it seems the livestock distribution is nearly complete. Let’s go see him.” Zhao Bin rose from his reclining chair and led a few people toward the front hall.

He Miao, waiting behind a screen in the front hall, stood and bowed respectfully as Zhao Bin appeared. “I pay homage to Your Highness.”

“No need for such formality, Lord He. Please sit. Ling’er, bring some tea,” Zhao Bin gestured.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” He Miao sat again, and Ling’er obediently stepped forward to pour tea. “Thank you, Miss Ling’er.”

“Lord He, no need to be so polite,” Ling’er replied with a smile.

“My lord, there are many people outside the city. Based on household registration and population, we have distributed plowing oxen and sheep, and some horses have also been issued for breeding reserves. However, the Xianbei brought an exceptional number of livestock. Even after distribution, some remain. I have ordered herders to take the remaining animals to graze in more distant areas. Does Your Highness have other plans?” He Miao explained the current situation.

“What are the market prices for cattle and sheep?”

“The horses have no active market but are valued at about fifteen taels of silver each. Oxen go for around ten taels, and sheep about two taels, in the Hebei region. Beyond the Yellow River, prices rise by about ten percent. Although prices are lower in Hebei, the people here are poor and cannot afford to buy. Across the Yellow River, within the imperial domain, it is more prosperous but farther away,” He Miao outlined the details.

“Let’s send some of the extra sheep to the Western Mountain mining area, where over four thousand people are excavating coal, a physically demanding task. With winter approaching, relying solely on vegetarian food might be insufficient. Adding some meat to their diet should help them endure longer, allowing more coal to be mined before heavy snow blocks the mountains. Send some officials and drive part of the cattle and sheep near the Yellow River ferry crossing—some to be tribute to the court, some for sale or supply to our shop in the capital to exchange for silver and grain. As for the horses, with just over ten thousand, let’s keep them for now and consider other plans later.” Zhao Bin laid out his ideas.

“I will arrange the personnel to implement this immediately,” He Miao said.

Following Zhao Bin’s instructions, He Miao drafted a memorial to the court. With this official document, tribute livestock would be protected from exploitation during transport.

Several days later, Xing’er and her group arrived in the capital. This time they traveled with just over a dozen people, making the journey quicker than before.

The capital’s splendor was incomparable to the frontier city of Yan—massive walls, bustling streets lined with countless shops, and innumerable mansions and courtyards. The population alone numbered around six to seven hundred thousand.

Xing’er and Chunxi were familiar with such grandeur and were not particularly impressed. However, Zhang Guide and Li Youcai, who accompanied them, were truly awestruck, constantly looking around in amazement.

Seeing this, Xing’er warned, “Two shopkeepers, the capital is different from Yan City—there are all sorts of people, and many high officials and nobles. You must be extremely careful in your dealings. If trouble arises, not only will we fail to earn silver, but our lives could be at risk.”

Hearing this, the two men quickly composed themselves and replied, “Miss Xing’er, you speak truly. We will be cautious.”

They entered through the northern city gate and slowly proceeded along the main road into the city.

Under Chunxi’s guidance, the caravan turned several alleys before stopping near an ordinary inn. A guard in plain clothes entered the inn and emerged shortly afterward with a stern expression.

He reported to Xing’er and Chunxi, “Miss, the inn has about ten rooms available, but it charges one to two taels of silver per night. It’s rather expensive.”

“What? One tael per night? Why so expensive?” Wang Dayong asked in surprise. They were used to staying in the guard barracks and knew little of capital inn prices.

Although Chunxi lived in the prince’s mansion, she often shopped in the markets and had some knowledge.

Seeing everyone’s shocked faces, she hurriedly explained, “Property prices in the capital are simply high. This is an inn in an alley; street-facing inns likely charge twice as much.”

“One tael is one tael. Two people per room, we can squeeze in. Let’s settle quickly and find a suitable shop as soon as possible,” Xing’er said, stepping down from the carriage.

They entered the inn, where the innkeeper stood behind the counter, calculating on an abacus. Seeing so many customers, he immediately sensed a big opportunity and greeted them with a broad smile.

After some negotiation with Chunxi, they secured several rooms in the back courtyard. Except for Xing’er, who took a single room, others shared rooms two or three per chamber.

The stable boys took the horses and carriages to feed and rest. Once settled, Xing’er gathered the main group for a meeting—following Zhao Bin’s habit—and assigned two guards to stand watch outside.

Inside, the group sat around a table. Xing’er began, “Chunxi, you know the capital best. Please tell everyone about the city.”

“Alright. Captain Tian and Captain Wang know the city’s layout well, so I’ll mainly brief the two shopkeepers.

The capital is divided into three markets—South, North, and West—comprising seventy-eight wards in total: twenty-eight in the north, fifty in the south.

The north and south are separated by a river. Each market has two to three hundred shops, covering every trade.

Besides these markets, the riversides in the city center are scenic spots where many literati gather. Over time, a commercial district has developed there, mainly tea houses, restaurants, theaters, brothels, and courtesan houses, known as the ‘Elegant Market.’

With the court’s permission, shops also operate between wards, such as this inn.

Regarding population, the north houses noble families and court officials, while the south is mainly merchants and common folk. That’s the general layout,” Chunxi summarized.

Li Youcai said after hearing this, “Since the north houses the nobles, it’s better to open our shop there. Wealthy residents spend freely.”

“Mr. Li is right; the north market is ideal. However, before coming, the prince instructed that our first choice should be the Elegant Market. If suitable shops aren’t available there, then we can consider the north market,” Xing’er interjected.

“In that case, how about splitting up tomorrow? Some of us can search the north market; others the Elegant Market. It will save time,” Zhang Guide suggested.

“That’s best. I don’t understand business matters much, so I’ll leave the shop hunting to the two of you. Also, tomorrow Captain Tian and Captain Wang should accompany the two shopkeepers. Chunxi and I won’t appear much, especially near the north market where many court nobles reside. People who have dealt with the prince’s household might recognize us. The two captains should disguise themselves to avoid being recognized,” Xing’er instructed Tian Qi and Wang Dayong.

“Rest assured, Miss Xing’er. Tomorrow we’ll dress as servants and accompany the shopkeepers,” Tian Qi replied.

Tired from travel, everyone went to bed early. The next morning, after breakfast, the two shopkeepers and the two captains set out separately for the north market and the Elegant Market.

Chunxi, with two guards, took dozens of animal pelts and ginseng brought from Yan City to the south market, hoping to exchange them for silver. Animal pelts were excellent for warmth, and with winter approaching, demand was high.

Outside a fur shop in the south market, the carriage stopped. A young man with a goatee stepped down and entered the shop—this was Chunxi in disguise.

The shopkeeper hurried to greet the customer. Chunxi did not immediately reveal he was there to sell but examined the pelts hanging on the walls: sheepskin, cowhide, and fine fox and sable furs.

The shopkeeper eagerly introduced prices. After looking around, Chunxi asked, “Do you have any fine bear or tiger pelts?”

The shopkeeper replied politely, “To be honest, pelts of fierce beasts like bears and tigers are rare. We only receive one or two a year, and they are quickly bought by favored customers.”

“What is the typical price?” Chunxi asked.

“Prices vary by quality, but generally around two hundred taels,” the shopkeeper answered.

“And how much do you pay when purchasing?” Chunxi inquired.

At this, the shopkeeper’s smile faded. He scrutinized Chunxi and said, “Customers usually don’t ask the purchase price before buying.”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not here to buy but to sell. I happen to have some fine pelts,” Chunxi explained.

Hearing this, the shopkeeper’s smile returned, though he still felt uneasy about the order of questioning. Still, as a businessman, he quickly masked it and said, “May I see the pelts first?”

“No problem. They’re on the carriage outside,” Chunxi said, pointing.

Outside, the pelts were covered with a rough cloth. The shopkeeper felt skeptical—so many pelts, surely not all tiger or bear.

He lifted a corner of the cloth and peered underneath. Immediately, his eyes lit up upon seeing the mottled tiger skin, the glossy bear pelts, and others.

Startled, he quickly covered them again and glanced around before whispering to Chunxi, “Sir, could you bring the goods to the back courtyard for a detailed discussion?”

Chunxi nodded, and the group followed the shopkeeper to the courtyard.

An hour later, Chunxi and the two guards left the fur shop with the carriage, still covered. Beneath the cloth were boxes containing three thousand taels of silver.

Chunxi was amazed—who would have thought such a modest fur shop could produce so much silver? He resolved to have the prince exchange more pelts in the future, as it was far more profitable than trading cattle or sheep.

Next, they visited a pharmacy to sell the ginseng, but the price was low.

Ginseng’s true value was only appreciated in the Ming and Qing dynasties; during this era, its worth was largely unknown, resulting in low prices.

Returning to the inn, the others had not yet come back. Xing’er instructed that the silver be moved into their room and ordered the guards to take turns guarding it, allowing no one near.

By evening, the other four returned to the inn. After a brief rest, they shared their findings.

Zhang Guide reported, “There are many shops available in the north market, including vacant ones and some for sublease. In the city center, there is a three-story shop that can hold eighteen tables per floor, and two two-story shops that can accommodate about thirty tables each. Rent for the three-story is about one hundred taels per month; the two-story shops go for around eighty taels. Purchasing outright would cost about two to three thousand taels.”

“Alright, Mr. Li, what about your side?” Xing’er asked.

“The Elegant Market isn’t a designated ward, so there aren’t many shops. But I found a decent place near the Springwater Bridge—a three-story shop with a front shop and rear courtyard. It can hold about fifty tables, and the courtyard can house staff. However, the rent is expensive—one hundred fifty taels per month, paid annually. Fortunately, it’s close to the bridge, connecting both riverbanks, so foot traffic is good,” Li Youcai explained.

“Though the rent is higher, having a courtyard is very convenient. Shall we choose this one?” Xing’er asked.

Everyone agreed without objection. They then discussed follow-up arrangements.

The next day, Li Youcai received silver from Xing’er. Accompanied by Tian Qi and Wang Dayong, he went directly to the Elegant Market to rent the shop and registered it with the authorities. Renovations began soon after, along with purchasing tables and chairs and recruiting staff.