Chapter 245: Chapter 245 Fan Chengxu

Translator: 549690339

‘s Little Thought 1

After distributing the dried red yams to the villagers, Wei Ruo took Xiumei to the distillery.

Wei Ruo brought along some refreshing pickled sour plums for everyone.

The work in the distillery was much more laborious than that in other small workshops, many of the tasks required manual labor, and they had to constantly face the scorching heat of the large boiler.

At such times, eating the dried yams which are dry and sticky to the teeth is naturally not easy to swallow; the crunchy plums were much more appropriate. Everyone, while munching on the plums, expressed their gratitude to Wei Ruo. “Boss, you’ve been really good to us!”

“Boss, rest assured, we will brew the alcohol as soon as we can!”

“That’S right, we will brew the alcohol as soon as we can to make you earn some silver!”

The more they talked, the more excited they became. They put aside the plums and returned to their workstations to continue working.

Wei Ruo smiled, then inspected the distillery, checking each process to ensure there were no mistakes.

After inspecting the progress of the distillery, Wei Ruo set off back to the Government City. She visited the braised food shop and the Four Treasure House, and then headed to Zuixian Residence.

Because Fan Chengxu had sent a message to her, saying that he needed to see her.

As soon as Wei Ruo stepped into the Zuixian Residence, the waiter warmly welcomed her in and led her to the private room on the second floor that was reserved for Fan Chengxu.

“Please wait a moment, young miss. I will inform the young master immediately.”

Wei Ruo nodded and then took a seat by the window.

Xiumei stood behind Wei Ruo and asked her in a low voice, “Miss, what do you think Boss Fan wants?”

Probably something to do with making money,” Wei Ruo speculated.

After working together for some time, Wei Ruo felt that Fan Chengxu was a genuine businessman who loves money. Mostly, he would put effort into something related to wealth.

I m worried, could it be that Boss Fan is interested in Zhu…”

After Wei Ruo had shared her suspicions with Xiumei last time, Xiumei had become somewhat fearful. Now that Fan Chengxu had invited them, Xiumei couldn’t help but overthink.

“It’s not very likely.” Wei Ruo’s intuition told her.

Furthermore, if it really was related to that person, she couldn’t avoid it even if she wanted to.

Therefore, Wei Ruo agreed to come after receiving the message and pondering for a while.

Wei Ruo didn’t have to wait long before Fan Chengxu arrived. He was dressed in a green satin robe, and he was never without his folding fan.

As soon as Fan Chengxu entered the room, he greeted Wei Ruo with a beaming smile. “Young Master Xu, it’s been a long time.”

“Boss Fan.” Wei Ruo stood up to greet him.

“Please sit, Young Master Xu. There’s no need to be formal.” Fan Chengxu took a seat opposite Wei Ruo and poured her a cup of tea, “This is the new Longjing tea of this year. Please have a taste, Young Master Xu.”

Wei Ruo didn’t reach for the tea, but asked, “Boss Fan, do you have some important matter to discuss with me?”

Fan Chengxu smiled and said, “It’s not anything important. I just wanted to have a casual chat with Young Master Xu. By the way, I heard that Young Master Xu has recently sold a lot of late rice seeds?”

Wei Ruo nodded, “Yes, that’s true.”

While this news wasn’t big, it wasn’t small either. It was quite normal for Fan Chengxu to know about it.

“Where did Young Master Xu get this rice seed? How come there’s such a good rice strain that I don’t know about?” asked Fan Chengxu.

“They were brought over from Huzhou Prefecture. The farmers there have been planting it for two years, but it hasn’t been promoted to Taizhou Prefecture yet,” explained Wei Ruo.

Fan Chengxu laughed, “It seems that I’m not well-informed, and my business acumen is not developed enough. I missed the opportunity.”

“Boss Fan is being modest. If even you say your business acumen is lacking, then no one in Taizhou Prefecture would dare to claim they are good at business,” said Wei Ruo.

“I also heard that Young Master Xu recently acquired a lot of unwanted sand land, and is planning to plant crops on it?” Fan Chengxu asked again.

“Yes, that’s true. I’m doing some experiments, but I’m not sure if they will be successful. I hope Boss Fan won’t laugh at me,” Wei Ruo replied.

“Additionally, I heard that the wheat on Young Master Xu’s farm is about to mature and, judging by its growth, it looks like it will have a great harvest,” Fan Chengxu commented.

“May your words be auspicious, Boss Fan. I also hope for a good harvest,” Wei Ruo answered.

“It seems that Young Master Xu is not only an excellent businessman, but also very proficient in farming,” Fan Chengxu said.

Wei Ruo didn’t respond, just smiled and took a sip of the freshly brewed

Longjing tea, waiting for Fan Chengxu’s next move.

It certainly wasn’t as simple as just praising her and testing her tea appraisal skill that Fan Chengxu invited her for. As for what his intentions were, she would wait for him to reveal in his own time.

Next, Fan Chengxu pointed to the Longjing tea on the table and asked, “Does

Young Master Xu know how much this Longjing tea sells for per jin?”

Wei Ruo glanced at it and said, “Before the spring rain, after the spring rain or even later?”

“Young Master Xu really knows her stuff.” Fan Chengxu laughed and said, “This lot is from before the spring rain. What does Young Master Xu think of it?” “It tastes fresh and strong, the shape is straight and superior. It’s top-grade,” Wei Ruo appraised.

If it was from before the spring rain, it would be more precious and considered a treasured item. However, tea leaves before the spring rain do not normally enter the market and are usually gifted to the palace by local officials.

Then Fan Chengxu asked, “So does Young Master Xu know how much this spring rain Longjing tea sells for in silver per tael?”

“Although I have never purchased it, I have heard of its value. Depending on the appearance and quality, it costs between ten and fifty taels of silver,” Wei Ruo replied.

“Yes indeed, Young Master Xu is indeed knowledgeable. When I bought this lot,

It cost me thirty taels of silver per tael of tea,” Fan Chengxu said, smiling.

Fan Chengxu looked at Wei Ruo, his smile still present and a crafty sparkle in his fox-like eyes.

“I assume Boss Fan didn’t invite me here just to praise my business acumen and test my tea appraisal ability, did he?” Wei Ruo asked.

-Does Young Master Xu, who is proficient in farming, have any knowledge or research on tea growing? Do you know how to make the tea leaves on the tea plants grow better and make the tea full of color, aroma, and taste?” Fan Chengxu finally brought the topic to the main point.

“Does Boss Fan own a tea garden?” Wei Ruo asked.

“Yes, I have two tea gardens in Taizhou Prefecture, covering over a hundred acres,” Fan Chengxu replied.

Upon hearing this, Wei Ruo suddenly understood and guessed the general situation.

Tea is a highly profitable industry that Fan Chengxu wanted to get involved in.

But his tea gardens seemed to be mediocre. After learning about some affairs related to her recently, he speculated that she might be able to help him, so he wanted to collaborate with her.

Honestly, the tea sector was indeed attractive to Wei Ruo, but she didn’t currently have the capability to do it on her own.

Tea required substantial upfront investment. Tea plants take more than one or

two years to grow well, and the subsequent costs are also high.

The most critical point was the matter of sales.

Ordinary people do not drink tea; ordinary families, like the Military

Prefecture, only drink ordinary tea.

Not many people like Fan Chengxu would be steeping spring rain Longjing tea to drink. These people were either rich or noble, and they would not easily change their tea or their tea purchasing channels..