Chapter Eighteen: Selling Ginseng

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“The Hu Ginseng Firm, backed by the General’s Mansion, has a solid foundation and abundant financial resources, making it part of the real power faction.”

“The Zheng Ginseng Firm belongs to the largest local family’s enterprise. For example, the General’s Mansion’s chief advisor bears the surname Zheng, indicating he is a member of the Zheng clan. In essence, they are the local overlords.”

Chang Chao was a mediocre information gatherer. Due to his status and limited funds, he couldn’t always uncover the deeper reasons behind certain matters. Yet, given enough time, he could still become an excellent intelligence agent.

“Interesting.” Jia Ping’an was fairly satisfied with Chang Chao’s report. To have uncovered so much in such a short time demonstrated commendable ability. “Alright, continue your inquiries. Here’s some silver for you. If you find anyone useful, try to build more connections.”

Ten taels of silver were handed over at once. To make a horse run, it must first be fed.

Jia Ping’an valued intelligence far more than most people of his era. Often, gaining a step ahead and grasping the initiative was an advantage that could not be compensated by any amount of silver.

Chang Chao took the silver respectfully, somewhat excited. He knew his efforts had pleased the young master today. Next, he would need to accomplish even more to prove his worth and avoid being discarded by his lord.

After Chang Chao left to seek more useful leads, Jia Ping’an continued to stroll alone through the streets. Passing several shops that bought ginseng, he entered a few to inquire about the purchase price of twenty-year-old wild mountain ginseng.

Twenty-year-old wild ginseng, while not the absolute finest among ginseng varieties, was certainly valuable enough for medicinal use. Similar to the ginseng tribute sent from Ningguta City to Changdu, mostly fifteen-year-old roots, twenty-year-old ones were considered superior.

But still, it was only considered upper-middle grade. Compared to thirty, forty, or even fifty-year-old ginseng, its value was far less.

According to one shopkeeper, the ginseng used by the royal family was at least thirty years old — that was the truly valuable kind. Roots younger than that were only used by high officials and nobles, with limited worth.

Of course, the shopkeeper might have been trying to lower the price with this explanation. Nonetheless, the offered price of two hundred taels of silver for twenty-year-old ginseng gave Jia Ping’an a deeper understanding of the ginseng trade.

Two hundred taels for twenty-year-old wild ginseng—no wonder so many people sought their luck in the mountains. Used well, that money could sustain a family of three or four for many years.

After grasping the rough market situation, Jia Ping’an headed straight to the General’s Mansion.

Since he knew the Hu family also bought ginseng, the first root must naturally be sold to them. The price was secondary; it was a matter of respect.

To survive on someone else's turf, face must be given. Jia Ping’an didn’t care about the price they offered because he never intended to sell all his ginseng to just one buyer. A one-on-one sale was not a solid strategy in his eyes.

Otherwise, why would there be complaints of stores bullying customers?

To get true value for goods, competition was necessary. Much like future auctions, with proper maneuvering, items could sell for several times their intrinsic value.

Jia Ping’an had the space, that was true. After acquiring the young ginseng root, he could obtain more and even older wild ginseng.

But that wasn’t a reason to waste resources. “I earned this space by skill, so why not earn more from it?”

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Whether in a past life or this one, Jia Ping’an was never the type to disdain accumulating wealth; as long as it was obtained legitimately, more was always better.

Upon arriving at the General’s Mansion, Hu Shoufu, the chief steward, personally greeted Jia Ping’an, showing ample respect.

As the mansion’s head steward, Hu Shoufu was far from idle. He had many responsibilities, such as attending personally to the matron’s affairs whenever he had time.

“Young Master Jia, are you here to take the old madam’s pulse?” Hu Shoufu’s smile grew warmer upon seeing Jia Ping’an.

The General was deeply filial. With the old madam’s health restored, his mood improved, making Hu Shoufu’s job easier.

All this was thanks to Jia Ping’an. Had the old madam fallen ill, neither Hu Shoufu nor the mansion’s servants would have had an easy time.

“I did come to take her pulse, but there are other matters as well,” Jia Ping’an said with a gentle smile.

Every person has their own thoughts, small schemes, and a spectrum of emotions and preferences.

Someone like Hu Shoufu, though a servant, could influence the General’s decisions. Jia Ping’an never underestimated him and was always ten times more alert when dealing with him—a skill honed during his previous life’s tenure as a high official.

“Other matters? What are they?” Hu Shoufu was momentarily taken aback; he could not imagine what private business Jia Ping’an might have.

But soon enough, he understood. “Elder Hu, I’m not very skilled, but I had some luck today. While going up the mountain, I found a twenty-year-old wild ginseng. I heard the Hu family has a ginseng business, so I brought it here for your appraisal.”

“Oh, a twenty-year-old wild ginseng.” Hu Shoufu’s expression involuntarily changed at this news.

Though people had sold ginseng before—after all, one of Ningguta’s main trades was buying wild ginseng to ship to Changdu—sales mostly occurred in summer and autumn. It was rare to see any in the autumn-winter season, let alone a twenty-year-old root.

Though surprised, Hu Shoufu had long served by the General’s side and was experienced. He had mastered the art of hiding his emotions and soon composed himself. “You brought the wild ginseng?”

“Yes,” Jia Ping’an replied, then reached into his pocket and produced a small rectangular wooden box.

Such boxes were common in Ningguta City.

Hu Shoufu carefully took the box and opened it. Inside lay a wild ginseng root, perfectly preserved; even the tendrils were carefully pressed without the slightest damage.

He nodded approvingly. “Well preserved. Go take the old madam’s pulse first. I’ll call someone from the ginseng firm to verify it.”

As the chief steward, Hu Shoufu was not a specialist, especially regarding the root’s age. He needed an expert to authenticate it.

“All right.” Jia Ping’an was in no hurry and not at all worried that they might try to keep the ginseng. There was no need or value in doing so.

Following the lead of other servants, Jia Ping’an proceeded to the old madam’s quarters at the rear of the mansion. Meanwhile, Hu Buxin, the Hu family’s ginseng firm manager, arrived upon hearing the news.

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As the General’s cousin, Hu Buxin supervised the Hu family’s finances, including the ginseng trade.

“Ah, this ginseng is exceptionally well preserved. This must be from a true connoisseur.” Seeing the root so perfectly intact—free of any dirt or damage, perfectly straight—Hu Buxin exclaimed in admiration.

Over the years, countless ginseng roots had passed through his hands. Even with great care during harvesting, it was inevitable that the tendrils would bend or curl. But this root was perfectly straight and unchanged from when it was still in the earth. Such preservation was only possible with deep knowledge of ginseng harvesting.

“Connoisseur?” Hu Shoufu was puzzled. Jia Ping’an had been in Ningguta only four days and only three days in the mountains—how could he be considered an expert? “Second Master, are you sure you’re not mistaken?”

Hu Shoufu’s doubt displeased Hu Buxin, who replied, “What’s this? You doubt me?”

“No, no, just curious. The person delivering the ginseng is only a fifteen-year-old boy who just arrived in Ningguta four days ago. He shouldn’t be an expert.” Seeing the Second Master’s displeasure, Hu Shoufu hastened to explain.

“Ah, then it’s likely the ginseng belongs to someone else, and he’s only delivering it on their behalf,” Hu Buxin quickly came up with a reasonable explanation.

“That makes sense,” Hu Shoufu agreed. “But if so, how do we price it?”

“If it’s not his, then just price it normally. By the way, since you said he just arrived, you should follow protocol. Tell him this root counts as his annual contribution. But since he cured the old madam’s illness, we shouldn’t let him go unrewarded. Give him an extra hundred taels. As for the ginseng, I’ll take it.”

As the General’s cousin, Hu Buxin was well aware of recent events at the mansion. Upon hearing Hu Shoufu mention Jia Ping’an, he immediately recognized who he was and made this proposal.

“All right.” Hu Shoufu agreed readily.

Hu Buxin left with a satisfied expression. Soon after, Jia Ping’an finished taking the old madam’s pulse and emerged from the rear quarters. In the long corridor, the steward was waiting for him.

From a distance, Jia Ping’an smiled and greeted, “Uncle Fu.”

“Heh heh, Brother An, you’ve worked hard. Is the old madam all right?” Hu Shoufu asked warmly.

“Her health is even better than before. Congratulations to the General,” Jia Ping’an responded with a smile. The old madam lacked no food or drink, had a strong constitution, and was aided by the Spirit Spring water; her complexion was excellent, so there was no concern.

“That’s wonderful. The General will be very pleased to hear this.” Hu Shoufu nodded repeatedly with satisfaction, then suddenly remembered something. “Young Master Jia, the ginseng has been examined and is indeed twenty years old, but…”