Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1721: Chapter 1721: The Smart and Hardworking Cousin

Bai Zebo was full of excitement, ”Willing, of course I’m willing, I’ll talk to the shopkeeper tomorrow about quitting my job and focus on helping you, cousin.”

”There’s no rush. We’re just starting here, and it’s not too busy. You should keep learning from the shopkeeper for now. It’s not too late to quit when you become too busy,” Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.

”Okay, okay, so what is export trade?” Bai Zebo had the look of an eager student.

Bai Ruozhu patiently explained, ”Simply put, it’s about transporting goods that other countries don’t have and selling them there. The rarer something is, the more valuable it becomes. Then we purchase rare items from there and bring them back.”

”But how do we know what other countries lack?” Bai Zebo asked worriedly.

”People who frequently run trade routes gradually learn about it. Fortunately, I’ve been to the Western Regions and the Barbarian Clan’s territory, so I know a bit, plus I have friends in those two countries,” Bai Ruozhu said with a smile, and her friends weren’t ordinary people; they were part of the Royal Family.

However, thinking about Sangta, who hadn’t contacted her since returning to the Barbarian Clan, Bai Ruozhu felt a bit worried, unsure of the current situation there.

She planned to first send people to the Western Regions for trading. After selling goods there, she would make large purchases of medicinal materials. During her last visit to the Western Regions, she noticed some medicinal materials that Danliang Country didn’t have, but were quite common there and inexpensive. Some had hemostatic and pain-relieving effects, which were exactly what was needed now.

She intended to bring those medicines back, have people make superior quality injury medicine, and distribute them to every soldier in the army, so if they got injured in future wars, they could immediately use them.

It’s important to know that many ordinary soldiers don’t carry injury medicine with them, and even if they do, it won’t be the best. The injury medicine in Danliang Country isn’t cheap, and many weren’t willing to spend their military pay on it.

Bai Ruozhu explained this plan to Bai Zebo, who listened with admiration and excitement, saying, ”Cousin, your considerations are very thorough. Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do my best to help! I also want to visit the Western Regions to experience the customs there.”

Bai Ruozhu immediately objected, ”No!” She realized her tone was a bit harsh, so she softened it, saying, ”Do you know what I encountered the first time I went to the Western Regions?”

Bai Zebo widened his eyes, waiting for her to continue.

”The Beast Team attacked merchants. The land of the Barbarian Clan is barren, and they raise Beast Pets to attack traders on trade roads, seizing goods to improve their lives. That time, many were killed or injured, and only a third of a large Merchant Team survived. Although the Barbarian Clan no longer lives off looting traders, there might still be untamed barbarians who return to old ways. You’re still young and don’t know Martial Arts; it’s really not suitable for you to take such risks. Just focus on helping me purchase goods for export trade.”

After listening, Bai Zebo wasn’t frightened, and he straightened his chest, saying, ”Cousin, I’ve also learned some martial skills for self-defense. If a woman like you can venture out, why can’t I? A man should aim for far and wide, if always fearing danger and hiding at home, it would be hard to achieve success in life.”

Bai Ruozhu nodded, ”It’s good to have such ambition, but you shouldn’t lose your life for it. Once life is gone, all ideals and ambitions become empty talk. So, I suggest you first prepare the goods, get familiar with this aspect, then properly learn some martial arts, and in another year or two, you can go to the Western Regions.”

Seeing Bai Zebo somewhat unconvinced, she smiled and said, ”You can start with domestic trade first. No need to rush to achieve everything at once. In a while, I need someone to make a trip to Jinshui City in the Western Region, and you can go to gain some experience then.”

”Okay, I’ll listen to you, cousin,” Bai Zebo said happily.

”Take this booklet home to review. If you have time, visit the Pharmacy and learn to identify medicinal materials. Whether you go to Jinshui City or the Western Regions, you’ll need to collect medicinal materials. If you don’t understand anything, you won’t know if you’re being fooled,” Bai Ruozhu handed him the booklet.

The booklet wasn’t thick. Bai Zebo opened it and saw only some medicinal materials, not as comprehensive as he had seen in Pharmacopoeia in the past. If he were to read several volumes of Pharmacopoeia, it would drive him crazy.

He quickly understood that these medicinal materials must be the ones needed to be collected when going to Jinshui City or the Western Regions. His cousin was indeed clever, not rigidly making him read Pharmacopoeia but selecting the medicinal materials he would deal with for him to learn. This way, he could master the knowledge of medicinal materials well without taking too much time.

This made him more admire Bai Ruozhu. At least, the shopkeeper he was learning from wasn’t this adaptable. His cousin was indeed extraordinary!

Bai Ruozhu didn’t know that her little cousin was already admiring her deeply. She was just thinking that he wasn’t a Medical student nor a proper medicinal merchant, so reading Pharmacopoeia was indeed too demanding, hence she came up with this method, similar to how a Teacher highlights key points before an exam.

Over the next two days, Bai Zebo went to the Market after work to scout around, pondering what items might sell well in the Western Regions and drafted a list for Bai Ruozhu.

Bai Ruozhu looked at the list Bai Zebo brought and found him a smart child. He listed the names of various goods first, then drafted several plans, each reasonably categorizing the goods, considering things like the capacity of ten horse carriages, the storage time of goods, and potential losses during rainy days.

Bai Ruozhu used a pen to mark and draw, picking out items not produced in the Western Regions, and patiently explained to him why she selected these, asking Bai Zebo to reorganize them.

Early the next morning, Bai Zebo showed up with dark circles under his eyes. He had finalized the quantity of the goods and even researched their storage methods, all noted in the plan.

Bai Ruozhu was more satisfied with his performance but couldn’t help but scold, ”No need to rush. Go back and rest well, and come tomorrow for a discussion.”

She didn’t dare to say it was approved, fearing that the young man wouldn’t rest and would immediately get into the purchasing of goods.

”Okay, I’ll come in the morning,” Bai Zebo said, leaving happily without urgency.

Early on the third day, Bai Zebo hadn’t arrived yet, but news came from the east.

Jianqi read the secret letter aloud, ”King Rui issued a declaration questioning the emperor’s legitimacy, accusing the Empress Dowager of having an affair with Yao Yuxuan, claiming to set things right and restore the Imperial family’s rightful rule. King Rui announced an Ascension Ceremony on the first day of March.”

Jianqi paused, ”Master, the secret letter took some days to arrive, and it’s not long until the first of March.”

Bai Ruozhu picked up her teacup, intending to throw it to the ground, but waved and placed it back down, spilling some leftover tea on her sleeve.

After all, she’s not a noble lady. Even when angry, she can’t bear to smash a good teacup.

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Four updates tonight, may I ask for some monthly votes? Mwah~