Chapter 137: Better to Avoid Trouble Than to Invite It

The woman in plain clothes went over to consult with her family, while Wei Renshi and the others waited beneath the pavilion.

Manager Fang said to Wei Renshi, "Young Master, seven thousand strings of cash is rather expensive. While this estate is quite fine, it is hardly worth that much!"

Wei Renshi nodded and replied, "That is true. When I purchased the Dream Tower storefront in Luoyang, I used the dividends from the spice business advanced by your firm, which have yet to be fully repaid. Although the Dream Tower generates substantial revenue, a large portion of it must be channeled into the Luoyang river embankment project. Consequently, producing seven thousand strings of cash all at once will somewhat strain the Dream Tower's finances. Fortunately, the winery has begun selling to other merchants as well, providing a steady income, so we can still afford it. However, I am truly captivated by the landscape design of this courtyard, so I suppose the higher price is acceptable."

"Whatever the Young Master desires," Manager Fang said with a smile. "I wonder if the Young Master has prepared flying cash from the exchange shops?"

The court of the Tang Dynasty stipulated that, apart from gold and silver, massive quantities of iron or copper coins could not be transported out of their home prefecture. For transactions in distant places, one had to go to inter-prefectural pawnshops or similar institutions, deposit the money, and obtain a certificate. Upon reaching the destination, the certificate could be exchanged for cash, or directly redeemed for gold and silver.

Such establishments were known as exchange shops.

During the Tang Dynasty, institutions specializing in the storage and lending of currency were called exchange shops. They were also known by various names such as deposit boxes, consignment shops, pawn repositories, or pledge houses. Emperor Shizong once borrowed funds from wealthy merchants in Chang'an amounting to over eight hundred thousand strings of cash, which demonstrates the massive scale at which exchange shops operated.

The items kept in exchange shops were primarily coin currency, textiles, millet, and wheat. A portion of the currency came from the shop's own capital, while the rest consisted of customer deposits. Because of their substantial capital, wealthy individuals were willing to store their wealth there, making exchange shops somewhat akin to modern banks. As for textiles, millet, and wheat, these served as collateral provided by farmers obtaining loans.

Among the various services offered by exchange shops was the ability to deposit money at one branch and present the certificate to withdraw funds at another branch of the same establishment in the destination city, a practice known as flying cash.

Wei Renshi nodded. "I brought some upon my arrival, though I fear it may not be quite enough. However, having someone return to Luoyang to deposit a bit more will only take a few days."

"How much is the Young Master short? This humble one can advance the sum for you first," Manager Fang offered.

"That will do," Wei Renshi nodded. "I shall simply repay you afterward. Ha, besides, since the dividends of the spice business are in your hands, you needn't worry about me running off."

"The Young Master jests," Manager Fang smiled. "However, this estate will require upkeep. Do you plan to purchase new servants, or would you prefer to retain some of the original staff belonging to this household?"

"Retain them?" Wei Renshi asked. "What do you mean?"

Manager Fang explained, "Ordinarily, when a household relocates, the domestic servants naturally follow. Yet sometimes, when there are too many, a portion may be released from their contracts and dismissed, or their contracts might be transferred to others. It seems to me that this family is not simply moving; I fear they intend to disperse their servants. If the servants are dispersed, their contracts will be canceled, leaving them to seek their own livelihood. If the Young Master requires servants, you might as well take the opportunity to select some from the original household. They are familiar with the estate and the surrounding area, making them convenient to employ."

Wei Renshi nodded. If he were to purchase this residence, he would indeed need grooms, maids, and the like to manage the property.

As the two men were speaking, they noticed the servant who had opened the door earlier hurrying past once more.

A moment later, the woman in plain clothes was seen walking briskly out from the rear, presumably to welcome an arriving visitor.

She hurried a few paces, then turned and walked back, stepping swiftly to the outside of the pavilion. She bowed and said, "Please forgive me, young master. An honored guest has arrived, and I must ask your permission to go and welcome them."

"Please go ahead, mistress," Wei Renshi nodded with a smile.

The woman in plain clothes turned and hurried away toward the front.

Before long, a group of people was seen walking in hastily, with the woman in plain clothes leading several individuals toward the inner courtyard.

Wei Renshi looked on out of sheer habit, never expecting to catch sight of a familiar figure.

"Master Zhang?" Wei Renshi called out.

Zhang Ji paused in his steps and turned his head. "Young Master Wei?"

Greatly surprised, Zhang Ji walked beneath the pavilion and asked, "Why is Young Master Wei here?"

"Why is Master Zhang here?" Wei Renshi countered.

The woman in plain clothes stepped forward and asked Zhang Ji, "Master Zhang knows this young master?"

Zhang Ji nodded. "Mistress Huang, this is our dynasty's newly appointed Baron of Weinan, Lord Wei. Since the founding of our dynasty, he is the sole individual to have achieved a noble title through merit at the mere age of twelve."

Startled, the woman in plain clothes hastily curtsied and said, "This humble woman was unaware that Lord Baron was gracing us with his presence. Please forgive my ignorance!"

"There is no need for such formality, mistress," Wei Renshi waved a hand and asked Zhang Ji, "I was told by a broker that this property was up for sale. Since I have just arrived in Chang'an and am in need of a residence, I came to take a look. And Master Zhang?"

"For sale?" Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji was utterly astounded. Without answering Wei Renshi, he hurriedly looked toward the woman in plain clothes and asked, "Mistress Huang, why must you sell the estate? How could matters have come to this? I have already entrusted someone to intercede on your behalf, you—"

The woman in plain clothes shook her head and said, "After such an ordeal, there is simply no way to remain in Chang'an. Selling the family property and leaving Chang'an may yet provide a path to survival."

"Alas, my position is humble and my influence negligible. Even if I wished to be acquainted with someone from the Imperial Medical Service, I have no way to do so," Zhang Ji said, his face full of shame as he shook his head and sighed. "Yet, Mistress Huang, must you truly sell this estate?"

The woman in plain clothes wore a desolate expression. She looked around her, two lines of tears suddenly welling up in her eyes. She closed her eyes and nodded.

Wei Renshi parted his lips and took half a step forward, but then pulled his foot back, closed his mouth, and ultimately said nothing.

Having just arrived in Chang'an, it was better to avoid meddling in other people's affairs.

Best not to interfere!

The woman in plain clothes wiped away her tears, walked up to Wei Renshi, and said, "Greetings, Lord Baron. This humble woman has consulted with her family, and we are willing to sell this estate to your lordship for seven thousand strings of cash."

Wei Renshi looked at the dejected Zhang Ji, sighed, and said, "Very well. For the sake of Master Zhang, I shall not bargain with you. Ten thousand strings of cash it is!"

The woman in plain clothes was stunned, and Zhang Ji looked at Wei Renshi in astonishment.

Suddenly, Zhang Ji's expression brightened with joy. "Ah, that's right! Young Master Wei is also well-versed in medicine! My eye affliction could not be cured despite seeking physicians everywhere, yet it was easily healed by Young Master Wei! Perhaps you could let Young Master Wei take a look!"

*I cannot, I don't want to, don't ask me!*

Thinking this to himself, Wei Renshi replied out loud, "What medicine do I know? I merely happened to know a few common folk remedies. If Master Zhang wishes to cure ailments and save lives, you must quickly seek out a renowned physician instead."