Chapter 96 Moshan (1)
After entering Chang’an, Gu Yangji headed straight for the Golden Ring Trading Company without hesitation.
He hadn’t made any prior arrangements. It was out of caution, lest Baekcheon become complacent and fall prey to greed.
Gu Yangjeok’s eyes flashed sharply.
But upon arriving at Geumhwan Trading Company and stepping into the courtyard, it was filled with early-blooming magnolias.
“What on earth…”
Gu Yangji looked around in momentary confusion when Baekcheon, who had been tapping his abacus, spotted him and bowed.
“Great Hero Gu Yang! What brings you here?”
“I was just about to take some supplies. But what are all these flowers?”
“Ah, that.”
Baekcheon chuckled and quoted an ancient scholar.
“As Qu Yuan wrote in his Chu Ci, ‘In the morning I drink the dew of magnolias, in the evening I chew the flowers of autumn chrysanthemums.’ Though these magnolias haven’t fully bloomed yet, I thought I might sell them to young scholars preparing for the imperial exams. I planned to brew magnolia wine and sell it.”
At those words, Gu Yangji gave an embarrassed smile.
“How is it that you seem more knowledgeable than this Taoist? Haha.”
“That’s an outrageous thing to say. I merely sought advice from a junior merchant at the trading house.”
Calling him a strange fellow who wanted to make all three sons scholars, Baek Cheon made light-hearted jokes as he led Gu Yangjeok inside Geumhwan Trading House.
Unlike the building’s ornate exterior, Baek Cheon’s office was modestly frugal, hinting at his usual temperament.
