Great Tang Idyll

Book 2: Chapter 40

Volume 02 Chapter 40: Looking For Problems In the Market

Li Cheng didn't expect that the people doing business here would protect the Wang's Manor to this extent. In order to confirm that they really don't charge taxes, he went to a different place to get products to sell.

After changing his clothes, he carried two baskets of spinach to the market and placed them down. He didn't care how many people were in the surroundings, and he began to yell out,

"Spinach, spinach for sale. Two catties of fresh spinach for just a coin."

After yelling a few times, people actually gathered around. Everyone looked at him with a gaze that made him feel uncomfortable, and some even shook their heads at him. None of them were willing to buy his spinach.

"Auntie, buy some spinach. I'm selling it for cheap---two catties only cost a coin." Seeing that others did not buy it, Li Cheng took the initiative to attract customers. He saw an elderly woman come closer to see so he told her about how cheap his spinach was.

The old lady pursed her lips and muttered, "You seem to be a fairly good young man, but why is your heart so black? Two catties for a coin? You're asking to be shooed away."

Just when he was still puzzled, a voice from the side spoke up, "Mister Li has nothing to do, so you have come here to have fun? How about you go drink some tea? My treat. Why do you need to trick people? I'll give you some face today and not kick you out. Mister Li, if you please."

Li Cheng looked up and saw a man, who was wearing a shirt made of rough fabric, standing beside him while looking at him.

"How do you know me? Who are you?" Li Cheng asked suspiciously.

"Mister Li is a noble person, so naturally you don't know me. However, it is impossible for me to recognize Mister Li, the person in charge of the Li Manor. A person with such a distinguished status actually came here to sell spinach. I think Mister Li's spinach is a bit small and a bit yellowed. It's not the Li Manor's spinach, right? The spinach there is better than this, and the price is three catties a coin.

Could it be that Mister Li went far away to buy expensive spinach and returned here to sell them? What a unique hobby you have. If I knew that Mister Li liked to do this, I would have sold my spinach to you. Oh, right, my name is Er'gou. I'm responsible for setting the prices in this market. If you want to sell spinach, then that's easy. Five catties for a coin. "

Er'gou's speech was polite, but the expression on his face was not polite at all. He didn't know where Li Cheng got the spinach from. Being tiny might mean the spinach was still young, but the leaves were already yellowed, so how could he dare sell them for two catties for a coin?

As for how he knew about Li Cheng, of course others told him. The Manor had people who specialized in collecting information about the notable people around the Manor, and this information was given to the businesses. Even the waiters at the Between the Water and Clouds Restaurant would receive paper portraits to help them memorize the faces of the nearby nobles.

Li Cheng saw with his own eyes that a person exchanged six catties of spinach with a small packet of bad tea, and left happily. The spinach seller gave the tea to the old man at the tea stall and the old man paid him a coin and two handfuls of white melon seeds.

Seeing these things, Li Cheng didn't know what to do. He looked at Er'gou who was waiting beside him, and then he suddenly said with a smile, "So you're Brother Er'gou. I've been looking forward to meeting you for a long time. Brother Er'gou, I don't have any extra money with me, so can I pay the tax tomorrow?"

"Ah, Mister Li wants to put me in jail. When did we ever collect taxes? If Mister Li is willing to sell, remember that the price is five catties for a coin. If you think the price is too low, then you can go back to your manor. In the Li Manor, spinach can be sold for three catties for a coin. But of course, you have to choose good ones to sell."

As soon as Er'gou heard what Li Cheng said, he knew what idea Er'gou had in mind. Even if they collected taxes before, he could change the policy right now on the spot. While he spoke to Li Cheng, he gave him a contemptuous smile.

Li Cheng had no choice but to shout to the people around him, "Six catties for a coin. Anybody willing to buy?"

He wanted to sell these trashy items out as soon as possible, and then continue to search for the mastermind. Since he couldn't find any problems with this place, it was a waste of time to keep staying here. He originally thought that a lot of people would buy it at a price of six catties for a coin, but he didn't expect that after shouting this out, the people around simultaneously took a few steps back.

Li Cheng was stunned. Er'gou clearly said that the price was five catties for a coin, so why didn't anyone buy it when he sold it for six catties a coin? Just when he couldn't figure it out, a kind person said to him, "Er'gou has already said that your spinach costs five catties a coin, so how could you be so insensible by insisting to sell it for six catties a coin?"

After hearing this, Li Cheng understood that the price was this finicky. The price had to match the set price and could not be any higher or lower. He was not a fool and he immediately understood the key point. Whoever was responsible for setting the price will reap all of the benefits in the end.

With this kind of rule in place, why would they need to charge taxes? By relying solely on the ability to set prices, he could earn a lot of money. This was a good tactic. The price was determined by the quantity and quality of the goods. Naturally, others will not express dissent on the day of, otherwise they can choose to not sell. As long as they choose to sell, then Er'gou will be able to benefit from the sales.

"You are lying. You have benefited from this. Everyone, don't believe him. The prices he set works in his favor."

Li Cheng finally broke out. He accused Er'gou and then he began to persuade the people around him to gather around. He thought that everyone would scold Er'gou and unite with him to oppose Er'gou.

Who would have thought that right after he finished speaking, everyone around looked at him like he was a fool. A kind person stepped up and said to him, "Young man, hurry home and get someone to take a look at you. Oh, what a pitiable person. It's not easy during these times."

When others heard what this person said, they nodded as if they agreed that Li Cheng was severely ill. Li Cheng listened and felt his lungs were about to explode with anger. When he didn't know what to say, a person next to him gently pulled onto his sleeves. When Li Cheng turned his head to look, the man said,

"Manager Li, I'm a resident at the Li Manor. Please don't speak anymore. Others will think that you are ill. Everyone here knows that Er'gou can profit from setting the prices here. But do you know what those profits are used for? Originally, if you want to store your goods here overnight, you need to pay something or money, but now you don't need to.

The money earned by Er'gou is used to repair the warehouses for everyone. And these four brawny guys standing near you were hired with this money. If someone comes to cause trouble or bully us, these four people will rush forward and beat the person up and then send the person to the authorities. Everyone knows about this.

Also, look at this hot weather. If anybody gets a heatstroke, Er'gou will find someone to treat the person, and no profit is earned from the charged fees. Anyway, money can be earned by doing business here, and it's better than going elsewhere and being bullied there. Everyone is used to it. Manager Li, you should keep yourself busy with other work."

After this man finished speaking, he opened his own stall. He also had spinach in his stall, and just as Er'gou said, it was sold for five catties a coin. The people nearby who wanted to buy it either gave coins or exchanged it with other items. There were all sorts of items that were sold and exchanged. Er'gou was busy now, and from time to time, he told others the worth of each item.

While talking, he took out signs with words written on them. Not only were the prices written on them, there were also drawings that helped illiterate people figure out the cost of their items.

Li Cheng stood there and no one paid any attention to him anymore. If it weren't for his status, he would have been kicked out a long time ago. This time, Li Cheng finally gave up on the matter about the taxes. He couldn't hope to provoke others to disobey Er'gou's pricing since they have said that the earned money was used towards the market.

However, he was still a bit dissatisfied. He waited for Er'gou to be almost done with his work before he went up to Er'gou to say, "Brother Er'gou, I want to do some business with you. I wonder how the prices are calculated? For example, my spinach. How much will you give for it? There's a lot."

"The same? Five catties for a coin. I will buy everything you have." Er'gou clearly knew that Li Cheng wasn't sincere about selling it, but he still replied to him.

"Then, if I buy the same kind of spinach from you, how much does a catty cost? I can also buy more." Li Cheng asked again.

"So you're willing to sell it at a higher price, but not at a lower price?"

"No, I still won't sell it even if it's at a higher price. If you want to buy it, you can go to the Between the Water and Clouds Restaurant. There will be someone there who will help you find such things, but you have to pay a certain fee." Er'gou did not give Li Cheng any chances.

There was nothing else that Li Cheng could do, so he thanked him and turned to leave. As for the spinach, he gave them to the Li manor's resident so that he could sell it and then buy some good food.

After walking a short distance away, Li Cheng still felt displeased. What the heck was that? He wasn't able to cause any trouble for them. He was in the middle of his thoughts when he noticed that a familiar figure appeared in front of him. He hastened his pace and took another look. Li Cheng was joyed. It was that mastermind that he had seen before. He didn't expect that he would be out here right now.

"Hey, the person up ahead. Wait a minute, I have something to say to you. Something important." Li Cheng yelled out as he ran forward.

The man stopped and gave Li Cheng a mysterious unpredictable smile.