Chapter Forty-Seven: Zhu Buhuo Brings a Gift

Yang Cheng knew as well that these pearls were akin to the luminous pearls of legend from his previous life, except that their glow was even brighter. After pondering for a moment, he said, “Old Zhu, why don’t you buy more of these small illuminating pearls and bring them to me? I’ll have someone make tube-shaped containers, place the pearls inside, and concentrate the light. This will be called a ‘tube lamp’—it will shine solely on particular goods, making the display even more striking and enticing customers to buy.”

The others had never seen such a thing and couldn’t quite picture it, so they simply nodded.

“Haha, these illuminating pearls are quite something. I could even make table lamps, floor lamps, and the like,” Yang Cheng mused aloud.

“Table... lamps...?” someone echoed, confused.

“When I’ve made them, you’ll be the first to use them,” Yang Cheng promised, laughing.

“As for the shop name, let’s call it Yang’s Furnishings. Also, at the entrance, we’ll set up a counter and hire two or three attractive young women—one to handle accounts and payments, another to answer customers’ questions. Behind the counter, we’ll hang a large silk screen embroidered with the words ‘Yang’s Furnishings’ in bold script. Below that, smaller characters will tell a story to introduce the shop and build our brand.”

The others were somewhat bewildered. “Tell a story? What story?” they wondered.

Zhu Buhuo asked, “Brother, what do you mean by ‘brand effect’?”

Yang Cheng pondered a moment, then said, “The story should go like this: In his youth, Master Yang was frail and sickly, unable to bear the discomfort of sleeping on wooden beds or sitting on straw mats. At the age of five, he vowed to make the lives of people everywhere more comfortable. Ignoring his family’s objections, he threw himself into craftsmanship. For fifteen years, he studied and experimented day and night, using up cartloads of wood and mountains of leather, until at last he became a master of his craft.

“From then on, his new creations took the world by storm. He produced furnishings that met people’s deepest needs, allowing users to relax and find true pleasure. His designs were elegant, beautiful, grand, and noble—not only practical, but also exquisite works of art, the best choice for daily living.”

The group fell silent.

Su Yue’e ventured, “Young master, is it really all right to make things up like this?”

Yang Cheng smiled. “Everyone likes a good story—especially one that ends happily.”

“Brand effect means telling people, in every possible way, about the virtues of our products, and also building up the status of the designer—in this case, myself. Also, every piece of furniture should have a mark—a simple pattern, let’s say. This pattern will carry hidden value; everyone who sees it will know it’s our product, and will be proud to own it. Even if someone copies our designs perfectly, their goods will never command the same price as those bearing the Yang’s Furnishings brand...”

“I see now!” Zhu Buhuo’s small eyes gleamed with excitement. He felt he’d truly learned something valuable—his bold gamble and large investment were paying off.

Su Yue’e and Xiao Wu also nodded in dawning understanding.

They continued to discuss matters until all the details were settled, and then prepared to leave, leaving the rest in Zhu Buhuo’s hands.

Just as they were about to depart, Zhu Buhuo remembered something and asked, “Brother, did you bring the sample gifts?”

Yang Cheng grinned. “How could I forget? Murong Tie, have someone unload those samples.”

——

At dusk, Li Qingfeng of the South City Market Tax Bureau finished his work early and returned home. As soon as he reached the door, his wife came running out, beaming with delight. “Husband, come inside quickly—I have something wonderful to show you!”

She was usually rather sullen, rarely so cheerful, so Li Qingfeng followed her in, surprised.

Inside, he saw three large pieces of furniture he had never seen before. “What... what are these?”

His wife shot him a look. “Shows what you know—this is called a ‘sofa.’”

She walked over, stretched gracefully, and sat down, bouncing a little on the cushion. As she leaned back, she let out a soft sigh of pleasure, clearly enjoying herself.

She patted the seat beside her with a slender, fair hand. “Come try it, husband.”

Li Qingfeng stepped over and hesitantly touched the material—it was very soft. He sat down slowly. It was truly comfortable. Imitating his wife, he leaned back and could not help but sigh in contentment. “So comfortable...”

After a day spent sitting stiffly among his colleagues, it was rare and relaxing to recline like this.

“Wife, this... this so...”

“Sofa,” she corrected him sharply.

“Yes, sofa—what a marvelous thing! Why have I never seen one before? Where did you get it?”

She smiled radiantly. “It was a gift from Zhu Buhuo, the owner of Floating Cloud Pavilion. He’s quite a good fellow, very thoughtful.”

Li Qingfeng tried to recall who Zhu Buhuo was, growing wary. “Did he ask you for any favors?”

“No, husband. He just said he noticed how hard I work and wanted to show his respect.”

“Oh,” Li Qingfeng relaxed.

The Market Tax Bureau oversaw merchant taxes, and he was one of twelve officials in South City—far from a high position, not one the imperial court took seriously. Among the city officials, he was hardly noticeable. When it came to tax collection, a little leniency was possible, but he hardly had the power to do favors for others. Still, he was not as upright as his name suggested, and although his rank was low, he never refused the small gifts and money that families and merchants offered, most of which were received through his wife. In Wuzhou, all the officials behaved this way; if someone insisted on principle, they would soon find themselves isolated.

——

For a small merchant like Zhu Buhuo, Li Qingfeng was already the highest official he could reach and speak to.

“This thing must be expensive, right?”

“Zhu Buhuo said he’s taken over this business and will have it running in a month or so. In all of Flowing Cloud Nation, only he can get this merchandise. He said this set he gave me is worth about two hundred spirit coins—very expensive.”

“So much? Only the upper officials and noble families could afford that,” Li Qingfeng said bitterly.

“My dear, Zhu Buhuo calls this a ‘chaise lounge,’” she said, bouncing over to sit on a uniquely shaped sofa inlaid with gold accents. “This one doesn’t come with the set—just this piece alone costs over two hundred spirit coins. Husband, do I look like a noble consort? Hee hee.”

“Don’t say such things—if people heard, it would be disrespectful,” Li Qingfeng admonished. After all, the imperial consorts were not to be taken lightly.

His wife pouted, unconcerned, still excited. “Zhu Buhuo said we are the very first in all of Flowing Cloud Nation to own these. See this pattern? It stands for Yang’s Furnishings. He also said that Master Yang is the number one furniture artisan in the country, and that these are his unique designs—impossible to find elsewhere.”

She added proudly, “It’s all thanks to you, husband, for looking after him. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to get them.”

Li Qingfeng reclined on the sofa, enjoying the comfort, then suddenly remembered something.

Their South City Market Tax Bureau would soon be transferred to the central district; the new chief for South City had yet to be decided. There were rumors, and someone had even mentioned the luminous pearls.

If I gave something this fine to the chief...

But seeing how much his wife cherished the furniture, he couldn’t bear to part with it. Even if he wanted to buy another set, his salary for seven or eight years wouldn’t be enough.

After thinking a while, he asked, “Wife, could you ask Zhu Buhuo if he can get us another set?”

His wife hesitated. “Would that be appropriate? He’s already given me such an expensive gift. Wouldn’t it be too much to ask for another?”

“Just tell him that I appreciate his kindness. If he can get me another set, I’ll use it to do a favor for someone. Whether it works out or not, I’ll consider him my brother from now on—if he ever needs help with his business, he only has to ask.”

“All right, I’ll go talk to him and see.”