A Fool Passes Up Easy Money

The first spring rain

The pitter-patter of raindrops splashed against the tiles and eaves of Fengchuan City, like someone whispering softly in your ear.

Luo Yu stood by the window of the Rain Listening Pavilion, watching the citizens with umbrellas hurrying through the alleys, the dripping rain sounds creating a sense of peace and tranquility.

Even on rainy days, the Rain Listening Pavilion was bustling with customers, always eager to taste the Three Pot Head. Frequently, one could see drunken patrons staggering out.

"Once I was curious why taverns were named Rain Listening Pavilion,"

Luo Yu gazed at the falling raindrops and said softly, "Today I think I understand a bit."

"A night of spring rain in a small pavilion, ten years of aged wine in the evening breeze."

Jiang Shu stood with folded arms and chuckled, "To me, drinking on a rainy day is the most delightful. A pot of wine, two small dishes, three or five good friends, it's enough to comfort one's life."

"Never would have thought Manager Jiang had such refined tastes, not like a typical businessman."

"Earning money is vulgar, but without money, one doesn't even have the right to talk about vulgarity. That's just how the world works."

Jiang Shu turned and asked:

"Would City Lord Luo like to have a drink? I'll have someone prepare a few signature dishes."

"Next time. There are still many matters to handle in Cangqi City, I should return."

Luo Yu turned to bid farewell: "The second batch of wine will definitely be delivered before the wine market opens. Leave the rest to you.

When Three Pot Head sells well, we'll have another drink."

"It's a deal!"

Luo Yu walked through the crowd and out of the tavern. The noisy guests around him had no idea that Three Pot Head was his creation, the entire Fengchuan City believed it was made using the Rain Listening Pavilion's ancestral secret recipe.

Walking with a bamboo umbrella through the streets, before he even left the alley, an old man blocked Luo Yu's path, politely asking:

"May I ask if you are City Lord Luo of Cangqi?"

The unfamiliar face made Luo Yu frown, "Who are you?"

"The steward of Fragrant Pot."

The old man smiled and gestured invitingly:

"My master invites City Lord Luo for a chat."

...

Just out of the Rain Listening Pavilion and into Fragrant Pot, both places were actually on the same street, one at the east end and one at the west end, fierce competitors.

Led by the old steward, Luo Yu entered an antique private room. Along the way, he saw many beautiful young maids and antique porcelain on the windows, the grandeur clearly surpassing the Rain Listening Pavilion.

"City Lord Luo's visit truly honors our humble shop, ha ha."

As soon as he entered, a hearty laugh came from a portly middle-aged man:

"I am Du Gang, the master of Fragrant Pot. To meet the renowned City Lord Luo who has made a name at the border is truly a great fortune. Speaking of Quezhou, it's truly a place of outstanding people, to produce such a young hero as you. Now becoming a city lord, rising to prominence, ha ha.

City Lord Luo, please sit!"

Luo Yu didn't hesitate, sitting down smoothly and saying casually:

"Just a small town in the countryside, how can it compare to Manager Du's big business?"

"Hehe, barely getting by."

While Du Gang called for the maids to pour wine, he apologized:

"Inviting City Lord Luo was rather abrupt. But since you rarely come to Fengchuan City, it's a rare opportunity, so I had to take the liberty.

I hope City Lord Luo won't mind."

"To know I rarely come to Fengchuan City?"

Luo Yu's lips curled into a smile, "Did you send someone to follow me?"

"City Lord Luo is joking, isn't this just a coincidence? Hehe."

Du Gang smoothly changed the subject, chatting about Fengchuan City's local customs, talking animatedly. He was indeed eloquent, and before they knew it, he was calling Luo Yu brother.

Luo Yu's hand gently rubbed the edge of the wine glass:

"Manager Du invited me today, surely not just for small talk? What's on your mind?"

"Brother Luo is straightforward, I won't beat around the bush either."

Du Gang finally put away his smile and said seriously: "Fragrant Pot wants to do business with you, a big business."

"Do business with me? Cangqi City is a desolate place, poor and barren, what business could we do with Fragrant Pot?"

"Three Forks Mountain may be desolate, but you know how to make wine."

Du Gang said meaningfully: "In just half a month, Three Pot Head has swept through Fengchuan City. With such skills, how could you not be able to do business with Fragrant Pot?"

Luo Yu raised an eyebrow: "Manager Du seems to know more than I imagined?"

No one in the entire Fengchuan City knew where Three Pot Head came from, how did Du Gang know?

"Hehe, to have established ourselves in Fengchuan City for many years, we must have some capabilities."

Du Gang said confidently:

"Though Fragrant Pot ranks first and Rain Listening Pavilion second among Fengchuan City's taverns, when it comes down to it, Rain Listening Pavilion is far behind us.

Our business is the best, and Fragrant Pot's background is much deeper than theirs."

"I know, Fengchuan City Lord Yao Lin and Manager Du are sworn brothers, close friends."

Since Luo Yu planned to do liquor business in Fengchuan City, how could he not investigate Fragrant Pot's background? Besides, this matter was known throughout Fengchuan, not a secret at all.

"Since Brother Luo knows, then you should understand that we are your best partners."

Du Gang smiled: "Working with Fragrant Pot will guarantee you huge profits. I'm sincerely here to make friends and do business."

Luo Yu crossed his legs: "Then let's talk about it. How does Manager Du want to cooperate?"

"Very simple, you make the wine, we sell it."

Du Gang raised a finger:

"Ten days from now, on the third day of March, is Fengchuan City's wine market. It's a great opportunity for all taverns to expand their customer base. I suppose Rain Listening Pavilion has already ordered a batch of wine from you?"

"That's right."

Luo Yu admitted frankly: "Two hundred jars, eight silver taels per jar."

"Fragrant Pot offers ten silver taels per jar, all these jars will be ours. City Lord Luo shouldn't give a single jar to Rain Listening Pavilion."

"That's not right. Manager Jiang has already paid the deposit, how can I not keep my word? My reputation would be ruined."

"One more silver tael per jar, how about that?"

"No."

"One more silver tael!"

"Ah, next time, next time."

Luo Yu remained unmoved: "I've seen Manager Du's sincerity. This batch of wine I'll give to Rain Listening Pavilion, next time I'll definitely cooperate with Fragrant Pot!"

Faced with Luo Yu's firm stance, Du Gang gritted his teeth:

"Fragrant Pot offers double, fifteen silver taels per jar! Two hundred jars would be three thousand silver taels, and we'll double Rain Listening Pavilion's deposit!

How about that?"

Luo Yu didn't refuse, but fell into deep thought.

Seeing Luo Yu finally wavering, Du Gang pressed his advantage: "City Lord Luo, in terms of strength, scale, and background, Fragrant Pot is your best choice.

There are so many people to support in Cangqi City, silver is always better when there's more.

We businessmen have a saying, a fool passes up easy money."

After saying this, Du Gang personally got up to pour Luo Yu a cup of wine, pushing it forward:

"Brother Luo, working with Fragrant Pot, you won't regret it!"

The wine swayed gently in the cup. Drinking this cup of wine meant Luo Yu was agreeing to work with Du Gang.

After a long silence, Luo Yu finally raised the wine cup and drank it in one gulp under Du Gang's delighted gaze:

"You're right, a fool passes up easy money!"

...

The spring rain drizzled on. Jiang Shu stood by the window, a hint of worry in his brows.

A moment later, a steward walked in and bowed:

"Master, City Lord Luo has left the city. He chatted with Du Gang at Fragrant Pot for a full hour."

"Understood."

Just these three words made the melancholy even stronger.

"Master, shall we send someone to Cangqi to urge for the wine? Whatever amount we can get, bring it back. What if Du Gang intercepts it..."

"No need. If they don't want to work with us, we won't get a single jar. Why humiliate ourselves?"

Jiang Shu sighed deeply:

"Trouble…"