Husband Sings, Wife Follows—Together They Forge Glory

The medicinal herb processing Song Ankang described had something of a modern assembly line about it, though it was somewhat more complicated. Even so, compared with the apprentices Huachun Hall trained, it was already simple enough.

As for whether this would leak out and allow others to learn it, Song Ankang was not worried. The deep processing of medicinal herbs looked simple, but in truth it required sufficient knowledge and skill.

It just so happened that the original owner had read extensively and possessed quite a bit of knowledge in this area, making it far from easy to replicate.

Besides, even if Song Ankang said nothing, Chaoyun Manor was so large. Once the deep processing of medicinal herbs got on the right track, could it really remain secret forever?

Since it was something people would learn sooner or later, there was no need to hide it away. He could also use it to win Pang Huachun's trust and secure an excellent path to making money.

Pang Huachun's eyes lit up. "Good. This is indeed highly feasible, and it could help Huachun Hall save quite a bit in costs. I never expected Young Master Song to be so capable in business as well."

"This year's severe drought left me with no choice but to find a way to make money like this. Otherwise, Chaoyun Manor would not have been able to carry on," Song Ankang said with a bitter smile.

Huachun Hall had built its reputation on pill refining, and its main products were all kinds of Ninth-grade Pills. However, the number of ninth-grade pill refiners was limited, so naturally they would not spend large amounts of time processing medicinal herbs.

Thus, Huachun Hall needed to train many apprentices in medicinal herb processing, and the cost was far from low. If someone could provide Huachun Hall with directly processed medicinal herbs at a reasonable price, Huachun Hall would naturally be willing to buy them. That way, it would not need to train so many astonishingly costly apprentices.

Song Ankang and Pang Huachun hit it off at once. The two carefully discussed the details of their future cooperation and signed the corresponding agreement, ensuring that both sides would profit from it.

Pang Huachun did not raise his purchase price simply because Song Ankang had a good reputation, nor did Song Ankang lower his selling price because of Pang Huachun's flattery. The two engaged in a fierce battle of words, negotiating purely from the standpoint of commercial interests.

Watching their heated discussion and the relatively reasonable clauses drafted one after another, Jiang Yunhe, Qiushi, and the people from Huachun Hall's Tongxin Town branch were all dumbfounded.

It was only natural for Pang Huachun, a merchant, to be so shrewd. Yet they had never expected Young Master Song, who looked handsome and refined, every inch the scholar, to be so sharp and capable as well. It was truly unbelievable.

Moreover, Song Ankang knew the prices of all kinds of medicinal herbs and the cost of training an apprentice at a medicine hall like the back of his hand. The prices they settled on were extremely reasonable, and he had even secured the greatest possible profit for Chaoyun Manor, leaving Pang Huachun somewhat convinced.

They talked from morning until evening before finally drafting the agreement. Song Ankang also bought a large batch of tools for processing medicinal herbs from Huachun Hall, along with a detailed guide to medicinal herb processing that Pang Huachun had specially gifted him. He truly returned laden with spoils.

"Young Master Song, you truly exceeded all my expectations today."

As they were about to part, Pang Huachun looked at Song Ankang and said with a bitter smile, "After doing business for so many years, it has been a long time since I have been as passive as I was today."

"Shopkeeper Pang, please forgive me." Song Ankang smiled slightly. "I had no choice either. Chaoyun Manor has a great household to support, with more than a thousand Tenant Farmers. Although this may make me seem overly calculating, as the lord of Chaoyun Manor, I must be responsible for them."

"If I disregarded the interests of so many Tenant Farmers who follow me merely to save a little face, that would be too foolish. Besides, business is business; there is nothing shameful about it. In private, we will still be friends in the future. Is that not the same for you, Shopkeeper Pang?"

Pang Huachun looked surprised. "Business is business—well said. Then I will consider Young Master Song a friend. It seems many people in the capital have underestimated you. If Young Master Song gains control of Tang's Trading Company in the future, perhaps you will be able to develop Tang's Trading Company even better. When the husband sings and the wife follows, Tang's Trading Company's glory will be just around the corner."

"You flatter me, Shopkeeper Pang. With my trifling skills, I can only solve a few problems at the manor. Anything more than that is beyond me," Song Ankang said with a smile.

After bidding farewell to Pang Huachun, the group headed back toward the manor with their bountiful haul.

"Son-in-law, I also think they have all underestimated you. I never imagined that, aside from being good at studying, you would be so talented in business as well."

Having only just left Tongxin Town, Qiushi widened her bright eyes and stared at Song Ankang without blinking, as though she were meeting him for the first time.

Jiang Yunhe, who was driving the carriage, also smiled. "Business is business. I also think that what Son-in-law said was excellent. Since one is doing business, things should naturally be handled properly and according to the rules. Eldest Miss has said something similar before, but she did not put it as incisively as Son-in-law did."

"Our Tang's Trading Company is also primarily a merchant enterprise. Since Son-in-law is so capable, once you return in the future, you can properly assist Eldest Miss." Qiushi spoke with admiration. "When the time comes, Eldest Miss and Son-in-law will join their swords as one and surely help Tang's Trading Company break free from its predicament and become the capital's number one trading company."

Seeing Qiushi's little face glowing with excitement, Song Ankang shook his head speechlessly. What business ability did he have? He had merely learned a few superficial things from Earth.

If he were truly asked to run Tang's Trading Company, it would be a miracle if he did not lose money. Song Ankang had no intention of running Tang's Trading Company together with Tang Yelan.

Besides, compared with managing some trading company, cultivation was the great path to heaven that attracted Song Ankang most. It was also the most promising and brightest road on Xuanhuang Continent—bar none!

Song Ankang would not waste his time and energy on business. With that time, he would rather cultivate a little longer.

If Chaoyun Manor had not been facing an enormous crisis this time, one that even affected Song Ankang's future cultivation, Song Ankang would never have racked his brains to find such a solution. As for whether it would work, Song Ankang could not yet be certain.

However, if it could produce results according to Song Ankang's plan, it would surely bring a rolling torrent of wealth to Chaoyun Manor. At that time, not only would they be able to complete this year's taxes and allow Chaoyun Manor's Tenant Farmers to live good lives free from worries over food and clothing.

Most importantly, Song Ankang would be able to obtain the greatest share of the profits, then use those profits to purchase all kinds of cultivation resources. With those cultivation resources, Song Ankang's strength would surely soar by leaps and bounds.

This was what Song Ankang valued most. In this terrifying world filled with danger on all sides, only by raising his strength could he preserve his own life and protect the family and friends around him.

The carriage wheels rumbled on without pause. By the time they hurried back to Chaoyun Manor, night had already fallen.