Ch. 21Selling Tiger Hides
Key Plot Points and Events
- Xu Mingwei arrives in Qingjiang County Town to sell tiger pelts he hunted.
- He meets Xu Mingyuan, who offers to help sell the pelts at a better price.
- They go to 'Shuyue Xuan', a famous tea house owned by Chang Haowen, where they meet Chang Haowen himself.
- Xu Mingyuan presents two tiger hides (a male and female pair) and tells the story of how they died protecting their cub.
- Chang Haowen agrees to buy the pelts for 1200 taels if the cub's existence is proven.
Character Developments
- Xu Mingwei: Shows worldly wisdom, is calm and collected, and has hunting skills. He's willing to take risks by raising a tiger cub.
- Xu Mingyuan: Proficient in business, has connections in the county town, and is trustworthy. He's also knowledgeable about the tea house's owner and the value of the tiger pelts.
- Chang Haowen: A young, wealthy, and astute businessman. He's cautious but willing to make a deal based on trust and evidence.
Significant Themes
- Trust and Integrity: Both Xu Mingyuan and Chang Haowen value trust and integrity in business dealings.
- Risk and Reward: Xu Mingwei is willing to take the risk of raising a tiger cub for the potential reward of taming it.
- Profit and Value: The value of the tiger pelts is determined by their rarity and the story behind them, not just their material worth.
Character Interactions
- Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan: The brothers have a good relationship, with Xu Mingyuan showing respect and affection towards his elder brother.
- Xu Mingyuan and Chang Haowen: They have a friendly, respectful business relationship. Chang Haowen values Xu Mingyuan's character and trustworthiness.
- Chang Haowen and Xu Mingwei: They meet for the first time, and Chang Haowen is impressed by Xu Mingwei's demeanor and the story behind the tiger pelts.