"Cough, cough. Well, gentlemen, first, let me teach you how to write your own names." Wu Ju sat at the head of the room, his expression fairly serious.
Xiang Yu and Xiang An nodded together. "Thank you for your instruction, sir."
Inside, Wu Ju had already begun teaching. Outside, Xiang Liang and Xiang Bo stood by the door, listening as the two brothers received their lesson, and quietly nodded.
"Second Brother, you really are putting your heart into this," Xiang Bo said with his arms crossed, letting out a sigh.
"They are Big Brother's children. How could I not?" Xiang Liang shook his head and headed toward his room. "What about Liu Jin'an?"
"He's waiting for you in the main hall."
"...Let's go see him." Xiang Liang nodded.
Liu Jin'an was a wealthy merchant, one of the richest men in the surrounding area aside from Xiang Liang himself. He was also highly skilled at speculation and profiteering.
When Xiang Liang entered the front hall, he saw a plump man seated in a chair.
That plump man was Liu Jin'an. Upon seeing Xiang Liang, he hurriedly rose to his feet. "Lord Xiang, long time no see, long time no see."
"It has been a while for you too, Old Liu. Was this winter not too bad?" Although Liu Jin'an enjoyed speculation, he was indeed good at socializing. He always knew how to please people, and Xiang Liang rather liked this chubby wealthy merchant.
"Ah, with the state about to be established, how could there not be money to make?" Liu Jin'an chuckled. "To help the people get through this second winter, those newly appointed commandery governors were scrambling to buy grain. I made quite a fortune from this!"
His grin was somewhat sly, making Xiang Liang frown involuntarily.
"Enough, enough. Stop