Donglai County is a massive ancient city, its scale enormous, like a giant beast crouching upon the earth.
The distance between the South City Gate and the North City Gate is approximately eighteen li, and the distance between the East and West City Gates surpasses twenty li. For an ordinary person’s physical strength, crossing the East and West City Gates on foot takes more than an hour, and for the elderly or young, it takes even longer.
The Commandery City is huge, and there must be a large-scale Ghost Market nearby. Such a large-scale Ghost Market is unlikely to open right next to Donglai County; it’s more likely to be at some distance, and ordinary people generally do not have the privilege to know of it.
Qiancao Hall is affiliated with the Pill Cauldron Pavilion, and Lin Xue, being a member of Qiancao Hall, must be aware of the Black Market’s location.
Indeed, after a slight pause, Lin Xue understood Su Mu’s intention; perhaps the Black Market is the true purpose of today’s visit by the person before her, although the Bone Strengthening Pill Su Mu presented today left her somewhat disappointed.
Yet, the fact that Su Mu spent nearly thirty thousand taels in the past two months, coupled with his extraordinary aura, made Lin Xue realize that even if she doesn’t ally with this person, it’s best not to offend him.
"Mr. Cheng, your timing is perfect today; if you came a few days later, you would have had to wait for some time," Lin Xue chuckled softly. "The Lu Ming Banquet is just in ten days, and tomorrow is the last time the Black Market will convene during this period."
"The reed marsh near the tributary Blackwater Region of Donglai River, at two quarters past the hour of You, follow the guiding luminous fish shoal, and when the time comes, someone from the Black Market will invite you."
Su Mu felt a surge of anticipation in his heart; both the Blackwater Region and the luminous fish shoal guidance confirmed that this Black Market in Donglai County is not on land, but a water-based Black Market.
"Thank you, Miss Lin, for informing me. I would like to purchase five sets of the medicinal ingredients on this list."
"Wait a moment."
Lin Xue glanced at the list of medicinal ingredients, her beautiful eyes gleaming with a smile. Before long, she brought the ingredients over, and after a quick exchange of money for goods, Su Mu promptly thanked her and departed.
After Su Mu left, Lin Xue headed upstairs to a study on the fifth floor.
Lin Xue informed Fang Wu Ling inside the room of the recent matters.
"Bone Strengthening Pill... alright, I understand. There’s no need to focus too much on this person in the future, but continue to keep an eye on him."
...
"There are still ten days until the Lu Ming Banquet, hence the four clans’ competition is not far off."
Su Mu muttered, soon returning to his residence at Huai’an Square. He opened the door and happened upon Li Lu, sleeves rolled up, cleaning the courtyard. Upon seeing Su Mu return, Li Lu gripped the broom in her hand a bit tighter.
"Speak."
Li Lu blushed slightly at these words, but she wasn’t the shy type; she immediately spoke out openly.
"Master, I have brewed a batch of wine these days and want to sell a portion to buy some grain and brewing supplies," Li Lu paused.
"Father also said that brewing wine can’t be done behind closed doors. I’ve inquired a bit around some wine shops these days; it’s difficult to obtain the ’wine licenses’ in Donglai County."
Upon hearing, Su Mu nodded lightly. In ancient Dynasties of the past life, wine was not something easily sold, and in this world, the Great Yan Dynasty is no exception.
To sell wine, one needs a wine license issued by the local official government, equivalent to a permit for wine sales.
Only with a wine license can one legally sell wine; otherwise, it’s considered selling bootleg wine, subject to confiscation and arrest by the Government Office. As far as Su Mu knows, the wine licenses in Donglai County are almost monopolized by the Great Noble Families: Tao, Li, Lin, and Zhou, making it virtually impossible for ordinary people to access.
Moreover, Li Lu wants to sell her own wine to obtain market feedback, and this young girl has a strong sense of self-reliance, aiming to earn money through wine sales to continue her brewing.
All of these gain Su Mu’s approval, as he knows he won’t stay long in Donglai County, merely residing here temporarily. Once he leaves, Li Lu must rely on herself, and planning ahead is wise.
During the wait for Su Mu’s response, Li Lu’s cheeks grew warm; she knew Su Mu didn’t owe her anything, in fact, she owed Su Mu a lot, but for now, the only person she could rely on was Su Mu.
"Alright, bring out the wine you want to sell."
Upon hearing this, Li Lu felt a wave of reassurance. In her view, Su Mu’s involvement, even in Donglai County, was immensely comforting; she immediately turned joyfully to fetch the wine from the wine room.
Soon, a total of fifteen jars of wine were carried out, among which five jars appeared to be more delicately crafted. Li Lu pointed to those five jars.
"Master, these five jars are for you... the remaining ten are for sale."
"Okay, how much do you plan to sell each jar for?"
Su Mu didn’t show any reservation, directly storing the five jars of higher-quality wine into his Sumeru Ring.
"Master, I’ve asked around at quite a few wine shops in the city during this time; the selling price in this city’s market is somewhat higher than in Canghe County. A jar should... fetch around six hundred wen."
In the Great Yan Dynasty, one thousand wen equals one tael; if all are sold, it amounts to six taels of silver. This may be insignificant for the current Su Mu, but Li Lu holds great expectation and gazes at him eagerly.
"Master, can I, can I go with you? I want to see with my own eyes..."
Before she could finish speaking, Su Mu calmly interrupted.
"No, I will be leaving tomorrow; in these few days, you must not venture out easily."
"Mm-hmm."
Li Lu’s eyes dimmed a bit, then she smiled and nodded in agreement, continuing to sweep the fallen leaves in the small courtyard. She knew Su Mu was right; taking her along would certainly be a burden.
As dusk approached the next day, Su Mu took with him a batch of various pills he refined, and after a transformation of his appearance and figure, left Huai’an Square.
Heading eastward out of Donglai County, through a patch of forest and hills, the sound of flowing water reached his ears, about fifty li away, a lush reed marsh appeared.