Chapter 274: Chapter 274

wen is not a small amount; it’s enough to cover a family’s expenses for a month.

Initially, everyone was hesitant to buy, but seeing the quality was so good and others buying in large volumes, they dared not hesitate any longer and all began to purchase.

Eventually, more and more people came to buy flour, and soon, it seemed the flour was about to be sold out.

Lin Wei was grinning from ear to ear, yet he felt a bit reluctant, so he reserved 50 jin for himself, and the remaining 300 jin was all marked up to 30 wen.

Still, many people came to buy, shoving money at him as if it were worthless, fearing they wouldn’t get any flour.

Lin Wei happily counted the money; he had just earned ten times the price, which delighted him no end.

It seemed he had to go to the Deserted Mountain again for stock; the earnings from the mountain these days had far exceeded what he made in the past decade.

As for the pastries, many children and parents came to buy them, and after eating, the children were reluctant to leave.

They were so delicious, leaving them wanting more. Even the parents got hooked after trying them and bought some more.

Pastries had increased from the previous 5 wen to the current 15 wen, making ordinary families dare not buy them, but wealthy families still came to purchase in droves.

Because these items were too scarce, and most importantly, their taste was incredibly exquisite, smooth, and glutinous, suitable for both the elderly and children.

Therefore, for a time, everyone took pride in being able to offer these pastries to guests.

Lin Wei went to restock the next day, always being very cautious; only he knew the way to the trade point.

Such a good supply channel, if found out by others, would leave him without an advantage.

Moreover, only his trusted confidants accompanied him on each stock trip; he dared not entrust this matter to others.

However, he had been followed, unbeknownst to him that some people had been targeting Lin Wei for a while; what he held was too eye-catching, such treasures could change a family’s fate.

But Lin Wei was sly, always shaking off the followers.

This time, though, the one trailing him was skilled in martial arts, unnoticed by Lin Wei.

So, the second time he went to the Deserted Mountain, he found that someone had gotten there ahead of him, also a merchant.

Because the Tang Family’s items were so popular, those merchants bought up the pastries almost immediately upon seeing them.

The flour had already been purchased by him, with the remaining stock meant for consumption and tax payment.

As for rice, others bought it all too, also at three wen per jin.

Even at ordinary farmer’s hands, rice wasn’t available at such a price; people weren’t willing to sell grain so cheaply unless desperate for money—no one would be foolish enough to sell at that price.

When these people bought rice, they all cursed Lin Wei.

This heartless man, selling rice so cheaply and then flipping it at ten times the price, was outrageous!

This scoundrel, how much money had he made? If only they had come earlier, they’d be the ones reaping profits!

But when those people wanted to go to the Deserted Mountain, they were refused by Pei Shu’er.

Lin Wei was at least familiar to her, but she had no dealings with other merchants, and Pei Shu’er would not allow them to go to the Deserted Mountain.

People in the Deserted Mountain couldn’t be so complex.

Otherwise, she would have simply set the trade point inside the Deserted Mountain itself; why set it nearby?

Lin Wei felt relieved: "Miss Pei, I’m here to fetch wild rabbits and pheasants."

Pei Shu’er nodded: "Come with me."

Once inside, Lin Wei saw the prepared goods, and at the same time, the rice he previously ordered was already packed by other households.

Initially, Lin Wei thought the quality might be poor, but upon closer inspection, he found that though not as good as the reserved stock, there was no bran and the husking was quite clean, suggesting it had a decent taste.

Everyone was grateful to Pei Shu’er because she had provided the dehusking machine for everyone to grind flour and rice.

Lin Wei felt delighted, as if he stumbled upon a treasure.

Others followed them to the mountains’ entrance but didn’t enter and began shouting to sell. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝓷𝓮𝓽

"Is anyone willing to sell rice to us? We are willing to pay four wen."

Upon hearing this, the people of the Deserted Mountain glanced at Pei Shu’er.

Pei Shu’er smiled: "No need to look at me, if you wish to sell, you can go ahead."

She was only responsible for the big direction in the Deserted Mountain, not bothering with the rest, nor did she want to.

Managing too much could provoke resentment, so enough was enough.

While others went to sell their goods, Yinxing suddenly came running in, looking at Pei Shu’er as if she were a savior.

"Young Madam, something’s wrong, Niu Hao’s men went to the trade point."

Pei Shu’er didn’t delay, walking while asking Yinxing about the situation.

"Niu Hao’s men somehow learned our trade point was profitable, and they came here to force a sale."

When Pei Shu’er arrived, she saw Niu Hao standing at the trade point, his eyes scanning the goods with a flash of envy.

The days would soon get cold, and with heavy snow cover, after paying taxes, they wouldn’t have enough food to last the winter.

So, they thought of checking out the trade point.

He hadn’t planned to rob, thinking it too unprincipled; he merely intended to exchange with lower-valued items.

He hadn’t expected that when these people saw he’d brought so many men, they’d boldly say no trade.

"This bunch of wild vegetables isn’t available on the Deserted Mountain; don’t you want to exchange and have a taste?"

He spoke with a glaring look, clearly threatening, implying that if the vendor didn’t trade, he could smash the stall.

Though the vendor shivered, recalling their Young Madam’s words about standing strong in business, knowing she had their backs, he straightened up.

Niu Hao swung a fist toward him, but just as it was about to strike, a soft voice interrupted.

Niu Hao stopped, turning to see Pei Shu’er walking toward him elegantly in a pink blouse.

Niu Hao frowned: "I was talking to this vendor, what’s your interference, Pei Shu’er?"

Pei Shu’er spoke assertively; albeit her gentle looks, her presence commanded respect.

"The Deserted Mountain is under my authority, Niu Hao; if you wish to harm my people, you’ll have to get past me first."

Niu Hao retorted coldly: "I’m merely trading; it’s not my fault if this person refuses. What wrong have I done?"

Pei Shu’er scoffed: "Did your father never teach you that transactions rely on mutual consent? You may be willing, but he is not, so there’s no reason to force a sale."

Niu Hao raised an eyebrow: "What if I’m insistent on buying?"

Pei Shu’er gestured to the people behind her, and her guards lifted their swords in unison.

Pei Shu’er declared: "Then, I’ll make sure you can’t enjoy it!"