TFWYH – Chapter 365 Businessman’s Profits

Many people’s homes had been destroyed, and with nowhere to go for the time being, they could only agree — at least it gave them a temporary place to stay.

At this time, Madam Jiang and Ling Yue also went to the Su residence and donated their surplus grain.

This move earned them Su Madam’s deep gratitude.

The Su family was wealthy, but they supported many people under their household, and their surplus grain was actually quite limited. What the two women did was like sending charcoal in a snowstorm — timely and badly needed help.

But Madam Su didn’t accept Ling Yue’s grain for free. Instead she said, “Let’s count it as you selling it to me. As for the price… how about thirty wen per jin for polished rice and twenty wen per jin for coarse rice? Also, I only want two thousand jin. Take the rest back. If you can’t use it, wait until prices rise and sell it later to someone else.”

Ling Yue was stunned.

Madam Jiang was also stunned.

Madam Qian even said bluntly, “Th-this expensive? Isn’t that a bit outrageous?”

Madam Su smiled and shook her head, then looked at Ling Yue. “Your sister-in-law said you’re learning to do business?”

Ling Yue nodded. “Yes. I’m managing the family’s business now.”

Madam Su smiled again. “Then when you brought so much grain here, did you ask Wan-niang what she thought? Do you think she would approve of what you’re doing?”

“My sister-in-law would agree!” Ling Yue was very certain. “She’s kind and always willing to help others. I heard from Dashan and the others that she hasn’t rested at all while treating the injured. She would definitely support what I’m doing.”

“Silly child — Wan-niang’s kindness has limits,” Madam Su said with a light laugh and a shake of her head.

She was a thoroughgoing businesswoman. From the fact that Tang Wan accepted a hundred taels of gold as consultation fees, it was clear she was not some lofty person who treated money like dirt.

On the contrary, she was very practical — kind, yes, but only a little.

How could someone like that help others for no reason?

If she helped, it was either because you were one of her own people — or because she had some purpose in mind.

Madam Su also recalled that Su Yuan had once mentioned that Tang Wan bought Jimin Clinic.

If Madam Su’s guess was right, Tang Wan planned to expand Jishi Hall to the prefectural city, maybe even to the capital. That was why she was working for free now — to build the clinic’s reputation… or rather, her own reputation — and profit from it later.

Ling Yue had only just entered the business world and didn’t understand these twists and turns at all.

Madam Jiang and Madam Qian understood even less.

As for Tang Wan, she wasn’t here and didn’t hear this evaluation.

If she had, she would definitely have said: My kindness may have limits, but I’m really not that calculating, okay?

Ling Yue frowned. “Madam Su, what do you mean by that?”

Madam Su didn’t answer directly. Instead she looked at her daughter. “Wanting, tell us — if it were you, what would you do in this situation?”

Su Wanting replied without hesitation, “I’d wait until grain prices rise, then sell the surplus stock back to the grain shops at a high price and make a big profit.”

Madam Su nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the bewildered Ling Yue. “Understand now?”

Ling Yue’s expression was complicated. “I understand — but doing that feels too unethical, doesn’t it?”

Before Madam Su could speak, Su Wanting shook her head and said, “But I’m a merchant. As the saying goes, no merchant is without cunning. Which merchant does things with no benefit? If I spend money and effort for the common people, what do I get in return? Will the Emperor grant me a noble title or reward me with honors? If there’s no benefit, why should I do it? The people’s livelihood is the court’s responsibility, with officials to plan and manage it. I’m just a merchant — I’ll just be a merchant.”

Madam Su was very pleased with her younger daughter’s answer.

Then seeing Ling Yue’s conflicted expression, she sighed and said, “Merchants value profit. Since you’ve decided to be a merchant, you must give up certain unnecessary kindnesses. If you can’t do that, then I think you shouldn’t walk this path.”