Chapter Fifty: Breaking the Monopoly and Offending Countless People

On the morning of the next day, Xu Wenshan hitched up his ox cart and set off to the marketplace to sell his pelts.

He arrived so early that even the vegetable sellers, butchers, and tofu vendors had yet to set out their stalls, but he had already arranged his goods. He was in no hurry to uncover his wares and call out for buyers. Instead, he waited until the other vendors had finished setting up, then took a slow stroll through the marketplace before returning to his own spot.

From this walk, he gained a fair understanding of the situation. Market prices in the county town of Shaxian were several times higher than those in Luhe Ravine. Rice, which cost about forty coins per dou in Luhe Ravine, went for ninety coins per dou in Shaxian—more than double the price. Other goods were similarly inflated, most being two or three times more expensive.

The trade in Shaxian was far more robust and bustling than in Luhe Ravine, so the steep prices made sense. Even if the people here knew nothing of economics, inflation existed all the same.

Yet one phenomenon struck Xu Wenshan as odd.

When Xu Wenshan had bought the pelts, he paid between two and five coins per jin at the lowest and highest, respectively. Accounting for inflation, the selling price should be around five to ten coins per jin. With summer approaching, demand for pelts would drop, so prices should fall even lower.

But at the other pelt stalls, the prices were set at twelve coins per jin.

Pelt prices were much higher than Xu Wenshan had anticipated.

If his guess was correct, there could only be one reason for this.

Xu Wenshan uncovered his pelts and shouted loudly, "Top-quality pelts, cheap for sale! Finest deer and roe skins, only six coins a jin! Come and see, take a look!"

His energetic call drew the attention of some people. Enticed by the low prices, they gathered around his stall, feeling the pelts and asking, "Selling so cheap—is it really good quality?"

Xu Wenshan responded in a loud voice, "Sister, don't joke. Just feel for yourself—it's clear whether they're good pelts or not!"

One after another, people crowded around, examining the pelts. Though it was not the season for such goods, anyone who truly knew how to manage their household would never wait until winter to buy pelts; that's when they were at their most expensive. Those with spare money would buy in summer or autumn. Besides, even if not used for clothing, pelts had other uses.

Still, the price was so low as to invite suspicion. There were many onlookers but few buyers, and after a handful of sales, the crowd began to thin.

As things quieted, an old man at the neighboring stall squinted at Xu Wenshan and said, "You really have the nerve to sell at that price?"

"And why not?" Xu Wenshan replied.

The old man, with nothing better to do, leaned in and asked, "Have you never heard of Flying Arrow Manor?"

Xu Wenshan thought to himself, "So it's come to this," but feigned indifference. "Never heard of it. Where is this Flying Arrow Manor?"

The old man adopted a mysterious air. "You'll find out soon enough."

He acted as if something was about to happen, but it was just a feint. The old man seemed eager for the spectacle, but Xu Wenshan had no way to deal with him. Sure enough, just as the old man predicted, two burly men soon approached, rudely driving away Xu Wenshan’s customers.

Xu Wenshan thought, "Now it begins."

He addressed the two men, "Gentlemen, what is the meaning of this?"

"Who said you could sell pelts here?" they demanded.

"Did you open this marketplace?" Xu Wenshan asked.

They shook their heads. "Well then, I’m selling my goods—what business is it of yours?"

The two men laughed in disbelief. "Kid, you clearly don’t know the name of Flying Arrow Manor, do you?"

Xu Wenshan scoffed, "Never heard of it. Is it supposed to be famous?"

That finally enraged the two thugs; they rolled up their sleeves, ready for a fight. The other vendors, sensing trouble, quickly moved their own stalls away to avoid getting caught up in the conflict. Xu Wenshan quietly instructed Lu Ze and Spider not to intervene unless needed—he would handle this himself.

But the two men didn’t attack right away. They craned their necks and said, "Are you serious, kid? You really want to go up against Flying Arrow Manor?"

"I don’t want to go against you; you’re the ones going against me," Xu Wenshan replied.

They were pleased with the first half of his answer, but upon hearing the rest, realized he was as stubborn as ever. Furious, they lunged at him, hands reaching for his throat.

Xu Wenshan easily evaded their grasp, sidestepped, seized their wrists, and with a quick twist, their fists seemed to bloom like ephemeral flowers—crack!—leaving their fingers bent in unnatural claws.

Pushing them away, Xu Wenshan said, "With skills like that, you dare to pick a fight with me?"

The two men clutched their aching hands, glowering with hatred. "You’ve got guts, kid—just you wait!"

With that, they hurried off in disgrace. The pelt vendor across the way hastily packed up his stall and left with them.

The old man nearby, seeing how things were turning, hastily gathered his things, warning Xu Wenshan, "You'd better leave now! Why are you still standing here? Do you really think Flying Arrow Manor is to be trifled with?"

Xu Wenshan just shook his head and smiled.

The old man, seeing Xu Wenshan’s obstinance, shook his head as well, sighed, and packed up his stall to leave.

Soon, all the other vendors in the market understood what had happened. With practiced efficiency, they packed up their goods and scattered, so that the once bustling market now looked as though it had been abandoned, with hardly anyone remaining.

At the end of the street came the sound of footsteps—swift, steady, and numerous.

A group of a dozen or more burly, half-clad men were heading toward the market, shoulders broad and waists thick.

Xu Wenshan narrowed his eyes, studying these silent men. He could tell they were all hunters, and that they were no strangers to brawls.

Lu Ze sidled up and whispered, "Do you need me to step in?"

Xu Wenshan shook his head. "Let me see what I’m capable of now."

"Hmph, Flying Arrow Manor or not—do they think I’m someone to be trifled with?"