He entered the headquarters branch in the city without hindrance. The guards at the grand entrance stepping aside as his presence carried quiet authority. Introducing himself as the son-in-law of the Jin family Luo He presented his invention.
The delicate melodies of the music box captivated everyone present its charm undeniable. The soft intricate tune seemed to linger in the air drawing even the most seasoned merchants into a brief moment of wonder.
Confident in its worth Luo He offered to sell the blueprint of the device for three million gold coins and requesting only 5% profit from every unit produced in his name.
Though impressed the merchants refused outright claiming the price was too high. What followed was a prolonged negotiation voices rising and falling in measured tension. Eyes narrowing, fingers tapping against polished tables as calculations were silently made. After much back and forth both sides finally settled on 1.8 million gold coins and 3% profit.
The agreement was signed. Luo He then requested that officials accompany him with the gold promising to deliver the final
one-third (1/3) of the blueprint upon arrival having provided only two-thirds (2/3) initially.
It was a calculated move one that ensured trust yet maintained leverage. Soon a high-ranking officer of the Trade Origin Society departed with him alongside eleven carts stacked with heavy and tightly bound bags with the societies seal.
The carts creaked under the immense weight each one a testament to the scale of the transaction. Surrounding them was a 600 manned private army. Their armour glinting under the sun and their formation disciplined and imposing. The journey proceeded as planned.
Dust rose beneath the wheels as they travelled the steady rhythm of hooves and marching feet echoing across the road. Within three to four days they arrived at the Prosperous Silk Isle's counts mansion.
Luo He returned not only with immense wealth but escorted by a formidable force. His arrival stirred both awe and curiosity among onlookers. Servants paused mid-task, guards straightened, and whispers spread quickly through the estate.
The Jin family welcomed him with the highest regard. As agreed the officer received the complete blueprints without delay. The moment the transaction was fulfilled the army and the officials departed swiftly their duty complete. They left behind the wooden carts as silent proof of the exchange.
Servants of the Jin family began unloading sacks of wheat and rice each one sealed with the unmistakable crest of the Trade Origin Society. The courtyard slowly filled with towering stacks of provisions. The scent of grain filled the air mixing with dust and the faint trace of sweat from the labouring servants.
Jin Mulan stood in quiet astonishment. Her gaze moved from one overflowing sack to another. The red seals catching the afternoon light. The sheer quantity was overwhelming enough to sustain their entire household through two harsh winters. Meaning around 6 to 7 months.
A faint breeze passed through the courtyard. Rustling loose strands of cloth and carrying with it the weight of what had just been achieved.
Mother Jin Su stepped forward clasping her hands tightly. Her voice trembled slightly overcome with both relief and pride. "Such foresight, such capability." Her eyes lingered on Luo He, shining faintly.
"With this our family will not fear hunger or hardship for years to come. You have brought us peace I did not know we needed." A slight hint of sarcasm was presented under all that phrase.
Father Jin Quan stood straighter than before. His usual stern composure softened. Placing his hands behind his back he slowly surveyed the carts, his gaze sharp yet filled with quiet approval.
"This is no mere fortune," he said. His tone steady but heavy with meaning. "You have secured not only wealth but influence. Few men could achieve this in a lifetime yet you have done so in mere days."
Luo He's brother-in-law walked closer to one of the sacks pressing his hand firmly against the tightly packed grain as if confirming it was real. A quiet disbelieving laugh escaped him.
"I thought this would be a modest venture at best but this." He turned toward Luo He his eyes wide with admiration. "This surpasses anything I could have imagined."
The adopted son Jin Sang stood slightly behind at first hesitant almost unsure if he should step forward. Yet his gaze burned with admiration. Gathering his courage he stepped ahead fists clenched with determination.
"He…" His voice was soft but resolute. "What ever you have done… I will remember this he said to Luo He. I will train, learn, and grow stronger, so that one day I will stand beside you not as a burden to my family but as someone worthy of that name."
Finally, Jin Mulan spoke. Her voice was quieter than the others yet it carried a deeper weight. Her eyes met Luo He's a mixture of surprise, pride, and something unspoken passing between them.
"You always move beyond expectations." She said softly. "Even I did not foresee this." For a brief moment, silence settled over the courtyard.
Around them everything felt different. What was once simply a noble household now stood on the edge of something greater. The stacked carts, the lingering scent of grain, the fading echoes of marching soldiers all of it marked a turning point. Power had arrived not loudly but undeniably.
After all the grain had been packed into storage the primary storage room was filled to its limits. Even the long unused secondary storage had to be opened to accommodate the final two cartloads.
The once quiet storage halls were now overflowing. The scent of fresh grain thick in the air and the wooden beams creaked faintly under the sudden burden of abundance.
With the unloading complete the servants began to disperse their work finally done. Some wiped sweat from their brows while others whispered among themselves still in awe of the sheer quantity that had arrived.
Jin Mulan turned and quietly made her way toward her room her expression composed but her thoughts unsettled. Before she could leave the courtyard entirely her mother's voice called out sharply.
"Mulan! Is that how you treat your husband after he has returned from such a long and tiring venture?" Mulan paused mid-step. "Go and prepare a hot bath for him," her mother commanded.
Her tone firm and unquestionable. "Make sure to help him loosen his body." She shook her head slightly muttering under her breath. "I truly don't know where girls learn such manners these days..."
Mulan said nothing though a faint tension passed through her posture before she silently obeyed. Watching this clear favouritism toward Luo He the Count's expression darkened slightly. A hint of jealousy surfaced as he turned toward his wife.
"And what about me?" he asked. His tone edged with restrained annoyance. "I returned from the docks after two days of work. Should I not be treated the same way?"
His wife Lady Su whose figure and bearing closely mirrored that of Jin Mulan cast him a cold yet dismissive glare. Without a word she turned her face away completely ignoring him.
The Count fell silent afraid of the consequences of further annoying his wife. Before the moment could linger any longer Luo He stepped forward his voice cutting cleanly through the courtyard.
"We are not done yet." The words immediately drew everyone's attention back to him. "We still have eleven more loads of harvest to bring inside." A ripple of confusion spread across the gathered family.
He then turned to his father-in-law his tone lowering but carrying unmistakable authority. "Father-in-law bring only your most trusted men for this. I do not want anyone babbling about unloading a second batch of sacks."
His words landed heavily, disbelief was flashing across their faces. The idea that there was more after everything they had just witnessed was almost beyond comprehension. Then Luo He turned to Jin Mulan.
"Wife you seem strong. Could you help me remove this wooden floorboard from the cart?" Mulan stepped forward without hesitation. Together they began removing the large wooden board that had been carefully nailed into place to resemble the cart's floor.
The wood resisted at first the nails embedded tightly but with effort it finally gave way. As the board lifted what lay beneath caused a quiet stillness to fall over those present. Hidden below were more sacks unmarked.
Their origins concealed yet clearly just as valuable. "These," Luo He said calmly, "are to be taken to the main hall." The weight of his words and the secret now revealed settled over the courtyard, far heavier than the grain itself.