Chapter 1150: The Art of Managing People Through a Combination of Kindness and Strictness

In the side hall, Lady Eun was serving Buyeo Seol a piece of sashimi. The snow-white raw fish slices were cut as thin as cicada wings and dipped in wasabi sauce with vinegar, a favorite way for Baekje people to eat it.

"The taste of home is still the best!" Fu Yuxue said, biting into a slice of fish, her eyes slightly moist.

It is worth mentioning that the Tang Dynasty prohibited the consumption of carp because it was the Li family's empire, and the emperor's surname was Li.

Second sister-in-law Jin quickly added a spoonful of millet porridge to her bowl: "Sister, you must rarely eat this in Chang'an. This millet is good grain stored from last year. It's cooked until thick and warms the stomach."

The third sister-in-law then brought out a plate of steamed pork with a smile on top of it. "This spicy pickled radish is something I made myself. It goes well with the pork to cut through the richness. Try it, little sister."

As she ate, Fu Yuxue said with tears in her eyes, "I haven't tasted the flavors of home for more than three years. The Han Chinese chefs in Chang'an simply don't know how to cook our Baekje-style dishes."

The eldest sister-in-law, Fu Dangshi, picked up a piece of rice cake for Fuyu Xue and said with a smile, "I remember that my little sister loves to eat rice cake dipped in honey. It must have been a long time since you've had this."

“That’s right. People in Chang’an eat sticky rice cakes during the New Year. Although they are also sticky and chewy, they are far inferior to our Baekje-style rice cakes.” As Fu Yuxue spoke, she began to eat the rice cakes with honey without waiting, and a satisfied expression appeared on her face.

Fourth Sister-in-law picked up a piece of roasted meat for Fuyu Xue and said with a smile, "So, little sister, you must not have had roasted meat with seafood sauce in a long time, right?"

Fu Yu Xue nodded repeatedly, "Yes! I'm really craving Baekje-style seafood sauce; it tastes so good with grilled meat!"

Baekje-style seafood sauce is made by fermenting fish, shrimp, and chili peppers, and is similar to the prototype of modern Korean chili sauce.

Chili peppers had already been introduced to the Chaozhou Peninsula back then.

Fifth Sister-in-law said with a smile, "When you leave, take a few jars of seafood sauce and Baekje kimchi back to Chang'an to enjoy slowly. We may not have other delicious foods, but we sisters-in-law have plenty of Baekje-style seafood sauce and kimchi at home."

Fu Yuxue's gaze swept over her family members at the table, and she smiled sweetly with her eyes narrowed, "My sisters-in-law treat me so well!"

Because Sixth Sister-in-law was a local of Luoyang, she wasn't very familiar with Fuyu Xue. She smiled shyly and said, "Little sister, try the wheat cakes I made. I added honey and candied fruit."

Fu Yuxue tasted the wheat cake and praised, "Mmm, Sixth Sister-in-law's cooking is really good, delicious!"

Looking at the heartwarming scene at the dining table, Enshi's eyes reddened as she said, "If only your father could see you bringing Ling'er back to your parents' home on this day!"

Upon hearing this, Fu Yuxue paused, her hand holding the chopsticks still. "Mother, it's all my fault for coming back late."

Fu Dangshi hurriedly said, "Mother, we've finished eating. Let's not talk about things that will upset Xue'er. This afternoon, let her older brother take her younger sister to pay respects to our father."

"Yes, yes, let's not talk about it, let's not talk about these sad things." En wiped away her tears and forced a smile.

With tears welling up in her eyes, Fu Yuxue said, "Sister-in-law, before I went to the village to visit my parents, His Majesty had already taken me to Mangshan Mountain to pay respects to our father and burn paper money."

Upon hearing this, Fu Dangshi said, "My brother-in-law is so thoughtful! This is wonderful!"

Upon hearing this, En praised her with tears in her eyes and a smile, saying, "Your daughter is so filial and so considerate of her family. Your father in heaven can rest in peace."

Taking the opportunity, Fu Yuxue said, "Mother, before we came here, I discussed it with His Majesty. We wanted to take you back to Chang'an for a while to change your environment, so that you wouldn't always be reminded of my father when you're at home in Luoyang."

Enshi politely declined, saying, "No, daughter. I don't want to trouble you. I can help your sisters-in-law take care of their children and do some farm work at home."

Jin said, "Mother, you've just recovered from your serious illness. We can't bear to let you help take care of the children and do farm work. Listen to your younger sister and go to Chang'an for a while to enjoy your retirement!"

Third Sister-in-law chimed in, "Yes! Before Little Sister went back to her parents' home, Mother missed her every day. It would be good for her to go to Chang'an to stay with her for a while and relax!"

Fu Dangshi also chimed in, "Mother, I've heard that Zhuque Street in Chang'an is a lot of fun. It's rare for my little sister to be so filial. Why don't you go to Chang'an to relax? If you miss your grandson and granddaughter, just wait until the autumn harvest to come back."

Seeing that Enshi was still hesitant and undecided, Sixth Sister-in-law also smiled and persuaded her: "Mother, a change of environment can change your mood. You have worked hard to help us take care of the children all these years. Come to Chang'an to stay with Little Sister and Ling'er for a while, and get closer to your granddaughter."

Fifth Sister-in-law said with a smile, "Yes! Today, my younger sister brought back so many gifts to her parents' home, and she even gave each family ten gold bars. Our lives have improved so much. What else could Mother possibly worry about?"

"Mother, go! Your little sister will be so disappointed if you don't go!" Fourth Sister-in-law chimed in.

Looking at her daughters-in-law's kind words of persuasion and then at her daughter's sincere invitation, Madam En couldn't help but smile through her tears and say, "Alright, then I'll go to Chang'an for a short stay. I hope I won't cause my daughter any trouble."

Upon hearing this, Fu Yuxue couldn't hide her joy and said, "No trouble at all! It would be best if Yao'er and Chen'er could also go to Chang'an with us. They can broaden their horizons and also ease Mother's longing for her eldest granddaughter and grandson."

Enshi was delighted upon hearing this and looked at her eldest daughter-in-law, Fudangshi, and second daughter-in-law, Jinshi, for their opinions.

Fu Dangshi said with a smile, "Great! Yao'er will be so happy to be able to go to Chang'an with her grandmother and aunt!"

Jin also smiled and said, "I have no objection. His uncle just cured Chen'er's lameness, so I'm sure Chen'er will be willing to go to Chang'an with his uncle and aunt."

Enshi couldn't hide her joy and said, "Good, good, it's settled then. With Yao'er and Chen'er accompanying me, I can feel more at ease living in Chang'an."

"That's wonderful!" Fu Yuxue happily raised her wine glass and said with a smile, "This glass is for my sisters-in-law. For so many years, I have been able to take care of my parents."

The six sisters-in-law raised their glasses at the same time, creating a very warm scene.

The alcohol content of wine in the Tang Dynasty was low, and for women, drinking a small amount of alcohol was almost the same as drinking soda.

The eldest sister-in-law, Fu Dangshi, said politely, "Little sister, you flatter us. From the day we married into the Fuyu family, we were born into the Fuyu family and will die into the Fuyu family. It is only right that we be filial to our parents-in-law."

Second sister-in-law Jin also said some polite words.

The six sisters-in-law and sisters-in-law drank warmly together, each finishing their cups. The harmony and unity of the Fuyu family made Enshi very gratified.

Meanwhile, the children's low table was even more lively. Little Zhiling was holding a piece of braised pork knuckle and eating it. The pork knuckle was stewed until tender and was coated with Baekje's special soybean paste, which was salty and flavorful.

It seems that the food tastes better when the children are gathered together and vying for it.

Of course, it could also be that it was Xiao Zhiling's first time eating Baekje cuisine, and the taste was very novel.

The maid Qingdai sat to the side, wiping the soup from the corner of Xiao Zhiling's mouth from time to time. Watching the children chattering, her face was full of smiles.

Inside the main room, Lin Lang was still explaining business principles to the six Fuyu brothers. He would raise a glass in agreement and then engage in lively discussions. In the time it took to drink a meal, he had thoroughly explained how to run a business in the small commodity wholesale market.

After several rounds of drinks and two more servings of dishes, several jars of Xinfeng wine on the table were already empty.

The six Fuyu brothers listened intently, deeply admiring Lin Lang's business acumen.

Fu Yuxiao, whose face was already flushed from drinking, humbly asked, "Brother-in-law, do you think it's better for our 'Shanghai Small Commodities Wholesale Market' to be located in the West Market or the South Market of Luoyang?"

Lin Lang finished his drink and said strategically, "Beishi is located east of the canal, allowing boats from all over to enter the market directly. Merchants flock here, so our 'Shanghai Small Commodities Wholesale Market' should naturally be located in the famous Beishi commercial district of Luoyang."

After hearing this, Fu Yuxiao exclaimed, "What my brother-in-law said is absolutely right. It is naturally convenient for merchants from all over the country to bring in and out goods by being located near the canal wharf for wholesale business."

Fu Yulong stroked his beard and said, "But brother-in-law, Luoyang's South Market is the largest, with over three thousand shops representing hundreds of trades, and hundreds of inns nearby, 'piles of rare and precious goods,' attracting numerous merchants from other places!"

Lin Lang said with a smile, "Brother is right, so we need to open several directly operated chain stores in Luoyang for our small commodity wholesale market."

Fu Yulong asked, puzzled, "What is a directly operated chain store?"

Lin Lang patiently replied, "Directly operated chain stores are a business model that centers on a brand and achieves unified operation of multiple stores through standardized management."

"To put it bluntly, it's about expanding the 'Shanghai Small Commodities Wholesale Market' by opening more branches in various areas of Luoyang City."

After hearing this, Fu Yulong scratched his head and said, "Now that you've explained it to me, I understand."

Lin Lang said with a smile, "There are only six brothers in the Buyeo family, not counting the cousins ​​who have been scattered to the outskirts of Luoyang and the former Baekje troops. It is not difficult for the brothers to open three directly operated chain small commodity wholesale markets in Luoyang with reliable people.

After hearing this, Buyeo Yeon said, "That's right. Many of the former Baekje officials who were captured and taken to Luoyang are now farming and living a very difficult life. If we can unite with the former officials of the previous dynasty to provide their children and families with a job and a livelihood, it would be a comfort to my father's spirit in heaven."

Buyeo Yong nodded repeatedly: "Yes! Baekje people are the most trustworthy."

Lin Lang continued, "In addition to the two small commodity wholesale markets in Luoyang South Market and North Market, we also plan to open a large-scale Shanghai-style small commodity retail store in Luoyang City Street."

Fu Yutai exclaimed in surprise, "They're actually opening three stores in a row?"

Lin Lang replied, "The neighborhoods on both sides of Tianjie Street in Luoyang City are mostly inhabited by high-ranking officials and nobles, resulting in a large flow of people and strong purchasing power. Moreover, Tianjie Street connects the north and south, making transportation convenient and creating a strong commercial atmosphere. Therefore, Tianjie Street shops only offer retail and do not wholesale."

Upon hearing this, Fu Yutai couldn't help but praise, "Brother-in-law has a discerning eye; I admire him!"

Fu Yufeng slapped his thigh excitedly and grinned, "It just so happens that my younger sister and brother-in-law gave each of our six families ten gold bars today. That's more than enough to rent shops and start a business."

Fu Yulong raised his glass and said, "Then it's settled. We brothers toast to our brother-in-law for his help, and we will never forget his kindness."

The brothers raised their glasses, looking at Lin Lang with gratitude and respect.

Lin Lang smiled, picked up his wine cup, and said with an air of authority, "Brother, you flatter me."

"But I must say this upfront: there is a saying that goes, 'You can share hardship but not prosperity.' Some people can support each other in adversity, but they cannot share success after they have achieved it."

"I hope that all of you brothers can stay true to your original aspirations and work together in the business of operating the small commodity wholesale market, dividing the profits equally among yourselves each month according to the six shares."

"If anyone embezzles public funds or misappropriates public money and is discovered by me during an audit, don't blame me for not showing any kinship and taking back their business shares, cutting off their source of income from now on."

After hearing Lin Lang's words, the six Fuyu brothers exchanged glances and nodded in agreement, feeling that Lin Lang's words made perfect sense.

Fu Yulong, holding a wine cup, said, "Please rest assured, brother-in-law. As the saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father. If in the future any of us brothers betray our promises or embezzle public funds, I, as the elder brother, will certainly enforce family law and expel him from the clan."

Lin Lang clinked glasses with the six Fuyu brothers and laughed loudly, "Good! This is exactly what I've been waiting for, brother. This is exactly the dignity of the eldest son of the Fuyu family."

"Now that we have no worries, I wish my six brothers all the best in turning adversity into fortune and becoming wealthy and influential businessmen in Luoyang." Lin Lang downed his drink in one gulp.

The six Fuyu brothers drank their wine one after another, all of them as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood, full of confidence and hope for the future.

Of course, it's good to have a big tree to lean on for shade.

The six Fuyu brothers were able to get on board Lin Lang's big ship because their sister, Princess Yaji, married Fuyu Xue. From then on, the whole family became rich and powerful in Luoyang.