Chapter 66: Unwise to Outshine Others

"Who on earth is Ji Jiayan?"

As a newcomer to this world, Fang Ning had no concept of prominent families or clans. The people of Futian Village had never mentioned him, and Si Yuheng had said nothing about him either.

"He is the youngest son of the Ji family, the wealthiest merchants in Tongzhou," Si Yuheng said. Pausing for a moment, he added, "Ji Jiayan is the one who made the Ji family's fortune rival that of a nation."

"As expected, he's a born businessman," Fang Ning muttered.

Si Yuheng frowned slightly and glanced at Fang Ning.

Upon seeing this, Fang Ning relayed Ji Jiayan's proposal to Si Yuheng.

"Are you planning to do business with him?"

"We can cooperate, but we cannot form a partnership. That man is far too calculating, and I don't want to exhaust myself dealing with him."

At this, Fang Ning suddenly looked at Si Yuheng. "Young Master, I actually have another idea. Would you like to hear it?"

"Go ahead."

"Ji Jiayan wants me to set up a fighting ring, using a hundred taels of silver as a carrot to lure people into spending twenty copper coins for a chance to gamble on winning that hundred. But that's far too dull. Why don't we use Quanwei Pavilion's name to host a Chinese checkers tournament instead?"

"Continue."

"Anyone from three to seventy years old can participate. The winners will receive prizes provided by us. This will not only build Quanwei Pavilion's reputation but also encourage mass participation. Once our reputation is established, we can sell naming rights."

"What are naming rights?"

"It means helping others build their brand awareness and fame. For instance, the First Annual Quanwei Pavilion Chinese Checkers Tournament—if this event gains high visibility, just how few people would know about Quanwei Pavilion? After that, we can sell advertising spaces at the venue, similar to sticking a Quanwei Pavilion placard behind each contestant. The higher their ranking, the more silver they pay.

"Of course, the board game tournament can include, but is not limited to, Chinese checkers, Go, chess, and all other competitive board games. I see that Changping County is quite prosperous; we could certainly give this a try."

Si Yuheng fell into deep thought.

Fang Ning continued, "Young Master, if you cannot grasp political power, you must grasp wealth. It seems our Great Liang dynasty doesn't harbor much prejudice against merchants. If Quanwei Pavilion could open branches all across Great Liang, imagine how massive an enterprise that would be?"

Si Yuheng looked at Fang Ning. "I will consider this matter."

"Is there any need to consider it? A thousand taels for first place, five hundred for second, and three hundred for third—just think of how many people would sign up! Once word spreads to neighboring counties, do you think the turnout would be small? We could even sell small snacks and refreshments on the side. If the magistrate isn't a fool, he certainly wouldn't refuse."

After all, economic prosperity was one of the metrics the imperial court used to evaluate the administrative performance of local officials!

"You know quite a lot, don't you? Fang Ning, apart from that, what other competitions are there?"

"Oh, there are plenty! Sports, for instance—running, high jumping, ball games... Wait, don't they have Cuju? If you don't want to host a board game tournament, you could host a Cuju tournament."

Fang Ning then explained the modern football league model to Si Yuheng.

Football was a sport beloved by men, and Cuju was quite similar.

"If anyone dares to fix a match, they get a lifetime ban. The same goes for attacking opponents on the pitch. We just need to establish clear rules to keep them in check."

"The roads aren't paved yet, and the rice hasn't even been harvested, yet your thoughts are already racing this far ahead? You must keep your feet on the ground and not try to reach the stars in a single bound!"

"I'm merely offering suggestions to the Young Master, am I not? If you adopt the idea, in consideration of my contribution, just give me a ten percent cut."

Si Yuheng flicked her forehead with his knuckles. "Are your eyes glued to money?"

"I'm poor," Fang Ning said righteously.

"Don't speak of these things to outsiders," Si Yuheng said calmly. "If that day ever comes, I'll give you thirty percent."

Once he reclaimed everything that rightfully belonged to him, he could begin preparing for these ventures. Wealth, naturally, was best kept in one's own hands.

After all, given his current situation, it was unwise for him to stand out too much!

"Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"No, never, the Young Master is the best person in the entire world! Loved by everyone, admired by all flowers, able to manage... manage everything!"

Fang Ning barely managed to stop herself from blurting out: *coffins upon sight open their lids!*

A flash of amusement flickered deep within Si Yuheng's eyes.

He suddenly leaned close to Fang Ning's ear, asking in a voice meant only for the two of them: "Fang Ning, are you really twenty-seven?"

Fang Ning's heartbeat skipped a beat.

"Why do you like women's accessories so much?"

A wave of heat rushed up to Fang Ning's delicate face.

Feigning composure, she tilted her head to look at Si Yuheng.

His peerlessly handsome face was inches away, his warm breath occasionally brushing against her ear.

Those dark, profound eyes stared straight at her, like a whirlpool threatening to suck her in.

"Young Master, do you also stand this close when talking to You'an?"

"Hmm?"

Si Yuheng's tone rose slightly at the end.

Little Fang Ning was completely cornered by Si Yuheng.

"Fang Ning, you haven't answered my question."

"What is there for me to answer? Young Master, aren't you hot? I'm boiling!"

Hearing this, Si Yuheng's expression shifted slightly. He quickly pulled back and straightened his posture once more.

"It's just because I like the girls and women around me to look pretty. What's wrong with liking beautiful things?" Fang Ning mumbled.

Pausing, Fang Ning bent down and looked up at Si Yuheng from below. "Young Master, you're acting so weird. Could you possibly..."

"No."

Before Fang Ning could finish, Si Yuheng denied it outright.

That only made Fang Ning find him even stranger.

However, since Si Yuheng never let his emotions show on his face, and she could never figure out what he was thinking, she simply gave up trying.

"When are we going to harvest the wild rice seeds?"

"At least another half month. It's only early May right now."

"What about the other variety of rice? What do you plan to use?"

"The kind currently grown in the village will do. Of course, when the rice starts flowering, we'll have to check out other varieties. There are so many fields in Huangniao Hollow, we can test a couple more. Next year we'll plant them all and see which one yields the most."

"Don't forget you still need to study books and practice martial arts!"

"I won't forget."

"Fang Ning, once you pass the Xiucai examination, you can go study at an academy. The things I can teach you are limited."

"Then are you going, Young Master?"

Fang Ning looked at him. "Do you really not plan to study and take the imperial examinations with me?"

Si Yuheng was silent for a moment. "We'll talk about that when the time comes."

Upon returning home, Madam Chen was overjoyed to hear that all the cloth dolls had been sold. "So, Ning-ning, should I keep making them?"

"Yes, but wait until I have the Young Master draw some new patterns before you make them! This time, a young master ordered them with specific requirements. Third Aunt, today we made over fourteen hundred copper coins from the dolls, but I spent all of it on more scrap fabric."

"It's fine, it's fine, go ahead and buy it. You must have spent a good deal of silver on those scraps, right?"

"It wasn't too bad." Fang Ning recounted everything she had bought today.

Old Madam Fang said, "Ning-ning, you'd better keep these accounts yourself. Grandma is getting old and can't remember these things."

"Alright." Fang Ning had already made a small notebook specifically for bookkeeping.

Nothing made the flow of money clearer than recording it on paper.

This would also prevent any future disputes where things couldn't be clearly explained!

Putting her things down, Fang Ning headed over to Big Stone's house.

Big Stone's father was busy planing wood.

As soon as she stepped through the door, Fang Ning shouted at the top of her lungs, "Grandpa Li Er, would you like to take on a business venture?"

"What kind of business?" Big Stone's father emerged from the room, holding a wood plane and sweating profusely.