Volume Two: The Noble and the Petty Chapter Fifteen: Let’s Make Money Together (Part One)

Two days later, in the renowned Jade Treasure Pavilion of the capital.

The same words were once again recounted in detail by Huang Ming. Yet this time, the audience was larger, and instead of Huang Jin, it was Zhao Jian and more than ten other brothel proprietors who listened intently. At least, they were the proprietors in name. Clearly, Huang Ming’s previous remarks had made an impression—they had discussed among themselves and felt this change was truly promising. Thus, the meeting came to be, with an even greater turnout than before.

Huang Ming spoke just enough, laying out his idea of allowing each brothel’s leading courtesan to craft her own persona. As expected, this made several eyes light up. Unlike the inexperienced Huang Jin, these seasoned veterans understood well the allure such personas would hold for patrons with particular tastes.

“Young Master Huang is truly a talent. How did we never think of such an arrangement ourselves? To have spent so many years in these pleasure houses and never thought of this—truly shameful,” one said with a rueful laugh.

“Indeed. Heroes are born young! Surely Young Master Huang has more ingenious ideas. Might we benefit from hearing a few more?” others added, some offering praise, others hoping to coax more valuable insights from Huang Ming.

But how could Huang Ming let them have their way so easily?

He simply raised his cup with a smile. “You flatter me, gentlemen. Allow me to drink to your health.”

After all had echoed his toast and drained their cups, Huang Ming continued, “To be honest, these are just idle musings of mine, born of idle curiosity—whether they will work, I cannot say.”

“They’ll work! Just imagining Yuyong taking on the role of a learned academy’s instructor makes my heart itch,” one man laughed heartily.

Huang Ming shot a glance at this imaginative proprietor. Good lord, you’re centuries ahead of your time; you truly understand the allure of a professional persona.

The others burst into laughter as well, then turned their eager gazes back to Huang Ming. “Young Master Huang…”

Huang Ming smiled and clasped his hands in greeting. “I am honored by your regard, sirs—truly, I am overwhelmed.”

“Since it is thus, I cannot in good conscience keep my ideas to myself. Yet…” He paused briefly, “this is, after all, the fruit of many days’ hard thought. I dare not claim it will make me a fortune, but I do hope to personally see this great courtesan contest through to completion, and perhaps leave my name, however small, in the annals of the pleasure districts.”

This drew another round of laughter, after which one man asked, “So Young Master Huang truly intends to join us? And to do so openly? Are you not concerned for your own reputation?”

Huang Ming replied with a smile, “Gentlemen, do you truly believe the reputation of an eunuch’s son is so much better than yours? Am I to care about a few more whispers behind my back?”

The group fell silent—he had a point. For a moment, no one could think of a reasonable objection.

Huang Ming seized the moment. “Perhaps you are unaware, but my plan involves many details that require flexibility and adaptation. Without my active involvement, I fear the contest would hardly reach its full potential.”

At this, a man at the front of the group spoke. “I’ve heard you intend to invest fifty thousand taels in partnership with us?”

“That’s correct.”

“But why so much silver? And with your ideas thrown in as well! By that reckoning, you’d be investing a hundred thousand taels’ worth into this venture—what would be left for us?”

“I understand your concern, Master Xu,” Huang Ming said, sweeping his gaze over the assembled men with calm confidence. “I’ve looked into this—the expenses for each of your courtesan contests in recent years are usually seven to eight thousand taels, rarely more than ten thousand. Altogether, that’s about one hundred thousand.”

“That’s right—you’ve covered the entire cost at once…” Master Xu admitted bluntly. “So how much are you asking for, and how much would be left for us?”

A fair question in business, and everyone nodded in agreement, turning again to Huang Ming.

But Huang Ming shook his head slightly. “Master Xu, gentlemen, you’re missing something. Since we’re adopting my new approach, everything about the contest changes—the expenses can hardly be compared to the past.”

“How so?”

Huang Ming abruptly held up three fingers, then spread all five. “I estimate, conservatively, that this contest will require three hundred thousand taels—and generously, up to five hundred thousand!”

How much?

Everyone was stunned—such a figure was staggering.

Huang Ming, however, paid no heed to their shock. “I was concerned that just three or four houses wouldn’t manage, so I asked Master Zhao to bring in more partners. With six or seven houses, each could contribute about fifty thousand, including myself. Now, with a dozen houses here, the burden on each is lighter, and I can reduce my own share.”

“But… but why so much?” asked Master Fang of the Fragrant Cloud Pavilion in amazement.

“Because in my plan, this contest will be the grandest celebration in Shuntian Prefecture, even throughout the North. It will last over half a year, with publicity reaching every surrounding county, alongside countless other arrangements… Frankly, several hundred thousand taels is not excessive.”

Once more, the group was left speechless. The scale was staggering—could they even raise that much, let alone dare to invest it?

Seeing their hesitation, Huang Ming pressed on. “Gentlemen, I know this sounds risky. But only with great risk and great investment can we expect great returns.

“I dare say, if the operation is left to me and you all follow my lead, within half a year we can double our money. And with the contest’s influence, the ladies of each house will see their worth at least double again, their status utterly transformed.”

The group seemed tempted, but Master Xu interjected, “Easy for you to say, but you still haven’t revealed how you’ll run things. How are we to trust you?”

“That’s precisely my skill, gentlemen, and my reason for being here,” Huang Ming said openly. “How about this: if you are willing to sign an agreement now, I’ll lay out in full detail the steps for the contest. Then you can decide whether to trust me and join me in earning more silver.”

“Hmmm…” They were finally swayed, huddling together to discuss among themselves in hushed tones.

Huang Ming was unconcerned by this. He simply took his wine, left his seat, and strolled to the far end of the long table, approaching two guests who were clearly lost in thought.