His first trip to the market narrowed down the scope for what could be his first business, but there were still quite a few worries swimming freely in his mind. One of them was the constant reminder of debtors.
The whole situation was sticky. Sticky enough that it would put him in deep trouble if he didn't start working on the things he had planned. If only Chen Ren hadn't been a hedonistic bastard.
Now, he was gone, but the due hangers remained.
Feng Ming, the first taste of the cruelty of the situation, didn't give the kindest of warnings until the collateral was given, but at least, it was just one person. If the others who Chen Ren owed had also come, he wouldn't have that many assets to calm them down.
In the best-case scenario, they might not come find him at all. Though it didn't matter since he would have still needed at least five hundred silver wen in the next two months to get back his medallion from Feng Ming.
Upon his return from the market to his abode, he immediately sought the aid of Tang Xiulan to pen letters to each of Chen Ren's debtors, humbly requesting leniency and an extension of time. It was a gamble, sending out these letters, as it might either buy him the precious time he needed or invite unwanted scrutiny. But at this point, he was no stranger to risk; he would not sit idly by while the wolves circled closer.
It was better to know what was coming to him rather than wait for them to knock on his door.
As he wrote the letters, he understood more and more who his predecessor had borrowed from. Local gangs to even the Li Clan, he had taken money from whoever was willing to give it.
It was a shock to learn that he hadn't borrowed anything from the Tang Clan, but he guessed that his predecessor was already living in the guestroom without rent for months and didn't want to do anything that might ruin the arrangement.
With the letters sent, he knew the first stone had been cast.
Chen Ren knew better than to invite disaster by waiting for it to arrive at his doorstep. His recent encounter with Feng Ming had left a bitter taste in his mouth, a reminder that his standing in this world was fragile. Though his pride chafed at the idea, he recognized the wisdom in humility.
Better to extend a hand in peace than to let a blade come close to my throat.
Moreover, Chen Ren's reputation in this world had been that of a man too proud for his own good, so a humble request for understanding might just catch his debtors off guard.
It was a calculated move— one that could either buy him time or invite further disdain. But in his mind, the roll of the dice was worth it.
Beyond this, Chen Ren established a disciplined routine over the next three days.
Each morning, he would make his way to the marketplace, his eyes sharp as he perused the stalls. He made purchases sometimes, but he was not there to spend money. Instead, he observed, learning the intricacies of the marketplace: the competitions between stalls, unspoken rules, the ebb and flow of customers, and the subtle interactions between stall owners.
His efforts were not in vain.
The stall owners, most of them who were seasoned merchants, were more than willing to share their knowledge. Of course, he had to buy their goods to loosen their tongues, but the information he gathered was invaluable. They didn't see him as a threat, which suited him just fine.
After all, the more they underestimated him, the better for him.
As he gathered insights, he began to see the marketplace for what it truly was— a battlefield.
But unlike other fights, this one required patience, cunning, and a keen understanding of the human heart. That was an economic market and one couldn't just brute force their way to the top in it unlike cultivation.
Every time he made his rounds through the marketplace, he felt strange eyes on him.
He understood why. Clad in the fine robes of a young master from a reputable household, his appearance alone made him an oddity among the rougher, more practical traders and common folk.
His handsome features, sharp yet softened by the polish of privilege, only made him stand out more. It was clear to anyone with half a mind that he didn't belong among the stall keepers and street merchants. Yet, here he was, day after day, seemingly more interested in their mundane dealings than a man of his stature should be.
He didn't let their looks bother him, though. They could whisper and speculate all they wanted; he had more pressing concerns.
Still, there was no denying that his behaviour drew attention, especially from the Tang Clan's family maid.
Tang Xiulan didn't accompany him every day, but whenever she had free time, she would quietly follow, her eyes constantly flickering to him as if trying to decipher some hidden motive behind his actions.
Today was such a day where she had been around.
At first, he ignored her glances. But as they walked, they grew more frequent until he could no longer pretend not to notice. Finally, he turned to her, his tone measured but with a hint of impatience.
"If you have something to say, then say it," he demanded, watching as she flinched at his directness.
She hesitated, clearly torn between her duty and her curiosity. After a moment, she nodded, gathering her courage before asking the question that had been gnawing at her. "Young master, why are you doing this? Visiting the stalls every day, speaking to these merchants… It's not something someone of your standing would usually do."
His eyes softened slightly as he considered her question.
He knew that his behaviour must seem strange to her, someone who had known his predecessor, an arrogant and untouchable young master. But again, it was not his reality anymore. He was not the previous Chen Ren and he could never be like a cultivator too stuck up his ass.
Chen Ren's response was simple, "I did tell you before. I want to start up a business and I'm doing market research for it," he said with a straight face as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Xiulan blinked in surprise, her expression shifting from confusion to shock as if he had just uttered the most blasphemous statement she had ever heard.
She stared at him, waiting for the punchline, but when she realised he wasn't joking, her shock turned to concern.
"Young master," she began carefully, appearing as if she was trying to find the right words to convey her doubts without offending him. "Starting a business isn't easy. There are many rules and regulations to follow. You'll need to establish a supply chain, deal with suppliers, and manage all sorts of details. It's... it's not something to be taken lightly. If you really want to start up a business, you should do so with cultivators, not among stall owners."
"Do you think cultivators would let me deal with them? Even if I have a good product, there's no guarantee they won't just steal it. I'm not strong enough to work with them."
Tang Xiulan again looked alarmed. "I'm sorry young master, but still, mortal businesses are a complicated matter."
He saw those words coming from a mile away. From the start, ever since he let her know what his plans were, she had not been optimistic about him starting a business.
Chen Ren nodded along. "I'm aware of that, Xiulan. That's why I've decided to start with something simple, something that's easy to manage but has the potential to grow into something much larger. A business that could span the entire Kalian Empire if done correctly."