Chapter 212: Human Nature Is Selfish
After deliberating among several options for a while, Hua Zhi raised her voice and instructed, "Please summon Steward Xu."
An unidentified young maid waiting outside responded crisply with "Yes." Before long, Steward Xu knocked on the study door.
"Young Miss, you asked for me."
Hua Zhi looked up, swallowed all the words she had intended to say, rose and walked over to ask, "Are you unwell? Xu Jie, you tell me, what's going on? Steward was perfectly fine when I saw him yesterday."
Xu Jie supported his father, his face also filled with concern. "He's been like this since morning. I asked the family members, but none could explain why."
After speaking, Xu Jie felt ashamed. "I've been negligent in caring for Father."
Now wasn't the time for such talk. Hua Zhi immediately wanted to summon Doctor Chu to the residence, but Steward Xu frantically waved his hands in protest—that was a physician who treated the masters; he couldn't possibly accept such favor.
Xu Jie felt grateful but didn't take advantage of the offer. "I'll go fetch a physician shortly. I won't dare delay."
"Very well, go quickly. Don't waste time."
As Xu Jie prepared to help his father leave, Steward Xu patted his hand and asked hoarsely, "Young Miss, did you summon me for some instructions?"
"It's not urgent. There's no need to rush right now. Just go rest. Have Xu Jie come back later."
Steward Xu knew this was the Young Miss showing consideration for him. Trembling, he bowed and allowed his son to help him away.
Soon enough, Xu Jie returned.
"So soon? Has the physician seen him?"
"He sent me back as soon as we reached his room, saying we mustn't delay your affairs. The physician hasn't arrived yet, but I expect him soon."
Hua Zhi couldn't very well send him back again, so she accepted this gesture and moved on to business.
"Arrange for someone to keep watch at the dock. When a heavily fishy-smelling ship arrives, have them report to me immediately."
Xu Jie hesitated before voicing his understanding. "If I may ask, are you referring to a ship from the southern regions?"
"Indeed, from the south. Have you seen it?"
"Yes. Fourth Master once had a ship docked there. I was assigned by Father to manage it for a time and happened to see that vessel." Xu Jie's expression turned complicated. "The reason I remember it so clearly is because of the smell..."
Unprocessed seafood certainly smelled unpleasant, but once prepared and served, it could make one devour it eagerly.
Recalling the time she bought several varieties, apart from Fu Dong, all the other maids had initially been disdainful—yet when eating, none held back.
"Since you're familiar with it, that's even better. Describe it clearly to whoever you send, so they don't miss it."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi calculated the days. "Once Steward Xu recovers, you'll need to prepare to depart."
"Yes, I'm already prepared. I can leave as soon as Father is better."Since the matter had been brought up, Hua Zhi decided to address everything at once. "Citrus fruits in Yangzhou are still early. You should go to the southern regions first. From what I see on the map, that area is already close to the Flame Country, so you’ll need to bring two more guards for protection on this trip. The weather there is hot, and it’s rich in lychees, longans, carambolas, pineapples, and the like—all of which can be used to make canned food. Set the others aside for now; the most important is lychees. The early-ripening varieties should already be mature by this time, so you’ll need to pay extra attention. The profit that lychee canned food can generate surpasses that of longans and the others combined, and it certainly won’t be inferior to the currently popular citrus fruits."
Even better than citrus? Xu Jie’s heart burned with excitement. "Yes, I understand. I’ll arrange matters and set off as soon as possible."
"There’s no need to rush that much. Over the next few months, different varieties will ripen successively, with the peak around July. Don’t worry about arriving too late and missing out." Thinking of the weather there, Hua Zhi frowned. "It’s hot there, so you’ll need to find a way to keep the lychees fresh, especially to prevent them from spoiling on the journey."
She felt a bit frustrated that she couldn’t easily use preservation methods she knew. If she were to borrow people from Yan Xi, he would certainly lend them, but his men were too capable—using them for such a task would be a waste of talent.
Fortunately, like last year’s citrus transport, they would travel by water, which was much cooler than land routes.
"Just like last year, you’ll be given a sum of silver, but it definitely won’t be enough to buy all the lychees you need. I don’t mind how many you bring back—I’ll take whatever amount you manage. Can you do it?"
A spark seemed to flicker in Xu Jie’s eyes as he nodded firmly. "I will not fail your trust, Miss."
Hua Zhi was quite satisfied with him. "I do trust you. Work hard, and your efforts will not go unrewarded."
Watching Xu Jie stride away with determination, Hua Zhi checked off "seafood" on her list and began considering whom to bring into this venture.
She intended to make this business large-scale, so the person she brought in would need to carry significant weight.
She mulled over the list of potential candidates but still couldn’t make a decision. Since the seafood venture hadn’t even taken shape yet, she wasn’t in a hurry. She disliked the saying "the boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge"—it felt too resigned and disheartening. She preferred another proverb: "Sing the song of the mountain you’re on."
With more time to think it over, she was sure to find the one who suited her best.
"Sister Hua."
The sudden voice made Hua Zhi look up. Standing at the door was the Sixth Prince.
She beckoned him over and stepped out from behind her desk, leading him to sit nearby. "Why are you here at this hour? Didn’t you go to the clan school?"
"I did. This is the break time."
Hua Zhi studied him carefully. "Is something troubling you?"The Sixth Prince shook his head, then gently nodded, lowering his gaze as he said, "Mr. Zheng said that we are born into wealth, so even when we fall from grace, our concern is when we might be restored to power. But those born into poverty, from the very beginning, think only of how to survive. Mr. Zheng mentioned an incident from his youth that he still regrets to this day. When he first traveled outside, he encountered people exchanging children to eat. He tried to dissuade them but failed, so in anger, he bought the children from two families. Immediately, more people brought their children to him, threatening to eat them if he refused. Mr. Zheng pawned all his valuables, but the number of people only grew. Later, when he could do no more, they cooked the children right in front of him. Mr. Zheng said this was the biggest mistake of his life—not in trying to save them, but in failing to save them effectively."
A trace of confusion flickered in the Sixth Prince's eyes. "They were their own children. They were the ones who were cruel and black-hearted. Why is Mr. Zheng the one at fault?"
Hua Zhi had always held great respect for the two teachers at the clan school and never restricted what they could or could not teach. She firmly believed that Zheng Zhi was a man of discretion; if he spoke such words, there must be a reason behind it.
She could inquire about the reason later, but for now, she had to address the confusion of this sensitive young boy whose worldview was still forming.
"A Jian, you must believe one thing: humans are born selfish."
The Sixth Prince pressed his lips together, deeply agreeing with this point.
"Yet people also desperately wish to become better individuals. So, from the moment we are born, we struggle against our innate nature. Those who win become the good and kind people everyone praises; those who lose commit crimes and become utterly wicked. But the vast majority spend their lives teetering between good and bad, because they can neither fully win nor completely lose."
PS: The child is burning right beside me, so I really can't manage a second chapter. My apologies.
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