Transporting and trading goods was called “shang” while sitting and selling goods was “jia.” The term “merchant” (shangren) originated in the early Zhou dynasty. Because the Shang dynasty’s commerce was very prosperous and the Shang remnants were skilled at trade, these former Shang people who engaged in commerce were collectively called merchants by the Zhou people. In the Zhou dynasty this was a derogatory and discriminatory term, equivalent to pariah. So even when merchants became wealthy beyond measure, no one could respect them – perhaps this originated here.

Along this journey, following Zhu’er’s guidance, Liu Xiu arranged cart and horse transport, recruited drivers, avoided desperate bandits, managed checkpoint officials… These short ten-plus days were far more exhausting than farming. He came to understand why merchants received compensation – after all, they also put in hard work, so seeking returns was natural.

Finally reaching Xinye, Liu Xiu wanted to rest at his brother-in-law’s house but was driven out by Zhu’er to gather intelligence. The most important thing in commerce was information from various places. Liu Xiu spent some effort and learned that grain prices in nearby Wancheng had skyrocketed – if he transported grain there to sell, he could double his profits.

Liu Xiu was overjoyed, planning to contact buyers in Wancheng, then return home to purchase grain for resale. He had completely overturned his original thinking. When purchasing grain from fellow villagers, he could raise the purchase price much higher than Chunling County grain shops – this would benefit the villagers and benefit him too. Why not do something mutually beneficial?

Liu Xiu felt his former self had indeed been too rigid. If he’d understood earlier, he could have helped more people become wealthy. He excitedly shared his thoughts with Zhu’er, but she raised her delicate eyebrows: “Don’t rush. Don’t you think there’s deeper meaning in this intelligence that Wancheng needs large quantities of grain?”

Liu Xiu was startled, then furrowed his brow: “True, if Wancheng’s grain prices were so much higher, people from Chunling would already be doing this resale business. This means the price surge is recent, so the root must be someone buying grain in large quantities, causing prices to soar. Why would this person need so much grain? Presumably to plan rebellion…” Liu Xiu was naturally intelligent. After Zhu’er’s guidance, he showed considerable insight into commercial methods. Through step-by-step deduction, he actually guessed the truth.

“You’re right. It seems someone in Wancheng is recruiting troops, which is why they’re stockpiling grain.” Zhu’er’s starry eyes flickered with some surprise at Liu Xiu’s intelligence. This man showed nothing outstanding in his studies, but was remarkably quick to understand commerce. Zhu’er was pleased, feeling she’d discovered promising material. Though ten years had been wasted, among all the people who came and went before her, only he had chosen her from a pile of objects – clearly there was real affinity.

“Then… do we still go to Wancheng? Better to just sell the grain directly in Xinye.” Liu Xiu was somewhat worried. To put it nicely, they were rebels; to put it bluntly, they were bandits. If these bandits didn’t pay but robbed his grain outright, wouldn’t he lose everything? Without realizing it, Liu Xiu was already thinking like a merchant.

Zhu’er’s lips curved with a somewhat disdainful tone: “Look at your small ambitions. Back then Fan Shaobo sent his beloved woman to Wu state, buying Yue state over ten years of recovery. Eventually the Yue king endured hardships, and three thousand Yue armor defeated Wu, achieving Spring and Autumn hegemony. The former Lü Buwei, through one speculation on rare goods, assisted King Zhuangxiang of Qin to the Qin throne, and gave his own dancing girl to the Qin king – even today people still question Ying Zheng’s parentage. Lü Buwei ultimately became chancellor, controlling Qin government for thirteen years with overwhelming power – even Qin Shihuang dared not act rashly against him. These two were the most successful merchants – you should learn from them.”

Liu Xiu heard implications and asked in surprise: “Could it be that Lü Buwei – Zhu’er, did you know him too?”

Zhu’er lazily stretched, supporting her chin with one hand and chuckling with nostalgia: “That’s right, he was also once the settling pearl’s master.”

Liu Xiu’s mind wavered, somewhat unable to maintain composure. He now knew only two masters of the settling pearl, both renowned figures of their time. He felt somewhat ashamed, understanding why Zhu’er had remained silent for ten years, treating him as nothing. A farmer determined to till the soil indeed had no prospects.

Zhu’er didn’t notice Liu Xiu’s thoughts and continued earnestly teaching: “Do you know why the world looks down on merchants?”

Liu Xiu was a scholar, so this question didn’t stump him. After a moment he answered: “Since Shang Yang, Qin emphasized agriculture and suppressed commerce, taking agriculture as the foundation and commerce as secondary. Lü Buwei also included four chapters like ‘Valuing Agriculture’ in ‘Lü’s Spring and Autumn Annals,’ advocating this view. Since Emperor Wu of Han, it became even more extreme.”

Zhu’er smiled contemptuously: “Agriculture as foundation and commerce as secondary isn’t understood this way – the essence of foundation and secondary isn’t like that. For example, a country is like a thriving towering tree – agriculture is this tree’s root system, commerce is this tree’s branches and leaves. A tree without roots certainly can’t survive, but which well-growing tree has all its branches and leaves fallen and withered? Though Chancellor Lü couldn’t openly oppose the policies Shang Yang left behind, being the top merchant himself, he naturally understood these principles. Only that later Emperor Wu of Han, to deceive the people, deliberately distorted this concept – truly putting the cart before the horse.”

Liu Xiu was dumbfounded by Zhu’er’s words. Though he felt some of it was sophistry, he had to admit it held some truth.

Zhu’er smiled and didn’t continue, not expecting to change his deep-rooted ideas all at once. She returned to the previous topic: “The highest realm of commerce is catering to preferences, selling what others need. Right now you have an excellent opportunity – what they need, you happen to have. Worth trying.”

Liu Xiu didn’t immediately ask but carefully pondered. On the surface, the Wancheng strongmen needed grain, which he indeed had for trade, but Zhu’er couldn’t simply mean this.

What did rebel strongmen lack? Grain, weapons, people… they really lacked too much. So thinking conversely, besides grain, what else could he provide? His learning wasn’t extensive, he lacked great knowledge. Though he carried the title of Liu Bang’s ninth-generation descendant, his family had no money… wait, what had he just thought? Liu Bang’s ninth-generation descendant?

Zhu’er watched Liu Xiu’s sudden realization and thought this person was indeed promising material. “That’s right, they lack a legitimate justification for rebellion. Having a Han imperial clan member join would surely be welcomed warmly.”

Liu Xiu hesitated – he’d never considered being drawn into warfare. But seeing Zhu’er’s bright, expectant eyes, he steeled himself and nodded firmly.

Since Zhu’er’s previous two masters were both renowned, he absolutely couldn’t fall behind!

A month later, Liu Xiu in Wancheng, Liu Yan in Chunling, and Liu Xiu’s second brother-in-law Deng Chen in Xinye simultaneously raised troops separately. Among them, elder brother Liu Yan gathered seven to eight thousand Liu clan members and guests, with the most impressive momentum.

In Liu Xiu’s life, after beginning education at age six, ten years passed struggling through poetry and books, followed by ten years of diligent farm labor. He’d never encountered anything related to warfare or battle. But Zhu’er told him everything was simple.

Everything in this world could be approached through commercial methods.

He couldn’t fight – no problem, he could have those who could fight charge into battle, then give them the official positions and wealth they wanted. He had no weapons – no problem, he could find people who could forge weapons and exchange gold and silver treasures with them. He gradually acknowledged that merchants were indeed omnipotent beings. In everyone’s heart lay something they needed – as long as he could discover what others required, he could exchange it for what he wanted. Even if he didn’t possess what others needed, through a chain of transactions he could obtain it from others. This vast network of interests would gradually form a massive entity, with Liu Xiu as the hidden controller.

Sacrifice and gain – only through sacrifice could there be gain.

Liu Xiu believed in this teaching Zhu’er had given him and suggested his elder brother Liu Yan find a greater patron, because though their rebel army was valiant, it couldn’t independently contend with government forces. Liu Yan chose the Green Forest Army. Liu Yan was talented, slaying generals and enemies. In just two years he grew increasingly powerful within the Green Forest Army while also putting considerable pressure on other factions.

Zhu’er had long warned Liu Xiu, who had also advised his elder brother, but unfortunately Liu Yan never listened to advice and naturally treated Liu Xiu’s counsel as wind past his ears. Liu Xiu could only keep a low profile himself, making himself cautious and careful, mild and unremarkable – in others’ eyes a weak, timid person.

The relationship between Zhu’er and Liu Xiu also subtly changed. No longer was it just Zhu’er unilaterally guiding Liu Xiu – Liu Xiu occasionally made excellent judgments that made Zhu’er view him differently.

This man progressed far too quickly compared to her previous two masters. Sometimes Zhu’er couldn’t help but admire – how could someone who’d been a scholar for ten years, then a farmer for ten years, take to being a merchant like a fish to water?

Well, strictly speaking, Liu Xiu wasn’t actually a merchant now, but a ruler.

Liu Yan won battle after battle, gaining ever higher reputation in the army. To suppress Liu Yan’s prominence, the Green Forest Army generals jointly promoted an obscure Liu clan member named Liu Xuan as emperor. This Liu Xuan was actually Liu Yan’s clan brother, originally just a subordinate official. Such an emperor without foundation or power was most suitable to be a puppet in high position.

Considering the big picture, Liu Yan had to agree to support Liu Xuan as emperor, changing the era name to Gengshi Year One, called Emperor Gengshi.