Dao of Money

Chen Ren stood at his humble stall, the scent of freshly made rice noodles wafting through the air. Ever since he’d been making those noodles, he felt like he smelled of rice noodles and broth.

He looked around, taking in the sights and sounds.

Lines and lines of stalls lined in the street, each vendor shouting out their wares with practised fervour. Brightly coloured banners fluttered in the wind, and the mixture of haggling voices melded with the clatter of carts and the laughter of children.

He had overestimated himself.

Just because he had a product from Earth, he had thought it would be an instant success in this world. After all, it had worked back in the Tang Clan’s courtyard— servants lining up daily, eagerly awaiting his latest batch of noodles. But he realised now that there had been more to their enthusiasm than just the taste.

They were curious about the novelty he brought with him, intrigued by his sudden transformation from a disinterested youth to a diligent cook. And, of course, the noodles were free.

Out here, on the crowded streets of the city, it was a different story. His stall was just another face in the crowd, blending in with the myriad of other food vendors and merchants selling everything from exotic spices to handmade trinkets. No one stopped, no one even glanced his way. He was invisible among the throng, another forgettable peddler with no charm or allure to his setup.

Chen Ren frowned, tapping his finger against the wooden counter.

He needed to rethink his approach. Marketing, that was the key.

Back on Earth, businesses rose and fell on the strength of word of mouth. He had learned that firsthand during his brief stint working in a noodle shop back in high school. He needed to create a buzz, and he had just the trick to get people talking. All he needed was a little bit of attention, something to draw in the first few customers and let word of mouth do the rest.

His eyes roamed over the crowd, searching for inspiration.

There were merchants haggling over prices, nobles in fine silks moving through the market with their retinues, farmers with weather-beaten faces hauling produce, and beggars crouched by the roadside, holding out their hands for alms. He took it all in, letting the chaos wash over him.

Then, his gaze fell on a group of children huddled near the entrance of a narrow alley on the other side of the street.

They were scruffy and tiny, with eyes wide with hunger and curiosity as they watched the busy stalls and the food being sold. Every now and then, they whispered among themselves, heads ducked low, as if trying not to draw attention to themselves.

It was clear to anyone who would look at them to know what they were planning to do.

A smile tugged at Chen Ren’s lips. They were the ones he was looking for.

He walked with a slow, deliberate pace, blending into the sea of people as if he were part of the marketplace’s very fabric. His steps were light, like a leaf drifting along a stream. He approached the group of children huddled near the alleyway without them even noticing.

”Hello there,” he said softly, coming to a stop just a few feet away from the kids.

The children jumped at his voice, their eyes going wide with fear. One of the younger boys, his face dirty and hair a matted mess, blurted out, ”We haven’t stolen anything, I swear!”

Chen Ren chuckled, shaking his head. ”I know you haven’t,” he replied, his tone gentle but knowing. ”But I also know you were just about to.”

The kids froze, their expressions shifting from fear to sheer panic. Their eyes darted around, looking for an escape route, and he could see them inching backward, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

”Wait, wait!” Chen Ren raised his hands, palms out in a gesture of peace. ”I’m not here to reprimand you or turn you in. I actually have a job for you, and if you do it well, I’ll feed you. How does that sound?”

The children hesitated, still on edge, but his words made them pause. Hunger and curiosity warred in their eyes, and they glanced at each other’s uncertainty. Finally, one of the older boys, who looked to be around twelve, asked, ”What kind of job?”

Before Chen Ren could answer, a girl with sharp eyes and roughly chopped hair stepped forward, her arms crossed over her chest. ”We shouldn’t listen to him,” she said to the others. Then she turned her gaze to Chen Ren, suspicion etched across her features. ”We’re not joining any gangs, mister.”

Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, amused. ”Do I really look like a ruffian to you?” He gestured to his simple clothes, clean and well-maintained, and then pointed toward his stall. ”I run that food stall over there. The job is straightforward, nothing dangerous. And once it’s done, you’ll get to eat your fill.”

The girl hesitated, her eyes flicking back and forth between Chen Ren and the other children. He could see the wheels turning in her head as she weighed her options. Finally, she gave a slow nod, her stance relaxing slightly. ”Alright, what’s the job?”

Chen Ren crouched down to their level.

”All you need to do is spread a little word around the marketplace and in a few specific places. Tell them what exactly I tell you. Simple, right? Don’t worry about the details, I will let you know about that.”

The kids exchanged glances, still not sure of Chen Ren, but the job seemed simple enough. Taking a final glance at the food stall, the girl nodded, staring right at him. ”We can do that. Just don’t go back on your words.”

***

After a long, exhausting day of crunching numbers and balancing ledgers at the city lord’s palace, Scholar Liu Wen emerged from the building, his mind still buzzing with calculations. The sun hung low in the sky, reminding him how long it had been since he walked inside the building. His stomach rumbled loudly, again reminding him that he hadn’t had a chance to eat lunch.

He grimaced slightly, rubbing his hand over his belly as he considered grabbing some street food on the way home.

He was young and hadn’t gotten the chance to select a bride which meant that if he went home like this, he would have to cook himself. That was the last thing Liu Wen wanted to do right now. All he needed was some good food and a bed to rest to get over the tiredness of the long day.

As he stepped onto the cobblestone street, a shrill voice cut through the crowd.

”Free noodles! Free noodles on Market Street! Try it out today only! Special noodles from the eastern tribes, now available right here in Cloud Mist City. For free!”

Liu Wen turned his head toward the source of the noise and spotted a young boy, his face streaked with dirt and his clothes worn and threadbare. The boy was standing on a crate, shouting with all his might. Despite his apparent shyness, he was doing his best to advertise, his eyes darting nervously over the growing crowd around him.

The scholar adjusted his robes, glancing around at the people who had gathered to watch.

Most of them were locals, their curiosity piqued by the promise of free food. The boy’s proclamation had even caught the attention of a few wealthier passersby, their eyes narrowed with interest. Liu Wen’s gaze returned to the boy, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

Clearly, the child was trying to earn some coin, but the mention of the eastern tribes’ cuisine had truly caught his attention.

Liu Wen stroked his beard thoughtfully.

The eastern tribes were a mysterious lot, known for their seclusion and rugged lifestyle that lived east to Kalian Empire.

They were hunters and warriors, living in the wilds, and often looked down upon as uncultured brutes by the refined citizens of the empire. Yet, there were always whispers about the quality of their food— robust flavours that could make even the most discerning palate dance in delightment. He had heard stories of spicy broths and smoky meats, dishes so flavorful that they lingered in one’s memory long after the meal was over.

It was said that they harvested special spices, making their meals a delight to feast on and he knew a few emerging sects had tried to encroach upon their territory for the spices, but had been held back due to the terrain. Hence, their food was famous, especially among the upper class.

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Unfortunately, the opportunity to taste such exotic cuisine rarely presented itself in the empire, let alone in Cloud Mist City.

As Liu Wen pondered over this unexpected chance, the boy’s eyes met his. Seizing the moment, the boy pointed directly at him, his voice cracking slightly as he shouted, “Sir! You! If you want to try these special noodles, you better hurry to Market Street. Look for the stall with the red banner. If you don’t go fast, the delicacy will run out!”

The boy’s earnestness brought a smile to Liu Wen’s lips. He knew a marketing ploy when he saw one, but the child’s enthusiasm was contagious. And, truth be told, the scholar was intrigued. He had missed lunch, and his stomach growled again, this time with renewed vigour. A taste of the eastern tribes’ cuisine was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

Nodding to himself, he adjusted his hat and made his way toward Market Street, weaving through the crowd.

He could hear the boy’s voice behind him, still shouting, still pulling in more curious onlookers. As he walked, Liu Wen couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. Today had been a trying day, but perhaps, just perhaps, it would end on a high note with a belly full exotic dish— noodles, the child said?

As he approached the centre of Market Street, it didn’t take long for him to spot the noodle stand. It was right opposite to the usual spot where he bought skewers from Old Man Tian.

A man stood on a small wooden crate in front of a stall, his voice being the loudest of the noise of the crowd. “Free noodles! Free noodles! Eastern delicacy, right here in Cloud Mist City! Come and get your free bowl today!”

The man’s shout attracted quite a crowd. Liu Wen pushed his way gently through the people, his eyes scanning the scene. A young girl stood beside the man, carefully handing out bowls of steaming noodles to those who approached.

The man looked oddly out of place among the typical street vendors. His clothes, while not extravagant, were far too fine for a commoner, giving him an air that contrasted sharply with the usual rough-and-tumble sellers that lined Market Street. Even his face held a certain charm, rare for the place.

As Liu Wen moved closer, his eyes landed on a small sign propped up on the side of the stall, listing the prices: “Five coppers per bowl.” Confused, he turned to the man standing on the crate. “Are the noodles free, or are they five coppers wen?” he asked, pointing to the sign.

The man smiled warmly, hopping down from his perch. “They’re free today,” he said cheerfully. “Would you like a bowl?”

Liu Wen glanced around, observing the expressions of those already eating. The faces of the customers were filled with surprise and pleasure, and the aroma wafting from the stall was tantalising. His gaze met with a woman who was savouring the dish as if it was her last meal. He almost gasped when she drank the broth in one go.

He quickly withdrew his gaze and looked at the delicacy called noodles that he had never heard of before; they were long, thin strands swimming in a rich, fragrant broth that sizzled. His stomach grumbled once again, and he nodded. “Yes, I’ll take a bowl.”

With a swift, practised motion, the girl beside the man ladled a generous portion of noodles into a bowl and handed it over. “Here you go!” she chirped, her eyes lit up.

As Liu Wen accepted the bowl, the man behind the stall leaned forward slightly, his gaze friendly and curious. “I couldn’t help but notice you read the sign. Are you a scholar or a learned man, by chance?”

Liu Wen raised an eyebrow, caught slightly off guard by the question. “Yes, I am a scholar,” he replied. “Do I look like one?”

The man chuckled, nodding. “Indeed, you do. You have the air of a distinguished gentleman, someone well-versed in the ways of the world.” His words were smooth, his tone sincere, and Liu Wen couldn’t help but feel a small swell of pride at the compliment.

“Thank you,” he said, a slight smile tugging at his lips. It wasn’t every day that his scholarly status was acknowledged outside of the palace. He took a moment to study the man again, still puzzled by his refined demeanour.

“Well, please enjoy,” the man continued, gesturing to the bowl in Liu Wen’s hands.”If you liked the noodles, please mention them to your colleagues at the city lord’s palace,” he suggested. ”I’m sure they would love to try it too.”

Liu Wen nodded, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ”I will, if I like it,” he replied, taking his first proper bite of the noodles. As the soft, chewy strands melted in his mouth, his eyebrows shot up in surprise. The noodles had a delightful texture, with just the right amount of firmness, and the broth— oh, the broth! It was rich and full of complex flavours that danced on his tongue.

If he didn’t know better, he’d be tearing up for how good the noodles were.

There were a few vegetables in it and they were cooked to perfection— just tender enough to bite through but still retaining a satisfying crunch. They provided a refreshing contrast to the rich, savoury broth that soaked into the noodles.

He quickly dug in for another bite, and another, finding each mouthful better than the last. In what felt like no time at all, he had finished the entire bowl, but his hunger was far from satiated.

Without a second thought, he looked up at the vendor and said, ”Give me one more. It was excellent.”

The vendor, still smiling, shook his head. ”I’m afraid each person can only have one free bowl. However, if you’d like another, you can purchase it for five coppers. Also, you actually tried our vegetable rice noodles that come at seven coppers per bowl.”

Liu Wen glanced around, considering his options. He could see other food stalls nearby with skewers and buns, but the lingering taste of the noodles on his tongue made his decision for him.

He felt a craving that wouldn’t be satisfied by anything else. With a small sigh of defeat, he reached into his pouch and tossed the coins onto the counter. ”Sure, take it,” he said, unable to hide his eagerness.

The vendor’s smile widened. ”Thank you. I’ll make this bowl myself,” he said, turning to prepare another serving.

Liu Wen watched as the man skillfully scooped the noodles and broth into a fresh bowl. The way he moved spoke of someone who knew exactly what they were doing. In moments, another steaming bowl was placed in front of him, and Liu Wen wasted no time digging in.

***

After turning away the last group of customers that had arrived too late to try the free noodles, Chen Ren turned and walked over to a small group huddled around a wooden bench.

The children who had been shouting in the streets earlier were now seated, each with a bowl of noodles in hand, eagerly slurping down their meal. The young girl who had been the most suspicious of him before looked at the noodles with glinting eyes, her face bright as she ate.

He crouched down beside them and gently patted the girl on the head. ”You all did well today,” he said warmly. ”Keep up the good work.”

“Thank you!” the young girl yelled in happiness. She slurped the last bit of the broth.

Chen Ren stood up, looking down at the children with a satisfied nod. As he turned back toward his stall, he felt a sense of fulfilment wash over him. Not only had his plan to attract more customers worked, but he had also been able to provide a little kindness to those who needed it most. For him, that was a reward far greater than any amount of silver or gold.

But still, business is business.

Thanks to his clever scheme, most of the noodles he had prepared for the day were sold out, drawing in a steady stream of curious customers.

The promise of free noodles had lured them in, and, as expected, a fair number had come just to try something new without spending a coin. However, six of them had been so impressed that they purchased a second bowl, earning him a modest 34 copper coins. He was still at a loss with how much the pounds of rice had cost, but he didn’t care about it.

As the day wound down and the crowd thinned, Chen Ren assessed the stall’s remaining supplies, realising they were nearly out of everything. It was a good problem to have, he thought, given this was only the first day. He had hoped to create a buzz, and it seemed like his plan was working.

As he instructed Tang Xiulan to pack up the stall, he saw a shadow fall over him. Though he’d like it if it was a customer, it was Old Man Tian, one of the longtime street vendors who had seen many young and hopeful food vendors come and go— his words to be exact.

“You got quite a lot of customers today, young master,” he remarked, eyeing the empty noodle pots. “People do like free food.”

Chen Ren didn’t take offence at the comment, instead replying with a shrug, “They do. And if it’s good, they’ll come back.”

Old Man Tian scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I don’t know about that. People paying for something and getting it for free are two different things. When they get something for free, they’re often reluctant to pay for it next time.”

Chen Ren nodded, understanding the point. “True, but only if the product isn’t good enough for them to feel it’s worth paying for. We’ll see how things go tomorrow, one way or another.”

Old Man Tian raised an eyebrow, clearly sceptical. “Are you really planning to be back here tomorrow?”

“I will be,” he replied confidently.

The old man nodded, his lips curling into a knowing smirk as if he thought this young, new, idealistic, foolish young master was wasting his time. “Well, good luck to you then,” he said before turning and walking away, his gait slow but steady.

As Old Man Tian disappeared into the crowd, Tang Xiulan turned to Chen Ren. “He’s not exactly wrong, you know. We sold out because it was free. But we’re going to take a big loss if this keeps up.”

“I know,” he replied, glancing around at the remaining ingredients and the coins he had made. “But it was just a one-day thing to get the word out. Besides, I don’t have much money left to keep this up for long.”

He paused, thinking about the meagre funds he had managed to scrape together. Over the past few days, he had scrounged through his clothes and belongings, finding about eight silver wen hidden in various pockets and pouches. It wasn’t much, but it was all he had to keep his fledgling business afloat. If things didn’t turn around soon, he might have to start selling his clothes just to get by.

“But my plan wasn’t just to give out free food to spread the word,” he continued. “There’s more to it than that. You’ll see tomorrow. I’m pretty confident Old Man Tian is going to be in for a big surprise.”

Tang Xiulan frowned at that. Her mouth opened and closed as if she was deciding if she should ask. Chen Ren patiently waited until she pursed her lips only to open them and question.

“Oh? What are you planning?”

“You’ll have to wait and see. Let’s just say I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

With that, he finished packing up the stall, his mind already racing with ideas for the next day. Tang Xiulan shook her head, already having predicted his answer.

Chen Ren knew he had taken a risk for the business with the current amount of equity they had by giving out free food, but he was betting on the quality of his noodles and the curiosity of the people.

If he could turn that curiosity into regular customers, then today’s investment would be well worth it. And if things went according to plan, tomorrow would be a turning point— one that even Old Man Tian wouldn’t see coming.