Chapter 853 - 831: Flowers and Money
Bai Shan curiously asked, "What have you got packed in here?"
"Flowers," Manbao replied. "Be careful when you carry them down, most of the flowers have bloomed halfway, don’t knock or bump them."
Daji and Zhou Silang carefully carried the crate back to the courtyard, while Bai Shan and Bai Erlang fetched tools to open it. As soon as the crate was opened, a rich floral fragrance wafted out, drawing even Mr. Zhuang from his study.
All three crates were opened, and everyone in the courtyard was stunned with their mouths agape; even Mr. Zhuang was momentarily dazzled before he turned to Manbao with a surprised look—it was the first time he realized his disciple had such energy.
Manbao nonchalantly paid the coachman with some copper coins, saying, "Alright, thank you for bringing me back."
The coachman didn’t understand flowers, and he thought these weren’t much better than the two pots of red peonies he had bought. Thus, he too nonchalantly took the money and left, leaving a courtyard full of experts exchanging puzzled glances.
Ever since Zhou Silang learned that Manbao had sold two pots of orchids for two hundred taels and had brought back a peony said to be worth eight hundred taels, he had quietly asked Mr. Zhuang about it. Although it was just the basics, he comprehensively understood which flowers in the market were valuable.
Zhou Silang summarized it. Basically, the valuable flowers were just a few types—plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemum, and peony, yet not every type of these flowers was valuable.
For instance, with chrysanthemum, the common wild chrysanthemums often seen by the roadside could be picked by the handful—who would pay much for them?
He took a small notebook and wrote down the most valuable species and colors among these flowers. Of the three crates of peonies Manbao brought, the two crates of pure white peonies didn’t need to be mentioned; he already knew their price. However, the smaller crate containing three pots corresponded to several of the most valuable colors Mr. Zhuang mentioned.
He couldn’t discern the species, but he could see the colors!