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After the meeting, Li Jian Cheng did not return home but led his companions to the Western Market, a place bustling with various shops—clothing stores, herbal medicine shops, silk merchants, scales shops, and fabric stores. Everything from herbs, leather goods, bamboo wares, and ceramics to silk and jewelry could be found here.
Surrounding the main street were numerous taverns and food stalls, where dancers and performers showcased their talents. This place was far more lively than the East Market, though it was also more crowded. To the east were mule and horse dealers, weapon shops, and saddle stores, while to the west lay bookstores dealing in funerary texts.
Li Jian Cheng instructed a servant to fetch some cash from his own shop. While credit could be used in the East Market, it was not accepted in the Western Market; cash transactions were necessary. Copper coins or silk could be used, but gold and silver depended on whether the seller accepted them as currency.
After wandering for a while, he grasped the market prices: one copper coin could buy three eggs, fifteen coins would purchase a dou of rice, and thirty-five coins could buy a chicken—laying hens were even more expensive. In a tavern, ordinary muddy wine cost one hundred fifty coins per dou, while good wine was three hundred coins per dou; the wine Li Jian Cheng had at Cangxia Tower would cost even more.
One guan equaled one thousand coins and weighed over six pounds. Half a guan could buy a pig, but a regular horse would cost twenty-five guan; fine horses were hard to find at one hundred guan.
Regular horses weren't particularly expensive, but their upkeep was costly. Each month, they required at least three sheng of millet and sixty bundles of hay, plus some salt—this amounted to over one guan in monthly expenses.
The price of a strong servant was comparable to that of a horse—over twenty guan—but maintaining a servant was much cheaper. If one wished to purchase property in Chang'an, even in remote neighborhoods, it would cost hundreds of guan.
For a residence as large as Duke Tang's that was close to the palace, one would first need a certain rank or status and then around six or seven thousand guan to make a purchase.
Silk could also serve as an alternative to copper coins; one piece was roughly equivalent to half a guan. Prices fluctuated occasionally but remained stable during this time of peace—only fluctuating by about ten or so coins.
Li Jian Cheng came here intending to buy a cat or dog since the Queen needed something to divert her attention. He also needed a suitable reason to visit her; after all, he couldn't just enter the palace as freely as the Princess of Xiangyang could.
As for whether the Queen liked pets or not—it remained uncertain. There had been no reports of her preferences; she had neither been known to like nor dislike them. However, it was still an act of filial piety from him as a younger generation member.
If she did not like them, they might end up like the usual palace cats or night patrol dogs—living vague lives without much purpose. But if she did take a liking to them, then they would become favored pets with servants and monthly allowances for food.
The sun was still early in the day, and since the Western Market was not far from Duke's Residence, Li Jian Cheng did not rush. He simply instructed someone to look around while he himself entered the mule and horse dealer's shop. He was skilled in riding and archery and naturally had an affinity for fine horses.
After wandering around, he discovered two or three decent steeds, but their prices were exorbitant, and they couldn't compare to those at Duke's Residence, let alone the ones bestowed by the Emperor not long ago.
Li Jian Cheng had not yet exited the horse market when he noticed a lively scene outside the entrance, surrounded by vendors with carts and dogs. It was clear that word had spread about the arrival of a noble relative; anyone who could catch his eye would be able to demand a high price.
Of course, they wouldn't dare to ask for too much. Not to mention anything else, the Li Family owned over twenty shops in this Western Market. Earning money was easy, but they still had to conduct business here in the future.
Li Jian Cheng glanced around and saw everything imaginable—not just cats and dogs, but also parrots, lynxes, hawks, and even fish and turtles in tanks; a complete assortment.
What he needed for the Queen was something small and gentle. A kitten would be nice, but due to the cat demon incident involving Dugu Tuo a few years back, sending a cat to Her Majesty had become somewhat taboo. Thus, he turned his attention to dogs.
Most were hunting dogs since it was common for people to go out of the city for hunting. Duke's Residence had two small dogs raised by Li Jian Cheng himself, while Li Yan had five hunting dogs from Tai Cang.
Perhaps he could only send that parrot that spoke auspicious phrases to the Queen.
Just as Li Jian Cheng was still contemplating, a tall, brown-haired Barbarian approached him with a hand on his chest in greeting. A servant beside him also bowed and said, "Greetings, my Lord. We come from Fulin Kingdom and may have what you need."
Li Jian Cheng truly did not know where this so-called Fulin Kingdom was. Foreign names varied with each dynasty's changes, but it wasn't important.
Upon closer inspection, he noticed that these two did not carry any cages or baskets. Just as he was about to inquire further, the Barbarian produced a small dog from his wide sleeve. It appeared to be about six inches tall and over a foot long, completely snow-white except for its black nose and eyes; it was quite adorable.
A Pekingese—this breed was extremely rare at this time; one could only encounter it in Chang'an. He had never heard of anyone owning such a dog. Li Jian Cheng looked at the puppy and asked, "Is this dog gentle in temperament?"
The Barbarian willingly handed the dog over to Zhao Da beside Li Jian Cheng. The little dog seemed somewhat frightened but still obediently stuck out its tongue and whimpered a few times. Even when Zhao Da playfully teased it, it did not bite; clearly, it had been well-trained.
Li Jian Cheng waved his hand to stop the Barbarian from recounting how difficult it had been to bring this lone surviving puppy from afar. The Barbarian smiled and said, "Name your price."
The emerald green eyes of the Barbarian seemed to glow, yet there was still a hint of concern. He extended a hand and spoke, "One hundred guan."
If he didn't choose a capable servant, he could buy a dozen people with that amount. However, Li Jian Cheng nodded without care; it was too cheap for him to part with. Simplicity was simplicity, but if what he offered was too simple, it would be disrespectful.
The surrounding merchants were envious, while the staff from the mule and horse shop cast lingering glances at the Hu Merchant, clearly tempted. But that had nothing to do with Li Jian Cheng.
Spending money was indeed satisfying. Not feeling satisfied yet, Li Jian Cheng spent another ten guan to purchase a lynx and instructed someone to deliver it to the Yang Residence. This creature had short front legs and long hind legs, excelling at hunting rabbits, mice, sheep, and deer. It was agile, fast-running, and had strong endurance; it could climb trees and swim effortlessly. If tamed well, it would be perfect for hunting companionship.
He remembered that during last year's spring hunt, Sanlang from the Pei Family had one, which made Yang Jishan and him quite envious. However, they soon forgot about it. Now that he was getting one delivered to him, he wondered if he could tame it properly. If so, perhaps he could ask for help in taming another one next time.
He also bought several fine hunting dogs and instructed them to be sent to the Dou Family Yuan and the Dugu Family residence.
He kept the parrot and a few Spotted Cats for himself. The parrot could be taught to say sweet things to Er Lang, while the cats could help keep the restless rats in the storeroom quiet at night.
As dusk approached, he had no intention of resting at the Western Market. Instead, he led his servant back home. On the way, they stopped by his own pharmacy where he selected several precious medicinal herbs and instructed them to be sent to Gao Residence.
After returning home and changing into a robe, he left the care of the cats, dogs, and parrot to his dedicated servants. He then went to visit his mother and check on the little second brother since they would need his help in their future endeavors.
The Dou Family was reading a letter from her husband when she saw her son return and handed it directly to him. Li Jian Cheng's good mood instantly vanished as he took it. Sure enough, half of it was filled with admonitions about not offending His Majesty. In conclusion, he was told to stay home quietly and not go to the palace as a backup plan; everything would wait until his father returned to make arrangements.
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