Ethan Foster wiped his face with his arm, making his small upturned nose look even redder.

"After I was kicked out, I returned the medicine I bought, got back a dozen or so strings of cash, and went back to Lintao. Half a year ago, the Mongols broke through Lintao and slaughtered over a hundred thousand Han people in the city. I only survived because I am a Jurchen. Later, I picked up some valuables from Han families with no survivors and thought of coming to Lin'an to do some business, but halfway here my goods were robbed. I was too ashamed to go back, so I stayed in Lin'an."

"What about the Xiao household? Did anything happen?"

A trace of mockery appeared on Ethan Foster's face. "A year ago, the 'Xiao household' was renamed 'Zhang household' by the mistress. After the Mongols entered the city, they pointed out that 'Zhang' is a Han surname and killed everyone in the household, then burned it all to the ground."

"And what about Brother Yelü? Where is he?"

"Yelü Xin hasn't returned to Lintao since we parted ways in Xiangyang last year. I don't know where he is either."

Only then did William Thompson feel a bit relieved and said to Ethan Foster, "If you don't want to go back, stay with me!" Suddenly, he remembered that Ethan Foster was not very reliable and was about to change his mind, but saw Ethan Foster looking at him eagerly, like a stray dog with an uncertain future. His heart softened, thinking, "It's also because of me that he lost his job. As long as I'm careful, it should be fine. Besides, I've already promised, so why go back on my word and make myself look bad?" With this in mind, he continued, "As long as I have food to eat, you'll never go hungry. I'm about to open a brewery—why don't you stay and help me? We'll work together as brothers!"

Ethan Foster was overjoyed that William Thompson was willing to take him in, and when he heard that he actually had money to open a shop, he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. He chuckled awkwardly and said, "Brother Thompson, you're opening a shop? How much money do you have?"

William Thompson felt a bit awkward. After thinking for a moment, he reluctantly replied, "I've saved up a few hundred strings of cash this year, planning to buy some grain and brewing equipment!"

Ethan Foster's eyes flashed. He suddenly remembered a way someone had told him to make big money, and said, "I actually have a way. If you're willing to invest, I guarantee your capital will double in two months."

"What way?"

Ethan Foster smiled mysteriously, leaned in, and whispered to William Thompson, "Reselling grain!"

William Thompson hesitated. He knew that grain trading was highly profitable but also risky, and since he hadn't entered the business yet, he couldn't take risks lightly. So he said, "I don't think it's a good idea. Grain prices are so low right now—if we're not careful, we could get stuck with it."

Ethan Foster immediately snorted coldly and sneered, "Brother Thompson, just because grain prices are low in the Song dynasty doesn't mean they're low elsewhere. I know that in Jin's Nanjing, grain prices are already ten times those in Lin'an. If we buy cheap here and sell high in Nanjing, we could make at least five times the profit in one go. Too bad I don't have the money, or I wouldn't let this opportunity slip by."

William Thompson was tempted. In his previous life, he worked in sales and knew the profits of speculation. Although there was some risk, the huge returns were worth taking a chance, and besides, he was someone who liked a challenge. He nodded and agreed, "Alright! I need grain for brewing anyway, so let's do it!"

Two days later, William Thompson bought several hundred shi of grain and filled up the newly rented shop. Ethan Foster went out to arrange for a boat, and William Thompson waited in the shop for news from Ethan Foster. As it was getting dark and Ethan Foster still hadn't returned, William Thompson began to feel a bit anxious, sensing a vague feeling of foreboding.

Suddenly, the door was flung open with a "bang," and Ethan Foster rushed in, fell to his knees in front of William Thompson, and burst into tears. "Brother Thompson, I've let you down—just kill me!"

William Thompson was startled and hurriedly asked, "What happened? Stop crying and tell me!"

"The Song army has sealed the border—nothing is allowed to be transported to Jin."

Only then did William Thompson breathe a sigh of relief and laugh, "I thought it was something serious. If we can't sell the grain, we'll just switch to brewing!"

Ethan Foster lifted his head, his little red nose twitching as he said, "Brother Thompson, you're not angry?"

William Thompson suddenly felt a bit regretful. He shouldn't have acted so relaxed—at the very least, he should have pretended to be angry so that Ethan Foster would be more loyal to him.

Suddenly, a thought struck him: "With the border sealed, grain prices must be very low now!" He quickly asked, "Little Ethan, did you check the grain prices?"

Ethan Foster replied sadly, "I thought about returning the grain and asked a few grain shops. Now that prices have plummeted, they're only willing to buy it at twenty percent of the original price."

"Only twenty percent? Heaven is helping me!" William Thompson was overjoyed, but this time he managed not to show it on his face.

"Brother Thompson, I'm sorry!" Ethan Foster thought William Thompson was upset about buying too much grain and wanted to return it. He hung his head, looking like a lost dog cowering in the corner, his thin cheeks streaked with tears.

Seeing how pitiful Ethan Foster looked, William Thompson couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "If we can't sell to Jin, we'll just sell in Song. Come on, let's go buy more grain."

Chapter 7: Struggling to Start a Business

And so, William Thompson ended up with several thousand more shi of grain. Since there wasn't enough space in the shop, he simply rented the neighboring one as well.