Arriving at the side courtyard, Hua Zhi spread out paper and brush, wrote a few lines, and blew on the still-wet ink. "Ying Chun, Nian Qiu, investigate the people on this list as quickly as possible. I need to use them."
"Yes."
The people on the list were all former trusted subordinates of the exiled male members of the Hua family. Before the Hua family's properties were confiscated, these individuals had managed many of their businesses. Their competence was unquestionable—as long as they remained loyal, they would be the most suitable people for Hua Zhi's current plans.
"Additionally, I need an external steward. Do you have any suitable candidates?"
Having been trained by Hua Zhi since childhood, the maids were already accustomed to her methods. After reviewing the household staff and discussing briefly, Ying Chun replied, "We both think Steward Xu's son, Xu Jie, and Chen Liang are the most suitable."
"Then choose Chen Liang. If Xu Jie can handle the tasks I assign him, he'll likely spend most of his time outside managing fruit procurement. Send Chen Liang to see me."
"Yes."
After organizing her next steps, Chen Liang arrived. He bowed respectfully without being obsequious, and Hua Zhi understood why the two maids had selected him.
"Chen Liang, are you familiar with Green Moss Alley?"
"Yes, I know a little about it."
"Tell me."
Chen Liang gathered his thoughts and explained, "Green Moss Alley has twenty-five shops and is notoriously unsuccessful in the capital. It's said the alley has bad feng shui and offends some spiritual force. For years, no matter what business opens there, they all end up losing money."
Hua Zhi nodded. "Do you know what the real problem is?"
Chen Liang paused briefly. Though the question was unexpected, he shared everything he knew. "I believe the primary issue is the location. It's sandwiched between Sparrow Knowledge Alley and Octagon Alley. Sparrow Knowledge Alley is closer to the main street, so it naturally attracts more foot traffic—people go there directly instead of choosing Green Moss Alley, which is separated by a dead-end lane. Meanwhile, Octagon Alley borders the inner river, attracting visitors rain or shine, so business there is consistently good. Green Moss Alley has neither advantage. The types of businesses there change frequently, and after being disappointed a few times, fewer people bother to go."
Hua Zhi was quite satisfied with Chen Liang. "You said 'primary,' so there must be secondary reasons. Continue."
"Yes." Chen Liang swallowed to moisten his throat. "Secondly, the types of businesses they choose are unsuitable. In one alley, you'll find both funeral clothing and ready-to-wear shops. Even if prices are lower, few are willing to risk bad luck for small savings. The other shops sell a hodgepodge of goods, so naturally, business doesn't thrive."
"Are any shops there for sale?"
"Certainly. From what I've heard, most owners are eager to sell, but there have been no takers."
"What are the prices?"
"Rumored to be cheaper than other areas, but I'd need to inquire for specific figures."
"Then go and find out."
"Yes."
As soon as Chen Liang left, Bao Chun couldn't help but laugh. "What a blockhead."
"Such people are good—dependable." Hua Zhi turned to Nian Qiu. "How much silver do we have available?"
"From selling the residence, we have thirty-five hundred taels, plus the nine hundred taels recovered from Chen Jin's home. We haven't touched the gold bars in our own reserves yet."
"That should be enough."Ying Chun poured some water into the inkstone, grinding the ink while asking, "Miss, do you want to buy the shopfronts in Green Moss Alley? From what Chen Liang implied, the price shouldn't be too high. Buying a few shops probably wouldn't require using gold bars."
"I plan to buy them all."
Ying Chun's hand slipped, instantly staining her entire hand with ink.
Nian Qiu urgently asked, "All twenty-five?"
"Yes." Hua Zhi handed a damp cloth to Ying Chun, "Many people dislike having competitors nearby when doing business, but actually, concentrating the same type of business to create a thriving atmosphere isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Nian Qiu pondered thoughtfully, "Just like when we want to buy rouge, the first thing that comes to mind is that row of rouge shops on Wangshui Street."
"Exactly." Hua Zhi nodded approvingly, "That row only has six or seven shops. What if I buy all twenty-five and have them all operate similar businesses?"
The maids exchanged glances, all thinking their young lady's idea was quite bold. Twenty-five shops all doing the same type of business - wouldn't that be too many? They'd just be competing with themselves until there's no business left!
But whatever the young lady decided to do, she had never failed. If she said to do it, then they would do it!
"Miss, what should we do?"
Hua Zhi glanced around, unsurprised that Fu Dong was missing again. At this hour, she was probably busy in the kitchen.
"Were the fried meatballs we had yesterday delicious?"
The three nodded repeatedly, their mouths already beginning to water at the memory. They wanted to eat them again.
"What about the rice noodle rolls from the day before yesterday?"
They continued nodding, the sound of them swallowing their saliva making Hua Zhi laugh, "Can these things be found outside?"
Of course not! The three immediately understood what their young lady intended to do!
Over the years, they had eaten far more than twenty-five unique delicacies! Even if each shop sold just one specialty, they would definitely make money!
"Miss, it's time for your meal...!" Upon entering the room and facing several pairs of frighteningly bright eyes, Fu Dong was somewhat startled, her footsteps halting uncertainly, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
The others quickly snapped out of it and busied themselves with their tasks. Although they didn't eat at the same table as their young lady, they ate the same food, just not together or at the same time.
During their young lady's rest breaks, they ate while thinking - with Fu Dong's skills, she could even run a restaurant!
Seeing how uncomfortable Fu Dong looked under everyone's gaze, Hua Zhi suppressed a laugh to rescue her, "Fu Dong, I have a task for you."
Fu Dong practically fled to put down her bowl and came before her young lady, "What is it, Miss?"
"Make a record of all the dishes you've prepared over the years. Don't include those that are already available outside."
Fu Dong nodded in understanding, "Just record those that you instructed me to make."
Hua Zhi smiled, "What instructions did I give? You figured them all out yourself."
Fu Dong stubbornly shook her head, "Without your guidance, I wouldn't have thought of them or been able to make them."
Hua Zhi didn't argue with her, "Just record those. Later we'll select from them which ones to sell in the shops."
"Yes."
Chen Liang returned as the sun was setting in the west.
"I've found out clearly. The shops in Green Moss Alley have never sold for high prices. We should be able to acquire them for around one hundred forty taels each."
Given the current prices in the Daqing Dynasty, this was indeed very low. The owners were probably all eager to sell. Hua Zhi thought for a moment, "Are there differences in the shops' sizes?"
"I went to see them personally this afternoon. Apart from the one at the very end facing the inner river being slightly larger, the other twenty-four are basically the same size."She had enough money on hand, but buying the shop wasn't the end of it—there would be plenty more expenses requiring silver in the future.
Hua Zhi frowned. Unless absolutely necessary, she didn't want to touch the gold bars she held—they were the Hua family's final reserve.
PS: Thank you for your support, ladies. Still seeking monthly votes.
OpenNovel