PNB Chapter 44 First Encounter with the Three Shopkeepers
Chapter 44 First Encounter with the Three Shopkeepers
The carriage passed through Qinglong Street and stopped in the middle of Baihu Street.
Su Mowan got out of the car and stretched. The clothing shop that the General's Mansion had given her was sandwiched between a row of silk shops.
Well, there's no need to look anymore. No wonder business is bad.
Qinghe and Yinshuang had just gotten off the car when they were kicked back onto it, and they were a little confused. Qinghe blinked, but in the end, she didn't ask.
Next, the last stop is a jewelry shop.
This shop is the closest to the General's Mansion, located on Zhuque Street.
Su Mowan couldn't help but sigh that Su Liu's dowry was quite interesting; not only were they all unprofitable deals, but they were also located quite far apart.
When they arrived at the jewelry shop, Su Mowan couldn't understand it.
She led Qinghe and Yinshuang inside for a walk and found that the jewelry shop was doing quite well, even rather well, with a considerable number of transactions and prices that were not cheap.
Of course, the workmanship is impeccable.
She thought about it over and over and felt that there was something fishy going on.
Upon returning to the Prince of Qin's residence, she asked Qinghe to bring her a stack of Xuan paper and began writing. Then she instructed Qinghe to have Steward Luo invite the managers of the three shops to the residence.
About an hour later, Su Mowan shook her sore and numb wrists, picked up a stack of papers with writing on them, flicked them, and revealed a smug smile.
The three shopkeepers also came to the door.
Su Mowan asked Qinghe to invite the person to the side hall, picked up the stack of papers from before, and went over there as well.
The three managers all knew each other, and every year at the end of the year, the general's steward would send them back to settle the accounts, so they looked at each other in bewilderment.
The jewelry shop owner, Mr. Li, whispered, "I wonder what Consort Su wants to see us about."
"Don't be nervous, Manager Li. We're just doing our job honestly, so there's nothing to worry about," said Manager Liu of the clothing shop.
Manager Qian, who was drunk today, narrowed his eyes. "Manager Liu's words make sense."
Before the three finished speaking, a person dressed in brocade and silk walked in and smiled at them.
The three reacted in unison, saying, "Greetings, Consort Su."
Su Mowan walked to the seat of honor, but instead of sitting down, she turned around and smiled at the three of them.
"The three shopkeepers know that I am now Consort Su of the Prince of Qin's Mansion, not the Second Miss of the General's Mansion. From now on, I would like to ask the three of you to put your energy and brains into running the business. After all, the General's Mansion is not the same as the Prince of Qin's Mansion. His Highness the Prince of Qin has instructed us today that if the shops are still not profitable next month, the three shopkeepers will be left with nothing."
The three shopkeepers' expressions changed, they exchanged glances, and said urgently, "Consort Su, His Highness Prince Qin doesn't understand the difficulties of this business. This is truly putting us in a difficult position!"
Su Mowan had expected this, and sighed, saying with feigned helplessness, "I know business is tough these days, but since this dowry came with me to the Prince Qin's residence, everything is up to His Highness Prince Qin."
"Consort Su, it's not that I'm not trying, but we really have no choice because the guests don't come!"
The shopkeeper, Mr. Liu, looked anxious.
Manager Qian, who was drunk today, pondered for a moment and then said, "That's right. Consort Su can come to the restaurant to take a look."
Su Mowan sat down leisurely and picked up her teacup.
“I have already been there, which is why I have called you all here now to discuss a solution. This cannot go on.”
Manager Qian narrowed his eyes, and Manager Li's heart skipped a beat.
Only Manager Liu breathed a sigh of relief: "Now that Consort Su has gone, does she have any suggestions?"
Su Mowan swirled the glass in her hand: "I wonder when the clothing store stopped making a profit?"
Manager Liu thought for a moment and said, "It was probably more than a year ago."
"What kind of shops were around here a year or so ago?"
"They are mostly clothing shops, and a few silk shops as well."
Su Mowan put down her cup and smiled.
"Does Manager Liu now know why he lost money?"
Manager Liu was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then suddenly realized and said, "Could it be related to those silk shops that are everywhere now?"
Su Mowan smiled with satisfaction.
"Let me put it this way, if the whole street is lined with live fish vendors, and you're selling grilled fish on the side, do you think people who're going to buy live fish will buy your grilled fish?"
Manager Liu's eyes lit up, and he looked at Su Mowan with admiration: "So, should we move our clothing store to another location?"
“That’s right, but let’s wait a bit and hear what the two managers have to say.”
As Su Mowan spoke, she looked at the remaining two shopkeepers with a smile in her eyes.
Manager Li and Manager Qian exchanged a glance.
Manager Qian spoke first: "Since Consort Su has already been to Zui Jinzhao, she must already know the situation. Please give your instructions, Consort Su."
Su Mowan glanced at Manager Qian with some surprise, then raised her chin at Qinghe, "Since Manager Qian says so, then I won't stand on ceremony. This is my suggestion."
Manager Qian took the few pages of Xuan paper from Qinghe's hand. He was initially startled by the densely packed characters, but after reading the contents, he was completely stunned.
"Consort Su, this...this..."
Shopkeeper Qian stared wide-eyed at the words on the screen, somewhat incredulous.
Su Mowan raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "What are your opinions, Manager Qian?"
Shopkeeper Qian, his old hands trembling, said, "No, no, I'm just curious why Consort Su knows so much detail?"
The Xuan paper contained the vast majority of the dishes served at Zui Jinzhao, along with the corresponding prices for each dish, without the slightest error!
Of course, each dish was accompanied by Su Mowan's 'suggested' price.
Su Mowan smiled modestly.
"I went upstairs this morning and listened to the waiter recite it once. If there are any mistakes or omissions, Manager Qian can point them out."
This time, Manager Qian's expression changed. He was already old, and his hands trembled so much that he almost couldn't hold the few sheets of Xuan paper.
Su Mowan sighed in realization, "After talking for so long, please have a seat, both managers."
This move made the jewelry shop owner, Mr. Li, feel uneasy once again.
Before Su Mowan could speak, Manager Li interjected, "Consort Su, this jewelry shop—"
"No rush, Manager Li brought the account book, right? Let's take a look at the account book first."
Manager Li's hand trembled slightly.
All three of them brought account books, but Su Mowan only looked at his. Was that...?
With cold sweat dripping from his palms, Manager Li handed over the account book.
Su Mowan took the ledger and began to read it, turning the pages slowly, while Manager Li stood there, fidgeting with his sleeves.
Having only read half of the ledger, Su Mowan suddenly flipped to the last page.
That's the latest income, which is today's.
Upon seeing the accounts recorded on the book, Su Mowan suddenly chuckled and closed it.
Hearing that laugh, Manager Li's heart nearly jumped out of his throat, and he even forgot to breathe.
Su Mowan didn't mention the account book, but suddenly asked, "I wonder what the relationship is between Manager Li and the head steward of the General's Mansion?"