The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 115 Prime Shop for Rent
The two servants of the Sheng family who left after exchanging their grain coupons at Jingxingfang were still somewhat apprehensive, feeling a little sorry for their master.

But then I thought about it again. They were just talking about their own farming experience. They only gave me a few tips to increase production because of the grain coupons. It had nothing to do with the Sheng family, so it didn't count as betraying their master.

What's wrong with earning more money through your own abilities?
After the two servants quickly calmed themselves down and felt less stressed, more ulterior motives began to emerge.

"I've heard that the grain coupons from Jingxingfang can be exchanged for a lot of things in Xinzhou City."

They need to find something easier to carry and less likely to be discovered, so they can take it back and resell it.

come all come...

Even if a large caravan has been reduced in size, it still has dozens or even hundreds of people. There are always close friends and family members who will naturally share good news.

Soon, others learned of their method of earning food stamps and secretly came to Jingxingfang the next day.

Unfortunately, after inquiring, it was learned that the old village elder who rode in the oxcart had returned to the village when the gates opened in the morning.

I'll be in the city at least two weeks from now!

They probably weren't here anymore by then.

They hesitated before coming, suspecting that someone was setting a trap. Now that they couldn't get what they wanted, they regretted not coming sooner.

The busy stewards were unaware of the private affairs of the servants.

The manager who had inquired about Jingxingfang came again the next day.

Today his target has changed; it is no longer those laborers and idlers, but the minor officials of Jingxingfang.

He struck up conversations with several people, and then tried to get close to a local official surnamed Tao to gather information.

After receiving the bribe, the clerk surnamed Tao became very enthusiastic, took him to the construction site, and revealed some "insider information."

The caravan manager outwardly thanked him, but inwardly remained suspicious. He then spotted a man with a southern accent, a minor official surnamed He, who was said to be at odds with the man surnamed Tao.

A minor official surnamed He also brought his men to the construction site. Regardless of whether it was under construction or vacant, he talked even louder about the prospects, revealing some "insider information" in his words.

It combines the real and the imagined, and is both logical and well-founded.

In short: Prime shop space for rent!

……

That night, the steward returned to the caravan.

Sheng Ren, the leader of the caravan, summoned several of his trusted subordinates into the house.

On his first day at the Zhao residence, he successfully met the young master of the Zhao family.

The meeting was for something else entirely; he had gone out to visit several old friends today to confirm some information.

"Xinzhou is about to establish the 'Sihai Trading Company' to manage the market and set industry rules. This trading company will then take on external procurement."

Sheng Ren understood perfectly well that this so-called "Sihai Trading Company" was essentially just a tool for the Zhao family to manage the commerce of Xinzhou.

"The world is unstable now. Xinzhou is such a small place. There are no separate guilds. The general manager is in charge of the market. Other categories have their own leaders. Rice shops... The head manager of the rice market is Shen Yuan, the head of the Shen family."

Sheng Ren shared this information so that his close subordinates would have a general idea.

One of the managers asked hesitantly, "Master, shall we join the Four Seas Trading Company?"

Sheng Ren paused for a moment before saying, "Becoming a merchant of the Sihai Trading Company will make our operations in Xinzhou much more convenient."

Others looked worried: "We're just afraid the Dong family will be dissatisfied."

Sheng Ren smiled calmly: "There's no need to worry too much. The current state of affairs cannot be viewed by ordinary standards. Besides us, other merchant caravans that come to Xinzhou will make the same decision, otherwise, they will find it difficult to move an inch in Xinzhou."

As he spoke, Sheng Ren's smile faded: "Our Sheng family's merchant caravan only engages in business outside, and does not interfere in politics."

After discussing the matter inside, the others left, leaving behind the steward who had gone to Jingxingfang and Qingyunfang to gather information.

Sheng Ren picked up his teacup to moisten his throat and asked, "How is it?"

The steward briefly reported the information he had gathered, then took out a stick of incense and handed it over:

"These were bought from Qingyun Temple. The temple is indeed under construction; it's quite large, and the construction looks rather elaborate, not like something that was just haphazardly done. I had the exorcising incense and talismans checked by the team's pharmacist, and they're all good stuff!"

Sheng Ren examined the incense stick carefully. In these chaotic times, their caravans had come into contact with many kinds of incense, so they could naturally distinguish between good and bad.

"If I have the chance... I should still meet that Daoist Qingyi."

Sheng Ren thought to himself that someone of managerial rank definitely couldn't get the Taoist priest to come; he would go himself next time!

When asked about Jingxingfang, Sheng Ren, having heard the summary of information gathered by the steward, mentioned the construction site there. Although the steward had inquired with the local officials, he still harbored doubts. Sheng Ren, however, had a sudden inspiration and asked the steward to bring him paper and pen: "What is the general layout of that place? Draw it out."

The manager quickly drew several important places in Jingxingfang on the paper, such as the office, the Wanfu Garden under construction, and the vacant land with the sign "Shops for Rent".

Sheng Ren glanced at it briefly, then pointed to the open space: "Tell me about this place."

The manager, recalling the exaggerated promises made by the two clerks, cautiously said, "The clerks over there revealed that a row of shops will soon be built here, mainly for rent."

Sheng Ren asked, "Who owns the shop? Who is the owner? When was it completed?"

The steward replied, "The Zhao family just bought the land in Chaohui Lane. They said the blueprints are still being designed, and they plan to build a two-story building. It should be completed by the end of this year."

Sheng Ren exclaimed in surprise, "It's actually a member of the Zhao family!"

During his visits to some old friends these past few days, he heard about the conflict between the Zhao family of Chaohui Lane and the Shen family of Xianghui Lane. The younger generation fights every few days and he has never seen them get along peacefully.

Some people privately say that Jingxingfang is the territory of the Shen family. The ward chief, Wen Gu, is the nephew of Madam Shen, and the largest building complex, Wanfuyuan, was built thanks to the Shen family's connections.

If these shops belonged to the Shen family, he would definitely observe and conduct further evaluation first, but since they belong to the Zhao family...

I recalled the strange, precious bridge I saw when I entered the city, which exuded an air of overwhelming "nobility".

The fact that such a precious bridge could be built in such a short time in the midst of the current crisis and chaos, without costing the military funds, is undoubtedly a demonstration of financial strength and resources!
With the addition of Wanfu Garden, which is currently under construction, the powerful and wealthy of Xinzhou City will surely be active there in the future.

"How much is the rent?" Sheng Ren asked.

"Since the shop hasn't been built yet, the rent hasn't been determined, but a deposit can be paid first. The rent and deposit can only be paid in Xinzhou money, supposedly for the sake of clear accounting," the manager replied.

Sheng Ren decisively said, "Go and reserve two shop spaces."

two? !
The manager dared not question it and simply responded respectfully.

Sheng Ren picked up his pen and marked the approximate location of the selected shop on the drawing paper. He said again, "I have important business to attend to in Sihai Lane tomorrow and will be busy. You should go to Jingxing Lane as soon as possible to take care of this matter."

With Sheng Ren's repeated emphasis, the steward dared not delay at all, fearing that the place would be sold, and rushed over as soon as the gate of the market opened early in the morning.

-

The young men of the Zhao family would send one person to guard Jingxingfang every day.

Although the land is still empty, since we've decided to come to Jingxingfang every day to make our presence felt, someone has to come and hang around here.

The young man on duty today arrived at Jingxingfang yawning. Before he even went in, he was stopped by He Da, who was guarding the entrance, who told him that someone wanted to rent their shop.

The young man from the Zhao family looked completely bewildered, as if he hadn't woken up yet and was being talked in his sleep.

"Huh? What shop? Where's the shop?"

He Da pointed to the past: "The place you bought."

The young man from the Zhao family exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that an open space?!"

He Da said, "So it's a reservation. The other party heard that you were going to build a row of shops for rent there, and they are very optimistic about the prospects of the area. They decided to reserve two shops and sent their manager over today to pay the deposit first."

The young man from the Zhao family muttered, "Where did this traitor come from..."

He Da asked in confusion, as if he hadn't heard clearly, "Huh?"

The young man from the Zhao family snapped out of his daze: "Ahem, I meant that gentleman was farsighted and had keen insight!"

He wiped the sweat from his brow. He'd only come here to do a chore; he couldn't possibly handle something this serious!

He quickly sent his attendants back to inform his family and friends.

The young man from the Zhao family felt that this matter was too outrageous and a little guilty. He looked around and asked He Da in a low voice, "Where is your neighborhood head?"

He Da thought to himself: Tch, how could such a small matter require our neighborhood chief to get involved?

However, he still politely replied, "The ward head is busy with official duties, but he has instructed us to keep an eye on things. Don't worry, no one dares to cause trouble in Jingxing Ward!"

The young man from the Zhao family thought to himself: Of course I know no one would dare to cause trouble in Jingxingfang, I'm just a little suspicious and curious—

Although buying the land was their own decision, building shops there for rent was actually a suggestion from Wen Gu.

But Wen Gu never mentioned that this place could be traded when it was still an empty lot!

What kind of heartless person could do such a thing?!
From an outsider's perspective, he might have to hurl some insults, but as the beneficiary...

sincere!

Wen Gu is indeed a sincere person! A good person to get along with!
(End of this chapter)