From Beggar to Emperor: My Profession Has Its Own Characteristics

Chapter 63 Preparation

Upon returning home, Zhu Yuan did not immediately go to the Dongyun Martial Arts School.

Because today is his first day as a peddler.

Today marks the eighth day since he obtained city residency.

His observations and preparations over the past few days have taught him which items are the most popular among peddlers.

This is important to him because it could potentially accelerate the accumulation of his experience as a peddler.

If you sell enough items and gain more recognition, you should be able to unlock the peddler profession faster.

These are the items that are easiest to sell in large quantities.

First, there's candy. Kids can't resist it, and they'll probably throw a tantrum and the adults will buy it for them.

A rattle drum is also essential; it serves as both a toy and a tool for him to shout. He spins it while shouting, which can attract children's attention.

Then there are sewing kits, which every household needs. You can buy a whole kit wholesale and sell the pieces separately.

Rouge and face powder are expensive in shops, so peddlers mainly sell cheap goods, which are the favorites of young women and young wives with limited funds.

After figuring these things out, Zhu Yuan couldn't help but think of a video he had watched.

It's true that women and children's money is easy to earn.

Knowledge from past lives is extremely useful.

Yesterday, Zhu Yuan had already bought the baskets and shelves he would need to work as a peddler.

The baskets and shelves he bought were basic and didn't need to be particularly durable. If he wanted to be a full-time peddler, he should have bought better ones in the long run.

Since both the basket and the shelf were basic models, the prices were much cheaper. The basket cost 40 coins, and the shelf cost 50 coins, for a total of 90 coins.

If you want to buy the good stuff, it won't be less than two hundred coins.

Besides baskets and shelves, all that's left are carrying poles.

There are two types of carrying poles: one is a flat-shouldered pole, which is similar to an ordinary carrying pole; the other is a high-shouldered pole, which is raised high at both ends and can be carried by hand or placed on the ground as a shelf.

The former is more flexible, while the latter is more suitable for beginners.

Zhu Yuan is now a level 5 porter, so he's definitely not a novice when it comes to carrying loads; his balance is excellent.

Out of a desire to save money, Zhu Yuan did not buy a flat-shouldered carrying pole. The old carrying pole he had before could still be used, but it needed to be modified slightly.

Zhu Yuan's renovation was completed last night.

He added a fixed bamboo nail to each side of the old carrying pole to prevent the basket from slipping off.

At the end of Hualin Street there is a large market, which can be seen as the wholesale market in the previous life.

Zhu Yuan, carrying an empty load, arrived here quickly.

As you enter from the street corner, a cacophony of voices immediately envelops you, with shops lined up one after another.

Suddenly, a broker in his forties, wearing a worn silk shirt, with a professional smile on his face, came up from the side and glanced at Zhu Yuan and the empty carrying pole.

"This young man looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?" The broker's tone was warm, but his words carried a hint of probing. "What kind of goods are you looking to buy? This market is big, and I know it well. I can help you find the most suitable ones."

"Let's look at the needlework and rouge first." Zhu Yuan stopped and looked calmly at the broker, stating his needs.

"Then come with me." Upon hearing this, the broker's smile widened, and he gestured for him to come. "I know a few shops that have good quality goods at fair prices."

Zhu Yuan thought for a moment, then picked up the load and followed.

The broker walked briskly through several shops before leading him into a shop with a sign that read "Wang's Department Store".

The shop wasn't very big, but the shelves were packed full of things.

The broker smiled at a slightly plump, middle-aged shopkeeper with a small mustache behind the counter and said, "Shopkeeper Wang, we have a customer who wants to see some good stuff."

Upon hearing this, Manager Wang looked up from his ledger, glanced at Zhu Yuan, who was carrying an empty load on his shoulder behind the broker, and his gaze lingered on Zhu Yuan's young face for a moment before a business smile appeared on his own face.

Without asking any questions, he took out several bundles of needles and thread wrapped in coarse paper from under the counter and placed them on the counter.

Upon seeing this, the broker immediately stepped forward, picked up one of the packets, and skillfully spread it out in front of Zhu Yuan, revealing twenty gleaming needles inside, while spouting flowery words.

"Young man, look at this needle, how beautiful the opening is! And the needle hole is even too."

"Twenty sticks in this pack, take them and sell them for at least sixty coins in any street or alley. The profit is not small."

Zhu Yuan didn't speak, but gently leaned the carrying pole against the counter, then reached into the open paper package and picked up a needle. Holding it up to the light shining in from the doorway, he squinted and carefully examined the needle tip and eye.

Then, he put down the needle, picked up a box of rouge that the broker had indicated, opened the wooden lid, brought it close to his nose, and gently smelled the scent.

Throughout the entire process, he maintained a blank expression, yet his movements appeared highly skilled.

After looking at it, Zhu Yuan closed the rouge box, put it back on the counter, and finally spoke, "Manager Wang, I'll take three packets of these needles, six boxes of rouge, and five packets of candy, please."

Upon hearing this, Manager Wang's smile remained unchanged. He casually picked up the abacus beside him, made a couple of quick clicks, and then announced the price.

"A pack of needles costs forty coins, a box of rouge costs one hundred coins, and a packet of candy costs twenty coins."

"Since you need so much, here's the deal: a pack of needles is 35 coins, rouge is 90 coins, and a packet of candy is 18 coins."

"This is already my bottom line; any lower and I really won't make any profit."

Zhu Yuan listened, shook his head slightly, and quickly did some mental calculations.

Based on the information he had gathered from his observations and inquiries over the past few days, the wholesale cost of these needles was no more than twenty coins per pack. Rouge was a highly profitable product with an even lower cost, and the wholesale price of candy packets would not exceed eight coins.

Without these preparations, he would have wasted all his time these past few days.

He raised his head, met Manager Wang's gaze, and calmly stated his desired price.

"A needle case costs twenty coins, rouge costs sixty coins, and a candy case costs eight coins."

Shopkeeper Wang paused for a moment, then looked up and re-examined the young man before him, whose face was youthful but whose eyes were calm.

"Young man, you've bargained too hard." Shopkeeper Wang looked troubled, his tone exaggerated. "This needle case costs twenty coins; I can't even break even. And these rouge and candy packets—your prices are putting me in a very difficult position."

Zhu Yuan did not back down, but calmly stared into Manager Wang's eyes and slowed down his speech.

"Manager Wang, I carry my wares on a shoulder pole and walk through the streets and alleys. Unlike your big shop, I work hard, exposed to the wind and sun, and earn my money through hard work."

"Please leave me some room to make a living. We can operate on small profits but quick turnover, so that I can continue to patronize your business in the future."

He talked about the different business models of the two sides and promised to come often.

Manager Wang looked at Zhu Yuan and remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his options.

Finally, the troubled look on his face disappeared, he nodded, and his tone became more decisive.

"Alright then, we'll go with the price you suggested."

"Young man, you're a sensible fellow. Remember to come often in the future."