Chapter 25: Volume 1 Chapter 25  Rong Luoge Wants to Make the Most Profitable Business

"Your turn," Rong Luoge said, looking at Jing Chu.

Jing Chu lifted his head and looked at the lady, "Madam, have you considered that after the guard institute expands, the monthly salary is only part of the expense? Maintaining such a guard institute is not a matter of months but years, so the cost becomes much larger."

Rong Luoge, of course, knew, and smiled, "Are you worried about lacking silver?"

Jing Chu knew the lady was easy‑going; ever since he and He Huai came here to work, he felt freer than when they were at the escort agency. The lady's trust in them meant they naturally thought of the household's interests.

"Previously, the lady handed the dowry to my subordinates and He Huai to manage; I've been going over the accounts these days and found a problem."

Rong Luoge became interested; she could give an idea to make something, but actually running a business to earn money felt petty and bothersome to her—she's not cut out for commerce and isn't interested in it.

"You even understand this?" Rong Luoge felt truly surprised.

"It's not me, it's He Huai. When we used to go out escorting, He Huai was the one in charge; these things are his specialty," Jing Chu said.

Rong Luoge recalled He Huai's silent nature, not expecting him to be a hidden boss, and looked outward, "Cang Yun, go summon He Huai's guard institute."

Cang Yun immediately responded and went; soon He Huai arrived.

He Huai didn't know why the lady summoned him; after entering, he bowed and asked, "I wonder what instructions the lady has for me?"

Rong Luoge pointed to the seat beside her, "Sit down. I heard Jing Chu say you have some insight into commerce, so I called you here to ask."

He Huai looked up and glared at Jing Chu.

Jing Chu immediately said, "It's not that I just mentioned it when the lady asked; but He Huai, you know the household's silver is only going out, never coming in. Over time that's unsustainable, so we need a way to earn money. I don't need to understand these things; aren't you the one for that?"

He Huai, not believing Jing Chu was just speaking offhand, looked at the lady and asked, "I wonder what plans the lady has?"

Rong Luoge watched the two interact with some interest and said, "You know best how much silver the household has."

He Huai fell silent; he indeed knew. When the dowry was brought back, the lady handed it directly to them; Jing Chu didn't like handling such petty matters, so he took it over. He might now know the lady's net worth better than she does.

"Only spending and no income won't work; our household's people are increasing, and food, drink, and expenses everywhere need money," Rong Luoge paused slightly, looked at He Huai whose expression remained calm, nodded approvingly in her mind, and said, "I plan to open a shop. What do you think?"

"Opening a shop is certainly possible, but there are so many shops in the capital that making profit isn't easy," He Huai said, "Unless we can obtain sources that others don't have, but that also entails great danger."

Rong Luoge caught the meaning and asked, "Do you have connections?"

"I don't, but the Zhen Xing Escort Agency does," He Huai added.

Rong Luoge was a bit surprised, "The Zhen Xing Escort Agency also does this?"

He Huai nodded slightly, "The escort agency has hundreds of people to support; relying solely on escorting won't work, so alongside escorting we also conduct some side businesses."

The word "side" is used quite cleverly; Rong Luoge isn't a reclusive ancient lady who never steps out, so she immediately understood what was going on.

The Zhen Xing Escort Agency's side business is probably sizable, but since they have private dealings, why would talents like He Huai and Jing Chu be willing to let it out?

Running this kind of business doesn't require escorting all over the country; with He Huai's abilities, being the chief manager would be no problem, right?

"Given that, why does the Zhen Xing Escort Agency still let you out? Their business also needs many people, right?" Rong Luoge, feeling doubtful, asked directly.

He Huai hadn't spoken yet when Jing Chu interjected, "Madam may not know, this line of escorting lives off the skill of one's hands, but you know the risks of going out; every trip costs lives. Those of us who are fully capable and can make a living naturally shouldn't take the livelihood of brothers who have lost limbs."

Rong Luoge hadn't expected it to be like this; seeing He Huai and Jing Chu now different from before—responsible, dependable, loyal—people like that shine wherever they go, and she's lucky to have recruited them back.

"Can we tap into the Zhen Xing Escort Agency's business?" Rong Luoge asked He Huai, having noticed that between the two, Jing Chu was subtly led by He Huai.

"My subordinates will negotiate; it should be doable," He Huai said, "However, if we can only follow the Zhen Xing Escort Agency's route and have nothing to offer that gives others a discount, the purchase price will be higher."

Doing business is about give and take; a venture like the Zhen Xing Escort Agency wouldn't take our business just for a trivial travel fee. If we can supply something the agency lacks, the two businesses can endure.

Rong Luoge recalled the simple version of the Divine Fire Arrow she had prepared for the Crown Prince; it could be used to bluff people. Compared to the advanced version, its destructive power was naturally insufficient, but in this era without firearms, such a novel item was enough to impress.

Selling the Divine Fire Arrow outright is impossible, because Rong Luoge has no workshop nor source of raw materials, and with her current energy reserves she can't move.

But this item can serve as the first shot to open business with the Zhen Xing Escort Agency.

As for the Crown Prince, she'll make him an advanced version later, though it will take some days.

Although Rong Luoge doesn't understand commerce well, she knows the market chases rarity; as the saying goes, scarcity makes things valuable.

Moreover, her situation is delicate; the Protector Duke's household isn't troubling her now because Rong Dai is sparring with Chu Ke, and Han Yifeng can't attend to her because Consort Ming is dragging him in the palace to perform filial duties. The Crown Prince's cooperation, though its purpose is unclear, at least can suppress Han Yifeng and the Protector Duke for now, but she can't rely on the Crown Prince forever; she must stand on her own.

So, this path looks good for now.

As long as her ties with the Zhen Xing Escort Agency deepen, she wonders if they can help her obtain new household registration and travel permits; if so, she could leave the capital and have a bright future.

"You wait." Rong Luoge tossed that line, went to the study, soon returned, split the blueprint in half, gave one half to He Huai, "Take this to Chief Escort Luo and ask if he'll handle this exclusive business."

Rong Luoge doesn't know how to run a business, but she knows the greatest profit comes from exclusivity.