Chapter 137: Meng Qinghe's Scheme

Shopkeeper Hao, though a bit puzzled, said nothing and simply nodded, "Got it, owner, I understand."

"From today our shop will suspend operations for reorganization; we'll hire people to remodel the place and take on a few more servants, otherwise when we reopen we'll be overwhelmed. Also, regarding the current staff, ask them clearly: if they wish to leave, they can settle their wages and go; if they choose to stay, I'll increase each person's monthly pay by one or two silver coins."

"Increase the pay by one or two silver?" Shopkeeper Hao hesitated, then voiced his concerns: "Owner, I know you're not short of silver, but our shop can't recoup its costs. If you want to pursue another line of business there might be a sliver of hope, but if you still intend to run the tavern, not even breaking even is possible. Now you want to hire more staff, raise wages, and remodel—this…"

"Shopkeeper Hao, rest assured. This young master isn't short of silver, but I'm no dupe; as a businessman I won't engage in losing trades. Just do as I say."

Seeing her insist, Shopkeeper Hao had no other recourse; after all, the tavern's owner was her, not him.

Chi Nan Yi stepped out of the tavern, glanced at the opposite Delicious Hall, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

Delicious Hall was the most profitable of the Meng Family's enterprises; after the Meng Family had been stripped clean, it was this shop that kept them afloat. If its business were seized, the Meng Family would soon be strapped for cash.

Then there would be a good show to watch.

After Chi Nan Yi left, the shop opposite Delicious Hall shut its doors and ceased operations.

Meng Qinghe happened to be dining at Delicious Hall, glanced across, and sneered, "This is the result of crossing the Meng Family. Cai Pin, go ask the opposite shopkeeper; tell him Miss Meng is willing to buy his shop for two hundred taels. As long as he isn't a fool, he should know what to do."

"Yes."

Meng Qinghe's gaze lingered on the shop; she was determined to seize the opposite tavern. Though the Meng Family appeared splendid on the surface, it was actually hollow inside, with little spare silver. The year's end was near, and snow would soon fall; all food would then surge in price. She planned to acquire the shop now, and before food prices rose, find a way to get more silver from her mother to stock up on grain. When Jingcheng's food supplies were exhausted and external grain could not be brought in, she could profit handsomely.

Ten thousand taels could become fifty thousand taels or even more.

Soon after, Cai Pin returned to the private room.

"How is it? Did that old fool agree?"

"No."

"What?"

Cai Pin hurriedly said, "The opposite shopkeeper said his shop isn't for sale."

"Not for sale?" Meng Qinghe pointed at the sign standing at the door, "Then what does his closing mean?"

"He said he needs to remodel the shop and will reopen after some time."

"No customers at all, yet he wants to remodel? Does he think a fresh renovation will magically draw diners? That's a fool's dream! He doesn't know the limits. Since that's the case, Miss Meng will wait a while longer; he'll eventually be unable to hold on."

She recalled from a previous life that the tavern opposite their shop had changed hands many times, and no one could ever keep it running. She was just waiting for the inevitable collapse; for now, the urgent task was to get some silver.

After returning to the Minister's Residence, Meng Qinghe went straight to the matriarch's courtyard.

At that moment, Jiang Clan was reviewing the ledgers.

Seeing the sharp drop in the shops' profits, her complexion turned terribly grim.

"What on earth is happening? Not to mention the cloth shops and ready‑made garment stores, even the gold‑ and silver‑ware shops have seen their revenues cut by half. How are you all managing the stores?"

Several shopkeepers lined up, their faces full of distress.

"Madam, it's not that we don't want to trade; there simply is no clientele. Fortunately this month we still have a few regular customers, otherwise we might not even have that half."

"Indeed! Lately many gold‑ and silver‑ware shops and cloth and ready‑made garment stores have opened in Jingcheng, offering cheaper prices and newer styles. Compared with them…"

The shopkeeper's words trailed off, but Jiang Clan already understood.

"Find out who the owners behind these shops are."

"None."

"Investigate!"

"Yes."

Jiang Clan looked at the thick ledger that Delicious Hall had brought forward, and his expression softened slightly.

Fortunately Delicious Hall is supporting us; otherwise this year's end would be hard to endure!

After the shopkeeper left, Meng Qinghe walked in.

"Mother."

"Qinghe, you're here."

Meng Qinghe looked at the ledger on the table and smiled, "The Minister's Residence seems to have made a decent profit this month, doesn't it?"

Jiang Clan sighed, "It's far less than before; the Minister's Residence is now a hollow shell. These silver coins barely cover daily expenses. Qinghe, what brings you here?"

"Isn't it fine to come by even if there's nothing important?" Meng Qinghe nestled beside Jiang, whispering, "Mother, I want to learn how to do business from you."

"Doing business? Qinghe, why are you thinking about that?"

"I want to share your worries, Mother! Whenever I see you handling these matters with such authority, I want to learn more from you."

Meng Qinghe had expected Jiang to be deeply moved, but her gentle expression vanished, and in a low voice she said, "Qinghe, why do you have such ungrateful thoughts? The four occupations—scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—your mother comes from a merchant background, which you cannot choose. I married your father so you wouldn't be labeled a merchant's daughter. You are destined to marry the Crown Prince; if the Crown Prince learns you wish to engage in commerce, do you think the Emperor would allow you to enter the Crown Prince's Residence? Do you think the Crown Prince would still value you?"

Meng Qinghe's face tightened; indeed, her mother was correct.

She couldn't help but shiver at her original notion.

If she truly ran a shop, she feared she would never set foot in the Crown Prince's Residence in this lifetime.

Meng Qinghe grabbed Jiang's hand, "Mother, I know I was wrong; I shouldn't have thought that way."

Jiang straightened the stray hairs by her ear and said, "I have only you and your elder brother as children. I still hope you will marry the Crown Prince, enter the palace as a consort and bring glory to our family! Your father is the Minister; you must understand that you are of noble birth. Apart from the princesses and duchesses in the palace, you are the most esteemed lady in Jingcheng. You must achieve greatness. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, if you can secure a place in his heart, our Minister's Residence will rise even higher, and it will also benefit your brother." Speaking of the son in the residence, Jiang's eyes flashed with a trace of resentment: "Qinghe, your elder brother is useless, unstudied; your father intends to focus on that illegitimate son. If he inherits everything of the Minister's Residence, the three of us will be ruined, understand?"