Chapter 240: Business is Booming and Prosperous

The Bai Ji Zahuodian was almost bursting at the seams with the crowd.

With Bai Wei's "live demonstration," the crowd that had just been watching the spectacle all surged forward, frantically snapping up goods.

Nail polish, graters, plastic hangers, plastic basins...

They were all good things!

Moreover, at only one hundred wen, how was this any different from giving them away?

A foot-washing basin made of yellow willow wood cost three hundred wen, and it was heavy to boot.

These plastic basins of hers were light, sturdy, and wouldn't break even if dropped, all for just one hundred wen!

Buy, buy, buy!

The crowd rushed into the shop as if they were going to war, grabbing whatever they could get their hands on, terrified they wouldn't be able to buy anything.

It wasn't just passersby running in to shop; shopkeepers from several nearby streets didn't even bother opening their own stores, shutting their doors and bringing their whole families over to join the buying frenzy.

Those running taverns, restaurants, and eateries scrambled to buy vegetable graters, plastic cutting boards, garlic presses, fruit knives, and plastic bowls...

Those running tailor shops, fabric stores, and clothing boutiques... scrambled to buy plastic hangers, clothes drying rods, tape measures, sewing kits, and medical scissors...

Peddlers, butchers, vegetable vendors... scrambled to buy plastic measuring cups, food storage bags, battery-powered night lights, money pouches, and handheld scales...

Noble ladies, young maidens, shop mistresses, and even the brothels from the next street over had mobilized.

A large group of beauties rushed into the shop, bringing with them a thick, fragrant breeze of powder and rouge, competing to snap up nail polish, lip balm, exfoliating bath stones, and plastic hair ties...

The shop was clamorous and packed so tight not even a drop of water could pass through.

Seeing that there were too many people in the shop, Bai Wei hurriedly called Jia Shun over.

"Prefect Jia, there are too many people coming into the shop to buy things. Please arrange for some city guards to keep a close watch and guard against pickpockets."

Jia Shun was flattered.

"Bai, I will go handle it right away."

Having said that, he immediately summoned a team of city guards holding Long Swords, who stood at the entrance with fierce glares to prevent any thieves from fishing in troubled waters.

Bai Wei was also surrounded by the crowd.

There were simply too many small items in the shop, and the variety was complex; although she had introduced some products, there were still many things whose uses people didn't understand.

The crowd squeezed around Bai Wei, holding items in their hands and competing to ask questions.

"Miss, what is this transparent bowl for?"

"This is a plastic fruit tray; you can use it to hold fruit."

"Then is this bucket with a lid for holding water?"

"This is called a trash can. You can open the lid by stepping on it to throw trash inside; it can keep mosquitoes and insects away in the summer."

"Look at me, look at me, what is this round tray with many clips used for?"

"For drying socks; you can also use it to dry small items of clothing by clipping them on together."

The items in the shop were all novel gadgets.

The commoners of Xuancheng had never seen them before.

Compared to the items they usually used, these things were much more convenient.

Many people already had a huge pile in their hands, but they still wanted to buy more.

There were simply too many various daily necessities in the shop, and they wanted them all.

Bai Wei kept explaining the uses of the items to customers until her throat was dry. Xiao Moting came over to bring her water several times, telling her to rest while he took over.

But Bai Wei refused.

Xiao Moting had a sharp mind for business, but when it came to being glib, he might not be as quick as she was.

Besides, these things were all modern; if she let Xiao Moting explain them to everyone, he really wouldn't be able to give a clear account of them.

"Dong dong qiang..."

A burst of gongs and drums sounded outside the shop.

Bai Wei looked up and was instantly dumbfounded.

Jia Shun had actually found a juggling troupe to perform a lion dance at the shop entrance to boost popularity.

"Bai, what do you think of this juggling troupe I found?" Jia Shun slid over to Bai Wei with a fawning expression. "Let's also seek some good fortune to make the business booming and prosperous."

Bai Wei chuckled. "Fine."

Jia Shun also grinned and laughed.

He had watched from the side for a while and had figured it out.

Compared to Xiao Moting, this Bai, who wore a veil, was the true Goddess of Wealth. He had to hurry and curry favor with her, clinging tightly to Bai Wei's leg so he could follow along and get rich in the future.

Moreover, looking at Xiao Moting's attitude toward Bai, he knew that the truly formidable one was Bai; when it came to matters, what he said didn't count, but what his wife said did.

Jia Shun couldn't help but curl his lip.

He hadn't expected that the world-renowned Prince of Zhenbei would one day be led by the nose by his wife.

Thinking back, Xiao Moting had once barged into his manor, holding a blade and threatening to cut off his head.

He had been terrified at the time.

But look at him now; wasn't Xiao Moting being kept perfectly in line by his fiancée, becoming a henpecked husband?

A few more people squeezed in from outside.

When Bai Ji Zahuodian used to sell soap and laundry detergent, they had taken on a batch of franchisees.

Now, the franchisees in the city had also rushed over. Having heard the news that the grocery store had brought in more good things, they all ran over to place orders.

Some franchisees were out of town, but their families were in the city and had also run over to place orders.

Jia Shun hurriedly reported to Xiao Moting.

Xiao Moting turned his head and asked Bai Wei.

"Bai, these franchisees want to take stock."

"Not today. We don't even have enough stock in the shop to sell; if we give it to them, we won't have anything left to sell ourselves." Bai Wei thought for a moment, "Have them pay a deposit, leave their orders, and come to the shop to pick up the goods the day after tomorrow."

"Very well."

Bai Wei added, "The goods wholesaled to franchisees will all be calculated at sixty percent of the price, and you must tell them that these goods are to be sold for exactly one hundred wen, no higher, or we will revoke their franchise qualifications."

Jia Shun was puzzled, "Bai, the higher the price they sell for, the more silver we can earn. Why require them to only sell for one hundred wen?"

Bai Wei smiled, "Prefect Jia, I don't just want to earn money; I also want the common people of the Daliang Kingdom to be able to afford these convenient and useful things. If they are sold too expensively, the common people won't be able to afford them."

Jia Shun suddenly realized the truth and felt a sense of reverence for Bai Wei.

It was the first time he had ever seen a merchant who did not want to earn more money, but only wanted to benefit the common people.

"Do as Bai says," Xiao Moting commanded coldly, "Tell these franchisees that you will send soldiers out to investigate privately, and if you find any shop that dares to act against its conscience and raise the price of the goods, terminate the agreement and there will be no cooperation in the future."

"Yes."

The setting sun sank to the horizon, and the sky gradually grew dark.

The Bai's General Store, which had been bustling all day, finally closed for business.

All the goods in the shop had been completely sold out.

Yet even so, there were still many people crowding outside the shop, clamoring to buy.

Xiao Moting had no choice but to have Jia Shun tell these people that today's goods were already sold out, and if they wanted to buy more, they should come back tomorrow morning.

"Prince, today was a massive success." Jia Shun held the ledger, beaming with joy, "Calculating today's goods, we sold over fifty thousand taels of silver, and we also received over forty orders. We made a huge profit."

"That's wonderful." Bai Wei also revealed a smile.

She had been shouting for an entire day, her waist was sore and her back ached, and her throat was hoarse, but this hard work had finally not been in vain.

Once the sales channels for the "Hundred Wen Shop" were opened, it would surely sell well in the future.

At this moment, Jia Shun stepped forward obsequiously, "Bai, the Bai's General Store in Xuancheng has already made a name for itself. Should we expand the shop and open a few more branches?"

He saw that Bai Wei was the one in charge, so he simply bypassed Xiao Moting and asked for her opinion directly.