Chapter 242: The Meddlesome Matchmaker

Very quickly, the shop's revenue for today was calculated.

The shopkeeper held the account book, his hands trembling with excitement.

"The shop's revenue for today totals over one hundred thousand taels!"

"Moreover, we received over forty orders, and all of them have paid a deposit."

A cheer erupted in the shop instantly.

Jia Shun was extremely happy, rubbing his hands incessantly, "We've struck it rich! Selling one hundred thousand taels in a single day—these goods are truly easy to sell."

"We've earned so much money," Qin Zhan said, also extremely excited. "It's even more than when we sold laundry detergent! It seems Bai's plan for the hundred-wen shop is truly effective."

"That goes without saying," Bai Wei replied, accepting the surrounding praise without modesty. "After all, ordinary people make up the majority, and everyone needs to eat, drink, and attend to their basic needs."

She turned her head and said to Xiao Moting.

"Since we've earned quite a bit of silver today, let's use it to improve the meals for the Northern Frontier Army."

Last time the army ate dumplings and braised pork, Xiao Dabao said these were delicacies only eaten during the New Year, and that their usual food was not this sumptuous.

Bai Wei understood Xiao Moting; the Northern Frontier Army had 180,000 men. If they ate fish and meat every day, even if she delivered supplies daily, she could not afford to support so many people.

Upon hearing about improving the meals, Xiao Dabao became excited.

"Great, great! What good food shall we buy?"

Bai Wei looked at Xiao Moting, "For this, the Prince of Zhenbei must decide."

She had been in the spotlight enough today; now, handing the decision-making power to Xiao Moting could be considered giving him, the Prince of Zhenbei, some face.

Xiao Moting pondered for a moment.

"Then let us go to the butchers in the city and buy a batch of live chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep... and send them to the Northern Frontier Camp so the soldiers can have a treat."

The live chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep in Daliang were all raised by nearby farmers, and their numbers were far fewer than what Bai Wei had on her side.

If they only bought one type of livestock, it likely wouldn't be enough.

"With the remaining silver, buy another batch of medicinal herbs and send them to the Beijiang Military Hospital to replenish the pharmacy's stock of traditional Chinese medicine."

Medical care for the Northern Frontier Army was free. Whenever soldiers had a headache or a fever, they would run to the hospital for treatment, and there were many veterans with old injuries who took medicine long-term; all of this was covered by military funds, and the silver spent on it in normal times was not a small amount.

Bai Wei had already sent over many modern medicines, but he couldn't keep asking her for traditional Chinese medicine as well.

Upon hearing there was meat to eat, Xiao Dabao's chubby face blossomed into a smile.

"Good, good, when I go back, I want to eat whole roasted lamb."

After Xiao Moting finished his arrangements, he turned to ask Bai Wei.

"Bai, what do you think of this arrangement?"

Bai Wei shook her head like a rattle-drum, "You are the Chief Commander of the Northern Frontier Army; you just arrange it."

"Although I am the Chief Commander of the Northern Frontier Army, here, you have the final say." Xiao Moting looked at her with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Bai Wei's cheeks flushed, and she couldn't help but feel a sweetness in her heart.

She couldn't help but mutter to herself.

"... He has quite a sweet tongue..."

This man looked silent and reserved; she hadn't expected his ability to coax people to be so good.

As the two exchanged words, the crowd nearby fell silent, staring at them with complex expressions.

The Prince of Zhenbei was showing off his affection in public; did he really think they didn't exist?

Jia Shun shrank behind the crowd, secretly chuckling.

Just now, he had pushed Xiao Moting aside and run to Bai Wei to make the decision; this move had truly paid off.

Don't look at how Xiao Moting was the Prince of Zhenbei, famous and formidable abroad; in reality, this wife-to-be of his was the true head of the household!

Whether it was a big matter or a small one, it only counted if this lady said so!

Xiao Moting smiled.

"Sand gathers into a tower; after the Bai Ji Zahuodian expands in the future, you will earn even more."

"What 'you' and 'me'?" Bai Wei glared at him, feigning displeasure. "This is our shop; the silver we earn belongs to both of us."

Jia Shun hurriedly fawned and buttered them up, "Yes, yes, you and the Prince of Zhenbei are one family; the silver earned isn't it all yours together?"

"Bai, Your Highness, you have been tired all day. Now that it is late, I have already set up a banquet at the mansion; please move to the Taishou Mansion for a simple meal."

He had to cling tightly to Bai Wei's leg to prevent Xiao Moting from extorting him again in the future.

Bai Wei's face turned red, and she was just about to speak.

Suddenly!

A burst of footsteps came from outside the door.

Immediately following, a gaudily dressed, thin woman swayed her waist as she walked through the main gate.

As soon as she saw Xiao Moting, she grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

"Young Master, I have searched so hard for you."

Xiao Moting looked up, and his whole body instantly tensed.

"Why have you come?"

Bai Wei was standing behind the crowd, and the thin woman didn't see her; she walked over happily, flicking the scented handkerchief in her hand.

"I am Matchmaker Wang; I introduced a young lady to you last time."

"Young Master, you said last time that you were already married, but I have inquired, and you have no such thing. You deceived me so bitterly!"

"Where is your ancestral home? Today at this Bai Ji Zahuodian, I saw you following the carriage, guarding them as they transported goods. Are these goods all from your home? Does your family run a big business?"

"Member Li in the city sees that you are a man of talent and wants to marry his daughter to you, and even provide a dowry; this is truly a heaven-sent match."

Bai Wei knitted her brows and looked Xiao Moting up and down.

"You went on a matchmaking date?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Moting's muscles tensed up all over.

"Bai, please do not misunderstand; I have never gone on a blind date with anyone."

Before he could finish speaking, another fat matchmaker ran in from outside the door.

The fat matchmaker was panting for breath, one hand bracing against the doorframe, the other pointing at Xiao Moting.

"Young master, quick... Shopkeeper Liu from the fabric store entrusted me to propose a marriage; his daughter is as beautiful as a flower, and he wants to marry her to you."

Seeing that these two matchmakers had come again, Xiao Moting's face turned black.

He looked anxiously at Bai Wei, "Bai, I did not call for them, nor have I ever thought of marrying anyone else."

With Xiao Lujing absent, the two matchmakers were unscrupulous and began arguing again in public.

"Matchmaker Wang, I was here first! You see that the Bai Grocery Store is doing good business and think this young master's family runs a big business, so you want to snatch him away? No way."

"Since his family runs a big business, how could they possibly look favorably upon the match you are proposing?"

"Shameless, aren't you just trying to pocket a matchmaker's commission? This young master here is a young master from a wealthy family; don't be fooled by this Matchmaker Zhang. The family she mentioned has no money and is only after your ability to earn."

The two of them argued until spit was flying, gesturing wildly with their hands and feet.

Bai Wei glanced sideways at Xiao Moting, feigning a cold tone.

"Xiao Moting, I didn't expect you to be so dashing and gallant, with so many young ladies wanting to marry you; you must be spoiled for choice, right?"

"Bai, I am not..." Xiao Moting was anxious, and disregarding the people around them, he took a step in front of Bai Wei.

He raised his hand and placed it over his chest.

"Bai, I, Xiao Moting, swear to the heavens that I have only you in my heart..."

This was the military stance for taking an oath in the Northern Frontier Army, used only on significant occasions.

In his haste, Xiao Moting could not care about such things anymore.

As soon as his words were finished, the air all around suddenly became quiet.