Chapter 199: The Second Brother is Stimulated.

Chapter 199

The highest quality dates, hawthorns and chestnuts from Henan Prefecture fattened up the locals into chubby white skinned people. After much hardship to transport them to Fengjing, they were labeled as rotten stuff.

Zheng Ruqian was stunned for a moment.

Only when Jiang Sheng tugged at his wrist, and looked at him with worried eyes, did he come to his senses.

He already knew the arrogance of Fengjing people from the experience of renting a house. He felt it once more when selling cured meat. He had thought that after reaching a deal they could have an equal conversation, but the other party simply looked down on them.

If it were the 10-year-old Zheng Ruqian, he would have begged humbly, smiled obsequiously to get close, and tried every means to sell to the Yu'ran Inn.

But the 13-year-old Zheng Ruqian first felt furious, then grabbed his sister's hand and resolutely left.

The head steward of Yu'ran Inn was slightly startled, while the younger waiter had some regret, "Those dates were exceptionally big and round..."

But what does Fengjing not have?

Zheng Xin's dates are good, Yanchuan's dates are also not bad. As for haws and chestnuts, Fengjing has plenty, only outsiders would take these odds and ends as treasures.

From behind came a distinct scoff from the head steward, as if ridiculing their overestimation of their abilities.

Zheng Ruqian clenched his fists and walked straight in, then straight out.

Gao Dawan was waiting at the door with a carriage full of goods. Seeing them come out, his eyes lit up and he was about to step forward, but Jiang Sheng just shook her head.

All the words were stuck in his throat.

Zheng Ruqian got on the carriage shaft as usual, "Let's go, back home."

Gao Dawan was in front, the siblings were behind.

Feeling the carriage moving smoothly forward, Jiang Sheng finally couldn't help but tug at her elder brother's sleeve, and carefully comforted, "Elder brother don't feel down, it's the Fengjing people who can't appreciate quality goods. If we send these to Anshui Prefecture, shopkeeper He would be so happy."

Zheng Ruqian smiled, and gently stroked his sister's hair, "Don't worry, I'm not upset."

He suddenly realized something - Yu'ran Inn could be a business lead for him, but it could not be his only business lead.

Thinking carefully, from Xieyang County to Anshui Prefecture, then Fengjing, almost all the goods Zheng Ruqian transported were given to Yu'ran Inn, as he was used to supplying them.

Suddenly next to him came Jiang Sheng's angry and exasperated voice, "Elder brother, you didn't wash your hands. Auntie told us to love cleanliness. Eating without washing hands will let the boogeyman pull out worms."

Zheng Ruqian, "..."

He didn't know when Wen Zhiyun brought over a basin of water, and Chang Yan took out a towel.

Second elder brother could only wash clean in the water, before the hopping mad little moth turned back into a quiet beautiful butterfly.

The siblings ate the glutinous rice jujube cakes with great relish. How fragrant and sweet it was.

Even the already full Wen Zhiyun couldn't help but swallow.

Auntie Zhang loved such scenes. Seeing the plate empty, she hurriedly turned around, "There's more, still more. It's still in the pot. Eat to your heart's content."

After eating their fill, Zheng Ruqian rubbed his sticky fingertips and solemnly asked, "I heard Jiang Sheng mention before that Auntie wanted to open a shop?"

Zhang Xianglian was stunned for a good while before nodding, "Yes, but it requires too much money."

The money she earned these years all came from the workshop. She didn't need to work like the laborers, only responsible for inspecting the finished products. Her other time was used to cook for the children.

Jiang Sheng had mentioned giving her a raise, but Zhang Xianglian felt the work she did at the workshop was too easy. She ate the food she cooked for the children too, so it was unreasonable to ask for a raise. Thus she declined.

Like this, earning 30-40 wen a day, a year was only 10 taels. Saving up half a lifetime was barely enough to rent a storefront in Fengjing for a year.

What about the labor, materials, costs? Where would the money come from?

Gradually, Zhang Xianglian hid this thought deep in her heart, taking it as motivation in life.

"Auntie, it'll be a bit difficult for you to open your own store." Zheng Ruqian sincerely advised, "If you want to do business here, it's more suitable to set up a street stall."

But Fengjing had strict regulations. Other than festivals of universal joy, street stalls would inevitably be driven away by the yamen runners of the Municipal Government. Frequent offenses could even lead to imprisonment.

Zhang Xianglian understood too. She regretfully laughed.

"But I'm planning to open a shop. If Auntie is interested, you can partner with me." Zheng Ruqian suddenly pivoted, "I'll put up the capital, Auntie provides the labor. We can also occupy a spot in Fengjing."

Zhang Xianglian was stunned. Jiang Sheng was surprised. Wen Zhiyun had a complicated expression. Chang Yan was shocked and elated.

When did second elder brother, who was even afraid of selling mushrooms alone and needed his sister to accompany him, become so bold as to want to open his own store, and even occupy a spot in Fengjing?