Chapter 97
Editor: Princess
The Second Day of ‘There’s a Shop’ Operations
The reputation for being inexpensive and useful had spread throughout the city. And having heard that yesterday’s goods had sold out, many people arrived early to queue.
Had there not been a curfew in the city, they would have waited outside the shop all night.
With still half an hour before opening, over twenty people had already formed a line.
Everyone’s greatest concern was whether goods would be available.
Without being able to buy such affordable cold-weather clothing, they would have to buy expensive yet insufficiently warm jackets.
Because of this batch of Western Region clothing, several wealthy merchants who had been hoarding goods and inflating prices could no longer sit still. Cotton jackets that previously cost nearly thirty taels had been reduced in price today.
However, no matter how much they reduced prices, they would not go below five taels.
They also sent people to mix among the crowd and gather intelligence, refusing to believe that Western Region goods could be supplied indefinitely! Clothing manufacture required time, after all!
As the shop prepared to open, several horse-drawn carts arrived with boxes of goods. And seeing such abundant inventory, the eyes of the queuing citizens lit up with anticipation.
The intelligence gatherers also returned to report their findings: “The goods were transported from Yunzhou by merchant caravans. The people in charge are all their trusted associates, no outsiders were involved in handling. We could see that little inventory remained in the warehouse, but we heard that more goods would continue arriving.”
The man in the upper seat stroked his fan handle. “Western Region cold-weather clothing can help Great Qi survive this crisis, this is a great achievement. They should rightfully hand over this business.”
He had already obtained the merchant fleet’s travel records and had ordered people to investigate the caravans doing business with the Liu family, intending to destroy them completely.
There should be results today, and this shop’s business would reach its end.
While the two shops conducted their thriving business, a seemingly modest carriage stopped before the pleasure house across the street.
This location offered views of the distant riverbank and docks, making it Prince Cheng’s chosen vantage point for watching the drama unfold.
However just at that moment, among the bustling dock workers and constant traffic, a group suddenly intruded.
The newcomers held official positions and came with legitimate authority. Nobody on the cargo ships dared to obstruct them, only quietly sending someone to notify Liu Zheng.
The boxes on the cargo ships contained goods, but not nearly enough Western Region merchandise to withstand detailed inspection.
Liu Zheng was still hurrying to the scene, planning to delay the inspectors regardless of the circumstances.
However, another extremely ostentatious carriage arrived at the pleasure house first.
Seeing the bronze pendant hanging from this carriage, the surroundings fell silent as death.
Throughout the entire capital, nobody failed to recognize this luxurious carriage that rivaled the imperial chariot in grandeur.
Nobody dared speak a word of criticism against it.
Meanwhile, in the private room, Prince Cheng, who had been wondering why he could see no activity at the docks, received a report from his trusted aide that the people at the docks had not even boarded the cargo ships and had completely withdrawn.
Prince Cheng hurried outside, intending to personally investigate the situation.
A plain-looking attendant in gray clothing approached him.
“Prince Cheng, my master sent me to convey a message: some matters are best left uninvestigated.”
Staring at the magnificent carriage ahead, Prince Cheng’s expression darkened as he bowed. “What does the National Preceptor mean by this?”
What benefits had the Crown Prince offered to make this person, whom even Father Emperor had to respect, intervene on his behalf?
A slender yet powerful hand casually pulled back the carriage curtain.
“You’re investigating me, yet you’re asking what I mean?”
Although the tone carried amusement, the eyes were cold.
“Regardless of your conflicts, do not interfere with my business with the Western Region merchants.” Wen Zhi said calmly.
Hearing this, Prince Cheng was stunned. After a long moment, he said, “I was presumptuous before. I hope the National Preceptor will forgive me.”
This was really bizarre. He had never expected this business to be connected to him.
Moreover, when he mentioned the Western Region merchants, his entire tone seemed to change.
He had wondered how the Liu family alone could obtain so many goods that Great Qi desperately needed.
Liu Zheng had imagined countless unfavorable scenarios, but he never expected to arrive at the docks to find that nothing had happened.
He even thought he had received false information.
After asking around among the caravan members, nobody knew what had occurred.
They only said that people sent by the National Preceptor had appeared, and that after seeing the token, those preparing to search the ships had fled.
Liu Zheng scratched his head in confusion. What did this mean? The person who had previously ignored their attempts to establish connections – how could he now proactively offer help?
Liu Zheng had someone deliver this news to the Crown Prince’s residence while he went to the shops.
“The clothes are selling too well. By noon tomorrow, we estimate we will have no inventory left.” The shopkeeper whispered.
“I will ask about when the next batch of goods arrives. First, spread the word that these clothes are abundant in the Western Region, that we have sufficient stock, and that people should not worry. Even if later shipments arrive late, prices will absolutely not increase.”
“Yes, sir.”
Liu Zheng immediately left the shop and went to Bluestone Alley, arriving at Shen You’s antique shop.
Shen You was using a flame gun to melt gold bars.
Liu Zheng was genuinely stunned by this sight. What kind of magical tool was this that could spray fire at the press of a button? How amazing!
Afraid of being injured by accident, he stepped aside quietly.
“Shopkeeper Shen, we have sold most of the previous clothes. When will the next batch of goods be available?”
“They will arrive tomorrow. This batch contains eight thousand pieces, you can sell them outside the capital.” Shen You said, setting down the flame gun. “The day after tomorrow, I have business and can’t open the shop, so tomorrow evening, you must arrange to transport the goods.”
“No problem.”
Liu Zheng recalled the dock incident. After some hesitation, he mentioned it, but seeing that Shen You said nothing, he couldn’t determine whether she had requested the National Preceptor’s people to intervene.
After arranging the goods transfer time, Liu Zheng left. The shop still had matters awaiting his attention.
Several shopkeepers from fabric and ready-made clothing shops throughout the capital had approached him, along with people from trading companies.
They all hoped to obtain some goods from the Liu family shops so everyone could profit together.
“We have shops in various locations and the fastest merchant caravans. We also want to help more people obtain good clothing.”
“However, transporting Western Region clothing to various places would be too costly. Selling at five taels would be a loss, why not raise the price to twenty taels?”
Several representatives of the trading companies appeared respectful on the surface while cursing Liu Zheng thoroughly in their hearts.
Having such excellent connections and goods, yet setting such low prices, they didn’t know how to make money!
“I can supply you with goods, but the pricing cannot be changed.” Liu Zheng deliberately sighed. “Do you think I do not want to make money? Contacting Western Region merchants and ensuring smooth transport to the capital, do you think the Liu household could accomplish this alone?
If price gouging is discovered, when the time comes for confiscation of property and exile, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
At this, all the wealthy merchants’ faces changed, and they pressed Liu Zheng about who was behind him.
Liu Zheng only spoke in ambiguous terms, letting them guess for themselves. Once they suspected connections to the palace, nobody dared mention raising prices again.
“But when we transport these goods out, we surely cannot operate at a loss. Your selling price to us is also five taels.”
“For water transport, the maximum cannot exceed seven taels.” Liu Zheng brought over an abacus. “I have calculated this, this price isn’t a loss. For the twenty-tael sets, I can give you a discount.”
The others nearly couldn’t restrain themselves from saying sarcastically: You certainly know how to calculate!
“This is also the intention from above. If you handle this matter well, it will naturally be a meritorious deed.” Liu Zheng added.
The trading company backed by the Zhao Marquis household agreed first, and the remaining people didn’t dare refuse.
However, when they left, they all wore somewhat forced smiles.
Only Liu Zheng sat alone, nodding while operating his abacus.